Chapter 30 #2
Jayden moves quicker than I can blink. His hands are a blur as he creates a shield of pure darkness around us before Hera’s magic can get within an inch of us.
“Time to go.” Hermes chuckles.
The world spins around us and I grip Jayden tighter as we land ungracefully in the courtyard of Halfling Academy. The sun is high in the sky and the clang of swords striking against each other blows in on the breeze.
“That wasn’t as unpleasant as usual,” I huff. “Are those battle sounds or training?”
“Training.” Chiron’s hooves stamp as he clomps toward us. “They have done exactly as you asked. They are doing exceptionally well. Most of them, anyway.”
“I was scared for a second after the confrontation we just had that she moved forward the timeline.” I sigh.
“I’m not saying you have a lot of time by any means because she’s already found the last item of power she means to steal to try to destroy the world so she can remake it.” Apollo rubs at his jaw. “She hasn’t sped up the timeline that fast, though.”
“How long do we have?”
“Not long enough, maybe a week. Hephaestus is already weakening.” Apollo clenches his fists.
“So we were right about one thing. Hephaestus is next but we also have to prepare for war. Who will we see in battle? Old friends in the enemies’ ranks? How much blood has to be shed for greed and power?”
“The hammer could tip the scales enough for the queen to stop the war, but Olympus is divided down the middle on this war.” Hermes grips his staff so hard his knuckles turn white. “It’s not pretty and we won’t be of much assistance in the coming days.”
“That’s just fantastic. You’re telling us that we’re on our own in a war against gods, monsters, and other demigods when a good majority of the students in this academy barely know how to fight and at least half are bickering and bullying each other about their godly parents being on the wrong side? ”
Jayden pulls me into his arms and I rest my head back on his shoulder. This is worse than anything before. We are under the wire when it comes to the last artifact and have to find a way for the idiots at the academy to get along.
“There is one thing we may be able to assist with.” Hermes glances at Apollo who nods.
“What is it?” I ask.
“Two things actually. I have a charm for you. With this, you will never lose your way again.” Hermes hands me a charm in the shape of his caduceus.
“Technically, that wasn’t my fault. We ended up in another realm, which we need to discuss at some point because this war we’re facing is a catalyst for something that’s going to happen across the nexus, as Rosalind put it.” I raise a brow at them.
“You met Rosalind?” Apollo asks. “How did I not see that coming?”
“So many things are happening and this is only the beginning.”
“Yes, I know but those other incidents only concern you four if you choose it. There are others who must stand for their own destinies.” Apollo glances at Kira and the guys.
“One war at a time, brother.” Hermes claps Apollo on the shoulder. “Let’s go remove the brainwashing from the team from before.”
“Wait, you know how to do that?” Raven perks up.
“It was never about not knowing how. It was always about having the power to, and since I have my item of power back, I can help.”
We race into the dungeon and skid to a halt at the female laughter in the room. “Shit. What is she doing here again?”
“Again?” Apollo asks. “What do you mean? Halfling Academy is off-limits for her.”
“She’s not actually here. She is controlling one of the students. She’s taunting us because we haven’t figured out how to undo the mind control.” I cross my arms.
“Well, it’s a good thing that we’ve come bearing gifts.” Apollo grins.
“What?” Hera’s voice coming from Zeke is shrill.
“Be gone, Hera. You can never control these kids again.” Hermes raises a hand and blinding light fills the dark dungeon.
I turn my head into Jayden’s chest as the queen screams insults at Hermes and Apollo until the light fades. Three distinct male groans of pain reach my ears and I spin to the cells.
“What am I doing here?” Zeke asks. “Are we in a dungeon? Why? What happened? Last I remember we were… Mia. She did something to us.”
“She did,” Apollo says, crouching next to his own son on the ground. “You okay?”
“I think so, but everything is blurry.” He shakes his head.
“You three were mind-controlled.” Hermes leans against the wall.
“Again?” Zeke roars. “Fuck. That’s so not cool. How do we stop it from happening again?”
“I have charms for everyone who is loyal to the academy.” Apollo pulls something from his pocket.
“Wait, why are you helping? I thought you were on the queen’s side?” Zeke backs away from Apollo’s offering.
“He’s a prophet, dumbass,” Raven scoffs. “He had to pretend to be on her side to get the outcome we need. He took the ultimate sacrifice for the team. Now say thank you for the charm and shut your trap.”
“Well said, Raven.” Hermes grins. “You’re much smarter than most children of Ares.”
“Thank you,” Zeke says and holds out his hand.
Something dark slithers from Apollo’s hand over Zeke’s and up his arm to seep into the skin of his wrist. “This will protect you from mind magic. No one will be able to control you again.”
“And you said you had this for anyone loyal?” I lean toward the god.
“You don’t need this, Beth. Look at your charms. I gifted yours quietly to you long ago.”
“Because you knew what was going to happen. You knew where I was the whole time, didn’t you?” I ask, narrowing my eyes on him.
“I’m the god of prophecy.” Apollo winks at me. “Now, all that are truly loyal have the band around their right wrist. You don’t have to worry about betrayal, but I do need you to find the hammer before the world falls into chaos and the realms that connect to ours fall with it.”
“No pressure,” I mumble.
“We’ve got this.” Jayden wraps his arms around me.
“Do we, though? This is the final test of our strength. If we fail to find the hammer, nothing else we’ve done will matter.”
War is barreling full speed toward the academy, but I’m still not sure if we’re enough to win it. Yet we don’t have a choice. Our last battle is coming and it’s a battle for our lives.
The End… For Now
The final battle has yet to be won.