Return to Athens.

Hercules had been packing up his belongings. We were to move soon. He wouldn't tell me where; All I knew was we were going back to Athens. We packed our things and moved to Hercules' ship. Theseus was still unconscious, he had been the entire six months and showed no signs of waking anytime soon, so we had to move him with us. It was just too risky to leave him here with no one to watch over him. Hercules agreed with me.

Once we were set and ready, we set out to sea. Hopefully things wouldn't be so difficult this time.

The seas were much calmer now, and we were making good time. Hercs ship was faster than anything I've ever seen. What should have taken us at least a week. was almost over.

We touched down in Athens and Hercules tied the ship to a dock.

" Are you sure someone isn't going to steal your ship?" I asked the man. I didn't think it would be safe for anyone to just leave their stuff where it could be stolen.

" Oh, don't worry. The anchor's too heavy even for a hundred men to try and lift. This thing isn't going anywhere." Hercules replied with confidence.

" Alright, if you say so." I shrugged my shoulders and followed Hercules.

We walked through the plains of Athens, the usual heat, feeling like a nice breeze now.

We walked towards Athens, but as we did, we noticed that something was wrong, even the roads to Athens were usually full of people, day and night. It was always a bustling city. And yet as I look around, I see nothing.

" Hercules, something is wrong. There shouldn't be so little people." I spoke.

" You are right. But what is happening? I've never seen Athens so empty." Hercules replied.

We looked around the city and when I saw a merchant, I questioned her.

" Hey, you there. Woman." I pointed at the woman.

" Yes, sir?" She asked.

Hercules and I approached her shop and she looked to be a little frightened.

" What has happened here? Where is everyone?" I asked.

" They are heading south to Boeotia, just south of Thebes. There is to be a battle. Sparta and the rest of Greece are taking a final stand against the Persians." She explained.

And then it clicked in my mind, that is right. I remembered; they were gearing up for the final battle. The whole reason I was going to Troy in the first place was so that I could leave Theseus someplace safe. I became so, caught up with training and wanting to beat Triton that I forgot about the war.

" Hercules."

" No, we have a journey to finish, let the Spartans handle the Persians." Hercules spoke.

' I'm sorry. But I cannot. Before I was whatever I am now. I was a proud Spartan. My people. My brothers are going to war. I am not going to sit back and let them face the monster that is Xerxes alone."

" I cannot risk battling the Persians." Hercules spoke.

' And I'm not asking you too. All i ask of you is that you watch over the boy. Make sure he is safe. From this... All of this. Hercules, this started with my king and me. I have to be there to see how this ends. If I can secure the freedom, we fought for then all of this would be worth it."

" Very well, I shall await you here in Athens. We will continue once you've returned victorious. Now, go Spartan. Go and fight well." Hercules replied.

I nodded and bowed to the man. Something not worthy of a Spartan. But I had long since discarded my Spartan pride. When I lived, I lost the right to be a Spartan. I reached up and grabbed my robes and discarded them, leaving me in nothing but my Spartan cape. I had my shield strapped to my back. A spear in one hand and sword strapped to my waist. With everything ready, I marched to Plataea, alone.

The lone warrior.

I marched through the plains of Greece, the eyes of wanders staring at me. A lone Spartan. A renegade.

I disregarded them. I had a cause. To end this war. Then face whatever it is the gods have thrown at me. For so long I've been fighting a war on two fronts. But now, things are different.

For hours. For days. For weeks. I march without stopping, not to rest. There is no time for that. There is only battle. I March.

For Freedom.

Free my family.

For all of Greece.

I March.