บท 85: Herodius

Immediately after returning back to Udra, Aryan gathered Bhanumati, Dushala, Subhadra, Karna and Eklavya and told them everything about the Greek gods and their plan.

"Oh my god, I can't believe I am only finding out about this now? "

Dushala exclaimed in shock, voicing everyone else's thoughts.

"Well, it is what it is. "

Aryan shrugged his shoulder helplessly.

"So, are you really going there to fight them off? "

Bhanumati asked after a moment.

"Yes, I am planning to leave tomorrow morning. "

Aryan answered calmly.

"Then count me in. "

Bhanumati said solemnly.

"Me too. "

Dushala added with a smile, followed by Subhadra, Karna and Eklavya.

"Sigh, guys, it's not that I don't want to take all of you. But some of us have to stay here to guard the kingdom too, right? "

Aryan said helplessly.

But clearly no one wanted to back out.

"I... Then I will stay here. Don't worry, you guys can leave the kingdom's safety to me. "

In the end, Eklavya took the lead to stay behind and subsequently, the rest of them left for Yavana the next morning.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

Capsodia, a city located on the borders.

Currently, Herodius was leading the seige on the Yavana fortress with his troops.

He was wildly rampaging on the battlefield, swinging around his axe, reaping countless lives with every attack.

"Herodius, you psycho, this is the end for you."

Kalrat, Yavana's third prince said while pointing his mace at Herodius and the next moment he charged towards the other party.

"Yaaaaaa! "

"Hmph, come on you lowly swine! "

Herodius snorted coldly and also brandished his axe at him.

* boom *

The moment the two of them collided, huge explosion resounded on the battlefield and Herodius retreated back in a sorry state, with multiple burn wounds on his arms.

"You son of an ugly bitch, that mace in your hands, it's definitely not an ordinary weapon. "

Herodius cursed angrily.

"Hahaha, indeed it's not an ordinary weapon. It's crafted from the bones of a powerful Rakshash killed by my father and it causes an explosion on contact. "

Kalrat flaunted arrogantly.

"You told me your secret just like that? I must say you're much more retarded than you look because that's exactly how villains are supposed to die in a story, they talk too much."

With that, Herodius rushed at him again.

And in just these few seconds, all the wounds on his body had already healed thanks to his demigod bloodline since all Greek demigods have weak self healing abilities from birth.

Since he already discovered that Kalrat's weapon causes explosion on contact, so this time he reacted intelligently.

Just when he was a hundred metres away from him, he urged the bluish-green gem imbedded on his axe, made up of a Hydra's heart and soul.

"Hydra's Wrath! "

Herodius slammed his axe into the ground and the next moment a life like seven headed Hydra made up of water rushed out of the ground below him.

"Kyaaahh.... Screeccchh.... "

Kalrat also became solemn after his senses warned him of danger and jumped up to smash one of the heads of the hydra.

* bang *

And he did succeed in doing so but the other heads used this opportunity to tear a few pieces of flesh from his body.

"Aargh! "

Kalrat howled in pain as his eyes became blood shot and madly swung the mace in a circle to fend off the Hydra's heads.

But he soon discovered to his horror that the head he smashed just a moment ago regrew again in the next moment like nothing ever happened.

* boom *

"Huff, huff, urgh..... There is no end to this !"

In just a minute, Kalrat was turned into a bloody mess by the hydra made up of water while Herodius was floating freely in the trunk of the Hydra completely unscathed.

And as the son of Poseidon, he naturally didn't have a problem breathing in water. So Herodius was just enjoying the show.

"What should I do now? Although I can run away myself but then, what would happen to the thousands of people in the city behind the fortress. No, I cannot run away. "

Kalrat murmured under his breath as determined look appeared on his face.

"I would rather die fighting as hero than be labelled as a deserter and coward. "

The next moment Kalrat rushed towards the Hydra while brandishing his mace once again.

But this time he was aiming for the trunk of the Hydra where Herodius was floating.

"Yaaaaa, die you filthy pirate."

* splash *

Kalrat's mace collided with the water-based Hydra, creating a shockwave that rippled through the battlefield. The clash of the two forces was intense, with Herodius maintaining his composure within the watery creature.

However, Kalrat's determination and the power of his explosive mace were not to be underestimated.

"Since one time won't work then I will repeat it again and again. "

Kalrat simply gave up on defense and started blasting the Hydra's trunk crazily.

Although this was only his last ditch move but the repeated strikes finally started to show their effect as Herodius's expression inside the Hydra changed from relaxed to struggling.

Soon the effects became even more apparent as the healing speed of the Hydra also slowed down considerably.

But unfortunately, Kalrat was already unable to continue anymore as he knelt on the ground while spitting blood from his mouth.

"Hahaha, I wish I had a little more time. Blergh... Hahaha! "

His bones were visible on many places since the Hydra had already torn away the flesh above it.

"To be honest, you're indeed a worthy warrior. But unfortunately I am not a warrior, I am an insidious pirate who wins by hook or by crook. And I am damn good at my profession."

Herodius slowly emerged from within the Hydra as it disappeared into thin air and said while looking down at Kalrat.

* slash * * puchi *

"Soldiers, match ahead and destroy that fortress! "

Herodius roared loudly and led his troops towards the fortress, leaving behind Kalrat's headless body.

As Herodius and his troops advanced towards the Yavana fortress, the landscape was marred with destruction and the remnants of the fierce battle. Kalrat's lifeless body lay on the battlefield, a testament to the valiant effort to defend his homeland.

Back within the Yavana fortress, the news of Kalrat's defeat spread, causing a mix of sorrow and anger among the defenders. The surviving soldiers and citizens prepared for the inevitable clash with the Greek forces.

In the meantime, Aryan and his companions, having reached the outskirts of Capsodia, observed the aftermath of the battle. The sight of the ravaged land fueled their determination to thwart the Greek invasion.

"Prepare yourselves," Aryan said with a steely gaze. "We cannot let this destruction continue. We must stand united against this threat."

Bhanumati, Dushala, Subhadra, Karna, and Aryan approached the fortress, ready to face Herodius and the Greek forces. Their resolve echoed through the air as they took their positions.

As the Greek troops reached the fortress gates, a powerful barrier shimmered to life, repelling their advance.

The barrier was naturally Aryan's doing, using Moksha's eighth form - Pollen Garden.

Herodius, undeterred, surveyed the barrier with a wicked grin. "Well, well. Looks like they've put up a little defense. No matter. I've dealt with worse."

Aryan stepped forward, his voice carrying across the battlefield. "This is the land of Yavana. Forget about the past but now it is being defended by me, Aryan Bahubali. You will not breach our defenses."

Herodius laughed mockingly. "You think your feeble barrier can stop me? You're in for a rude awakening."

Karna and the others walked out from behind Aryan and stood beside him domineeringly.

Undeterred, Herodius unsheathed his axe, eyes filled with determination. "Let's see if you can withstand the might of a true demigod!"

The battlefield became a battleground of divine energies and mortal determination. The clash of pantheons echoed in the air as Aryan and his companions stood firm, ready to defend Yavana against the impending invasion.