AMARANTHINE-ɪ, pjo/hp

AURORA MEETS THE GOD OF WAR

That morning Aurora felt refreshed. Sure, the nightmares were terrible, but some sleep was better than no sleep. She sighed a little. Now all she needed to do was figure out how to reach the Underworld. She remembered Chiron once giving some kids a lecture about the Underworld. However, she had decided to ignore it and spent the entire time reading a fashion magazine. She regretted her decision today. 

She first rummaged through Lamia's wardrobe and found some good clothes. A simple lilac shirt with long sleeves, some comfortable ripped jeans and a black hoodie for emergency purposes. She also stuffed in two three other shirts and leggings in case she ran across some other unwanted monster.

She ate some of the left-over fries from yesterday and calmly left the cafe, as though she almost hadn't been killed there a few hours ago. She just walked randomly, pretending as though she knew where she was going when honestly, she didn't. 

An hour later, she found herself out of Lamia's neighborhood and in some random place in the city. By now she was too frustrated and angry. She kicked over a dustbin and an old woman threw her a dirty look. She rolled her eyes.

"Well, well. Someone looks annoyed," someone commented from behind. Aurora whirled around. In front of her stood a tall, large muscular man, the type that mums usually warn their kids as kidnappers or something similar. He was extremely muscular in all black clothing. Combat boots, a red muscled shirt, black pants and a leather duster which was also black (surprise, surprise) He wore red tinted sunglasses and had a crew cut. 

Aurora immediately recognized him. "Lord Ares," she muttered. Ares smirked at her. 

"If it isn't Arrow Boy's daughter. I've been wanting to meet you for a long time. But then again, I wasn't the only one." He laughed loudly and Aurora wondered what he meant by that. 

"Lord Ares. What are you doing here?" she asked.

Ares' smirk remained. "Heard about your quest from my dear girlfriend herself. I needed to help you, didn't I? After all, we're family," he answered.

Aurora narrowed her eyes at him. "You... want to help me because we are family?" she asked, suspicion clear in her voice.

Ares laughed. "Well, you would owe me a favor then. I couldn't help someone for free. It's a risk but if I were you, it'd be a one I would take."

Aurora swallowed. Being in the debt of the God of War was never a good thing. But in her state, she would have to take it.

"Help... as in?" she asked, hesitantly.

Ares smiled but it wasn't a warm one. "I'll tell you the location of the Underworld. You seek for that right? Your prophecy said westwards which means the Underworld obviously. I'll put you on a train to there, free of cost of course. But then as I said, you owe me a debt. That's my fee."

Alarm bells rang in her head but as Ares said, she had no choice. "And... what is the debt I owe you?"

"You'll find that out soon as well. So, you agree, daughter of Eros?" 

Auora glared at the God, knowing he had put her in a terrible position on purpose. 

"Swear it on the river Styx," she answered.

Ares' smirk turned sour. "You don't trust me?" 

"You're a God of War who specializes in tricking people. No, I don't trust you," she deadpanned.

Ares glared at her, but he nodded. 

"Fine. I swear on the river Styx, that I'll tell you the location to the Underworld and drop in a train ride to there. In return you owe me a favor," he growled. Thunder boomed across the sky. The oath had been made.