Things couldn't have been more worse.

With Apollo losing his godliness and immortality, it was quite evident that the other gods weren't far behind. Rhydion stared at the back of Red's hood as she walked in front of them. He could feel her hardened expression staring ahead as she walked. He could feel her heartbeat, racing wildly against her chest. He could almost hear the bead of perspiration roll down the side of her brow as she struggled to be brave.

Rhydion wanted to pull her aside and tell her it was going to be okay. He wanted to reassure her, and make good happen. But he knew well there was really nothing he could say. They both knew that what was coming was far greater than anyone could have ever imagined. Something, that was beyond the minds of all creation. Something unexpected.

And the children didn't know that. And it was best suited that way. If the three young friends were to fulfill the prophecy, they needed to make sure that they were hopeful. Hopeful that they would make it. Hopeful that the world would be saved. Hopeful, that they would see their loved ones again.
It pained him to see other innocents being ripped away from their peaceful lives, for mistakes made by those in authority.

It wasn't fair. His own childhood had been destroyed, all because of a tiny argument the gods had over some nonsense only they knew about. For years he plotted to get back to them for all that they had taken away from him. He'd become a savage beast, an unrecognisable animosity that everyone around him feared. His thirst for revenge was what got the best of him, until her. Red.

"Rhydion?" A voice interrupted his deep thoughts.

He looked flustered for a moment but gained his posture.

"Yeah, alright. So the fastest way to get through from here is by the River Serparella. The second option is, well, going all the way through the middle of the woods. It'll take us the whole night if we want to get through from the long route," he explained.

"We can't take the road by the river." Apollo argued.

Red raised an eyebrow.
"Why not? It's the fastest way out and I don't see any reason why we shouldn't."

"I'm afraid he's correct, Red." Lucas interrupted.

Rhydion turned to face the young prince. The prince, feeling uncomfortable with all gazes upon him, shifted his weight from one foot to the other.

"I don't know if this is exactly accurate, but there lives a creature in the river that would not be happy to see us." Lucas said.

"What creature? I haven't heard of any creature!" Red replied.

"How long have you been away from the city Red? Things have changed." Apollo added.

"What kind of creature are we talking about?" Ella asked.

"You don't mean...No," Cora gasped.

"Oh yes, sweetie. That." Apollo confirmed.

"If-if that's so, then it isn't a creature, it's two of them!" Cora yelped.

"What are you guys talking about!?" Rhydion bellowed.

Everyone looked at him for a moment. He glared back at each one of them. They didn't have time, and all they wanted to do was talk cryptically.

"Rhydion, the Charbydis and the Scylla." Cora whispered with a shudder.

Rhydion tightened his fists till his knuckles turned white. All of a sudden, he felt exhausted, like all the life was draining out of him. But he stood his ground and looked at Cora.

"What are the Charbydis and Scylla?" Ella asked.

"Two monsters that live on either side of a narrow strait or river, the former being a monster that lives inside a massive whirlpool and devours anything that goes in, the latter being a giant snake like sea monster that will lash and thrash till we all die. And then devour us." Lucas explained.

Ella looked ashen white. Red squeezed her shoulder reassuringly.

"We'll take the long way, then. It'll take time but, it'll be relatively safer." She explained.

Without further argument, they group began to move deeper into the forest. Rhydion could pick up different scents as they ventured deep into the woods, scents he could not recognise. It was making his inner animal agitated, and he struggled to control it. Red walked ahead, navigating through. Apollo, in all his godly glory, followed behind. A sudden thought struck him as he watched the god.

Jogging upto him, Rhydion whispered.
"How's the sun still up, Apollo?"

Apollo flinched and smiled weakly at Rhydion, "My sister is taking care of it well." He gave an excuse.

Rhydion knew something was fishy, but he himself could not come up with a better theory. Though he still couldn't think how Artemis could be making the sun stay up in the sky without the sun chariot and Apollo himself.

The sun was finally settling, and the dense canopy of trees had begun to create an even more darker atmosphere. Lucas walked tiredly near Rhydion.

"When do we rest? I'm exhausted." Lucas asked.

"A few more minutes, your Majesty." Rhydion answered.

"Please, it's Lucas. I'm nothing a prince should be and I don't deserve the title." Lucas said.

Rhydion pat his shoulder. "And why would you not be deserving of the title?"

"I know nothing about the fighting. I can barely take care of myself, let alone lead an army behind me! I don't even know how to lead! It's not something a prince should be like," Lucas murmured.

Rhydion looked at him with a smile. "Is that what you think makes a prince?"

"Is it not?"

"Well, partly. But all those things are learned, if not acquired. There are other things you need to have to be a prince." Rhydion told him.

"Like what?" Lucas asked with a frown.

For a moment, Lucas looked like someone he'd come across with that frown on his face. He'd never met his parents, but somehow he just knew. But he brushed the thought away as coincidence.

"Knowledge. Compassion. Kindness. Bravery. And you, Lucas, have it all." Rhydion told him.

Lucas looked at him with a thankful smile. "You think I'm brave?"

"Yes. I mean, instead of running away after learning of the prophecy, you're still here. What do you make of that?" He asked.

Lucas bowed his head. "How do you know so much about being a prince?"

Rhydion took a moment before answer. "I once knew someone who was a prince."

"What happened to him?"

"He's dead." Rhydion replied grimly and walked away from him before he asked anymore questions.

"We'll stop here for the night. We resume at the first light of dawn. Its not too safe to stay here," Red instructed.

Ella helped gather a few dry leaves and wood with Cora, who was doing it for the first time. Apollo, with his meagre amount of powers, lit a bonfire. They ate a little of what was left in Red's basket, and lay down to sleep. From where they lay, the sky was clearly visible to them.

Red lay next to Rhydion as he stared at them. She took his arm and held it close to her.

"I promised I would always protect you." Rhydion whispered sadly.

"Rhydion, we've been through this. You have always done everything to protect me. I love you." She snuggled in closer to him.

"I love you too." Rhydion whispered back.

He stared at the million stars, twinkling back at him, giving him a sense of calm and peace for the night.

I will protect you, Red. I will always protect you.

_______________

Hello there dear readers! I sincerely apologize to not update even on the given date. A serious case of writer's block had sent me into a research spree that was hard to get out of. I got lots of info but couldn't put it down in writing! So I'm so so sorry!

Also, if I haven't mentioned this to anyone before, I'm soon shifting! Where? Not in a nearby city that's there! Somewhere way far away than I anticipated. So I have a lot to prepare for, so please, please excuse me and accept my apology. I'm trying so very hard to get on track!

Okay! So what are your reviews on the chapter so far? So what's gonna happen now? The River's a no no. We don't wanna become sea food! But are the woods a better option? What's Apollo hiding? And who was Rhydion's prince friend?
Theories theories theories!!!!

Hope you enjoy this chapter! Don't forget to hit the 🌟 and comment your views and ideas🗨 and share the stories for others out there to read!📮

Until next time, byeeee!