Earth, Wind, & Fire…AND LOTS AND LOTS OF ICE

[Atelos]

Atelos was afraid of his own mind and he knew he had to get away from everywhere. The intruder's voice freaked Atelos out and messed with his mind, however the voice seemed to be dormant…for now. He continued walking along hoping for an opportunity to clear his mind by himself.

With his shield on his back and aura and nice soft white he made sure he had everything he needed before he left. As he was entering the more sketchy side of Darkshire he grew more attentive. He kept his ears and eyes wide open. He saw a dignified man in wealthy winter clothes speaking to two young lads with their eyes in absolute awe of his tale. Atelos decided to drop in and listen to the story the traveler was telling. He walked over to where the two boys were and sat down next to them. The merchant kept his eye on the Spartan as he saw him sit down next to the two boys and he paused in the middle of his sentence.

"Can I help you?" The merchant looked vexed and started to inspect the bronze warrior.

“Continue” demanded the Spartan. The traveler looked at Atelos with a look of confusion and let out a great sigh.

The man rolled his eyes and continued, “And there it was. The Temple…”

The Spartan hastily intruded, “What temple?”

The man annoyed with the spartan seemed to glare at him and gave him a dirty look. “The Temple of Fire.”

Atelos’ eyes widened and his mouth kept shut. The traveler looked more satisfied with the spartan and continued uninterrupted. “There is legend that in this temple lie a mysterious artifact that contains unfathomable power…But beware there are perils involved in receiving the artifact. No man who has ever seen the temple has lived to tell the tale.”

Atelos could not hold his curiosity anymore. “Where is this temple! Is this true! Tell me traveler!” Atelos stood up quickly and picked up the man by his shirt. “Tell me now!” Atelos’ aura grew up in anticipation.

The traveler trembling spoke… “I...I don’t know...it is just a myth...a legend. It is rumored to lie on the tallest mountain in the Frozen Fields.” His hands were trembling and pointed towards the portal that lead to the Fields and quivered with fear of being murdered by this enormous Grecian.

“Good. Thank you for your time,” grinned Atelos. This sounded like the perfect opportunity to reflect as well as an opportunity to keep his mind off the demon. He dropped the man on the floor and just walked away leaving the man eating dust as he walked away never seeing him again.

The two hours on his way to the Frozen Fields he couldn’t help his excitement.

I will overcome this disease.

As he appeared before the giant gate he smiled a sheepish grin. He touched the portal and sucked into the darkness again. And then...cold just utter coldness. He fell on the ground, literally ice beneath his feet. Atelos began shaking violently and his teeth chattered. His grecian attire was not dressed for this freezing temperatures, the thin cloak was horribly inadequate at warming up someone. Thinking quickly Atelos ignited his shield onto his back, providing shelter from the environment as well as warming up Atelos slightly. With this Atelos was now in tolerable conditions from behind. The blizzard was freezing his front body and especially his legs. He now concentrated even harder extending the flames from his shield in order to warm his entire body. He knew if he broke his concentration the flames would die down and the blizzard would effectively make Atelos a grecian popsicle. Great… a pyromancer in Antarctica. Atelos now “comfortable”, took his first, mighty step in his quest.

*Shatter*

His entire right leg dropped immediately into the freezing cold, and it took a minute to get his leg out and shake off the water which seemed to already began to freeze over the Spartan's leg hair. His leg freezing cold, sandals were not great clothes to protect from ice. Great thin ice too...better be careful. He took note of how when he hit the floor how the ice began to form a spiderweb. I have to be really careful now. This was probably the least perilous part of his journey and he could die just as easily from it. Atelos now equally distributing his weight with each foot began to move forward. He put his foot forward carefully and tested the ground each time.

It took him a good, tiring hour of this and by this time Atelos began to grow careless as he thought he was on thicker ice. He put his foot forward a little to hard and the entire ground beneath him cracked giving into his weight. Atelos face went from sheer boredom into complete panic. His relatively dry body suddenly dropped into the icy depths. All he could see and feel was the freezing cold water. His shield dropping into the dark oblivion of the ocean and Atelos saw the water beginning to freeze over the hole he had fell into. Atelos swam down into the darkness for his shield, but the shields bronze nature was sinking too fast and before he knew it the shield was in complete blackness. Atelos finally caught up to it and grabbed on to it, his last effort of oxygen had to be used to swim to the surface which already was beginning to close up. Movement ran across his eye in the blackness and he began to swim to the surface. A pair of eyes seemed to glow in the darkness of the water and Atelos frantically swam to the surface. As his wet skin touched the surface, he took a big gasp for air and hurriedly climbed over onto the ice.

The blizzard was bad enough but now completely wet and freezing from the water Atelos would be screwed. He franticly ignited his shield and felt little relief. He began walking and the ground underneath him felt much more solid a little relief came to him. The icey cold nipped at his skin and he felt his toes turn a little blue. The sun began to go down and Atelos began to panic. He soon found a cave and ran into it. If I am to complete this quest I need to take this more seriously. Exhausted he set his shield down on the ground and ignited it. He sat warming and drying off his body when he was overcome by fatigue. His vision turned black and his consciousness went with it.

[Atelos]

Atelos’ vision was blurred and he saw numerous blobs of orange and white and silver. “Shh.He’s waking up,” he heard a voice with anticipation. As he rubbed his eyes, clearing his vision he saw numerous little men with great beards and battle worn armor. “Where...where am I?”

“You’re in Dwarfholm my friend,” said the same voice. He looked and saw a unique small man, one with golden facial hair like the others. “I am Borin and I noticed you were in quite a predicament there. We dragged you out of the cave and brought you here”

“Thank you. I offer you my assistance in anyway possible. My name is Atelos and I am in every way indebted to you,” Atelos spoke. He noticed his shield to the side and his glove and that his clothes to the side of the bed. He then just realized he was naked in all of their presence, however he was hardly unnerved.

Borin smiled a giant grin. “Good to have you here! We’ll leave you a moment to get dressed and once you’ve finished Torvald will show you the way.” And before Atelos could reply the wooden door slammed shut and he was left alone in the room. Atelos got up and put his clothes on. His hands touched the stone walls. Am I further inside the mountain? Puzzled he went and gathered his shield and put on his glove. He sat on the bed and laid down. He let out a tremendous sigh and picked up the pillow and he dropped it on his face. He sat there thinking about his life and the revenge he sought for in his past life. It all seemed so far away now. He got up and cleaned the room. He didn’t want to seem like an animal to the people who treated him so well.

Well dressed and ready to continue his quest he opened the door to see the little man, whose name must be Torvald standing there. In a deeper voice than I expected said, “Come with me.” He then took Atelos on a tour of the village, completely made out of stone, and how ornate the entire city was. As Atelos was touring down the village he noticed how beautiful and wondrous the village was until he was taken down porcelain stairs into a normal building, which appeared to be their Barracks. However it was a very small barracks. As he entered, he had to crouch down in order to fit through the smallish door. he saw many people with swords practicing with each other, which Atelos had to stifle a laugh because they were so little compared to him. As he passed through multiple bedrooms, very similar to what he had seen in Darkshire, he was finally dragged to a hallway which at the end of the room said “Borin, Recruitment Center.”

Torvald practically shoved Atelos through the office and quickly closed the door and left. Atelos was left in the room with Borin, although the room was much larger as if were to accommodate a much larger guest. Borin motioned to let Atelos have a seat, which Atelos did take. “So, how do you’ like Dwarfholm?” Do you have any questions?”

“I like the place very much sir. I am just wondering why…”

“Why everyone is small? We are dwarves. Are you not from here?”

Atelos let out a nervous chuckle. “Actually I’m not, I have never seen a dwarf before.”

Borin and Atelos share a couple of laughs and once finished Borin begins to speak. “What is your business in the Frozen Fields, We don’t have many visitors due to the constant blizzards and it is not common for those that do have business, dress as horribly as you.”

“Actually...I heard there was an ancient artifact in the Temple Of Fire…”

“Oh so you heard the myth?”

“So it isn’t true?” Atelos’ face seemed downcast and disappointed.

Keying in on this disappointment, Borin quickly recovered, “Oh no it is very real. It is just that no one has left for the temple and lived to tell the tale. If you are going to embark on this quest you will need help.”

Atelos’ eyes brightened with opportunity. “Are you going to assist me in my quest? I am ever in your debt.”
Borin laughed heartily. “I’ll have one of my men take you out to the exit in the morning. Our cities exit is much closer to the mountain than the entrance is.”

Atelos stood up and thanked him repeatedly for his assistance and he promised him that he would repay the favor that the dwarves had given him. He vowed that when he returned that he would repay them in anyway possible. He stood up and bowed to the dwarf and exited the room. He spent the rest of the day in the room that they had lent him polishing his shield and making sure his flames worked. The night came slowly and Atelos’ could not hold his excitement for the journey ahead.

Morning came quickly. Atelos was awakened with a knock and Atelos practically sprinted out of bed. He put on his cloak and helmet and all of his clothing. He opened the door to find Borin there. There in his hands were a pair of pants and a cloak to put over his cape. Atelos’ heart was touched and he had no words to describe how happy he was. His bright aura turned blue-green and he felt as if this new place was worthy to be called his home. “I had someone sew these for you. You won’t be able to come back if you die from the weather.” Atelos took the clothes from Borin and you could see his eyes starting to water. But just for a second. “I also thought I could show you the way. I brought you here. I should be the one to escort you out.”

Atelos put on the extra layer of clothes and they were off. Borin and Atelos were laughing and talking all the way to the exit. They shared many jokes and for once Atelos felt like this place was his home. He completely forgot about his home town, for this place was much more welcoming and friendly than his old Sparta could ever be. His aura was now a bright green and he was constantly smiling. Even though he wasn’t a dwarf, Borin felt like family.

They were laughing uncontrollably when they heard the howling and screaming of the winds and blizzard outside. Yet it didn’t become real until the snow was slowly covering the ground that they were walking on. They both stood at the exit to the fortress when Borin sighed. The harsh elements outside was a drastic contrast to the homely nature of Dwarfholm. The white was almost as blank as the nexus and Borin turned to Atelos.“Welp, this is where we part my friend.”

“Thanks...for everything,” said Atelos to his new blonde-haired friend. They grabbed each others hands and had eye contact. “Good luck out there. Come back before dinner gets cold.” They both shared a laugh and then in almost teary departure Atelos left. Atelos didn’t look back but if he did he would see Borin ALMOST tear up.

Atelos went out into the harsh weather, more protected than before with his gift from the Dwarfs. As he embraced the weather he noticed all of the snow around him and he noticed the tall mountains which would extend up into the sky beyond his vision. Welp this is where my journey really starts.

[Atelos]

Atelos went out into the harsh weather, more protected than before with his gift from the Dwarfs. As he embraced the weather he noticed all of the snow around him and he noticed the tall mountains which would extend up into the sky beyond his vision. Welp this is where my journey really starts.

It’s the tallest mountain in the verse, you’ll know when you see it. The weather gets more intense as you get closer, Atelos remembered Borin say. Atelos searched for hours and hours for the mountain but he seemed to get nowhere. I’m going in circles. This verse looks all the same to me. The mountains all passed through the clouds and reached into the sky. He couldn’t even see the footprints he once set because of the ongoing blizzard. Atelos was so frustrated and he hit the ground below him which soon melted. At least I can keep warm. Atelos rolled his eyes and kept on walking. As he was walking he noticed a sudden drop in temperature and the blizzard grew in strength, with this drop Atelos’ hopes grew. As he was walking he noticed this giant mountain before him. It was noticeably larger than the rest. The base was twice the size the others and a much darker shade than the rest.

As he was about to start his climb he noticed 6 green things with tusks. So these things are the renown trolls i’ve been hearing about. He was going to avoid them like Borin said until he heard some muffled shouting. He came closer to the trolls.

“You won’t get away with this. Dwarfholm will not take this easily” shouted the muffled voices. “Shut up!” gnarled the trolls.

Dwarfholm? Are they kidnapping dwarves? Atelos’ aura turned a bright red and he put on his shield and ignited his glove. The troll pack instantly noticed the bright flashing red in the middle of the white. The flaming warrior was a bright contrast in the whiteness of the surroundings. Atelos ran up and punched a troll in the face throwing him back a few yards. The troll slid on his back until he was knocked unconscious, hitting a tree. The other trolls drew their swords and growled towards the spartan while the two carrying the back dropped the dwarfs with an oof. “You messed with the wrong trolls human.”

Atelos heard a whisper, “Destroy them!” Every muscle in his body despised those trolls and his aura grew a bright pulsating red. The blood in his veins were felt like they were bubbling over and his nostrils appeared to steam. Atelos’ pulsating aura turned into three swords above him, not intimidating the trolls much. “You are misguided if you think I am just a human.” The trolls looking aggravated drew their swords and charged the spartan. The closest one got a taste of Atelos’ shield as it bashed into his face. As the remaining four surrounded Atelos his swords seemed to pulsate longing for their blood to be spilt. The trolls in front of him aggressive took all of his attention, while his Aura swords we busily parrying the attacks from the other two. As the trolls in front of him were busy clashing their swords on his massive shield he pushed them off with a push and his flaming fist ran right into one, quickly followed by a massive shield strike to the other Troll’s neck. Only with two left, Atelos turned to face them. His aura swords successfully parrying them off now quickly spun around Atelos in an intimidating manner. The two trolls look at how easily their comrades fell and their face looked grim. His swords then quickly left a succession of marks on each of the trolls until Atelos grabbed on by the throat, searing his neck. He tossed the troll, no more than he would a doll. The last troll stood there, impaled by all three swords. As the swords retract and turn back into his aura the last troll fell.

“I am a Spartan...not a man.”

"And something more than that," a whisper flew across his mind for only a second.

Atelos slowly walked over to the bags struggling and screaming, “You’ll regret this, you cursed trolls!” Atelos opened the bags and out came two Dwarfs almost like out of a clown car. The two dwarfs came charging into Atelos as if to fight him until they realized he wasn’t a troll. Atelos turned them around and sent them they way to Dwarfholm.

“Tell Borin thank you.” He pushed them along as if they were little children going to school with a puzzled look on their face and they did not realize what had just happened until they saw the corpses of the trolls. They finally realized what had happened and scampered on their way to his friend.

Atelos’ aura simmered down into as a small kindled ember. His blood no longer boiled yet his thoughts were clouded...Was this similar to the vision he had...What has such a strong control over his thoughts. He mind was muddled and he could not feel anything was going to be clear.

Atelos shook his head and looked up the enormous mountain...That’s going to be a very long climb. His aura turned into swords and he put his shield onto his back. He grabbed two of the swords and began to climb.

[Atelos]

The climb was easy enough. He could just climb up the sword stairs that his aura created. A couple hours past and Atelos could not see the ground beneath him nor anything above him, the torrent of winds threatened to blow him off any second. He looked out at the beautiful scenery. The snow blowing around him and the beautiful blue-white sky and the sun brightening up his day. He continued his climb only to reach a ledge. He climbed on top of the edge and got over it. He must not have been very far up the mountain because the ledge was still very roomy and did not extend over the base of the mountain. Atelos took a breather, the climb wasn’t necessarily tiring but Atelos just wanted to sit. He laid down and closed his eyes for a brief second.

THUD* Atelos’ body jumped a little bit THUD* Atelos got up with panic. THUD* Atelos looked around looking for something. He saw this grey right behind him. His eyes widened and he rolled. SLAM* A fist came down where Atelos was just sitting. He got up to see a literal Giant before him at least three times his size. His eyes widened and the three swords materialized before him. He didn’t have much SLAM* the monstrous being just smashed his fist missing Atelos. Atelos running to the feet of the Giant slides by in the ice stabbing it repeatedly in the thigh. The monster let out what appeared to be a roar. Atelos now got a good view of the giant now. The humanoid creature appeared to be a monstrous being with the texture of rock. The head however had no face just a crater which he assumed to be a mouth. He no more time to look a fist came down and he rolled just avoiding the fist.

Atelos ignited his fist and came inflicting little to no damage to the giant being. The stabs and fiery punches seemed to only leave the giant more angry. The giant swatted at Atelos flinging him to the nearest wall. Hitting his back against the wall, Atelos got up without grimacing. He had many a beatings and this one won’t be any different, except its from a twenty foot giant. Atelos sprang from the wall and began focusing on avoiding the blows. THUD* dodge* THUD* dodge* with an occasional stab or punch to the hand or to the foot. It seemed to work at wearing down this huge menace until it stomped at the ground flinging Atelos to the edge of the cliff almost falling off. Atelos tried to wear down the giant but to no avail.

Atelos knowing that the trades aren’t going well had to find another way to kill this thing. The giant let out a groan and swung at Atelos again, knocking him against the wall. He saw the wall and moronically he decided to climb the wall. The giant soon followed him right on his tail swinging an arm at him, just barely missing his legs. The blizzard helping neither of them in the fight blinding both of their visions.

The giant hit the wall and Atelos heard a rumble and from the clouds above it started to rain rocks. The ruck struck Atelos in the chest and he fell. Atelos let the speed of gravity carry him down towards the giant. His fist ignited he came down impending upon the giant. The giant took one last swing at the falling Spartan. All went black and you could hear and audible slash and the giant’s groan.

Atelos came back to consciousness with Giant’s blood on his hand and the giant, or what’s left the bloody pulp of a corpse lying on the floor. Atelos’ aura went back to its passive form and was a small red. Atelos dragged the Giant and tossed it off the edge. He no longer wished to see the bloody pulp of a corpse that was left. He could not remember what had happened. He remembered the feeling, of bloodlust and he remembered the darkness. He began to shudder of the thought. What the hell was in his mind.

Atelos went right back to climbing his blood rushing from the victory. The sun began to go down and Atelos knew he had to find a ledge soon. But he stopped for one second. The sun was beautiful. The ongoing blizzard didn’t help but when the Sun met the earth it created a hazy purple that lasted for just a second and Atelos had just stopped to see it. He wasn’t sure if it was just this angle or the verse was just that beautiful. His aura seemed to be completely dead now, Atelos was in full control. His thoughts were clear for just a second, until the beauty was broken by the innate rampancy of what was tainting his mind.

He eventually just climbed up and found the nearest ledge. He was relieved to finally find it because the sun went down and it was dark and cold. He ignited his shield and laid near it and went to sleep anticipating the venture ahead.

[Atelos]

His peaceful sleep was soon interrupted when he heard a raspy voice said, “He’s right here! Get em’ boys!” Atelos woke up lazily but was startled awake when he found out there were twelve trolls charging at him. He gathered his shield and extended the flames to cover his full body from attacks. They knew they couldn’t land a blow with their swords and started trying to push him off the cliff. Pushing forward as hard as he could he ended up jumping to the side when he saw the edge, causing two of the twelve to stumble and fall off. Their screams were faint by the time Atelos’ aura swords manifested and went to offense immediately. As the rest of the ten began to draw their swords Atelos was already upon two of them, impaling one with his three swords and leaving a strike to the face of another. Backing up, with all eight trolls wielding their swords. The blizzard picked up only allowing the trolls to see whiteness and Atelos’ fire. The blizzard became more calm and two more trolls fell to Atelos, their blood laying on the ground.

The troll with the seared neck was out of the fight watching them push Atelos off the cliff and in a manner of seconds four of them were gone. His eyes widened as the man with the shield then bashed another onto the ground. His squad of twelve soldiers were like playthings or dolls to this monster and in a matter of minutes all that remained were their bloody corpses on the ground. The troll began to tremble in fear and walked to the edge in order to escape from the monster before him. The large man walked up the the troll with his comrades blood on his hands. He grabbed the troll by the neck once more and dangled him off the cliff. His voice spoke softly and with murder in his eyes. Another presence seemed to be there. “Tell your friends hello when you see them.” The man dropped the struggling Troll, it’s last sensation- the white, cold that surrounded him during the fall.

Atelos was done with all these petty fights. At least the giant posed a challenge to Atelos. He actually had to fight but these trolls were almost as if they were flies doing nothing but pestering him. He scoffed at the trolls weak, uncoordinated fighting style. “Pathetic”
Atelos climbed for hours upon end and passed multiple clouds. He was climbing at a normal pace until his sword got placed into a patch of loose rocks. He let go of the sturdy sword and grabbed hold onto the other. Atelos was suddenly dropped from the mountain off towards the hard ground.He had traveled so far up all he could see was the white snowstorm all around him and the thick white wall which he had spent many hours upon. Quickly thinking he grabbed his swords and dug them deep into the mountain slowing his descent and eventually coming to a complete stop many miles down the mountain which he had climbed. All that time wasted…He didn’t hesitate but instead climbed out the mountain like nothing had happened.

[Atelos]

Atelos after many hours of uneventful climbing reached the top. Seeing nothing but the ongoing blizzard’s he dropped to the ground. Frustrated that this was all a lie he began to question his entire journey. The storm died down and in a look of desperation he looked up once more to the blankness ahead of him. However, without the blinding snow he saw it. The Temple of Fire. It was huge, clearly made for greater beings than him, almost taller than a giant would need. Almost in shock that he made it to his destination after all of that journey he felt a little relieved.

The Temple was a bright red and the roof a dark black. He slowly walked up to the grand decorated doors, which seemed to be decorated with gold and silver. The massive doors stood before him with two Dragon-like figures decaling the entrance to the doors. He put his hand across it, feeling the valuable material before him but this was not his treasure. His treasure was inside. It was ten minutes before he had the courage and grabbed a hold onto the Silver Door handles. His anticipation was killing him. He finally pulled on the handles. This is it...He opened the door and there it was. On a pedestal was THE Dragon’s Maw. The room itself was completely bland. There were beige tiles all over the room, including the roof. The Dragon’s Maw was at the end....His quest’s goal was right there on a silver pedestal, literally being handed to him on a silver plate. The Dragon’s Maw was a rather large Dragon Skull. It was 2 feet tall and 1 foot wide. It’s color and texture was a Charred black charcoal look and had a pole to grab onto the middle for someone or something to hold it. It’s eyes seemed to glow a bright white at Atelos drawing him in.

Atelos, almost gloatingly, took his first step towards his prize but his foot seemed to sink into the ground with a crisp CLICK* underneath. Atelos looked down for a second, his foot seemed to have set some trap. His eyes widened, his journey wasn’t over. He looked up to the treasure before him but the podium was so far away and began to sink into the ground. Atelos ran towards the Maw but it was too late. By the time he reached the podium the floor had closed over the maw. Atelos’ aura turned a great red and he hit the ground with his fists. “AGGGGGHHHHH!” CLICK CLICK CLICK* Atelos got up and turned around. Ten arrows came out of the ceiling hitting Atelos, three in the shield and the seven others into his left shoulder and back. Atelos just looked at the arrows lodged deep into his shoulder blade and just ripped them out. He ignited his glove and stopped the bleeding by burning his wound. I will get the maw. His eyes were full of rage and passion and he would not be stopped no matter what came at him. He began to smile, the presence was growing stronger within him. He felt like the Demon was with him on this one.

A door opened up before him and he entered the room same blandness as before. As he entered the door behind him shut and disappeared. The corners of the room had tiles with Dragon faces. As Atelos took his first step the fires spewed out of the mouths. Atelos eyes widened and his instincts turned on. He ran to the nearest wall of the large room and with each step the fire took another panel and claimed it to be theirs. Each panel was towards Atelos decreasing the space he had left. Once he reached the wall he banged on it, alas nothing happened. NOTHING happened, the fires stopped advancing. It slowly dawned on Atleos...Every step lead to his demise. He would have to be smart, using his brain versus his brawn however by the time he realized this the flames had taken a tenth of the room. He leaped over every other step going for the wall to the North the fires tickling every step he took. By the time he reached the North Wall the flames had taken half of the room. Almost completely surrounded by the flames he banged on the North wall alas to no result. He then ran over to the East wall, which now the room was completely in flames but the spot he was standing on. He had no more room to move and nowhere else to run. He banged on the wall to ALAS no results. I thought there would be a hidden door somewhere… The flames were searing his legs warming him up contrasting to the environment outside. He sat down thinking while the flames were busy making him a nice Spartan Cuisine. He sat in the room for a good thirty minutes while he seemed to sweat out any progress in his mind. Frustrated he hit his head against the wall and saw a blue tile in the middle of the roof with a raindrop on it. He facepalmed and let out a chuckle. Look at your surroundings idiot. He got up and took the shield off his back. He aimed his shield carefully, this would be his only shot…he flung his shield and hit the blue tile and the flames were suddenly quenched and a door appeared behind him, causing him to fall through and land on his back. He got up and gathered his shield and prepared for the next room stretching his legs and arms. He took a deep breath and sighed. He needed to concentrate and focus, his excitement shook him and it could get him easily killed. He honed into his spartan training and focused, however his mind was still cloudy. He opened his eyes ready for the next room.

[Atelos]

He walked into the next room being aware of his surroundings. As he entered the room he noticed the floor was noticeably different. All of the tiles, except the one he was standing on was different colors, varying from red to green, blue and even the basics like black and white. He stood on his piece and tapped the red tile with his foot and as he touched it every red tile turned into lava. Great...its this type of room… He saw the open door all the way at the end of the room He stepped on the white tile and put a little of his weight on it where a bright light flashed in his eyes making him blind for briefly a second. He then decided that the white one’s were the safest, as he didn’t want to find out what the other’s did. He stepped carefully across every white tile just to avoid hitting the other ones. Being a little careless he let his foot touch a single blue tile. The tile seemed to spew a fountain of water. So the blue tiles are safe too? However the tile began to take the shape of a humanoid. Not just any humanoid but it seemed to be a water-replica of Atelos. All of the tiles around him turned blue spewing water of their own each creating a different Atelos. As Atelos’ swords came to be, so did theirs. Now faced against 8 identical Ateloses the combat began. He had to be defensive, his aura swords parrying those behind him while he was taking a beating from the front, blocked by his shield. Hahahahahahahahahahhah! The Ateloses laughed at him. “Pathetic.” Their blows were so fast he couldn’t nearly catch up. Their blows were getting more and more occurrent and he was being overwhelmed. SHINK* Their attacks suddenly stopped and their laughter grew louder. He looked down to see six swords sticking out of his stomach.“What’s wrong Atelos? I thought you were a Spartan? Poor baby don’t cry. Haha. You can’t get anything right.” The swords were suddenly pulled out from his body. The laughter was all around him. Atelos fell to his knees and the first Water Clone came and grabbed Atelos by his hair. “You failed again!” Atelos’ aura seemed to pulsate violently as the water-copy brought down it’s sword upon Atelos. Atelos’ hand was thrust up in the air blocking the sword surprising the water-copy. Atelos’ however was not doing this out of his own will. His legs were the weight of lead, however they were suddenly forced up as if they were feathers. His aura swords were no longer in his control but suddenly had a mind of their own. The copies had no idea what was going on. Atelos was forced to throw punches at them suddenly taking out one from surprise, while the others recovered. Atelos involuntarily, yet graceful was able to slice another two without effort. Atelos got stabbed again in the chest and he blacked out. The next sight he saw was the leftover of the puddles before him and he felt the immediate fatigue and blackness of his body.For a moment he had to fight back for control of his body movements. This thing inside of Atelos, it was powerful and could take control whenever it wanted... Atelos needed to get out and continued this passage.

About halfway across the room, the white till was far away from the other one and he jumped to hit it. He landed both feet on the tile but the bright light hit him. He wobbled and shielded his eyes with his hand but the jump had led him to trip and fall over. His hands fell on two green tiles and his face was about to smack right into a lava tile. His face was being burned from the heat, however his hands and pushed him up preventing his face to fall into the lava. The green tiles glew a bright green and the ceiling began to open up. Oh shit...The ceiling let out a green gas. Atelos’ eyes grew wide in fear. He ran towards the door in eagerness to not find out what the gas was. However he made sure he only stepped in green and white. However as he is about to reach the end of the puzzle, he steps on a black and a blue and the doors were beginning to shut. Atelos tosses his shield which then lodges between the door. “YES FINALLY SOMETHING GOES RIGHT FOR ME!” The eight copies was too busy being summoned Atelos booked towards the door. The green dense cloud was reaching the tip of his helmet and he heard an audible hissing sound. The tip was melting! The cloud melts everything in its path. The eight copies had finished being summoned but the poison was too quick and turned all eight into puddles before they could even speak a single word. Atelos now running in a hunched over manner runs to the door smiling. The cloud was now almost touching him and he reached the end of the puzzle sliding on the tiles, grabbing his shield in the process. SLAM* The door just clipped Atelos’ cape tugging it as he was entering the next room. He ripped it just leaving behind the part that was left in the door.

He bent over panting tired from the exhilaration this quest has given him. He hasn’t had this much fun since...since...he was at the village...Preparing to...he shook his head. He wasn’t going to think about that. It doesn’t matter anymore. His aura a bright green-red from the passion and energy flowing from him. He jumped up and down prepping for the next room. His scratches and scabs on the legs as well as his stomach wounds did nothing to his moral or even hardly affect him physically. “HURRAH!”

He laid against the wall taking a breather. His aura was stronger than ever, however his emotions was not any extreme. He heard a whisper and he quickly got up and brought out his shield. Another one seemed to dart in his mind and he glanced around. Another whisper. It dawned on him that nothing was moving. The whispers came from his own mind.

The jackal voice seemed to peep out of nowhere.
“Give me control…”

The continual whispers grew louder. It was the one voice and with the increasing whispers, his aura seemed to pulsate brighter and brighter.

“Get out of MY HEAD!”

“Silly Spartan, without me you would perish. I am the reason why you are alive. You need my power to survive.”

The room seemed to shrink in on Atelos, his mind racing with horrifying thoughts.“What are you?”

“What am I?” The jackal voice let out a hyena laugh. The response dropped Atelos’ heart. “I am the King of Hell, the God of Death, the omen of doom and destruction.”

Both of their voices talked in unison for a moment.

“I am HADES!” The hyena laugh seemed to endure centuries.

[Atelos]

“Now Spartan, you will give me control of this vessel and we will escape from here.”

“You will never grasp a hold of this body.”

The voice in his head seemed disappointed, “We shall see Spartan...We shall see...” Atelos could not see the god in his head but he could feel as if it was smiling playfully. Atelos shook his head, the voice was there but remained silent. He could feel a presence now but it seemed minute. He stood up, putting this horrifying experience out of his mind.


He now took a good look at his surroundings. The room was normal, door was at the very end of the hallway. However, there were eight statues. The were kneeling knights with Dragon heads instead of normal heads. Six of them had swords and two of them had spears. Atelos knew what was coming next. He walked ahead slowly paying attention to the statues as he walked across the room. He passed the first two and all eight of their eyes glew yellow. He heard the crunching of stone and he retreated so he could see all of the statues. He saw all of them began to move. I knew it… He prepared to make a run for it. They probably would be two slow to catch him. As he was backing up he saw the two at the end cover the door...So this is how they are going to make me fight these things… He then changed his plan. He had to take them out and once that was done he would have an easy time defeating the two at the end.

The six Dragon Knights walked mechanically to Atelos. They all unanimously stuck Atelos in the middle of his shield. These guys are pathetic. They slowly recovered and got ready for another swing. His swords went out and scratched one of the soldiers while they were recovering. They again sliced right into his shield, which after he bashed on of the soldier’s heads crushing it making the headless soldier fall onto his knees and die. He chuckled, this would be the easiest trap...or so he thought. He then saw a red fiery plasma transfer from the dead knight into the seven other knights. Their eyes glowed briefly and they then swung for his limbs at a quicker pace. Confused, but still dodged their attacks, he smashed his shield into another soldier. The same thing happened again, his plasm however was larger. The remaining soldiers got faster and started acting more wise. The four then began to advance and attack less in unison and began to attack covering one another, while still seemingly rigid. He then smashed his shield and punched two of the warriors causing them to perish as well, leaving one without a head and another with a hole in his chest. Their plasmas transferred into the remaining soldiers and that is when Atelos registered that the more he killed the more skilled they were. The remaining two were now proficient in their craft. They began to move less rigid and now were perfectly completing each others moves. While one recovered the other would attack until the first recovered. Atelos was then forced to play on the defense taking most of the hits waiting for an opportunity, obtaining many scratches and nicks while he was waiting for an opening. He never found one. They were pressing on him giving him no room. This continued until his back hit the wall. Distracted for just a second the knight’s sword drove into the wall next to him barely missing Atelos. He hit them with the shield toppling them over, jumping onto one of them while the other slowly got up. His fist ignited and punched the Knight’s face leaving nothing where there was rock. His plasma went into the air and into the final Sword Knight. The Knight’s eyes then glew a glorious white. The knight was now completely fluid. Atelos was now was put into a permanent state of defense. The knight picked up the second sword from one of the fallen Dragon Knights and began to duel wield. The knight performed many spins hitting Atelos’ shield and even nicking his legs and arms occasionally. Atelos would try and trade blows with his aura swords but the Dragon Knight deflected the blows with ease. Cornered Atelos rolled behind the knight, as he was parrying the aura swords, and pushed the knight against the wall. The pressure he placed upon the knight seemed to squeeze out his existence until his body crushed under the pressure, not before slicing into Atelos’ shoulder.

His great plasma now transferred into the two Spear Knights, resulting in their white eyes seemingly ignite. The charged towards Atelos one staying behind and the other leading the assault. The Knight opened up his mouth spreading his rock hard teeth with a flickering light in the back of his throat. Atelos had no time to question for the next thing he saw was the white burning fire that came out of his mouth in a cone. The other Knight seemed completely unaffected by the flames. Atelos’ shield then let out its own blue flames protecting him from the fire. The other knight, however, had to get through Atelos’ shield, which wasn’t an easy task. The knight thrusted his spear forward, the spear head crashing into the shield, knocking him to the ground and the flames stopped for a second. But only for a second until the Knight aimed at Atelos and let his flames do the rest of the work. Atelos backed up slowly until he was at the edge of the flames so the Knight had to readjust, with the help of the other Knight tossing him across the room. Atelos rolled across the floor bruised and battered but he had no time to think. The Knight had already aimed and fired his breathe at him. His shields fire was dimming and he had to do something before it was too late. The Spear knight however was already there tossing Atelos across the room. Atelos was thrown into the path of the other knight colliding with him, not before his right bicep was burnt and charred by the flame. Both him and the knight we tossed onto the floor and before the Spear Knight could catch up he smashed in the Fire-Knights head in. The Spear Knight then stabbed Atelos but his aura swords tried to turn the blow away from his stomach, but instead stabbing right into Atelos’ right bicep tearing his skin open, tearing into the muscle, now limiting the use of his punching arm. Atelos grunted as he smashed the Knight’s hand with his shield as his weapon dug into Atelos’ arm. Atelos then pushed him over to the floor and got on top of him smashing his head in. He sat there smashing in the pebbles for over fifteen minutes just destroying the thing. And without a word he got up and walked to the door. He was not thinking anymore. He had a bloodlust in his eyes and he was furious with the temple, willing to destroy it. His aura pulsated and he could feel the mischievous god’s presence.

The laugh echoed into his head, “I’m already onto a good start. It doesn’t take much to get your blood brewing, warrior.”

[Atelos]

Atelos shushed him off and entered the next room with a grim look on his face, there were no traps to be seen.. The door was right to the other side and he started walking to the other side. His face then smushed up against an invisible frame. What is this...He smashed his fist into the glass and it wouldn’t break. This must be some sort of indestructible glass...He sighed...he didn’t feel like dealing with this Clown House.

“Hahahaha!” Atelos looked around but saw absolutely nothing. The laughing continued, which seemed less menacing but instead a more genuine uncontrollable laughter...from a female. “Look what we have here…” A shadow flew past Atelos’ eye. A red-headed girl in all black clothes was walking towards Atelos. He seemed somewhat confused until she took two daggers, out of their sheaths, which had Dragon decals on the handles. He understood what she was...another guardian of the maw. More laughter ensued. She came up and sliced his arm quickly, which he in return lunged after her but he face-planted into a glass plane. Laughter surrounded him completely giving him no information about her whereabouts. His swords manifested and he soon found himself trapped in the glass maze with this maniac. More laughter and a quick stab to the thigh. He smashed his shield down but there was nothing there, but another tickled scratch to the shoulder. She was toying with him. A tickle to his shoulder blade and then another in his stomach. She was everywhere but nowhere at once. This maze wasn’t helping either, this combination soon blew Atelos’ short fuse causing his anger to control his mind. He no longer was thinking but instead let his rage determine his motions. A stab into the calf and a giggle caused him to slam his shield into the floor while the same thing in the shoulder caused him to futilely smash into the glass.

“COME OUT AND FIGHT ME!”

Laughter ensued, enraging Atelos. “This is much more fun,” said the feminine voice. Another stab in the foot heard by more laughter. Atelos was almost smoking out the ears and breathing like a bull. His vision turned quite literally red and his aura was expanding furiously. “AGGHHH!” The giggle wouldn’t stop as he continued through this aggravating maze, either hitting his face into a wall or being stabbed someplace, sometimes both. He finally took a deep breathe, but was interrupted by a glass wall. The giggling was constant. He felt a stab in his leg again and he knew he had to think so he came up with the most rudimentary plan he could, while in this mood. Walking more carefully he was touching his hand against the wall when he felt a stab in the shoulder. Immediately his knives went towards her feet. However with her speed it barely made it too her hands. Her giggling laughter died instantly and Atelos felt immediate satisfaction. He panicked struggling ripped her hand open even more. Confidently he turned around and breathed a sigh of relief. Finally… He turned and saw nothing but a bloody handprint and a dropped dagger. He looked and saw blood trail up to the mirror and then stop.

He then wasn’t bothered again and the laughter stopped. He eventually came out of the mirrors and there she was. He left hand torn in hand and a dagger in the other and a permanent scowl attached to her face. He smiled knowing that she was unhappy. He was met however was a flurry of daggers which he knocked off with his shield. He was on the offense now, ignoring his bleeding legs and his burnt, mauled shoulder. She panicked and was walking backwards but he was already upon her and struck her with his shield and she was tossed across the room like a doll. She got up quickly throwing more daggers at Atelos, however defending was his forte and her knives could not penetrate his defenses. She swore and cursed the spartan. She ran to the other side using her speed and her eyes glew white and she began to chant in latin. “Draco spirat iterum” and a flame bursted towards Atelos which he easily blocked but her hands as well became covered in white flames and she ran over to Atelos. She put her hands on his shield and she began to curve it inwards. The swords however stabbed her shoulders and she fell to the floor. She was barely getting up and he pushed her to the wall with his shield his three swords upon her neck. “What are the next traps?” Atelos demanded however she wouldn’t answer. She pressed her hands against Atelos’ stomach searing his flesh but not even getting a response from him. She realized his immunity to pain and gave up. She looked downcast, a failed warrior. Atelos respected her. The glass shattered and she lay there on the floor lifeless. He gave her a quick and painless death, a warriors death. Now limping and burnt and exhausted, Atelos pushed onto the next room.

[Atelos]

He went into the next room and there on the podium...there it was. This room had hordes of gold and had plenty of treasures but his quest only offered one to him. The Dragon’s Maw was right there/ It’s eyes glowed a bright white and it called to him. He could audibly hear it call for him, “Receive my power young one.” His mind wandered and he wandered like a zombie to the Dragon’s Maw. CLICK CLICK CLICK* His mind grew to a realization and he was snapped into consciousness. A harpoon came out of a ceiling and launched towards Atelos and he blocked it with his shield. The harpoon then dragged the shield away and for once Atelos felt naked. He was bare and weak without it. He stumbled onto the ground and toppled. His body tired and fatigued he put an arm out after it putting in little energy. His treasure was right before him and he could touch it. Bleeding and tired he limped towards his goal he finally was able to touch his goal.

A white, shiny Dragon was coiled up around the podium and woke up from his slumber and hazily looked at Atelos and eventually realized his presence was no dream. Sleepily with a yawn the Dragon said, “Greetings Mortal, I am Grethar, Lord of this Temple, rogue of the Dragon Faction.” He let out a huge yawn and peered at Atelos, “ Not many have made it this far, I am surprised you have.” His speech was interrupted by a deep chuckle that reverbed through the room. “The only exit is death or besting me! And judging by you, I think one will come sooner than the other.” His laugh was deep and made the room bounce. His eyes were black, reminding him of the maw that lie next to him. The Dragon was three times the size of Atelos with razor sharp claws and a hide that seemed impenetrable. Atelos panicked, his shield, was gone and he felt naked and weak without it. The Dragon got up and swiped very casually at Atelos. Atelos, even though he was tired, jumped easily over the claw and retaliated with his Aura swords. The Dragon flinched in pain as if he were stabbed by a nail. His face turned from boredom to anger. The Dragon stood up with all of his might preparing to actually fight Atelos, contrary to what he originally wanted. The Dragon swept his other claw but again Atelos did the same as before. The Dragon grunted and swiped down at him hoping to hit Atelos but he was too agile and too pumped up from the adrenaline. Atelos decided he needed his shield for this fight especially since the Dragon was the strongest opponent he fought. The harpoon however was across the room behind the Dragon. He went straight for it but the Dragon noticed and punched his fist right in front of Atelos blocking his only chance for hope. The other first blocked his exit trapping Atelos. The Dragon’s hands then cupped him in trapping him. The Dragon’s opened his mouth only to see a black flame in the back of his throat building up leaving Atelos’ nowhere to run and a lot of fire coming his way.

Atelos had a million thoughts in those few seconds and decided to try the best one he thought of. Atelos stabbed his swords into the Dragon’s throat causing it to hold its hands up and the flames stopping. Atelos made a dash for the shield. A flaming comet landed in front of him from the coughing Dragon. He hopped over it and continued to dash. Almost there! And Atelos was completely surrounded by a circle of flame. He turned around and a fist came flying at him. He jumped out of the way his fist scorched by the flames of the wall. The Dragon’s booming voice echoed throughout the room. “INSECT YOU SHALL PERISH!” The Dragon let out a flame incinerating the spot Atelos was just at. However, Atelos rolled to the side avoid the perilous flames. There was no way out so he braved through the flames burning his legs in the process but he dealt with the pain. Aflame and running Atelos was close to the shield he so needed. The Dragon smashed the ground causing a series of rocks to fly out of the ground. Atelos ran for his life but it wasn’t enough the rock hit his back with a loud thud. Atelos stumbled and fell to the ground but got right back up. The Dragon was now chasing him throwing occasional firebolts at him, but none hitting.

Atelos finally reached his shield grabbing it, lighting it instantly, specifically reinforcing the giant hole where the harpoon had punched through. The Dragon took a giant breathe and a black flame engulfed Atelos’ body. Was my journey finally over. Is this how I die? Have I failed you… were the thoughts going through Atelos’ mind, with a slight laugh in the back of his mind. The blackness suddenly died and the Dragon stood there smirking. The cloud of smoke was everywhere from the excessive fire. The Dragon scoffed and began to turn around but the smoke died and there weren’t ashes. The Spartan Warrior stood there shield in hand and rage in his face. The presence of the god was glitching in and out of his face and his aura was strong..The Dragon smashed his fist and he sidestepped the blow and stabbed the Dragon’s hand. The Dragon brought up his hand in pain but Atelos was grabbing one of his Aura swords, bringing him as well as the Dragon’s hand. Atelos jumped onto the Dragon’s arm running along stabbing and slicing everywhere. Atelos reached the Dragon’s head and smashed his shield into the Dragon’s head. In a fury the Dragon flew the warrior off and with a loud thud the Spartan hit the wall. The Dragon’s breath was instantly ablaze and flew all over Atelos. The Dragon smashed his fist into the smoke hoping to flatten the Spartan but was not met with a satisfying crush but instead a sharp pain in his hand. “AGH!” the Dragon screaming and smacked Atelos flying him across the room. Before Atelos could recover the Dragon smashed his fist right on top of Atelos’, barely clipping him in the left leg. Atelos grimace from the pain and got up anyways. The adrenaline running through his body ignored all other sources other than his fury and his desire to KILL THAT DRAGON!

He got up limping towards the Dragon, it smiling from inflicting a wound onto the soldier. Surprise hit it’s face as Atelos came charging. It didn’t expect the soldier to be that quick in recovering. The two were locked into combat constantly exchanging blows. It would swipe it’s claw at Atelos and Atelos would smash it in with his shield. The Dragon brought it’s hand down on Atelos, barely missing. Atelos brought his shield, along with his swords onto the Dragon’s hand severing two of it’s fingers. The Dragon was frustrated with the warrior. With both hands it clasped Atelos and brought it into his face. “You shall have a slow painful death mortal.” Atelos grinned and stabbed both of the Dragon’s eyes blinding it and dropping Atelos, injuring his leg even more. The Dragon spewed fire everywhere catching Atelos burning his body. He put it out without second thought and disappeared from the fight. The Dragon furious was attentive. “WHERE ARE YOU HUMAN!” The Dragon’s ears were attentive and constantly listening. He heard the jingle of his treasure behind him and turned, incinerating everything that was there. Dead silence for a good minute ensued. The Dragon smiled and laughed. “Pathetic insect, I eat your kind for brunch.”

“TONIGHT YOU DINE IN HELL!” Atelos sprang from behind airborne with shield in hand. The Dragon’s smile faded. Atelos smashed his shield into the Dragon, the giant being fell. Atelos stabbed and constantly beat his head in. After an eternity Atelos stopped, completely bathed in Dragon blood. He got up without a word completely red and stained his quest was over. All the gold in the world was not what he was after but instead the item on the pedestal. The Dragon’s Maw was right before him. The giant black dragon skull called for him. He walked up to pedestal and felt the Dragon Maw’s weight in his hand. It’s power was pulsating throughout his body. It pulled him to the deceased, unrecognizable Dragon. He walked to it, Maw in hand. The Maw seemed to come alive, opening it’s mouth and a white aura flew out of the corpse and flew into the maw glowing it’s eyes white. The Maw rattled in his hand and seemed to have a mind of it’s own. Atelos meant to drop it on the ground but it sticked to his hand. It completely took over his hand moving it with it’s own will. It started to imbue into his skin until it was a part of Atelos. Atelos’ eyes panicked and he started to panic and the Dragon’s Maw presence began to take over, Atelos’ vision faded and he fell to the ground.

As Atelos’ vision began to regain he spang up trying to get the maw off of his hand. As he was pushing he felt his fingers and he looked at his hand. It was completely normal. He looked for the maw but could not find it. He turned to his right and it was right there. The Maw had decided to lie on his shoulder. The top part of the skull protecting his shoulder, it fit perfectly and now felt like it was a part of Atelos. It was just like a limb. He tried to peel it off but it wouldn’t come off. Atelos had no idea how to use this thing, it didn’t come with a manual. Confused and brain hurting, he tried to visualize the maw in his hand wielding it’s power in his hand once again. He opened his eyes and there it was. He smiled. He could definitely could get used to this power. He started to laugh and he tried to have it go back up to his shoulder and it seemed to follow his command and will. He kept it on his right shoulder, the dragon skull protecting it from harm. He laughed. All of this power was his. He fell on the ground and could not stop laughing. His eyes grew wide with power and he wiped a tear. He liked the feeling of the Maw and he could not imagine what it felt like without it. He laughed the entire time exiting the Temple. He pushed open the golden doors and he was on top of the mountain.

“All this power, belongs to ME! I will be unstoppable. WE will be unstoppable,” the voice of a jackal was emitted from his lips. His eyes glitching between a white and the dark brown. The jackal voice seemed to glide in tune with Atelos’ voice. “Nothing can stop us.”

And then Atelos was in control again.. He felt all of the pain, stabs in the stomach, broken foot burned shoulder, stabs everywhere, all came at once to hit Atelos. Cringing from the pain he started to climb down, sword in hand dragging down the mountain. Going through the pain he needed to get out of here and find shelter, maybe go back to Dwarfholm. Atelos finally reached the bottom of the mountain with no breaks and hit the floor with a thud.

“What are you doing here human? Are you the one who killed our brethren?” said a group of 8 trolls looking at Atelos scarred. Atelos brought up his shield lazily and ended up blacking out, his last sight the trolls, and some shorter figures in the background.

Atelos woke up in a bed with three small people standing there. He got up in a panic but stopped and held his back. He cringed and laid back down and noticed the two people in the front were the dwarves he saved from the trolls and the third was Borin.

“How did I get here?” questioned Atelos.

“We saved you,” said the two dwarves who were obviously new recruits trying to impress Borin. He waved them away and they soon exited the room. Atelos was beginning to speak but Borin stopped him.

“You were passed out near a squad of trolls and I had sent my men on a scouting mission to see if you had returned. I needed to thank you for saving my men.” Atelos went forward but was silenced. “ You clothes are being mended, we set your leg, and we are currently fixing your shield.” Atelos noticed the bandages around him and his cast around his leg. Borin walked up and tapped him on the shoulder. “I see you got your treasure. I see it didn’t cost much. Was pretty easy to get?” He chuckled

“You have no idea...How am I supposed to repay you for all of this?” Atelos said while laughing.

Borin walked to the door. “You don’t charge family,” and opened the door and walked out.

Atelos had succeeded in getting his maw...but at what cost.

Atelos sat there in the quiet room a single voice echoing in his head, “You lose spartan…You lose...”