23. Utter Chaos: Eryx

CHAPTER 23

UTTER CHAOS

ERYX

A s the familiar rush of the Bifrost fading away, his feet touching solid ground once more. But as his vision cleared, he couldn't believe his fucking eyes. New York City, his home, was a goddamn disaster zone.

Massive roots, thicker than subway tunnels, had erupted through the asphalt, twisting around buildings and cars like some demented jungle gym. The cacophony of car alarms, distant screams, and the groaning of stressed metal filled the air. The acrid smell of smoke mixed with an earthy, almost sweet scent that Eryx couldn't quite place.

This is unprecedented , Apollo's voice echoed in his mind, a rare interjection that only served to heighten Eryx's alarm.

"No kidding," Eryx muttered, earning a quizzical look from Alex.

Thor's deep voice cut through the chaos. "We must find the source of this madness," he declared, his grip tightening on Mjolnir. "Brynhildr, what say you?"

The Valkyrie nodded, her eyes scanning the skyline. "We should split up. Cover more ground."

Alex, ever the strategist, jumped in. "Agreed. Hermes, Marcus, Julian—" he turned to the group, his gaze landing on Zac. The kid looked ready for a fight, his jaw set in that stubborn way Eryx knew all too well. Alex hesitated, clearly torn.

Zac didn't give him a chance. "I'm not sitting this out," he said, crossing his arms. "I can help."

Eryx couldn't help but grin. The kid had balls, he'd give him that. He caught Alex's eye and gave a slight nod. Let him do this , he tried to convey silently.

Hermes, bless his winged feet, stepped in. "We'll keep an eye on him," he promised, clapping a hand on Zac's shoulder. "Kid's got potential."

Alex sighed, relenting. "Fine. But be careful, all of you." He turned to Lily next. "Can you get in touch with the HIB? We need evac plans, and we need the rest of the team."

Lily nodded, already pulling out her phone. "On it."

"Eryx, Fenrir," Alex said, his gaze locking with Eryx's. "You're with me."

Eryx's heart skipped a beat. Even in the midst of chaos, fighting alongside Alex felt right. He moved to Alex's side, feeling the familiar warmth of their bond humming between them.

Fenrir, in his human form, rolled his shoulders. "Let's hunt," he growled, a glint in his eye that was pure predator.

As the groups split off, Eryx, Alex, and Fenrir headed down a street that looked like it had been hit by a botanical bomb. Cars were overturned, their alarms blaring uselessly. People ran past them, some screaming, others in shocked silence.

"Any idea what could cause this?" Eryx asked, his voice raised to be heard over the din.

Alex shook his head, his expression grim. "Nothing good. It's not just the physical damage—can you feel it?"

Eryx paused, reaching out with his senses. There was something off, a wrongness that went beyond the visible chaos. It was like a discordant note in the symphony of reality, setting his teeth on edge .

Fenrir sniffed the air, his nose wrinkling. "Smells wrong. Old. Like..." he trailed off, his eyes widening. "Like Yggdrasil."

"The World Tree?" Alex asked, his brow furrowing. "But how?—"

A scream cut through the air, closer than the others. Without hesitation, they sprinted towards the sound. Rounding a corner, they found a group of civilians trapped by a tangle of roots that were actively growing, curling around a city bus.

As they rounded the corner, the scene that greeted them made Eryx's stomach lurch. A group of civilians, wide-eyed and panicked, were trapped by a writhing mass of roots that seemed to have a mind of their own. The tendrils, thick as fire hoses and just as uncontrollable, were curling around a city bus, the metal groaning under the pressure.

"Shit," Eryx breathed, his heart racing. He could feel Apollo's power surging within him, eager to be unleashed. Without conscious thought, he reached out, calling forth his bow. The familiar weight materialized in his hand, a comforting presence amidst the madness.

But before Eryx could nock an arrow, a new threat emerged from the shadows. Figures began to materialize, seemingly birthed from the very chaos around them. Shifters with half-formed muzzles, vampires with blood-red eyes, and magic users with crackling energy at their fingertips advanced on them.

"What the actual fuck?" Eryx muttered, his grip tightening on his bow.

Alex tensed beside him, his voice low and tight. "Goons of the Order. Rogue supernaturals."

Eryx's eyes narrowed as he took in the approaching horde. Something was off about them, beyond the obvious fact that they were attacking in broad daylight. Their movements were jerky, almost puppet-like.

"They look like they're not all there," Eryx said, a chill running down his spine. "Their eyes are hollow, unfocused. Like they're sleepwalking or something. "

Fenrir growled, his human form rippling with barely contained power. "Doesn't matter. They're in our way."

As if on cue, the supernatural goons charged. Eryx loosed arrow after arrow, each one finding its mark with unerring accuracy. He'd long since stopped questioning how he never seemed to run out of arrows – just another perk of being bonded with a god, he supposed.

Alex was a whirlwind of shadow and steel, his blade cutting through the air with deadly precision. Fenrir, having shed his human form, tore through the attackers with fang and claw, a blur of silver fur and savage grace.

Eryx found himself back-to-back with Alex, the familiar warmth of their bond humming between them. A vampire lunged at him, fangs bared. Eryx ducked, feeling the rush of air as the creature sailed over him. In one fluid motion, he spun and loosed an arrow, catching the vampire square in the back. It crumbled to dust before it hit the ground.

"Nice shot," Alex called over his shoulder, his blade singing as it cleaved through a shifter mid-transformation.

Eryx grinned, already nocking another arrow. "Thanks. I've been practicing."

The fight seemed to stretch on for hours, though it couldn't have been more than a few minutes. Eryx's arms burned, his breath coming in ragged gasps. But slowly, steadily, they began to gain the upper hand. The flow of attackers slowed, then stopped altogether.

As the last of the supernatural goons fell, Eryx allowed himself a moment to catch his breath. He looked around, taking in the scene of destruction. The roots had retreated somewhat during the fight, no longer an immediate threat to the trapped civilians. But the city around them was still in chaos, the air thick with dust and the acrid smell of smoke.

"We need to find the source of this," Alex said, wiping his blade clean. "Whatever's causing these roots, these attacks – it's all connected. "

Fenrir, having shifted back to his human form, nodded grimly. "Agreed. But how? This city is a maze even on a good day."

Eryx closed his eyes, trying to center himself amidst the chaos. He remembered Fenrir's lessons from their training sessions in Asgard, about using vibrations to sense the world around him. It had seemed impossible then, but now...

Focus , Apollo urged. Feel the rhythm of the world around you. The city has a heartbeat – find it.

Taking a deep breath, Eryx reached out with his senses. At first, all he could feel was the chaos – the rumble of collapsing buildings, the screams of frightened civilians, the unnatural writhing of the roots. But as he pushed past that, sinking deeper into the flow of energy around him, he began to sense something else. A pulse, faint but unmistakable, thrumming through the very foundations of the city.

His eyes snapped open. "Hell's Bridge," he said, his voice filled with certainty. "I can feel it. The source – it's coming from Hell's Bridge."

Alex's eyebrows shot up. "You're sure?"

Eryx nodded, a grin spreading across his face despite the dire situation. "As sure as I am that you snore like a freight train."

"I do not-" Alex started to protest, but Fenrir cut him off with a growl.

"Save the lover's spat for later," the wolf-god said, already shifting back to his canine form. "We have a city to save."

As Fenrir's transformation completed, he threw back his head and let out a bone-chilling howl. The sound echoed through the streets, rising above the chaos. Eryx knew without asking that it was a call to the other Asgardians, letting them know where to converge.

"Show-off," Eryx muttered, but there was no heat in it. He was grateful for all the help they could get.

As they pushed forward through the chaos-riddled streets of New York, Eryx felt a surge of relief wash over him. Up ahead, he spotted familiar faces cutting through the mayhem – Gabe, Lucas, Olivia, and Emma, the rest of the Shadowguards, carving a path through the madness with their unique abilities.

Gabe's hands danced through the air, his witchcraft weaving protective barriers that shimmered like heat haze. Lucas, ever the tech wizard, had somehow jury-rigged a device that seemed to short-circuit the more aggressive roots. Olivia was a walking inferno, her fire magic reducing wooden tendrils to ash, while Emma's enchantments confused and redirected the mindless supernatural goons.

"About fucking time," Eryx called out, a grin splitting his face despite the dire situation. "We were starting to think you guys got lost on the subway or something."

Olivia shot him a look that could have melted steel. "Oh, I'm sorry. Next time the city's being invaded by evil tree monsters, we'll be sure to take a cab."

Alex, ever the leader, cut through the banter with the precision of a surgeon. "Enough. We need to get to Hell's Bridge. Now. Clear us a path."

The expanded team fell into formation with practiced ease. Eryx found himself in the center, flanked by Alex and Fenrir, with the other Shadowguards forming a protective perimeter around them. They moved as one, a well-oiled machine honed by countless battles and shared trauma.

As they pressed forward, Eryx became increasingly aware of... something. A vibration, a pulse, a rhythm that seemed to resonate with his very bones. At first, it was barely noticeable, a faint hum at the edge of his consciousness. But with each step towards Hell's Bridge, it grew stronger, more insistent.

The veil thins , Apollo's voice whispered in his mind. Reality trembles on the precipice of change.

"Thanks for the update, Captain Obvious," Eryx muttered under his breath. "Any actually useful information you'd like to share?"

But Apollo remained frustratingly silent, leaving Eryx to grapple with the growing discomfort on his own. The vibrations intensified, sending shivers down his spine and setting his teeth on edge. It was like standing too close to a massive speaker at a concert, feeling the bass rattle your insides.

"You okay?" Alex's concerned voice cut through Eryx's discomfort. "You look like you're about to hurl."

Eryx managed a weak smile. "Just peachy."

Alex's brow furrowed, but before he could respond, Lucas called out from the front of the group. "Bridge ahead! And holy shit, you guys need to see this."

They rounded the corner, and Hell's Bridge came into view. Eryx's jaw dropped at the sight before him. The bridge, normally a feat of engineering and a testament to human ingenuity, had been transformed into something out of a Lovecraftian nightmare.

A swirling vortex of energy pulsed at its center, a kaleidoscope of colors that hurt to look at directly. Roots thicker than redwoods erupted from the portal, spreading across the city like the world's most aggressive ivy. The air crackled with power, making Eryx's hair stand on end and leaving a metallic taste in his mouth.

"Well," Gabe said, his voice dry as dust, "I think we found our problem."

Eryx opened his mouth to respond with something appropriately snarky, but the words died in his throat. The vibrations that had been plaguing him suddenly intensified a hundredfold. It was like being hit by a freight train of pure sensation. His vision swam, his knees buckled, and for a moment, he thought he might actually pass out.

"Eryx!" Alex's voice sounded distant, muffled, as if Eryx were underwater. He felt hands grabbing him, steadying him, but it was hard to focus on anything beyond the overwhelming assault on his senses.

And then, as suddenly as it had started, everything went dark .

The silence was deafening after the cacophony of battle and the relentless vibrations. For a moment, Eryx thought he might have actually lost consciousness. But no – he could still feel the rough pavement under his feet, could still smell the acrid scent of smoke and chaos in the air.

Then, with a disorienting lurch, light flooded back into the world. Eryx blinked rapidly, his eyes struggling to adjust. As his vision cleared, a chill ran down his spine.

They were gone. All of them. Alex, Fenrir, the Shadowguards – the street was empty save for Eryx himself. Even the swirling vortex on the bridge had vanished, leaving behind an eerie calm that felt more threatening than the chaos that had preceded it.

"Alex?" Eryx called out, his voice echoing unnaturally in the too-quiet street. "Fenrir? Guys, this isn't funny. Where the fuck are you?"

Silence was his only answer. Eryx felt his heart rate kick up a notch, adrenaline flooding his system. This was wrong. This was so, so wrong.

Eryx's grip on his bow tightened as he recognized the newcomers. Loki, the trickster god, his eyes gleaming with mischief and barely contained chaos. And beside him, Ares, the god of war, his very presence radiating an aura of violence that made Eryx's combat instincts scream in warning.

"Well, well," Loki drawled, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. "If it isn't Apollo's latest plaything. Enjoying our little redecorating project?"

Eryx bristled at the 'plaything' comment, but he forced himself to focus. These were two of the most dangerous beings in existence. One wrong move could be fatal.

"Cut the crap," he growled, raising his bow. The arrow he nocked gleamed with divine light, a manifestation of Apollo's power. "Where are they? What have you done with Odin and Freya?"

Ares laughed, the sound like steel grinding on stone. "So quick to accusations. And here I thought we were all friends. "

"Friends don't generally try to destroy each other's cities," Eryx shot back. "Or kidnap their parents. So how about you start talking before I see how an arrow of divine light feels between the eyes?"

Loki's smirk widened into a grin that was all teeth. "My, my. Such hostility. We merely came to extend an invitation. Come with us, godling, and all your questions will be answered. Odin, Freya – we'll lay it all out for you."

Eryx barked out a laugh, sharp and humorless. "Right. Because I'm totally going to trust the God of Lies and the God of Stabbing People to Death. Do I look like I was born yesterday?"

"You look like someone who's out of his depth," Ares growled, his patience clearly wearing thin. "This is bigger than you, boy. Bigger than your little team of misfits. The nine realms are aligning, reality itself is in flux, and you're standing here making quips like a child."

The words stung, mostly because part of Eryx feared they might be true. He was in over his head – had been since the moment Apollo chose him as a vessel. But he'd be damned if he let these divine assholes see him sweat.

Loki and Ares exchanged a look, some unspoken communication passing between them. When Loki turned back to Eryx, his expression had hardened, the playful smirk replaced by something colder, more dangerous.

"I'm afraid we're done asking nicely," the trickster god said, his voice soft but carrying an undercurrent of menace. "You will come with us, Eryx Ross. One way or another."

As he spoke, the air around Loki's hand shimmered. A spear materialized in his grasp – a weapon Eryx recognized from countless legends and stories. Gungnir, the spear of Odin himself.

Beside him, Ares raised his hand, and another weapon appeared. This one Eryx didn't recognize, but the waves of power rolling off it made his skin crawl. It was a sword that seemed to drink in the light around it, its edge promising pain and violence.

"Last chance," Ares growled. "Come willingly, or we take you by force."

Eryx felt a bead of sweat roll down his back. He was good – damn good, if he did say so himself – but this? This was out of his league. Two full-powered gods, armed with divine weapons, against one admittedly awesome but still mostly human guy?

The smart move would be to surrender. To go with them and hope for a chance to escape later. It's what Alex would advise, what any rational person would do.

But Eryx had never been accused of being particularly rational.

"Yeah, I'm gonna have to pass on that," he said, drawing back his bow. The arrow blazed with Apollo's light, bright enough to cast shadows in the unnaturally dim street. "I've got a strict policy against going on interdimensional road trips with kidnappers and terrorists."

Loki's eyes narrowed. "So be it."

The words had barely left the trickster god's lips when all hell broke loose. Loki vanished in a shimmer of green light, reappearing behind Eryx with Gungnir raised high. Eryx's instincts, honed by countless battles and Apollo's divine reflexes, saved him from being skewered. He ducked and rolled, feeling the rush of air as the legendary spear passed inches from his head.

"Fuck!" Eryx spat, scrambling to his feet. He barely had time to regain his balance before Ares was on him, the god of war's dark blade singing through the air.

Eryx brought up his bow, transforming it into a shield of pure light at the last second. The clash of divine weapons sent shockwaves rippling through the air, shattering nearby windows and setting off car alarms in a cacophonous chorus.

"You're out of your league, boy," Ares growled, pressing his advantage. Each blow from his sword felt like a thunderclap, sending jolts of pain up Eryx's arms .

"Yeah, well," Eryx grunted, desperately parrying another strike, "I've never been great at staying in my lane."

He pushed back, channeling Apollo's light through his shield. A burst of radiance exploded outward, forcing Ares to step back, momentarily blinded. Eryx seized the opportunity, his shield morphing back into a bow. He nocked an arrow of pure light and let it fly.

The arrow streaked towards Ares, leaving a trail of golden afterimages in its wake. For a moment, Eryx thought he might have actually scored a hit on the god of war. But Loki materialized in front of Ares, Gungnir twirling in his hands. The spear intercepted Eryx's arrow, shattering it in a spectacular display of light and sound.

"Nice try," Loki smirked, twirling Gungnir with casual grace. "But you'll have to do better than that."

Eryx gritted his teeth, frustration and determination warring within him. "Oh, I'm just getting started, Reindeer Games."

He reached deep within himself, tapping into the wellspring of Apollo's power that resided in his soul. Light began to emanate from his skin, a golden aura that pulsed in time with his heartbeat. His bow transformed once more, elongating and reshaping itself into a gleaming lyre.

Clever , Apollo's voice whispered in his mind, a rare note of approval coloring the god's thoughts. Music and light together – a true manifestation of our power.

"Let's hope it's enough," Eryx muttered, his fingers hovering over the lyre's strings.

Loki and Ares exchanged a glance, wariness creeping into their expressions. They had clearly expected an easy victory, not this display of divine power.

Eryx struck a chord, and the world around them shimmered. The notes hung in the air, visible as ripples of golden light. Another chord followed, then another, building into a melody that seemed to resonate with the very fabric of reality .

Loki was the first to react. He hurled Gungnir with deadly accuracy, the spear cutting through the air like a bolt of lightning. But as it entered the field of Eryx's music, it slowed, as if moving through molasses. Eryx sidestepped, feeling the rush of air as Gungnir passed by, embedding itself in the pavement behind him.

Ares roared in frustration, charging forward with his sword raised high. But Eryx's melody shifted, the notes becoming sharp and staccato. Bars of light materialized in front of Ares, a golden cage that brought the god of war up short.

For a moment, Eryx allowed himself to feel a glimmer of hope. Maybe he could actually win this. Maybe?—

His thoughts were cut short as Loki appeared beside him, a dagger of ice materializing in the trickster's hand. Eryx barely managed to bring his lyre up in time, the ice blade skittering off the golden instrument with a screech that set his teeth on edge.

"Impressive," Loki hissed, his face inches from Eryx's. "But party tricks won't save you."

The god's free hand shot out, grabbing Eryx by the throat. Cold spread from Loki's touch, a bone-deep chill that threatened to extinguish the warmth of Apollo's light.

Panic flared in Eryx's chest. He struck another chord on the lyre, pouring every ounce of power he could muster into the sound. A blast of golden energy erupted between them, sending both Eryx and Loki flying in opposite directions.

Eryx hit the ground hard, rolling several times before coming to a stop. His head spun, ears ringing from the magical backlash. He pushed himself to his knees, gasping for breath.

We cannot win this fight through brute force , Apollo's voice resonated in his mind, tinged with urgency. We must be clever, use our wits as well as our power.

"Great advice," Eryx wheezed, staggering to his feet. "Any specific ideas, or are we just winging it?"

Before Apollo could respond, a shadow fell over Eryx. He looked up to see Ares looming over him, the god's dark blade raised for a killing blow.

"Enough games," Ares growled.

Time seemed to slow. Eryx could see the sword descending, could almost feel the cold bite of its edge. In that frozen moment, an idea sparked in his mind – desperate, probably stupid, but it was all he had.

As Ares' blade fell, Eryx's lyre transformed once more. Not into a bow or a shield, but into a simple microphone stand. He grabbed it, bringing the mic to his lips just as Ares' sword struck.

The clash of divine metal on metal rang out, but it was drowned by what came next. Eryx opened his mouth and sang.

It wasn't a melody, not really. It was raw emotion given voice, Apollo's divine power channeled through the most human of instruments. The sound that erupted from Eryx's throat was part battle cry, part power ballad, and part primordial scream.

The effect was instantaneous and devastating. A shockwave of sound and light exploded outward, catching both Ares and Loki off guard. They were thrown back, tumbling head over heels like leaves in a hurricane.

Windows for blocks around shattered. The pavement cracked, fissures spreading out from where Eryx stood. Car alarms blared to life, their wails adding to the cacophony.

For a moment, everything was chaos and noise. And then, slowly, silence fell.

Eryx lowered the mic, his throat raw, his whole body trembling with exertion. He blinked spots from his vision, trying to assess the damage.

Ares and Loki were picking themselves up off the ground, looking decidedly worse for wear. Ares' armor was dented and scorched, while Loki's usually immaculate hair stuck out in all directions, giving him a crazed look.

"Okay," Eryx rasped, managing a weak grin. "Who's up for an encore? "

Loki's eyes narrowed, a mixture of anger and... was that respect? flickering across his face. "You continue to surprise, godling. But this ends now."

The trickster god raised his hand, green energy swirling around his fingers. Eryx braced himself for another attack, but what happened next caught him completely off guard.

Reality itself seemed to warp and twist. The world around them began to fracture, cracks appearing in the air like a broken mirror. Through these fissures, Eryx caught glimpses of other realms – the golden spires of Asgard, a landscape of eternal twilight, a vast sea of stars.

"What the fuck?" Eryx breathed, his eyes widening as he took in the impossible scene.

Eryx barely had time to process this information before Loki was on him. The god moved with impossible speed, slipping through the cracks in reality to appear behind Eryx. A hand clamped down on the back of Eryx's neck, cold spreading from the touch.

"A valiant effort," Loki murmured, his voice almost gentle. "But ultimately futile."

Eryx tried to break free, to summon another burst of Apollo's light, but his limbs felt heavy, unresponsive. The cold from Loki's touch was spreading, seeping into his very bones.

"No," Eryx growled, fighting against the encroaching darkness. "I won't let you?—"

His words were cut off as Ares appeared before him, the god of war's expression grim. "Enough," Ares rumbled. "Take him, Loki. We've wasted enough time here."

Eryx felt his consciousness slipping, the world growing dim around the edges. He could feel Apollo's presence in his mind, distant and muffled, as if the god was shouting from the bottom of a well.

With the last of his strength, Eryx raised his head, meeting Loki's gaze. "This... isn't over," he managed to grit out .

Loki's lips curved into a smile that held no warmth. "Oh, I'm counting on it," the trickster god said softly. "Sweet dreams, Eryx Ross."

The last thing Eryx saw was the world fracturing around him, reality splintering into a kaleidoscope of otherworldly vistas. Then darkness claimed him, and he knew no more.