13 Hell Hound Rising

Me and Hope walked into the arena, smiles on our faces. We walked farther away, drawing our blades, ready to fight. And with a mind blurring speed we raced at each other, our blades clashing. Sparks flew as we collided blades, our faces drenched in sweat and smiles. We sprang appart,

"Try this!" She barked. She began channeling her magic into her sword, causing it to burst into flames. I began channeling my darkness into my blades, they started to burn a black flame. I was as shocked as Hope was judging by the look on her face, we were just about to go at each other again when Borus busted in.

"Josh! Emergency!!" He screamed. I sheathed my blades and raced over,

"What happened?" I asked, completely focused on him. Emma raced in, her trainee in toe.

"There's an extraordinarily large pack of hellhounds rampaging nearby." She said. I looked at Hope,

"training over, I gotta go." I said, "I'm coming with you," She tried to say but I cut her off.

"No absolutely not, you're not battle field ready." I said, She got a huge puss on her face. Obviously wanting to go with us. I raced out of the arena eager to get this done, "I know their location," Emma said as she raced behind me.

"Lead the way!" I barked. She pulled ahead as we left the camp, and as soon as we were out of the camp borders Argos appeared and raced along with us. We raced in silence until we came to a stone cave, we paused just outside of the cave to catch our breath. I took a peek inside the cave, when I saw what was inside I almost puked. I saw man and beast skeletons alike scattered across the floor of the cave, I saw blood scattered across every surface you could imagine. I had to look away, I looked down at argos. He looked back and smiled up at me with his tongue out. I steeled my nerves and slowly walked inside, Emma guarding my backside. I pushed some darkness into my hands making a small black fireball, causing a dim white light. Blood and bones were scattered all across the flood, humans skulls and animals alike lay scattered everywhere. I kept marching deeper and deeper into the cave, the sounds of barking and growling starting to grow closer and closer. I walked into a deep, vast cavern, the sounds of growling encircling us. Then Emma threw something against the cavern wall,

"διαφωτίζω" she barked. I instantly understood what she said, illuminating. Then the cavern started to glow, I started to see hundreds of hell hounds slowly circling around the three of us.

"Ready?" I asked, the cavern began to shine like the light of day. Argos began to grow, I began to count the amount of hell hounds. Only then did I see the massive mother hellhound, but I realized that it wasn't a regular hellhound. It was Cerberus, somehow she escaped from tartarus. I realized that she needed to be sent back there, and i didnt think Hades would like how I did it.

"Attack!" I screamed. We moved in perfect unison, hacking and slashing dozens of hellhounds. Only then did I manage to get a good look at them, they were nearly identical to wolves. There coats a thick shade of gray, their teeth a deep red. But the only difference I could see was their eyes, their eyes were glowing blood red. I couldn't bear to look them in the eyes, I hated hurting animals no matter how evil they were. Argos was attacking three at once, his claws and teeth were matted with flesh and blood. His eyes were savage and ruthless, his hackles were raised to make him look massive. I kept cutting them down one by one, in a split second I heard two people rush in.

"NO! Get back!" I screamed. It was Hope and Emma's trainee.

"Were they suicidal?" I thought. I had to end this quickly before they got hurt,

"Get back Ryan!" Emma screamed.

"Get out, I'll draw them away and end this." I said. She didn't even hesitate, she sprang over to them and dragged them out of the cave.

"You too Argos." I said sternly. He gave me a look of concern but he left too. All I could do was smile, I drew my wings. Bracing for any incoming attack, but they stayed at bay. I shifted my footing, hoping they'd give me the chance to adjust to my numerous opponents. They sprang on me like a pack of hungry lions, in the split second before they latched onto my flesh I thrust my wings out knocking them back, killing hundreds of them. I locked eyes with Cerberus, knowing I'd have to defeat her to end this. I slowly walked over, the hellhound no longer interfered. They whimpered and sulked away at the sight of me, I gently placed my blade on the middle of Cerburus's middle head.

"Yield." I said. She reared her three heads at once, catching me off guard. "Guess not," I said. I sprang back and we locked eyes again. Neither of us moved, until we both charged at each other.

"AHHHHHHH" I screamed, I flew up in the air. She jumped to meet me, her teeth bared. I knew this fight would be one I'd remember.

Hours later

I was cut, bleeding and on the verge of collapse. I hadn't done anything, with her immortal body it just kept healing. I needed to end this with one decisive blow, I knew what that needed to be. She began to grow larger and larger, assuming her regular form. I had to keep my eye on my backside at all times, otherwise these other hellhounds would take me out from behind. I started channeling power, A LOT of power. I watched her grow bigger and bigger, knowing that I had this battle won. I smiled, in the face of the guardian of hell I found myself smiling. I was so shocked I almost laughed. She began to tower over me, I could feel her power amassing. I smiled at her as I began to race forward, I flapped my wings once. Springing over her head, I grabbed my dagger in both hands and screamed,

"Black Lightning!!" In a manner of moments a huge bolt of black shot through the roof of the cavern straight into Cerberus's middle head as my dagger pierced her skin. The black bolt shook the whole cavern, destroying the walls and knocking down the entire ceiling. A large cloud of smoke erupted from the blast and I collapsed, hoping that was enough because I didn't have any more. I lay there my face to the sky, my eyes starting to close. I could have sworn I saw the lord of the dead with a smile on his face.

"Josh!" I heard Emma scream. I slowly raised my shaky hand,

"He..re.." I mumbled. Emma raced over, nearly in tears. Hope and Ryan ran over moments later, Argos in toe.

"You bastard!" Emma screamed.

"Im.. gonna be.. Fine." I said, right before I passed out.