After a long and frantic run, Alexia, Ismene, Heron, and Lyra finally reached the first house – Heron's house. 

Exhausted but alert, they scanned the surroundings. All four of them immediately noticed something was off. Lyra noticed a bow was propped up against the wall, and without hesitation, she grabbed it.

Heron had already secured one of the spare bows they hid in the forest over the years. Looking back on it now, it was a great idea. It was now strapped to his back, along with a quiver full of arrows.

"Mother?" he called out, his voice tinged with urgency as he looked inside of his house. "Mother?"

Ismene used that moment to readjust the material she had tied around her leg. Gritting her teeth, she pit down any pained sounds that tried to leave her, instead angrily rewrapping the wound.

Meanwhile, there was no answer to the man's calls. Heron turned to the three women, but before he could voice his concern, a loud growl echoed through the air. They all turned around, just in time to see the beast running down the mountain.

Lyra's eyes widened as she took in the sight of the creature. It looked like a three-headed dog. Her thoughts immediately went to Cerberus, the guardian of the Underworld, but according to the stories, he didn't leave his post. So, it couldn't be him.

Her musings were interrupted when Alexia shoved her and Heron to the side. The blonde warrior pulled out her swords just as the beast leaped toward them, landing exactly where they had been standing moments before.

She slashed at the creature, her blades leaving a few cuts, but the wounds barely seemed to faze it. The beast barely acknowledged them, its three heads snapping and snarling.

Beside her, Ismene was already on her feet, moving with the fluidity of a seasoned fighter. She had no time for hesitation, nor did she show any sign of slowing down. She spun her blade rings through the air, but it also seemed to have little effect.

Without thinking, Heron and Lyra readied their bows and took their shots. Their arrows flew true, embedding themselves into one of the creature's necks.

This seemed to catch its attention, as the beast whimpered and whirled around to face the two archers.

The three-headed dog charged at them, and they started to run, but they only managed a few steps before they were thrown off their feet by the force of the beast's attack, which shattered a tree.

Lyra quickly rolled to her feet, her bow ready and an arrow nocked. As she took aim, Alexia leaped onto the creature's back, stabbing her swords deep into its side and hind leg. The beast let out a howl of pain and collapsed onto its side.

Meanwhile, Ismene helped Heron, who was still slightly dazed from the hit, to his feet.

"Are you trying to get yourselves killed?" she snapped, once he stood on his own.

But he paid her no mind, as he saw his chance and quickly grabbed a piece of broken wood from the ground. Ignorig Ismene's curses and warnings, he ran toward the three-headed dog and, with a yell, drove the wood into one of its heads. The head let out a low whine and went limp, dead.

The other two heads quickly recovered and growled at Heron, making him back away. Ismene pulled him back by the elbow, holding out her blade ring in front of them, almost as if it would scare off the beast.

"You really do have a death wish," she hissed, but kept her eyes on the three-headed dog.

The four of them slowly backed further away from the beast, watching it carefully. Alexia and Ismene stood at the front, acting like a barrier between the beast and the two non-warriors. The creature, instead turned its attention to its fallen head.

"Where are your men?" Heron finally asked, his voice shaking slightly.

"Dead," Alexia breathed out.

Suddenly, Lyra felt a prickling sensation at the back of her neck, the one people usually get when they're being watched. This time was no different. As she looked around, she saw countless red eyes glowing in the darkness, each pair fixated on the three of them. A chill ran down her spine.

"They cannot have this," Alexia sighed.

"We need to move. Now!"

Realizing the imminent danger, they all took off again, running as fast as their legs could carry them. They sprinted down the hill, their breaths coming in ragged gasps as they pushed their bodies to their limits.

The beast's growls and the shrill cries of the demons pursued them relentlessly, each sound echoing in the still night air. The red eyes that had previously fixed upon them were now joined by the distant howls of more demonic creatures. They had no time to waste.

"We need to get to the polis and warn the others, get them to safety quickly!" Alexia shouted over her shoulder, her voice barely audible over the cacophony of chaos.

"There's a mine that cuts through the mountain," Heron suggested. "It's the fastest way to create distance between them and us."

"The one past northwest gates?" Lyra asked.

"Yes. I've mined there for years. I know them well."

"Then we need to get everyone to the northwest gate and guide them towards the mines," Alexia declared. "The more organized the evacuation, the better chance we have."

"Sounds good, but first, we need to lose our tail!" Ismene huffed.

Heron took a moment to make a quick decision. He reached into his quiver and nocked an arrow, aiming at a cluster of large boulders he had set up in different places earlier. The boulders had been intended for a different purpose, but now they should be enough to buy them some time.

The man shot the arrow with precise aim, striking the makeshift supporting beams of the trap he had set up. The wood splintered and gave way, causing the boulders to topple down the slope. The resulting landslide tumbled down, crashing into the pursuing demons with a thunderous roar.

The rocks and debris created a massive barrier, momentarily stopping the creatures and buying the trio some much-needed time. They knew that sooner, rather than later, the demons would get through, but it was still more time than previously.

"Nice work, Heron," Lyra shouted as they continued to sprint towards the polis.

"But we can't rely on that to keep them away for long. We need to act fast."

*****

That night was the first time Lyra ever saw the clear sky over the polis. The dark clouds that , according to Electra's story, Zeus put there suddenly vanished, revealing a sky full of stars. She knew this couldn't mean anything good.

When the four of them finally got to the polis, it was already mostly empty. Only few people were still around. As soon as they passed the gates, two men pushed them closed.

"Archon Alexia," a man called out, as soon as he noticed them. "What happened?"

He made it a point, not to acknowledge Lyra or Heron, only giving them a dirty look. Ismene, on the other hand, got a respectful nod from him, but othe than that, he didn't adress her. 

"We have to evacuate the polis," the blonde declared. "Heron said there's a mine that leads through the mountain."

"It's just past the northwest gate. I've mined it for years," the said man added.

"I don't take orders from bastards," the old man raised his chin, looking down at Heron.

Ismene raised a brow, looking between the two men. It was almost as if she was interested how this would go down. However, Lyra was having none of that.

"Even now, when we're trying to save your asses, you still couldn't care less to listen?" she snapped. "Fine, then. Be my guest. But don't be surprised, when this whole polis is dead. And it will be your fault, because you only ever look at someone's status."

The man glared at her, and took a step forward, opening his mouth, but Ismene cut in, her own glare matching the old man's.

"Just do as they says," she ordered, then pushed past him. 

"Come on. Let's go," Alexia followed after her.

"I'll catch up to you," Heron told her. "I have to find my mother."

"I also need to make sure my family's safe," Lyra said.

"But-" the blonde started, but Ismene cut her off.

"Oh, let them go," the black-haired woman rolled her eyes, then glanced at the two. "Just make sure you're out of their way, once they get here. They'll kill you before you even realise they moved."

The two shared a look and looking back towards the other duo, they gave them a now. 

With that, Lyra and Heron took off through the polis, their hearts pounding with a mix of fear and determination. The streets were eerily quiet, the usual bustle of the polis replaced by an ominous silence.

Lyra's eyes scanned the surroundings desperately. She knew her family must have gone to a safe place, but she needed to see them, to ensure they were okay. She called out their names as they ran, hoping for any sign of them.

"Mother? Theo! Alex! Calli! Maris?" Lyra's voice echoed through the empty streets, but there was no response.

Heron was similarly frantic, calling out for his mother. 

They ran around the market place, but there was no trace of anyone. Lyra's heart sank as she saw the familiar spaces deserted. Her mind raced with worry. Where could they be?

What was even more distrubing for her, was the fact that there was always someone on the market place, even if it was just a drunk, who lost his way home. But now, not even an old man, she always saw passed out somewhere in the streets was around. This was so unusual, almost unnatural.

"They must have gone with the others," Heron said, trying to reassure her as much as himself.

Lyra nodded, but her eyes were still wide with worry. 

"We have to keep looking. We can't leave without knowing for sure."

They moved between the streets and walking between the buildings, calling out and searching for any sign of their families. The night was growing colder, and the clear sky offered no comfort. Especially with the knowledge of what was coming.

Finally, they reached the centre of the marketplace. It, too, was deserted. Just then, when Lyra was about to give up the idea of searching for them in the polis, a faint noise caught her attention. She turned and saw a shadowy figure moving through the alleyway. Her heart leaped with hope.

"Wait!" she called out, running towards the figure.

As she got closer, she recognized the person. It was Alexander, her youngest brother. He looked scared and confused, but unharmed.

"Alex!" Lyra cried, scooping him up into her arms. "Where are the others? Have you seen any of them?"

The small boy pointed towards the outskirts of the polis.

"They went with the other people. Mama and papa wanted to leave you behind, but I told them I wouldn't go without you, so they left without me."

Relief and anger washed over Lyra. Relief, because it seemed like her family was alright, and anger, that they would leave not only the five-year-old child alone, but also in the place that was about to be attacked.

"Thank the gods you're alright," she breathed, pulling the boy closer, then turning to Heron, who had been watching with hopeful eyes. "They're safe. They went with the others."

Heron's tense expression softened slightly.

"Good. Now we just need to find my mother."

Alexander refused to let go, clinging to his sister for dear life, as if he was afraid that she would leave him behind too. Sighing softly, she picked him up and the boy wrapped both his arms and legs around her, pushing his head into the crook of her neck, settling aganist her comfortably. Once it was done, she gave Heron a nod.

"We'll find her, Heron. We won't leave until we know she's out of here."

They continued their search, the small ray of hope driving them forward. 

"Mother? Mother! Mother? Electra!" Heron continued to call out.

As they continued to run, the man suddenly stopped and pushed Lyra back, making her stumble, but she caught herself just in time, before she could fall.

The man was thrown back, as something embedded into the ground before them. Alexander cried out, pulling himself even closer to his older sister, and she put an arm around him, to help him hide himself better.

When the dust finally disappeared, they saw a golden weapon, which she quickly realised was a bident, embedded deep into the stone. It was covered by a dark substance, with something red spreading over it, looking like veins. Lyra immediately was reminded of the skin of the demon, that was burned just the day earlier.

Heron looked behind them, and far in the distance, on a mountain overlooking the polis, he saw a vague silhouette. It looked like a man sitting on some sort of winged creature.

The figure seemed to raise its hand, and before anyone could react, the golden weapon flew out of the hole it created, and sailed through the air, making a deep cut on Heron's arm, then continuing towards the figure in the distance.

Both Heron and Alexander let out a surprised cry.

"Heron!" Lyra gasped, taking a step towards him.

"No! Stay back!" he warned her.

He quickly notched an arrow, but hesitated, before letting it fly. It almost struck its target, but the figure moved just when arrow was about to hit them. They threw their bident again, the force of impact with which it embedded into the ground, sending Heron flying across the road.

Then, the figure took off into the air and when they got closer, Lyra could finally tell what it was. And she didn't like it one bit. The man, who sat on top of a manticore, looked just like the demons they were warned against.

Heron grit his teeth and took aim again, but instead of letting the arrow fly, he froze again. Then, he shook his head and released a small series of arrows.

Lyra gasped when she saw the way man simply raised his arm and they all broke when they hit his forearm, before throwing his golden weapon again.

She wanted nothing more than to help her best friend, but she couldn't do it with her younger brother clinging onto her. And she didn't want to leave him alone to join the fight, but she also couldn't leave Heron behind and run away with Alexander. So, she was stuck on watching from the sideways.

Then, the bident once again flew up from its place, flying towards Heron. Just as Lyra was about to call out and warn him, he jumped to the side. The blade still grazed his back, creating another cut, but at least it didn't impale him like she thought it was going to.

Finally, Heron seemed to notice he couldn't win this fight and instead of firing another arrow, he put it back in his quiver and turned to look at Lyra and Alexander.

"Run," was all he said, before taking off.

Without hesitation, the woman followed after him.

As they ran, the man Heron fought with earlier followed and threw his weapon at them a few times, hitting much closer than Lyra would like it, but it never hit them.

When Lyra suddenly stumbled and fell to the side, the man in pursuit didn't even spare her a glance, instead continuing to go after Heron. Her best friend ducked a few more times, before he hit a stand, where they sold barrels full of oil.

Turning a few of them over, Heron looked towards Lyra and saw her hiding with hysteric Alexander behind a stand near him.

"Run as fast as you can," he mouthed. "You need to get as far away as you can."

She didn't need to be told twice. Scooping up the crying child, she made a quick countdown and took off. Without looking back, she ran as fast as she could. Soon enough, she felt a whiff of wind and heard an explosion behind them. she pushed herself not to stop and turn around, instead running even faster.

She got to the gates first. There, a man in green robe, she vaguely recognized as one of the merchants, was standing beside a rope, that held up the gate. She ran out with a small crowd od people, then stopped just behind the gate.

Seconds later, when the last person crossed the walls, the merchant turned to the rope.

"Wait!" both Lyra and Heron called out.

"We're not waiting for you," the man declared, and went to take a swing.

Lyra quickly jumped to his side and caught his arm when he went to cut the rope.

"I think not," she glared at him and punched the man.

He stumbled back, holding his nose and cursing under his breath. Luckily for her, she achieved her goal as he dropped his sword. She quickly picked it up and pointed it towards the man, who glared at her with pure hatred.

Just then, Heron reached them. The merchant looked between the two of them, before he took off running.

Lyra sighed, then used the sword to cut the rope. When she took the first swing, she scoffed. This man was a fool. His sword was even duller than the wooden swords her younger brothers used during their play fights.

It took her about three good swings, before she had enough and quickly took out her own knife and quickly cut through the rope. This took only one swing.

*****

As Electra moved through the crowd of panicked people, her eyes scanned the faces, looking for Heron. But all she saw was countless people running away, not caring if they ran over someone on their way.

The situation was chaotic, and the frightened cries of children mingled with the shouts of adults as they all tried to get as far away from the polis as they could. She called her son's name repeatedly, but the noise around her drowned out her voice.

Suddenly, a small, familiar figure caught her eye. A little girl, alone and scared, was huddled near the edge of the crowd. Electra's heart skipped a beat as she recognized Callista, one of Lyra's younger siblings.

"Callista!" the woman called, rushing over to her. "Sweetheart, what are you doing here all alone?"

Callista looked up, tears streaking her cheeks.

"I lost everyone," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I can't find them. I went with my papa- mama, Theo and Maris went somewhere else- I don't know where Alex or Lyra are-"

Each sentence that tried to pass her lips was interrupted by a sob, as she looked around with wide, teary eyes.

"It's alright, darling, shh," Electra said gently, scooping the child into her arms, to which the girl responded by immediately burying her face into the woman's neck. "I can help you. Let's find your family together, okay?"

Callista nodded, clinging tightly to Electra as they navigated through the throng of people. As they made their way through the throng of people, the woman did her best to reassure the little girl, speaking in a soothing tone and holding her close.

When they finally reached the shelter, the woman set the girl down and knelt in front of her.

"Let's find your papa," Electra said gently, guiding Callista through the crowd.

After a few moments of searching, they found Marcus standing near the entrance, his stern face a mix of anger and relief. As soon as he saw his daughter, he stormed over, his eyes blazing.

"Where have you been?" he barked, grabbing the girl by the arm. "I told you to stay with me! You never listen!"

She flinched, tears welling up in her eyes again.

"I'm sorry, Papa. I got lost..."

"That's no excuse!" the man snapped, shaking her arm. "You should have followed me! How could you be so careless?"

Callista flinched, her small body trembling. Electra stepped between them, her eyes blazing.

"Marcus, she's just a child. In this chaos, it's natural for a child to get lost. It's the parents' responsibility to make sure their children are with them, not the other way around."

"I don't