She takes a step back, distancing herself from us. “Dying would be a blessing,” she whispers, and then she disappears.
I cut a look to Lucifer. He grinds his jaw. “Where is she?” I ask.
He glances at me. “I told you—we can teleport up to the point we have reached. That’s both in and out. Natia is no longer in Hell.”
Fuck. I prepare to chase her just as a rumble comes from above, the thunderous sound like the sky is collapsing. We snap our heads towards the shaft of sunlight shining directly onto the concrete ground. This realm is set up like an old style prison, vertical cells line the circular room as far as the eye can see, the occupants rattling the bars of their personal quarters as something powerful declares its presence with a rush of power that knocks back everyone but myself and Lucifer. I grab Zac, just as Lucifer grabs Zee, ensuring they stay with us. Only one thing could do that—my gaze snaps to Lucifer just as a cyclone descends through the shaft, hitting the ground and sealing us inside. I grit my teeth and wait for him to arrive. No one is powerful enough to destroy me and Lucifer; but fighting isn’t interesting when you can’t kill—only maim.
A shadow blocks the light, plunging us into darkness. “No killing, I don’t want to explain to Natia why one of us was obliterated,” I remind them.
The ground jolts, once, twice, three times. Right, because Atlas never could do anything alone.
Beams of light break through once more, revealing the three armor-clad gods; Atlas, a lean built god with wild auburn hair and golden skin, Hephaistos, a balding bulky guy brandishing a hefty hammer; and Dionysos, an older-looking male with a greying beard and a wild look in his blue eyes.
They stand back to back, inspecting their welcoming committee. “Lucifer, Archan,” Atlas states, his eyes skipping over Zac, “Ares,” before landing on Zee and dismissing him as a non-threat. I can use that to our advantage. “Let us pass, this need not be a bloodbath. After all, you are not able to kill us.”
“Where is Zeus?” I ask. “Give him to us and we will consider your safe passage.”
Atlas throws his head back and laughs. “Zeus hasn’t changed in this millennia, Archan. He is still a selfish twit with ideas above his station. That said, he inspires monsters and men alike and as such has garnered a following, an army of the worst this universe offers. We are but the tip of the iceberg. Join us, rule this land and abolish the pests that scamper around destroying the gift they have been given.”
Zac rolls his eyes. “You hunker down in Tartarus for thousands of years and you haven’t come up with a new strapline?”
Hephaistos swivels his hammer in his palm, his eyes narrowing on Zac. “Come here, boy, and I will show you my strapline.”
Zac rolls his neck on his shoulders and folds his arms. “You’re not my type.”
I glance at Lucifer, then Zee, communicating my plans. These gods think they have us by the balls. They believe they have the upper hand, but they are clueless to the humans with extra abilities that walk the Earth.
“Are we going to continue to flirt, or are we going to fight?” Zac grits out.
Dionysos moves too fast for human eyes to track, a blade flicking out from under his wrist. One slice and the victim will be rendered paralyzed, unable to fight or even speak.
He whips around, stabbing out at Lucifer, who glares at the knife like it’s an annoying insect. He grasps Dionysos’s wrist, squeezes and twists. The blade clatters to the floor and Dionysos collapses to his knees.
Lucifer grimaces. “I’d be embarrassed at being taken down with a simple pressure point. Looks like your fighting technique is still as crap as your power.”
Dionysos’s jaw ticks as he glowers at Lucifer. It’s Atlas we need to make an example of, and we will only be able to use our secret weapon once. Lucifer twists his arm, the bone snapping easily under the pressure. Dionysos crumples to the ground, his elbow jutting out of his flesh as blood runs in rivulets down his arm onto the floor. Lucifer jerks his feet back to avoid the crimson waterfall. Howls of excitement echo around us as the level recognizes the blood spilled in anger, whipping up the frenzy of souls that live for the fury.
Atlas spins into action. Hephaistos follows, his hammer shoving out in quick succession. I duck and land a sharp kick to his gut. Zac jumps high, wraps his legs around Atlas’s neck and slams him to the floor. Lucifer pulls out the twin of the blade that killed Natia and throws it. It spins towards Zac, who plucks it from the air, his hand curling around the hilt. Atlas smirks at him. “You don’t scare me, War, killing me would likely forfeit your own life.”
Zac smirks and opens his hand, the blade balancing on his palm. “It’s not me you should be worried about.”
Zee snatches the blade and plunges it into Atlas’s heart. The god convulses as the metal tears through his immortal soul, swallowing it like a ravenous beast. The shock is brief before the power bleeds from his eyes.
Dionysos and Hephaistos watch the brutal killing of the Titan before turning to each other and shrinking back. They stare at Zee, no doubt committing his face to memory to report back to Zeus, and then blink out of existence.
“They will return to Zeus and Lawrence with a warning that it will be no simple task to escape Hell,” I state.
“I want to check on Natia,” Zee states, handing the blade back to Lucifer.
I nod. “I think it’s time we regrouped, take stock of what we know and formulate a plan.”
Zac grabs Zee and we teleport back to Hell’s Hole. The lights burn brightly and “Gasoline” by Halsey plays in the background. They’ve pushed some tables together to form a central hub. Plans, laptops, enormous books, and various glasses of drinks are scattered around. Aaden and Emi look up at our return.
Jed spins from his stool at the bar, the book he was engrossed in forgotten. Nathan’s face is serious as he looks behind us. I stride towards them, scanning the open books with various sketches of curses. I’d almost forgotten.
“Where’s Duncan and Natia?” Aaden says with a frown.
I cut a glance at Lucifer. He takes a deep breath. “Spit it out,” Jed says, stepping off the stool and coming towards us.
