Ataraxia [BTS au | Heroes of Olympus]

39

Hosoek

He was out of the giants control. "No!" He ran towards Yoongi.

"I would not." Clytius's voice reverberated from Yoongi's mouth. "You do not understand, Hosoek Jung. I destroy the voice and the soul. You cannot oppose me."

Black fog spread further across the room, , billowing towards him. Blood roared in his ears. He had to act – but how? If that black smoke could incapacitate someone so quickly, what chance did he have?

"F-fire," he stammered in a small voice. "You're supposed to be weak against it."

The giant chuckled, using Yoongi's vocal cords this time. "You were counting on that, eh? It is true I do not like fire. But Yoongi Min's flames are not strong enough to trouble me."

Somewhere behind him, a soft, lyrical voice said, "What about my flames, old friend?"

At the entrance of the cavern were a blonde woman stood in a black dress, the Mist swirling around her.

The giant stumbled backwards, bumping into the Doors of Death. "You," he said from Yoongi's mouth.

"Me," Hecate agreed. He didn't knew how he recognised her but Clytius being scared of her must have been enough for him. She spread her arms. Blazing torches appeared in her hands. "It has been millennia since I fought at the side of a demigod, but Hosoek Jung has proven herself worthy. What do you say, Clytius? Shall we play with fire?"

If the giant had run away screaming, he would've been grateful. Then they all could have taken the rest of the day off. Clytius disappointed him.

When he saw the goddess's torches blazing, the giant seemed to recover his wits. He stomped his foot. Dark smoke billowed around him until he could see nothing but the giant's gleaming eyes.

"Bold words." Clytius spoke from Yoongi's mouth. "You forget, goddess. When we last met, you had the help of Hercules and Dionysus – the most powerful heroes in the world, both of them destined to become gods. Now you bring ... these?"

Yoongi's unconscious body contorted in pain.

"Stop it!" He yelled.

He didn't plan what happened next. He simply knew he had to protect his friend. He imagined Yoongi behind him. Yoongi dissolved. He reappeared at Hosoek's feet, and he could do nothing but stare wide eyed at what just happened. Did he do that or was it Hecate? Mist whirled aroundhim, spilling over the stones and enveloping Yoongi. Where the white Mist met the dark smoke of Clytius, it steamed and sizzled, like lava rolling into the sea.

Yoongi opened his eyes and gasped. "Wh-what ...?"

The goddess stepped forward, her dark eyes glittering in the torchlight. "You're right, Clytius. Hosoek Jung is not Hercules or Dionysus, but I think you will him find just as formidable."

Through the smoky shroud, he saw the giant open his mouth. No words came out. Clytius sneered in frustration.

Yoongi tried to sit up. "What's going on? What can I –"

He drew his sword. "Stay behind me. Stay in the Mist."

"But –" The look he gave Yoongi must have been more severe than he realized. Yoongi gulped. "Yeah, got it. White Mist good. Black smoke bad."

He advanced. The giant spread his arms. The domed ceiling shook, and the giant's voice echoed through the room, magnified a hundred times.

Formidable? the giant demanded. It sounded as if he were speaking through a chorus of the dead, using all the unfortunate souls who'd been buried behind the dome's stelae. Because the boy has learned your magic tricks, Hecate? Because you allow these weaklings to hide in your Mist?