WORTH IT ALL (The Second Part to A Game of Mouse and Wolf)

Chapter Five: Man vs Wolf (Part Two)

Antinous looked at Dimidius. He was beaten up badly. He had several scars on his body...some were bleeding more than others. However...that didn't stop him from giving out a sly smirk.

"I stabbed him deeply in his side...he's probably dead by now. Unless the gods have mercy on him you won't see him until you die yourself."

"You...WHAT!?!"

Dimidius' rage could be heard and seen...but it didn't stop Antinous from speaking.

"The little mouse is a very skilled fighter...but he couldn't overpower me...he's dead Dimidius. And I am the man that killed him."

Dimidius, his face now a mask of anguish and fury, grips the hilt of his sword tightly. His knuckles are white, and his breath comes in ragged gasps. He stands over Antinous, who was still laying on the floor, a cruel smile playing on his lips even in his weakened state.

"You're going to wish you'd never told me that..." He said quietly.

Dimidius stepped closer to him. The sword glints ominously in the low light, as he placed it right above Antinous's chest. Antinous's eyes, filled with a mix of defiance and resignation, lock onto Dimidius', silently daring him to strike.

"If my son is truly dead...then you will soon be in the underworld as well...except you won't be in the same place as him."

"Oh?" Antinous replied. "Then tell me where will I be?"

Dimidius glared at him.

"With the other sinful bastards that dared to do evil."

Dimidius then raised his sword...but before he could land his final blow, he felt a soft hand grab his arm.

"Dimidius...it isn't worth it."

Dimidius turned to see Hermes standing behind him. He then looked around to see that his surroundings were now a blue-ish color.

"This is Athena's quick thought...but where is she? Why isn't she here with you?"

"I begged her to let me talk to you."

"For what purpose?"

Hermes let go of Dimidius.

"You can't kill him Dimidius...please...go get Telemachus. I can show you both where your son is."

"You know where he is?"

"Yes...now please...go get the boy...and leave him here to bask in the consequences of his actions."

Dimidius looked at Antinous as Athena removed her quick thought. He sighed. He knew Hermes was right. He couldn't kill him even though he really wanted to at that moment.

"You're a lucky man." He spoke.

"Why is that?" Antinous replied.

"I'm deciding to spare your life."

And with that Dimidius left him there...laying in the dining hall alone as he went to go get Telemachus...just as Hermes instructed. 

-End of Chapter-