The Ancient Prophecy

41 : Chrysostomos - Alk

"I suggest we attack the Resistence with our forces before they manage to revive theirs !" Alk stood up from his chair in the council room , feeling all the other generals' eyes on him .
    The eldest general glanced at him in question .
    It was the time for the weekly meeting again . The generals stood on their chairs around the long table , their crimson red cloacks falling behind them .
    Alk forced himself to remain calm as he felt the  looks of the other generals as if piercing through him . The room remained silent , and for a moment Alk worried he was breathing too loud .
     The demititan waited for a response , even for a simple comment coming from any of the generals . Instead no one said anything . They just stood there , all staring at him , their expressions unreadable .
Was it too much ? Is it too early for an attack ?
     But the actual reason Alk wanted to attack in the first place was becauss he knew a certain someone won't be at the base , so he wouldn't fail this time nor hurt her , accidentaly or not  .
    Then the eldest general stood up from his chair at the head of the table . He looked at Alk with a look that almost made him shiver "General Alkaios , I understand what you are trying to achieve with this .. but we cannot attack the Resistence now . They attacked us in the first place because they think we kidnapped some of their demigods -which we did not- , so if we attack them right now , when their army is still reviving , they will have another reason to attack us when we will be recovering from the previous battle ."
"But what if they attack us right after they recover ? If we attack now we could weaken them further , making sure they won't attack back . That could be our chance to retrive the artifacts they keep inside and stop them once and for all !" , that managed to get some nods from generals around the table . Alk almost smiled , forcing himself to remain with a poker face .
    The eldest general sighed "I do think this is a foolish move to do , but if you really wish to set an attack on their base then go ahead and lead the army yourself , general . But if you fail again..."
    A weight set upon Alk's shoulders . He already knew what the general meant by that . I will lose my ability to lead an army for five years . I already risked a lot in my past attacks . He lowered his head "I will not fail this time , eldest general ." I hope I won't .

                                                     ***

    As Alk walked out of the council room , a hand grabbed his shoulder , dragging him a step back . His muscles tensed , his hand slowly going to the sword at his side .
"Wait wait wait , chill..I am not trying to hurt you . " , said a familiar voice .
    Alk turned his head to see one of the other generals . He already knew who he was by his unmistakable light brown hair that reached his nape and fell messy of his forehead and grey-ish blue eyes . He is Chrysostomos -but everyone calls him Chrys . The most popular general among the Finders and also a son of Kronos . If you were to search through everyone around the base , you could not find anyone that disliked him . There was no actual reason to dislike that guy . He was kind and friendly  with everyone and also always succeded in missions . But Alk always had a bad feeling about him . As if all his smiles and laughs were a mask that hid something bad . Alk always saw him around the base and at parties he was forced to go to , but he always avoided him .
"What do you need from me then ? I have work to do ." Alk raised an eyebrow at the son of Kronos .
     Chrys flashed one of his smiles , revealing his white teeth "I know , that is why I want to help you on the attack ."
     Alk frowned "I led an army before by myself , thank you ."
"Yes , but tell me ... what happened before when you led an army by yourself , huh ?" Chrys said , and Alk recognized the mockery in his tone .
"Are you here to remind me of my failures or what ? Because if that is so , then I rather not remain here any longer ."
     Then Chrys chuckled . He clapped Alk's shoulder "Oh come on ! I was just joking with you ! Can you not take a joke , general ?"
"Depends on what the joke is about ." Alk said , giving the other demititan a cold stare .
"Titans , sometimes I really wonder how your father is Hyperion .." Chrys laughed this time .
     Alk fought the urge to roll his eyes "I hear that often .."
"COME ON ! Stop being so cold , I am just trying to be friends with you !" Chrys smiled again .
"Why would you want to be friends with me ?"
"You seem interesting ." Chrys shrugged .
      Alk snorted . I seem interesting because I am the only person that does not like you .
"Listen , I know you are not the social type , but at least let me help you with the attack . Maybe we will get along in the end ." Chrys continued .
    Alk sighed . We will see that . "Fine , I will let you help me with the attack . But only because you are older than me and have more experience with these things . I will attack at midnight , to make sure we take them by surprise ."
"Good approach ." Chrys nodded with a smile .
"Meet with me at my office this evening to discuss the plans further ." Alk said that as he was walking away .
"Alright , Alkaios ."

                                                        ***

I have never been so annoyed and creeped out by the same person in my entire life , Alk thought as he was walking down the halls , intending to go to his room .
    To his surprise , Iro was waiting in front of his door , reading something from a piece of paper . Then she raised her head and greeted Alk with a smile "Hello , Alk !"
"Hey ." Alk waved at her "What are you doing here ?"
"Just wanted to see what are you doing ."
"Well.. I am plotting an attack on the Resistence base for midnight ." Alk explained .
"Good luck then ." Iro patted Alk's shoulder .
"Speaking of which... Chrys decided to help me with it ."
    Iro almost laughed "Chrys ? You mean the guy that is known through all the base and is friends with everyone ? How did you even attract this type of company ?"
   Alk shrugged "I have no clue , but apparently he wants to befriend me ."
"Now these are some weird news !" Iro chuckled .
"I know . Now I will have to meet with him this evening to discuss the plan ." Alk rolled his eyes while saying that .
"It will be alright , he is a cool guy ."
"I have a bad feeling about him ." Alk crossed his arms .
"You have a bad feeling about everyone you meet ."
"But this time it is different . I know there has to be something wrong with him . No one that perfect exists .."
    Iro raised an eyebrow "Oh.. are you being jealous ?"
    Alk looked at her in disbelief "What ? No ! I am not ! I swear  there must something wrong with Chrys !"
    Iro chuckled then shrugged "Sure , if you say so . But I think you could use someone like him as your friend ."
     Alk frowned at Iro . She just laughed "Do not look at me like that , you know I am saying the truth ."
Maybe , but I rather not have anything to do with him .