Adonis Chronicles

Four Paths

The trek through the infamous badlands of Nostramos had proven to be surprisingly uneventful ever since Nostramos himself had been killed. The avians having no more leader to give them orders and moral support could not summon even the hint of an inking of the courage to strike again.

However, just to be on the safe side Dominic had created two giant walls of flames, one on each side, just in case a few avians grew some balls and lost some brains and decided to attack and attempt to gain victory where an entire avian army had failed, which seemed very unlikely.

Ares was now the point of the army, although blind his senses were sharper than any two edged sword on the planet, he would be able to detect enemies far before they got near, his horse was his eyes in these dangerous lands.

Cyranos being his typical self and thirsting to augment his vast library of knowledge from one of the few people he knew to be as old as himself, “ So Ares, what is it like being dead, for I can tall Ares is not of the living by his complexion and fighting prowess. Did Ares see the pearly gates or did Ares go to the fiery pits like those pilgrims that brought those bibles from those far off lands proclaimed?”

Ares smiled cunningly, “ I am uncertain for I was not deemed holy enough to get there and fortunately I was revived or the pits of hell would be my new home, but it was too dark to tell. Now Cyranos, I certainly hope your litter box is fit for royalty.”

Cyranos chuckled at this, Ares was the only one that could insult him and still be funny about it, “ Ha, I see the death of Ares has not changed his charmingly evil personality, other than making it a little more psychotic. I was afraid Mr Grim had made Ares boring.”

A small high pitched noise suddenly caught Ares’ attention, he recognized that noise as that of a communication stone, only one person he knew of could possibly possess such an item. Smirking as the conversation ended and the stone was deactivated Tyronis rode ahead of the group to join Ares.

Ares recognized him by his all too familiar breathing pattern and permanent scent of magic that would always linger upon him, “ Had a nice chat Tyro? Your leaving us now?”

Tyronis replied, “ Yes Ares, I am going to the Capital city of Tronabia. I’ve been summoned for a special announcement, something so important they say it could change all our plans, far too confidential to talk about over a communication stone.”

Ares jumped off his horse, as the army kept on going he said, “ If you don’t mind giving me a lift to a place near Leando then, actually read my mind and you will know the exact location.”

Tyronis smiled at this as Dominic joined them, “ I’ll accompany you Ares, you could use the backup in your current state, your good but you could use a pair of eyes like mine. And anyway, Adonis has got plenty of protection.”

Ares nodded, “ yeah, an entire army of bodyguards, alright, you and Tyro can go ahead and read my mind, I need to go somewhere.” Tyronis remembered the last time Ares had penetrated his mind forcibly, now he was giving him open doors to his mind. Tyronis concentrated and entered his mind.

The inside of his mind was far from an ordinary one, he’d been in many minds but none had ever looked like this. He found himself in a long hallway , along both walls were a series of yellow doors, of all these doors one was open.

From beside him Dominic spoke, “ Nice place your bro’s got here, is it the fact he’s a necro, or that he’s cursed, or maybe both that his mind is so far off the chart?” Tyronis ignored him and tried to open the nearest door which had the word death written upon it but found it was locked.

Ares’ voice filled the hallway, coming from nowhere in particular but seeming to come from everywhere, “ I only opened one door, only go there. I don’t want you two seeing everything in my head now.”

They both walked forward, turning right into the open door they found themselves on an old path. They spotted a version of Ares from the past when he was still a psychotic half demon. Upon his shoulder was Jolene slumped unconscious, Dominic tapped his shoulder and pointed at a strange tree shaped in a spiral like a tornado.

Beside the tree Ares said, “ Toral Pal Tonaros” Just as the earth began to shake a giant yellow gloved hand came from the doorway, grabbing them both it pulled dragged them out of the room and back into the hallway, slamming it shut.

Ares’ voice resounded once more, “ You got the information so get out of my head, you know the way out.” as Tyronis began to turn he noticed a large metal door at the end of the hall with the name, “ Adonis” written upon it. This door was impregnable, Tyronis knew there was something important behind that door but also knew he was far from strong enough to opening that door.

Dominic said, “ This door looks interesting, the other world, what do you think is in here?” Without waiting for a response he kicked the door down, the door broke upon impact. Dominic was shocked to find himself in a city full of lights, tall buildings of various sizes made of glass and metal stood everywhere.

Strange apparatuses with four wheels emitting strange noises and releasing strange gasses drove upon the black road with yellow lines in the middle, stopping at the mysterious red light. Upon a large sign read Las Vegas, the city that never sleeps. Before he could explore further he was forcibly removed from the room.

Ares voice returned, Tyronis looking worried at what might happen now, “ I said get out, so leave now or I will hurt your physical bodies.” They got the hint and left his mind using the exit, Dominic full of questions at the mysterious city of Las Vegas.

Tyronis and Dominic opened their eyes, once again in the real world. Even the gaseous air of the badlands was an improvement compared to the evil aura within Ares’ mind. The group had stopped and was looking at Ares, he faced them and said, “ Dominic and myself are departing now, some loose ends to tie up. If you resume your path you will find yourselves in an ambush, if you are bent on finding the hybrid dwarf let yourself get captured.”

He paused to let the information sink in, suddenly Mal and Adonis walked out from the middle of the cave trolls, Mal said, “ Then why the hell did ya even tell us in the first place?”

Ares replied cooly, “ Because I want you all to surrender, but before you do such a thing make certain they are not Coronian spies. To identify spies will be easy, if they ask for Adonis they are spies.”

As Ares turned to Dominic Adonis ran behind him, “ Why did you turn my sister against me? Is she still alive at least?”

Without turning Ares replied, “ I did it to screw up the precious prophecy, everyone seems to go over the importance of Jolene. Your sister was alive last time I checked, she is probably still alive and most probably now holds the demon I once held.”

Ignoring Adonis Tyronis said, “ Now I must go my own way, I am certain Dominic can bring you to the tree on the path. Be careful brother, don’t get in over your head.” Taking his hand off he teleported away to the Capital city.

Dominic smiling said, “ Always so damn melodramatic, lets go to your special twirling tree.” Turning to his outlaws he ordered, “ Celestria is your temporary commander, obey her every word.” Placing his hand on his shoulder they teleported away themselves, Ares had a debt to settle with Krale and would pay it in full.

The group resumed the journey, despite all the disturbances they were almost out of the badlands. Kulos taking the lead yelled, “ We’re burning daylight soldiers! Lets get a move on! And get Adonis back in his place!”

Adonis was placed between two cave trolls and five of the best elite archers. Kulos now taking point, Cyranos ran beside him, “ Does Kulos really trust Ares? How does he know Ares is not hiding a secret agenda? Wouldn’t be the first time.”

Without even bothering to look he replied, “ I do not even trust myself, we all have hidden agendas. You should know, you have the most. How can I trust you, like Ares your one of the founders of the Coronian Empire, our enemies. How do I know you won’t take an offer from them, trade Adonis so you can regain your elf form.”

Cyranos sighed hopelessly, “ Does sound like something I would do. Why do I get the distinct all too familiar feeling no one is going to lift this curse off of me, I hope Kulos remembers who finished the battle back in the badlands by burning the nest.”

Finally exiting the badlands they found themselves at a crossroads with two paths, if they continued straight they would find themselves at the ambush Ares had warned them of. The other road led to a city beside the sea called Solnapro.

Kulos put his hand up open, motioning for the army to stop. Celestria rode beside him and Kulos said, “ I do not want to risk Adonis’ life by putting him in an ambush, what do you think we should do?”

Celestria reflected upon the situation, she’d been quiet the entire trip and knew what had to be done, she’d anticipated this moment. “ Your right, I will take my elite archers and Dominic’s outlaws and we’ll head for Solnapro. We’ll meet up on the island of Macknola, I am sure you know where that is.”

Kulos agreed to this plan, Celestria motioned for the outlaws and her archers to come to her and bring Adonis, Mal and Jacob. As they gathered Kulos yelled, “ Orcs, move out!” They continued to walk forward knowing full well they were heading for an ambush.

Adonis could not believe it, they were splitting up and this did not strike well with him. Out of the original numbers there were only one hundred outlaws remaining, the most rugged of all and all the elves were still alive, making it a total of 120.

Seeing the doubt in his eyes Celestria placed a hand on his shoulder, “ You will be safe with me, have no fears. I will keep you safe even if it means sacrificing my life for yours.”

Being slightly comforted by this the group led by Celestria began to head toward Solnapro, where if all went well, they would catch a boat and go to the island Celestria referred to as Macknola, Adonis only hoped separating the group was a wise decision, but all he could do was trust Celestria now.