(2)

Nina screamed rolling out of the way as the mace slammed down. Lydia using her banshee scream, knocked it back a couple of steps as they got back to their feet.

Coming out of his hypnotic daze, King Minos shook his head trying to recall what he was doing. Spotting Talus on board thanks to his signature bronze winged back, he got an idea of what happened,- "Talus..." He began to call out before he had to clutch his ears in pain due to the scream.

"Talus, I need them alive, I order you to take them alive." He yelled the first chance he got, hoping Talus would obey his commands.

Lydia clutching Nina looked on in fear as the Bronze Eagleman managed to maintain its footing having taken no visible damage from her attack.

Acknowledging no signs of hearing the order, Talus strode forward mace in hand as he readied another attack.

Nina panicking, shouted at Lydia,- "Hit it again, don't hold back."

"Okay, stand behind me and close your ears," Lydia said waiting for Nina to get in position before unleashing another scream. A sonic wave reverberating out of her mouth as it tore through the planks, smashing right into Talus who tucked his wings in and lowered his center of gravity in an attempt to stay grounded only for the floorboards below to give way, blowing him several meters away before he unfurled his wings catching himself mid-air.

King Minos watched as another ear-piercing scream swept through destroying the entire front of the boat along with a good portion of the dock with some of his dazed men right along with it as he dodges out of the way.

He was glad to see Talus unaffected, but he knew it was time to order his men to retreat as this was not a battle they could participate in,- "Retreat, everyone retreat back outside the city walls."

"What about the people my liege?" Asked one soldier who likely had family here.

King Minos didn't even entertain the man as he equipped his javelin and speared him in the neck before the soldier could even register what was happening. Looking at the others he ordered again,- "I said retreat, Now! That is an order, have everyone fall back." Those who hesitated at first instantly fell back into line. He would never spare someone who questioned his orders, that would only make him look weak and lead to rebellion.

Taking one last look at the battle, he turned to follow his men out, it wouldn't do him any good to stay and get caught up again in whatever strange power they had. He found himself silently cursing Zeus for not giving him more, angry that he wasn't born with any special power.

Meanwhile, back on a now sinking boat, Lydia started to panic seeing nothing working against the bronze creature,- "Oh no, oh no, it's coming back, what do we do Nina? It's not even hurt."

Nina peeking around saw Talus quickly flying back, catching her breath she steadied herself as she said,- "Lydia close your eyes."

Nina then closed her own eyes, focusing on bringing her powers out,- "If it's alive, it'll die." She muttered counting down the seconds until it would arrive, and then opening her eyes she unleashed her power.

The few scouts that stayed to keep an eye on things were directly turned to stone, including the people who watched from windows or those who foolishly tried looking back while retreating.

All who looked turned, all except Talus who continued unhindered straight for them as Nina's yellow snake eyes went from all-powerful to all fearful as they widened in terror.

Frozen in place, she could only stand there and watch on in horror as Talus grabbed her by the head with his free outstretched hand, covering her eyes as he slammed her through the now mostly diagonal boat and out the other side.

Lydia feeling the impact, opened her eyes as she lost her footing and began to slide down to the water, frantically looking around for Nina who was nowhere to be seen.

Hearing the bronze Eagleman screech above, she looked up, gasping in fright,- "Nina!" She screamed seeing her bloody friend hanging by the head limply in his grasp.

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King Minos returned to the command tent where General Cnaeus was stationed with a couple of other Generals going over plans and handing out orders.

Each turned to greet the King, bowing in respect.

King Minos- "Rise, tell me the latest news."

General Cnaeus wanted to ask about what happened at the docks but held in as he answered his King,- "The enemy has been spotted, most our ground forces have arrived and are now in position, we were just starting operations now."

King Minos- "Good, see to it that you hold them long enough for the hostages to arrive."

"Sire, if I may be so bold, does that mean you don't want us to kill them?" asked another General.

"They have something I want, and I would prefer it not be destroyed, but if you think you need to, you have my permission to use whatever means necessary to stop them from reaching the docks." King Minos said before dismissing them as he held General Cnaeus back,- "Remember what they have and do what you need to, to get it, I trust you above all others, if it comes down to it, tell them we have their companions as hostages, it shouldn't be long before Talus brings them to me," he said hoping Talus would follow through on his orders and not just kill them.

Cnaeus bowed,- "You can trust me, Sire."

Pleased with the way things were going, he mounted his white horse and began to travel around filling the men's morale in seeing their King still as strong as ever. Trotting down the lines with his royal guard, making sure his men were all doing as they should, hoping they were all ready for the bloody battle ahead.