Hades' Lost Son

River Archeon

"Alex, get your ass up, we gotta go."

Alex grunted, rolling over onto the dewy grass, the cold touch waking him instantly.

"Glad someone was able to sleep good," Gwyn retorted, shoving his blanket inside an empty bag.

"I'm not sure if good is what I'd use to describe it, but alright," Alex replied, rubbing his eyes from the sleep within them.

"We need to get moving," Kayne said, "That way we can make it to the River before dark, then can get down to things."

Blaise stared at Kayne, his mouth slightly open and a smile pulling at the edges, "Did you really just?"

Kayne glanced at Blaise and grinned.

Felix whacked Kayne on the back of the head, making the smaller boy stumble forwards, "Hey!"

"That was dumb," Felix chuckled, shaking his head.

Kayne shrugged, but continued walking.

"Random thought," Gwyn said, pulling a shoulder strap from his back over his shoulder, "Did anyone keep watch last night?"

Everyone looked around. No nods. No responses.

"We seriously slept in the middle of nowhere, with no protection!" Felix almost shouted, rubbing his temples with his thumb and index finger.

"Yes, we did," Alex replied with a chuckle, "Luckily, we are all fine."

"What's your definition of nothing happening?" Ava asked, receiving confused looks from everyone but Alex, who narrowed his eyes at her.

"We are all alive, that's what matters," He said, any humor in his tone now gone.

Ava rolled her eyes, following behind Kayne.

Aurora bumped his bicep with her shoulder, "Did something happen between you two?"

"No, it's fine, she just thinks I did something I didn't," Alex sighed, glaring at the back of Ava's head. He didn't need Aurora questioning him, not right now.

"It's actually more what you didn't do," Ava replied, not turning back to look at the two.

"Drop it Ava, it was nothing," Alex's tone was threatening, Ava easily caught on and shut up.

"That was a heart-warming conversation," Blaise commented as he passed Alex to catch up with Felix.

"Shut up," Alex's normal smile returned as he gently hit Blaise's arm as he ran by.

They continued most of the rest of the trek in silence. Only a few words here and there. They stopped for a quick lunch, and bathroom break, then continued walking. Water bottles were being constantly drank, then thrown off to the side. Alex didn't approve of the littering, but he also didn't want to carry around empty bottles.

"Guys, listen," Kayne called from the front of the pack. Alex did as the boy suggested, hearing the rushing of water.

"Water?" Felix asked more with excitement then actually questioning. He took off running, going past Kayne.

"What a child," Gwyn chuckled while shaking his head, continuing to walk at a steady pace.

"I'm also excited to arrive, but not enough to put extra effort forth," Alex smiled, squeezing Aurora's hand a little. She squeezed back.

He smiled as they crested the hill to be able to see the River Archeon. It was massive. Alex stared at the beautiful gleaming water of the river, which flowed quickly downstream.