“Maze?” I ask. “You don’t mean…”
“Yes, the only way to enter the forge is through the labyrinth.” Artemis nods.
“The labyrinth, like Theseus killing the Minotaur? That labyrinth?” Raven bounces on the balls of her feet.
“You’re deranged if you’re excited about this place.” I throw my hands up.
“B, we have defeated the bullheaded idiot on more than one occasion. That’s not an issue.” Raven rolls her eyes.
“Actually…” Artemis’ expression is unsure. “The Minotaur is weakened in the human realm. He derives his power from the labyrinth itself. He will be more powerful in the maze along with any other monsters the queen throws in there to keep you away from the throne.”
“So, defeating the Minotaur on his own turf is worse than when I electrocuted us both? Well, shit. That’s not good news at all.” I glance at Jayden.
“We can handle it. That’s not the only time we faced him and we’re all a lot stronger now.” Jayden squeezes my hand.
“Jayden is right, B. We’ve defeated bigger threats before. He may be on steroids here but he’s not smarter here. He’s still bullheaded.” Raven tightens her hold on her blades.
She’s more nervous than she’s letting on if she already needs her emotional support swords.
“Okay, so where is the entrance to the labyrinth and how do we get there?” I ask. “I’m guessing time is of the essence?”
“Yes. I can take you to the entrance. Thankfully, we were at least able to gain that much ground in the battle, so you won’t be aboveground while the gods are fighting each other.” Artemis waves at us to walk to the east.
“We’re walking toward the battlefield now, though. What if we get hit by a stray bolt of magic?” I ask, glancing at the sky warily.
“I have a barrier up against the others. No one knows we’re here and no magic can hit us with my shield up,” Artemis says.
We trudge forward through the battlefield and it’s not difficult to see that the place was once a thriving city before the civil war started and buildings were turned to rubble. I step over a rock and fallen debris from the crumbling stone buildings all around us.
“They’re destroying their home,” I whisper in horror.
“It’s better than the alternative.” Artemis shrugs. “Ceasing to exist altogether.”
“That’s a valid point,” I say. “I would much rather continue existing myself.”
A familiar roar breaks through the silent streets of Olympus and I call my sword spinning to find the cause. “Typhon.”
“I must get back to the hunt. The entrance is on the other side of that ridge.”
“Go, we can handle this. It’s just another mission to save the world. Happy hunting.” I clasp her elbow in a warrior’s farewell.
“You as well. Stay safe down there and make that bitch pay for what she’s done,” Artemis says and disappears.
“I guess we’re on our own now.” I trudge up the ridge with my friends following at my back.
“We always are when it comes to these missions.” Raven adjusts her grip on her sword as she steps up next to me.
Once we’re on the other side of the ridge, the entrance appears at the bottom.
“Seriously? Everyone knows what that is.” I roll my eyes.
Wooden beams mark the entrance like an old mining tunnel in the human movies I watched with my mom as a kid.
“Is that like those mining tunnels inLooney Tunesthat the Road Runner used to push that damn Coyote down?” Raven chuckles.
“Those were almost the exact same thoughts I just had.” I shake my head.
We race to the bottom of the ridge and a man appears. He’s familiar but I can’t place him right off the bat.
