The landscape in this area, now that the water was gone, was rocky with a steady incline that hadn't been there before. It was brighter without the water, but no visible sun was above, and the bone-crushing heat from the previous level was also absent.
Thank the Titans, because the last thing I needed was that heat beating down on me again.
Hyperion appeared to be leading us toward a small peak on the hill we were ascending, and I noticed a few more of those drink plants scattered about. “You thirsty?” he asked when we passed a rather large one. “The portal should be at the top of this rise, so we’re close, but I know you aren't feeling well.”
I shook my head. “No, I'm okay at the moment. I just want to get to Cronus.”
It was clear from the sympathetic expression that he understood, and once again resumed his trek up the hill, looking back more than once to determine that I was okay. I was about to reassure him for the second time that I was fine, when a shadow broke over the top of us, blocking out whatever caused the new light across level six.
Hyperion spun around, eyes wide. I followed his line of sight, tilting back so I could take in the full picture before me.
“The Erynomus,” Hyperion breathed, and I really got the concerned expression now.
#HolyUglyBalls
I don’t know what I’d expected, but it wasn’t … this creature.
First of all, he was a giant. At least twelve feet tall. With the head and torso of a man and the lower half of a bull or something. Its face was gnarled and bony, giving it a grotesque look, not to mention the set of horns protruding from its ugly face. All down its arms were black feathers that branched out into giant wings hanging off its back. The creature was like a fucking chimera that had been hit with the ugly stick.
I shrank behind Hyperion. “Can you kill it?”
The creature sniffed the air and then his head snapped in our direction.
Oh shit.
#ImTooYoungToDie
“Not on my own,” Hyperion said, “but with Cronus’ help, and maybe Rhea, we might be able to take him out and restore some sanity to this realm.”
Thanks for reminding me that my boyfriend was down here with his ex-wife.Yeesh. What were they doing right now? I didn't want to think about it and I certainly didn’t want to add killing this ugly prick to our to do list but it looked like I might have no choice in the matter.
The creature started to scratch his hind legs on the ground, kicking up dust behind him. As I squinted at the dusty air, I saw that he stood directly in front of the next portal we needed to get to level seven and my man.
“He’s protecting the portal!” I hissed.
Hyperion looked at me with shock. “You see that one too?”
Now it was my turn to roll my eyes. “We’ve been over this.”
Hyperion straightened, letting out a long huff. “Alright, fair enough. You’re blessed by vision or something. Let’s go with that.”
See, I knew he’d come around to the fantasy life. Once you go delusional, you can’t go back.
#Facts
“Maisey, are you even listening to me?”
I nodded, and actually did listen as he went over his plan. “You distract him,” Hyperion started, “and I’ll get into a better position to blind him with my light. This should move him away from the portal, and once that happens, we’ll meet there and just slide right through.”
#AwfulPlan #SomethingWasGoingToGoWrong
“Okay,” I said, putting on my big girl pants.
In all honesty, I had no choice and no other options. I wanted to get to Cronus, so as long as this was a quick plan and no one died, I would do whatever Hyperion suggested.
“Distraction. No problem.”
I looked around for something to throw at the beast, before reaching down to pick up a few rocks. They were palm sized, nothing that would actually hurt this dude, but hopefully it would be enough so that Hyperion could do his light thingy.
