The group continued their journey, the breathtaking view of the Rolling hills of green that stretched out before them, dotted with wildflowers that swayed gently in the breeze still fresh in their minds. As the sun began to set, they decided to rest for a day and replenish their supplies. The day passed slowly, with each member of the group lost in their own thoughts.
Ares, however, seemed particularly contemplative, and Haphaestus noticed that he was glancing at Crimson with an intensity that made Haphaestus wonder what was on his mind. It wasn't until they were all sitting around the campfire that evening that Ares finally spoke up.
"Everyone, I need to tell you something," Ares said, his voice low and serious.
The group turned to him, sensing that something was amiss. Eris's eyes narrowed slightly, while Isabelle's gaze was curious. Crimson, however, seemed oblivious to the tension, his eyes fixed on the flames dancing in the fire.
"What is it, Ares?" Eris asked, her voice firm.
Ares took a deep breath before speaking. "Crimson, you're not who you think you are. At least, not entirely."
Crimson's eyes snapped to Ares's face, a mixture of confusion and wariness written across his features. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice low.
Ares's gaze locked onto Crimson's. "You're our cousin, Crimson. Your real father is Cyrus, our uncle who died in the tragic war."
The group was silent for a moment, the only sound the crackling of the fire. Eris's eyes widened in shock, while Isabelle's mouth dropped open. Crimson, however, looked like he'd been punched in the gut.
"No," Crimson whispered, shaking his head. "That's not possible. My father...my father is the king..."he said his voice low.
Ares nodded. "I know this is a lot to take in, Crimson. But it's true. Cyrus was your father, and that explains why you have powers. You're a part of our family, and that's why you've been able to tap into your abilities."
Crimson's face was a mixture of emotions, ranging from shock to anger to sadness. He didn't want to believe it, but deep down, he knew that Ares was telling the truth. It explained so much - why he was different, why his father well his stepfather had always treated him like a tool.
Eris was the first to react, jumping up from her seat and rushing over to Crimson. "Oh my goodness Crimson"she exclaimed, throwing her arms around him. "I'm so happy we're related!"
Crimson's face twisted in a mixture of emotions as he hugged Eris back. He didn't know what to feel, but he was grateful for her unwavering support.
Isabelle smiled softly,She had known that Crimson was special, and now it made sense. She felt a sense of relief, knowing that Crimson's powers were a part of who he was, not something he'd acquired.
As the group let the information sink in, a scream pierced the air. The group turned to see one of the humans, the maid, running towards them, her face white with fear.
"What's wrong?" Ares asked, jumping up from his seat.
The maid was panting, her eyes wide with terror. "It's...it's Thomas," she stammered. "He went to get water from the river on the other side, and he hasn't come back. I went to check on him, and...and..."
The group exchanged worried glances. "What is it?" Eris asked, her voice firm.
The maid's voice dropped to a whisper. "He's dead. His body...his skin and hair were melted off. It's like the river was acid."
The group fell silent, their eyes locked onto the maid.
As the group approached the river, their expressions darkened in unison. The water flowed calmly, its surface reflecting the sky above, but they could all sense the ominous aura emanating from it. The air around the river seemed to vibrate with an eerie, dark energy that made their skin crawl.
Ares's face was set in a grim mask as he surveyed the river. "We need to leave," he said, his voice low and urgent. "Now."
The group's instincts were screaming at them to get away from the river, but they didn't need to be told twice. They quickly gathered their belongings and began to move away from the water's edge.
"What is this place?" Isabelle whispered, her eyes fixed on the river. "It feels...malevolent."
Ares's expression was grim. "I don't know, but we don't have time to find out. We need to get out of here, now."
The group didn't argue, quickly following Ares as he led them away from the river. As they walked, the feeling of being watched grew stronger, and they couldn't shake the sense that they were being herded away from the river for a reason.
Crimson glanced back over his shoulder, his eyes locked onto the river. "What's in the water?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Ares's response was short and to the point. "Something that wants to stay hidden."