章 18: Chapter 14
[A/N:Interesting thing there will be new demons involved like Sabbac or Trigon or something along the lines just to make the demon's more interesting. Also, there will more ancient beings linked to concepts like Death, Life, Destiny,...Etc . I like Death (MCU) version, Life will have to think about it. Darkness (Supernatural) these will only appear later on.]
The forest was dense with towering trees and the faint scent of moss, the air still and heavy with tension. Merlin and Atalanta walked side by side, their eyes scanning the undergrowth for any sign of the army of boys. The occasional bird call punctuated the silence, but an ominous energy hung over the place, as if the land itself knew what was coming.
Atlanta walked beside Merlin, her sharp eyes scanning the rugged path ahead. She tilted her head slightly, breaking the silence.
"So, they went this way?" she asked, her tone calm but laced with curiosity.
Merlin gave a slight nod. "Yes," he replied, his voice low and measured. "When I feigned death, I placed a tracking charm on Titus. Subtle, but enough to follow his trail."
Atlanta hummed thoughtfully, her gaze narrowing as she absorbed the information. The crackle of leaves beneath their boots was the only sound for a moment before she spoke again, her curiosity getting the better of her. "Can you tell me about Ares?"
Merlin's expression darkened, his sharp features shadowed by the encroaching dusk. He exhaled slowly, his voice heavy with both disdain and experience.
"Ares…" he began, his tone colder now. "Ares was one of the worst gods of war I ever had the misfortune of dealing with. He thrives on chaos, a predator of blood and conquest. He'll stop at nothing to get what he wants, no matter the cost."
Merlin paused."It doesn't surprise me that he's stooped to using boys now. Their blood sacrifices fuels his power, their fear feeds his insatiable lust for war. Ares doesn't just seek power, Atlanta. He devours it."
Atalanta frowned, her fingers brushing the whip coiled at her side."Can't Zeus step in to stop him?"
Merlin let out a mirthless chuckle, shaking his head."Why would he? To Zeus, human life is a trivial thing. Ares learned his arrogance and disregard for humanity from his father."
Atlanta winced suddenly, clutching the bandaged part of her arm."Ow—my arm!"
Merlin turned to her, concern etching lines into his face."Atlanta, are you all right?"
Her body stiffened, and when she looked up, her eyes glowed red and her voice was no longer her own—it rumbled with Ares' guttural tone,"I'm fine."
Merlin's eyes narrowed, he already guessed Ares would pull such a stunt. So he had cast an Anti possession charm on Atlanta, this issue here is it takes time to expel a divine entity like Ares.Also, knocking her out, also helps.
Merlin's hand instinctively reaching toward the Ten Rings on his wrists. He removed his sleeved back revealing the Ten Rings, they are sturdy iron bands that are worn around the forearms, the rings appear to be made of a dark, dense metal that has a slightly rough, worn texture. Each ring is thick and heavy, with intricate carvings and symbols etched into their metallic surfaces, giving them an ancient and mystical look.
The Ten rings kept five rings on each arm to evenly distribute his strength enhancement."I knew you wouldn't let go of her so easily, Ares."
With a flick of her wrist, Atalanta lashed out with her whip, its end slicing through the air like a bolt of lightning. Merlin dodged just in time, the whip cutting cleanly through a nearby boulder, splitting it in two as if it were made of butter.
She struck again, but this time Merlin raised his hand, the Ten Rings glowing as they absorbed the strike. In one fluid motion, he extended his other hand and unleashed a concussive blast of air. The force sent Atalanta flying backward into the river beside them, the splash echoing through the forest.
Merlin wasted no time. He activated an anti-possession charm he had placed on her earlier, its symbols glowing faintly as it flared to life. A dark, writhing cloud of smoke burst from Atlanta's body, twisting and screeching before dissipating into the ether.
Merlin rushed to the riverbank as Atalanta emerged from the water, her hair and clothes drenched."Atalanta—are you all right?"
Atlanta trying swim to the banks and replied"Of course, I'm all right. Now, get me out of here! What just happened?"
Merlin helped her climbed out, dripping wet, shaking water from her arms. Her hands moved to adjust her bra-like top, teasingly tugging it into place, Merlin was pretty sure she was doing that on purpose.
"You tried to whip me to shreds. That's what happened."Merlin deadpanned at her, before muttering a drying charm, the water evaporating from her clothes and skin in an instant.
Atalanta blinked, confused."What are you talking about?"
Merlin explained."Ares got into your head—took control. You went berserk."
Her eyes darkened for a moment as she mulled this over."I did have this strange feeling, like I wasn't myself just now."
Merlin gave her a pointed look."Well, next time you get that 'strange feeling,' give me a little warning, will you?"he then cast a drying spell.
She laughed lightly, her earlier tension melting away."Thanks for drying me, but I thought you liked to see me wet."
Merlin coughed, averting his gaze."Maybe... later."
Atlanta grinned, shaking her head as she grabbed her whip, the two of them setting off once more, the forest looming ominously around them.
Suddenly, Janista appeared from behind a cluster of trees, her face pale with worry as she rushed toward them."Merlin—stop! Titus is acting crazy. He's still tryin' to kill you."
Merlin sighed, running a hand through his hair, his expression a mixture of exasperation and understanding."I know that. I know that. I know where to find him."
Janista grabbed Merlin's arm, her voice trembling."Please don't hurt him. He's all I have."
Before Merlin could answer, Atlanta stepped forward, her tone firm yet reassuring."He'll be all right."
Merlin nodded, his gaze softening slightly. "The only one I wanna hurt—is Ares."
Janista's grip tightened, her resolve clear."I'm coming. He's my son."
Atlanta gave Merlin a pointed look, but he could see the determination in Janista's eyes. There was no way she would back down. Merlin sighed again, realizing it was futile to argue."Fine. But stay close. If Ares gets wind of this, he won't hold back."
Janista nodded solemnly. While Atlanta added."Let's not waste time then."
The trio moved forward, the air around them heavy with tension.
While dimly lit base, hidden deep within the forest, reeked of sweat, blood, and damp earth. The makeshift camp buzzed with an air of chaotic energy, boys sharpening weapons or tending to small fires. At the center of it all, Aurelius stood with a commanding presence, a small, sinister pouch in his hand. Its contents—Ares' blood—swirled ominously within.
Titus burst into the clearing, his face pale with urgency."Aurelius! Aurelius! Merlin is still alive!"
Aurelius barely glanced up, his expression one of bemused annoyance."Old news, Titus."
Titus questioned."Well, what're you gonna do about it?!"
Aurelius smirked, holding up the pouch and letting it dangle threateningly in the firelight. "I'm not gonna do anything. You are."
Titus blinked, his breath hitching. As Aurelius lied."Ares wanted you dead for screwing everything up—but I convinced him to give you one more chance."
The boys surrounding the camp murmured, casting wary glances at Titus. Aurelius took a step closer, his voice dropping to a menacing growl."Hold up your sword."
Titus hesitated, then drew his blade with a trembling hand. The firelight gleamed off its edge.
Aurelius uncorked the pouch, and the dark, viscous liquid inside seemed to shimmer with an otherworldly malice. He poured a few drops onto Titus's sword. The blood hissed and sizzled as it coated the blade, sending faint tendrils of smoke curling upward. As Aurelius explained."Ares' blood is pure poison. One cut, and Merlin is dead."
Although Ares's blood is poisonous, but for those he blessed it basically a super serum.
As the liquid soaked into Titus's blade, Ximenos stepped forward, holding out his own sword."Titus is my friend. I fight with him."
Aurelius grinned, clearly pleased."You better win with him."
He poured more of Ares' blood onto Ximenos's blade, the same malevolent reaction playing out. Finally, Aurelius raised his own sword and tipped the last of the pouch's contents onto it.
The three blades gleamed ominously, their edges seemingly pulsating with a dark power.
Aurelius grinned."With these weapons, Ares himself fights with us. Do not fail."
The boys around the camp erupted into cheers, their voices echoing through the night:"For Ares! For Ares!"
Titus and Ximenos exchanged a glance. While Ximenos's eyes burned with determination, Titus's held a flicker of doubt. But he returned back to Ares control.
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