Badlands ♡ muke

18 ⋇ zephyrus

Zephyrus

The god of the west wind; the gentlest of the winds, the fructifying wind, the messenger of spring.

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"Ashton, slow down," Luke begged as the son of Ares almost ran into the temple.

"We can't afford to lose even more time," Ashton argued and didn't look back. "I already screwed up, we have no backup."

It's not your fault.

Michael argued.

"You didn't understand them and they fooled you." Luke pulled his hand.

Ashton finally stopped. "When we get out of here-"

"Yes," Luke smiled when he turned towards him. "When we get out of here and after we find Calum, I don't care what you do to them."

Ashton nodded and pulled his weapon out. "Let's go."

The temple didn't just look abandoned, it looked hunted.

Luke didn't believe in ghosts but as the three of them walked through the hallways, it didn't sound abandoned.

Ashton was walking first and they were careful of any traps.

"I've seen the maps," Luke said. "The statue is in the middle of the building and we must walk in circles to get to it."

Do you think we have to go to her statue?

Luke looked at Michael and shrugged.

"I don't know. I don't even know why we're here."

Michael gently touched Luke's hand but didn't let go of his spear.

They started walking again and after the second circle, there was no more daylight.

They brought one torch with them, thinking the soldiers would carry the rest.

Suddenly, Ashton stopped.

"What is it?"

"A trap," He took the torch from Michael and lit the obvious trap on the floor.

"But it's too... Why would anyone leave it like this in the open?"

Because we can't avoid it.

Luke frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Michael's right," Ashton walked from one wall to the other. "My dad told me that sometimes the most dangerous tactics are the ones you figure out immediately."

"You see this?" He pointed forward. There was another rope handing in the air.

A bit forward there was yet another, a bit higher, the next one a bit lower. There was no way they could make it through with the torch in hand and in less than an hour or two.

It's all one rope. Michael explained. The trap only works once.

Before either could say anything, Ashton pushed the torch in Luke's hand and walked forward.

"No!" Luke screamed but it was too late.

When Ashton pulled the poisoned rope, he immediately dropped to the floor.

Luke tried to help him but Michael pulled him back.

He'll be okay. Michael promised as he held the sobbing boy. Can't you smell it?

It was ambrosia. Deadly to humans but only poisonous to demi-gods.

He'll wake up in a few hours. If we don't come back the soldiers will come and get him. He'll be alright.

Michael held Luke's hand as they walked over the rope that was now lying on the floor.

If they don't come back. Luke thought. For the first time, he was afraid he might never see Athens again.

The closer they got to the middle, the worse the darkness became. The torch didn't help much but Michael didn't seem to have too many problems navigating through the temple.

They had to let go of each other so in case there was trouble both of them could fight.

When they got to what Luke thought was the last circle, something broke through the silence.

"No. No, no, no." Luke couldn't believe what he had done.

What?

Michael walked back to him, to see if he was hurt.

"I messed up."

What?

Michael shook him lightly.

"I-I. I translated it wrong. The soldiers. They didn't say that the temple was abandoned by people. She abandoned it."

Selene?

Michael asked and Luke nodded.

Who then? Who could be behind this?

The boy couldn't finish his question.

Luke could hear the familiar sound. The hissing.

The snakes.

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I just realized Ares and Athena are siblings and I wrote about Ashton having a crush on Luke. Don't cancel me, please.

Thoughts?

Ashton sacrificing himself?

Luke realizing his mistake?

The snakes are back, back, back. Back again.

Love, Lucija ♡

NEXT CHAPTER where most things will be revealed will be up as soon as this one gets to 20 votes and 15 comments. Don't forget to show love. Or disappointment over how shitty my angst writing is.