Part 2 of the Palaranous Epic

"Arionide," Thatos yelled at the top of his lungs but the only response was laughter. Despite the taunts Thatos continued to yell and rage but to no avail.

He raised the Lantern of the Fire God, invoked the words, and destroyed everything he could see. Thatos, brash and stupid, never realized he couldn't destroy what was already dead. Whatever he incinerated appeared just as it was a mere few seconds later.

She wouldn't stop him though. If he chose to act like a fool that was his problem.

Rhaegina idly wondered how long it would take Arionide to return. It was true she had no reason to appear but she couldn't ignore Thatos' rant forever. As the torrents of fire and hate began to rip away at the very nature of Arionide's world she would have to show.

Rhaegina walked carefully towards Thatos and placed a calming hand on his shoulder. It took all her magic to heal the blisters and wounds created by the immense heat that surrounded Thatos but Arionide would never appear if he continued. Arionide was afraid.

"You must give her some time to reflect, Thatos. It's easy to ignore a petulant child."

Thatos seethed and his eyes were daggers but he did stop. He stomped around, leaving hoofmarks in solid earth, but he did stop.

Laughter arose.

Descending from above Arionide arrived. Her body was surrounded by thousands of snakes, including several dozen that grew from her hair.

Landing softly on the ground her purple lips spread into a sick smile.

"It appears that even the rage of the Fire Gods son has a limit. Tamed by a stupid little centaur."

Rhaegina stared at the Gorgon witch and could feel a slight twinge as petrification powers tried to work their way through her blood. Fortunately her powers of regeneration negated Arionide's curse. Thatos didn't have such defense but she was sure the minotaur was just too stubborn to die.

"Stupid, little, minotaur," Arionide taunted, "Thinking you could come to my domain and give me orders. Followed me straight into hell and now has no way out."

Rhaegina stared at Thatos and couldn't see the anger and rage he should be feeling. There was nothing. An eerie calm filled the Minotaur almost as if he knew what she was going to do.

Arionide grabbed Thatos on the chin and it quickly turned to stone but his own fire- wrought blood fought back. The stone turned to dust and fell away. "You've given up so quickly that it hardly seemed worth the effort."

"He hasn't given up," Rhaegina announced, "He knows you have no power over us."

Arionide laugh sent a chill down her spine but at the same time could feel the power of nature leeching its way into the underworld. "No power? You are in my realm..."

"A realm that can be destroyed," Rhaegina interrupted, "Don't forget Arionide, that mine is the power of life and if you don't release us I'll turn your hell into a pretty little flower garden."

The gorgon queen smirked, "You have great power but in hell you have nothing."

"True," Rhaegina spoke, "If I didn't have help."

Suddenly vines, leaves, and flowers began to bloom at Rhaegina's feet. Her eyes were bright green as roots, and vines, began to fill Arionide's realm.

"How," the ruler of hell weakly mumbled.

Glancing over at Thatos she got no expression for the oft-angered minotaur. She didn't understand how he could be so casual. There was no way he would have understood her conversation with Katrina, Hamadryad.

"A little help from a friend. My powers were useless until she provided me with a link to the living world." The plants continued to grow.

Arionide bowed slightly in defeat, "Impressive. A mortal coming to your aide. You have only proven how weak you truly are."

Rhaegina shook her head in disgust, "You understand so very little. You've done so much to separate yourself from the world of the living but you didn't even know about the pillar. Without that pillar Katrina would have no power here. Your ignorance has proven your weakness."

Walls crumbled, and the earth shook as trees began to spring from the ground.

With a wave of her blackened fingers a doorway to the living world appeared. "Go, if you must, just make these damn plants stop!"

She quickly glanced at Thatos to see that he hadn't made a move. Again, he knew exactly what she planned. He knew more then he let on and she planned to find out how.

The trees reached the roof of the cave and began to tear it down. Thousands of blades of grass sprung up through the parched earth and began to form a paradise in hell.

"What are you doing!" Arionide yelled, "Leave!"

Thatos finally spoke, "You agreed to help Arionide. This stops only when you agree to come with us."

Rational. Calm. Intelligent. Things the son of the Fire God should not be.

"Fine!" Arionide rushed, "but make it stop!"

The furor in Rhaegina's eyes left and the growing ceased.

Quickly Arionide invoked her own powers to make sure no living thing was left. The trees withered, the grass burnt, and the flowers turned to dust. She looked upon Rhaegina with hate but knew her power wasn't great enough. Thatos was stronger than her so attacking would do her no good. Her own power of life was greater than her power of death. Arionide was defeated.

Rhaegina placed two fingers on her lips. A well deserved thank-you to Katrina.

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They walked through the swamps of Elosapios as Arionide joyfully skipped ahead of them. She delighted whenever she would cross a swamp-troll or something more horrific. She would act the part of defenseless maiden, choosing to hide her many snakes but as soon as the troll was close enough she would rend its soul into nothingness.

Her laugh was grating on the nerves but she couldn't let that distract her from her mission.

"You know we can't trust her," Rhaegina mentioned, confident Arionide couldn't hear.

Thatos was thoughtful and not upset at the obvious statement. "I can control Arionide..."

"How?" Rhaegina rushed.

Silence.

"I think we should head to Chrysagros before Lake Limnitranos. I've heard of Kreon and he is a noble, and protective Myrmex. He will surely help our cause."

"You didn't answer my question," Rhaegina pressed but got no further response from the minotaur. Smart. He would keep silent when lies would serve him no good. He made no effort to hide the fact he held secrets but did a good job at keeping those secrets.

Arionide's voice drifted to them over the grating sound of another troll turning to stone. "It's been forever since I've killed a Myrmex! They're all so pious, and holy, they never end up in hell. If you ask me pointless slaughter of thousands of humans should count as a sin."

"You won't be killing any Myrmex," Thatos ordered, "For Kreon to help we have to tread carefully in his domain. If even one of his subjects dies at any of our hands he won't help."

Arionide smiled. She didn't want to be here and one dead myrmex would make their mission pointless. Thatos had made a mistake.

The gorgon queen began to hum but Thatos thrust his lantern in front of him. The fires blazed around Arionide's body. The witch tried to fight back but the fires burned away the snakes faster than she could create them.

Left in a smoldering crater Arionide lay staring up the demi-god who had bested her.

Without a word Thatos began to walk, knowing Arionide would follow. Despite her boast Arionide was weak, and didn't want to die at Thatos' hands. If it meant following him on his quest, that's what she would do.

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Myrmidafos. Standing tall and strong on the golden plains of Chrysagros. The home of Imperator Justus was about to face it's toughest challenge.

Thousands of humans soldiers from Kentros have lined their fields and declared war against them. Scores of centaur archers, and beasts almost too sizeable to comprehend stood ready to attack. Aided by magic and led by the ancient centaur Aeopus

The Kentros were not a weak nation but the initial attack from Flamoros left them in shock. The following attack from the swamps of Elosapios left them weak. It was only natural for Justus to pray on the weak. The Kentros had every right to feel betrayed by their formal allies. They had a right to attack Myrmidafos and demand for Justus' head.

They would try.

They would fail.

Before the lines were formed and the orders given the lands opened as tens of thousands of mindless, devout, myrmex flooded the fields.

The golden fields would soon be red with blood.

Justus traced the emblem of Chrysagros on his arm guard. The colours of Chrysagros, gold and red.

He watched as his legions upon legions of ant warriors flooded the fields. The centaur arrows were more than a match for the Myrmex armor but the ant warriors wouldn't slow. They were hacked down, slaughtered, lured into traps, and killed by the thousands but they simply wouldn't stop.

The blood of his soldiers flowed so freely but there were no limits to his resources. The queen on the Myrmex, who resided under the city, could produce thousands of brainless soldiers a day.

The Kentros were honorable, strong, defiant, but would soon be dead. Dead because they chose not to fall under the weight of his magnificence.

The battle lasted for hours as with his forces dwindling Aeopus himself stepped onto the field of battle. Without the forest to aid his power Justus felt little worry until he saw the centaur for himself.

From several miles away even the naked eye could see what carnage the leader of the Kentros caused. One centaur stood against a thousand Myrmex and dominated in a way none could conceive.

The ground shook with the shear vigor of his wrath. The tunnels that the Myrmex used began to cave in on themselves. As they did young Myrmex tried to flee but were quickly crushed under sod and earth.

Aeopus yelled with such veracity Justus felt a tinge of fear. A crater near a quarter mile in diameter crashed into the ground. There was a blood curdling screech from below the ground.

Justus raced to the ledge of the balcony knowing that Aeopus had found the queen. If the queen fell there would be no chance for his army.

He couldn't see anything.

Then, cheering arose from the fields. The chant of Chrysagros rose into the air. They were victorious.

It was several hours until the message could be delivered. Aeopus had used the last of his strength to try and kill the queen. His failure sealed their victory.

The queen, however, was severely injured, tracked down by humans who invaded their tunnels like rats, and let Aeopus know where she lay. It was close but now nothing stood in their way. His army should be on the borders of Elosapios now, and already he has scouts discovering the weaknesses of Limnitranos.

Imperator Justus, the great, the magnificent, dressed up in his finest armor, mounted the finest horse and would parade through the streets of strong, victorious Myrmidafos. The crowds and cheers would be almost deafening but he would enjoy them.

He would give no other though to Kentros. They were now beneath him.

She shining light and golden fields of Chrysagros were what filled his heart and in his will there would be no other power.

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"Are you sure you know where we're going," Arionide complained, "All I see is wheat, tall grasses, and more wheat."

Rhaegina knew Arionide was only disappointed because she didn't get to kill anything. Some moles, and prairie dogs were the only sign of life and hardly worth killed. Her merest presence burnt and withered the grass but that wasn't enough the sate her appetite for destruction.

The dead lands and bogs were just behind but the gorgon was already acting like a child.

There was a rise in the grasslands that was so subtle that none noticed until they were climbing the hill.

Rhaegina raced ahead to get away from Arionide. Here eyes grew wide. She turned back to the others and beckoned them.

Thatos was the first to arrive and instantly the lantern in his hand began to burn.

Arionide arrived and the snakes hissed in disgust.

The Tatalan army of griffon, myrmex, and humans stood in front of them.

"They need to be stopped," Thatos began, "If they continue to spread this carnage the magic that binds us to this world will be destroyed. We are dying Rhaegina."

Tears of hate welled up in her eyes. He knew the truth of his words and knew that Kentros has strived to maintain the peace for so long. It was that Tatalan army that destroyed her home.

"They dare invade my home?" Arionide cursed. Before the others could act her true visage was known. Thousands of snakes flow off her body like oil and crossed the fields towards their pray.

Walking out in the open an order to fire could be heard but as the arrows sailed through the air Arionide continued to walk. They pierced her body but no blood flowed. Instead, the poison of her skin decomposed the small wooden shards into blackened stumps.

They attacked but the snakes, already number in the thousands, turned once valiant soldiers into lifeless statues.

Rain of embers followed as the entire Tatalan army was massacred without even the chance to retreat.

Rhaegina stood on the ridge, silent and still, wanting to feel her hate of the Tatalan army dissipate but what she felt was quite the opposite. With each stone figure, or burned lump or flesh a sickness came over her.

Arionide stood smiling as the snakes retreated under her skin and she managed to look like a normal human, with pale skin and purple lips.

"You hide something from her," she spoke idly.

"I hide something from you as well."

"I know your heart, minotaur. You care nothing of saving our parents or ourselves. What are your true intentions?"

Pain. Fire. Anguish. She couldn't see or hear nothing. Couldn't think of anything save the pain.

It was over soon enough but the memory would not fade. Thatos spoke but she couldn't make out the words. He looked down at her and spoke three words that she would never forget,

"I do care."

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"Have you heard of our great victory?" Imperator Justus boasted.

A myrmex, twice as tall as most men, and almost too big for his sizeable throne room spoke with old wisdom, "I heard of the deaths of thousands and that the queen was almost killed."

"Think nothing of it, Kreon," Justus ordered, "We are victorious and need to look forward."

"You are worried," Kreon ventured, "You heard that your army was decimated at the borders of Elosapios and you seek my council."

Justus leered at the myrmex, "If you are so wise, then do what you were meant to. Who are these three and why have they destroyed my men."

Kreon's voice was calm but strong, "They are brothers and sisters. Sons and daughters of gods long forgotten. They seek my aid."

"You will not give it to them!" Justus ordered.

"That is not your decision," Kreon responded calmly, "They were provoked and had to defend themselves. Your lust for power has brought this fate on your soldiers."

"Your family."

"Yes," Kreon agreed. "My family."

"Then what do you plan to do about it?"

Kreon didn't answer for several long minutes and Justus knew enough not to rush him. Almost an hour past before Kreon finally answered, "Whatever their plans I do not believe I want to be a part of it. They must be stopped."

"Are you strong enough to handle them on your own?"

"No," Kreon answered quickly, "But there is one who may be."

"Stronger than you?" Justus seemed skeptical.

A whisper. "Theles"

Justus snickered, "Theles is a myth. A myth so old and ridiculous it has been forgotten by even the most well-versed minstrels."

"Theles is both real and very powerful. It can accomplish what is needed."

Justus leaned back in his throne. "What needs to be done?"

"First, the four winds must be released from their tombs. You must send soldiers to the four corners of Chrysagros to release them with words both ancient and beautiful."

"Done. What else?"

"The pillar of Koloxianous holds the spirit of Theles. It must be released and I am the one who must do this."

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The stench of the Tatalan soldiers was still strong. "I've had enough," Rhaegina proclaimed, "No more secrets Thatos. What is it you plan?"

Thatos was silent and oddly introspective. Not at all how the son of a Fire God should act.

"I haven't told you because I didn't think you were ready for the truth. You needed to see more to understand why this needed to be done.

Arionide was silent. This was her issue to deal with.

"That's very enlightened for a mindless minotaur but it's pointless now. Either you tell me what I need to know or I'm leaving."

"You would see us die just because you think I have secrets worth having?"

"Don't get cryptic Thatos! I don't believe that I'm doing the right thing! Watching those Tatalan soldiers die I realized that I want the wars to stop more than anybody but I don't want more death! If what you say now doesn't convince me I'm doing the right thing then I have no reason to stay."

Thatos was silent for a long time. Everything was silent.

"I'm afraid," he finally spoke, "A few must die to accomplish what is necessary. I plan on traveling to Mount Philotheos, home of the gods, and overthrow our parents. From the Mountain of the Gods, we can control the outcome of this world. We would have the power to stop the wars."

Arionide broke her silence, "We all know of Mount Philotheos but none knows how to get there. Our parents have shown us only mere glimpses of the gods paradise but don't wish us to join. Without their blessing your 'mission' is impossible."

"A secret couldn't exist is nobody knew the truth. There is one being on this plane that knows how to break through the gateway of realms."

"Who," Arionide asked suspiciously.

It was Rhaegina who answered, "Scylla, of the Great Lake. Holder of all secrets."

Thatos nodded, "Our parents are weak but they are still powerful. I need all the help I can get to overthrow them.

"Now, Rhaegina,"Thatos's words were kind, compassion, most unlike the son of a Fire God, "Is this reason enough to continue?"

Nodding weakly she had no choice. The fighting must stop.

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The pillar stood in front of him with sheer magnificence. It was old, beaten down, simple light grey stone, but the power it held was immutable.

He spoke the words that only he knew and could feel the four winds join together and swirl around the mighty tower.

A mighty cry, old and mighty, came. Appearing in the sky a beast appeared. Eight pairs of wings flapped impressively to keep the large four-legged beast in the air.

It was magnificent.

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Standing alone in a field was a simple tower but for some reason Thatos said it was important. Despite his admission a few days earlier Rhaegina still felt Thatos was hiding something from them.

The lanterns' light grew fiercely and in an explosion of sound and light the pillar was reduced to dust.

"I thought we're supposed to find Kreon?" Arionide asked.

"He will find us," Thatos assured.

The hours of the day dwindled and soon night fell. Both Arionide and Thatos chose to sleep even though they didn't need it. Rhaegina's thought were too flooded with violent thoughts for her to be at peace. She would wait to see what the morning brought.

Thatos finally awoke and was not at all alarmed to be staring at Kreon.

Without introduction Thatos began, "You know why I've come?"

The Myrmex demi-god answered, "It took me some time to figure things out but I know. I am sorry to say that I can not join you."

"And you would have us destroyed for have the courage to do what you won't?"

Arionide and Rhaegina both balked at the words. Surely the one Myrmex couldn't handle the three of them.

"You know then?" the myrmex spoke, always calm, always strong.

"I couldn't feel the power of the tower when I destroyed it."

"I am truly sorry, son of the Fire God."

Crashing to the ground was Theles. Its roar penetrating enough to rip the skin off a mortal being.

Theles, beautiful and deadly, sent shards of wind whistling through the air. Each impact felt like a thousands hammers but Rhaegina would be strong.

Kreon attacked in perfect unison and soon Arionide and Rhaegina were on the run. Each attack was quick and penetrating. Their immortal blood stained the ground but the attacks wouldn't stop. They vainly began to fight back but their moves were too weak, too slow, to damage either Kreon or Theles.

Rising in the air Theles spread its eight wings out and blocked our the sun. Rhaegina though of all the skills and spells she had learned but nothing was coming to her. The look on Arionide's face was of complete fear.

A lights shone through the wings of the great beast, and pure powerful magic erupted and pounded into the demi-gods.

Struggling with all her might she used what little magic she could control to keep herself alive.

Then Flames. All around them burning hotter than anything she's seen or felt before. Hotter than the flames of hell, hotter than the raining embers that destroyed the Tatalan army.

Among the smoke, and flames stood Thatos. With fire burning in his eyes he held the lantern in front of him like a shield. The flames continued to swirl around him until a tornado of fire appeared. Racing forward the tornado consumed the wind spirit and incinerated it into nothingness.

The lantern crashed to the ground and Thatos soon followed. His skin had melted and dripped to the ground. His visible muscles strained with each movement. Rolling onto his back Rhaegina could see a large hole in the minotaur's chest. His heart beat slowly but would not stop. As the steam rose off his body Rhaegina looked over to see Arionide had barely survived the tornado of fire.

A magic similar to her own had managed to keep her alive. Shakily rising to her feet Rhaegina strode the few steps to the fallen Kreon.

The Myrmex and the Wind Spirit had both ignored their greatest threat and were dead because of it. The minotaur demi-god who was now one step closer to being a true god.

Hours past as Thatos healed but Rhaegina couldn't let her gaze leave the charred form of Kreon. There was still life in it.

"We must god," Thatos called.

"I'll be there shortly," Rhaegina called.

Thatos didn't answer back. He knew he would leave either way. It was true he did plan to overthrow the gods but he didn't need her help.

"What does he plan?" the voice of Kreon came, shaky, but someone still strong, still wise.

"I don't know," Rhaegina admitted with a tear in her eye.

"What do you know?"

"He plans on taking us to Mount Philotheos. To overthrow the gods."

Kreon nodded. "Listen carefully sister. There is nothing at Mount Philotheos that you can see or touch. There are no gods if you step foot on that hallowed island."

"What do you mean," Rhaegina cried.

"The old land was breathtaking and vast in its infancy. Every blade of grass, or tree leaf was infused with pure magic. This magic gave way to the gods, and the gods made us." The Myrmex soldier smiled, "The land is what feeds their power and without that power they are no more than phantoms. They have been dying for years and decided and knew the only way to ensure their survival was to..."

"Kreon," Rhaegina urged, "You... you have to tell me what you know." She placed a hand over his dying hear and green magic flowed through his body. It was all she had left.

"The pillars," his words were weak, "Were the last vestiges of the gods power on his plan. In Kentros the pillar was found long ago and destroyed. The Lantern that Thatos wields was hidden away in another. You... you destroyed the pillar in Elosapios."

"No..." Rhaegina couldn't believe the words, "I've done no such thing."

"Thatos knew Arionide would try and trap you. He also knew you and Katrina would use the pillar to form a link between the living world and the world of death."

"That... that was the..."

Kreon placed a hand on her shoulder as he managed to lift himself up. "You didn't know. Now, the tower that stood here is gone. Only one remains."

"What happens then?" Rhaegina rushed .

"The veil that separates this words and the gods will be open. When that happens the gods will perish."

Rhaegina nodded, "That's what Thatos said. From Mount Philotheos was can stop the suffering in this world."

"There is only one thing Thatos can do from Mount Philotheos. A new world created from the shores of the Gods Mountain will be yours to control but first, this world must be destroyed.