THEOS

Really? Luke frowned. Youre going to back out now?
Can you blame me? Are you seeing what I'm seeing? Lukeus pointed to the dark and gaping hole in the sandy dune. It contrasted sharply with the glimmering golden sand that stretched to the horizon.
An uncountable number of fluorescent eyes shined in the cloudy blackness and traced the path of their chariot in the sky. Alert, ready, and hungry.
Itll be fine Luke hedged, ignoring the skeptical looks the two brothers were giving him. What are they anyway?
I think they're bats. Said Rex.
No bats sleep during the day. Those things are definitely awake. Luke shook his head. The way their eyes glow, its kind of catlike actually. Do you know any uh cat monsters that live in deserts?
Sphinxes?
Theyre like harpies?
Rex cocked his head to the side. I think so
They arent, you idiot. Lukeus scoffed. It doesnt matter what they are. Wed be insane to go in there. Even if theyre weak, theres too many of them. Why dont we check on Heracles and see if hes okay first. We might not even need his storage ring. Why do we need his ring, anyways?
The Message, was pretty obvious. We get the ring first.
Na uh. Lukeus tugged on the reins, and Nutbutter flapped his wings. Flying them higher in the air, but contrary to his claim, he didnt immediately start flying towards where Heracles was either. Merely circling high above the cavern.
I have a plan. Sort of. Luke said eventually.
I can tell you right now, if your plan is me going inside that thing, you can forget it.
I think I agree with Lukeus. Going down there seems like suicide.
Not if we find a way to get the
out. We have explosive talismans right?
I have a bunch. Rex said.
Warrior or Mortal?
Both. Lukeus grinned.
And protective talismans?
My grandfather rules this entire island. My father, mother, sister, and half my servants are warriors. What do you think? Lukeus said, pulling a thick stack of them out of his pocket. Were rich.
I thought you guys didnt get any special treatment?
Not from Gramps, but our mother runs an entire sect. Besides, spoiling us with power is one thing, and keeping us safe is another matter entirely. Having enough talismans falls firmly in the latter category.
It makes things rather simple then. Whatevers in there isnt likely to be a Hero, so with the talismans none of us should die instantly. There's a lot of
in there, but I bet a few explosive talismans will have them scurrying like rats.
What if they fly? Nutbutter is quick but Im not going to risk him on something like this. Lets just go to Heracles, hes an hour that way. We still have plenty of time until your deadline runs out. More than enough to come back for the ring if we need to.
Luke frowned. Lukeuss words made sense, but he couldnt help but feel that doing the Quest out of order was a mistake. The Seed itself was quiet, but then again, it had never actually told him how to do a Quest. There was no step by step guide. The only information it gave him, was what he needed to do.
More than that, this was the first time the Seed had offered him a mission that required him to make an active decision and convince other people to go along with it, and he wasnt sure he liked it. Joining the Society for his sword, and entering the Tomb had required little to no maneuvering on his part. Nefkah had come to him, while signing up for the expedition was simple.
The journey to Cyzicus had taken some twists and turns, but ultimately Cyzicus himself had shown up and taken him there. The Seed seemed content to usher him along with only a passive role in events. It made his entire adventure kind of easy.
Now though, well, not only did he have to make a decision, he had to convince people that it was a good idea.
What are you thinking? Lukeus asked.
Im thinking that there must be a reason we have to get the ring
we go to Heracles. The.. message said he was trapped. What if whatevers in the ring is the only thing that would stop us from being trapped too.
Thats possible, I guess. Heracles isnt they type of guy to get trapped though. Not easily at least. I cant imagine anything under the Hero-tier managing that though. Even then The stuff he carries around makes what we have look like trash. Last time we talked he was bragging about having God-tier talismans.
Right. Well, he would have needed to sneak past Arke to get here wouldnt he?
Oh. Lukeus paled.
Rex leaned in, a frantic expression on his face. Arke, as in that crazy angel that's been wandering around the island? Were freeing Heracles from Arke? He whispered.
Luke ignored him. Anyways, this is my plan. We climb high into the air, and Ill jump off the chariot and into the hole with a bunch of talismans. It's probably for the best if all of us
go in there just in case. I can walk on air, so I should be able to make my escape if it comes down to it. Unless either of you can fly too, I think Ill just go alone. He said, looking pointedly at Lukeus.
He shifted slightly, but chose not to say anything.
What do you want us to do?
Just stick around. Youll be far enough away not to be in any danger, but if you see me in trouble, I'd appreciate it if you could bail me out. Just uh if you see me making a break for it, swoop in with this fancy chariot, and scoop me from the sky, and we can ride into the sunset.
Youre taking a pretty big risk here. Lukeus patted him on the back.
I think I have good odds, to be honest.
Well. If you're confident you can do it, I wont stop you.
Luke looked at him blankly.
Alright, hand over your talismans.
Here. Lukeues handed him his stack. Easily two inches thick, all warrior tier, and already sorted.
Thanks. Luke stuffed them into his pocket, before looking at Rex expectantly.
You want mine too?
Yes. Have you seen what Imm diving into? Ill even give what I dont use back.
Rex looked at Luke with pain in his eyes, as he reached into his robes. Instead of handing them over though, he split them in in two, and then gave Luke the smaller half.
Why are you being so stingy with them? Lukeus frowned.
What if we need some later?
... Thats a good point. Can I have some of mine back too?
Umm. Luke climbed to his feet, and subtly began channeling mana into his feet. Why dont you share the ones Rex kept. They seem like enough to get you out of a pinch. And you're pretty strong right? Stronger than me, so it shouldnt be a massive issue, right?
He only kept twenty of ea
Luke jumped. Straight into the air, and landed in the sky. Waving slowly as the chariot vanished from beneath his feet.
He grinned, stuffing his hand in his pocket, he slowly walked above the gaping hole in the ground.
He concentrated on his inventory, and ripped the tabs off the bottom. Activating them, and then sending them straight to his storage.
He ran his fingers through them, and stashed some of them in his pocket, and then placed the rest in his inventory. Staggering some of their fuses at different times before putting them in, but leaving the majority of them untorn.
Unlike the protective ones, the explosives were more useful when attached to projectiles, and he didnt want to preemptively activate too many. With the amount of them he had though, he still managed to get a decent number in both categories.
He nodded to himself, before cutting the flow of mana to his shoes, and letting himself freefall through the sky.
Mostly using his arms and the air rushing past him to guide his path through the sky. Something that he discovered, came a lot easier than he imagined it would be.
As the dunes grew larger and larger in his vision, Luke righted himself in the air. Then running thrity feet above the ground, he stopped a hundred yards away from the gaping hole in the ground.
Summoning a hefty, fist sized rock hed picked up in the wilderness, into his hands, he affixed an explosive talisman onto it, before sending it back into his inventory. Repeating the process a dozen more times, he tossed his makeshift weapon in his hand. Getting used to its weight as he prepared to unleash hell onto the unsuspecting cave dwellers.
Waving to the chariot, now a small speck in the sky, cheerfully, he ripped the tab of the talisman and tossed the rock into the hole.
The second it left his hand, another projectile appeared in its place and trailed after its brother in the sky. Again and again until he had thrown half his arsenal.
The ensuing explosions sent sand blasting into the air, and the whole world seemed to rumble. Waves of cold air rushed out of the hole, and flattened his hat.
A roar echoed from within the cavern.
Luke thought to himself. His eyes widening in fear as they beheld the horror that he had awoken.