Call from the underworld - chapter 8
The sound of clanking chains echoed as guards dragged a man into the command tent. His hands were cuffed, his face shadowed.
Jack Blackheart. Former High Praetor. The leader before Axel.
Reyna stepped forward, her gaze calm but firm. "It's been a while, Jack."
Jack's eyes narrowed with disgust. "Why am I here, Reyna? I thought we were friends."
"And still are," she replied smoothly.
"No, we're not," Jack snapped, yanking at the cuffs. "You sent people to drag me back to the place that ruined my life."
Reyna rolled her eyes. "You're so dramatic."
The iron shattered in his hands with a single flex. The guards jumped back as he stood tall, muscles tighter than when he left. Reyna raised an eyebrow, not expecting his newfound strength.
"I'll break the next pair on your head," Jack growled before turning toward the exit.
"Wait." Reyna's voice stopped him cold. "Axel and Arthur… they've been missing for a while."
Jack didn't answer. He just walked out, vanishing into the forest. But he didn't go back home. His eyes flicked to documents scattered across a desk he'd brushed past—maps marked with ink. Axel and Arthur… last seen in a forest.
POV: Camp Half-Blood
The air buzzed with tension. Leo Stoneheart and Anglia Silversong stood at the center of the arena, their stares locked, golden threads shimmering, fists coiled.
The ground rumbled. A massive robot lurched forward, gears grinding. Electrical.
Before either could strike, a panicked boy sprinted in, arms flailing. "Wait! No—please don't hit it! I just fixed it!"
The campers blinked as Jay Ironhand skidded to a stop, sweat dripping down his face.
Anglia tilted her head, her golden thread brushing his arm. "Come with us to Dionysus' office. Now."
Jay stammered. "I-I'd rather not—"
Leo cracked his knuckles, rolling up his sleeveless shirt with a grin. "Ha? You challenging us, kid?"
But Anglia's thread tightened, brushing against Jay's wrist. His eyes softened, his voice suddenly steady. "I… will go."
Leo frowned, confused by the sudden change. "Tch. Fine."
POV – Dionysus' Cabin
The god lounged in a pool chair inside his cabin, sunglasses on, beer in hand.
"Head Director Dionysus," Anglia said politely. "We need to talk."
"Shut up," Dionysus muttered, waving them off. "Go find Abyss. He'll help you."
"Abyss hasn't been in camp for days," Anglia replied flatly.
Dionysus groaned, rolling onto his side. "Ugh… so now I actually have to do my job. F— you, Abyss."
He tried to stand, stumbled, and nearly fell until Leo caught him with a sigh.
Anglia gestured at Jay. "This boy repaired the disaster-class automaton. Electrical."
Dionysus raised his sunglasses. "electrical who is that?son of Zeus they lack creativity in their names"
Angila followed up"you are son of Zeus yourself"
Dionysus pretend to be hurt"that's hurt my feelings do you mean I am not creative? Anyway kid"
"Y-y-yes, Head Director Leader Sir!" Jay stammered.
"Can you control it? And why do you even want it?"
Jay nodded nervously. "I can. Look."
Electrical bowed, mimicking Jay's movements. "I… I want him because I'm weak. I have no physical strength. With him, I can be safe."
Leo clicked his tongue. "Tsk. Just do some pushups in your basement, you wimp."
POV: Outside Hunters' Base
Arthur and the others stood surrounded, dozens of red eyes glowing in the forest shadows. A cyclops, its flesh warped by corruption, stepped forward as leader.
Inside the base, Axel and Diana Iron Paradise tightened their grips on their weapons. They locked eyes, silent agreement sparking. For now, they wouldn't fight each other.
They leapt into battle. Diana's blade slashed the cyclops, black ichor spilling—yet her skin burned as the corruption seeped into her hand.
Arthur rushed forward, healing light flaring to cleanse her.
Diana clenched her teeth, slamming her gauntlets together. "Iron Maiden!"
A cage of steel materialized, snapping shut around the cyclops. Screams filled the air before silence.
But the forest grew darker.
Arthur was dragged back by smaller monsters, pulled away from the group. Marco lunged forward, desperation in his voice.
"Father Hades… help me. My friends are in danger!"
Diana scoffed. "You're wasting your time—"
The ground split open. Dark energy surged, wrapping the cyclops' corpse. It rose again, its roar vibrating the air with pure death energy.
The other monsters shrieked, scattering—yet the corruption forced them together. Bones cracked, flesh fused. A massive shape rose, wings unfurling, scales black as night.
A dragon.
Nova's scream split the battlefield. "Run! Diana—it's Airos! The God of Scales and Dragons!"
The beast's eyes burned crimson. The forest shook with its roar.
How could they hope to fight that?