Marcus DimascioThe Hurricane Throne

CHAPTER NO.31

I raised my shield, just as the Storm Guard collided with us.

Imagine being rammed by someone, like you were in a hurry to get to work when it's an important meeting. This was like getting rammed by a freight train, because the full force of Proculus's men almost sent the front line of our soldiers – and us – flying backwards. Even though I had my shield strapped on to my wrist, my wrist ached from the strain of trying to push the enemy backwards.

I raised my sword and started to stab at some of Proculus's men. There were screams of agonised pain and then the floor started to become covered in dust and broken glass.

Chloe started firing her explosive arrows at any enemy she can aim at, with Chiron and a few of the Whirlwind Hunters helping her out. Jake called forth lightning from the sky and, with a loud rumble of the storm clouds, jagged bolts of pure thunder shot from his golden sword and zapped several Storm Guard soldiers to cinders.

Katie was using her two daggers against several of Proculus's soldiers at once. I'll tell you something, she was fighting like she was dancing – her fighting style was graceful and fast, like she was performing a mix of ballet and street dancing with daggers. She didn't get a single cut on her as she completely reduced the warriors around her to ashes.

A lover and a fighter, I thought to myself. I think I'm falling in love with this girl!

I raised my shield to deflect a spearmen's javelin, and swiped my sword across the Guards neck, making him break apart like a glass sculpture. Another came at me, but I whacked the edge of my shield into his groin, making him clutch it while he let out a high pitch squeal, like he was trying to sing soprano. As he collapsed to his knees, I slashed him into dust.

Poseidon and Maximus went on to fighting Proculus himself. Poseidon threw his weighted net over Proculus, who screamed in utter rage as he tried to shake the net off. Maximus raised his sword and brought it down on Proculus, but the Cyclone Prince wasn't done yet. He threw the net off his head and blocked Maximus's strike. He seemed to be holding both his old general and father off expertly on his own.

I found myself side by side with Kane, who was jabbing his spear at Proculus's men. The guy was good in battle, which made me wonder how Proculus managed to beat him so easily.

A loud, snarling roar made both of us turn around and we found ourselves face to face with the most massive Cyclopes I have ever seen. It was well over six metres tall and was carrying the most massive club I have ever seen – a large metal club with spikes at the club end.

"This is just not my day," I muttered.

"Tell me about it," Kane grumbled.

Together, we charged at the one eyed monster. Kane went left while I went right, confusing the Cyclopes about which victim to strike. It finally decided to attack Kane, but before he could even raise his club, I struck the beasts legs with all my effort. The creature roared in annoyance as it tried to swing its club around, but Kane slashed its back, causing it to cry out in utter rage. Finally, I stabbed the thing in its eye, making it clutch it with both its hands in pain as it collapsed to the ground in a heap.

Then I turned around and saw another unpleasant sight – Jalen.

"This is REALLY not my day," I grumbled, as Kane saw the ex–Whirlwind Hunter.

"Dimascio," the soldier said. His hair had been newly cut and most of his injuries were healed.

However he was still an idiot to me.

"Still alive are ya'?" he asked mockingly. "Well, let's fix that!"

He rushed over to slash at me, but Kane tripped him over so he landed on his stomach. He went to do a Chinese getup but I grabbed him around his neck and quickly and forcefully snapped it backwards. Jalen collapsed to the ground with his neck broken and windpipe crushed. His last expression was one of pure surprise.