chapter 33

Chiron's training had not prepared Cyd for this, nor did it help him discover the limits of his seemingly immortal body. Facing the demon pig, Cyd took a deep breath, spreading his arms wide, not bothering to hide his intentions.

"Cyd, move quickly!" Atalanta yelled, leaping from a tree and sprinting towards him.

But she was too slow!

Her eyes widened. Though it was only a few steps away, it felt like an insurmountable distance. Why was she running so slowly?

The demon pig was almost upon Cyd.

"No, I can do this!" she thought.

Cyd's eyes focused intently. As the demon pig charged at him, he dropped to the ground and wrapped his arms around its snout.

The impact from the demon pig's massive body crashed into Cyd, causing the ground beneath them to sink.

"No..." Atalanta watched the dust rise in shock.

She heard the faint sound of the ground cracking.

She opened her eyes. In her emerald gaze, she saw the massive demon pig towering above, with Cyd, dwarfed in comparison, clinging to it.

"Pathetic!" Cyd shouted, raising his middle finger at the pig. "Humans don't survive in this world by brute force alone!"

"You used brute force just now," Atalanta noted, relaxing a bit as she reached Cyd and kicked his knee.

"No, I used temporary strength to destabilize it," Cyd replied, shaking his arm. "It wasn't that hard. Did you find its weakness?"

Atalanta blinked, blushing as she looked away. "There's no other way. A coordinated attack is the best method."

She had been so worried about Cyd that she forgot this was a team effort.

"Well..." Cyd scratched his head. "It doesn't look like it plans to let us go."

The demon pig, now enraged, began gnawing on nearby trees, growing even larger—about a third bigger than before.

"It's even eating the dirt. What is this thing made of?" Cyd asked, scratching his chin in curiosity.

"Are you seriously wondering about that? We need a new plan; it's too big now," Atalanta said, rolling her eyes. "Next time you try to throw it, its weight will crush you."

"Relax, I have a solution. Its next attack will be its last," Cyd smirked. "It's become much easier to handle. So, Ata..."

"I'm not leaving," Atalanta said, crossing her arms and looking earnestly at Cyd.

"Then lend me your strength," Cyd said, reaching out to her.

"Only... this one time!" Atalanta blushed, lightly placing her hand in Cyd's.

"Thank you," Cyd said, pulling her close suddenly, holding her from behind.

Atalanta instinctively leaned her head against his chest but quickly realized their situation and struggled. "What are you doing?"

"Trust me!" Cyd said, guiding her left hand to grip her bow while he took an arrow and nocked it.

"This is something only we can do."

Atalanta opened her mouth, but after a moment of silence, she angrily headbutted Cyd's chin. "If you're lying, I'll kill you!"

"Relax, this fight is under the gods' watch," Cyd said, smiling as the orange glow of Apollo's blessing spread from his bracer to Atalanta's bow. "Victory is the greatest tribute."

"Artemis, grant me the Bow of the Sky..." Atalanta murmured as the orange crystals spread across her bow, radiating warmth.

"Sun God Apollo's blessing combined with Artemis's gift," Cyd explained, pulling the bowstring back with her. "Ata, it's up to you."

"Who do you think I am?" Atalanta smirked.

The demon pig, now twice its original size, prepared to charge. It lowered its head and roared, rushing at Cyd and Atalanta.

"We have one chance. Aim for that spot!" Cyd said, narrowing his eyes.

"Don't order me," Atalanta replied, taking a deep breath.

The demon pig was enormous. A city-level ballista might pierce its hide, but now, because of its size, they had a real chance of victory.

Atalanta felt a strange calm, maybe because she was in Cyd's arms. She trusted him, and for some reason, she knew they would win.

Together, they leapt backward as the demon pig charged, exposing its vulnerable underside.

Time seemed to slow. Dust and debris reflected in Cyd's eyes, along with the fierce face of the demon pig.

"See, you're the prey," Cyd said, a slow grin spreading across his face. "Wasn't your weakness obvious?"

"I hate being looked down on," Atalanta said, "even by a pig."

The orange and silver glow of Apollo and Artemis combined at the tip of their arrow. As they released the string, a ray of light shot straight through the demon pig's nostril, out the back of its head.

The demon pig collapsed, blood pouring from its nose, eyes, and ears.

Cyd and Atalanta landed softly, watching the fallen beast.

"Victory under the gods," Cyd said quietly.

"Never doubt us again," Atalanta added, her voice steady.