Chapter 51

" My Queen, what is this?" Balakros jumped to his feet as we emerged through the gates, leaning heavily on his right leg. Seated beside him was Lytos, nursing a black and blue cheek.

"It's a long story. The Elders aren't here. Load up the army and let's prepare for the return home," I said, as he eyed the mangled arm strapped across my back.

"We lost a lot of men." He swallowed.

"I know, but the mission was a success," I said, yanking at Tethys's chains.

"We were doomed without the Northern Army. They couldn't have arrived at a better time. Although, no one sent for them. I'm not sure how they knew we were here."

"They were here to rescue their king." I swallowed. "He didn't make it."

Balakros looked at his hands, avoiding my eyes swollen with hurt.

"Elpis, I'm so sorry," Lytos said, rising to his feet.

"I can't talk about that right now," I said, my voice clipped. "We won this battle, but there's still more to be done. For starters, we need to return home."

"Yes, My Queen. We'll take note of how many we have left. At first light, we'll load up and begin the journey home," Balakros nodded.

"Good, and start preparing for Tethys's loyalists to plan a counterattack."

"I thought the plan was to murder her." Lytos pointed to Tethys, now holding her head high.

"Don't point at me, mortal," she hissed, lifting her nose at him. "It reeks of death out here. Can we go, please?"

I turned to glare at her, giving the chain one last tug and knocking her to her knees. "You don't speak unless spoken to."

"My Queen, the men need to rest and recover before we set sail. I'm not sure we have even enough uninjured for a single crew. We need at least one night of recovery, maybe two." Balakros rubbed his swollen, broken knee.

"Setup camp for the night, but no longer. I'm going to continue on to the find the Elders and Araes myself. Rah will guide you through the seas and back home," I said.

"But what about your command? Who will lead us?" he pleaded.

"Balakros, don't be silly. You and Lytos will lead our men home. Make sure they return to their families. To their children. To their wives." I eyed Lytos.

"Wh-what? Me?" Balakros asked, his eyes wider than I ever thought possible.

"Yes. Set up aid tents, get our men rested and healed up. The fortress is empty and full of supplies. I trust you to make the right choices. Everything will be fine, I promise."

"Stay with us," he begged. "How will we make it home without your guidance?"

I shifted under my weight, slowly growing uncomfortable by his desperation. The leather breastplate I wore felt too small, and the salted sweat across my brow stung.

"Balakros. I need to do this. Stay with our men, take charge, be the leader I know you to be. That's an order."

He straightened against my command and nodded reluctantly.

"Yes, My Queen."

"I'll send notice to Procyon and Altair of your arrival," I said, scratching Arcturas behind the ear as she sat beside me, keeping her predatory eye on the quiet goddess.

Balakros limped off, spreading word through the groups of wounded men scattered around the battlefield. Lytos motioned for me to come closer. Nodding to Arcturas, I left the immortal under her watchful eye.

"Try anything and you'll never get this back," I hissed, pointing to her twitching arm strapped to my back.

She rolled her eyes, sighing dramatically and picking at a hangnail forming on a perfectly manicured finger.

"Why do I feel like there is something you're keeping from me?" Lytos asked, his voice merely a murmur.

"There's a chance to bring Aryx back. He's trapped in the immortal realm. I need to go get him," I whispered, watching Tethys wince as she poked at her shredded shoulder.

"How is that possible?" Lytos took in a breath, leaning against a blood-stained boulder.

"When he drowned, his mortal half died. But his immortal half returned to the realm of the gods. If there's a chance to bring him back, I have to take it," I said.

"And you trust her?" Lytos nodded toward Tethys.

"Of course not, but I can handle her. So long as I have this, she'll do as I say. She's desperate to maintain her beauty. She's not going to risk looking like a monstrosity missing a limb forever."

"I guess you have a point," he snorted, watching Tethys smooth back her perfect waves of blonde hair.

"She may be my only chance to get him back. I have to do this." My voice shook.

"I know. Just…be careful. Please," Lytos said, pulling me into a hug.

His embrace was the gentle warmth of an old friend. All fear and uncertainty faded away in his arms. I sighed, letting his scent wash over me.

"Thank you for everything. We couldn't have won this war without you…" I trailed off, forcing the sobs back down my throat. "I wouldn't be here without you."

He placed his hands on my shoulders and smiled, the corners of his bright blue eyes dimpled. "Promise me you'll return, even if Aryx isn't able to."

"I promise," I whispered, pulling him in for another hug. "Get home safe."

Lytos nodded, kissing me gently on the forehead. I watched as he turned to rejoin our men, boisterous and beaming with victory. I may have lost the last remnants of my bloodline today, but these people were my family. Lytos, Balakros, every soldier that marched behind me.

"Now, how do we get to the immortal realm?" I asked Tethys, snarling at the disgust glistening in her eye.

Tethys, leaning against a boulder, struggled to her feet. "Finally. The smell is nauseating. I don't think I can stand to be here one more second. When each of us constructed our temples, we created gateways into the immortal realm. Luckily for you, when I built this fortress, I created one in the dungeons for easy passage off this gods-forsaken island."

"Alright, let's go then," I said, marching back to the castle.

"Unluckily for you, only a full immortal has assured safe passage through. No half-mortal has ever tried, so I'm not sure what will come of you."

"That's a risk I'm willing to take," I said, yanking on the chain that connected us.

"Then you are more of a fool than I thought," she hissed, tripping behind me.

We plunged into the shadowy depths of the castle, passing frightened rats munching on the leftover bones of Tethys's enemies. We went lower and lower into the cool, damp earth. The dungeons felt as if they'd go on forever. Droplets of seawater fell from the stone-carved ceiling, their impact with the broken tiled floor echoing through the vast loneliness.

The earthen labyrinth mimicked its above ground sister structure with sharp twists and turns. By the time we reached the dungeon's core, day must have faded into night.

A splintered wooden door marked the entrance to the immortal realms. I had expected ornate carvings or glamorous golden door handles, not this rickety old thing that looked as if it was one kick away from disintegrating into splinters. The hinges, rusted from years of salty air, creaked and groaned as I pulled the door open. Nothing but swirling darkness and shadow greeted me behind its ancient frame.

"We go together," I said, pulling Tethys's chains so she stood next to me.

"Stupid girl," she spat. "You're going to get yourself killed."

"One. Two. Thr-" The goddess threw her shoulder against me, propelling us both across the threshold and into the black abyss that waited. Arcturas dove after me, her golden armor reflecting the last shadows of candlelight as we plunged into the immortal realm.