The Hot Gates. The battle begins!

For hours we Marched, without rest. Without worry. Without mercy. we March until we came upon an eager group of Greek.

" Daxos! What a pleasant surprise." Leonidas spoke.

" This morning is full of surprises, Leonidas." Daxos replied.

" This isn't an army."

" We were tricked."

" Could only be a few hundred of them."

" This is a surprise."

The whispers and murmuring of the Greek rang clear.

" Silence!" Daxos commanded.

" We heard Sparta was on the warpath. And we were eager to join forces." Daxos explained to Leonidas.

" IF it is blood you seek, then you are welcome to join us." Leonidas told the man.

" But you bring only this handful of men to face Xerxes. I see I was wrong to expect Sparta's commitment to at least match our own." Daxos stated.

I was offended by his words. We all were. No one has invested more into this than the Spartans. But we don't say a word. Our king speaks for us.

" Doesn't it? You there." Leonidas speaks as he pointed to the youngest looking man in front of him. " What is your profession?" he asked.

" Well, I'm a potter sir." The man replied.

" And you, Akkadian. What is your profession?" He asked.

" Sculptor, Sir." The man replied.

" And you?" He asked the last man.

" Blacksmith." He stated. At least the man was familiar with a blade. maybe he wouldn't be dead weight.

Leonidas then turned to us. " SPARTANS! WHAT IS YOUR PROFESSION?!" Leonidas asked.

We raised and shouted to the heavens. " AWHOO! AWHOO! AWHOO!" Our roars so loud the very ground below us shakes. Our voices carried through the plains like Zeus' Thunder.

" Heh. See old friend? I brought more soldiers than you did." Leonidas told the man.

The Greeks utter not another word. Instead, they fall in line behind us. And join our March.

For hours we move. Through the sun and into the dark of night, we marched. There is no rest. Not tonight.

" We're being followed." Astinos spoke.

Artemis, Leonidas, and I approached Astinos and saw what he was speaking of. A creature, wearing the robes of a Spartan.

" It has followed us since Sparta." Leonidas spoke.

" Maybe, it wishes to join us in battle." I spoke. Unsure of the creature's intent. Maybe it wished to catch us off guard and attack. Or maybe it wished to join us. Either way. As long as it stayed at bay, then there's nothing to be concerned of.

" My lord!" Stelios shouted.

The three of us turned towards the man and off in the distance, we saw the burning cloud of smoke and fire.

" What in the nine gates of Tartarus?" I asked.

" We shall find out. Come on." Leonidas ordered.

We all marched towards the fire. Burning ash filling our lungs. The heavy stench of blood, urine, and feces filling our nostrils. And yet we found none of the villagers.

" What happened here?" Stelios asked. " Where are the villagers?"

" I can only guess. A Persian scouting party. Numbering in the twenties most likely." I told the man. I leaned down and placed my hand in the dirt where a footprint was. It was weird and misshapen. Unlike any foot I'd seen before. " These footprints are weird."

* Crash! * A nearby pot shelf suddenly crashed and we all raised our Shields and spears. Call us jumpy. At least we were ready for anything.

Once we realized it was clear we relaxed a little. And then came the shout.

" BEHIND US!" We didn't care who said it. We all turned our backs and raised our shields and spears once again. Ready to face whoever was brave enough to come at us.

A large shadow loomed in the smoke, but instead of a monster or Persian coming at us. it was a child.

" Child!" I shouted.

Everyone quickly relaxed once again as the boy approaching was no threat. In fact, he was our only source of information.

The boy marched through our forces right up to Leonidas and collapsed. A brave boy, Strong and courageous to have survived this long. He would have made an excellent Spartan.

" It's quiet now. They. They came with beasts from the blackness. With their claws and fangs, they grabbed them. Everyone, but me." The boy spoke. He then shut his eyes for the last time and died.

" The villagers. I found them!" Dillios shouted.

We all walked towards the man and as we approached, we felt our stomachs churn.

The sight before us was like none before. Vile, repulsive. Angering.

" Have the gods no mercy?" Stelios asked.

" We are doomed." Daxos stated.

" Quiet yourself." Artemis ordered angerly.

" There will be blood for this." I spoke boldly. My anger reaching levels I haven't felt in all my life.

" The child speaks of the Persian ghosts. Known through the ancient times. They are the hunters of Men's souls. They cannot be killed or defeated. Not this darkness. Not these Immortals." Daxos explained.

" Immortals!" Leonidas spoke.

I stepped towards the men myself. " We will put their name to the test." I decreed. As we all looked upon the tree of human beings stabbed together with spears and swords. The vile desecration of our citizens sending a burning fury through all of our hearts.

We March now with a purpose. Much stronger than we were before. The sight lets us know what awaits our families if we fail.

Into the Hot Gates we March. Into that Narrow corridor we march. Where Xerxes numbers count for nothing. Spartans, citizens, soldiers, freed slaves. Brave Greeks all. Brothers, Fathers, Sons. We March. For honors sake. For duties sake. For glory's sake. We march.

" Look! Persians!" Astinos shouts

I smirk at the boy's enthusiasm. If anything. He has the right attitude.

Stelios pats the boy on the back and pushes him forward. Astinos goes happily. As do the rest of us. Right into the gates of hell we March.

Out into the sea we spot Xerxes men in their ships. Ah their ships. Like twigs in the seas. Unaware of the coming storm.

" Let's watch these motherless dogs as they're embraced by the loving arms of Greece herself. Come." Dillios spoke.

" He has a way with words. Doesn't her Artemis?" I asked

" Yes. Come, let's see how these dogs handled Poseidon's Storms and Zeus' thunder." Artemis spoke.

" True. It does look like rain." Leonidas spoke.

The night comes swiftly. As does the storm.

Zeus stabs the sky with Thunderbolts and Poseidon batters their ships with a raging storm. Tidal waves sink the ships into. The gods and we Spartans welcome the Persians to Greece with open arms. Prepare yourselves dogs. For this is but one part of the mighty Greece. We have much worse in store for you cowards. We Spartans celebrate in our own way. Artemis and the others beat on their chests and scream. I stare down at the crashing ships and grin, as my old friend, the ocean itself, smashes my enemies apart and dances with the beat of my own heart. Only one of us truly keeps his Spartan reserve

Only our king.

Once the storms die down, our king issues an order.

" Timaeus, Artemis, Stelios, Daxos. You four, I want you to go out on a scouting run. See how many they number and report back to me." Leonidas spoke.

" It will be done, my lord." Stelios replied.

I nodded as well as did Artemis and we all quickly left to complete our mission.

We left behind our spears and shields, leaving us with nothing to defend ourselves with but our swords.

We climbed up and over the cliffs, our crimson capes fluttering behind us. We looked out and saw thousands of Xerxes men camped out. The ground was covered in Persian steel. Nothing could be seen. It was a truly fierce some sight to behold. They call themselves the greatest army in all of Asia. Well, this isn't Asia.

" I saw those ships smash on the rocks. How can this be?" Daxos asked.

" We saw but a fraction of the monster known as Xerxes army." I spoke.

" There can be no victory here." Daxos replied.

Daxos looked at Stelios and questioned the man's sanity over his large grin. He then looked Artemis and I and swore we were crazy

" Why do you smile?" Daxos asked us.

" Arcadian. I've fought countless times. yet I've never met an adversary who can offer what we Spartans call a beautiful death." Stelios told the man. " I can only hope, with all the worlds warriors gathered against us. there can be one down there who's up to the task." Stelios explained to the man.

Daxos looked back and forth between the three of us. Each of us smiling in anticipation and he shook his head. His reaction only caused us to grin more.

" Heeehahahahaha." Stelios and I laughed in unison.

The time was coming soon, for the Persians to meet their gods.

With the mission complete we returned to Leonidas and informed him of the situation.

The odds we face are enormous. But we will not falter. The king has an idea. And I must say I appreciate it very much.

The next day, we put our plan into motion. We get to work in the hot sun.

We fetch the bodies of the dead Persians, who fell during the night, and we build a wall. A blockade if you will. Something to show the Persians that two can play their game.

For hours during the day, we build. Sweat pouring down our bodies. Our arms toiling away at building the wall.

" March!" The sound of whips can be heard in the distance. It must be the Persians. I hope they like the gifts we left for them. " Forward I say." Crack the sound of a whip beats again. " Stop!" The man shouted.

We continued moving bodies and turned towards the man as we did. His slaves scarred and his warrior's flimsy. Obviously, a scouting party. A pretty weak one at that.

" Who commands here?" The man asked. " I am the emissary to the ruler of all the world the god of gods. King Xerxes. And by that authority, I demand that someone show me your commander!" The Persian ordered.

We ignored the man's ghastly prattling and winded expressions. I picked up my sword and drew it from its sheath as did Stelios. I gave the man a look and he nodded

" Listen. Do you think the poultry number you slew scares us? These hills swarm with our scouts. And do you think your pathetic wall will do anything except fall like a heap of dry leaves in haste of..." His silence tells me he's finally caught on to what we were making the wall out of.

" See something you like, Persian?" I asked.

" You know, our ancestors, built this wall. Using ancient stones from Greece herself. And with a little Spartan help. Your Persian scouts supplied the Mortar." Stelios told the man.

I smirked and started moving towards the side of the Persians. During their anger, they were blind to see all of us surrounding them.

" You will pay for your BARBARISM!" The Persian shouted. He reeled back and was ready to crack Stelios with his whip.

Stelios ran forward and used a rock to fling himself forward. he brought his sword up and just as the Persian was going to hit him, Stelios cut his arm off.

" Slaughter them!" I shouted.

The Persians who were caught off-guard were suddenly drawn back to reality just in time to see our swords coming at them. I drove my blade into the Persian archer's neck and tore his head off with ease.

" AHHH!" The next one came running at me shouting. I swung my blade up and blocked his sword strike, I spun on my heel and drove my blade into his back before pulling it out and throwing into the face of the next one to step towards me. I rolled along the ground and pulled my sword out of his face. I then stood back up and cut the legs off the slave carrying the Persian emissary. Once he fell the rest lost their hold on the grand chariot they were carrying and were all crushed underneath it.

" MY ARM!" The Persian emissary shouted in pain.

" it's not yours anymore." Stelios told the man. " Go now. Run along and tell your Xerxes he faces free men here. Not slaves. Do it quickly. Before we decide to make our wall just a little bit bigger."

" No. Not slaves. Your women will be slaves. Your sons and daughters. Your elders will be slaves. but not you. No. By noon this day you will be dead men. A thousand nations of the Persian empire descend upon you." The Persian declared.

I could see the faintest smile growing on Stelios' face. The man's been looking forward to this all night.

" Our arrows... Will blot out the sun." The Persian spoke.

" Then we will fight in the shade." Stelios answered.

" Hehahahahaha!" I laughed.

It was a cold and startling one. I could see the look of absolute terror on the Persians face. His confusion was apparent.

" Run along now little Persian. Or I'll kill you." I told the man. " But the arm stays." The man got to his feet and ran. Ran as fast as he could while bleeding out.

And we all laughed.

" Nice going Stelios." I told the man.

" Thank you, Timaeus." Stelios spoke.

" Handle things here my friend. I must go and speak with Leonidas." I told the man.

" Yes sir." Stelios replied.

I nodded and turned to gather my things. I strapped on my cape and grabbed my shield and spear. And walked up the cliff. Along the way, I ran into Artemis, who seemed a little miffed.

" What is wrong, Artemis?" I asked.

" Leonidas is speaking with the monster that has been following us." Artemis replied.

" And?"

" And he speaks of an old goat path that leads behind the gates. It believes the Persians could use it to get flank us." Artemis explained.

" It would be smart. Then this monster is our ally. So, why are you so mad?" I asked.

" Sorry, still a little on edge." Artemis replied. " We shouldn't be trusting strangers."

" I can understand your sentiment old friend. but don't let it cloud your vision. We can use every bit of information we can. And in this case. This was a valuable, piece of knowledge we've gained. From a monster or not." I explained to the man.

" You are right, Timaeus." Artemis spoke.

" Don't worry about it too much my friend. We have a battle to look forward to. And it would appear our king has returned." I spoke. I then pointed to Leonidas as he descended the cliff's many rocks.

" My king." Artemis spoke.

" Dispatch the Phoecians to the goat path. And pray to the gods that no one tells them about it." Leonidas ordered.

" Right." i spoke. The ground then started to rumble and the rocks around us shook.

Artemis looked up and observed the formations around us.

" Earthquake." Artemis spoke.

" No, Captain." Leonidas told the man.

A large grin adorned his face.

" Battle formations." I spoke. " Hehhahahahaha!" I laughed.

Leonidas, Artemis, and I all ran down the cliff towards the rest of the men.

" Everyone. Prepare for battle!" I shouted.

" AWHOO!" The men all gathered their gear. and laced up for battle. The Arcadians and other Greeks had already hidden themselves in a path along the cliffs. Meaning right now this fight was ours and ours alone.

We stood in the center of the gates. Our Helmets on, our shields strapped, and our spears primed. Together in our Phalanx formation we waited.

The sounds of war drums and horns blared in the distance as the massive Persian army approached.

Leonidas, Artemis, and I stood in the front and center. The Persians would not touch one of our soldiers without going through us first.

" THIS IS WHERE WE HOLD THEM! THIS IS WHERE WE FIGHT! THIS IS WHERE THEY DIE!" Leonidas exclaimed.

" EARN THESE SHIELDS BOYS!" Artemis declared.

" AWHOO!" The entirety of our squadron raised their shields and chanted. Ready for battle. Our screams shook the valley and reached all the way to the Persians in seconds.

" BLOODY YOUR SPEARS BOYS!" I raised my spear and shouted.

" AWHOO!" This time the Spartans raised their spears. Their blades ready.

" Remember this day men. FOR IT WILL BE YOURS FOR ALL TIME!" Leonidas declared.

The Persians, stood in front of us, made way for a Persian on Horseback.

" SPARTANS! LAY DOWN YOUR WEAPONS!" The Persian dog commanded.

Stelios, in his crazy glory. Threw his spear with such intensity, and such precision that is rippled through air until it landed firmly in the Persian's chest.

" PERSIANS!" Being one of the captains of the Spartan army. I shouted to the enemy. Every man beside me raised their shields and spears towards the enemy even the king, on my command. " COME AND GET THEM!" I shouted

War Drums banged and Horns blew loud.

" AHHHHHHHHHHH!" The Persians roared as they charged us.

" GIVE TO THEM NOTHING! BUT TAKE FROM THEM... EVERYTHING!" Leonidas exclaimed.

We stood ready our eyes focused on one thing. The enemy. Our thoughts on nothing but the enemy. Our Shield's strong. Our Spears firm. And tied around my hand, The necklace my daughter made for me.

" STEADY BOYS!"

" HOLD!"

Artemis and I shouted to our soldiers.

" AHHHHHHHHGHHHH!" I Shouted as I braced myself for the impact.

The hoarde of Persians slammed into our bodies. Their roars loud and long. The sound of metal banging against metal clattered through the valley.

" AGHHHHHHHH! COWARDS!" I shouted as I pushed back against the men trying to skewer me.

" PERISAN DOGS." Leonidas roared.

" COWARDS!" Artemis shouted.

" IS THAT THE BEST YOU CAN DO?! ARGGGGGGH!" Stelios bellowed. Our feet dug into the ground below us as we were pushed back. But the Persians miscalculated. The further back we moved the slower me moved.

" PUSH! PUSH! PUSH!" I shouted.

" AHHH!" Artemis roared in pain. One of the Persians had managed to slice his arm.

I stabbed the man in his throat with my spear for daring to hurt my friend.

We continued moving back until finally we halted.

" NOW!" I shouted.

We pushed back against the Persians, pushing them off of our shields and the slaughter began. We Spartans began skewering them on the ends of our spears. I Stabbed the first man in front of me before pulling back and stabbing another. Once the first wave was dealt with, we stepped over them and used them as support. We stuck our shields out again and pushed against the Persians. We pushed them back once more, this time however, Stelios got in my way and took my kills.

" UWYAAAAH! AHHH YAHAAA!" Stelios shouted as he slashed blindly at the enemies in front of him, cutting them down without remorse. I grinned at his selfishness and covered him with my shield to protect him.

We pushed back against the Persians again; this time Stelios and I shared a kill. He stabbed the man low in his stomach and I hit him in his throat.

" Stealing my kills Stelios?!" I asked. He looked back at me and grinned.

We repeated this process over and over.

" NO PRISONERS!" Artemis shouted.

" AWHOO!"

" NO MERCYYYYYYY!" I shouted as well.

" AWHOO!"

" DAAAAAAAH!" I shouted as I drove my spear into another man's throat. It was a hard target to hit for most. But I wasn't most. I didn't want to waste energy, so I went for the quick kills. Moving on to my next target before the last one hit the ground.

The sands below were dyed scarlet from the amount of blood pouring over them.

We slowly pushed our way up the valley.

I moved forward and thrusted my spear into one man's throat. I used all my strength to rip it out the side and I spun using my spear like a sword to behead the three men rushing me. I continued spinning, gaining enough force to throw my spear so hard it pierced through the two men running in behind them. I didn't have time to pull it out. So, I drew my sword. I raised my shield and blocked the first strike sent at my head. I parried it with enough force to cause the man trying to hit me to fall on his back. I didn't give him time to recover. I thrusted my sword down into his throat and spun, protecting myself from oncoming danger while killing the man.

I spun off my heel and used my Shield to throttle the next man in front of me in his face. The moment my shield made contact his skull split open and he dropped to the floor dead. I was strong, far stronger than most. The only person I had ever lost handily to was Leonidas. And they say his family was descended from Heracles. They say we all were. I believe it true as I know no man who has ever withstood my spear.

" AND NONE OF YOU WILL TODAY!" I grabbed my spear from the bowels of the two men trapped on it and started stabbing and slashing any man brave enough to meet death. After recomposing myself and standing near my king and Artemis. We all glared at the remaining Persians in front of us.

" THEY LOOK THIRSTY!" Artemis spoke.

" SO, LETS GIVE THEM SOMETHING TO DRINK!" I declared.

" TO THE CLIFFS!" Leonidas shouted.

We raised our Spears and slowly pushed the Persians towards the edges of the cliffs. we slowly stalked them. Their fear boosting our morale until finally, I struck. I drove my spear into the man's neck and surely enough everyone else began falling to their deaths in the shallow, rocky, waters below.

" HALT!" Artemis bellowed.

" Hell of a good start my brothers. Wouldn't you agree Artemis." I asked the man

" Aye." Artemis replied. He turned and faced the rest of the men and raised his spear. " AWHOO!"

" AWHOO! AWHOO! AWHOO!"

" What is it, Leonidas?" I asked my king.

" This is just the beginning, Timaeus. Don't get arrogant." Leonidas replied.

" Aye." I spoke.

Leonidas turned towards the path on the other side of the pass. As did the rest of us. We heard a noise. A strange noise like whistles in the wind. And suddenly from across the plains the sky turned black and small objects hurtled towards us. Arrows.

" TUCK TAIL!" Artemis shouted. We all dropped our spears and hid behind our shields.

The hammering of Arrows against our shields filled the valley.

" Persian cowards." Leonidas cursed.

As I waited, I heard the sound of Laughing and looked ahead of myself to see Astinos, Artemis' boy laughing.

" What the hell are you laughing at?" Stelios asked.

" Well, you had to say it." Astinos replied.

" Say what?" I asked.

" Fight in the shade. Hahaha!" Astinos laughed.

" Hehahahahahaha! HAAHAHAHAHAA!" Stelios and I both joined the boy in laughter, and we continued to do so until the final arrow landed and there was quiet among the skies once more.

After a few moments and we were sure there was no more danger we recovered.

" RECOVER!" Artemis shouted.

I raised my spear and shattered each arrow embedded in my shield. I then followed behind Leonidas as he ran down the path of the hot gates.

When we got to the other side. We saw more of Xerxes army coming towards us.

Leonidas stopped and looked at all of us.

" TODAY NO SPARTAN DIES!" Leonidas exclaimed.

" AWHOO!"

We regrouped into our phalanx once more and awaited the Persians.

The came on Horseback this time.

As we waited, I noticed that Astinos was nervously looking at his father.

" Easy son." Artemis told the boy.

" No worries, Artemis. I have the boy." I told the man to ease his nerves. I stood beside Astinos. My shield ready to protect him if he needed it. " Steady, boy. We've got your back."

We stood ready as the Persians rushed us. And once they were close enough, I thrusted my spear into the first man's chest, forcing him off his horse and into another man behind him. Bottling up their forces and forcing them to turn towards the swords and spears of my brothers.

Astinos, swallowed his courage and cut the legs out from under one of the horsemen, causing him to hit the floor and allowing me to finish him.

" Well done, boy." I told Astinos as i recovered my spear.

the Persians tried to take us. but with their forces bottled up, they were nothing but lambs to the slaughter and we... We do what we were trained to do. What we were born to do. Bred to do.

I raised my spear and jammed it into the throat of one of the Persians. His blood blinding the man behind him and further handicapping the incoming Persians. For hours we do this. For hours the Persians rush to their deaths. No Prisoners. No Mercy. It is a good start.

The day ends and the sun begins to set. The hoards Xerxes sent our way has ended.... For now.

" No!" One of Persians pretending to be dead shouted in terror as I raised my spear. I shoved it straight into his mouth without hesitation, killing him on the spot. " Our Greek comrades, are begging for a crack at the Persians Sire." I told Leonidas.

" Good. Against something I think they can handle." Leonidas replied,

" Heha!" I chuckled as I killed another Persian. " You think they couldn't handle these dogs?" I asked.

" I'm not saying that Timaeus. Just don't want our little friends to get hurt is all." Leonidas said with a little laugh of his own. " Tell Daxos, I want him and twenty of his best, eager, and sober ready for the next charge." Leonidas spoke.

" King Leonidas!" Stelios exclaimed as he ran up to the three of us. He bent over, from exhaustion. He had been sent to spy on the Persian army. A long distance to run by himself.

" Stelios, catch your breath boy." Leonidas told the man.

Stelios took a deep breath and stood up straight.

" Yes milord. The Persians approaching. Small contingent. Too small for an attack." Stelios explained.

" A distraction?" Artemis asked.

" Or perhaps, Xerxes wishes to Parlay?" I wondered aloud.

" Maybe. Captains, I leave you gentlemen in charge." Leonidas spoke.

Me and Artemis both nodded as we realized Leonidas would be journeying to meet them.

" Sire?" Stelios spoke.

" Are you sure you don't want me to come with you, Leonidas?" I asked.

" Relax. If they assassinate me, all of Sparta goes to war. Pray they are that stupid. Pray we are that lucky." Leonidas spoke.

" Ugh!" I turned my head and saw one of the Persians struggling to move. I walked over to him and raised my spear.

" Besides. There's no reason we can't be civil. Is there?" Leonidas asked as he took a bite from his apple.

" Hehaha. Civil. Right." I spoke. i then smiled down at the man below me and thrusted my spear into his neck.

" Alright, boys. I have an idea. Gather the bodies. Tonight, we show Xerxes hoard what a real trap looks like." I looked to my soldiers and began planning for the night we were going to have would be like no other.