Chapter Twelve
“We don’t have a route,” Greyson says as we race through the forest.
“We don’t but we know a general direction,” I say. “It’s as good as we’re gonna get.”
“Isn’t that especially dangerous given the circumstances?” Raven dodges a pine cone that hurtles toward her head. “Damn dryads.”
“It is dangerous but we don’t have a choice. Hermes thinks he’s being erased because he can’t fulfill his roles.” I jump over a creeping vine.
Damn dryads is right. I’m not a part of their hatred and I keep getting hit in the crossfire. It’s annoying.
“He’s being erased?” Greyson asks with a furrowed brow.
“Exactly. Think of the consequences for the Earth if that happens,” I say.
“Ares already told us the consequences,” Jayden says. “Full scale nuclear war the likes of which no one has ever seen.”
“We can’t let that happen,” Kira whispers.
“We’re not letting that happen. That’s the reason for the urgency and lack of preparation. It’s ill-advised given the current climate, but we’re running out of time to save everything.”
We break through the tree line into the training fields with sighs of relief. Well, at least from me and Raven. Not being in the forest means we’re no longer under attack.
“Story of our lives,” Raven grumbles. “We’re always running out of time.”
I scan the training fields and so far, I’m not seeing any more problems. People are training in hand-to-hand combat and no weapons are being pulled. That’s always a good sign.
I nod to Sara and Jackson as we pass them on our way to the academic building. The building looms ahead and I take a deep breath as Jayden yanks open the door for me. I flash him a grateful smile as I pass him. So thoughtful.
“Adrian should be easy to find. He’s probably arguing with the healers about leaving,” I say with a chuckle.
“As a new healer, he probably thinks he’s fine and wants to leave.” Raven nods.
“He’s going to get his wish. That’s for sure. We need him on this journey because he has to tell us not to make stupid choices that will get us killed,” Jayden says.
He opens the door to the healers’ office and instantly, Adrian’s angry voice can be heard through the room.
“You can’t keep me here. I am fine. I had a really intense vision that left me disoriented. I have to help my friends on their mission. There will be dire consequences if I’m not there with them.”
“When they come to get you, we’ll release you. You shouldn’t be alone after the episode you had yesterday,” the healer says.
I glance at my friends and step into the room with them. “Hey, buddy, how are you?”
“I’m fine but the healers won’t let me leave.” He crosses his arms, glaring at the healer.
“He just said that when we got here you were free to go. We need to get moving. Things are more dire than I ever thought.” I shake my head.
“I know.” He sighs. “I’ve seen it all.”
“I’m sorry. I know this took a lot out of you, but we need you.” I sit next to him on the cot.
“Yes, you do. It’s so much bigger than this. There are forces at work. Fate has been meddling and the world is changing but it can’t change without war. For every race there will be a champion and you’re ours,” Adrian says.
“The fuck does that mean?” Jayden steps forward.
“I told you I thought we were changing. That’s why my visions have gotten stronger and even more intense than ever before. Everything that’s happened was carefully plotted and planned by my father and the fates. I think Nereus was in on it too.”
“They set us up?” I ask. “For what purpose?”
