Chapter 15 edited

Merlin, Janista, and Atalanta emerged from the forest, stepping into the eerie glow of the campfires that illuminated the boys running and chanting in the clearing. Their faces were painted with crimson streaks, their eyes wild with a fervor that only Ares' manipulation could inspire."Ares!"

Merlin had no doubt that Ares was near. The oppressive energy in the air, thick with tension and malevolence, confirmed it. He glanced at Atlanta and Janista, his expression grim."He's here. And he'll sense us soon enough."

Without hesitation, the three stepped out of the forest's cover, emerging into the clearing illuminated by the flickering glow of the campfires."This is where it ends, boys. Game is over."

Aurelius stepped forward from the group, his eyes gleaming with confidence."That's what you think. Great god, Ares-- show him your power!"

Inside the cave, the altar of Ares pulsed ominously, the pool of blood bubbling violently. A deep, guttural scream echoed through the night as vines erupted from the ground, twisting and writhing like snakes. They lashed out, wrapping tightly around Merlin, Janista, and Atalanta, pinning them in place.

Titus and Ximenos emerged from the ranks, their weapons gleaming with the tainted blood of Ares. They approached Merlin, their eyes filled with a mixture of pain and determination, as the vines constricted further around the trio.

Aurelius wirh a grin said."He's all yours."

Titus raised his blade, his voice trembling with emotion."I thought you were my friend, Merlin-- but you came to take away my mother."

**Ximenos**: "We're gonna fix it so you don't hurt anybody anymore."

Merlin's sharp mind worked quickly as he observed Titus and Ximenos, their attention fully locked on him. Their weapons, poisoned with Ares' blood, glinted menacingly in the firelight.Merlin, calm even in his binds, spoke with a commanding tone."Ares is filling your head with lies. He's using you!"

As he spoke, Merlin subtly shifted one arm behind his back, his fingers tracing intricate patterns in the air. The soft glow of golden energy began to form, unseen by the boys who were too absorbed in his words.

Ximenos in anger yelled "Shut up!"

Merlin's voice grew sharper."What's the matter? Does it hurt that the god of war is a vulture? Because that's what Ares is. He'll have you kill me. He'll even make you kill your friends. And, who knows? He'll probably make you kill each other."

Janista's voice cracked with emotion as she pleaded."He's telling you the truth, Titus. He came here as a friend."

Aurelius laughed mockingly from the sidelines."Don't listen to them!"

From the edge of the group, a faint voice called out."Ximenos!"

Atalanta struggled against the vines, her voice cutting through the din." Merlin hasn't hurt anyone. He's trying to help you get free from Ares."

Aurelius shouted in anger."What are you waiting for?! Kill him! Kill them all!"

Merlin's gaze locked onto Aurelius, his words laced with disdain."You must be the leader. You look like the kind of puppet Ares would like."

Aurelius sneered, stepping closer." A puppet couldn't kill you, Hercules. You fell right into my trap. I'm Ares' general."

Atalanta smirked despite her situation, her tone dripping with sarcasm."And what kind of general could that be? A general nuisance?"

Aurelius snarled, his composure breaking."For that-- you die first! Kill her! Show Merlin what's in store for him."

Janista cried out, her voice desperate."No, Titus! Don't do it!"

Boys started shouting."Kill them! Kill them!"

The golden energy grew, shimmering like a gentle breeze of sparkling dust. Merlin, confident their focus remained on his voice, released the spell. The golden dust swirled through the air, drifting gently toward Titus and Ximenos.

As it reached them, the dust settled over their heads. Their aggressive postures faltered, and their eyelids grew heavy.Titus drowsily."What…what's happening?"

Ximenos muttered. "I feel… so…"Before either could finish, they collapsed to the ground, their weapons falling

With the boys subdued, Merlin focused his energy, casting a cutting spell. A sharp, red arrow-like energy shot from his hand, slicing cleanly through the vines binding them.

Merlin brushed the dirt off his cloak with deliberate precision, his expression calm but his voice carrying a resolute edge."If you'll excuse me, it's time to teach someone a lesson."

Aurelius's voice cracked with fury, his composure unraveling as he barked out orders."Attack! Attack!"

A wave of boys surged forward, their crude weapons glinting in the flickering firelight. Some rushed toward Merlin, while others charged Atlanta with fierce determination.

Merlin sighed, clearly unimpressed by the chaos."I don't have time for this nonsense."

With a flick of his fingers, a shimmering wave of telekinetic energy burst from his hand. One by one, the charging boys were lifted into the air as if caught by an invisible force. They flailed helplessly before being hurled backward, crashing into trees and bushes with soft thuds.

Another boy, more determined than the rest, lunged at Merlin with a raised blade. Merlin barely glanced at him, his hand making a quick flicking motion. The boy was swept off his feet, spinning through the air before landing harmlessly in a nearby thicket.

Merlin turned to face the remaining attackers, his tone sharp and commanding."Enough. Stand down, or you'll all find yourselves on the wrong side of a spell you won't recover from."

The boys hesitated, glancing nervously between each other, their confidence waning as the realization of their futility began to set in.

Mean while Atlanta's sharp eyes scanned the approaching swarm of boys, most armed with makeshift spears and some with swords. She frowned, her lips curling in mild irritation. "Great! I wanted to fight, but not with dwarves."

The first group lunged at her, their small frames and wild attacks no match for her enhanced strength and agility. With a swift jab here and a light kick there, Atlanta effortlessly swatted the boys away, sending them tumbling harmlessly to the ground.

Two of the boys charged her simultaneously from opposite sides, brandishing crude spears with surprising determination. Atlanta's smirk deepened as she effortlessly caught both spears mid-thrust, gripping each one firmly with her hands."Cute. But try harder next time."

With a swift motion, she tucked the spears under her arms and spun, flipping the boys over her shoulders and onto the ground. They landed with soft grunts, momentarily dazed but unharmed.

Before she could take a breath, two more boys came charging at her from either side, each wielding a sword. Atlanta's reflexes kicked in, and with a perfectly timed split kick,

she struck both attackers simultaneously, the sound of flesh connecting with the two teens was a sharp thwack, knocking the weapons from their hands and sending them sprawling backward.

Atlanta dusting her hands said."Anyone else? Or are we done playing?"

The remaining boys hesitated, their confidence wavering as they saw her standing tall and unscathed.

While Aurelius seeing his so called army was taken out so easily was scared, he knew even with the blessing of Ares, his new strength and even the poisonous blade, chances of taking down Merlin are low. So he screamed for help to Ares."Ares! Help me! Hercules is here!"

Above the Altar of Ares came a portal and from it came gigantic figure. Seeing this Merlin yelled to Janista, who was way back."Get Ximenos and Titus away, if you cane get the other boys too."

Janista was already on it, Atlanta was covering her.