ATN 3: THE JAR IN THE MAZE

WE ENLIST HELP

We ran to the Citadel after a certain breather. There, we found traps being laid. The preparations of war were on show. Two Amazons and Lucy were setting a trap. Lucy looked at us, and ran at Tina. The two hugged for a bit, and Lucy said, "It's been ten days since you left. We were beginning to worry. Why didn't you communicate?"

"We were busy fighting monsters." I said.

"Really?" Lucy asked, excited, "What did you fight?"

"Walk with us to the throne, we will tell you." I said.

"Sure." Lucy said, and signaled to the Amazons that she would be back soon. On our way, we told her all the monsters we fought. She didn't understand the Odontotyrranos, but she listened anyway. 

As soon as we reached, Iris, Dadai and Abhro came running. Iris hugged us tight, my brothers did the same. Then, while we sat in front of Delilah, we exchanged information. Apparently, Iris had a vision. Vision that Jared Wilson's army is full of earth-borns, outcast cyclopes, wild centaurs, the undead, harpies, and dracaenas (the girls with snake tails), and it was so big that it could fill the whole Citadel. I told them about our recruitments of the empousai and the Machai. This filled the place with optimism. Then, Delilah said, "But we can't fill the Citadel. It would get too close to our cabin. That will destroy our burning hearth. Suggest something, General."

"Yes, your Highness." Urwa stepped up, "If they come through the seas, our traps would give us enough time to get ready. They won't hold them for too long, but they will weaken them. Till then, the empousai and the Machai will arrive, so that we can reinforce ourselves."

"Why not move the fight towards the beach?" Tina asked, "We move to the beach. The army is instructed to kill the demigods. They will come finding us. We move to the beach, far from the Citadel."

"Ooh!" Dadai said, "That's very Athena like from a daughter of Ares."

Tina suppressed a laugh, as Urwa said, "That is actually a good plan. But then again, what if the giants rise with them?"

"We will need someone checking the perimeter." Abhro said, "He or she tells us where the baddies are coming from. If the giants come, we can let the empousai and the Machai take care of the minions. We send them at that. We, the demigods, need to fight the Gigantes."

"At least, until the gods arrive." Gerard said.

"For that," I said, "we will need to find the box." I stopped, and looked at Iris, who nodded. It was time to tell everyone the truth. I told all of them about the Source. But it was not until Iris confirmed this, that they believed me. After they did, I said, "The gods are scared that if they leave the Source unguarded, it would be easier for Jared to find it. Hope will make them free. That's what Hestia told us."

"Then, what do we do?" Delilah asked.

"We found the string. I have it. It will be easier to find the box with it. But we will need help. Help from my brothers."

Abhro and Dadai nodded. I said, "It's an honor to say that we could actually take any of you, since all of you are great warriors. But believe me when I say this. You are more needed here than inside. We will return back with the box. Gerard opens it, as prophesied. And I hope, I hope, the war under water is won by that time, so that Poseidon, Rhian and my sisters can rip the heart out of Polybotes."

"Who wants to be in perimeter duty?" Delilah asked.

"I will." An Amazon rose, "I will do that. But I will need a little help."

"Okay, Alyssa, daughter of Kratos." Delilah said, "Anyone who wants to help her?"

"Hold on. Kratos?" Abhro asked.

"No, not that guy." Alyssa said, "Not the baldy with red marks on his face. My father is the god of strength. Completely different."

"Oof!" Delilah chuckled, "Another person who made the same mistake. Anyway, anyone wanna join Alyssa?"

"Me." Trent rose, "I will join her. I can fly, so I can see more ground."

"Superb." Rahul said from beside him, "Rhian would be proud."

"Okay, then. Trent, son of Zeus, and Alyssa, daughter of Kratos, will check the perimeter."

Not a good combo, given that the last level of God of War III was Kratos killing Zeus. But that Kratos was a different guy. Anyway, Delilah asked, "Avik and Abhro Chatterjee, do you take up the mission for a journey inside that death hole of a maze?"

"We do." My brothers said in unison.

"Then," I got up, "We leave tomorrow, after breakfast."