UnTamed [Book 3]

We Fight Tartarus

Enjoy!

Chapter Quote:
"You are not going to die while I owe you a favor."
  ______________________________  

Chapter 35: We Fight Tartarus

The six of them traipsed down the hill towards the Doors of Death. Only when they were on level ground did Tartarus decide to show himself. He towered over all them, including Damasen. Derek had felt like a Hobbit next to Damasen, but he felt like an ant next to Tartarus.

"Ah, the four of you finally decided to show up," Tartarus boomed.

"Got held up along the way by some of your minions. Sorry to keep you waiting," Luke responded.

"Yes, unfortunately you're all more competent than I thought. I also do not appreciate you sending my daughter down here."

"She tried to kill us. Didn't really have a choice," Silena said.

"There's always a choice. And I am making the choice to fight you four."

"Yes, four angry demigods versus one cocky primordial being. I see no way in how this can go badly for you," Luke remarked.

Tartarus grinned maliciously. "Oh you'll be fighting me one on one."

Tartarus shifted into four different people and suddenly the last two lines of the prophecy made sense. Luke, Bryn, Silena, and Derek each had to defeat a Tartarus to get back home. It was the ultimate test of trust and faith, something each of them had lacked in someone in the group at some point.

"Tartarus, before we begin your destruction, can you give me five seconds to do something?" Luke said. The primordial beings stared at him which he must've taken as a yes because Luke took Bryn's face in his hands and crashed his lips to hers. The kiss lasted so long that Derek, Silena, Bob, and even Damasen looked away in embarrassment.

When it finally broke off, Bryn appeared flabbergasted and unable to speak. She did manage to stammer out, "Wh-what was that for?"

Luke whispered something into her ear to which she replied, "You're not dying on me while I owe you a favor."

"Enough! Prepare yourselves!" Tartarus roared.

Bob and I will convince Thanatos to let you in the elevator. You must hurry in destroying Tartarus though. Be careful, he does not just play physical games but mental games as well. Damasen's voice echoed through Derek's head. Judging by the looks on the others' faces, they'd heard his voice too. Tartarus separated the demigods away from each other. Derek, naturally, had the scariest looking one. He was tall and seemed to be an endless void of darkness. At least the others were fighting a Tartarus that had a face.

"Dude you're fugly," Derek blurted before he could stop himself.

"Derek Lee Michaels, son of Hades and grandson of Apollo. I've heard of your great powers but I expected... more. I expected someone stronger like Luke, or maybe smarter like Silena, or more cunning like Bryn, but you, even with your powers, you're still the weakest of the bunch aren't you," Tartarus taunted.

Derek clenched his teeth. "If I'm as weak as you say, then how am I still here?"

"Your friends have a knack for saving you. Weren't you getting mauled by one of my precious arai before Luke destroyed them?" Tartarus swung his sword at Derek who tried to block it, but the force of their swords clashing sent the demigod flying back. He struggled to get up as Tartarus closed in on him. "What use are your powers when you couldn't save your dear best friend? You discovered your powers too late to save your precious Bryn and with what I have in store for her, she won't be making it out of this alive."