Persephone's Cage [Connor Stoll]

chapter sixteen

After their little scare, Lilly and Connor calmed down. The seeds still floated in the air, leading them to a cave of sorts hidden within the canyon. They delved inside, and were shocked to see just how big it was.

It was a lot brighter than expected. Torches were everywhere, making Lilly feel safe, despite it being an evil lair. Jagged stalactites littered the ceiling, some looking as if they could break at any given moment. Puddles were all over the floor, and she saw the reflection of something in the water. She glanced up, and gasped.

There was Persephone's Cage, chained up to the top of the cave. It was a lot bigger than it looked in her dreams, er, visions. "Lady Persephone!" Lilly called.

A gasp. "Hello? Are you the two demigods here to save me?" Hope filled the goddess's voice.

"Yes!" Lilly smiled. "Don't worry, Lady Persephone. We'll get you back to Lord Hades."
"Over my dead body." Landon stood behind them, his voice deep and dark.

Lilly felt anger take over her. This was the kid who killed Aiden. "You have a lot of nerve to try to stop me." She spat. "You won't get away with killing my friend. Or harassing Persephone. I'll make sure of it personally."

Landon laughed. "Yeah, I doubt it." He sneered. "You're nothing. You really thought you could save a goddess? You're not strong enough. You weren't good enough."

"That's what you say." Lilly held her head up. "But I'm more than my fatal flaw. You can't hurt me anymore, son of Aphrodite." She glanced at her friend. "Con, you have to find a way up there. I'd make another light platform, but I can't focus on it. Can you handle that?"

"Of course I can." Connor smirked. "Kick his ass for me."

Then, all hell broke loose.

Landon lunged at her, yelling at the top of his lungs. He brought his sword down on her, but she blocked it quickly by launching her bow from her bracelet. The weapons clashed, and Lilly used her feet to try to trip him. She missed, but Landon's eyes travelled to Connor, who was climbing up the rocks to get to Persephone's cage.

"No, you don't!" Landon yelled, summoning his ugly doves. One of them grabbed Connor with it's long talons, causing him to yell out in alarm.

"Connor!" Lilly called, but was sliced by Landon's sword. She grunted, and formed an arrow of light, throwing it at him.

Landon had a crazy light in his brown eyes. "You're mine!" He screamed, swinging his sword wildly around. Lilly tried to get away so she could use her bow, but he wouldn't let her.

She swung the bow, trying to knock the blade out of the son of Aphrodite's hand, but it just wouldn't budge. Lilly grunted, as he pushed her back. Her body hit the ground once more, and she yelped in pain.

"You're weak!" He yelled. "You're no hero! Just some little blonde bitch! You will never get out of here alive!" He brought his sword down on her, but she lifted her hands up. A barrier of light stopped the sword from entering her chest, and she let out a shaky breath.

Lilly glared at him. "I'm a lot stronger than you think!" She screamed. She pushed him back with the light, causing him to fly across the room. She put light under him, tossing him in the air. Lilly moved her hand down, causing him to slam back into the ground.

Before she could deliver a final blow, a little plant monster bit her in the leg. "Dammit!" Lilly yelled, kicking it across the room. More and more appeared around her, swarming her in a ball of green. She curled into herself, and yelled in rage. Light radiated from her, as she stood straight up. The green monsters dissolved into the light.

A burst of energy filled her bones. She looked up, and saw that Connor had gotten the cage open. Persephone stood tall and regally, causing Demeter to appear. "Why couldn't you be a good girl and stay put." The wheat goddess chided. "Now you're really going to hate me."

The goddess began their fight, as Lilly dropped to the floor. She knocked on the ground three times. "Hades! She's free! You can-" She screamed in pain as someone grabbed her by her hair, yanking her up.

"You idiot!" Landon spoke. "Did you think I'd go away that easily?" His hand gripped her throat, making her face him. "I always win."

Lilly choked, reaching her hands and trying to pry him off of her. There was no one to come to her rescue, as Connor was too far away, and too busy. Persephone, joined by her husband Hades, were now locked in a battle with Demeter, which was terrifying.

"This looks familiar, doesn't it?" Landon smiled wickedly. "Only, there's one thing missing. Say hello to that goat boy for me."

He grabbed his sword, but before he could stab her, Lilly thrusted her hands out in front of her, forming a blade of light. She felt it rip through his flesh, right into the middle of his chest. His grip slacked, leaving Lilly to gasp for air.

"You..." He collapsed on the floor, leaving Lilly standing on her feet. Her hand covered her throat. "I don't want to die. Please, don't let me die."

Tears pooled from Landon's eyes, as he stared at the girl. Lilly felt regret for the boy, as the fear was genuine. Despite his evil doings, his murder of her best friend, she couldn't let him suffer. He had done good things, but Demeter had corrupted his mind too much. He was just a lost boy, put on the wrong side of the war.

Lilly fell down beside him, placing his head gently in her lap. Her throat still ached, but she began to sing a lullaby she learned from Will. It was supposed to take pain away, and made the person fall asleep, but she wasn't a healer. She had no clue if it worked.

"It's alright now, Landon. Sleep peacefully." She whispered, as the boy died in her arms.

***

Demeter was finally captured, Persephone and Hades standing victorious. Demeter's words were left unspoken, as the prophecy stated, as her mouth was bound shut. Lilly sighed. She did it. It was really over. Her eyes scanned the room, widening as they landed on the body on the floor. "No!" She screamed.

She kneeled by Connor's side. He was beaten and bloody. It looked like he had fallen off the cage, and fighting those ugly doves didn't help. She pressed her head against her chest, hearing his pulse. It was a little soft, but it was steady. She breathed out in relief.

"You know," His voice filled her ears, and she smiled. She held the back of his head, helping him sit up at least a little bit before he winced. "There's a way to heal me right up."

"And how is that?" Tears filled her eyes, but happy ones. She knew he was going to be okay. His wounds weren't that extreme. He was just a drama queen.

He opened his eyes, a smile appearing on his lips. "You could kiss me."

"Gods," Lilly laughed, tears falling. She cupped his face, wiping some blood off of him. "You're so stupid." She moved closer, placing her lips on his.

It tasted bloody and salty, but she would be lying if she said it wasn't the best kiss she'd ever had.