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I remembered Ella’s face when telling her of it, purposely leaving out the most frightening parts. And how as the Underworld’s most powerful guardian, I would only end up drawing from its power. This thanks to it not only being the birthplace of the realm, but more specifically…

The place Cerberus was born.

20

WHERE THE WILD ONES LEAD

Stepping through the portal had been just like when I first arrived back in the Underworld, only times that by ten. In fact, it had been a challenge to hold onto my mortal vessel as every cell of my supernatural being had wanted to change into my HellBeast. Cerberus fought at me for control and the only thing keeping him locked down was the mission.

The mission to get our Chosen One back.

He knew, as well as I did, that I was the only one able to achieve it, for we had to be of sound mind to plan our next move. Which meant he needed me to lead us both through the wasteland of Tartarus, to find who we were looking for.

Of course, it had changed since the war, no longer the colossal Mount Tartarus that was forever a viewpoint, no matter where you looked, for it was long gone now. And with it, the immortal resting place of the Titan Gods it once held captive in the belly of the prison.

And all thanks to Keira, who saved the world that day.

Not that I went into detail when telling Ella of its brief history, as well, it was one story that wasn’t mine to tell. No, I would leave that mind bending story to her aunt, if she ever wished to regale her with it.

As for where we were now, Koro had been right, as the portal brought us to the outskirts of Tartarus. Which thankfully, was far tamer than its core of evil. But that didn’t mean it still wasn’t home to the worst and most vile souls. Meaning that we would keep our guard up for any trouble.

I think my beast was even looking forward to it, as any excuse for him to break free of my control. Something that was far easier to do than in the mortal realm, as this place only fueled his need for dominance over me.

But this change hadn’t just taken me, but my brother too, as he looked to be struggling the same Fate as I. His skin looked close to splitting and his eyes were a constant amber glow, with his hands curled into demonic fists. A pair barely able to hold onto the reins that would have sliced in his talons. Even the horses looked unsettled by the change in their riders. However, Tyr and Marcus stayed the same, for they, unlike us, they weren’t born of this place.

The river Cocytus ran alongside Tartarus, separating the two lands by a river mile-wide, and a mountain in between. This crossed paths with the River Phlegethon, which was a literal river of fire. The land created was known as the steam craters or Hell’s basin, as the locals called it.

An uncrossable expanse of land that would flay men alive should they step in the wrong place at the wrong time. It was where sections of the Cocytus River branched off into Phlegethon. Doing so underground and creating pockets of dangerous steam to burst through the crusted earth.

As for where we were headed, Koro had been right, it would have taken us a week on foot to cross over. Which was no doubt why a portal still existed between the two lands, as it was a far quicker way to travel. Of course, only those not imprisoned here for their crimes could freely come and go. Most of which were used by bounty hunters, returning escaped prisoners. Or those bound for this place as further punishment for crimes committed within the realm.

One such place was where we were headed now, as it was a prime location for these hunters to pick up their bounty owed for jobs completed. The town of Kakía Topoi wasn’t far, its meaning in Ancient Greek translated into Evil Place, as most towns were named in the literal sense, just like in ancient earth.

The town gates could be seen at the end of the road and with the speed the horses rode at, we were there in minutes. A row of wooden poles each spiked three stories high, as most towns in the Underworld were surrounded by walls for a reason…to keep out those who are unwelcome.Which was why the moment we stopped, town guards appeared, instantly drawing their weapons.

“Who goes there!?” a voice shouted from the battlement above, their bows drawn ready to fire.

“We seek business at the inn,” I shouted, making him scoff and test us.

“At the Black Claw, you say?”

“No, as that is the inn at Gods Hallow,” I replied, knowing of one of the other towns on the other side of the river.

“I speak of The Devil’s Hoof,” I added, making the guard take pause, which was when Tyr intervened, pulling his axe from his back and said,

“We come to this town peacefully, but being Tyr, God of War and Justice, I always welcome a chance to use this, for I assure you, this gate would take little effort for my axe.”

“Subtle,”Marcus muttered, making me reply,

“Isn’t that our specialty?”

His grin said it all.

The guards muttered some more and said,

“We want no trouble with outsiders.”

“And you will get none as long as you don’t keep us from our business, now open your gates, for we will not ask again!” I shouted, losing patience, something that was evident in my tone.