SOMEONE TRIES TO MAKE ME HORSE FOOD

I found myself hovering in the air. Clouds passed by me. And there it was. The Denali - Kronos's base of operations. But I was getting goosebumps. I did not like what I saw.

The Sun shone brightly in the sky. However, clouds speedily moved to block it. A shrill breeze made me shudder. Or perhaps, it was because the Denali had been overrun. Zeus, Apollo, Hermes, Athena, Artemis, and Hera were ready for war. They were dressed from head to toe in battle armor and had their weapons at hand. And I was in the sky, where they could easily see me. Not good.

I took a deep breath. "Calm down," I told myself.

I'm sure this is a dream since I'm in the labyrinth right now. Even then, the gods might be able to detect my presence. Did Kronos bring me here? What for? To persuade me to hurry up?

The Titans emerged from underground. Prometheus, Leto, Hecate, Hyperion, Iapetus, Krios, and Kios sprang forth to do battle. The two sides charged, and the world rumbled.

So fiercely that I woke up in shock. I took a towel nearby to wipe the sweat off my face. Perhaps with the repeated failures and the attack on DGH, the gods decided deploying heroes would not be enough this time. So Zeus decided to take matters into his own hands for once. Would the Titans be able to handle the gods? They were still preparing for the war.

I felt a gentle tap. "Is there something you need, Elena?"

"No. Your face...is something the matter?"

"Well..." I told Elena about the dream I had and asked for her opinion.

"You needn't worry," Elena placed her hand on mine. "Your father, Lord Kronos, is almost fully healed. Even if he wasn't, he's surrounded by powerful allies. The gods may regret choosing to attack."

"How can you be so confident? Zeus is going all-out. He once overthrew Kronos, didn't he? What-"

Elena raised a finger to my lips. "Have more faith in your father, Yiannis. The gods barely scraped a victory in the first war. You've made them suffer a series of humiliating defeats, and our side has a clear advantage now. You'll soon see why Lord Kronos is feared by all, and once you do, it should ease-"

Helen mumbled something in her sleep. Elena and I thought she was awake and heard everything we said. What a relief she didn't.

"It should ease your anxieties," Elena finished. "And remember our mission. Once we free him, the gods will cease to exist."

"Yes, you do have a point. If we're to help Kronos, we need to pick up the pace. Should we start traveling again now?"

"Yes. While I know Vittoria was prepared if you didn't show, the sooner we reach her, the better. If she encounters Hephaestus, you are the only one that is not a god who can defeat him."

And so, we were off. This time, we weren't walking in circles. And we didn't come across any monsters or booby traps. I wondered what the labyrinth would cook up for us this time.

After five hours of walking, I got my answer.

At first, we were surprised to see a grassland down here, with a barn in it. It seems Old Macdonald got a few upgrades. His chickens were seemingly made of gold, his sheep having jaws lined with razor-sharp teeth. The cows were the weirdest, having ten legs and two heads. There were butterflies with blue wings, and they appeared the most normal. I guess there were vast ecosystems even in places like this. Although, the weirdest thing was that there was light coming from above, as if there was a sun here.

Elena pointed towards the horses, and I saw they scared her. It wasn't shocking, given how the beasts had wings, intimidating golden eyes, and a bloodred hide. Their jaws looked as if someone stuck spikes in them for teeth. They sniffed the air, drool flooding out their mouths. Then they stared at us, growing restless in their stables, whimpering, as they bit on rocks.

I turned to Elena. "What are they?"

"The cattle of Diomedes. The horses that ate the king's flesh. What are they doing here?"

I felt a shiver down my spine. If it weren't for my instincts, I'd be dead right now.

Where I once stood, a crater had been formed. The thing that took my place was a humanoid man with pale skin. He had no hair, large black wings, and a mouth filled with spiky teeth. Is this some monster trend?

He also had no eyes or nose, but I knew he was "looking" at me when he grinned. "You don't seem to be from here."

Elena spoke. "Who might you be?"

"A servant of Hades."

"Then what are you doing out here?"

"We would be here all day if we talked about that. Know that my name is Menoetius, the one who tends to the cattle of the great god of the dead."

Great. The name didn't ring a bell. Now how was I supposed to know whether he was a threat? Was he even in the myths?

The answer to the last question appeared to be a "yes." To Elena, he was dangerous. She took a deep breath. "We're travelers sent by the gods," she pointed at me. "He's the recent son of Hades, Yiannis Cirillo, and the girl next to me is his sister. We have been permitted by Yiannis's father to explore the labyrinth. We mean no ill will, and we won't damage your property. All we ask is that you let us pass safely."

Menoetius perked up. "Hades's boy, eh? And his daughter?" His grin got wider. "It seems I have some guests of honor!"

"Will you let us pass, then?"

"Pass? Oh, no! Do you know for how many centuries my horses have been making a ruckus? If they go a minute without human flesh, they become babies! But..." He smiled. "I have three humans. Right. In. Front. Of. Me."

"You don't care if you kill the children of your master?"

"You expect me to just believe they're his children?!"

I put a hand on Elena's shoulder. "Well, We have no other option but to fight now. Get my back, will you?"

"Of course, Yiannis. You needn't ask such things."

I drew my sword and charged. But Menoetius was a true monster. I didn't even realize he moved until after I swung my blade. Then, I heard a scream.

"Elena!"

Menoetius chuckled. "For a regular mortal, you're very agile. Most demigods, like your friend over there, are so slow. They can't even keep their eyes on me." Menoetius kicked Elena's sword out of her hands and then stomped on her. He pressed a foot on her hand. "Usually, I kill mortals swiftly and then cut them up nicely. They make a fine stew. If you continue to resist, you won't like your death."

Helen shot her arrows, but Menoetius had already gotten behind her. His claws...they were going to rip her head off.

Menoetius jumped back. "So, that woman's story had some truth. You are indeed a demigod, boy."

I glimpsed behind me. Elena's legs were marred with cuts. Before I could even stomp my foot, Menoetius charged.

Had I not leaped with all my might, Meonoetius's claws would have dug into my chest. I gulped. How could I even beat him? Would I even be able to run away?

Menoetius charged. He didn't go after me, though. Instead, he went after Helen. My little sister tried to fight, but Menoetius flung her bow away. He licked his lips as he went in for the kill.

The look in Helen's eyes...it's the same as when our mother died that day. When I saw her die right in front of me.

There was newfound energy in my body, or I discovered a new power. I was powered by my fears, my nightmare. I didn't even see what was around me. My eyes squared on Menoetius - his head was all that mattered.

I didn't even see my own sword, either. All I know is that I was hitting my target, sort of. Menoetius groaned as he repelled me, blood splattering from his arms. I think I slowed time down because Menoetius was on equal footing with me now. It explained why he was getting slower and slower. I actually cut one of his hands off. But I was slowing down too.

Eventually, Menoetius regained his overwhelming speed. I couldn't avoid his claws, but I no longer had to. Not when I had converted myself into a shadow.

No matter how much Menoetius attacked me, it would always phase through my body. I was now invincible. But Menoetius was still too fast.

I looked at my arms. They gave off a red glow. I peered down and saw that a spell had been applied to me. Helen? No, Elena was the only one other than me who could use magic. But she's unconscious...

Was unconscious. Elena had healed herself, though not entirely. The deeper cuts remained. Still, it was relieving to know she was alright. There was no way I would let Menoetius near her again.

I drove my blade into Menoetius's abdomen. If I used anima, I could increase the speed at which I absorbed his lifeforce, which is what I did. I punched him in the face as hard as I could, making him spit blood. Menoetius tried to slash me with his claws, but I gripped his wrist, pushing him back.

Menoetius headbutted me, and I staggered. Even dazed, I managed to cut off his other hand, but he had knocked my sword away. The two of us strangled each other as we rolled across the ground.

Menoetius had his arms around my neck. I felt my face turning blue. Soon, I wouldn't be able to breathe. I tightened my hold on his waist and squeezed.

There was a snap, and Menoetius screamed. I coughed blood and touched my throat as he let go of me. I turned and saw Elena. She immediately used a healing spell as she held my hand. Helen shot arrow after arrow into Menoetius, who no longer moved.

Menoetius's body crumbled into dust, indicating he had died. But while his remains scattered with the wind, I felt his essence flow into me. It seems that stabbing anything with my sword allows me to draw their lifeforce even without it.

I looked up. Elena said something, but I couldn't hear her. Helen opened her mouth, but before she could say anything...