The War God's Woman 3

7. City of Sins

"We're... we're alive?" Sage questioned, confused. She looked up at Adonis who was still holding her. "How did you..."

It hadn't been flying, more like a controlled steady landing. It had felt like a giant invisible hand had scooped them up and gently deposited them on the ground.

Adonis touched the talisman around his neck.

"A protection charm. Can't do much against a monster attack – but effective against falling from a great height."

"Where did you get it from?" Sage asked, as he set her down. Sage staggered and Adonis had to catch her once more. "Sorry, my legs feel like jelly." She was still shaking. 

"Hold onto my arm." Adonis urged, checking her over for any sign of injury.

"Where did you get that protection charm from?"

"I got it from a goddess." Adonis stroked the necklace. "We can't say her name in these parts."

"Why not?" Sage asked.

"We'll have to walk the rest of the way. Come on, little legs."

"Hey, don't walk so fast."

The river of fire hissed and spat behind them as they quickly climbed up the bank. Sage coughed from the smoke that hovered like a thick fog over the place. She pulled up the neck of her jumper to cover her mouth and nose but her eyes watered from the dry heat in the air. The river crackled loudly and Sage turned to glance behind them. She saw Ares' chariot slip from view - consumed by the ravenous flames. 

"Shit..." She muttered. If Ares had hated her before, he was going to loathe her now. Her heart panged painfully at the thought. 

                      The city of sins was encircled by a high walls of smooth obsidian. Emerald flames burnt  from the lofty watch towers. Sage craned her neck to gaze upwards and saw that the towers had suspended rope bridges connecting them, though not all the guards needed to use them. Harpy soldiers flapped their wings across the sky – weaving in between the towers, their armour glinting in the firelight.

"Papers." Guards demanded, stopping creatures from getting inside until they'd been inspected. Sage and Adonis had to queue behind a monster. The scaled creature slithered on a large tail but had the torso of a man. He hissed at the guards, a forked tongue flashing from between his fanged teeth.

Sweat was clinging to the back of Sage's shirt and she was walking with a limp from where her shoes were rubbing. She nudged at Adonis, giving him a look to ask if he had a plan. They didn't have any papers. Adonis smirked, looking unconcerned.

"Papers." The guard demanded. Adonis showed the guard his ring. Grunting, the guard waved them inside. Sage snagged Adonis' hand to examine the ring herself. A tiny skull with glowing eyes glared up at her and Sage quickly dropped his hand.

"A mark of Hecate's ownership." Adonis explained. "Now, feast your eyes, mortal – on the Underworlds City of Sin."

                      Inside the city, was crowded, with monsters living on top of one another – buildings rose high with only narrow alley ways between a scant few – whilst most seemed built slopped leaning against their neighbours. The ancient city, looked like a deck of cards on the brink of collapse.