Typhon's Revenge

Chapter Forty

WATER

When we made it out through the other side, I couldn't even begin to describe all of the feelings that coursed through me. I was grateful we had made it to the other side, but at the same time, I felt exhausted, because while Mason and Aileen had recovered some of their strength, I felt quite the opposite. I was drained and I needed some food and sleep to recharge.

As if feeling my emotions, Aileen turned towards me and her eyes widened a fraction of an inch as she reached inside the bag of her horse and pulled out our last sandwiches. "Here, eat something. Both of you look like you could use it," Aileen whispered but her eyes lingered on me in worry. 

"In fact, why don't you guys eat mine as well? I'm not very hungry right now and we're almost back at the castle. As soon as we get back and freshened up, we'll find Alex and Kalani and go get something to eat and make up a plan," Aileen said as she handed us her sandwich. 

Before either Mason or I could refuse, she had already turned away and gotten on Thunder's back. "I'll take a look around, just to make sure we're at the right place," she said and began to turn Thunder in the opposite direction.

"Hold on, you can't go out there by yourself," I called out and she turned towards me with a confident smile. 

"Don't worry. I can take care of myself and if something happens, Mason can find me instantly," she called back and then turned her attention back to the front. 

I looked at Mason who only shrugged and took a bite of his sandwich. He also looked tired but I knew worry was what was keeping him awake. He needed to see that Alex was fine with his own eyes, especially after what had happened with Kalani.

"Hey, try not to worry. I'm sure Alex and Kalani are both fine and we'll be out of here in no time," I said softly as I gently hit his arm and he barely turned to me.

"I know, but I can't just turn my worry off. We shouldn't have left them alone," he whispered.

"It would have been worse if we had taken them with us, I think. Kalani was in no condition to travel and Alex isn't like us, she doesn't have as much stamina as we do," I responded and he only let out a deep breath.

"I know, I just wish there was some way to communicate with them and see if they're alright and warn them," he said in defeat and I nodded my head in understanding. He must feel very helpless right now that we still needed to wait until the bridge appeared for us to get to Alex and Kalani. They were so close and yet so far away.

"I'm sure they're fine. Let's just try to keep our heads straight so that nothing distracts us, alright?" I urged and he nodded his head.

I took a bite of my sandwich and ate in silence. Mason seemed to be lost in thought having an internal battle with himself and I didn't want to intrude so I let his mind wander. 

Moments later, there was a faint rustling in the trees and I stiffened as I reached for my blade and let it unfold into a sword. I might have been tired, but that didn't mean I couldn't fight nor that I was going to go down without a fight. I knew it could be Aileen but I preferred to be safe than sorry.

Mason didn't seem to notice my alertness since he didn't move and a moment later, a black horse emerged from the trees and I sighed and felt my body relax. Aileen looked at me with a raised eyebrow as she eyed the sword but she didn't say anything about it as she jumped off her horse.

"Well, it seems we're in the right place. It shouldn't be long before the bridge appears since it's getting brighter by the minute," she commented as she eyed Mason cautiously. She looked at me questioningly and I only shrugged. 

Just then, a bright beam of sunlight irradiated through the Underworld and we all had to close our eyes to keep it from blinding us. A second later, the beam of light was gone and I blinked several times to regain my vision. Through the blurriness, I heard the river begin to move faster and I turned to face it, spotting a wooden structure on it.

Once the blurriness had cleared, I could see the bridge in front of us looking as unsafe as it did the first time we crossed. As soon as the war was over, I would tell Aileen or Hades himself that they should get it fixed, it didn't look like it was going to last long.

"'Bout time. Are you guys ready?" Aileen said with an eager look on her face as she got back on Thunder. 

Nodding my head, I followed her lead and Mason did the same. 

Aileen led us over the bridge as we each took turns to cross and this time, no one hesitated. 

As soon as we were on the other side, the three of us bolted into a full-speed run. The horses neighed in excitement as we raced through the forest with a cold breeze hitting our faces. It didn't take long for us to reach the familiar gates that were just beginning to open. 

The three of us raced past it and in the distance, I could see there was already a line of souls awaiting judgment. I gulped as I wondered what their lives must have been like to feel the need to come and be judged by the Lord of the Underworld. It must have been something they considered very bad if they were there and it was hard to believe there were a lot of souls waiting in line. 

Shaking the thoughts away, I turned my attention back forward and saw the barn appear a couple of meters away from us. Soon, Aileen lowered her pace into a slight trot and didn't come to a full stop until we reached the inside of the barn.

The other horses in the stalls neighed a 'hello' as we marched through. They scratched the ground with their hooves and Thunder neighed back at them and somehow, that seemed to calm them down. Aileen and I shared a look but she only shrugged before getting off the black horse.

Mason was already on the ground looking restless and pale. 

"Mason, why don't you go on ahead? Freshen up, take a break and look for Kalani and Alex?" Aileen suggested softly as she took his horse's reins. 

Giving her a thankful look, he nodded his head and quickly rushed out of the room. 

I raised an eyebrow at Aileen as I crossed my arms in front of my chest. "Are you sure that's a good idea? I don't think we should go our separate ways. What if something happens to him?" 

Aileen turned to me and rolled her eyes, "Andrew, we don't need to draw more attention to ourselves right now. We were gone a full day and we can't risk causing more suspicion. The last thing we need is someone to figure what we found out with the Oneiroi. Besides, it's obvious that the first thing Mason would do under whatever circumstance, it to go find Alex. Right now they're in their 'honeymoon phase'," she said as she quoted in the air with her fingers. 

I chuckled and she turned away as she began to take all the gear off the horses. Following her lead, I tried to mimic her movements since I wasn't sure of where everything was supposed to be, but it didn't take long for the horses to be left bare and they shook their fur and neighed in excitement.

Thunder stomped on the ground as he turned to face Aileen and slowly, the two of them rested their foreheads on each other and made eye contact. It was a picture I would never forget, a picture of a true bond and trust. But the scene was over as quickly as it had come and Thunder turned away and headed to his stall.

Aileen was smiling widely and I walked towards her, suddenly feeling nervous. "You really developed a very strong bond with him," I murmured with my hands in my pockets. I was swaying back and forth slightly as the nerves inside of me escalated.

"Yeah, I like him. When I feel with him I just... I feel like he gets me. I know it's probably strange and confusing but it's what I feel," she whispered as she looked at the black horse one last time before turning towards the door.

I followed after her and the two of us headed back towards the castle. The sun was further up in the sky and the temperature was slowly increasing. If it weren't for the circumstances, I would have probably stayed back and rested on the grass for a couple of minutes, or even hours. It was... peaceful.

But we were on a mission.

When we got to the door, both of us came short as Noah stood in front of us with his hands behind his back and his piercing eyes on us. He eyed us closely as if he were trying to figure out what had happened between us and I almost thought I saw a pang of jealously flash in his eyes. But the look was gone before I could be sure.

"Aileen, Andrew, I see that you're back from your trip. How was everything?" He asked politely but there was something in his tone that I couldn't place.

Aileen smiled sweetly at him as she stepped forward. "Everything was fine but we got delayed due to a storm so we just made it back. Now, I need to take a shower and then head over to the dining room to eat. I'm starving," she said casually as she walked past him and headed towards the other side of the castle.

Noah didn't move as his eyes moved towards me and a slow glare flashed across his eyes. "I don't know what you're playing at, son of Poseidon, but Aileen has been through enough. I don't think you should be so eager to be alone with her. She's still healing from your betrayal," he snapped and my eyes widened. 

How did he know all that?

But the surprise quickly turned into anger and I closed my hands tightly into fists and clenched my jaw together as I met his gaze. How dare he try to tell me what is best the best thing to do? He didn't know me, heck, he didn't even know Aileen as I did. I was sure of it.

"Look, Noah, nothing happened. We just went looking for answers and we weren't alone. Mason was with us but he hurried back to see Alex. Nothing else happened and truthfully, I don't see how that's any of your business," I restored and he stiffened.

"I'm just looking for the princess's wellbeing," he said tightly and I almost laughed. 

"Right. Well then, I don't mean to interfere. Now, if you'll excuse me, I also need to freshen up. I'll see you around, Noah," I muttered as I walked past him and headed for the stairs. All the way up, I could feel his eyes glued to my back and if looks could kill, I was sure he would have already killed me several times. 

Ignoring him, I continued walking as if his comment hadn't bothered me. Now it was clear that neither of us liked the other and I was glad that was the case because that fueled my need to know more about him and I would dig in a little deeper just as soon as all of us were reunited once again.

Whatever you're hiding, Noah, or whoever you are, I will have my answer and I will make sure Aileen doesn't trust you any longer.