Theives Like Us

25

Rhyan had finally gotten the shoes to obey her, and only her, every flying command. Even if Crash was the one shouting 'Maia' the shoes remained loyal to there wearer, much to Crash's dismay.

"Oh man," Birch bleeted, stomping his hooves.  "We've been walking for days!"

"It's not that bad!" Rhyan exclaimed, rolling her eyes as Crash glared at her.

"Easy for you to say Theft." The tall boy grumbled. "You can fly!"

"But I haven't been, have I?" Rhyan asked with a smirk. "No, I've been walking and waiting for you guys. Gods, even Ollie and Noah don't complain this much."

Birch let out a chuckle and an elongated bleet- almost like a battle cry before covering it up with a cough. "What's the deal with you and them, man?" Birch asked after sorting his coughing out. "I mean, they act like you're their mum but ya quite clearly ain't their mum."

Rhyan paused, looking down at the ground. Somehow, it was hard for her to explain to someone like Birch who'd grown up surrounded by his satyr brothers and sisters his whole life that family wasn't just defined by blood. It was commitment, dedication and love- it meant showing up when you were needed even if you weren't wanted. It meant having each others backs, like they did on the streets. It meant looking after them, not because you were the only there for them, but because you longed to.

Crash watched Rhyan intently, eyes piercing into the side of her head. "She's not their mum." He said with a sigh. Birch would never understand what it was like to have a broken family, to have to pull the ones you have close to you or push them away till it hurt. "She's their family and they are hers." 'Just like you are to me...'

An axe lodged itself firmly into Crash's skull his brains and blood dribbling from the still warm carcus, at least that's what would have happened if Crash didn't have ADHD and fast battle reflexes.

Four large humanoid creatures with thick leathery skin and bony, saw-toothed protuberances sprouting from their heads had managed to creep up on and attack the trio.

"What in the name of the gods are those?" Rhyan asked, bracing herself for a fight as she stood behind Birch, tonfa swords raised and ready.

Crash rolled out the way towards his companions, pointing his sword, Iustitia, at the creatures. "Their 
Aeternae. Tough, legendary creatures according to Chiron. Originally from northern Indian I think."

"Well we're not in northern India! We're somewhere under a tree in the underworld surrounded by chaos!" Rhyan snapped, blocking a club with her blades in a 'X' formation. Rain started to patter down softly before turning into a full on storm. "And now it's raining!!!"

Crash rolled his eyes, jabbing one in the stomach before flipping the blade and doing the same to the one creeping up behind him. "There's no pleasing some people."

Crash's head snapped to the side. The punch had caught him off guard and he muttered a few small curses under his breath, feeling it activate. He didn't mind it in a fight, there his gift was useful. The punch didn't effect the demigod half as much as it should have done though and the Aeternae, had soon found that out when it's large fist colided with muscles as tence as solid stone. Crash swung the blade up in a graceful arc, severing it's retreating fist from its arm.

The Aeternae, however was relentless. He swung another punch at Crash's head, as if the first severed hand wasn't enough. Instinctively, Crash blocked before countering with an upwards slice to the beasts neck. The hit connected and Ulric watched as his headless opponent staggered backwards, dead.

The victory was short lived though, as one of the other Aeternae, collided into him, knocking them both onto a nearby tree. Rhyan, Birch and other two nameless Aeternae, followed the two brawling beasts.