Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Chapter one: Sacrifice

Alcyoneus had known it would be him that drew the lot, he knew he’d be the one to journey to the cave, he’d seen it in a dream. That didn’t mean his hand didn’t tremble when he presented the straw, that he hadn’t wished it wouldn’t be him… or that the sadness in his mother’s face didn’t break his heart. The agora was solemn as his fate was announced, despite meaning an end to the attacks, it was never a joyful affair to sentence someone to death. Alcyoneus nodded along and barely heard the words being spoken about his brave sacrifice, the flowery words promising remembrance and a new life for the Crissa. All he could do was try not to cry, and stare at the stone he stood on. When it was over he moved to his family, people patted his arms as he passed slowly and barely present. His mother’s hands gently touched his shoulders, then lifted his face to meet her eyes

“You knew, didn't you.” A statement, not a question or an accusation. Alcyoneus nodded, face burning with unshed tears, throat closed with choked back sobs. There would be time for that later. His mother held him tightly, her dark skin on his own. A tear escaped his rigid control as he held her back.

“Run away” she whispered, pleading into his dark curls. Pleading, desperate, half hearted.

“We’ll sneak you out in the night, you’ll live long and happy, and I won’t…” her voice broke.

“I won’t have to bury my son” she said silently sobbing into him. He rubbed her back and regained some control.

“It has to be me, mother, it’s the only way it works, it’s the only way no one else dies.” The surety in his voice surprised him. She pulled back to look at him and cup his face. He smiled with all the love he could muster, he didn’t want one of the last things she saw on his face to be sadness. He wanted her to remember him as happy and see his smile when she thought of him. She stroked his face.

“My brave Alcyoneus, you don’t have to smile for me.” He leaned into her palm. His mother knew him too well.

“Meganeira, Alcyoneus… let’s go home.” His father said grimly. She nodded and turned to her husband, leaning into his strength.

“Oh Diomos” she sobbed and fell into his arms that wrapped around her tightly and held her up. He leaned down and kissed her head.

“Hush now, it will… we will survive, '' he said softly. She straightened and wiped her eyes. Diomos held a hand out to his son and pulled him into an equally tight embrace. His eyes also watered as he held the embrace for just a moment and then with his arm around his son's shoulders the family headed back to their home.

****

That night Dinner was sorrowful, no one knew what to say, and no one was able to contain their tears. It was the most somber dinner Alcyoneus had ever had in his life, they’d always been so happy, now he felt helpless and miserable. The thought turned into a flash of frustration.

“No, not like this” His parents looked up as he stood.

“Tonight there will be laughter and music, and we will have good memories.”

His parents glanced at each other, he rushed out of the room and returned moments later with instruments. His father smirked at his son's stubbornness, his mother tried to compose herself as she smiled feebly at him. Together they played the lyre and aulos, and sang and joked jovially. The candlelight flickered in the room as Alcyoneus whirled around dramatically to the music, making his mother laugh and his father smile. They didn’t do this often either, his father usually attending to business. His mother running the household, and Alcyoneus with his studies. Tonight nothing mattered but them, celebrating and just being together. Alcyoneus was surprised at how well it worked, thoughts of tomorrow faded away. They played games too, clapping and cheering at the mild competitiveness, his father whooping as he won a round of Petteia. It was a beautiful night, making Alcyoneus ache as he wished they had done this more often, or that he would get a chance to do this again.
The jovial nature of the night began to fade out as the hour grew late, they sat together as Harpocrates returned to their home, hanging silence all around them.

“We’ll miss you.” His father spoke, surprising both him and his mother. Diomos was a rather reserved man.

“I hope you know how proud I am to be your father.” He said softly.

Alcyoneus couldn’t stop the tears anymore and he openly cried, his mother enfolded him and his father got up and joined their embrace. They stayed there for a long time, just holding each other and crying, love and sorrow flowing together until at last sleep overtook Alcyoneus and he slept deep and dreamt of a road with a spear planted in the ground and a serpent coiling around it.

****

Alcyoneus couldn’t stop looking back up the path to Crissa, he wondered how long his parents had watched them descend the mountain. He was quiet, not really in the mood to speak, not even really taking in his surroundings, the grass waving in the wind, the wild Parnassus peonies, and the blue sky dotted with clouds. He found himself just thinking of his life and his family. He let out a little sigh, and wondered if it was possible to think about nothing and if it would be possible to think of nothing for the next 2 hours. He must have tried to think of nothing a little too hard because next he knew one of the priests was jostling his shoulder.

“Alcyoneus… it is time to bless the journey.”

He blinked and glanced over to see the square shaped entrance to the Corycian cave. He didn’t know either of the priests' names, he recalled seeing them around the city, they were priests of Apollo naturally. It had been Apollo they had prayed to for relief against the monster terrorizing the countryside, and Apollo who had revealed they were to draw lots of all the young men in the city, Apollo who had sent him the dream that he would be the one chosen. He must’ve missed the priest's names when they were given a send off to deliver him to Sybaris, the drakaina.

Now they stood in front of the entrance made of pale stone, green growing all around it, the Corycian cave was deeply sacred. Said to be home to nymphs, a safe haven for gods, and where Apollo learned Cleromancy, the very divining art that had sealed Alcyoneus’ fate. They entered the cave, and once Alcyoneus might’ve felt fear to enter the earth. Now it was as simple as crossing the threshold of a home, instead of a divine holy place.

The priests made a big show, burned some fragrances and left some offerings and prayed to Apollo in thanks for revealing the solution to their problems and asking him to bless them and ensure they were on the right path. Alcyoneus found himself not really paying attention again, his eyes unfocusing as the priest's words faded into the background.

“Alcyoneus” a mellodic voice sounded, soft and gentle like a whisper on his skin, causing the young man to open his eyes, and before him the cave was completely changed, his eyes widened as he beheld a crystal blue body of water surrounded by saffron and other beautiful flowers. It was as bright as if it was outside, and the cave hummed with the sound of bees as they lazily drifted through the air from flower to flower, the smell of honey filled the air, replacing the scent of earth and stone. Alcyoneus turned his head looking around the beautiful scene, mouth falling open. As he did the water rippled drawing his attention as three figures appeared beneath the surface and he watched them slowly rise out of the water. They rose and began to float above the pond completely dry, carried by wings that buzzed like the bees.

They smiled down at him, strikingly beautiful. The closest one of the three drifted forward and landed on the bank that Alcyoneus was knelt on. She had beautiful black skin like Alcyoneus and his mother, black hair that curled freely to her slender shoulders. She wore a simple white peplos, with a double split showing her legs, she had a large black and yellow band that covered most of her middle, and a small pale yellow Himation tucked into the belt and draped over her left shoulder. Behind her the other two continued to hover above the water.
“Hello Alcyoneus, I am Melaina, these are my sisters, Cleodora” she gestured to her right, a blonde and freckled nymph with a similar dress.

“And Corycia” She said gesturing to her left at a brunette with long brown hair to match her deep brown skin.

“The Thriae” Alcyoneus said with awe and reverence, he bowed his head to them. The nymphs who called this cave home, lovers of gods, and simply divine. Melaina’s hand gently touched his chin as she raised his head.

“Rise hero, chosen by our sacred craft of cleromancy, the gift we passed to Apollo.”

“I’m no hero my ladies, just the sacrifice.” A knowing look passed between the minor goddesses.

“Only the heart of a hero could compel a man to give his life for his people, to be separated from his family, and to act so selflessly, we have known gods and heroes, and you are going to end the threat of a drakaina.” Melaina clasped her hands in front of her.

“By sacrifice or not, this makes you a hero in our eyes.” Alcyoneus felt tears fall down his face, humbled by her words.

“Thank you Melaina” he said softly, she nodded and then knelt in front of him and wiped his tears. He felt shocked that a being such as her would lower herself to his level but she seemed unfazed as She looked into his eyes, a honey brown against his deep brown.

“You were always going to be on this path, I’d seen it from the start of your line, ever since Apollo first came to this land to slay the Delphyne and Pytho. But like all heroes, a journey must begin with a choice. There were many you could’ve made and yet you have chosen to see it through.” Alcyoneus felt flushed from the compliments, he wasn’t used to such attention from mortals, let alone figures of legend. Melaina removed her hand and suddenly the three Thirae spoke in unison.

“Today you begin the start of your journey, it will be longer than expected, your life as you knew it will come to an end, and new life shall take its place, you shall know love in your last moment, and Sybaris shall fall.” They ended their prophecy, Alcyoneus felt goosebumps cover his arms as Melaina stood and lifted into the air with the soft humming of her wings.

“Your fate was tied to this mountain from the moment you were born, the blood of Pythis flows in your veins. Phocis is the land of Prophecy, Mount Parnassus and Delphi it's birthplace, your heroism has long been known to us. Go forth, and fulfill your destiny as only you can.” Melaina stood with a final pat on his head.

“You honor your bloodline.” She said lastly, and together with her sisters floated back and like a receding fog the spring and flowers and the Thirae vanished from sight, the smell of earth came back, and the buzzing of the bees gradually receded to a faint hum. The sound of the priest's voice grew in his ear as he heard the priest's prayers come to an end, and they placed a final offering on the small stone slab and stood to signify their ritual was over.

Alcyoneus looked around and saw nothing out of the ordinary inside the cave, but he felt the hum of the power, the feeling of peace that had overtaken him and he smiled at the stone hoping to convey his gratitude.

“We should be leaving now.” Alcyoneus nodded and got to his feet, very quickly left a ring he’d put on this morning on the altar, a memento from his mother. It was all that he had on him.

“Thank you.” He whispered and departed with the priests.

Chapter Text

Eurybarus strolled the side of the mountain with a spring in his step and a bright smile as he enjoyed the day, if he were able to, he would’ve whistled a tune. The sun was bright, the sky was blue, and he was going to make something of himself. He didn’t yet know how but he was certain he would figure it out. He had put his worrisome father and mundane life to his back and just kept on walking. Today was a good day to be alive. He was approaching the famed mount Parnassus and the city of Crissa; he'd figured who better to show him his destiny than the land of oracles and prophets and the worshippers of Apollo. He was well on his way up the path of the mountain when his path was crossed by a small procession.

He paused and stared at the priests who were decorated in ceremonial and sacred garments as they led the most beautiful man Eurybarus had ever laid eyes upon. He had rich dark skin, black curls that waved across his forehead and a ceremonial wreath adorned with the local peonies in his hair that only complimented his beauty. He wore a lilac Exomis that showed off lovely thighs, and hung on his slender frame. Eurybarus felt his pulse quicken as he beheld the vision before him. The man had been looking behind him with something like longing in his eyes. Now the man turned and his beautiful brown eyes met Eurybarus, the air practically left his lungs.
Everything else faded from his mind, nothing else mattered but those beautiful eyes that didn’t waver from his gaze. Only when Alcyoneus stumbled and slid a little on the path, nearly losing his footing in the gravel and dirt did the world come rushing back to Eurybarus. He shook his head to clear himself as the procession paused.

“Are you alright Alcyoneus?” one of the priests inquired. They hovered as he righted himself.

“Yes I’m fine, sorry just wasn’t… paying attention.” The priests shared a look that Eurybarus couldn’t read.

“It’s okay to be… distracted, but we must keep moving.” One of them said gently. Alyconeus glanced at Eurybarus then nodded.

“Chaire strangers, what a beautiful day it is.” Eurybarus remarked in greeting. The priests either didn’t hear him or pretended to not hear him, only Alcyoneus looked at him and smiled.

“Hello to you too.”

“Tell me what sort of journey requires such… finery” he asked, dragging his eyes slowly up to Alcyoneus’ face. A priest rolled his eyes and made to answer but Alcyoneus quickly cut him off.

“We are embarking on a sacred trek.” Eurybarus quirked an eyebrow.

“That is, we are performing a ritual on a nearby mountain, to honor our god… and town.” Alcyoneus said, stuttering out the words.

“Is the exact nature of the ritual a secret?” He asked, leaning forward with a conspiratorial smile. Alcyoneus glanced around.

“Oh not very secret, just... terribly dull.” He finished, Eurybarus smirked

“Well your involvement would indicate the opposite.” Alcyoneus bit his lip shyly and Eurybarus could’ve swooned.

“So tell me what nearby mountain this terribly dull ceremony will take place.” Alcyoneus hesitated a moment, eyes flicking to the priests standing impatiently, but at last gestured to a mountain further down the valley.

“Mount Cirphis.” He said solemnly. Eurybarus let out a low whistle.

“Well the fates must be smiling on us, that’s where I am traveling to as well” He said Alcyoneus gave him a disbelieving look. Eurybarus held up his hands.

“It’s as true as the dull nature of this trek.” Alcyoneus had the decency to look chastised.

“Perhaps we were fated to travel this road together.” He said, causing those beautiful eyes to meet his again.

“I’m afraid that’s out of the question” A priest cut in.

“We have a very tight schedule to adhere to, we must get there before dark.” Eurybarus frowned.

“Surely at this time of day you have plenty of time? It's not even midday, you might even make it back before nightfall.” Eurybarus said, studying the distance.

“Precisely which is why we must not delay.” The other one said and he very rudely continued walking, as did the other priest, and reluctantly so did Alcyoneus. So Eurybarus figured he might as well walk with them.
“It’s probably for the best, you’d be better off at…” he trailed off as he looked back up the mountain. Eurybarus studied him as his gaze eventually fell back to Eurybarus’ face. Alcyoneus smiled as his eyes once again traveled up the mountain.

“It’s a beautiful city.” He said fondly.

“Unfortunately for those two, this is a free road, and dull or not, that mountain looks like the place to be tonight.” He said with a wink, Alcyoneus turned away but he could tell the man was smiling.

“If you hold up our dull... sacred ritual, there will be consequences for when we arrive back in town.” A priest called from up front giving a pointed look to Alcyoneus and then to Eurybarus before turning back to face the road. Eurybarus made a face making Alcyoneus cover his laugh. Eurybarus leaned toward Alcyoneus, sure to keep his voice low.

“Truth be told, the only thing that could dissuade me is if you said you didn’t want me to join you. Do you want me to leave, Alcyoneus?” He asked sincerely and tilted his head as he walked beside him.
Alcyoneus bit his lip again, though whether or not he was hiding a smile or a frown was anyone's guess. Alcyoneus glanced back one more time, then to the side at Eurybarus. He let out a small breath.

“No, I do not want you to leave” he said finally, Eurybarus punched the air making Alcyoneus roll his eyes, but that smile didn’t quite fade away from his lips.

“Truth be told I should say no, it would make things easier…” He trailed off.

“Nothing in this life isn’t worth a little challenge.” Alcyoneus gave him an unreadable look.

“Would you continue if you thought the journey might be… perilous?” Alcyoneus asked with a sidelong glance. Perhaps he wanted to assess Eurybarus’ bravery. Eurybarus puffed out his chest and looked at the easy road ahead of them, his destiny could wait till tomorrow. He shot Eurybarus a cocky grin.

“On the contrary, danger makes the journey more enticing. Are you saying you're dangerous?” He asked leaning a little closer, Alcyoneus stifled a laugh.

“The most dangerous man alive in fact.” Eurybarus felt his pulse quicken.

“Then I am the most enticed man alive.” Alcyoneus was completely at a loss for words. Eurybarus stuck out his hand.

“I am Eurybarus.” Alcyoneus took his hand in his soft warm one, and gave it a firm shake that lingered.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

"Alcyoneus, please come here." One of the priests called, Alcyoneus walked forward like a kid caught by parents breaking the rules.

"We don't mind you keeping the true purpose a secret, or the ruffian tagging along." One of them said.

"But we will not let this journey be delayed, we have a task to complete. Our city depends on it." The other said.

"How could I forget." Alcyoneus said quietly, and let them walk on, falling back to pace with Eurybarus.

"Have they told you to make me leave?" Eurybarus questioned half teasing, but also bracing for a goodbye. Alcyoneus shook his head.

"No... just reminding me of the importance of our journey." Eurybarus studied him for a moment longer.

"I really would leave if you asked, I do not wish to get you in trouble." Alcyoneus gave him a warm look.

"It's a little selfish of me, but I won't ask you to leave. I think I'd really enjoy... the company." He finished at last looking forward. Eurybarus smiled.

"I think I will enjoy the company too."

Chapter Text

Alcyoneus couldn’t take his eyes off the strange young man who had decided on a whim to make the journey with them to Mount Cirphis, he radiated this infectious energy and he made Alcyoneus feel… things. Alcyoneus found it strange to be walking toward his demise and only be able to smile as the man with light brown hair, deep tan brown skin, and mischievous eyes kept flirting with him. He wore a traditional greek leather battle Pteruge, he was completely bare chested which didn’t help Alcyoneus attention. He wore a leather strap that held a spear and shield to his back. He was beautiful and looked every bit like a young war hero of old.

“Are you always like this? Or is today just a special day?” Eurybarus tilted his head back at Alcyoneus' question, face scrunched up as if deeply considering before lazily drifting his head to the side to look at Alcyoneus.

“Honestly I think it’s the special company.” Alcyoneus couldn’t stop the smile, he tried, he really did but just like all the other times, he failed.

“I’m curious why you were journeying to Parnassus? Was there something you hoped to find in Crissa?” Eurybarus considered him.

“Well it is a bit of a long story.” Alcyoneus gave him an incredulous look.

“Well you also seem to have no problem hearing your own voice.” Making Eurybarus chuckle.

“But do you like the sound of my voice? Can you bear to endure it if I talk about myself?” Now it was Alcyoneus’ turn to scrunch up his face in mock consideration.

“Well I suppose there is nothing else to do, and it would at least be better than silence.” He said, flicking his eyes forward to the priests who hadn’t commented or turned around since their last interaction.

“Well if only to fill the silence then, I guess I shall tell you my tale.” He cleared his throat dramatically.

“It all began with my grandfather, Asteropaios.” Alcyoneus thought for a second.

“Oh! One of the allies of the trojans” Eurybarus nodded.

“The very same, he had gone and left my father and grandmother in order to seek glory in the Trojan war. As the stories go, he was only there for eleven days before being killed by Greek champion Achilles.”

“Yes I remember! Wasn’t he the grandson of Axios?” Eurybarus once again nodded, the story of the Trojan war was told every year at least, he’d even gone over parts of the stories in his studies.

“I also recall he was the only one to draw blood from Achilles besides Paris, by throwing two spears simultaneously at Achilles. That’s an impressive display of skill.” Eurybarus blushed at the praise for his ancestor.

“I think so too, my grandfather carved his own place of remembrance in history.” Eurybarus’ voice was filled with admiration and longing.

“My father however… he has always resented the war, and my grandfather. I can’t understand it. So he barely speaks of my grandfather or the war, and has resigned to lead a boring and mundane life.” Eurybarus scowled as if he smelled something foul.

“He chose to lead a simple life with my mother, refusing to even teach me the arts of war my grandfather had taught him before he left. He completely ignores the warrior's blood in his veins, the same blood inside me.” Eurybarus shook his head in frustration.

“I had to find out about my grandfather from strangers. But the fact that people knew of him? It filled me with purpose. I want to be known for my bravery or feats of strength, tales of my heroism.” He said, beating his chest with passion.

“My father doesn’t understand. He can’t let his resentment go. So I left my home in Curetis, I intend to find glory, to live my destiny.” He said finally with a small smile that Alcyoneus couldn’t help but share.

“Your dreams are very aspirational. I envy your conviction and purpose.” Eurybarus rubbed the back of his head bashfully.

“What about you? What dreams lie beneath those lovely curls.” Eurybarus had a way of making Alyconeus feel warm all over.

“Can I ask you something? Do you resent your father for raising you? And not finding glory himself?” Eurybarus was thrown off by Alcyoneus’ deflection.

“No! I could never… well, maybe a little” he finished a little sheepishly.

“I’ve never really considered it, he wouldn’t talk with me about it, I would beg him to teach me how to be a warrior, to be brave, but he would just shake his head, I could never understand him… as I know he never understood me.” He stared at the dusty road, swallowing roughly, Alcyoneus placed a tentative hand on his shoulder, a warm jolt going from his fingertips and up his arm.

In his mind’s eye Alcyoneus could see their life, the young eager and determined Eurybarus begging at his father’s knee and his father gently stilling him and guiding him to the work of the land or the household, trying to quell the dreams of battle and war, and remembering his childhood without a father. Wishing desperately to keep his son from the same fate, to ensure his son would return home to a long life, and not to spend his last days as alone as he had as a child. Alcyoneus shook his head to dispel the images, they’d been so clear. Alcyoneus had the occasional vision in his life. He opened his mouth to speak when a noise startled the four of them.

“What was that?” one of the priests asked, voice low, then came the unmistakable growl of a wild beast and the shriek of a woman. Alcyoneus felt his heart drop to his feet, he was going to meet his fate right here, Sybaris must have wandered from the cave during the day instead of her usual night time. She was going to kill him and the poor soul she was stalking. Before he could think or do anything, Eurybarus sprinted past him, a spear pulled from his back as he ran over the grassy hill and leapt from the top and vanished from sight.

Alcyoneus froze in shock, staring at where the young man had jumped. Eurybarus was proving to be an interesting person, Alcyoneus shook himself and then sprinted after Eurybarus, maybe if Sybaris devoured him first the others would also be spared. He didn’t know the exact details of his sacrifice to Sybaris but he had to try. He reached the top of the hill and saw the biggest wolf he’d ever seen in his life reared up on its hind legs as it let out a bellowing roar, Eurybarus was crouched in front of the woman they’d heard scream, with his spear pointed right up at the colossal wolf.

“Great Apollo!” Alcyoneus exclaimed as the beast swung its massive paw at Eurybarus who ducked and stabbed upward making it roar again as he drew blood. The creature's fur was a matted and coarse dark gray, eyes a piercing yellow, long menacing teeth, and a horrible stench. It reminded Alcyoneus of rotting meat and he nearly gagged at the smell as it wafted up to him. Alcyoneus steeled himself and barreled down the hill and slid to a stop next to the girl, she was shaking, Alcyoneus grabbed her arm and pulled her to her feet, she had sandy blonde hair done in a loose braid and a simple thigh length chiton on, she had a lean muscle frame.
“Come on, up the hill!” He called and pulled her behind him. She stumbled but together they reached the top where they were met by the priests who had scrambled up as well and they all watched as the wolf would swipe and Eurybarus would dodge and stab at the creature. After another stab it crouched low letting out a guttural growl, haunches raised, It watched Eurybarus with an almost calculating stare. Suddenly it charged at him massive jaws clamping down on the raised spear, then dragged Eurybarus forward and swiped across his chest.

“No!” Alcyoneus shouted and picked up a stone and hurled it at the creature. His aim was true and the creature whirled at him, making eye contact as Eurybarus clutched his chest beneath the beast. Alcyoneus was struck with the vision of man wild and savage, and knew he was not looking into the eyes of an animal, a tremor of fear rolled up his spine.

“Eurybarus! This wolf was once a man!” Eurybarus grunted and kicked at the wolf hard, sending it stumbling back.

“Could it decide to be a man again.” He huffed in irritation, the girl stepped beside Alcyoneus.

“I-I can help” Alcyoneus turned and saw her raise a bow that glimmered like silver, she took a deep breath, pulled back and shot the wolf creature right in its right eye.

“Nice shot!” The girl smirked at the compliment while the wolf yowled in pain pawing at the arrow lodged in its eye.

“Thanks, I learned from my mother.”

“Thank you!” Eurybarus shouted, making the beast whirl in the direction of the sound only for a wound to open on its maw from Erutbarus’ spear. It roared and immediately pounced, a gash appeared on its leg as Eurybarus swung. It howled in what almost sounded like frustration, and snapped where the gash had been made. A matching wound appeared on the other side of its face. The wolf retreated a few steps, its remaining eye trained right on Eurybarus who smirked and spun his spear in his hand. It snarled in response and with a lightning fast movement, it struck the ground and launched dirt into the air making dust rain down in Eurybarus’ eyes. He stumbled back shocked and blinded and the beast took advantage of its trick and leapt, pinning Eurybarus down. He grunted in pain and struggled under the large paws.

“Leave him!” Alcyoneus shouted, hurling stone after stone, while the young woman fired another arrow. This time it ignored them, rocks bouncing off its hide and arrows lodging themselves to no avail. Its mouth opened wide ready to bite, Alcyoneus started moving towards the fight when suddenly another creature rounded the hill making everyone freeze. Fur a deep russet brown, a snarl on its snout, the massive bear stood directly opposite the wolf. The two priests shouted in terror but the bear was not focused on them, its gaze locked firmly on the wolf, the wolf’s hackles raised and the bear plowed forward with a mighty roar.

“Eurybarus, MOVE!” Alcyoneus shouted wide eyed, Eurybarus twisted under the paw of the beast and rolled like a barrel towards the foot of the hill as the bear collided with the wolf in a flurry of fur, fangs, and claws. The creatures tore and bit at each other, snarling and completely wild. Alcyoneus descended the hill once more and yanked Eurybarus to his feet then like with the girl he pulled the man up the hill. He stopped as they reached the top, turning and scanning him frantically. Eyes lightly touching the gashes in Eurybarus’ chest

“Are you alright?” Eurybarus bent down and looked into Alcyoneus’ worried eyes, a slow smirk spreading across his lips.

“Were you worried about me?” his voice was low, Alcyoneus gulped, Eurybarus’ eyes were a dark and intense brown, darker even than Alcyoneus’ eyes. His mother often swore he had flecks of gold in them, much to his and his fathers scoff.

“Please focus, you’re bleeding, don’t you feel the pain?” Eurybarus brought his rough hand to where Alcyoneus was on his chest, he held it lightly as he shook his head.

“If I say no, would you let go?” Alcyoneus felt heat rise all the way to his ears.

“I’m fine, the beast only grazed me.”

“I’m fine too by the way.” Came the girls' amused voice making Alcyoneus jump and remove his hand.

“Ah yes, you’re the great shot.” Eurybarus said and tilted his head in gratitude. She nodded at them.

“It’s no trouble for the man who bravely came to my rescue.” She turned her attention back to the animals mauling each other, Alcyoneus had almost forgotten about them as they turned to watch the battle.

The bear was very clearly the superior. Stronger, and less wild in its attacks, the wolf was on the defensive as the bear swiped and snapped forcing it to back up. With a particularly brutal swipe against the flank of the wolf it finally backed down, with a whimper and a glare aimed at the hilltop the wolf took off.

“Yes!” one of the priests cheered, throwing his hands up into the sky. The others turned to look at him, making him drop his arms slowly as he cleared his throat.

“I can’t believe it’s over.” The other priest said.

“Is it?” The girl asked, tense and still holding her bow, an arrow notched.

“She’s right, the bear might’ve just been fighting off a rival predator.” Eurybarus said, tensing and ready to fight again. Alcyoneus stared at the bear which had turned and was watching them intently, a familiar feeling passed over Alcyoneua as he stared into the eyes of the bear, he shook his head.

“No, this fight is over.”

The bear approached slowly and as it did they watched in amazement as it decreased in size, slowly shrinking with each step, fur receded, forepaws pulled off the ground and the beast straightened upward as it continued walking, claws becoming fingers and toes, soft skin almost as tan brown as Eurybarus. Her hair was long, black, wild, and flowing. Eyes piercing as the woman finally reached the onlookers. She was an inch or so taller than Eurybarus and just as muscled, she was also completely nude. Eurybarus had an intrigued grin on his face, Alcyoneus was staring straight at the ground, and the girl was blushing fiercely.

“I don’t suppose any of you have spare garments?” She asked unashamed, One of the priests who was also beat red, handed over his Chlamys, which she accepted gratefully and covered herself.

“Thank you, and apologies for all of this.”

“Oh it’s no problem.” The girl said a tad loudly and still beat red. The bear woman raised an eyebrow and grinned slowly.

“That was my father, Lycaon, he’s a bit more savage than I am.” She said darkly, glancing over her shoulder in the distance. As if she could still see him. She turned back and looked at the other girl with a soft smile and extended her hand. The girl accepted it with her own.

“I heard your scream and then his snarls, and knew I had to stop my father from eating someone. I’d been tracking him for a little while now, his attack finally revealed him. I’m sorry it had to be you he came across. I am Kallisto, who might you be?”

“I’m Siproites” She said smiling. Kallisto smiled and they stood there hands clasped, Eurybarus made eye contact with Alcyoneus raising an eyebrow and giving a coy smile before clearing his throat. Siproites startled and dropped their hands making Kallisto cover her mouth in amusement.

“Thank you for your help Kallisto, can I just say that was incredible, how you turned into a bear. How did you do that? Can you teach me?” Eurybarus asked with excitement. Kallisto threw back her head and laughed. She clapped her hand on his shoulder and pulled him close.

“I like you, is he yours?” She said turning to Alcyoneus who opened his mouth sputtering.

“Yeah, am I?” He queried leaning forward with her. Alcyoneus pursed his lips.

“Oh you’re both menaces.” He said, making them laugh, he rolled his eyes and extended his hand.

“I’m Alcyoneus, the spearman is Eurybarus.” She took his hand and shook it, she had an unsurprisingly strong handshake.

“Well met,” She said.

“I’d like to thank you all for coming to my aid, I’m sure your father would’ve ended me had you not. I’m just sorry to have caused such a fuss.” Siproites piped up and tucked a strand of her sandy blonde hair behind her ear, looking embarrassed.

“I’m sure that had he not snuck up on you like a lowly coward, you would have fared far better.” Kallisto gestured with her chin at the bow. Siproites gave a shrug but had a pleased smile.

“I recognize it, you're an attendant of Artemis aren’t you.” Kallisto said making Alcyoneus’ jaw drop, Siproites looked away.

“Not exactly.” Siproites answered.

“Oh a tale, please divulge us, is it tragic?” Eurybarus inquired with excitement. Siproites let out a slight breath.

“I hate to interrupt-” one of the priests began but Eurybarus cut them off.

“Go on Siproites, we are all eager to hear it.”

“I’m all too familiar with the attendants of Artemis… and how some of their stories end. How do you think I became a bear?” This shocked all of them.

“Damn, so you can’t teach me.” Kallisto patted his shoulder in solace.

“Well I… I used to be a man.” Siproites blurted out. Eurybarus’ jaw would have hit the floor if it had the ability to do so.

“What happened?” Kallisto asked, with an encouraging smile. Siproites offered a small smile back and continued.

“I was a hunter a few years back, I was pursuing a stag when I stumbled across a spring, it was beautiful in the moonlight, so clear and reflective, the night was cool and the sky was cloudless. In the center of the spring was the huntress herself, the goddess Artemis. She truly is as beautiful as they say, it’s a sight I shall never forget.” Kallisto nodded along with the story.

“As I stared at her I was overcome with desire, but not of lust…” She paused looking embarrassed a brief moment before continuing.

“I wanted to be her, I was struck with the desire to become her, to be as beautiful as she was, in that moment it was the strongest desire I’d ever had. It was like the pieces of my life slid into place. My world had changed in one beautiful moment.” She said looking off fondly as she remembered. Alcyoneus was reminded of the pool of the Thriae and felt he understood Siproites, at least a little bit.

“Then the goddess beheld me, her face became one of fury as she turned to me and she raised her hand to strike at me, blinding light glowing in her hand, the pool writhing and rippling around her. I fell to my knees and bowed low to her, I braced myself for a horrible fate but none came. I dared to look up once more to see her hand had stilled above her head, slightly tilted as she considered me. No longer the picture of wrath, but rather… curiosity. In that moment I knew she had seen my thoughts, and that she knew what my desire was.” Alcyoneus realized what had happened.

“So when she extended her hand to strike me, the water from the spring rose like a tidal wave. It crashed and washed over me, I gasped and spluttered, rubbing the water from my eyes, and when I finally opened them and looked around the goddess was gone. The spring was just an ordinary spring, I saw no trace there had ever been a goddess. But beside me on the bank of the spring was a silver bow and quiver of arrows.” She said holding up the very bow she used and showed that indeed the quiver matched in its shimmering quality.

“I walked up to it and took them and when I saw my reflection, I realized the goddess had granted my desire. I was like her, albeit less divine.” She said with a small smile staring down at her hands and meeting everyone’s gaze.

“Artemis turned me into a woman, no… it was more like she turned me into myself. I felt… fulfilled. I left the spring and never looked back at my old life. It's been an interesting journey. Not a lot of people react… pleasantly learning I was born a man. But I have never felt more alive, or more like who I was meant to be, who I always was.” Siproites finished and seemed to tense, Alcyoneus saw her life in his mind's eye, being overjoyed with this wonderful miracle that had happened to her. Telling people how she felt and being met with rejection, distrust or even fear, for simply living as she wanted to, as the gods intended her to be. This is why she had been so nervous and embarrassed, she was waiting for them to run her off.

Alcyoneus glanced at Eurybarus and Kallisto, Eurybarus was beaming at her, Kallisto was looking at her like she understood, a look tinged with sadness at knowing what the girl had gone through. I placed my hand on Siproites shoulder and smiled at her.

“I’m happy Artemis granted your desire.”

“I’m glad we were able to save your life.” Kallisto said softly.

“I really really must insist we keep moving, we have lost valuable time getting to the mountain Alcyoneus. We must be going.” One of the priests interjected firmly.
“Why?” Kallisto asked, eyebrow raised.

“Some sacred ritual for Apollo, they’re very secretive about it.” Eurybarus answered casually.

“You’re followers of Apollo?” Siproites asked.

“Yes, as Eurybarus said, we have a sacred duty to fulfill.” Alcyoneus said with a forced smile.

“Funny that we should meet and aid one another being devoted to each of the twins.” She said with a light laugh.

“Perhaps the moirai decreed it, or even Apollo to defend one blessed by his sister.” Alcyoneus said, making them laugh.

“Well, it was nice to meet you all and fend off a wolf together.” Alcyoneus said, nodding to them and smiling at Siproites.

“What direction are you headed, fair maiden?” Kallisto asked, resting her elbow on the young woman’s shoulder. Siproites blushed and shrugged.

“Then would you care to join me?” Kallisto asked, extending her hand. Siproites stared right into Kallisto’s eyes and took her hand without hesitation.

“It has become my next greatest desire.” She said boldly, making Kallisto grin coyly.

“I believe it to be mine as well. Farewell men, may our paths cross again.” She called, Alcyoneus’ smile nearly faded as he realized he would never see these two amazing women again. He froze his lips in place to keep the appearance.

“Perhaps some day.” He said and waved as the pair set off. After a moment they turned and the four of them continued their own journey, back on route to Mount Cirphis.

Chapter Text

The road stretched on before them, Mount Cirphis growing larger, looming over Alcyoneus. He wanted to keep his eyes off it but it was hard not to stare at the place he’d be killed. Eurybarus though would distract him quite well, whenever the conversation lulled he’d come up with some new question. Alcyoneus grew more glad that he had joined them as they continued.

“So Alcyoneus” Eurybarus began with a lean that made it difficult for Alcyoneus to breathe normally.

“Were you named after the giant?” Alcyoneus let out a laugh.

“What?” He asked as Alcyoneus continued chuckling.

“Sorry, that wasn’t what I thought you’d ask.”

“No, I wasn’t named after the gigante that Herakles killed. I’m honestly not sure we’d even heard that story until a traveling poet passed through Crissa.” Alcyoneus said thinking back on it.

“Really? So no teasing from kids about being a giant, or being too short to be a giant?” Alcyoneus looked at him in faux shock.

“You think I’m short?” Eurybarus loomed over him at his words making Alcyoneus fight not to grin at his sleight height difference.

“Well we certainly aren’t eye to eye.” Alcyoneus covered his mouth in exaggerated offense.

“Did you ask just so you could mock me and my name?”

“It’s possible.” He said with a wink

“What a giant disappointment.” Alcyoneus deadpanned

“Oh come on don’t hold a grudge, you’re supposed to be bigger than that!” Eurybarus retorted quickly

“You go too far with this massive insult!” Alcyoneus said, brandishing his fist mockingly. They both dissolved into laughter at their own ridiculousness and continued walking.

“No, my mother's favorite bird is the Halcyon. She visited the bay of Alkionides as a child; it's not that far from the gulf of Corinth” Alcyoneus answered truthfully, pointing to the gulf visible in the distance. It glittered blue as it met with the horizon.

“Oh right, isn’t there a river that comes from the gulf through this valley?” Alcyoneus snorted.

“If you could call it river, Pleistos does run through here… when it’s in season.” Eurybarus smirked and looked off in the distance.

“I guess if we’re being technical I was named after the bird, but you could say they were named after the Alkyonides who were named after their father. Alcyoneus.” He consented tilting his head at his own reasoning. Eurybarus threw him a look.

“What a colossal surprise.” He teased, making Alcyoneus roll his eyes.

“But I like Halcyons, they are quite beautiful birds,” he said softly. Alcyoneus blushed and looked away.

“Did your mother ever call you her little Halcyon?” He asked only mildly teasingly. Alcyoneus shook his head.

“I don’t think I’ve ever had a short name.”

“Would you want one?” Eurybarus said leaning in close again their shoulders brushing making Alcyoneus suck in a breath, Alcyoneus didn’t shy away this time and looked into Eurybarus' eyes.

“Maybe from someone special,” he said quietly.

“Could I call you my little Alcy, even if you were supposed to be a giant.” Alcyoneus grinned

“Only if you’ll answer to Eury.” He said teasingly. Eurybarus shrugged easily.

“I think I would answer to whatever you called me.” Alcy's face heated, he worried all this blushing would make him overheat in the sun.

“Alright Eury” he said.

“And what were you named after? Your name means wide and heavy if I’m not mistaken? Are we sure you aren’t the giant?” Alcy teased.

“I’ve asked my father why he chose Eurybarus, he said my mother gave it to me, but I never knew the woman. I’d like to think it means strong, in her own way.” He said looking ahead. He paused for a moment, the mirth slowly leaving him.

“But you could also say my name means a wide burden…”

“Oh.”

“Which also might explain why she’s gone.” Eury gave a slight shrug, playing off how much it weighed on him.

“Well if we go off of looks, I’d say your name could definitely mean strength.” Alcy was looking at Eury's arms as he said this. His eyes traveled up his physique until he met Eury’s eyes sparkling with mischief.

“I mean who else could wield a spear from the Trojan war but a strong hero. With wide and heavy arms.” Eury shook his head but his smile had returned.

“I didn’t even ask but I assume your spear is your grandfather’s right? The one you look up to so much.” Eury nodded.

“I’m curious if it’s the one that struck Achilles, that would be interesting.” he tried to inspect it as if it were somehow visible that the blade had struck a hero.

“I’m not sure if this is the one that Asteropaios used to strike Achilles, I think it might be as it was brought back to our family after the war. My father obviously hated it, and wouldn’t talk to me about it. All I know is one made it back to us, it could be just as probable that the one to hit Achilles was stolen or taken as a treasure.”

“Either way it was your grandfathers, that would be all that mattered.”

“Well only to those who appreciate it.” Eury said with a slight frown thinking of his father. Alcy hesitated a moment but decided to speak his mind.

“Would I be over stepping if I told you I somewhat understand your father?” Eury looked ahead, face becoming unreadable. Alcy held up his hands placatingly.

“I’m not saying that he handled the situation the best. But growing up without a parent is hard, as you know with your mother.” Eury gave a short nod.

“But I… know some people who are losing a son back in Crissa. There’s nothing to be done, he won’t live… much longer. It was hard to see them like that, knowing they’d outlive their child.” Alcy shrugged stiffly trying not to think about leaving too much.

“I think you searching for destiny and wanting to be a hero is great and very noble. But think of the effect you’ll have on others. I mean I’ve only just met you and I’d already be sorry to hear you’d lost your life in battle.” Eury looked at him, eyes searching.

“I can’t imagine what your father would feel, growing up without a parent, wanting to make sure he didn’t do that to you.” Alcy said softly.

“I think he’s been fearing this moment ever since you were born. He tried to prevent it as long as possible. That’s not something I think I could fault him for, life to me has always been more important than heroism.” Alcy said with a sweet smile.

“I suppose you have a point.” He said begrudgingly.

“But, I do believe you will make a great hero. Just… try to stay alive” he said, bumping shoulders with Eury.

“I’d love to-” he never finished because a man lept from the shrubbery and tackled him with a shout as they toppled into the dust.

“Eury!” He heard more shouting and turned to see the priests being attacked by another man with a blade. He ran to help them and watched in horror as one priest was cut down right in front of him. Dying as he hit the ground, blood flowing from his body.

“No!” he shouted, the man whirled and made eye contact. He reared back his hand and threw. The swore spiraled through the air coming right at him. Alcy could do nothing but watch. Something struck him in the chest but it was not the blade. It was the other priest, he collided with Alcy, pushing him down, just a second before the blade struck him in the back. The world seemed to slow around them as they fell together, the priest's eyes meeting his then unfocusing before they hit the ground. Alcy stared into the lifeless eyes of the man who had just given his life for him, whose name he couldn’t even remember. He strained his head to see Eury who was struggling just as the man holding him raised a rock and brought it down on Eury’s head. The man then turned meeting Alcy’s eyes and gave him the same treatment. His vision flashed and searing pain erupted behind his eyes, the last thing he saw was Eury being bound and hauled up.

“Eury…” He said before his vision went completely black.

Chapter Text

Eurybarus strained and thrashed against his ropes, he yelled against his gag, throat sore from the exertion, but to no avail, he was caught, tied like game. They had gagged him for the fact that he hadn’t stopped yelling since he’d awoken. He panted and kept trying to free himself despite the hopelessness of it all. He was furious, the veins in his head popped out, his eyes bloodshot, sweat drenching his skin from the strain of trying to escape. He would kill them all when he got free, if he got free. The memory of Alcyoneus flashed in his mind and he sagged against his restraints. All he could see was that beautiful boy falling to the ground, the blade flashing as he toppled motionless. Eurybarus was supposed to be a hero, to find his destiny, and he couldn’t even protect himself, or the boy he was so smitten with.
He looked up at the dusky sky, maybe the gods were testing him, maybe he was being punished for bragging about his grandfather and his lineage. Had he not, then maybe they wouldn’t have been ambushed, maybe Alcyoneus would still be alive. He felt hot tears prick his eyes and he let them fall, feeling the weight of his actions and wishing it had all panned out differently. If only he’d been different, been better… been stronger. But it was too late, time moved forward, Thanatos had reaped his harvest, Hades gained another resident, and Eurybarus lost Alcyoneus.

“Fear not, young one.”

Eurybarus looked to his side and observed his fellow captives, they had mostly been silent and Eury had been more focused on attempting to break free. The one closest beside him was a buff woman with a scowl set in stone. She was nowhere near as large as Kallisto, but she was still very buff. The one next to her who had spoken was an old man with a pepper gray beard, flecks of brown in it, remnants of youth. His hair was just as gray, and a kind face shone through the wrinkles. Beside him was a young man who was very beautiful, he had dark brown hair that hung in waves, skin as black as Alcyoneus’, and sea green eyes. He wore no shirt and suddenly Eury realized this man had a fishtail in place of legs, with bright cyan scales and a shimmering, translucent split fin. He almost didn’t notice the unconscious girl beside him, the tail had hidden her from Eurybarus’ view, all he could see were her sandaled feet.

“She’s been unconscious since the beginning, I think they gave her something to keep her asleep. They've captured all of us to be sold, you must have something about you that would fetch a price. They'll sell me because I'm a seer, and he’s from the kingdom of Poseidon lad, can’t stay dry too long though, or he’ll die. But I believe the bandits don’t much care if the triton they captured is alive or dead, so long as he’s got his scales.” At that the Triton huffed, flicking his wavy hair to the side.

“You needn’t worry about me old man, I will live much longer than them, I guarantee it.” He said darkly never taking his eyes off of their captors who moved about the camp without a care. But his eyes seemed a little sunken, and Eury noticed a light sheen of sweat. The buff woman grunted in agreement, and the older man laughed.

“Forgive me I am a bit of a story teller, I know we’re all getting out of here.”

“Have you got a plan?” The Triton asked raising an eyebrow, another laugh.

“No boy, I have heard it, the birds told me.” The old one said looking up as a bird twittered in the distance. The Triton leaned forward looking at the man with an incredulous look then made eye contact Eury, who just shrugged since he couldn't speak.

“Come now, you’re part fish, you’ve seen the pearly halls of Poseidon under the sea, and you can’t believe the birds told me we’d escape?” The Triton rolled his eyes with a huff.

“Did your bird friends happen to mention how? Or when?” the triton grit out.

“We don’t need to come up with a plan.” He said stretching his feet out and leaning back against the sand. The Triton snorted.

“And why’s that?”

“It’s all taken care of, our rescue shall come from the sun and moon working together in tandem, the day shining in the night, by the covered sun and the smoke of the earth. When the filicidess raises her blade high and strikes once more, will we be free.” He said, all three of them stared at him bewildered. He smiled and winked.

“We’re doomed.” The triton said, shaking his head.

“Do the moon and the um sun… plan on saving us soon?” The woman spoke as if she was afraid of what insanity would spout forth from the man’s mouth again.

“Oh no they’re far too busy to help the likes of us.” The woman hung her head clearly regretting speaking at all.

“I don’t know what I was expecting.” She said under her breath and went back to scowling.

“If you could please tell the birds to pass on the message to the sun and moon, that we’d appreciate a little speed, I would be grateful.” The triton voice dripped with sarcasm.

“Sorry but it only works one way” came a female voice, Eurybarus, the woman, and the Triton all turned in astonishment to see the man was now a woman. If Eury wasn’t gagged he would have gasped, the Tritons mouth had dropped.

“What?” The now old woman shrugged.

“Sometimes I just feel womanly.” She said with a laugh, throwing her now salty brown hair glittering with silver back as she did.

“... who are you?” The buff woman asked.

“I’m Tiresias, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” She said, and it clicked, Tiresias was a famous seer who helped even Cadmus. The buff woman stared at Tiresias.

“I heard you had descended to the lands of Hades.” She said warily as she eyed Tiresias, making them laugh again.

“Only briefly, just to see what it was like before I meet my true fate.”

“Weren’t you… Older?” the woman asked, Eury also recalled Tiresias being ancient at the time Odysseus had gone to see him in Hades. And that was many years ago. Tiresias frowned.

“Is that what Odysseus said? OH I will have words with him, I was barely older than he was when I saw him.” Tiresias huffed, the Triton shook his head and then lost his balance and almost slumped over. He let out a cough as he slowly righted himself, wobbling, as if he were dizzy. Tiresias looked at the other two with a frown.

“As I said, the Triton can’t stay dry too long.” The Triton shook his head.

“I’m fine, and it’s Nerites.” Tiresias sat up a bit.

“Oh, Poseidon’s chariot driver.” Tiresias said coyly. Nerites gave a sidelong glare.

“You don’t only know the sea kingdom, you know the sea king himself very very well.” Tiresias giggled, making Nerites blush.

“He hasn’t shown interest in me in many years now. He transformed me back after some jealous god or other changed me into a shellfish… but since then, I just drive his chariot.” Nerites’ voice was monotone. Tiresias winced.

“Sorry lad, no birds under the waves.” Nerites shrugged unconvincingly.

“It’s fine, there are many lovers of the gods, and I’m fortunate enough to still be counted among the living. It could always be worse, I could always be a spring, or a flower.” Nerites shuddered. Tiresias turned to the buff woman.

“And what of you?” She sighed.

“I am Marpesia, a queen of the amazons.” Eury marveled at her, he loved tales of the amazons. Tiresias let out a low whistle

“What’s an Amazon?” Nerites asked.

“And I’ve heard you were also supposed to be in Hades?” Tiresias said teasingly, Marpesia huffed.

“Being the queen of an all female warrior nation, I was named after one of our queens of old, she died in a fierce battle, I can only hope to live up to such a legacy. But it’s unlikely since I’m chained like a dog to the earth.” She spat.

“Seems we all really need that rescue from the sun and moon.” Nerites said quietly, slumping forward. There was a beat of silence. It had grown dark as they had talked, the chill of the wind had set in making Eury shiver, the feeling despair set in. He’d never meet his destiny, the four of them were going to die or be sold, and no one would know what had happened to them. They sat there in contemplation as a crescent moon rose above the mountains. Tiresias turned to stare at it, and as they watched, a cloud that almost looked like a hand rose from the sky, and like a closing fist the moon's light seemed to extinguish, plunging them all into total darkness. Only the far off light of the bandits' campfire illuminated them.

“I never contemplated how I’d die, but I certainly wouldn't have pictured this. Under the sea, in the court of Poseidon, it seems so distant. So far off. I had taken his chariot for a ride, hoping that just me taking it would warrant him wanting to come with me.” Nerites looked down still teetering.

“He didn’t even glance at me… So I rode fast and hard, just tired of it, feeling like a discarded play thing. A toy that was no longer a prized possession, the kind a child outgrows. I wasn’t paying much attention, and the chariot flipped. I tumbled and was washed ashore, when I came to, in the gulf that feeds the river in this valley… I was a prisoner. I should’ve just stayed lonely beneath the waves.” He said with a tired and frustrated sigh.

“At least I’d be free…” Tiresias was a man once again and nodded in sympathy.

“I’d been leading a scouting expedition, and decided to move ahead on my own.” Marpesia said softly.

“I was tired of feeling like my warriors, my comrades didn’t respect me. How can I possibly live up to a queen so great? A mother to our nation?” Marpesia lowered her head.

“I was cocky, too focused on proving myself, that I slipped and fell down a ravine. Right into their camp, I didn’t even have a chance to fight back. They took me with them as they moved up the coast and happened upon Nerites.” She said with a nod at him.

“All I proved was I can’t lead, I can't even scout properly. I’ll never be a great queen.” She hung her head in shame. Eury wished he could pat her shoulder in comfort. He really felt what she was going through. He wished he could speak and tell them what he felt. Tiresias was about to open his mouth when suddenly there was a shout. Everyone turned to the camp, there was silence, then a yell in pain.

“Are they fighting each other?” Nerites asked, breathing heavily as he squinted.

“No… they are being ambushed.” Marpesia said, she lowered herself and swiveled her head studying their surroundings.

“You all should get low, arrows are being fired.” Eurybarus immediately lowered himself to the ground, he hadn’t heard anything but he believed her. Nerites gave in and slumped over, Tiresias remained stretched out. As if on cue the telltale sound of an arrow whizzed above them. Then more shouts and yelling began, and they watched when suddenly beams of light shone and pierced through the darkness. Illuminating the bandit camp from multiple directions. Panic ensued as the disembodied lights attacked and Eurybarus saw men fall to the ground. The lights would blink in and out, illuminating the camp, one vanishing as another light appeared, only to disappear and reappear in a different place. The bandits were completely exposed and the assailants had confusion and disorientation on their side as more and more bandits fell. Tiresias just laughed.

“As I said, the sun and the moon working in tandem. We’ll be free before the night is out.” Eury looked at the trembling Nerites, keeled over beside the unconscious woman and hoped that they had that much time.

Chapter Text

Alcyoneus felt a light warmth on his skin, and smelled sweet nectar, he breathed deeply as he moved his head groggily. He could feel the intensity grow and from behind his eyelids he could tell a light was approaching, like a rising sun, or bonfire finally catching. He shielded his eyes and opened them to a bright blue sky, the ground felt soft and he realized there were flowers surrounding him, like a personal meadow. He looked up and saw a beautiful chariot descend from the heavens, it was gilded, and pulled by two very large, pure white swans. He sat up a little and saw the chariot was pulled by a young man, his skin practically shimmered. Alcy was very much reminded of the cave of the Thirae, and the beautiful Melaina.

With a soft gust of air the chariot came to land and the stranger hopped out of his chariot. He walked over with a bright and welcoming smile and he knelt beside Alcyoneus.

“Are you alright?” His voice seemed to have a faint echo that reverberated throughout Alcyoneus.

“I think so, what happened? Have I died?” The strangers' laughter was sweet and melodic.

“No you just fell, and your head made an abrupt acquaintance with a rock.” Alcy winced as he remembered the strike and rubbed his head.

“I know the feeling, believe me.” He said with a smile and brushed his honey brown hair across his forehead where Alcy saw a bright pink scar dividing his otherwise flawless lightly tanned skin. He felt a cool relief as the stranger brought his hand up to Alcy’s forehead and rubbed lightly. The brief flash of pain he’d felt practically vanished.

“There, all healed. So, what will you do now?” The charioteer inquired, crossing his arms over his knee. Alcy was confused but then remembered the bandits and how they had made off with Eurybarus. He sat straight up looking around as if he would be able to find Eury immediately.

“I have to find him, do you know where he went?” Alcy pleaded, beginning to feel frantic. A reassuring hand touched Alcyoneus’ shoulder.

“It will be alright, I don’t know where he is, but I can tell you where to go next. Where you’ll get the help you need.” Alcyoneus nodded. With a smile the other man glanced over his shoulder and pointed straight behind him Alcyoneus followed his hand and saw a plume of smoke rising in the distance.

“All you need will be there. Say that you only want to help, drink nothing that is given to you until tomorrow.”

“Why?”

“All in good time.” He said with a dazzling smile. Alcyoneus nodded.

“Thank you, how can I repay you?” Another smile.

“Truthfully, it was almost worth it just to come down to earth once more. I haven’t been in many years.” He said plucking one of the flowers and smelling it deeply.

“So whenever an opportunity presents itself, I take it. And fortunately we are both favored by the same god.” He said with a wistful smile.

“So the only thing I ask in return is that you live your life, and live it to the fullest” He said simply. Alcyoneus felt a pang of despair as the purpose of his journey came flooding back, that request would be a little difficult to follow. He felt fingers on his chin, the man tilted Alcy’s head up.

“I know you can do it, and I, for one, much prefer happy endings.” He said with that soft voice. With that he stood and walked towards his chariot.

“Come Cycnus and Cycnus, time to return.” Alcyoneus chuckled slightly.

“Both your swans are named Cycnus?” He watched as the man stroked their necks. They were larger than normal swans and Alcy was struck with a sense of familiarity as he realized the swans were like Kallisto and her wolf of a father.

“Well, to be fair I didn’t name them, but the love they both felt for the men they lost moved me to my core. When they were transformed into swans I asked Apollo if I could tend them. He agreed and made them my chariot pullers, so that I could tend them as long as I like. He has always been so good to me.” He said softly and looked up at the sky with a content sigh. He glanced over his shoulder at Alcyoneus.

“I think you’d be surprised how many people are cheering your name Alcyoneus.” He mounted his chariot while Alcy pondered what he meant.

“Wait, what’s your name?” He received a wink from the shimmering man.

“You already know it.” And with a crack of his golden reigns, the brilliant chariot was pulled into the sky and flew off, vanishing into the distance quickly, a golden speck against the blue sky. With that Alcyoneus awoke with a start sitting up and looking all around him. He stared in horror at the body of the priest on top of him, having given his life to protect Alcyoneus. He gently turned the body over and closed the still open eyes. He placed the arms over his chest and pulled out two drachmae for his eyes, then did the same for the other priest, drachmae that had been meant for his own journey after Sybaris devoured him.

“Thank you.” he said softly, feeling another pang of guilt that he didn’t even know the men's names. Then before his eyes both the priest's bodies began to melt away, revealing in their places two blooming, blue, and beautiful Hyacinth flowers. He smiled and touched the ground in reverence.

“Thank you Hyacinthus.”

****

Alcy had set off in the direction his dream had pointed at a run, he couldn’t actually see smoke but he knew exactly where he was intended to go. All he could think about was finding Eury. The sun crept lower in the sky as he ran until he finally did see smoke rising from the distance, and flickering flame. He slowed to a walk, breathing hard and covered in sweat, he approached warily. Once he was closer he could see three women gathered around a campfire with a large golden cauldron bubbling over it. One was mashing ingredients with a mortar and pestle, another used a sleek dagger to cut and prepare different herbs, and the third tended the cauldron, staring intently as she brewed. Alcyoneus recognized immediately that this was Pharmekia… magic. These women were witches.

Soon as he thought it, the one tending the cauldron looked up and saw him, she was dressed in bright red and oranges to match her fiery red hair. Alcyoneus raised his hand in greeting as he approached, still breathing hard.

“Greetings, please I mean no harm, I’ve come only to help. Bandits have taken someone… important to me, and I was guided here to seek help.” The three shared a look and the one grinding herbs stood and approached, she had dark hair and wore a cream colored long chiton, with a border of green. She smiled sweetly at him and offered him a chalice.

“Drink stranger, and tell us your tale.” Alcyoneus glanced at the cup and then at the red headed witch.

“I will speak, but I will not drink from your cup until tomorrow.” There was silence as the witch regarded him while stirring in her great pot.

“Who was it that guided you?” She asked at last, and Alcy felt that he could not refuse her question.

“A man in a golden chariot, and a flower.” He said, she studied his face as she stirred.

“Very well, it would seem the gods have decreed that we work together. Approach, you may watch but do not interfere, the craft we work is precise.” She said and returned her focus to her work.

“Thank you, my name is Alcyoneus.” Her eyes flicked to him and then to the dark haired witch.

“I am Thraike” the dark haired witch spoke with a small smile, she was maybe a shade or two lighter than Alcyoneus, clearly the youngest of the group. She motioned to the other witch, this one had pale blonde hair, and a stoic look as she watched Alcyoneus with her dagger in her hands. Alcyoneus got the impression that she was planning the different ways she could kill him.

“That is Cassiphone.”

“And who are you?” Alcyoneus asked, staring boldly into the eyes of the leader, she didn’t look up from her pot, just continued to stir.

“I am many things child, to many different people, I’ve been a princess, a queen, a wife, a mother, a sister, a witch… an argonaut.” Her eyes flicked up to Alcyoneus and he felt a chill run up his spine.

“I’ve been a murderer many times over, fratricide, a filicide, tamer of dragons, slayer of Talus.” Alcyoneues felt icy fear spike through his heart.

“I have been a victim and I have been a villain. But I have always been myself, I am Medea of Colchis.” Her eyes bore into him.

“So Alcyoneus, will you run screaming from this camp knowing who you face? Or will you subject yourself to working alongside a monster?” She demanded, he couldn’t look away, his fear gripped him as she presented her choices with her stern voice. Alcyoneus swallowed tightly and tried not to shake. Their eyes remained locked, as he took a steadying breath.

“I don’t care.” He choked out, and gasped as his fear receded. He took another deep breath as his nerves calmed. He looked down for a moment before raising his gaze unflinchingly to hers.

“I do not care what you did in the past, what’s done is done. I am worried about the present. Where my friend is in danger and I suspect you also have a claim of vengeance on the bandits.” He glanced at the other two.

“I do not fear you, the gods sent me here, you can help me, and I can help you. That’s all that matters, so let’s do it. You’ll receive no judgment from me.” Medea kept her mesmerizing eyes upon him and he believed she had tried to intimidate him with her spell work, but at last she nodded, breaking their gaze to look to the darkening sky.

“The hour approaches, we will attack the bandits as the night falls, after the moon rises. Thraike, give him a weapon. When darkness falls… so shall they.” Thraike led him over to a pile of supplies, there were swords, spears, clubs, and daggers, but Alcyoneus was drawn to the lone bow and quiver of arrows. He picked them up, they felt right in his hands, he pulled back on the bow and found he could do so easily. He grabbed an arrow, notched it and turned slowly. He pulled back and then shot a snake that was slithering a few meters away in the underbrush. Medea smirked.

“Well, at least the gods sent someone with skills to offer.”

“What is your plan, Medea?” She smiled for the first time, but it seemed more like a tiger baring its teeth

“It’s simple. We’re going to call down the moon.”

Chapter Text

Alcyoneus gathered with the the rest of the witches, it hadn’t taken long for them to finish and now it was time. Medea was in the center, Thraike on her right, and Cassiphone at her left. She nodded and they began, she sprinkled some herbs into the golden cauldron, the tendrils of steam curling around her like snakes, her red hair still bright in the growing darkness. The two other witches began to hum, swaying slightly as Medea spread her arms out palms facing up towards the sky.

“Εκάτη, θεά με τρία πρόσωπα, κοίταξέ μας από ψηλά και κρύψε το πιο φωτεινό σου πρόσωπο. Άσε μας να περάσουμε αθέατοι μέσα στη νύχτα, άσε μας να βάλουμε το φως σου στα χέρια μας, κρύψε μας με τις μυστικές σου τέχνες και οδήγησέ μας στο σταυροδρόμι του φωτός και του σκότους.”

She chanted her spell and the three witches raised their hands together in unison, the smoke from the fire and vapors from the pot swirled and billowed above them, and Alcyoneus watched in amazement as a cloud extended forward into the sky. It raised slowly and took the shape of a wispy hand, then the witches snapped their hands shut, the cloud did the same and completely and utterly blocked out the moon. Everything was plunged into darkness, except for the low fire under the cauldron.

One by one the witches opened their palms and brilliant pale moonlight shone through the darkness, emanating from their hands alone. They laughed together in success and closed their hands once more, extinguishing the light. Medea took a ladle and scooped some of the potion into a vile. Thraike and Cassiphone also took viles of the potion, but Cassiphone added something to hers, and Thrainke shone moonlight from her palm into the opening until it started to bubble. They nodded in unison and then turned and walked into the darkness, Alcyoneus followed close behind. He turned to look back at the cauldron and watched as the fire gently blew itself out, he turned back around and Cassiphone was blowing like you would blow out a candle, she saw him looking and she gave a menacing smile.

They walked for a short distance until noise could be heard, and the bandits campfire came into view, they laughed and joked as if they didn’t have people captured that they intended to trade for profit and fame. As if it were a normal and casual thing to do, as if they weren’t destroying lives with their actions and intentions. All for finely polished and colored metal from the earth. Alcyoneus realized he was angry, furious in fact, that he felt no spirit of mercy, as if Eleos had departed from his heart. Medea turned back to them to speak but paused as she took in Alcyoneus’ face.

“I have known the throes of fury and vengeance young man.” Alcy looked from the bandits to her, she fixed him with a pointed look.

“Just don’t get lost in it, do not let your fury spill over.” Her voice was surprisingly soft, he nodded, she glanced behind her.

She pulled a bow out as well, Thraike and Cassiphone had brought blades, Alcy hadn’t noticed that she also had a bow and suddenly wondered if she’d even been carrying it from the start. She opened her palm slightly, letting the captured moonlight escape in a sliver. With some whispered words she rubbed her fingers over her eyelids which started to glow. She opened her eyes and studied the camp, then she smirked, as she watched them with her witch eyes.

“Half the camp is already asleep. This will be easier than I thought. Cassiphone come with me, Thraike stay here with Alcyoneus, when you see our moonlight, begin your attack.” The other two nodded and together Medea and Cassiphone crept off into the night.

“You’re intimidated by them.” Thraike said quietly without turning to him. He watched as she did the same trick medea had and then turned and repeated it for Alcyoneus. He blinked and it was like the darkness melted away, as if the moon was uncovered shining brightly in the sky and illuminating everything he saw.

“Wow, that’s incredible.” Thraike smiled, taking pride in her art.

“And yes I am… intimidated by them, Medea is very intense.” Thraike laughed.

“I think I would be too, had I been through what she had.”

“Why are you with her?” She looked at him with a funny expression.

“I have always had a talent for pharmakeia. It’s not revered the same as the healing arts of Apollo, or the prophecies of an oracle.” She said with a sidelong glance at him.

“People naturally mistrust it, they’ve heard the stories of Circe and Medea, the Graeae with their one eye. Even Pasiphae has some stories about her. We’re untrusted because our power comes from ourselves, we craft our spells and potions. I’ve only ever been curious of what the extent is, how far our craft can reach.” She said, nodding her head to the obscured moon.

“People haven’t necessarily treated me badly, my family didn’t exactly shun me for my gifts, but Medea, she is if nothing else, direct. She teaches me, and she encourages me. I belong when I’m with her. And I can do whatever crafts I deign to. She doesn’t even persuade me against the more dangerous arts. Who would she be to judge?” Thraike smiles.

“I learn more everyday, and my power and skill only grows stronger.” Alcyoneus considered this as he scanned the area to see if he could see them.

“They’re by the tents.” Thraike whispered and pointed where he saw Cassiphone and Medea, he noticed slight vapor coming from inside the tents and wondered what magic they'd worked. They knelt on the ground, arms outstretched over one of the moon viles. He thought that they might be chanting but he couldn’t hear them if they were. They stopped and Cassiphone poured the vile onto the earth, from its contents a vapor arose from the earth and crept over the tents in a quick and silently ominous fog. Medea stood and flashed her palm.

“Let’s begin.” Thraike said with a wink, Alcyoneus nodded, pulled back his arrow, took a deep breath, took aim, and shot. His arrow flew and struck a bandit in the leg. He grunted and toppled over, the man beside him was shocked but he couldn’t say anything because Medea’s arrow struck him in the heart. He fell silently to the dust.

“You might want to aim to kill” Thraike said, opening her palm and flooding the camp with light so bright that all of them who saw it covered their eyes and shouted with pain. Alcyoneus frowned.

“I don’t know if I can do that.” He realized that maybe Eleos hadn’t left him completely.

“Well they’ll be a lot noisier then.” Thraike closed her hands and on the other side of the camp, Medea opened her palm flashing her blinding light from the opposite direction, and Alcyoneus realized that his own moon coated eyes were unharmed. Thraike moved to the other side of him.

“Very well but at least bring them down.” Alcyoneus nodded and then fired once more. It felt like breathing, as smooth as walking, to just fire arrow after arrow at the bandits, each shot bringing them down. It was strange to think that he might have been good in war, he’d never even considered it. He’d never fired a bow before, but he felt as if he’d been doing it all his life. He fired again and brought down another bandit, now they were running around the camp like headless chickens.

Confused, bumbling, and blinded, they had no idea what was happening or that it was only three women and Alcyoneus who assaulted their band of three dozen or so. Medea aiming to kill, Alcyoneus merely crippling. Thraike would flash a light and then change positions so that the light was always coming from somewhere else, closer, farther, left, right, Pasiphone was doing the same, and medea always moved after firing her arrow. The bandits had been completely stripped of their sight, the moon cover working against the bandits as the witches' crystal clear sight gave them every advantage. But Alcyoneus knew it was all over as soon as Medea uncorked her own vile of moon potion. He watched her toss it into the sky above the camp, tilt back and shoot it.

With a loud shatter and a pulse of light the liquid became a poisonous rain, burning the flesh of those it fell upon, Alcy gagged as several fell to the ground, dead in moments. Some had had the sense to raise shields, or had been out of the range of the poison drops. But then like the draft she and Cassiphone released at the tents, the droplets became a vapor, rising from the earth. Anyone that she had missed began to inhale the toxic fumes. It looked to Alcyoneus like they were driven mad, clutching their heads and screaming, some ran aimlessly, none got very far collapsing and convulsing on the ground before falling still.

Alcyonesu knew they were dead, Medea shouldered her bow, as a silence blanketed the camp. Screaming and running now vacant, some men that Alcyoneus had shot groaned on the ground, but most had fallen victim to the potions of Medea. She approached one and stepped on his throat

“Where are your prisoners?” She asked, voice cold as ice and calm as a sea before a storm, he winced and cursed at her while Thraike and Alcyoneus approached. Her foot only increased its pressure on his throat.

“The longer you delay, the longer I shall delay your death” she said, bending down slowly.

“And even in death you shall not be safe from me. Your spirit will know no rest, I’ll see to it you never receive a burial, that your soul never descends to Hades, you shall be my shade. Bound to my power, and in my service for all eternity.” She whispered with a wicked smile.

“I do hope, you force me to kill you, I love gaining new eternal spirit servants.” He thrashed beneath her like a rabbit in a trap, heart pounding in fear, face red and eyes wide and rolling.

“Answer me, or begin your servitude.” She said simply.

“ALRIGHT!” he shouted and she lifted her foot slightly.

“Alright…” he choked out, gasping for breath, he pointed in the direction of a swath of tall grass, where they could see figures kneeling down, having been partially obscured by carts. Alcyoneus realized they’d been hidden in case of attack, because technically the captives were the most valuable cargo for the bandits. They were worth the most when they were sold. Alcyoneus shuddered at their treatment and broke into a run for the captives, as he closed the distance he could see Eurybarus, Eury was thrashing wildly in his restraints. Relief flooded his worried mind. But his attention was drawn by figures moving by one of the carts. His heart dropped as worry came rushing back. He saw that the bandits loading a captive into the back of a cart while another was wrangling a horse to attach. They were almost done too.
Alcyoneus looked at Eurybarus’ struggling form for a second before he pivoted slightly, notching his bow as he approached, he didn’t even hesitate as he pulled back and fired, the bandit by the horse fell and the creature galloped off in fright. Alcy pulled back ready to fire at the next but froze, the larger of the two had a dagger pressed to what looked like a young man's throat. He was passed out and glistening with sweat, breathing rapidly.

“Let us go or I’ll kill him.” Came the biting gruff voice of a bandit. Alcyoneus glared at him.

“Kill him and you will fall next.” Alcyoneus stated simply, ready to shoot either man in the back of the cart.

“We just want to get out of here, let us take this one, you can have the rest.” Alcyoneus tried to look at Eurybarus, but he dared not take his eyes off the last two bandits.

“No. They all come with me.” Alcy said firmly, he wondered if maybe he was taking too big of a risk, the bandits had essentially offered Eury on a silver platter. But he knew he could never let anyone be taken like this, no matter if he could have Eury. He would not trade another life for his own selfishness.
“Come on, the other four will certainly be enough coin, give us this one and the loot is yours.” Alcy realized they didn’t know who he was, or that Eury meant something to him. They thought he was just another thief, that he also wanted to sell them.

“How about a bargain.” Alcyoneus said slowly.

“I’m listening.” Alcyoneus' mind spun wildly.

“There are three witches out here, I can’t overpower them on my own. Come help me capture them and then we can sell all of them, split the profits three ways.” Alcyoneus tried to make his voice slimy. Like he was actually interested in this idea. The bandits shared a look.

“We did capture one witch already, a complete set would be more valuable…” He considered, the other smacked him.

“He’s lying you idiot! What do you think the light was! He was working with the witches.” Before the bandit could respond Medea was suddenly by the side of the cart, hand closed around his blade pulling it away from their captive.

“Alcyoneus now!” And he fired without missing a beat, his aim was true and he caught the bandit right in the side, causing him to fall backwards out of the cart, where Medea was waiting and struck him down with his own blade. He was already pulling back and fired at the second bandit, piercing right through his thigh, making him cry out in pain which was swiftly cut off by Cassiphone’s own blade. Alcyoneus sighed and immediately ran to Eurybarus’ side, he was letting out muffled noises as Alcyoneus knelt beside him and cut him free with an arrow. When his arms were free he pulled his gag out.

“Forget me, help him!” He said struggling to rise, Alcyoneus immediately turned to the young man in the cart and found himself staring in confusion at the stunning blue tail. Eurybarus ran to the cart almost frantic.

“He’s going to die!”

“What can we do?” Alcyoneus asked, staring at the rapid breathing the triton was exhibiting. Medea and the witches freed the other captives, the three of them bent over a passed out woman who Alcyoneus assumed was their missing witch.

“He needs to be in water!” The three witches shared a glance, medea gave a nod and together they once more raised their palms to the sky, light shining forth, the cloud that had previously gripped the moon's light swirled and drifted closer, the light fading from their palms as the moons light was restored, and a light sprinkle landed on the cart as the cloud turned to rain, giving its water to the unconscious Triton. He let out a small sigh and stopped trembling in the cart.

“That has helped Nerites, but he will need more.” Came a feminine voice from behind them, Alcyoneus turned and saw an old woman with gray hair.

“We can always try the riverbed?” Thraike suggested.

“It’s always dried up in the summer,” Alcyoneus said. It had been nicknamed Pleistos or “full river” as a sort’ve joke because it was never full, even in winter months it was a shallow river.

“We can summon rain, But it would take a little while for the storm to gather, and to move here. Conjuring clouds is one thing, but enough rain to keep a sea creature like a triton alive? It might not happen in time.” Thraike said softly, Medea looked almost regretful, but she had her hand on her chin as she thought.

“Can you heal him? Perhaps that will give us enough time to get him to water?” Alcy asked.

“Nothing that would reverse the effects long enough. We can’t conjure water out of thin air which is what would heal him, he’d still need to get to water.” Medea said, face turned away as she stroked the head of the sleeping witch.

“That would mean taking him to the gulf of Corinth.” Eury said, they all knew that it was at least an hour away. Eurybarus seemed to sag with defeat, he didn’t want to accept the death of this Triton. Alcy walked up to the Triton and touched his head to feel for fever, the striking image of a Conch shell flashed in his mind.

“Did the bandits take items from you guys? Like your spear, Eury?” Eury looked confused.
“Yes my boy, they were kept as trophies by the leader who was holding Nerites prisoner before you shot him.” Said the old woman who Alcyoneus noted was now a man.

“Thank you, Medea, did you see a larger tent when you took them out? One that would have belonged to a leader.” She inclined her head and stood letting her hand fall away from the sleeping witch, she walked off and he followed. She led him to a tent in the center of the other tents, Alcy noticed that the bodies in the tents also had their flesh melted off and he tried not to look as they passed.

“It’s an excellently effective poison, I used it on my husband's mistress.” She said with a faint smile. Alcy repressed a shudder as they continued. He hesitated at the entrance of the tent, a shadow of a thought crossed his mind that maybe Eury had developed an attachment to Nerites. He looked back at them but he shook his head and decided it didn’t matter, it wasn’t like he and Eurybarus had entered into any… arrangement, plus he remembered he wasn’t meant to live long.

“I could always give you a poison.” Medea said, making him pause before he entered and he turned to see her smirking at him. He held her gaze a moment as she raised an eyebrow, he sighed and shook his head.

“It doesn’t really matter, we are not…” he hesitated making Medea walked up to his side and lean in close to his face.

“There will always be people out there, who string us along, but when it comes time to settle, to really commit and be there. Suddenly they are gone, as if nothing ever happened, as if you meant nothing when he’s the one who pursued you to begin with.” His eyes met hers and she nodded softly, almost sympathetic.

“My advice? Always be prepared for betrayal, it comes from the ones you love the most.” She turned and walked into the tent.

Alcyoneus stared at the entrance for a moment longer before deciding once more that it really didn’t matter, and even if Eurybarus would lose interest and pursue the triton, that it was still the right thing to save his life. Not poison him for daring to draw attention, and he banished all thoughts of jealousy from his mind. So Alcy entered the tent and saw Medea holding a flame in her hand.

“Fire as well?” He said in slight awe, she smirked.

“Courtesy of my grandfather the sun, not all witches can hold fire in their hand at will. It usually can’t get much bigger than this, but oftentimes, a spark is more than enough.” She held her hand aloft and bathed the tent in dim light. Alcyoneus scanned for a moment and his eyes caught the glint of Eurybarus’ spear. He approached it and sure enough it was laid atop a trunk. He picked the spear up and opened the chest beneath it, nestled inside was a conch shell, there were other trinkets but his eyes fell on a medallion with an ‘M’ engraved on it. He held it up and out to Medea. She didn’t move at first and then slowly took the necklace.

“Thank you.” Her voice was soft as she turned it over in her hands.

“The witch they captured is my daughter.” She said at last not looking up. Alcyoneus felt his eyebrows raise as he recalled the details of her story with the Argonauts.

“But-”

“Yes, I’m well aware, the stories say I killed my children… my little boys.” She looked up to him, her eyes glassy.

“My daughter is the only one who remains. And I... I couldn't have beared to lose her” Alcy didn’t know what to do or say but he nodded.

“I shall not forget that you helped me save her.” It was barely a whisper but he felt the conviction, the strength of her promise. Medea did not show such things lightly, he knew the depths of her gratitude in that moment.

“I’m glad I helped.” He said with as much sincerity. He thought he saw a faint smile, and together they exited. He broke off into a run remembering there was some urgency to their little search. Nerites was still breathing heavily and his heart ached for the man's pain.

“Eury you have to help me get him to the Pleistos,”

“Why?”

“Just do it.” He said, Eury picked up one rung of the cart with Alcy in the back examining the triton. Alcy was alarmed to notice that the tail was very dry. He worried scales might rub off. Alcy was surprised when a tall buff woman who reminded him of Kallisto also came to help, as did Medea and her witches.

“But, what about?” Alcy began but Medea smiled.

“She will recover, I can recognize a sleeping draft when I see one. She will awake in a few hours, we can help where we are most needed.”

“I shall keep watch. No harm shall come to the young maiden” Said the old person who was now a woman. Medea nodded and together they carried the cart across the landscape, everyone lending their strength to pushing from behind or pulling from the front. Medea eventually broke away to light the way ahead with her burning hand.

“She can hold fire in her hand!” Eurybarus remarked with pure awe.

“Do you think she’d teach me how to do that?” He whispered to Alcy, riveted by the power. Alcyoneus tried not to laugh as the idea of Eury approaching the fierce witch with such a question was hilarious. He and Thraike exchanged a glance and he knew she thought the same thing. Even Cassiphone had an upward tilt in her lips.

“I think you should ask her.” He could barely keep the humor from his voice. With all of them working together to move the cart, and Medea lighting the way, the riverbed quickly came into view and hadn’t been too far away. Alcyoneus could feel the worry and the tension, there was hope but Alcyoneus felt it was merely a flicker, small as the flame in the witch’s hand. They walked as if they were carrying him to a grave, Alcyoneus had to believe it would work. It had to. He knew he’d seen the shell for a reason.

“We’re almost there.” Medea said, in the darkness they could see the dry bed. There was silence as they got to work hoisting Nerites out of the cart and carrying him over gently to be laid in the very earthy bed, Nerites’ breathing was labored and came in shallow gasps. Alcy pulled out the conch shell and in his mind he saw Nerites blowing into it. So Alcy raised the shell to his lips and he blew. No noise came out, just the sound of the air passing through it. Alcyoneus could have fallen into the earth from shame and would do so gratefully.

“I think Eurybarus should try.” Thraike said firmly, a curious look on her face, Alcy looked to him and he nodded, holding his hand out for the shell. Alcy handed it over, Eury looked worried and unsure but he raised it to his mouth anyway. With a deep breath he blew and a loud horrible noise burst forth echoing across the valley. They all immediately covered their ears in pain. Eury stared at the shell in shock. He and Alcy looked to the Nerites, who was still giving labored breaths.

“Come on.” Eutybarus said softly. Medea shared a look with Alcyoneus who quickly looked away and to Nerites’ pale face. The silence stretched and Alcyoneus felt a lump rising in his throat. Then another sound filled the valley, and the group looked around in confusion.

“It… sounds like… water?” Thraike said.

“The river!” Alcyoneus said, they looked into the darkness, Medea walked forward a bit holding her hand out as they watched. With a great swoosh water began rushing up the dry bed.

“Get up!” Medea called turning and holding her hand out to Thraike, the buff woman jumped onto the bank, Cassihone scrambled up.

“Alcyoneus!” Eurybarus shouted and held out his hand, Alcyoneus took it and was pulled right up the bank and into Eurybarus’ arms as he moved them away from bed. Eury smirked down at him and didn’t release him, before turning his gaze back to the water. They watched as it surged forwards splashing past the banks and covering Nerites and continuing its flow upward. Nerites vanished from sight as he was completely enveloped. Eury and Alcy leaned forward, daring not to breathe. Alcyoneus began to wonder if a flash flood could kill a triton when the man burst from the water throwing his hair back and taking a gasp for air. He whirled around and saw all the familiar faces.

“YES!” Eurybarus cheered the others following suit.

“What? What happened?” Nerites was breathing heavily and looking around and taking in his surroundings and the river.

“My brilliant little Alcy found your conch shell, after he and these witches raided the camp. He said to bring you here and then blew the shell, but it didn’t work until I blew it, the river then burst to life and gave you the water you needed to live! We all survived!” He shouted in triumph and boundless excitement Whooping and cheering which spread to the others. He was quite infectious. Nerites smiled and looked at his hands then to the river and Alcyoneus.

“Thank you, but how did you know my conch shell could call the waters? And… How did you get it to work? Only someone with water in their veins could get it to sound.” Alcyoneus and Eurybarus shared a look.

“Well, I guess my great great grandfather was Axius?” He said with a shrug.

“Ah a river god, that’ll do it.” Nerites nodded and turned to Alcyoneus expectantly.

“Well, I’ve just always seen things, or dreamed them, I just… knew.” He shrugged embarrassed from all the scrutiny.

“That’s how you knew the wolf Lycaon was once a man.” Eurybarus said thinking back.

“And how you found our camp, and knew not to drink from the cup.” Thraike said with fascination.

“And how you knew my shell could be used to save me.” Nerites finished with a smile.

“Sounds like you're favored by Apollo.” Said the buff woman with crossed arms as she observed the gathering.

“Marpesia by the way.” She nodded to Alcyoneus.

“She’s an amazon queen!” Eurybarus said with excitement making Alcyoneus smile, he knew Eury must love the idea of an all warrior society.

“I am very grateful to you Alcyoneus, and all of you for helping me, a stranger who isn’t even fully human.” His fins raised out of the water to illustrate the point.
“I’m going to return home now, but know that you have made an ally this day, call out to me at sea should any of you need safe passage. I shall answer. Or even if you just desire to chat. Thank you truly, to the bottom of my tail.” He said with a laugh. He blew into his horn once more unleashing that terrible sound and immediately the waters began pulling him away.

“Goodbye!” he said, giving them a wave.

“Good luck with the sea king!” Eurybarus called suggestively. Nerites rolled his eyes and dived into the waters and disappeared as they began to recede.

“That was very impressive.” Marpesia said.

“Come regale me with the tale of battle. Nothing sounds better than eating those slavers' food and laughing at how they were felled by a band of four.” She said, chuckling as she walked back to the camp. Alcy made to follow but was stopped by Eury pulling him back and into a tight hug and just held him. Alcy was shocked but warmth traveled throughout his whole body as he returned the hug.

“Sorry” Eury whispered into his hair, making Alcy confused.

“Sorry, I didn’t protect you, that we got dragged into this mess.” He said weakly, Alcy pulled back slightly to look into his downcast eyes.

“I’m not sure why you think I would blame you, but, apology accepted.” Alcy said with a smile. Eury hugged him again.

“It’s also just so good to see you, I didn’t have time to properly show it because Nerites was going to die. But I’m so happy, I thought you were dead.” Alcy melted.

“No, not dead… not yet anyway.” Eury tilted his head at that but Alcy pulled back smiling.

“Come on, let’s go.” Eury nodded and they followed the others side by side.

Chapter Text

They were all gathered around a campfire having rekindled the one the bandits had been using before Alcyoneus and the witches had disposed of them. Together they had moved the bodies of the thieves away from the clearing, Medea and the other two witches had said some incantation that caused the earth to swallow the bodies.

“A gift to the realm of Hades.” Cassiphone had whispered menacingly and with a thrum of excitement. Alcy thought it might be the first time he heard her speak.

“An exchange, and to ensure their spirits can not haunt us for refusing them a proper burial.” Thraike explained.

Now they joked and laughed and recounted their plights as captives of the bandits and how Alcyoneus had Medea had worked together to destroy them. They then got food from the bandits stash and were enjoying dinner together.

“After their leader realized not only was I tiresias, that I also changed gender, he knocked me over the head and I’ve been with them since until Marpesia fell into their camp.” Tiresias explained as a man, laughing at his plight.

“So what do you prefer to be called? Man or woman?” Marpesia asked, generally curious. Tiresias shrugged.

“My name works just as well, having lived as a man and a woman, it makes no difference to me, I feel no strong connection to either. Sometimes I feel that because I have experienced both that I am not really either. He, she, they… It’s all the same. I am that I am.” Tiresias said spreading their arms wide with a confident smile on their wrinkled face, changing to woman and back again with a wink.

“We met a young woman named Siproites, who was made physically into a woman by Artemis, she said she realized it was her greatest desire. Is that what happened to you?” Alcy asked, Tiresias’ interest peaked at that.

“How wonderful! I have only known of women being turned into men like with the hero Caeneus, or the sweet love sick Iphis, or Leucippus who has quite a joyous ceremony in his honor. Siproites would be the first to become a woman other than myself.” Tiresias said, tilting their head back and thinking.

“There are many stories about how my gender changes, usually to deal with gods or even two serpents I slayed in my youth. But honestly I believe I was born like this, people just invented tales and assumed I was cursed. I liked going along with it since it was easier to understand for most people. I even helped spread some fun tales. But honest to the gods, I have no idea.” They said at last.

“I’ve always been betwixt things, male and female, life and death, gods and mortals, perhaps it was how the fates decreed it. There are many mysteries in life, and I am quite content to be one of them.” Alcyoneus smirked.

“Tiresias the mysterious, it has a nice ring to it.” Eury said making Tiresias chuckle.

“That it does.”

“So what do you all plan to do now, with your well fought freedom?” Alcyoneus asked.

“Well I for one, am going to reunite with my tribe. I might have to fight for my title as queen again if the amazons have declared me dead. Once I’ve reclaimed my throne I am going to stop fearing the legacy of others. Make my own name in our tribe.” Marpesia said looking up at the stars.

“That’s wonderful, I hope you succeed.” Thraike said, Marpesia nodded to her in thanks.

“The four of us were planning on journeying to Thessaly, making a new home for us, welcoming witches from all over to join and hone their craft. Thessaly is rich with herbs that are perfect for our potions.” Thraike explained gesturing to Medea and Cassiphone and Medea’s daughter.

“Why not just go to Aeaea? You could learn with Circe?” Eurybarus asked.

“My mother’s island is no haven.” Cassiphone spoke, staring darkly into the fire. Alcyoneus felt as if he had whiplash. He hadn’t even known the witch from the odyssey had a daughter.

“I grew up on Aeaea, my mother cares not for the rest of her kind. Only her island and her mischief, her animals and potions. I’ve wanted so much more, to be free and uncaged, and she never understood that what she called paradise… I called prison.” Cassiphone said quietly tossing a bone into the fire. Medea touched her arm gently and Cassiphone leaned into what Alcy realized was her cousins touch.

“Circe just isn’t who we’re looking for, or where we’ll achieve our goals. That has always been clear to me.” She stood and walked off to one of the now vacant tents. The rest watching her leave.

“We mostly just want somewhere to be left alone, where we can do our rituals without judgment and mistrust. Just to have a community for ourselves.” Medea explained still facing the direction her cousin had walked off in.

“It’s a little difficult to gain trust when you use necromancy and commune with spirits.” Thraike explained with a teasing smile. Alcy grinned back at her.

“What of you two? You went through quite a lot to be reunited. What will you do now?” Thraike asked.

Alcyoneus opened his mouth but then realization struck him, he had not yet done what he set out to do. It all slammed into his chest like a charging bull, almost leaving him winded. He was on a quest to be sacrificed to Sybaris, to save his people. And he had missed the appointment. Someone in his home may have been slain by the creature in his stead, his people wondering why the gods had forsaken them, and what could have been wrong with Alcyoneus as a sacrifice. Rumors might spread that he was impure or had angered the gods, shame would fall on his family, and the people of Crissa would be forced to leave their homes or possibly choose another sacrifice. All because the bandits had attacked him and the priests. And because Alcyoneus had chosen to return and save Eurybarus.

He looked to the man now, tears brimming in his eyes as a pang of guilt and shame pierced him to his core. He’d let everyone down, it was all his fault, even the teo priests. They had given their lives for nothing, to save him so he could complete his quest only for him to abandon it at the first chance he got. Alcyoneus felt panic rise inside him, how could he ever return home? How could he ever hope to make this right. Then another thought struck him from the dark corners of his mind. If he wanted to, he could simply leave. The priests were dead after all, perhaps his people might assume something had happened to all three of them. Maybe there was hope yet.

Maybe he and Eurybarus could simply run off together, leave Crissa and Delphi and never look back. Eury could continue his journey for glory, and Alcy… he could do whatever he wanted. No one would know, he could start a new life with this beautiful man by his side, build something for themselves. They only people who knew were atop a mountain or transformed into flowers. Alcyoneus could live, could have a life, and could have someone to share it with. He looked at Eurybarus and realized everyone was looking at him, mostly with concern as all these thoughts raged across his mind and face.

“Sorry, I was… lost in thought.” He felt his mania and his panic subside he cleared his mind of all the worry and the doubt and all the dark desires in his heart. He looked from Eury to the rest of the group

“I have a sacred ritual to complete tomorrow, a very important one. I didn’t get to do it today because of the bandits, I’m hoping that the delay won’t be too important to the gods. So I shall set out to do it tomorrow. After that, well I’m not sure what will happen next.” He said looking sidelong at the earth, knowing very well he’d be in Hades with the other bandits, perhaps they’d even ride the same ferry across the Styx.

“What’s the ritual for?” Marpesia asked.

“Just a simple one for Apollo really, it's for protection of my town, I’ll just make an… offering, dedicate it to Apollo and all will be well.”

“Protection? From what?” Eurybarus asked.

“Bandits of course.” Alcyoneus said with a wink making everyone chuckle, except for Medea and Tiresias who stared at him with piercing eyes.

“I bet had I made it on time, this whole ordeal could’ve been avoided.” He said with a laugh.

“I’m glad you were late.” Marpesia said with complete seriousness.

“Had you not arrived, and joined with the witches we might still be captives, they would have only had one archer, nerites would’ve been spirited away and probably died in the back of that wagon.” She said, frowning and shaking her head.

“It was because of you and your divine gifts that he was saved, and that none of the prisoners died tonight. That Nerites wasn’t sold to rich collectors who just wanted the right to brag about owning a dead triton.”

“They might even have had time to load Eriopis or even Marpesia into the cart too had you not arrived, it would’ve taken us longer to bring down the bandits, more might’ve gotten away or figured out what we were doing and then the fight would’ve taken longer. We certainly could’ve handled them, but you bought us precious time.” Medea said solemnly. Alcyoneus was stunned, he certainly hadn’t thought his role had been so crucial. He hadn’t even been thinking about it.

“Really I was just trying to help, I couldn’t let you die.” He said looking at Eury who had a soft look in his eyes.

“Besides It was the right thing to do, no one deserves a life in a cage.” He said at last. Tiresias leaned forward in woman form.

“We are grateful to you and the witches for what you did, not everyone does the right thing, more often times than not the right thing to do is an inconvenience, it can even be a sacrifice.” Alcyoneus stilled as he locked eyes with Tiresias who gave him a subtle smile, but it was tinged with sadness.

“Sacrifices deserve at least some appreciation.” Tiresias said, Alcyoneus nodded mutely unsure how to feel.
Medea stood and walked over to him, pulling a vile out.

“Here, I have a feeling you’ll need this for tomorrow’s… ritual.” He accepted and looked over the green liquid.

“Drink it just before you begin.” She said turning and going back to her seat.

“You know we have some experience with rituals, we could help you.” Thraike said brightly, Medea placed a subtle palm on her shoulder, making Thraike’s brow knit with confusion. Alcyoneus looked into Medea’s striking eyes that for once were filled with pity, he found it hard to swallow the lump in his throat. So he shook his head, he glanced at Eury who was watching the exchange closely. Like he was trying to puzzle it out

“There’s no need!” He said perhaps a bit too brightly.

“Apollo is a very particular god, and like I’ve told Eury, it’s terribly dull. Plus I dreamed it would be me who completed the ritual, and It’ll probably be over very… shortly.” Alcy said his voice falling flat on the last word, arms slumping, realizing he sure hoped it would be over quickly. Medea’s face fell a fraction.

“I wish you luck then, Alcyoneus, hero of the valley.” Medea said with the slightest upturn of her lips making the others nod and murmur their agreements. She held his gaze a moment longer before rising and motioning for Thraike to follow.

“Goodbye, little sun.” She said softly and with that the last two witches retired to the tents.

“The hour is late, I think I will also retire. Goodnight everyone.” Marpesia said as she got up as well. Eurybarus waved at her.

“I wish you well on your journey.” Tiresias said before also retiring for the evening. Eury and Alcy were alone together, and they sat side by side for a moment in silence.

“So is your ritual really well known in this land? Is it that important? They seemed to treat you differently after learning you were doing it.” Eurybarus said, turning his head, Alcyoneus forced a smile on his face.

“I’m sure it was just, politeness, and gratitude for helping them.” Eurybarus stared for a moment but finally nodded.

“So what will you do tomorrow?” Alcy asked not so subtly trying to change the subject. Eurybarus glanced sidelong at him.

“Well I hoped I might still accompany you to your ritual, then we can head back to Crissa and you can show me around.” His smile was intoxicating. Alcyoneus tried to stop tears from coming.

“That does sound really nice.” He said, voice straining a little, there was nothing he wanted more than to take this man to his home, back to his family.

“You may accompany me if you wish.” He said selfishly, not wanting to be alone as he faced his fate on Cirphis. Eurybarus nodded.

“And what would you like to do tonight?” He asked, staring intently at the fire making Alcyoneus confused.

“What do you mean?” Eurybarus turned to him slowly, eyes slowly moving up to Alcyoneus’ own.

“Alcy, I’m asking if you’ll consider spending the night with me.” His breath was barely a whisper. Alcyoneus felt his breath hitch, and warmth bloom in his chest. Eurybarus leaned closer.

“I hope you know I’m not just empty words, and I really hope you know I’ve been flirting with you this whole trip. I want to make good on my words, and frankly, I want you. In every way possible.” Alcyoneus’ pulse was racing, and by the gods above he was tempted. He wanted to just rush forward and close the distance and place his lips on Eury’s. Make him follow through with his offer and his words. Finally feel the man who had so brazenly strolled into his life on the day of his death. But Alcyoneus couldn’t shake the sinking feeling that it would be wrong, to give in so selfishly only to die tomorrow. It would be better if they did nothing, became nothing more. That way he’d mean less to Eurybarus when it happened, it would hurt a little less when he was gone. So with all the effort he could muster he turned away, closing his eyes.

“I’m sorry Eury, I can’t tonight.” He said, exhaling a trembling breath. Eurybarus pulled back.

“I’m sorry.” He said quietly.

“Don’t be, please, it wasn’t anything you did.” Eurybarus nodded and stood.

“Goodnight Alcy… I’ll see you in the morning.” He said with a smile but didn’t look him in the eye as he walked to the tents. Alcyoneus let a tear fall slowly down his cheek. It was better this way, a cleaner cut, he couldn’t pretend anymore that he wasn’t a dead man walking. No matter how easy Eury made it to forget. Alcyoneus should never have let it continue on this long. Now he’d just hurt them both. He put his face into his arms and let out a few deep breaths and quietly began to cry. He stayed there for a while, he must have dozed off for a few hours because he suddenly came to, the fire had gone out, and dawn was just beginning to creep over the valley. The morning air was cold making him shiver a little as he stood and stretched.

Alcyoneus stared at the tents, at the morning sunrise as it began to break over the mountains, and finally at Mount Cirphis, looming over him, beckoning him to his fate. He glanced back at the tents, he knew it would be easiest if he just left, no more goodbyes, no more pain, just fate.

“Goodbye.” He whispered, and with a determined face he walked to his doom, his heart breaking with every step.

Chapter Text

Eurybarus awoke with great difficulty, he was usually an early riser, and a morning person, but today his eyes fought him when he tried to open them, he even fell back asleep once or twice. Lost in a fog of exhaustion and sorrow. But finally, and with more effort than it was worth, he was able to get out of his bed roll. Courtesy of the now dead bandits, he stretched in an attempt to get blood flowing and to feel more awake. But it felt useless, he was tired to his core. And if he were honest part of him dreaded facing Alcyoneus. After making such a fool of himself last night, why would that beautiful man ever want him.

He let out a deep resigned sigh and decided it would be better to get it over with, and he stood and walked out of the tent. Immediately he realized something wasn’t right, he couldn’t place his finger on it but something was off. Almost everyone else was awake and moving about the camp, riffling through the supplies to begin their own journeys. Marpesia could be heard still snoring a few tents away. Eurybarus looked around but didn’t see Alcyoneus, a pang hit him in his heart but he shook it off as he approached the wonderfully terrifying witches. They were chatting with the newly awakened member. Eriopis, as Medea had called her. She had light brown hair and soft blue eyes, and a splattering of freckles on her face.

“Good morning.” He greeted them trying to sound like his normal cheery self, Thraike and Cassiphone glanced at him with some level of concern, Eriopis appraised him with mild curiosity and Medea’s face was impassive as she looked at him.

“Is everything all right? You’re not hurt are you?” He asked addressing Eriopis, she glanced to Medea who gave a single nod.

“I'm alright thank you.” She replied with a tilt of her head.

“Hard to believe some low life bandits caught me off guard while gathering herbs.” She shook her head in embarrassment.

“Tell me about it.” Eury mumbled scratching the back of his head, his eyes wandering the tents to see if he could somehow divine which one Alcy was sleeping in.

“He’s gone… Eurybarus.” Medea said softly, making him freeze, his eyes flicked to hers.

“He left at dawn.” She said, Eurybarus felt his shoulders fall, his gaze lowering to the earth. He didn’t even get a chance to properly apologize.

“He’s going to die.” She said, his head snapped up.

“Wait what?” Thraike said mirroring Eury’s thoughts.

“He is to be a sacrifice.”

“To who? To what!?” Eurybarus said his heart racing.

“A drakaina.” Thraike gasped.

“She lives on Mount Cirphis, she’s been terrorizing Crissa by eating flocks and people in the night. So the people prayed to Apollo the patron of this land and slayer of great serpents. Through the Pythia, and Alcyoneus’ own dreams it was revealed a young man must be chosen by lot as a sacrifice.” Medea said staring off into the distance as she quietly relayed the story.

“When Alcyoneus gives himself over to the she dragon, the attacks will stop.” She said returning her gaze to Eurybarus.

“How do I stop it.” Eurybarus said desperation barely contained in his voice. Medea shook her head.

“Please there has to be some way to save him.”

“The gods can be cruel, and fate even crueler. It’s already been set in motion, he’s already well on his way to the mount. It won’t be long now.” She said tearing Eurybarus’ heart out as she spoke. He backed up shaking his head and turned and ran back to his tent. He grabbed his meager belongings, strapped his spear to his back and picked up a discarded shield as he left the tent.

“I refuse to accept that.” He said looking straight at Medea and broke into a run. He raced away from the camp so fast that he didn’t hear Medea when she whispered “Good luck.”

****

Alcyoneus felt tears prick his eyes as the silence continued and the road stretched on, It was like he was leaving his family behind all over again. He almost wished that Sybaris would devour him right there and end his destiny sooner rather than dragging this out. Cirphis loomed in front of him, he was almost to the base, so he supposed there wasn’t much time left anyway. His walk had been long and silent, as it would have been yesterday had he not met Eurybarus. Now no matter what he did he couldn’t stop thinking about his family, his life, and even the new faces he met. He wondered what Kallisto and Siproites were up to, if they were happy. If they’d have a chance at the life he had imagined with Eurybarus.

He thought of Medea and her daughter, and the brilliant Thraike, and the frightening Cassiphone. Marpesia the amazon queen, and the kind and delightful Tiresias. Even of the triton Nerites, and if he’d reached the sea. So many wonderful people he’d met in a short amount of time. What a large hole he felt already at their loss. Eurybarus would be making him laugh or blush right now, maybe both. Alcyoneus shook his head as he continued his trek alone, not even a cool breeze to accompany him. Just the rising sun, and the sound of his steps in the dirt.

It had taken him a little under an hour to reach the base of the mountain, the final steps on his journey. He silently pulled out his sacrificial wreath adorned with the peonies of his home.

“Oh great Phoebus Apollo, please accept me as an offering to save my home of Crissa, let my sacrifice end the threat of Sybaris.” He called out arms raised to the sun as he continued walking almost at the base.

“Let my death mean something, as my life is in your hands, let the lives of my people go on. Protected from the attacks of the drakaina.” He said at last, and bowed his head, inhaling deeply through his nose as he stepped onto the first stone of the mountain.

“ALCY!” He whirled at the sound of his name, Alcyoneus saw Eurybarus thundering down the path, full on sprinting. Alcyoneus stared at him mouth hanging open until Eurybarus slid to a stop in front of him, he was drenched in sweat, and practically heaving. Worry etched his usually carefree expression as he reached a hand out to Alcyoneus’ face but stopped and pulled it back.

“What are you doing here?” Alcyoneus asked quietly looking up into the man’s face. Eurybarus took several deep breaths.

“Did… did you run all the way after me?” Alcyoneus asked in disbelief staring down the path. Eurybarus nodded as he let out deep huffs, chest expanding and contracting.

“Why?” Eury let out a frustrated gasp.

“Because, I care about you Alcy. Why did you leave without… without even saying goodbye.” He finished his voice ragged from the running, his eyes gazing down into Alcy’s almost pleading.

“Why didn’t you tell me what was happening? About being a sacrifice? Was it because of last night? I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

“No! No, it wasn’t what you said, no.”

“Then why?” Alcyoneus felt tears prick his eyes.

“Because Eury! You made me smile!” Alcyoneus turned away wiping away frustrated tears, crossing his arms over his chest.

“You have been nothing but kind, you made me laugh and blush and feel beautiful. But my fate is sealed don’t you understand?” Alcy said, voice growing quieter.
“And I have wanted nothing more than to reciprocate, you made me forget I’ll never see my family again. So I selfishly kept you by my side, encouraged you knowing all the while the road led here.” He closed his eyes and breathed out shakily.

“You’re wonderful but I can’t be selfish anymore, I had to leave before it became serious. Before it would become painful for you too. It’s not right to take, you deserve someone who actually has a future.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, that I couldn’t tell you. It was more selfishness on my part. I came to depend on your humor and your attention in the short time we were together. At Crissa my own parents couldn’t look at me without their hearts breaking and pity etched on their faces. And you? You only looked at me like you wanted me. I wasn’t strong enough to make you stop.” He turned to face Eury who was crying as well.

“It’s one of the reasons why I couldn’t let you be taken, I had to save your life when you had saved what was left of mine. You can’t know what you’ve done for me, the least I could do was return the favor.” He began backing away.

“I hope you do find your destiny, and become the hero you desire to be, that you can return home and tell your Father. I hope you live a long and happy life, I’m sure if you went to the beach you could call on Nerites, I saw how worried you were over him.” Eurybarus barked out a startled laugh at that and dissolved into a fit making Alcy smile even if he was a little confused. Eury shook his head as he calmed down.

“I have no interest in pursuing a fish, Nerites may be lovely, but I prefer my lovers to be human.” He said through a final wave of chuckles through his tear streaked face. He stood there looking to the horizon for a moment.

“You are wonderful too, you know that?” Alcyoneus didn’t know what to say, Eurybarus shook his head.

“I can’t believe you think of yourself as selfish. All for liking someone who made you smile. You are so selfless and kind, you are full of compassion, you couldn’t even directly kill the bandits. I saw you merely injuring them that night, trying to stop them instead of ending them.” Alcyoneus shrugged, it had happened so fast, and Medea and the witches killed them anyway. He didn’t really think about it.

“You saved my life, and those prisoners, and Nerites who, come to find out, you were jealous of.” Alcyoneus could feel his face flame with embarrassment.

“As if a river could ever compare to the brilliance of a sun.” He said making Alcyoneus’ stomach flutter.

“You don’t see how special you are, how you inspired everyone last night, everyone there except maybe Tiresias felt lost, abandoned, like they were undeserving. Medea feeling like the monster people call her, Marpesia like an unfit queen, Nerites a cast aside lover, and me, a worthless hero who couldn’t protect himself or the man he cares for.” He said walking towards Alcyoneus who was now rooted to the spot.

“And you not only saved us, but you treated us as if we weren’t all failures, with so little judgment in your eyes, brimming with compassion and understanding.” He swallowed and Eury brought his hand slowly to Alcy’s face, then he pulled Alcy into his arms and just held him moving his hands up and down his back. Alcy sighed into the embrace, every inch of him alive and swirling like the sea.

“I’ll never forget it.” He pulled away slightly with a soft smile.

“Alcyoneus. I will see you live this day, and every day forward, not just because you are insanely beautiful, but because of your kind heart that I can only dream of winning some day.” He pulled his hands and suddenly Alcyoneus found himself bound in chord. He stared down in confusion.

“Eury? Wha-” He looked up as Eurybarus removed the wreath and placed it on his own brow with a smirk. Alcyoneus struggled against the rope, seeing the maroon peonies in his hair filled him with dread.

“Eurybarus stop it.” But Eurybarus merely shook his head, and unslung his spear from his back and strap on his shield. He stepped closer as Alcyoneus struggled to free himself.

“I think I have found my destiny, it’s you Alcyoneus, it’s you that I’ve been drawn to. And I will defend you, you will return to your family again and go on to inspire and care for others. I’ll make sure of it even if it kills me.”

“Eury please! Don’t do this, it’s supposed to me! I can’t lose you, you can’t die for me! It has to be me!” Eurybarus smiled and pressed a deep and lingering kiss to his forehead, it set Alcyoneus’ body ablaze.

“Let someone take care of you for a change. Because I can’t let you die either.” He said softly, and with a wink he turned and dashed up the mountain.

“Eury wait! Eury STOP!” but his voice echoed off the rocks as Eury climbed and leapt over the rocks and disappeared from sight.

Chapter Text

Eurybarus dashed up the rocks, spear in hand, shield tightly fastened, he had no idea what it would be that faced him, all he knew was that he had to save Alcy. He hopped up until he finally reached the mouth of the cave, it was large and full of jagged stalactites and stalagmites. If he didn’t know any better he’d think he was staring into the mouth of a monster already. He paused for a moment, took a deep breath, then he strode inside the cave. The light faded quickly and darkness enveloped him.

The only sound was his heavy breathing, and his heart beating in his chest. Scattered around the cave tunnel were bones and scraps of the previous things to enter or be dragged through the tunnel. He bent down and tied a rag to the handle of a broken discarded spear, trying not to think of the implications he struck his spear against a rock until sparks flew and the rag caught fire, becoming a makeshift torch. As he did he thought he heard a sound, like sliding. He paused looking around nervously but as he did the noise stopped, he strained but the cave was silent once more.

He pressed onward, the cave was winding and he made quite a few turns along the way, as he continued once again a slithering noise began to echo around him, growing a little louder. Eurybarus raised his spear and turned around, but he could see nothing behind him, he turned again and still there was nothing in front of him. Just empty blackness. He noticed that the tunnel widened before him, so he stepped forward ready to go deeper.

Eurybarus halted mid step as something grazed his leg, he slowly glanced down, feeling his heart plummet as he saw the end of a glistening scaly tail curl around his ankle. His breath caught as icy fear gripped his lungs, and before he could do anything, he was yanked to the ground. His back hit the rock with a thud. He couldn’t even react to losing grunt before being dragged across the stone. He yelled out as the tunnel he’d been walking through opened up into a huge cavern, there was an opening at the top that allowed light to filter in and illuminate the area. Craggy rock covered with hundreds of pale white bones of the people and animals that had been eaten before. Eyeless skulls stared back at him, foretelling his fate, and forever watching it unfold again and again.

The dragging stopped and he was yanked high into the air, dangling upside down and brought face to face with the looming monster. He stared in horror at the giant, slit, yellow eyes, the sickly and muddy green scales that covered her face, the long pointed fangs protruding from her jaw, and the cobra like hood that jutted out and framed her head, to red splotches on either side, giving the appearance of four eyes staring at him hungrily. Her long body, part human and part serpent, twisted completely around the cave, she was massive, with a pale jaundice colored underbelly, and spots of brown merging with the green scales on the rest of her body. Sun filtered in through a small opening in the cave ceiling, and the ominous flickering torch light cast shadows as it slipped from his grasp and clattered to the floor of bones. She reared up on her thick tail, slick with slime, as she regarded her captured prey.

Her long wiry muscled arms gave way to spindly talons that crossed in front of her. Her neck was longer than a humans, stretching a couple feet from her shoulders and looking very disorienting and unsettling to Eurybarus as it moved away from the body, jagged and ridged spikes traveled down from her head and along her spine. Eurybarus would have screamed if he could remember how. Her mouth split into a smile of needle sharp fangs.

“So… another man has come to slay the monster Sybaris.” She hissed out, voice like broken glass, and grating on Eurybarus’ ears as it drawled over her forked tongue.

“Such a foolish race, do your people never tire of losing loved ones to my jaws?” She gave a chuckle.

“Did the people from the mountain send you? Hm? My delicious little neighbors.” She said with a twisted laugh.

“Did they think one such as you could contend with me?” She threw back her head and cackled, the shakes traveling from her torso up that long neck. She leaned over Eurybarus and looked him up and down.

“You stink of the gods you know.” Face upturned in disgust.

“Did one of them send you after me perhaps? Am I finally worth their attention, feared enough to rattle the clouds of the mighty Olympus!” She roared out, turning her head up and staring at the hole in the ceiling as if screaming at the gods themselves. Daring them to ignore her rage any longer. Eurybarus finally snapped out of his bewilderment and with a shout he thrust his spear at her exposed yellowish stomach. His spear stopped as her large fist closed round it, stopping it completely.
She glanced down at her hand, flicked her slit eyes to him, and then with a movement like lightning, Eurybarus found himself slammed against the cave wall from the tail still wrapped around his leg. He cried out in pain and coughed, certain his entire back was bruised. Her long claws slammed into the rock puncturing holes all around his head caging him in, as she sneered at him.

“Listen boy, you may have been the best in whatever pathetic village spawned you, you may even be a watered down demigod, but to me? You are nothing, you don’t even look like you’ll be very filling. Disappointing as a hero… and as a meal.” She snarled. Eurybarus’ mind drifted to Alcyoneus tied up outside, if she ate him and then left the cave for more food. She would see Alcy first and he’d be eaten as well. Eurybarus scowled at the serpent woman.

“You talk too much for a monster.” He lifted his hands as high as he could, clasping them together and slamming down as hard as he could into her hand. She howled in surprise and shock, falling back and letting Eurybarus slide down the rock. He landed in a crouch and looked up at the monster. She appraised him with curiosity on her scaly features, forked tongue flicking out as she stared.

“At least now it’s getting interesting” she smiled baring her fangs and then lunged at him hissing. Eury rose up and punched right into her lunge. His fist connected with her head and she careened off to the side, the rest of her body collided with Eury and sent him rolling. He shook his head and rolled once more just in time to avoid her tail slamming into the ground where he’d just been. Eury bee lined for his spear, picked it up and whirled, bracing himself for her next strike.
She coiled against the rock then sprang at him. He raised his spear right at her, planning for her to impale herself on it but at the last second she spun and dived down, swiping at his legs with those razors she had for fingers. Eury jumped and struck at her with his spear, but it bounced harmlessly off of her glistening green scales. Eury growled and suddenly her tail slammed into him from above. He struggled against her weight feeling the life being crushed out of him. He pushed and to both their surprise he shakily lifted her tail up even as she strained her hide to keep it on top of him. If she had eyebrows, she might have raised one.

“What are they feeding the heroes these days?” He choked out in disbelief as he strained against her tail.

“Are you sure you’re not half cow instead of snake?” He grit out, she cackled at that leaning over him.

“Let’s ask my venom.” She hissed menacingly at him.

“Too bad not even the gods will miss your wit.” She said with a wicked smile and then sunk her teeth into his shoulder. He cried out, thrashing wildly against her, blood trickling from the bite. An arrow whizzed unexpectedly and struck her right beneath the clavicle. She screamed in rage and pain and both of them looked back to the tunnel. Alcyoneus stood at the entrance a sheen of sweat over his dark skin, those beautiful curls damp and his breathing hard, as he pulled back another arrow.

“I would miss him.” He let it fly and she swiftly raised her tail, where the arrow bounced off her harmlessly. Eurybarus was freed, he rolled, grabbed his spear and thrust up catching her in the side. She hissed and dived back as Alcy fired another arrow that glanced off her arm.

“Aim for the yellow! Her green is impenetrable!” Eury shouted, standing and backing up. Sybaris huffed and wrenched the arrow out of her body.

“More than I can say for your mortal flesh.” She taunted, she reared back and let loose a stream of venom. Eury jumped back as Alcy shot at her, missing her eye by mere inches. Her tail whipped at him forcing him to jump aside. He and Alcy locked eyes then together they ran, Alcy firing arrows as he circled the cavern and Eury charging straight for the beast. Sybaris roared and coiled her tail around her body to protect from Alcy, eyes fixed on Eury, he raised his spear to strike, her tail whipped straight at him, he spun and leapt into the air, jabbing his spear into the ground and using it as a launch to build momentum as he completed his spin kicking into her jaw, sending her straight to the cavern wall in a fierce crash.

“Whoa” Alcy’s shock was flattering.

“I used to love pole vaulting, it was something even my dad approved of because it wasn’t used for war.” He said sheepishly.

“Eury!”

Sybaris’ claws swiped him across the chest crisscrossing with the ones Lycaon had left only deeper, sending him stumbling back in pain.

“Wretched mortal man” she spat, spewing more venom his way before an arrow lodged itself in her left eye. She shrieked so loud Eury thought the cavern might be trembling. She whirled on Alcyoneus and dived right at him. He tried to evade but she used every part of her long and winding body to attack, ensuring there was no escape as she slammed him into the wall. He gasped for air, the wind knocked out of him. She bared her fangs and went to bite into him but caught a mouthful of Eury’s spear instead. He panted as he pushed her back while Alcy tried desperately to catch his breath. She whirled her head back and glared.

“Why even fight? You two are no great heroes, no one will remember you!” She taunted, clawing and swiping at them in a fury. Eury grabbed Alcy and ducked as her claws took chunks of rock out of the wall that rained down on them.

“Ridding the land of your stench is reason enough.” Alcy gasped out, she whipped her tail at him and sent him flying to the tunnel entrance, bones from her previous victims scattered on his impact.

Eury grunted and punched Sybaris in the jaw, sending her writhing back. Eury ran to where Alcy had fallen and was relieved to see he was alive, he coughed as Eury helped him to his feet. He took a deep breath and in a fluid motion fired an arrow, Eury turned to see it hit Sybaris in the abdomen, but it hardly stopped her as she slithered toward them faster than he could react. Her fists closed around them and she hurled them even further down the tunnel. Eury struck the wall and was winded once more. He pushed off the wall and hobbled to Alcy.

“I am so tired of that scaly bitch launching me into walls” Alcy wheezed out, making Eury snort. He shakily fired another arrow down the tunnel, her screech confirmed he’d hit his mark.

“I think you give as good as you get.” Eury said as he held onto him and the two tried to run blindly out of the dark tunnel knowing she’d tried to strip their mobility and trap them in the narrow space. Her slithering scales and crashes into the wall let them know she was not far behind.

“You can not escape me! Sybaris always gets her manl!” She hissed with unhinged laughter, Eury dared not look back, knowing that he probably wouldn’t be able to see her behind him if he did. After what felt like an eternity of struggling and feeling the drakaina draw closer they rounded a turn and light streamed in through the cave’s mouth. Finally able to see where they were going, they broke into a sprint, hand in hand. They leapt through the cave entrance, Eury spinning in the air to face her. Sybaris' yellow eyes met him as she launched across the rock after them. He had a mere moment to adjust, bowing his head, and then thrusting his spear upward as he body sailed over him, gashing her as she sprung from the cave. The cut formed across her stomach, as she wailed in pain and rage, crashing to the rocky landscape just outside the entrance.

Alcyoneus fired an arrow hoping to catch her while she was distracted but she caught it and snapped it. She wailed and that lightning fast tail whipped out wildly spasming in pain as she clutched her gashed stomach. Her tail slammed into him, spear clattering out of his hand and rolling away.

“Damn it” he coughed out.

“This ends now” she hissed with pure rage and she launched, Eury raised his hands instinctively but she passed over him heading right for Alcyoneus.
Time seemed to slow for Eurybarus as the she-creature lunged, long talons extended. Her face was twisted with determination, Alcyoneus loosed an arrow that bounced harmlessly off her scales. He ducked his head bracing for her impact, Eurybarus clawed at the earth frantically, a desperate shout tearing from his throat. Alcyoneus seemed almost at peace as he closed his eyes for the final blow. With a great lunge Eurybarus pushed off from the ground, his hand latching onto the end of her tail. With all the strength he could muster and a ferocious yell, he tugged, straining, and swung.

Her claws came down on to the ground just grazing Alcyoneus' thigh making him cry out in pain, her claws scraping down the rock as Eurybarus pulled once more and dragged her scaly hide across the ledge. She screamed and turned to swipe at him, but it was too late because he leaned into the earth and looked her dead in the eye,

“You’ll never have him.” He spat, making her eyes widen as he twisted and swung the great beast over his head, releasing at the final moment. Throwing her right over the side of the cliff and down the mountain. She stretched out her terrible talons as she plummeted from the top of the craggy cliff, but her claws caught only air. Her roar growing more faint as she sailed to the earth and straight into the valley. Eurybarus fell to his knees and watched her hate filled eyes as they grew smaller, and after a tense moment and with a thunderous crash, she struck the ground below, blood curdling scream cut short. Silence filled the mountainside.

Eurybarus stared over the edge at the still and unmoving body of the venom spewing drakaina breathing hard, it was difficult to fully make out, given the distance but it seemed she had been slain.

The sound of a crack split the air and beneath the once great Sybaris, the earth began to break and crumble, water bubbled and sprang forward, flowing beneath her. She floated for just a brief moment as water bubbled up from the earth. She looked almost serene as all the wrath was gone from her body, as the water enveloped her she began to shrink scales fading from her form, tail unwinding and splitting into human legs, her underbelly becoming a flowing pale chiton in the water. Her cobra hood fanning out and becoming long black hair, and for a brief moment she became completely human, before she slowly began to sink. Fully submerged in the water and then drifting down into the newly formed crack and vanishing from sight altogether. Leaving nothing but the newly formed bubbling spring.

Eurybarus was still crouched over the cliff edge, breathing hard in ragged breaths, knuckles gripping the stone beneath him, staring down at the spring that had once been a drakaina. Alcyoneus carefully approached the ledge and looked over as well, before he silently crouched down beside Eurybarus.

“Is it… finished?” Eurybarus took a deep breath and then glanced at Alcyoneus, a smirk pulling at his lips.

“You’re the oracle here, you tell me.” Alcyoneus rolled his eyes and smiled. When he looked back, Eurybarus was standing and offering him a hand. Alcyoneues accepted and was pulled back up to his feet but Eurybarus didn’t drop his hand and looked at him intently, half smile pulling on his lips.

“What?” Alcy asked, his heart gaining speed at the look. Eury’s other hand came to rest on his waist tentatively.

“Alcy?” He breathed his name like he was afraid he might startle Alcyoneus, his eyes searching, Alcyoneus surged forward, cupping his face and kissing him full on the lips. Eury’s eyes widened, eyebrows shot up as Alcy kissed him fiercely. It only lasted for a second before Eury’s arms enfolded Alcy pulling him close and kissing him as deeply as he could, it made Alcy’s head spin. And they stood there for a mini eternity until Eury pulled back gasping and smiling incredulously. Alcy grinned and Eurybarus rested his forehead on Alcy’s closing his eyes for a moment.

“Can I be yours? now that you aren’t going to die.” He asked in a whisper, Alcy’s heart fluttered, as he brought his hands to Eury’s shoulders.

“I’m not sure, you might have to slay another drakaina for me.” Eury laughed and held him tightly.

“I’d slay a hundred for you.” Alcy beamed, his soul soaring higher than the mountaintops as Eury spun him around. He lowered Alcy to the rock and still just kept him in his arms. Alcy felt wetnes on his shoulder and he pulled back to see Eury crying.

“What’s wrong?” Eury shook his head.

“Sorry I’m just so happy you aren’t dead and that you kissed me. And we slayed a drakaina, a lot has transpired.” Alcy thought that was the most wonderful thing in the world and he pressed his lips to Eury’s once more.

“I know what you mean. It’s exhilarating to suddenly have a future, when just this morning I had nothing. I was hopeless, and then you found me, you saved me. Now life is mine for the living.” he said, blinking away his own tears. Eurybarus smiled brightly at him.

“You’re incredible.” They kissed and kissed and kissed. They clung together for a while and just enjoyed the feeling of being alive, of being together, of vanquishing the great evil, of feeling the warmth of the sun as it shone over them, making them golden as their hands encircled each other.

“So, what do you foresee for us in the future?” Eury said, pulling back as he teased Alcyoneus. Alcy closed his eyes and scrunched up his face.

“Hmmm, I don’t know about the distant future, but I think I am seeing something… yes it’s coming very clearly to me.” He said dramatically, opening his eyes and leaning in to whisper in Eury’s ear.

“I foresee a quick journey to Crissa, where we’re going to meet my family, make merry, and then have a very… very good night.” He breathed mischievously, Eury sucked in a breath

“You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me Alcy, you know that?” Alcy winked and they kissed once more before Eury backed up pulling Alcy with him.

“Come on my little Alcy, Let’s go make your vision come true.” He said with a smirk, and the two strolled down the mountain, collecting their weapons along the way. As they reached the base they passed the spring that had formed from the body of Sybaris. Eury let go of Alcy’s hand and walked up to the water. He prodded the water with his spear, and nothing happened.

“Just making sure.” He called over to Alcy who also approached. The two gazed at it curiously.

“I wonder if it’s drinkable.” Eury said to Alcy’s disgust.

“You’re not drinking the drakaina water.”

“Aren’t you even a little curious?”

“No, and if you drink that, then you’ll not be getting any kisses. I will not put my mouth anywhere near yours if you drink evil serpent woman water.” Eury frowned in exaggerated sorrow but turned away from the spring.

“If you insist, but I really am thirsty.” Alcy kissed him.

“I’ll try and quench you with my lips.” Eury snorted and turned to walk away when Alcy finally noticed something as he stared at Eury’s neck in puzzlement.

“Eury?” He asked slowly, making the new hero turn.

“Sybaris bit you didn’t she?”

“Yeah it hurt really badly, she also clawed my chest, bruised every inch of my back, and maybe did permanent damage to my lungs.” He said stiffly at the light pain he was feeling. Alcy frowned.

“But she said she was venomous, so… why aren’t you dead?” He said bluntly, Eury glanced at his shoulder where the puncture wounds were and furrowed his brow.

“... I don’t know.” Alcy looked at his face in concern.

“Do you feel poisoned?” Eury shook his head.

“Just sore.” Alcy shook his head.

“Praise Apollo.” Eury smiled and slung his arm over Alcy’s shoulders.

“Oh, I was wondering actually, how you got free.” Alcy smirked and held up an arrow.

“You may have been able to surprise me with your secret chord but they were no match for my arrows.” Eury rolled his eyes.

“I then drank the potion Medea gave me, and I think it gave me an edge in the battle. I felt sharper and… less breakable if that makes sense. The feeling has completely faded now. I think she was hoping I’d fight back.” Eury suddenly looked down at Alcy and they paused again.

“Alcy what was it that you saw in your dream exactly?” Alcy paused and considered.

“I saw the lot in my hand the day before they were to be drawn, I saw the road, a spear in the ground and a serpent coiled around it. I saw the mouth of a cave, and then the town of Crissa having a bonfire. And I knew it meant that since I'd been chosen my sacrifice would work, that Crissa would rejoice.” He said with a shrug. Eury looked like he was puzzling something out in his head.

“Alcy, I think you were chosen because the gods knew I’d be smitten with you.” Eury looked at him confused.

“Think about it, if you had just gone by yourself she would have eaten you and nothing would have changed. She certainly wasn’t going to leave just because you were a free meal.” Alcy frowned and realized he was right.

“I think… it had to be you so that our paths would cross, so that when the time came… we would fight. Together.” Alcy looked at him, his mouth hanging open. He wanted to argue it but he couldn’t.

“You had already given up and had no reason to fight back, it wasn’t until you thought I was in danger that you even considered fighting her, and I wouldn’t have been anywhere near the cave if I hadn’t seen you and wanted to go wherever you were going.” He held Alcy’s hand and looked intently into his eyes.

“Alcyoneus we were meant to find each other, I knew it before but now I’m certain. You are my destiny.” Alcy was speechless, a strange warmth blooming in his chest.

“Do… do you really believe such a thing is possible?” He said meekly.

“To actually be fated to meet someone?” Eury gently held his chin and continued his gaze into Alcy’s soul.

“I do.” And Alcy got just the faintest flash of a vision, of Eurybarus saying that to him again in the future and he sighed in the surety. He kissed his Eurybarus again and reveled in the rightness of the feeling. They belonged together.

“Let’s go home.” Alcy said.

Together they made the trek back to Alcy’s home. The road back was decidedly less perilous, in fact they didn’t encounter another soul this time around. They talked and laughed and kissed the whole way. The sun was still high when the two young heroes climbed the path to enter Crissa. What they saw shocked them. Crissa was bouncing with activity, the whole city was alive and buzzing. Flowers being gathered and displayed, children running and laughing. But what had Eury and Alcy most surprised were the faces of their companions. Kallisto, Siproites, Tiresias, Medea, Thraike, Cassiphone, Marpesia, and Eriopis. At the center of it all and directing people like some chaotic committee.

“They’re here!” Siproites called noticing them first, she ran up dragging Kallisto along behind her.

“Welcome home Alcyoneus!” She said, pulling them each into a hug.

“Siproites, how wonderful to see you!” Alcyoneus said, returning the hug while Kallisto and Eurybarus clasped forearms with matching grins.

“What are you all doing here?” He asked as Thraike also wrapped him in a warm hug.

“Tiresias suggested we make a stop at Crissa after you ran out of camp.” Medea said with a true smile, arm around her daughter.

“They said it would be a good idea to join the celebration, but forgot to mention that no one yet knew there was going to be a celebration.” She said, rolling her eyes. Tiresias’ eyes twinkled with amusement.

“I forget not everyone can understand the birds” They said with a shrug.

“That’s when I told them that Sybaris was indeed dead and that the fair Alcyoneus would return home before sunset.” Tiresias explained.

“The whole city immediately began preparation for your arrival! They’re saying it’s going to be a new festival, to celebrate you both saving the city!” Thraike exclaimed as she and Siproites clasped hands in excitement. Apparent to the heroes that they had become fast friends.

“It has been quite hectic, but I must admit it’s been fun.” Kallisto said fondly, overlooking the people.

“I’m also very impressed you two managed to slay the Drakaina, that is quite a herculean task.” Marpesia said with a nod of approval.

“Perhaps we’re looking at the new Herakles and Iolaus.” Cassiphone teased with a sharp grin.

“I think more like Achilles and Patrocles.” Eurybarus said, pulling Alcyoneus closer and kissing his cheek, making the group give teasing “oohs” and whoops. Siproites grinned and she leaned up and kissed Kallisto deeply.

“I think I know how they feel.” Siproites said softly as Kallisto held her.

“Enough of the young love.” Medea said but even she couldn’t stop the slight smile.

“It’s a shame Nerites couldn’t be here.” Eury said.

“Isn’t it?” Came a voice behind them, everyone turned to see Nerites standing there, on human legs instead of his cyan blue tail.

“How!?” Eury asked in shock.

“Posiedon felt bad for my capture, and he granted me the chance to come celebrate for the night.” Nerites said coolly, he was wearing a pale blue exomis like Alcy’s lilac one.

"This is so incredible.” Alcy said heart brimming with the joy and celebration.

“I guess the only thing missing is-”

“Alcyoneus?” The world stopped for Alcy, and his surroundings faded to the background as he turned to the voice that had called his name. Just a few feet away were his mother and father, his mother clasping her hands to her mouth. Alcyoneus immediately felt tears go down his face and he couldn’t help but run to his parents and almost tackled them with his embrace. His mother kissed all across his face and his father’s arms held them both like the rock he was.

“My son, my son.” She cried over and over again as they were reunited.

“We heard the news, but we were afraid to believe.” His father said quietly.

“How, how did this come to be?” His mother said cupping his face, making him smile through his tears.

“It was the fates mother, them and all the wonderful strangers they placed on the journey.” He said, gesturing to the group of friends.

“Don’t sell yourself short, your wicked aim with a bow is also responsible.” Medea said with a smirk.

“And your kind heart.” Eurybarus said softly. Alcyoneus held out his hand beckoning Eurybarus over.

“Mother, father, this is Eurybarus. He delivered the final blow to the Drakaina, he helped save me.” He said quietly. Eurybarus walked forward and took his hand and nodded his head in respect.

“You have a wonderful son.” Eurybarus said before he was also pulled into a tight hug.

“Tell us everything.” His mother demanded. And so Alcyoneus gathered his parents, new friends and new lover to his home and together they recounted the tale of the defeat of the mighty drakaina Sybaris. It was just as the night Alcyoneus left with laughter and joking and grand story telling and love. Love overflowed and filled their hearts. That night there was a feast in their honor, there was dancing and music and poets eagerly hearing the tale, games and sports. Alcyoneus was struck that today, the day he’d thought he’d die had been the best day of his life. Together he danced with Eurybarus and they kissed by the bonfire, and as the night drew to a close… Eury and Alcy did indeed have a very very good night.

Chapter Text

Shortly after leaving the kind Alcyoneus and Eurybarus, Kallisto and Siproites set off in the opposite direction, unknowingly headed toward Alcyoneus’ home. It was silent for a moment, both of them a little unsure but eventually Siproites spoke as they walked.

“So Kallisto. How did you know so much about Artemis?” Kallisto looked at her with deep brown eyes.

“I was once a huntress of Artemis.” She said bluntly, making Siproites’ eyebrows raise with interest.

“It… it isn’t as happy a tale as yours is.” Kallisto said, gazing forward.

“Oh, I’m sorry, is it too painful a memory? You don’t have to divulge if it’s uncomfortable.” Kallisto gave a wistful half smile.

“No it’s alright, I just wanted to warn you before I told you. In case a sad tale didn’t interest you.” Siproites laughed at that.

“Safe to say I’m interested.” She said with a light blush. Kallisto gave her an appreciative look before continuing.

“I had been with Artemis for many moons, she was fierce, brave, and wonderful. She cared for us all and was a great leader, wild, and free. Content to roam in nature free from man and god alike. Hunting with her was like a safe haven. I must confess, like many of the attendants I was smitten with her. She is as beautiful as the moon in the sky, and while I desired her love, I understood it would never be given to me. That’s just who she was, it was part of the draw to hunt by her side.” Kallisto said softly remembering her life back then.

“One day however, Artemis approached me alone, and whispered such sweet and beautiful things. I should’ve known better but when the object of your affection gives you the attention you crave and desire it can be a little difficult to think straight.” She said with a sigh.

“So Artemis seduced me and we lay together.” Siproites’ face turned pink, Artemis was incredibly beautiful.

“I felt so happy and I’ll admit I felt special, that the goddess had chosen me above all others, above any attendant, and above any man.” She said, shaking her head at her past hubris.

“Artemis was gone in the morning but I awoke in such bliss, but it quickly grew to sadness when the next day and every day since, Artemis did not take extra note of me. Did not smile at me secretly, or even acknowledge that we had been together. For a while I convinced myself it was just to keep up appearances, to ensure the other nymphs and attendants didn’t become suspicious or jealous.” Kallisto glanced at Siproites nervously, and Siproites reached out a tentative hand to her bulky shoulder.

“It’s okay Kallisto.”

“Well a month or two later, I realized I was with child.” Siproites gasped. Kallisto nodded.

“I had about the same reaction, it didn’t seem possible but I reasoned different rules applied for gods. So while bathing I went to speak to her, ask her about the child.” Kallisto’s face looked to the ground as she paused.

“She was furious I was with child and that I would dare to claim it was hers, and told me she had never been with me. I was so stunned and my shock seemed to spark something in her, and she realized that Zeus had taken her guise to be with me.” Siproites covered her mouth. Kallisto just shook her head in dismay.

“Her fury became directed to her father, and similarly to you she raised her hand to strike me, but instead I found myself in the form of a bear. She bent down and whispered to my ear that I must flee into the wilderness and remain a bear until the birth was complete. Lest Hera find me.” Siproites nodded, Hera’s wrath was legendary.

“And then she told me she was sorry this had happened to me… and as a gift from her I could be a bear whenever I desired. Since I had been taken advantage of in a different form, I would gain a new form for my dedication to the hunt,” Kallisto said with a soft smile.

“I gave birth to my son Arcas and raised him in the wild as best I could, hoping Hera would not discover us. Eventually though I had to give him up, I also figured it would be safer for him to be raised by strangers. So if Hera ever did come after me, my son wouldn’t be caught in the crossfire.”

“Do you miss him?”

“Sometimes, I visit on occasion, last time I saw him Lycaon, my father, tried to kill Arcas and challenge Zeus. That’s how he became that beast of a wolf. So I’ve been tracking and hounding him to make sure he doesn’t do more damage.” She said darkly.

“What a hectic life you lead.” Siproites said in disbelief. Kallisto shrugged in response.

“I try not to think about it, I just have to keep moving.” Siproites nodded in understanding. They returned to amicable silence as they continued their journey.

“When we get to Parnassus, would you care to join me for dinner?” Kallisto asked, making Siproites blush a bit.

“As long as I can join you for breakfast as well.” Siproites said coyly, Kallisto grinned.

“I think I can arrange that.” She outstretched her hand and Siproites gratefully clasped it. They chatted a bit more on the road and very soon reached Crissa, they wandered the city a bit looking at the market and enjoying the city. It was then Siproites paused as she passed the Agora noticing a sign hanging up.

“Kallisto this mentions Alcyoneus.” Her voice filled with pleasant surprise as she read it over, her face quickly falling as she realized what it said.

“What is it?” Kallisto asked, taking in her features. She looked up to Kallisto with sorrow.

“He is to be sacrificed.” She said her voice a whisper. Kallisto noticed the offerings of flowers and drachma laid at the food of the sign in his honor

“No… it can not be.” She said mouth opened in disbelief. Siproites turned and buried her face into Kallisto who held her tightly for support.

“To think he saved your life and helped us meet. Only to meet such a fate.” Kallisto said, stroking Siproites blonde hair.

“Sorry, it’s just so surprising to learn he was headed to his doom.” Siproites said pulling back slowly and wiping away a tear.

“Come on, chin up, here.” Kallisto walked over to a flower vendor and returned momentarily with violets in hand. She handed one to Siproites and together they knelt offering their tokens to the poor youth.

“May Hades be kind to him.” Kallisto spoke with reverence.

“May his soul find elysium.” Siproites echoed and they stayed there a moment before Kallisto offered a hand and together they stood.

“Let’s find something to distract us shall we?” Siproites nodded silently and Kallisto pulled her back through the market.

****

That night they purchased some food and found a nice ledge overlooking the valley as they sat and ate their food, the stars shone brightly beside the full moon, it was a beautiful night. Crickets chirped and a cool breeze swept over them. Below they could see campfires of travelers in the valley spread out and flickering in the distance.

“What would you have done, had Zeus not taken advantage of you?” Siproites asked, her face contemplative. Kallisto let out a breath at such a question as she considered.

“Sorry, that was a difficult question.”

“No it’s alright. I just need to think for a moment.” Siproites nodded, looking back to the valley.

“I was a noble, you know.” Siproites said musing.

“I had been a bit of a disappointment to my family, I had never had a desire for the life my family had planned out for me. I was betrothed to a wealthy merchant's daughter, I was to inherit and assume command of my father’s business. A life of refined work.” Siproites shrugged.

“It never stuck, all I wanted was my freedom, to travel and see the world. My parents couldn’t understand, I had everything in their eyes. To me I had a hollow shell, beautiful on the outside but devoid of substance.” Kallisto stared at her as she spoke.

“My mother tried to understand me, tried to help me, she was the one who taught me archery,” She smiled fondly at the memory.

“I think she knew hunting was the closest taste I got to freedom, able to explore the land around us, even if I had seen every nook and cranny of the forest by the age of 9.” Kallisto smirked.

“I think had Artemis not intervened, I would still be stuck in the shell. A pretty hermit crab that hadn’t found a home.” She glanced at Kallisto.

“Artemis blessed me in so many ways, it’s hard to imagine living the life my parents laid out for me. I know I would’ve been unhappy, and I don't know if I’d been able to break free on my own.” She said, Kallisto reached out for her hand.

“I don’t believe that for a second, I saw the way you shot my father in the eye.” This made both of them smile.

“If you can face a horrible wolf man, you could certainly face bureaucracy.” Siproites hummed a laugh.

“Don’t say that until you’ve met my father. I think I’d almost prefer facing yours again.” Kallisto grinned as she stroked Siproites hand.

“I’m not sure what I would’ve done or what would’ve happened to me. I was with Artemis for a while, hoping for love that would never come.” She shrugged.

“I imagine I would have stayed there and nothing would’ve changed.” Kallisto was quiet a moment.

“All I know is what I want to do now, and the life I want to lead in the present.”

“And what life is that?” Kallisto gave her a smirk.

“A life kissing a beautiful maiden of course.” Siproites laughed at the corniness and shook her head meeting Kallisto’s eyes. They stared at her with such softness, Siproites laugh died down. Kallisto’s hand moved up Siproites arm and then cupped her cheek. Siproites breath hitched, Kallisto’s eyes flicked to Siproites lips, making her heart begin to race. Slowly Kallisto leaned forward and with a soft breath their lips met, and Siproites kissed back, her body thrumming with sparks. Kallisto tilted her head and deepened the kiss, and it felt like relief to an ache Siproites didn’t know she’d had. Her arms wrapped around the strong woman, who pulled her close across the ledge in response. And they stayed there locked in each other’s embrace, coming alive with the kiss.

At last they broke apart breathing hard and grinning at each other.

“That was incredible.” Kallisto said.

“Artemis missed out.” Siproites said with a wink. Kallisto laughed and as she did the moon was covered by a dark cloud, casting a sudden shadow over the valley. The two lovers glanced at it with mild interest.

“I wonder if that means she’s jealous.” Siproites whispered, Kallisto snorted.

“I doubt it. But just in case, shall we take this indoors?” Kallisto asked in a voice full of suggestion.

“We shall.” She said, Kallisto hopped down onto the smooth marble and pulled Siproites down by her waist.

“You’re beautiful, do you know that?” Kallisto asked, holding her, Siproites flushed.

“I won’t get tired of hearing you say it, if that’s what you’re asking.”

“Then I won’t tire of saying it.” They kissed once more and then headed for the nearest lodging to get a room. As they did, a great and terrible noise echoed throughout the valley, almost like a thundering trumpet. They turned but saw nothing amiss in the now cloudless night.

“I wonder if that was Alcyoneus.” Siproites said faintly. Kallisto rubbed her back.

“Then he has become a hero, saving this city.” Siproites leaned her head against Kallisto’s shoulder. They mourned for a moment before turning and continuing with their original intent. That morning they awoke in each other’s arms, smiling and content, and they stayed there just holding each other. Finding solace in each other’s arms, and Kallisto was true to her word and the two had a wonderfully late breakfast.

Chapter Text

As music and cheers echoed into the night across the valley and off the mountain of Parnassus, five figures watched on from a nearby cliff positioned above the town, just close enough to see people dancing and feasting in the light of the bonfire. But the figures on the mount were stoic, poised, as they watched completely mirthless.

“If we set upon them tonight, most of the menfolk will be too drunk to rally against us.” One mused, she had dark hair that hung in slick stringlets down her back, she wore a rusted but intricate circlet on her brow, and if you looked into her eyes you would only see empty sockets staring back. Instead her eyes were held loosely in the palm of her hand. She was sickly pale with a greenish tint to her skin all the way to her waist where a murky green tail with brown stripes extended in place of legs. The eyes that she held were bloodshot, red and staring intently into the town.

“I am always in the mood to devour men, as I’m sure you’re craving the babes in their cradles Lamia.” one of them said, a smile slowly spread across Lamia’s face at the thought, lips red as her bloodshot eyes. The woman who spoke had six serpentine tendrils jutting from her waist, deep blue like the ocean just before dusk, with hair the color of sunset. At the end of each tendril was a maw of vicious teeth, nothing more than chasms to feed her never ending hunger. She turned to the largest among them, a silent question and ready to descend on the town at a moment's notice.

“Hold sisters.” She said tilting her head in consideration, her pitch black tail flicking in thought as she schemed, pale blonde hair cascading behind her in waves. Her skin was white as marble, or spoiling milk. She took a deep steadying breath, claws tapping on the stone under her, golden eyes flashing in the moonlight.

“The gods are not as far removed as we had hoped, Sybaris’ gluttony has proven that, and now she has been slain at the will of Apollo.” Her claws scraped against the rock in frustration.

“Now one more of our kind has fallen to the sun god.” Her mouth was a hard line.

“Attacking his holy mountain this close to his puppet in Delphi might draw him down from Olympus personally.”

“Let him come.” Scylla said darkly her maws opening at the thought of tasting god flesh.

“The sun god sleeps Echidna, he will not be in the sky for hours yet. We can take the revelers by surprise before they can even cry out to their god.” Lamia said, leaning forward and eagerly licking her lips.

“And should he arrive, he can’t take us all, the golden god of Olympus will be crushed beneath our scales.” Echidna studied her for a moment before turning to the fourth member of the group. This one was beautiful, the most human looking with skin a healthy color, hair a fair chestnut brown, and in place of legs she had two dazzling violet tails that coiled beneath her as she lounged on the rock. She seemed almost bored to be there.

“And what of your vote Scytha?” Scytha tilted her head in contemplation.

“Must we raze the whole city? If it’s such a hassle, why not just steal away the ones responsible, kill them and be on our way?” She asked, Echidna glanced at the other two drakaina who were slumped at the logic of the plan.

“Scytha makes sense, we will not destroy them, not yet at least, but we can destroy her killers. Let the people know it was a mistake to slay our kind.” She turned to the final figure, the smallest, and possessing two legs. She hadn’t turned around once as the drakaina debated what to do, just stared down at the town. She wore a cloak that jutted out as a tail did reveal itself, almost as long as her legs and spiked like Sybaris’ had been.

“What say you? Care to avenge your mother?” The fifth figure turned to Echidna, tears staining her rosy cheeks. Her hair was a light brown like Scytha’s, and if you looked closely in the moonlight the faintest shimmer of scales could be seen on her skin giving her a light brown and faint green tint. Not as sickly as Lamia’s, more like a sheen. She smiled, revealing sharp and longer than normal canines, and nodded.

“Then you’ll be the one to do it, we’ll send you down there to kill the ‘heroes’ who slayed your mother, sweet child. Once we are avenged, join us here on the mountain top. Echidna smiled wickedly.

“I’ll leave it up to you my dear Halia what shape your vengeance will take, but if you’d like some inspiration… ” She leaned down and whispered into the girl's ear. She smirked as she dried her eyes.

“Yes, I like that quite nicely” Echidna grinned and the girl leapt off the rock and began her descent to Crissa.

Unbeknownst to the monstrous women on the mountain, they were being observed in the shadows of the night. A man watched from not to far away, hidden from sight as they discussed their plans for the morrow. Slowly and silently he crept away from them, had they turned to see him or had the dread Lamia’s dismembered eyes been pointed in his direction they would have seen a man that appeared to be made of spikes. Spikes that glinted wickedly in the pale moonlight.

Chapter Text

Kleostratos snuck up on the craggy split of earth, glancing around every so often, to ensure he was not being stalked. He moved swiftly and silently, the sooner he was in there, the sooner he could be out of there. Lingering could only mean trouble, and he was determined. He neared the crack, like an ugly scar on the earth. It was midday, so he knew that his prey was less likely to be active. Still he erred on the side of caution and first tossed a stone near the crack, to see if anything moved or was startled by the noise. After a moment, when nothing happened, the man leaned over and peered into the dark abyss. Nothing made itself known to him.
He tied a rope to a rock, ignited a torch, secured the rope around his waist and with an exhale he lowered himself into the chthonic realm. With one hand he released rope as he propelled down, in the other he held his torch aloft. Eyes constantly moving, watching for disturbance, he descended lower, until at last from the shadows he could make out shapes in the darkness. Winding coils, and glittering scales, pale bodies pressed against each other, a vile and treacherous nest of Lamiai. Kleostratos halted his descent, knowing that the creatures were here was all that he needed to know. He took a pouch slung around his waist and unfurled it revealing a black powder mixed of saltpeter, charcoal, and sulfur.

Holding it away from his body he sprinkled it into the den of monsters, he was very generous with his sprinkling, but very careful not to dump so much as to wake up the sleeping creatures. He then climbed up the rope slowly and surely, one hand hauling himself up, the other keeping the torch off to his side. As he neared the entrance he noticed that the rope folding him was fraying, and rapidly. He cursed and picked up the pace, the rope continued to split, fibers popping as he climbed. He panted as he reached up. It gave way with a snap, just in time for him to grab onto the very bottom of the fray, fingers gripping the end deathly tight. He strained as he dangled precariously, the rope around his waist swung wildly but remained tied in place. He let out a shaky breath, and took in his situation. Cursing again, he realized he’d have to alter his plan slightly.

He assessed how high up he was, and how much space he had and let out a sigh. This was going to be very difficult. With a resigned huff he looked at the torch and with a scowl he tossed the torch down, immediately after he ripped the remaining black powder from his waist and dropped it as well. Hand now free he turned and immediately began his ascent once more as the cave erupted behind him in tiny explosions as the fire connected with the sprinkled powder, and the fire quickly caught. A chorus of screams erupted as the beasts awoke to their bodies and their nest aflame. He climbed and climbed, hand over hand rapidly, sweat covering his brow. He was breathing hard as he neared the top, and just as his hand gripped the outside rock he felt a tug at his waist.

Glancing down he saw the monsters shrieking and one had the rope around his waist caught in her gnarled talons. He spit at her making her scream with fury, her mouth a ring of needle teeth as she yanked the rope, he grunted and slid down the rock but managed not to let go.He growled and pulled himself up getting a firmer grip on the rock. He then unsheathed a blade as the rope tied around him increased in pressure, the monster on the other end refused to let go.

With a quick swipe of the blade the rope cut and the pressure was relieved. He gasped out for a moment before continuing to haul himself over and out of the earth. He turned around and saw the monsters writhing in pain and rage. Fire continued to spread throughout the cave, making kindling of the would-be monsters. He smirked at them and then he gathered more wood and kindling, and ignited them with the same flint and steel from before and tossed the fuel into the cave. He continued this a few times until finally, the bag he dropped caught and a larger explosion sounded, sending a rush of heat upward.

Kleostratos covered his face and listened as the screams of rage and pain died down, the wails faded, and the curses were cut off, and smoke plummed up from the chasm. He looked over the edge and saw some left over writhing and twitching but mostly the cave lay still once more. He knelt to one knee, arms outstretched.
“For you Menos… and in the name of Zeus Soter, I slay the Lamiai for your glory, and in honor of the fallen.” Kleostratos turned and left as smoke billowed up from the crack, walking back down the land and away from his task, confident and very tired. That night he sat by his campfire, eating game he had hunted, staring off into the distance but not seeing anything. Listening to the quiet of nature all around him, animals calling, the wind rustling, the fire crackling. A small tear escaped his eye as he remembered the past, he always remembered at night… all he could see were flashes of Menestratus. Quiet and reserved Menestratus, who had only smiled for him. Who preferred the company of his flock to people and of course Kleostratos. They had spent many a night gazing at the stars as Mene had opened up to him, sharing his thoughts. Kleostratos believed he would never recover from his death.

A branch cracked behind him and the man froze, snapping back to the present, senses on high alert, hair on the back of his neck raised, his arm poised over a blade as he listened, he heard no sound of approach but he knew that didn’t mean he was safe… or alone. In a fluid motion he was crouched behind the rock he’d been using as a seat and scanned the darkness. But no movement drew his eye, no further snap or crack, just the shadows and stillness of the night. He waited just a moment more before being content, he slowly rose from his crouch, sheathed his blade and turned back to the fire.

A serpent woman shrieked as she launched herself over the flame and tackled him to the ground hissing and screaming wildly. He grunted out as she attempted to tear his throat out with her gleaming pointed teeth, her face partially burned and melted from the fire he had set in their den. She gnashed, and even attempted to swipe at him, but he still wore his armor. Her hand pierced itself on the spiked gauntlet he wore. She roared up at the moon rearing back, enough for him to roll her off of him, regrip his knife, turn and jab it in between her ribs. Her face was pure fury, forked tongue flailing just as wildly as her tail, before her breath gave out. Her eyes rolling back as she collapsed in front of him, twitching a moment before falling still.

Kleostratos let out a shuddering breath as he just stood there, more tears formed, but he didn’t move. He had to keep listening in case there were more survivors from his raid on the camp. He spent most of the night listening to the darkness, tense and ready to fight again, but no attack came. If there had been any more survivors, they did not come. Kleostratos finally gave in and fell asleep curled up against the rock as the fire died down. His rest was fitful, he called for Mene, and awoke many times swiping his blade at the air. He rested as well as he could, which only amounted to 3 hours. Then he rose with the sun, packed his small belongings, and continued on his way. He knew where he was journeying next, word had reached even Libya of the drakaina terrorizing Crissa. So he pointed himself north and began walking to the coast. He had a sea to cross.

Chapter Text

Alcyoneus awoke in pure and utter bliss; he and Eurybarus were tangled up together, arms and legs wrapped around each other, sun filtering in through the window, warmth in his chest. Eurybarus was breathing softly, back rising slowly with each breath. Alcyoneus snuggled closer and breathed out the deepest most content sigh, reveling in the feeling of Eury’s skin against his own. Alcyoneus thought he might not ever move from the bed, that if he could stay for all eternity he would. Last night was so wonderful, they had partied well into the night.

He glanced again at Eurybarus and was torn with the desire to wake him up and to just keep staring at his peaceful sleeping form. He didn’t have to decide as a moment later his eyes fluttered open, blinking blearily until his eyes focused on Alcyoneus. His smile wide as he groggily pulled Alcyoneus closer to him. He breathed in deeply and placed soft lazy kisses on Alcyoneus’ cheek and neck, Alcy could’ve melted.

“Good morning my little Halcyon.” Alcy rolled his eyes.

“And to you my little burden.” Eury let out a small gasp, eyes closed.

“You wound me greater than any drakaina.” He breathed out.

“You deserve it for tying me up.” Alcyoneus teased making Eurybarus flush a little.

“Sorry.”

“Not yet you’re not.”

“Oh is that a threat?” Alcyoneus winked before suddenly shoving Eury to the side and pinning him down with his body. Eury stared up at him a little more awake, blinking in surprise.

“It’s a promise.” He said leaning down and kissing Eury on the mouth. Eury hummed against his lips.

“Consider me completely at your mercy.” He said, voice full of suggestion. Alcy snorted and kissed him again. A knock came at the door making them lift their heads up.

“Alcyoneus, are you and Eurybarus coming out for breakfast?” His mother called making them laugh.

“Yes, we’ll be out soon!” He called, returning his attention to a pouting Eury.

“I was rather looking forward to being vanquished.” Alcyoneus chuckled as he stood and went searching for his clothes. Eury groaned and practically rolled his way out of the bed, begrudgingly looking for his clothes as well.

“I’ll make it up to you later.” Alcy called as he slipped his lilac exomis on and sandals.

“That had better be a promise.” Eury said with a wink. He walked out into the home and soon found his parents as they were eating, both of them stood when they saw him and embraced him tightly.

“Good morning our little hero.” His mother said squishing his cheeks and his father ruffling his curls. He rolled his eyes but he dared not pull away, he’d rather suffer a little embarrassment than ever be parted from them again.

“Did you two sleep well?” His father teased, making his mother smack him lightly. Alcyoneus covered his face without comment, making his old man laugh.

“What have I missed?” Eurybarus asked cheerily, strolling out of the room making Doimos laugh harder.

“Come lets eat before Doimos kills over.” Meganeira said as Doimos wiped tears from his eyes. They ate and chatted, his parents pestering Eurybarus with questions about his life.

“What of your family?” Doimos asked.

“It’s just my father Euphemus and I. I never knew my mother.”

“Did you study with tutors?” Meganeira questioned. Eury nodded around some food.

“And athletics?” Doimos queried

“Pole vaulting and the spear, when my father would allow it”

“Why would he object?” Doimos asked brows knit.

“I believe my father is a pacifist. He completely ignores the warrior in our blood.” Eury said still sore about it. His eyes flicked to Alcyoneus.

“But I suppose I understand him a bit better now, especially after slaying a beast.” he said grimacing.

“What warrior do you have in you?” Meganeira wondered.

“Asteropaios.” He answered and Doimos' lit up.

“You had family who fought in the Trojan war? Tell me more.” Eurybarus also perked up and the two of them discussed Eury’s ancestor and their favorite parts of the epic. Meganeira shot a look to Alcyoneus.

“Boys.” She whispered, making them laugh quietly together. There was a sudden knock at the door, meganeira rose but Alcyoneus stopped her.

“I bet it’s one of our new friends, some of them were planning to leave today and I made them promise to come see me before they left.” He said headed to the door. As he did he got a flash of something sharp, like teeth. He faltered for a moment as he stared at the door in confusion. His mind reeling from the image of teeth that looked very similar to Sybaris’ Eurybarus stood seeing his hesitation.

“What is it?” His voice was a comfort and Alcyoneus shook his head.

“Nothing, just a weird-” the door splintered as it was kicked down.

“Alcy!” Alcyoneus threw his hands up to shield his face as a figure strode into their home. He opened his eyes in shock and stared at the imposing figure, it was a man in full armor that had spikes protruding all over him. He looked around at the shocked family and Eurybarus. He then glanced up, took out a blade and moved. A few things happened at once. Eurybarus rushed toward the stranger, the stranger threw his blade upwards, making Alcyoneus follow it as it struck the ceiling where a woman had been. A woman who now dropped to the floor with a fierce glare. Everyone froze.

“Who are you?” The woman spoke to the spiked man, as if they both weren't strangers in someone else's house.

“Your death.” he said darkly, hurling another blade at her, she twirled out of the way catching it in a serpentine tail protruding from her back. Eurybarus was at Alcyoneus’ side suddenly and pulling him back. She caught the motion and with a flick the dagger flew at them, Alcyoneus shoved Eury and the blade flew between them as Eury stumbled backwards against the table and Alcy jumped out of the way. She hissed in response, baring sharp canines. She turned and lunged at the man who unsheathed a sword that also had spikes along the blade. She swiped at him and he parried her pointed nails and swung his blade at her.

She twisted out of the way, tail striking at him at the same time, but he held up a spiked wrist causing her tail to be cut. She hissed in pain as he swung again, catching her just barely in the side. Forcing her to retreat, but he advanced on her, not letting her gain the distance while still swinging. She turned and jumped her tail pushing off the ground as well, like Sybaris had done to launch herself as well. She landed on an open window sill and turned to the gathered group, giving a pointed look to the strange man.

“It could’ve just been them. Now it will be everyone.” She said smiling with a dark sweetness, she then jumped out the window and was gone.

There was a stunned silence, then a gasp made everyone turn to the doorway to see Siproites and Kallisto.

“Alcy, what happened?” Siproites asked.

“Who’s the walking fishhook?” Kallisto asked.

“What about fish hooks?” Nerites said with concern as he joined them at the doorway staring at the scene. The stranger took off his spiked helmet revealing golden hair that fell to his shoulders. He sighed and looked at Eury and Alcy.

“My name is Kleostratos. You two are being hunted by drakaina.”

****

Medea and the witches weren’t far behind, Marpesia walking in with Thraike, Tiresias completed their group a few moments later, and all were appraised of the situation.

“So let me understand this correctly. Sybaris’ kin are hunting these two for slaying her?” Thraike asked, hand on her chin.

“Yes.” Kleostratos said calmly.

“Who was that woman?” Eurybarus asked, holding tightly to Alcyoneus.

“Sybaris’ daughter, Halia. She was born after Sybaris became a drakaina.”

“Which god cursed her?” Kallisto glanced at Siproites who held her hand.

“Don’t know, don’t much care.” Kleostratos said with a shrug.

“What I don’t understand is how did you know they were after our young friends here, and how did you find their house.” Medea asked from where she sat, her and Cassiphone watching him like hawks.

“I’ve made it a quest of mine to hunt down drakaina, I had heard of the tale of Sybaris in my travels and made my way from Libya.” Medea regarded him with narrowed eyes.

“However, once I got here I found the job was already done.” He flicked an unreadable gaze to the pair.

“But that her home was yet occupied, the drakaina had gathered and were mourning the loss of their sister. I barely managed to hear their conversation without being discovered, especially with the ever watchful gaze of Lamia.” Kleostratos said with disgust.

“Apparently they’d been on their way to visit her, recruit her for some task, but the details alluded me. So they made for the city and I followed them, watching and listening. As soon as they dispatched Halia, who had the greatest chance of getting into the city unnoticed, I did too. Then all I had to do was mingle and express an interest in meeting the saviors of Crissa, and your neighbors pointed me right to your house.” He said glancing to the family.

“Glory and recognition can sometimes be a double edged sword.” Medea said.

“How many drakaina are there?” Marpesia asked, calculating. Kleostratos paused, his eyes showing some uncertainty for the first time.

“As far as I can tell… all the ones left alive.” He answered.

“Meaning whom?” Medea questioned. Another pause.

“I already mentioned Lamia, but Scylla, Scytha, and Echidna are the four who remain and Halia who seems to be half drakaina.” Eurybarus closed his eyes, Nerites had gasped at Scylla, and the witches shared a look between them. Tiresias turned toward Marpesia and whispered something, she nodded, shooting a glance to Eurybarus and Alcyoneus before striding out the door and out of the house. No one commented but an uneasiness settled at the departure of the amazon queen.

“And to think, most people go their whole lives without seeing one drakaina.” Meganeira said, clutching her son's shoulder. His hand raised to hold hers too as he stared at the floor.

“Would they be content to take vengeance on me alone?” Alcyoneus asked softly.

“Absolutely not” Kleostratos and Eurybarus said in synch, Eury raised a brow to the stranger who cleared his throat and looked away.

“There’s no way we’d surrender you to them even if they would be appeased.” Meganeira said quietly.

“I didn’t fight back nearly enough the first time. I refuse to make that mistake again.” She said.

“And they wouldn’t be, they were already considering razing the city to the ground.” Kleostratos said with some sympathy.

“So they could attack at any moment?” Alsyoneus said with alarm.

“I doubt they would attack during the day.” Kleostratos said but it was evident he wasn’t certain. Alcyoneus glanced around the room.

“You all have to leave, flee the city while you can. It’s not safe for you all here.” Tiresias smiled softly.

“You forget boy, I’m an Argonaut, I have bested a dragon, and a metal giant.” Medea said coolly.

“I think it might be fun to battle some drakaina.” Kallisto said with a cocky grin.

“Besides we can’t let you two get all the glory.” Siproites chirped. Alcyoneus had tears in his eyes.

“Please, I couldn’t bear the thought of any of you dying. You’ve all been so wonderful to me. I can not ask you to join this fight.” Medea’s lips upturned.

“That’s one of the reasons we’re happy to volunteer. I’ve known men who would not hesitate to demand my skills. I use my craft as I choose, and I choose to add drakaina slayer to my numerous titles.” She said coyly. Thraike nodded in agreement.

“You’re all insane.” Nerites said, holding his head in his hand. With an exasperated sigh he stood.

“I suppose I’ll have to make sure this goes well.” He said with a haughty smirk. Eurybarus squeezed Alcyoneus.

“We already took one on by ourselves. We can take on four with our friends.” He said encouragingly.

“But Echidna is the mother of monsters, she’s ancient, the wife of Typhon. And Scylla has six mouths in case you forgot the story.” Alcyoneus said, trembling with worry.

“Lamia is a dread monster, every child has heard the talk of her snatching babies and children who misbehave. I fear Sybaris was far more within our range of capabilities.” Eury lifted Alcy's chin gently.

“Have some faith, remember we were destined to meet. I believe that our destiny doesn't end here, I believe in us.” He said confidently before sweeping his gaze across the room.

“All of us.” he said, his eyes landing on Kleostratos.

“Right then, what we need is a plan.” Tiresias said.

“First we tell the city, so everyone can have the chance to prepare or flee and get to safety.” Alcyoneus said immediately. Meganeira stood.

“Your father and I will handle it, being descended from Pythis has its advantages.” She said and kissed her son on the cheek while Doimos hugged him.

“Stay safe.” She said and they strode out the door with purpose.

“The rest of you. Let’s discuss how to kill a drakaina.” Kleosotros said.

Chapter Text

Kleostratos’ feet thundered down the path, he was panting hard, but whether it was from the exertion or the fear that gripped his heart, he couldn’t say. He had a single thought on his mind, that not even the straining of his legs, or the scream of his lungs could distract from. His heart burned, as if it knew already what lay ahead of him. Kleostratos just simply couldn’t accept it, there must still be time, there must still be hope.

At last he came to the spot, and he didn’t pause for a second before pushing straight up the small cliff side to the yawning cavern mouth. He hurdled over the rocks leaving a trail of dust, until at last he was inside. Only when he saw the site did he finally stop moving, his muscles seizing, blood running cold, and heart spasming. He sucked in a deep breath, a boulder in his throat as he fell to his knees and screamed. His face shook as his voice tore from his throat in pure agony.

Heaving great sobs that wracked his body while he knelt in front of the slain drakon. An incredibly large green serpent, lying on its back, mouth twisted open from pain, as blood spilled out across its teeth, and pooled around its great lifeless head. There was no sign of Menestratus, wobbling to his feet he walked over to the drakon and kicked at it over and over. He swiped a tear from his eye and looked around and picked up a discarded sword. He swung and hacked at the creature, graceless, sloppy, and angry. He managed to sever the head from the body, and it was then that he saw what remained of Menestratus buried inside.

Blinded by fury and grief he continued hacking and sawing until the monster’s stomach was split open and he could pull the man he loved from the corpse. Menestratus was pale and lifeless, eyes closed to the world, looking as if he were merely sleeping. Kleostratos cradled the man and just cried. He was reminded of their last conversation.

“I’m surprised that you aren’t more grief stricken that I’ve been chosen as this years sacrifice.” Kleostratos had joked, trying to hide the sting. He didn’t want Mene to be sad of course, but he had hoped he would mourn… at least a little. Mene had smiled brightly and hugged him tightly for a moment, easing Kleostratus' troubled mind. He then looked up and kissed Kleostratos deeply making him smile. Mene broke away cupping his face.

“I would never let your last moment be filled with grief.” He said matter of factly.

“Besides, I know things will work out fine.” Kleo had snorted.

“Oh really, what makes you say that? Speaking to the fates? Or perhaps you made a visit to the Pythia without my knowledge.” Kleostratos had continued to tease ruffling Menestratus’ brown curls. Mene had just smiled.

“No, I prefer to make my own destiny.” And he left it at that, Kleostratos had left Mene’s farm to go be cleansed for the sacrifice, which wouldn't be happening until tomorrow as it did every year. He was heading home unsure how to feel until his friend the blacksmith had come running up to him out of breath as he told them Mene had set off after commissioning fish hooks to be grafted to a breast plate. When he was finished and paid he’d asked what it was for. Mene had merely smiled as he put it on.

“For the Drakon, it’s going to have a bad breakfast today. Poor thing. Before it gets to eat its sacrifice too.” And with that he had left the blacksmith, whistling all the way. Kleostratos grimaced at the memories as he held his foolishly brave Menestratus.

“Why, why, why?” He asked the now forever unanswering Menestratus .

“Why couldn’t you let it be me. I was ready… I loved you so much.” He cried out pressing his forehead to Menetratus’ cold one. He didn’t move for a long time, just sitting there rocking his once lover back and forth, tears staining both of them. Kleostratos wondered if he could simply waste away there, or even impale himself on the great serpent's fangs. He looked up to the creature after a very long while and stared at it, a cold feeling blooming in his chest, a feeling of malice and contempt. He stared at the creature and he felt hatred, to the deepest part of his core until he felt that he had become nothing but hate. He placed a final kiss to the brow of the man he had onced loved, lowered him oh so tenderly to the ground and he stood.

He walked over to the creature and began his work, his head pounded mildly from the running and crying but he didn’t care, the pain almost fueled him. He worked for an hour or two and then when he was finished he gathered his supplies in a makeshift rag from another victim in the cave, then he gathered Menetratus into his arms and carried him back to Thespia. Night had fallen by the time they returned and he slowly made his way to the home of Menestratus. He wordlessly handed the body to his parents, tears falling anew as he saw their sorrow, but he did not join them. Instead he turned and made his way to the blacksmith. His friend took in his appearance with concern as Kleostratos held up his bag.

“Help me.” He said simply, and together they worked and worked. Forging and crafting until at last, Kleostratos was satisfied with his armor. Spikes on every plate formed from the teeth of the drake, protruding from the front and back, scales lining his armor to make him as impervious as a drakon. Mirroring his lover's invention, he knew now that any drakon he faced, should it devour him, would also die. He thanked his friend and silently left the forge, then thespia. He never looked back, or returned.

Chapter Text

Meganeira and Doimos had made quick work alerting city leaders, some people evacuated, some bunkered down in their homes or in temples praying for deliverance. On the outskirts of the city the soldiers of Crisa stood vigil, fully armed and prepared for a siege on the city. Crisa was large, and did have a substantial number of armed forces, but admittedly those numbers had shrunk ever since the fall of Troy. Alcyoneus wrung his hands with worry as he paced the front of the house, restless. Eurybarus could only watch.

Nerites had acquired a chariot that he was inspecting and tinkering with, Kallisto and Siproites sat together, whispering to each other and just holding one another. Medea and the witches had smiled coyly as they left the city with baskets for gathering herbs and plants, and returned an hour or so later to begin their brewing. Kleostratos stood still mostly, surveying the landscape, stoic, his eyes not moving from the scenery.

“Eurybarus, I can not bear it any longer, come with me.” Alcyoneus said whirling, Eurybarus was on his feet in a moment.

“Alright, but to where? If you plan to march out to the drakaina at least allow me to grab my spear. Alcyoneus huffed.

“We’re not going to the drakaina, there’s something that I have to see.” Kleostratos had turned to watch them.

“We’ll be back soon.” He said as he and Eurybarus embarked on their own errand. As they did the sky began to tinge orange with the sun set, it would be dark soon. Kleostratos turned back to the landscape without comment.

Nerites stood from his chariot and wiped his hands on a rag as he slowly approached the spiked warrior.

“You don’t appear worried.” he remarked, coming to stand by his side peering at him curiously. Kleostratos didn’t move.

“I’m not afraid to die.” He said simply.

“So long as I kill whatever kills me.” He said plainly.

“Eye for an eye type of man I see.” Nerites said, still studying him.

“I’ll save Themis, Nemesis, and the Erinyes the trouble of righting those who wrong me.” Nerites nodded at the sentiment.

“How many drakaina have you slain?” Kleostratos cast his eyes down.

“I haven’t.” Nerites’ eyebrows rose.

“I have slain lamiai in Libya, a whole colony.” Nerites scrunched up his face in consideration.

“Well, it’s not nothing, they are the same in nature. And at the very least you’re honest.” Kleostratos turned slightly to glance at Nerites.

“Not many are left you know.”

“Why’s that?”

“Most were slain during the age of heroes, Herakles killed a few like the Hydra, Ladon, and even Scylla. Though her father Phorkys is rumored to have revived her.”

“Phorkys has never been good at dealing with loss, and he so loves his monsters.” Nerites said with a shudder, remembering the gods lobster claws.

“Apollo has slain a number of dragons as well, in this very area in fact.” Kleostratos said, looking around the valley.

“Perhaps it was destiny like Eurybarus claims, the last of the drakaina to take a stand on a mountain of Apollo. His Oracle right around the corner. Seems the fates have tugged all the threads to this one place.” Kleostratos was silent.

“Do you believe in destiny?” Nerites asked, eyebrows quirked.

“Not really, and if I did, I’d say mine had been taken from me years ago.” He said darkly.

“I’m not sure if I believe in it.” Nerites said with a shrug.

“I thought it was my lot to live with my family in our palace, then I was changed into a sea creature by a jealous god, then back to normal. I thought my destiny lay with my king, but now I can only garner pity from him. Perhaps it’s the price I pay for my destiny as a shellfish being reversed.”

“Unless it was always your destiny to be changed back.” Kleostratos had just the slightest upturn to his lips.

“I suspect we should leave such thoughts for the philosophers.” Nerites said, smirking. They were quiet for a moment as the sun sank a little lower.

“What would you want your destiny to be, if you could choose?” Nerites asked, Kleostratos’ lips fell back into a line.

“I know exactly what it would’ve been, and I wouldn’t have changed it for the world.” He whispered.

“You don’t think it’s your fate to hunt drakaina?”

“No, it’s my purpose. Making sure these creatures perish until there’s none left, or I am devoured.”

“Is that what you want?” Nerites asked, Kleostratos’ brow creased.

“You want to hunt until the death of them all, or die trying?”

“I have nothing else.” Kleostratos said, turning slightly.

“But is it what you want?” Kleostratos shook his head and mild frustration.

“What I want is dead and gone.” Nerites looked into his eyes for a moment, searching.

“Don’t you think you can want something else?” Kleostratos backed up a step.

“I only want vengeance, I could never betray… never dare to hope to…” His voice trailed off. Nerites was quiet, his gaze piercing.

“I don’t know who you lost, but I don’t think they would want you to only allow room in your life for vengeance. Especially one that could destroy you.” He said quietly. Kleostratos just stared, unable to process the words and what they meant. He’d been numb to the world for so long, focused on becoming better, stronger, learning all he could about drakaina. Nothing else had mattered, not even his own life. Nerites turned away from him.

“Just remember no one should make you feel that your life has no worth. Even if they’re god… or a ghost.” He said walking away leaving Kleostratos planted to the ground. Thoughts he hadn’t allowed swimming in his mind, finally free to be entertained.

****

Eurybarus looked around the cave they stood in, he had immediately been skeptical that Alcy had led them to another cave but now standing inside he felt simply at peace. It was like the cave was a warm blanket that covered you completely. Alcyoneus knelt to the ground, hands raised and head bowed. He said words softly as he prayed in the sacred spot, Eurybarus followed his lead and knelt behind him. He raised his hands despite not knowing exactly who they were praying to. After a moment Alcyoneus lowered his hands in an almost defeated gesture, shaking his head softly.

“Alcy what’s going on?” He was met with Alcy’s tear stained face.

“I… I came here before I was to be delivered to Sybaris, before I met you. I had a vision here, I met the beings who live in this cave. They told me things I hadn’t understood at the time, telling me to live my life despite the knowledge it would end.” Eurybarus studied him, sympathy growing across his face.

“You were hoping they’d have a similar message for you.” Alcyoneus nodded, sniffling slightly. Eurybarus shuffled forward on his knees and pulled Alcyoneus into his arms.

“I’m so tired of feeling like everyone’s life depends on my death.” He said, shocking Eurybarus.

“Alcy…”

“I’ve been so tormented, I knew that it had to be me that went to Sybaris, or else my city would be destroyed. I was willing to make the trade, especially for my family. But I didn’t want to. I wanted to run screaming. Now we’re in the same position, a drakaina wants me dead, and others would be spared if she just took me.” Alcyoneus shook his head.

“I’d still make the trade in a heartbeat, but I wish it didn’t depend on me, I wish I could be just an unaware citizen, that I could selfishly hold you while the fate of Crissa was decided by another. That people didn’t have to die because I didn’t.” Eurybarus felt tears prick his eyes, he had thought Alcyoneus had dealt with these feelings after Sybaris died, but now he realized that was a foolish thought. He cupped Alcyoneus’ face in his hands and looked deep into his eyes.

“I will never make that trade.” He said deeply.

“As long as I live, I will fight to keep that trade from happening. Alcyoneus you are worth the fight. You are not responsible for how things have played out.” He wiped some tears away from Alcyoneus’ beautiful dark skinned face, those gold speckled brown eyes full of sorrow.

“If anyone is to blame it is the drakaina, they eat people, Alcy.” Alcy huffed a laugh at this making Eury smile at him.

“You wouldn’t be in this scenario if the monsters didn’t exist. And it was you that had to be in this situation, because only you could inspire witches, a triton, a seer, an amazon and a bear to fight for a city they didn’t know. Only you could have parents connected to the founding of this city. Only you could bring the right people together to fight, with your kind heart.” He kissed Alcyoneus deeply.

“Wanting to live is not a selfish desire.” he said breaking apart.

“I’m sorry I didn’t see how much this affected your heart.” he said, placing a palm on his chest.

“I just could never imagine someone like you would feel guilty for simply not dying.” Alcy laughed again burying his face into Eury’s shoulder.

“Come on, we don’t need a prophecy to know we’ll make it out of this. I’ll believe enough for the both of us.” Eurybarus said, pulling his Acy to his feet.

“Let’s get ready to fight.” They left, as they did they didn’t see the small bumblebee buzz around the cave until it disappeared.

Chapter Text

The last bit of light was still clinging to the horizon as Eurybarus and Alcyoneus returned, Eurybarus was holding Alcy’s hand tightly to help reassure him. His own heart was picking up speed as he knew just as they all did that the drakaina were likely to attack soon. There was nothing more to do now besides sit in their nervous energy and wait. Eurybarus didn’t enjoy staying still for too long so he set about getting him and Alcy some armor, he fit it both to himself and then helped Alcy into his. Alcyoneues still looked troubled, and Eurybarus knew there wasn’t much he could say that would ease his mind.

“Promise me you’ll fight, even if it’s hopeless.” He said quietly, Alcyoneus glanced to the side, hesitating to make such a vow. Eurybarus gently lifted his face back up to meet his eyes.

“Promise, please. Fight for your life with everything you have.” Alcyoneus’ eyes fluttered as Eurybarus stroked his cheek. He let out a shaky breath and nodded.

“I promise.” He said at last. Eurybarus smiled tenderly and gave him a quick peck.

“My brave Alcyoneus, with the heart of a giant.” That made Alcyoneus laugh, his happiness like the first bloom of spring to Eurybarus.

“Eurybarus?” Both of them frowned as a new voice called to them, they turned and Eury froze in place, standing before them was an older man in a simple brown chiton, graying beard and hair down to his shoulders, he was carrying a simple sack and had a sword strapped to his waist. Alcyoneus stared at the man puzzled for a moment.

“Father?” Eury’s voice jolted through Alcyoneus as he studied the man with new eyes, seeing just a hint of Eury beneath the tanned wrinkles, just a hint of him in the way the man carried himself.

“What are you doing here?” Eurybarus asked, still stunned. His father shuffled nervously on his feet.

“Well… I came to find you.” He said softly, Alcyoneus turned to Eurybarus with an ever increasingly incredulous look.

“You ran away?” Alcyoneus supposed it wasn’t too surprising given their misunderstanding of one another, but it was still not how Eurybarus had described it. Eurybarus had the decency to wince at Alcyoneus’ tone.

“Sort of?” He supplied weakly.

“I’ve been out of my mind worried about you, my son.” Euphemus said, taking an unsure step forward. Eurybarus looked to the ground.

“I-I’m sorry, I left the way I did.” He said scratching the back of his head slightly. Euphemus sighed.

“I don’t blame you, I just wished greater things for you, not an early grave.” Eurybarus looked up and walked forward a bit.

“I know… I know. I had been blinded by my own thoughts, that it didn’t occur to me you were afraid of losing a son the same way you lost your father.” Euphemus’ face was sad to hear the words.

“I was so desperate to prove myself and live up to our name that I didn’t stop to really think why you would ever try and stop me.” Euphemus reached out a hand to his son's shoulder and squeezed it.

“It should never have been your burden to try and guess at my thoughts. How could you have known when I kept so much buried away? I should have been upfront with you, told you more how proud you made me.” Eurybarus felt a tear leave his eyes at the words.

“My son, I will always love you, even when you run away across the land. You will always be more important to me.” Eurybarus embraced his father tightly as Alcyoneus watched on with a smile.

“How did you find me?” Eurybarus asked, pulling back from his father, dabbing at his eyes.

“It wasn’t too difficult, you’re very personable, you've talked to a lot of people since you left Curetis, I just had to ask around and people would point me in the right direction.” Alcyoneus tried to hide a chuckle at that. Eury turned at the sound and smiled brightly.

“Father, this is Alcyoneus.” Alcy stepped forward and clasped hands with the man.

“He’s my lover.” Euphemus’ eyes widened.

“You’ve never called any of your past trysts that before.” Alcyoneus raised an eyebrow and smirked.

“Is that so?” Eurybarus whistled and looked off pretending not to hear, face red.

“You must be quite the special man. How did you two meet?” Euphemus asked.

“Well you see-” At that an alarm bell rang, and men shouted and the city began to spur into motion. Alcy and Eury locked eyes, Eury reached for his lover and clasped his hand.

“Father… we are about to be attacked.” He said quietly, tearing his gaze away to look at his father.

“I know you detest war, and you had good reasons, but… I have to fight. If I don't… Alcy could be killed.” he said his voice shaking. Euphemus’ shoulders fell and he let out a breath. Alcyoneus knew his worst fears were becoming reality, and he felt for the man.

“I figured you would’ve found trouble in the short time since you left.” he unsheathed the sword at his waist.

“That’s why I brought this.” Eurybarus’ mouth fell open.

“You are the one thing I would fight for in this whole world. Whatever happens my son… I am with you.” Eurybarus was choked up, he could barely get the words out.

“I love you father.” Euphemus smiled.

“Let’s get on with it then.”

“Couldn’t agree more.” Doimos said, showing up out of nowhere, a club in his hand. Meganeira beside him with a bow of her own making Alcyoneus do a double take.

“Greetings, we’re Alcyoneus’ parents.” Doimos said clasping hands with Euphemus. Eurybarus and Alcyoneus exchanged a bewildered look as their parents met.

“Come on boys, we’ve got drakaina to kill.”

“Drakaina!?” Euphemus exclaimed as they hurried to the edge of the city.

****

Night had fallen as they’d spoken, the last blues of the sky fading to darkness, as the stars winked to life. The wall that surrounded Crissa wasn’t large, but it was lined with archers, and warriors posted alongside it, fires were lit along the way, beacons in the blackness. Eurybarus, Alcyoneus, their parents and their friends were standing there staring at the just visible winding and shifting forms of the four drakaina. Scylla by far the largest, lamia by far the most unsettling with her empty eyes. Echidna stood in front, the stillest as she regarded the small force of Crissa. Her eyes settled on Eurybarus and Alcyoneus.

“Send out the slayers of Sybaris.” She commanded, voice not raised but filled with power, it made Alcyoneus tremble slightly.

“Unlike your kind, we can show mercy, turn over my kin’s murderers… or die.” She said simply. Kleostratos stepped forward, Echidna’s mouth upturned in a scowl, Lamia’s eyes beheld him and her eyeless sockets began to leak black liquid, a dark mirror to shedding tears. Her mouth opened in a silent wail.

“My children! My children!” She screamed out, voice like a chilled wind blowing through all who heard it. Her clawed hands wrung as she cried for the Lamiai slain by Kleostratos.

“I will not allow anyone else’s happiness to be taken by your foul breed.” He said calmly, swinging his spiked sword.

“So be it, die for your stubbornness and contempt.” Echidna hissed, She raised her hand and struck the ground. To everyone’s surprise the ground trembled. Eury fell against Alcy who propped him up.

“My gods.” Siproites said softly as the ground split from where Echidna struck it, and out burst a drakon, a giant serpent rearing up and hissing. Perched on the top of its head was none other than Halia. Smiling wickedly down at them.

“Eurybarus! Alcyoneus! Have you met my husband?” She cackled madly, as the serpent reared back and struck forward.

“Fire!” Called whoever was in charge of Crissa’s troops, Alcy took that as his cue as well. Lifting his bow beside Siproites and his mother, the three of them shot at the beast but like Sybaris the beast's scales were impenetrable, the volley pinged harmlessly against its skin. Kleostratos had stayed still until the last possible moment before spinning to the side, halia’s husband struck nothing but dry earth. Roaring slightly the missed meal and as Kleostratos’ spiked blade dug into its flesh. It cried out in pain, recoiling, but Kleostratos did not relent, and in a motion so swift he sliced diagonally creating a large gash in the creature's abdomen.

“NO!” Halia screamed and the monster she called spouse thrashed and backed up from the bespiked warrior.

“Lamia, you may begin.” Echidna said darkly, lamia dug her hands into the earth and let out another terrifying wail, turning her black streaked sockets to the sky as the moon rose. From the shadows stepped several creatures making everyone who beheld feel the icy breath of fear. Empusas with their gilded legs, Mormolyces like Kallisto’s father, Gellos in their phantom forms wailing softly, and several Lamiai slithered up the slope, to gather around their dread mother.

“You are hopelessly alone against the forces of night.” Echidna said with a wicked grin.

“I think not.” Came a voice making Echidna scowl and turn, and there in the distance Marpesia returned, tall on her horse, imposing in her armor, and backed by her amazons. They came to a stop just behind the drakaina.

“Sorry we’re late, Tiresias’ instructions on where to find my sisters forgot some important details.” She called, making Tiresias chuckled.

“It worked out didn’t it!” They called, making Marpesia mutter something about crazy, and birds.

“Besides! I’d say you're just in time!” Kallisto called grinning as she began to grow, bones snapping and cracking, fur blooming over her whole body and roaring into the night as she became her bear self. Siproites grinned and stroked her fur before climbing onto her back and drawing back an arrow. Nerites climbed inside his chariot, Medea and the witches pulled out vials of mysterious liquids, Eriopis and Thraike began chanting together ominously. Euphemus glanced around.

“What kind of adventures have you been having?” He said in disbelief, Eury smirked in response.

“Friends!” Eurybarus called.

“Charge!” He shouted and sprinted right for the scaled foes.

Chapter Text

Eurybarus, Kleostratos, and Kallisto with Siproites on her back led the charge, Doimos and Euphemus right behind them, Crissa’s soldiers followed suit, and Marpesia spurred her amazon warriors to attack from behind the drakaina. Nerites made to snap his chariot reigns but Alcyoneus held up a hand and quickly climbed aboard.

“I’ll watch your back” he said with a smile, Nerites grinned in response.

“Let’s do it.” He said and they rode into battle. There was the briefest moment where everything was calm, almost peaceful as the charge began. It was just running, there was no bloodshed yet, just the thundering of feet and hooves on the earth. Then in a flash the peace was over and the war began, Kleostratos and Eurybarus struck at the creatures that had run to meet them. Spiked sword, and spear blade connecting with claws and teeth. Kallisto snapped her jaws down on the head of an Empusa and tossed it behind her while Siproites felled a Mormolyke.

Kleostratos swung his blade in a wide arc taking out another Lamiai.

“Aim for Lamiai’s underbelly!” Kleostratos shouted, Alcyoneus let loose an arrow and struck one in the heart. Still feeling a little revulsion at taking a life, even if it was a monster. Doimos swung a club down on the head of a Mormolyke while Euphemus decapitated an Empusa. They stood back to back and became a deadly circle. An arrow lodged itself in an Empusa that charge Doimos, across the battlefield Meganeira whooped. Doimos smirked at Alcyoneus as he rode past.

“I love your mother!” He shouted with a swing. Nerites held a triton in one hand and the reins in the other as he swung and stabbed out at the various monsters.

“You’re quite good at this.” Alcyoneus remarked, shooting another creature.

“That’s why Poseidon chose me,” he said with a toss of his hair.

Alcyoneus took aim at a Gello that hovered above the ground but his arrow sailed through its phantom form. It swooped at him shrieking.

“Incoming!” Alcyoneus called in warning as it swiped at his arm with very firm claws. He cried out as it raked up his bicep drawing blood.

Suddenly Cassiphone was beside the chariot holding twin daggers, she swiped and as her blade passed through the phantom forms the Gello dissolved with a wail.

“Alcyoneus!” She shouted holding up a vial and like she and Medea did that night at the bandit camp she launched the vial as hard as she could into the air. He knew her meaning immediately and followed it with his arrow, hitting it midair it burst and rained down the potion within. Gellos in the area immediately dissolved into vapor, and any weapon touched by the liquid glowed briefly like moonlight.

“Now you can kill the dead.” Cassiphone said, cackling as she whirled her blades in a vicious whirlwind.

“Witch!” Lamia shrieked in agony at the death of her Gellos. So far the drakaina had stayed put, as the battle raged around them, now Echidna looked at her and nodded. And the first of the anguipeds joined the fray. She beelined for Cassiphone and Kleostratos.

“Look out!” Alcyoneus said in warning shooting for the gaping holes she called eyes. Her head tilted to the side and it was then with horror Alcyoneus saw that her eyeballs hovered above her head, watching from above. Alcyoneus fired at one of them but her tail whipped around her head and struck it out of the air. She continued unbothered, crushing soldiers and forcing amazons to leap from their horses as she barreled through, creating carnage in her wake.

“Have at thee!” Cassiphone shouted and jumped to meet the Lamia, Kleostratos had heard Alcyoneus’ shout and also charged to meet her, killing a Lamiai on his way, further enraging the serpent woman. Alcyoneus kept firing to aid them as they swung their blades at the giant monster.

“That’s enough out of you.” Came a voice, Alcyoneus whirled and saw Halia’s beastly husband rear over the drakaina and launch down to him. His arrow was harmless to stop it. Even Nerites’ trident was no use as the beast's maw slammed into the back of the chariot and knocked Alcyoneus to the ground with a thud. He grunted as he lodged his bow in the monster's jaws.

“Too much to handle murderer!?” Halia taunted as Alcy fought to keep the jaws from closing on him. Something caused the beast’s head to veer wildly to the side freeing Alcyoneus. He blinked and saw Eurybarus standing over him, spear raised.

“Don’t you touch him.” He said darkly. Halia scowled at him.

“Could say the same about my mother and my husband, would-be hero.” She spat. Her serpentine lover twisted into the air and struck at Eurybarus, he struck again with a spinning kick sending him careening into the dirt. Eurybarus stabbed into the side of its face. The roar was deafening. Halia swung down and swiped the spear away from Eury and struck him with her tail sending him flying. She jumped into the air and landed on top of him.

“You think yourself brave.” She said swiping at him but he caught her wrist gritting his teeth as he kept her claws away.

“So noble in slaying her, just for being a snake!” She hissed, swiping her other hand that he again caught in his own.

“Would it shock you to know she was a good mother!” She yelled, her tail raising behind her, and Eury was fresh out of limbs to block her. They both halted at the deafening roar behind them. Halia gasped as she turned and saw Alcyoneus yank the spear from her husband’s eye socket. He collapsed on the battlefield, blood trickling from the ruined eye. A brief moment of silence rolled over the battle, in awe of the first serpent to fall. Echidna’s face became one of cold fury as she looked on before the fighting continued. Alcyoneus pointed the spear at Halia.

“Your mother killed people, you dimwitted, fork tongued, serpent-fucking harlot.” Eurybarus cackled and Alcyoneus launched the spear at her. She made to jump but Eurybarus held her wrists tightly with a glare as the spear struck true. She gasped out, eyes wide as she stared down at the blade protruding from her stomach. She let out a final snarl as she crumpled and fell to the side. Alcyoneus walked over and pulled Eurybarus to his feet, he was grinning down at his savior.

“What would I do without you” his voice low and mellow, dripping with affection. Alcyoneus handed him his spear.

“Tell me later.” He said with a wink.

“Scylla! Scytha!” Echidna shouted turning to the two by her side and they in turn launched into the fray. However Kallisto and Siproites charged right up to Scytha and immediately began battling her, Kallistos great paws driving the only beautiful drakaina back. Marpesia gave a great call and Nerites yanked his reins, together the queen and the triton charged the sea monster. Meanwhile Kleostratos and Cassiphone still battled with Lamia. Eurybarus and Alcyoneus shared a look, Alcy ran over to the fallen spouse of Halia and picked up his bow.

“Together.” Eury said and they ran straight for Echidna. She cackled as she saw the movement.

“Show me your mettle little men.” She said, opening her arms wide embracing the challenge.

****

Medea strode across the battlefield, Thraike and Eriopis flanking her, the three of them unleashing devastating curses and vials on the creatures and helpful boons to the warriors and amazons. They walked calmly, Empusa flesh melting to one side, Mormolyke howling in agony to the other. Gello’s dissolving into vapor and sinking back to Hades where they belonged, they

were moving right for Lamia. Lamia was screaming and thrashing at her two assailants, but both Cassiphone and Kleostratos were vicious and cunning. They sliced at her and evaded her blows and strikes, but neither of them could land a meaningful blow to the monster as her eyes stared down from above, seeing all movement. Her tail finally struck Kleostratos, sending him sliding backward on his knee.

“Kleostratos, be a dear and help Eurybarus and Alcyoneus,” she said, helping him up from the ground. He looked at her warily.

“Don’t worry darling, we’ll take it from here.” He nodded wordlessly and ran off towards where the pair were battling Echidna.

“Why fight with the mortal men, you belong to the night with us!” Lamia hissed, swiping at Medea who held up a hand and unleashed a torrent of fire. Lamia shrieked, snatching her hand back.

“Despite what you might’ve heard, I’m only a monster some of the time.” Medea said coldly.

“And you attacked my cousin.” Lamia growled.

“Didn’t know family was so important to you, you infanticide.” Medea’s mouth hardened.

“At least I didn’t eat my children.” Lamia launched at medea again, Thraike and Eriopis launched potions at her, the shattering glass unleashing their trademark flesh melting toxin. Lamia howled as she thrashed wildly, catching Cassiphone and sending her reeling. Medea walked over to her cousin and helped her to her feet. She then whispered some words over Cassiphone’s blades, making her cousin laugh.

“Give her a true taste of your blades.” Cassiphone ran to the Lamia and began cutting with wild abandon; these cuts were different as they began to spread and grow larger than the initial cuts she made. Blood spilling profusely.

“You vile, traitorous, witches. They will never love and accept your kind!” Lamia shrieked, Medea shrugged in response.

"We’re not really asking them to.” Thraike nodded in agreement.

“What else is new.” She deadpanned. Medea smirked at the girl and then raised the bow she’d had, whispering some words over her arrow.

“Die.” She said at last, the arrow flying true and striking the serpent woman in the chest, then sinking further and further until it pierced the creature's heart. She screamed and wailed as she fell forward. After a painful moment of writhing she finally grew still and her floating eyeballs fell to the earth with dull thuds. Thraike walked over and held one up studying it, Cassiphone stepped on the other one crushing it.

“Well girls, how does it feel to be drakaina slayers?” Eriopis smiled at her mother. They then turned their attention to the rest of the battle, and found it hilarious that the creatures of the night began to flee their presence, having killed the dread mother.

“Not that easily they don’t.” Cassiphone said, giving chase.

****

Scylla’s maws dove into the battlefield, snatching up soldiers into her snaking mouths, loving being able to cut loose and eat as much as she wanted, she was truly ravenous as her deep blue scales glittered in the fire and the steadily rising, freshly waning moonlight. She practically giggled as the two warriors rushed her, two mouths darting forward to snatch them up. Nerites launched himself from his chariot as a mouth snapped it up and splintered it. Marpesia dived from her horse as Scylla snatched it up as well, swallowing the poor creature whole. Marpesia growled, she loved that horse. Now it was personal.

Marpesia took off at a sprint, her weapon of a choice was a rather large battle axe, one of Scylla’s mouths struck again, Marpesia spun and swung down on the end cutting deeply. Scylla cringed in pain, tentacle mouth slipping back as she cradled it, two more gapping mouths launched at Marpesia. She chopped into one and whirled to face the other only to find Nerites stabbing into it with his trident. He turned and winked, making her snort and roll her eyes. Scylla turned her full attention to the two, the six mouths opening in hunger and wrath.

“You will die now, your only contribution to this world will be satiating my hunger for a brief moment.” She taunted as the six mouths descended upon them, there was a sound of shattering glass. A plume of vapor enveloped the amazon and the triton, the mouths struck the ground missing their target.

“What is this?” Scylla’s confusion rippled through her, the mouths didn’t move from their spot, and the vapor cleared as the mouths inhaled it, leaving Marpesia and Nerites a clear view of the drakaina. Marpesia glanced behind her to see Thraike and Eriopis smirking.

“Go get them my queen!” Thraike called. Marpesia turned and saw that the mouths were not responding to Scylla’s movements, a panicked look over taking her face. Marpesia whooped and ran to Scylla, hoping up onto her sleeping appendage. Scylla shrieked in anger and terror as she swatted at Marpesia, who rolled forward easily evading the blow. Up and up she ran, Scylla brought her other hand down to swipe at the queen.

Her arm came up short as it sank onto Nerites trident. Scylla shrieked once more.

“Thanks fishy.” Marpesia said, grabbing onto the twitching fingers and swinging unto the arm. Nerites unstuck his trident as Marpesia ran up Scylla’s bicep. Scylla once again tried to crush the amazon queen but it was futile as Nerites launched his trident into the other arm, she threw her head back to scream giving Marpesia all the room she needed to swing her great axe and separate the drakaina’s head from her body in one fell swoop. Scylla’s scream cut short and eyes wide as the large head rolled back.

“Head’s up!” Marpesia shouted, making everyone behind Scylla scatter as the head toppled over, followed by her giant body. With a thundering crash, the beast was slain by the amazon queen, her fellow warriors cheered and hollered, their voices echoing off the face of the mountain, terrifying even their allies. The amazons invigorated by their queen's success, they fought back harder and fiercer than before, driving the dwindling number of monsters back. Marpesia surveyed from above and saw some were even turning to flee. She looked down at Nerites.

“We’re going to win this.” She said, not seeing the Empusa jump up the corpse to grab her.

“Marpesia!”

****

Scytha grunted as she battled with Kallisto and Siproites, she had one of her twin purple tails coiled around herself to deflect Siproites arrows, and one reaching out to strike at Kallisto who would tear into it with her ferocious jaws and claws, raking down the scaly tail. She howled in frustration at the pain. She suddenly spun whirling her twin tails in succession, Kallisto swiping at one but the second slamming into her and sending the two girls flying backward. An Empusa tried to take advantage of their fall but Siproites stabbed an arrow up through its jaw before shakily firing it at the drakaina.

It caught Scytha in the shoulder making her wince in pain.

“Kallisto?” Her lover responded by shaking herself as she rose slowly to her paws, Kallisto was panting a bit. Glaring in her bear features at the snake woman. Siproites rubbed her side gently making Kallisto turn her large head to the girl.

“We’ve got this," she said. Surety radiating through her.

“Give her your all.” Siproites said smacking Kallisto’s flank, if a bear could grin then that’s what Kallisto did as she roared and charged forward. Siproites whirled around until her eyes landed on a Mormolyke attacking an amazon on the ground, she smirked and rushed behind the creature, she slung her bow on her back and removed two arrows, one in each hand. Hoping on its back she stuck the two arrows into the side of the wolf's neck, not deep enough to kill it, but enough to make it writhe and run in panic to escape the pain.

Siproites twisted her arrows in the creature and drove it right towards Scytha, as one would rein a horse. Scytha and Kallisto were trading blows, Scytha’s tail striking at the bear, the bear drawing blood from the purple scales. They were ravaging each other, roaring like animals. Riding the Mormolyke Siproites ducked low in hopes of avoiding detection.

Siproites waited until they were mere feet away from the drakaina, before she yanked the arrows upward forcing the wolf monster to jump. Only then did she rip one of her arrows out, Scytha screamed in shock and pain as the confused and pained Mormolyke launched itself unto her. Scraping and clawing trying to get away, allowing Kallisto to also press her advantage and climb onto the tail of the panicking Scytha. Siproites had unslung her bow mid air.

“Artemis, guide my shot.” She breathed ash she pulled back, falling steadily, she fired. Colliding with the ground in a painful gasp, wind leaving her lungs instantly. She craned her neck upwards and saw her arrow had struck true, lodging itself through the Scytha’s neck. She clawed at her throat as her tail swatted away the Mormolyke, killing it instantly as it was crushed to the ground by her great tail. Kallisto with full force and ferocity attacked the unscaled torso of Scytha and with a last few animalistic swipes. She mauled the monster, Scytha fell and lay on the earth unmoving. Kallisto stood on her hind legs and roared in triumph. Kallisto turned and saw Siproites on the ground clutching her stomach as she smiled weakly, her vision growing blurry.

She must’ve hit the ground harder than she thought as she wobbled, falling forward and seeing Kallisto’s form shrinking as it ran toward her before her vision grew dark and overtook her completely.

****

“Come on boys, you can do better than that!” Echidna taunted almost bored as her tail pressed into them Eurybarus was holding the tail up with all his might but she was far stronger than Sybaris. She was steadily shrinking the gap they had, Alcyoneus attempted to crawl out, still winded from when he’d fallen but her hand came down to rest on him.

“What’s the matter? All out of vigor? All out of tricks?” She taunted squeezing, making Alcyoneus yell and Eurybarus thrash in desperation. Her low chuckle was cut short by a blade coming down on her hand. She stared at it for a second and then at Kleostratos who backed up a step upon seeing the blade had not damaged the unscaled hand. Her gaze was one of mild irritation. She then batted Kleostratos sending him flying into the earth, to Alcy’s horror one of the spikes snapped off. Kleostratos gasped out at the impact.

“I can’t imagine what it’s like to be so mortal and frail. Did you think the mother of all monsters could be harmed by a blade with a few extra points.” She said mockingly. Kleostratos huffed as he spat out some blood.

“It worked well enough on your sisters.” He turned his eyes to her, making her brow quirk.

“And yet, you failed to kill any of them.” She brought her other hand to him, gripping him completely unbothered by the spikes as they did nothing to her invulnerable skin.

“How does it feel knowing your dead lover was better at slaying my kind, and that you won’t be able to accomplish such a thing with your death?” She asked with mock sympathy as she raised him higher. He twitched as the pressure in her grip increased.

“I could crush you, I could drop you, I could throw you with so little effort.” She taunted.

“Any of them would kill you. Leave me without even a scratch.” She said without any hint of emotion.

“All your hard work for nothing.” She leaned closer still squeezing.

“How does that feel?” She inquired with a sadistic smirk. Kleostratos grinned at her, making her smirk vanish.

“I did distract you though, covered in the teeth of your dead child.” Echidna scowled but then looked down and noticed her tail had been propped up by a spear. She turned her head in search of the two slayers and saw them standing with Medea. Finishing a chant as she poured a liquid onto Alcyoneus’ arrow, which he now fired at her. She watched without reaction as it flew, but winced in sudden shock as it embedded in her skin, dropping Kleostratos from her grasp. She clutched at it and ripped it out, black blood matching her tail oozing from the wound. Her eyes flicked to the three of them as she tossed the arrow to the side.

“Is a pinprick meant to bring me down?” Medea matched her gaze and shot forth fire from her palm. Echidna’s tail whipped around to strike the witch.

“Medea!” Alcyoneus shouted and pushed her out of the way, getting struck in full force by the black tail.

“No!” Eury shouted as Alcyoneus crumpled to the ground unmoving. Medea sat up and stared frozen at the unmoving boy. Eurybarus ran in fury at the mother of monsters, she lazily batted at him but he surprised her as well when his fist connected with her tail and sent it back. She frowned at him in confusion.

“You are no ordinary man.” She said, her mind calculating. She looked at him still running toward her, her tail snaking around him from behind and ensnaring him as she brought him closer to her face. Golden eyes staring into his as he struggled furiously which almost made her drop him, but she held fast.

“What are you?” She said sniffing deeply, eyes squinted in concentration. They then widened suddenly as realization struck her.

“You’re-”

“Dani?” came a voice. Echidna turned and saw that it was Euphemus who spoke, he had run up to help his son but was now staring at the woman in shock.

“Euphemus? What are you…” Her voice trailed off as she returned her gaze back to the struggling Eurybarus.

“Leave him alone!” Eury shouted and shockingly she dropped wordlessly Eurybarus. He landed in a crouch ready to spring into action but she was looking at Euphemus.

“You swore you’d never pick up a blade.” She said simply, Euphemus shrugged.

“When your child is in danger… you do what it takes.” She blinked at him and then at Eurybarus.

“I’m confused.” Eurybarus said slowly, still tensed and ready to fight.

“I’m not.” Medea said under her breath. Eurybarus looked to her in confusion.

“Someone’s going to have to tell him, Alcyoneus is the brains in their partnership.” Medea said hands on her hips.

“Son…” Euphemus began bashfully.

“I’m your mother.” Echidna said, staring down at him, face impassive.

“... What?” He said feeling the world still around him, the sounds of the battle around them fading out.

“It was so many years ago.” Echidna said blankly.

“You left with no warning.” Euphemus said softly. She glanced to him with a slight sneer but her face softened.

“I decided to find my true kin, I was tired of hearing of my children being slaughtered across the land. I knew my place was with them, and that we had to do something.” She said determination filling her eyes.

“First my husband… Typhon.” Her voice broke.

“My sweet Chimera, Scyalla, so many of my drakons and drakaina.” She murmured.

“Your kind always kills us.” She said teeth gritting, hands closing into fists.

“Always killing my children.” She grit out.

“We were going to march on Hades, find those wretched doors to Tartarus and free all my beloved children. Find those damned fates and force them to weave better lives.” Eurybarus looked up in shock.

“That’s why you came here for Sybaris.” Eurybarus said, as Echidna trembled with fury, her eyes turning to him wide with rage.

“And you killed her!” She said, her voice raising.

“She tried to eat Alcyoneus!” Eurybarus shouted back and Echidna turned to the unmoving boy, then back to her son.

“Him? Over us?” Her body shook.

“You are no son of mine.” She suddenly hissed out spewing venom just as Sybaris had done, drenching Eurybarus with it.

“No!” Euphemus shouted, hurling his sword at her and striking her arm. But her black venom dripped harmlessly off of him. He looked down at himself and then to his mother’s shocked face.

“That’s why Sybaris bite had no effect on me.” He said realization dawning on his face. Echidna’s eyes flicked to the bite mark on his shoulder.

“Just a perk of being your son.” He said coldly.

“My only son left… a pathetic mortal man.” She replied just as coldly. She launched at him again, he was ready this time and punched right into her jaw as he had with Sybaris. She grunted in pain.

“I cursed her with my potion, she is no longer as invulnerable as before.” Medea called spewing fire from her hands that licked at Echidna’s black tail.

“I never should have lost sight of who I was. I lived as a human to appease the gods, in hopes of leaving the heartbreak and death!” She bellowed swiping at everyone. Euphemus dived out of the way, Medea ducked a tail swipe, and Eurybarus kept trading blows with her.

“I became weak and soft.” She hissed glaring at Euphemus.

“No my only son is a kin slaying human.” She spat, she reached her hand out to strike him down but it was sliced by an axe. She snatched her arm back as Marpesia stood in from of Eurybarus. A trident lodged itself into her abdomen making her double over and bare her teeth in rage as she stared at Nerites. A club struck her from the side making her rise back up as Doimos brought his club back ready to swing again. Arrows embedded in her chest as Meganeira and Siproites walked over, drawing back more arrows to fire. Kallisto slammed into her, and knocked her to the ground. She roared and swatted the bear away from her. She made to get up but a spear impaled her hand, ans Alcyoneus stood over her wobbly.

“I hate drakaina.” He said tiredly.

“Couldn’t agree more.” Came another voice, Echidna turned and saw Kleostratos just in time for him to raise his spiked sword and drive it into her heart. She hissed out and attempted to spit venom at him but Eurybarus was suddenly in front of him, protecting him from the spray.

“Goodbye mother.” He said quietly as Kleostratos yanked the blade out. She yelled in pain, her eyes didn’t leave his as she gasped out, and then fell silent. Golden eyes unfocusing as she descended to Hades.

Chapter Text

“So when I hit the ground, I was so winded I just passed out, Kallisto was able to wake me and everything was fine.” Siproites said as Medea rubbed a salve into her bruised skin. Kallisto was rubbing her shoulders tenderly.

“I still can’t believe you rode a Mormolyke right onto Scytha.” Cassiphone said, cackling with glee. Siproites blushed modestly.

“Marpesia decapitating Scylla and then wrestling an Empusa is an image I’ll never forget.” Nerites breathed out as he lay stretched out on the floor, a bandage on the side of his temple. She grunted but didn't turn her attention from Thraike as she dressed a gash left by the Empusa. Thraike also wasn’t really looking at her work as she bandaged the amazon's muscled arm. Eurybarus was busy recounting his tale to his father Euphemus while he had an arm around Alcyoneus, using the other to gesture animatedly, Diomos and Meganeira were also huddled together smiling at hearing the story again.

Eriopis was applying bandages to Kleostratos as he stared at Nerites on the floor. Tiresias and Siproites began talking quietly, they had been using birds during the battle to track the motions of the drakaina and their forces, telling archers where to fire in order to strike creatures in the darkness.

“I can’t believe we did it.” Kleostratos said quietly to no one in particular, Eriopis snorted as she finished dressing his wounds.

“I was never worried, I know my mother, and from what she’d told me.” She said, glancing to Eurybarus and Alcyoneus.

“I knew to trust our new friends. They helped save my life without having ever met me.” She smiled softly and then placed a comforting hand on Kleostratos’ shoulder before going over to help her mother with Siproites.

“What will you do now?” Nerites asked, craning his head to glance at Kleostratos. This made the man look up at nothing in particular.

“I’m not sure.” He said at last.

“I’m not either, I don’t know if I even want to go home, I don’t know that I’ve even been missed.” He said not particularly sad, just thoughtful. Kleostratos sighed.

“I wanted so much to slay them all, every remaining scaly monster in this world. Now that they’re all gone, I have no purpose.” Nerites chuckles slightly.

“Sorry, just made me laugh because I have scales.” Kleostratos' gaze snapped to him, Nerites chuckled, stroking his dark skinned legs.

“Didn’t you know I’m a triton?” Kleostratos just stared at him.

“Like I said though, I don’t know if I’ll go home. The sea is beautiful and free but lately I’ve felt completely discarded. I think I might keep the legs, try to find my own corner of the world where I can belong, feel wanted.” Nerites turned to look where all the others were gathered. He stood up and stretched.

“Maybe that’s what we both need, just somewhere to belong.” he said with a smile and he walked over to Eurybarus still gesturing wildly making Euphemus laugh.
Kleostratos watched after him, and stayed in his seat for a moment. He didn’t know what to think, so he abruptly got up and left the house.

“This has been quite the adventure, I don’t think I had this much fun in my days as an Argonaut.” Medea said softly stroking her daughter's hair.

“Are you going to leave now to establish your new home?” Alcyoneus asked and she nodded.

“As much as I love staying, we have a goal we intend to accomplish. A home to build for ourselves.” She said holding Cassiphone’s hand.

“Good luck Medea.” Alcyoneus said, smiling brightly at her and she returned it.

“Send word when you arrive, maybe we’ll come visit you.” Medea nodded.

“You’d all be most welcome.”

“What of you Tiresias?” Siproites asked, they smiled at the girl.

“I do love my wanderings, I always end up right where I need to be. So I’ll continue going wherever the birds may take me.” Marpesia placed a hand over her eyes.
“And the amazons?” Eurybarus asked, Marpesia raised her head from her palm eyes darting to Thraike.

“Well we are looking for a new place to settle.” She said slowly, Thraike raised an eyebrow and then glanced at Medea who tilted her head in consideration.

“So long as your warriors are fine living in a land of witches.” Medea said slowly. Marpesia grinned.

“And if some of them… wished to learn?” Medea’s eyebrow rose a little.

“That would be most welcome.” Marpesia nodded.

“Then perhaps we will be heading in the same direction.” Medea nodded and Thraike tried to hide a smile. Alcyoneus looked to Siproites and Kallisto.

“What’s to be your fate?” the women shared a glance.

“Similar to Tiresias I think, I love to travel, see the world, hunt and be free. I think we are going to see what all Greece has to offer.” Siproites said beaming at her lover, Kallisto leaned over and kissed her evoking cheers and whoops. Alcyoneus turned to look at the man whose arm was around him.

“And what of you, Eury?” He pressed his forehead to Alcy’s.

“I plan to make a life here… and hopefully never leave your side… if that works for you.” Alcyoneus grinned and copied Siproites. A soft kiss between the two.

“Well I think this calls for a celebration!” Nerites said standing, making everyone groan.

“Oh come on don’t tell me a few garter snakes drained you all.” He taunted.

“Maybe in the morning little fish.” Marpesia said turning on her heel to leave before any merrymaking commenced. Thraike stood a little quickly and stretched.

“Agreed, save the celebration for the morning.” And she followed Marpesia out making Eury and Alcy waggle their eyebrows at each other. With that everyone bid good night to one another and they all retired to their rooms and lodging in the city. Content to know they were all safe.

**** Epilogue ****

Marpesia and the witches migrated to a land that would come to be known as Thessaly, which would garner a reputation as being a wild land of witches and centaurs. Marpesia and Thraike stayed together till the end of their days and were buried close to one another. Marpesia was renowned as a queen of her tribe and was one of the last the tribe had before the completely merged with the witches, thanks in part to the queens union with Thraike.

Medea lived a long life with her daughter and her cousin, teaching many women and amazons the art of witchcraft and were hailed as great teachers and protectors. Often showing them how to call down the moon for themselves. They were visited almost every year by the others, sometimes all together, sometimes just in small groups passing through.

Siproites and Kallisto did indeed travel the lands of Greece, seeing and learning much. They even boarded expeditions across the mediterrannean to foreign lands, and they loved each other very much. They always returned to Criss and Thessaly, and after many years of expedition they returned for a final time to settle in Crissa where their true family resided.

Tiresias was never seen by any of them again, and as the years passed by they began to accept that they would never see the wonderful seer again. Although Marpesia claims that birds continue to pay her special attention, and will not give her peace.

Nerites stayed in Crissa from that day onward, where he became a beloved member of the community, he’d often hold chariot races although none could match his skill. Nerites never felt undesired again.

Kleostratos had left and returned to his home in Thespia, where he visited the family of Menestratus, gave them his armor that had served him well and informed them no drakons or drakaina were left alive in the world, what happened to their son would never happen again. Then he had visited the grave of Menestratus and said a final goodbye, placing roses on the grave and once again left. He traveled for a year or two before he eventually made his way back to Crissa. Where he was embraced with open arms by his comrades and by Nerites. It took some time but eventually, he and Nerites shared a home together. A quiet corner in the world where they could feel love and refuge.

Euphemus stayed in Crissa with his son, became a close family friend of Diomos and Meganeira, and became a wise and trusted member of the community, known for his peaceful ways. He never remarried.

Eurybarus became an instructor of athletics and trainer of infantry, he still loved to fight, but he decided his days of adventure were behind him, teaching became his passion. Showing young warriors the skills they’d need to succeed in battle brought him much joy, and his students honored him and made him proud. Alcyoneus became a priest of Apollo and was regarded for having a close connection with the god, his visions and dreams helping Crissa through the years, his input becoming invaluable. He and Eurybarus lived together until the end of their days, and when they were buried together, the parnassian peony grew where they laid forever more.

The End.

Chapter Text

(Sorry Idk how to adjust the image sizes, so some of them are different. In case the images can't load or don't show up, I have links to where I posted them on tumblr: Part 1 and : Part 2) 

Alcyoneus:

Eurybarus:

Siproites:

Kallisto:

Medea:

Thraike:

Cassiphone:

Marpesia:

Nerites:

Kleostratos:

Melaina: 

Sybaris:

Halia: 

Echidna:

Lamia: 

Scylla: 

Scytha: