II. Gods and Monsters

12. Run

Oli burst into the Chapel.

"Charlotte! You need to wake up. Come on," Oli shook her awake.

"Wh... What?" she asked groggily.

"We need to go. Right now! They're coming."

As he said so, a terrifying roar came from somewhere far away, followed by a bizarre screeching sound. They were here, and they were out for blood.

"Grab your stuff and meet me outside," Oli ordered her, grabbing his jacket from the chair.

He ran outside again to find Carter saddling his horse.

"Carter!" Oli called, "Take Andrew with you and head for my house. I'll take Charlotte and meet you there."

"You sure that's wise kid?"

"If we're all together, we have to shake both of them; this way we only have to fend off one each."

"Fine, good luck," Carter agreed, grudgingly, placing his grubby hat on his head and helping Andrew into the saddle.

"Take care of my daughter Oliver," Andrew warned.

"With my life," Oli replied.

He turned back to his car, unlocking it and throwing both the doors open. Charlotte came running up behind him.

"What happened?"

"Metatron bugged me, literally. It was connected to my head and he had full access to my brain for God know's how long. Now he's come looking for us, and I think Hades followed him," he told her as they both got in the car, throwing her the robotic insect as proof.

"So what's the plan?" she asked, eyeing his jacket warily.

"Run," he told her simply, slamming the pedal to the floor.

The Charger's engine roared into life, carrying its two passengers toward the edge of the woods at break-neck speed.

"I'm gonna try and lose them in here," Oli said, swerving to avoid trees.

At that exact moment, a great black stallion burst from the treeline, its eyes burning a deep sapphire blue. On its back rode Hades in full battle armour and burning just as bright as his horse.

"Shit, here he comes!" Charlotte cried.

The Charger just missed the horse as it barreled past it. The horse galloped after them, its flaming hooves leaving small patches of blue in its wake. It must have been enchanted like Oli's car as a) it was on fire and b) it was moving impossibly fast for a normal horse.

"He's gaining on us!" Charlotte told Oli as she looked through the rear window.

"Working on it!" Oli yelled back.

Hades' horse was gaining fast, and as it did so, the demon raised its hand towards the vehicle.

"Oli..."

Without thought, Oli pushed Charlotte out of the car, the door moulding around her and slowing her fall as she rolled into the treeline. She looked up to not only see Hades ride right past her but to see him hurl a fireball at the car.

"OLI!" she screamed.

She watched in horror as the ball exploded against the car, causing it to flip into the air. But surprisingly; only the car's wheels and engine caught fire as it landed upright, carrying on driving. It swerved around, revving its engine as if to challenge the monster riding towards it. Hades halted his horse for a moment, amused by the whole display.

Suddenly, the Charger shot forward, Hades' steed taking the same initiative. As they got closer, the front of the car warped, the monster of Charlotte's nightmares, The Rider, leaping from it with a horrific battle cry. It tackled Hades from his horse, the pair tumbling into the forest. Over and over they rolled until Ghost Rider managed to gain purchase on the ground. It righted itself, Hades bringing himself to his feet, but not before Ghost Rider's fist struck him across the face with a loud clang. The Rider's momentum carried him around in a full turn, leaving him open to Hades' left boot which launched him across the floor.