One with the Gods

Chapter Twelve: Being Captured

Chapter twelve:

Being Captured

Titan wasn’t much of a problem to Aeros and Andromeda. They put him on a rope leash and he trotted along the way back to the surface. Titan was black and had three heads like his Father. Andromeda tugged the little pup along while Aeros led the way. They couldn’t take Charon and the boat since Titan was afraid of getting in the boat.

 “How’s the dog?” Aeros asked. “He’s fine. He’s happy as a lark.” Andromeda said. Titan bounced ahead and nipped at Aeros’ heels. Titan might have been a pup but he was big. He was up to Andromeda’s knees. Aeros jumped as Titan pounced on his legs. Andromeda laughed. “Aeros why did you get so embarrassed when Hades said your father was demanding?” Andromeda asked. “My father is known for three things. One is for being the god of war. The second is having a demanding presence. The third is well Aphrodite could answer that she’s been with him so much.” He answered.

 “What about you? What is it like to think that your uncle is the lord of the dead?” Aeros asked. “It hit me when I saw him that I was his niece. He might be my uncle, but he still scares me.” Andromeda answered. Aeros shrugged and pushed on. Andromeda noticed how tan Aeros’ was and how muscular he was. She found herself staring at his face. She shook a thought out of her head. The thought was her falling desperately into his strong arms. She knew that she was risking too many things by falling for him. She had to stay focused. Titan had begun to trot behind her and was pouncing on the shadows of the rocks made by the lantern.

Suddenly a bright light hit Aeros and Andromeda’s faces. It was the light of day. Titan jerked forward on the rope to smell the new smells. Aeros and Andromeda rushed on and were greeted by an unsuspected party. In the entrance of the cave were Castolla and a young girl with black hair. “Hello Andromeda. Nice meeting you here.” Castolla smirked. Titan began to growl. Aeros and Andromeda drew their swords. “Dian you know what to do.” Castolla said. The girl known as Dian inhaled and blew a mist around them all. Suddenly Andromeda felt drowsy. The last thing she heard before she fell asleep was Aeros calling her name.

She dreamed a terrible dream. She dreamt of a dark smoke with the voice of a man speaking to her. He said that all of Olympus was his. She saw her father fighting it fiercely. Suddenly Zeus fell to his knees as the smoke sucked the power out of him. She screamed as tears filled her eyes. Then she saw Aeros. He limped balancing on his sword. The smoke shot a fire ball at him and Aeros turned to ash. She screamed again as her friend disappeared. Suddenly she awoke. Her vision was blurred. Then it cleared. She saw Titan asleep at her feet tied to a tree. She looked to her right and saw Aeros awake and looking around. He met eyes with her and sighed with relief. “Thank the gods you are alright. Where are we?” He asked.

 “I can answer that.” Said a voice. From the shadows of the woods strode forward a tall young woman in a green tunic and a bow on her back. “Artemis” Andromeda growled. “Yes child of Zeus. You are in my domain.” She smirked. Next to her Castolla appeared and Dian. “What do you want with us?” Andromeda hissed. “I plan to use you two for my revenge. After Zeus killed my love I plan to have him suffer as much as I have.” She said. “I will force him to right the wrong he committed or I will kill you both.” “But we’re immortal we can’t die.” Andromeda said. “On the contrary, you may live forever, but I will make you feel so much pain and suffering you will wish you were dead.” She said.

Castolla had a stern expression on her face. “Listen to me Artemis. My father killed him because he wasn’t good enough for you. He was a thief a scoundrel. He would have cared less of you.” Andromeda pleaded. “How do you know what he was like? He was the most amazing man ever!” Artemis shouted. “Artemis I know you are upset, but you didn’t see the real side of him! He would have spent one night with you and been finished with you.” Andromeda yelled. Artemis turned on her heels and left them. Castolla stood with Dian and they watched the two of them. “Castolla I know you hate me, but do you seriously believe your mother!” Andromeda said. “Yes I do. I can’t trust Zeus. I can trust her.” Castolla said.

Andromeda couldn’t believe the madness. News had reached them that Artemis was going to Zeus to confront him and make him suffer. “Aeros I’m sorry for dragging you into this. If it wasn’t for me you wouldn’t be here.” She said. “Andromeda there is no need to apologize. I loved this adventure. I especially loved spending this time with you.” He said. “What do you mean?” She asked feeling her cheeks getting red. “I mean I…” He was cut off by Dian and Castolla arguing about something. “Castolla I am not doing this to them or my Uncle!” Dian argued. “You will do it because I said so. We have come this far we can’t go back.” Castolla shot back.   “Castolla this is madness! All of this because of a thief and Scoundrel!” Dian yelled. Castolla’s face went dark and then slapped Dian’s face with the back of her hand. Dian fell to the ground holding her cheek. Tears began to fall from her face.

 “Next time I won’t be that easy on you.” Castolla yelled at her. Castolla stormed off into the woods leaving a crying Dian with Andromeda and Aeros. Titan had awoken and stuck his nose in Dian’s face. He licked her throbbing cheek. She let a little giggle out. She placed her hand on one of his little head’s and stroked his fur. Andromeda began to play the argument in her mind. Dian said she can’t betray her uncle. “Dian, who is your Uncle?” Andromeda asked. Dian looked at her and stood up. “Your father is my Uncle. I am the daughter of Poseidon.” She said.

Andromeda couldn’t believe that a daughter of Poseidon was working against her. “Why did you join Castolla in the first place?” Andromeda asked. “I thought it would a chance for me to have an adventure.” She answered. Dian didn’t say another word she left into the woods leaving Andromeda and Aeros by themselves. “Aeros we have to do something before Artemis gets to my father. We have to make her see who that man really was.” Andromeda said. Aeros nodded in agreement.

Andromeda began to struggle to get free. Aeros did the same, but the ropes wouldn’t budge. Titan watched Andromeda struggle. Andromeda looked at the dog and then the ropes. “Aeros I’ve got an idea.” Andromeda said. “Titan, come here boy.” Titan trotted up to Andromeda and jerked the rope leash free. He jumped up on Andromeda. His claws rested on the ropes. All he has to do is scratch on the ropes to cut them she thought. “Aeros, call him.” Andromeda said. “What?” Aeros asked. “He’ll jump down and his claws will cut the ropes.” Andromeda said. “Titan come here boy.” Aeros said. Aeros let out a whistle and Titan scooted down off of Andromeda and jumped up on Aeros. The ropes didn’t do anything. They remained tied.

 “That was a fruitless attempt.” Andromeda said. Titan jumped off of Aeros and went to sleep at his feet. Andromeda felt a wave of failure hit her. She had let herself be captured by Castolla. She let her father down by being captured. She let Aeros down by dragging him into this mess. “Aeros I’m sorry I let this happen. I’m sorry I put you in this situation.” She said. He was about to say something when Dian appeared from the bushes. She held a knife in her hand. She came up to Andromeda and cut the ropes. “What are you doing?” She asked. “Artemis has made it to the palace of Olympus. You two are the only ones who can stop her rage.” Dian answered.