Page 105 of Eryx

I couldn’t believe my eyes when the right flank of allies turned and fled. Some of the Spartans, now open to attack with not enough men to help them, also retreated.

“They are abandoning us!” Axios exclaimed.

The men in our rank saw the turn of the battle and began to panic. Our line officer started to issue an order when an arrow pierced his eye and came out the other side of his head. As his body crumpled to the dirt, the panic increased. Men began to move from the line.

“Hold your ground!” I commanded, taking charge on impulse. “Do not break formation! Raise your shields and aim your spears. Prepare for impact!”

The enemy had reached us at last. They charged forward and we pushed them back with our shields. Sweat trickled down my spine, and my arm shook with the force of shoving with all my strength against the enemy that was trying to break our line.

“Strike!” I ordered.

We struck them with our spears, killing them with a single blow. More took their place. Their numbers seemed never ending. Since the right flank had abandoned us earlier, we were left vulnerable on that side.

The Olynthians took advantage of this, and their commander shouted orders for them to charge. Even with my eyes on the approaching soldiers, I felt Axios start to panic.

“Stay strong, Ax!” I yelled just as another wave of enemies reached us.

Axios shouted as he put all of his weight against his shield, trying his best to keep the line from breaking. If it broke, I could not guarantee we’d survive. I had promised him he’d return to Sparta after the battle, and even if it killed me in the process, I would keep my word.

“Spartans!” Teleutias roared above the noise of battle. “Forward!”

I growled low in my throat as I struck a man in the chest. Teleutias and his army had stayed at the rear as we attacked first. They marched past us and met another enemy force. Their advance meant very little to us, however. Our defenses were weakened, and as more men fell, we became even more exposed.

Ares, god of war, keep us strong,I prayed.

Blood splattered chests and helmets as the men in front of us were slain. A sword went through a Spartan’s neck while another had his head removed clean off his shoulders.

And then the phalanx broke.

With the breaking of our formation, the Olynthians stormed our ranks. I tossed aside my spear and pulled the sword from my hip. Men fought all around me, their swords clashing. Some screamed as they dropped to the dirt, their stomachs sliced open and their insides spilling out.

That was when I realized Axios was not at my side.

Just as I turned to search for him, a man swung a sword at my head. I ducked beneath the swing before bringing mine up and slicing it across his chest. He fell and another rushed forward. As much as my heart screamed for me to find Axios, I could not look for him while in the sea of enemies. One moment of distraction was all it’d take to lose my head.

I deflected blows with my shield and struck them with my sword. Blood and sweat stuck to my skin, and my muscles screamed in protest as the battle waged on. As more of my men died, I began to panic.

Do not leave me,I begged of Axios.

Then, I saw him.

He stood beside Haden as they protected each other with their shields in between strikes. I made my way over, slicing men as I passed and dodging fatal hits. More foes gained on Axios and Haden, and I ran faster through the cluster of dead bodies and battling men to reach them.

Theon and Quill joined them, adding their shields to the defenses. Axios nodded to them before turning his head in all directions.

Was he searching for me?

Reaching him, I brushed a hand along his side. His body instantly relaxed without him even looking at me. He knew I was there. Once I took position at his right, the five of us fought as one. We couldn’t reform the phalanx, but we could use what we’d learned and stand our ground.

Chaos still ensued around us as men fell on both sides. I didn’t know how long we could defend against the onslaught, but I refused to surrender.

A sword breached the gap between us and struck Axios’ shoulder. As blood pooled from the wound—his blood—it felt like I had jumped into a lake of fire. I had never been so angry in all my life. I growled and thrust my sword into the man’s eye, glaring as he dropped to the dirt and was trampled by other soldiers.

Sleep with the worms, you filth.

More Spartans joined the fray, gathering around us to help. Even with them at our sides, the enemy had the advantage. I readied myself for death. With a portion of our army having retreated earlier and many more being slain, we were outnumbered. The only thing keeping the battle going now was pure determination and Spartan pride.

“Retreat!” the Olynthian commander shouted.