003: Perimeter
Asterion was carrying the still knocked out Niko while Laconia was carrying both bags of supplies as they slowly walked through the labyrinth.
-Shouldn't we hurry? The camp could be under attack right now.
-Relax, if the myrmekes attacked us it can only mean that either the camp has already fallen and there is nothing to do, or that they are preparing another attack and are watching the routes so that reinforcements do not arrive, whatever the situation is at this rate we will arrive in just five cycles of a clepsydra, our priority right now is that you recover, fighting against thirty myrmekes should not be easy.
-It was only thirty is nothing.
"Only thirty" thought Asterion as if it were not a full battalion.
-You should also count the dead man on my back.
The soft laughter of both echoed lightly through the labyrinth and slowly the "dead man" began to stir until he finally woke up and climbed down as quickly as he could from Asterion's back.
-Where are we?
-We're still in the labyrinth boy, we're almost there.
-And what happened to the ants?
-There must be thirty of them in the Styx right now.
Niko froze upon hearing that, although the blessings of the gods allowed the Heleny to conquer part of the surface, the subsoil of the labyrinth that was previously occupied by humans has become the domain of the myrmekes, and for a single common soldier it would be impossible to survive such a swarm, Asterion simply put his hand on his shoulder while smiling.
-You'll get used to it.
...
They were almost there in the camp, the half phalanx noticed it by the number of dead myrmekes on the road and the smell of putrefaction, the bodies had been there for a whole day, Niko stopped when he found the corpse of a hoplite.
-Why didn't help arrive sooner?
-The ants prioritized killing the messengers, reaching the camp takes half the day and there are only two exits, it should have been easy to cover them with their numbers, the archon from the island gave the order yesterday thanks to his blessing from Apollo, without him who knows when we would have found out.
-You mentioned that he comes to clean the nest himself, we were taught that these have at least five hundred ants, he will need at least fifty men.
-No, he comes alone from Skiathos.
Niko stopped walking abruptly.
-WHAT?!
Laconia just continued on her way and Asterion stopped while laughing and then proceeded to explain the situation.
-It seems that you have never seen the strength of an archon, it is quite a spectacle, also think about it, we have just been attacked by thirty myrmekes, to destroy a camp of this size they must have attacked at least three hundred and they managed to send a messenger to Skiathos, so they were eradicated, we will probably face a hundred and the archon the remaining seventy.
-You say it as if it were nothing, but you are right, if Miss Laconia could with thirty the archon should be able to handle those numbers.
The flames of Laconia that illuminated the labyrinth moved forward and in front of them was a huge shattered door, the half phalanx entered and glimpsed a huge room full of adobe structures full of blood, a huge cauldron hanging from the ceiling was completely out, the main path of the camp was a pile of corpses and in the temple in the center a couple of lights generated by some torches were seen, the survivors of the massacre, Niko immediately ran to help them, the moment he separated a few meters from his companions a myrmeke jumped from one of the buildings.
-NIKO!
Laconia ran as fast as she could, but the distance was too much, the myrmeke launched a stab aiming at Niko's head, however, with extraordinary reflexes, he lowered his head enough and unsheathed like lightning, cutting the ant's face in a flash, giving him enough time for him to be crushed by Laconia, they quickly entered the temple together and caught their breath, the bestiary was the first to reprimand Niko.
-Be more careful, kid, we almost lost you on our first day.
Asterion gave them both a hug while he was still looking for air to breathe after running to the temple.
-You... Good... Reflexes... Uff, uff.
Niko was still a little nervous but the concern of his team calmed him down and gave him confidence to feel a little more comfortable.
-It's nothing, the archon recommended me for my speed, the least I can do is dodge the attacks and give you guys a chance. Eh, well, to miss Laconia.
As soon as they calmed down, two hoplites came out from behind some columns inside the temple.
-Have the reinforcements arrived?
-Yes... Fuah... Now yes, ahem I am Asterion, the polemarch sent by the archon Jason of the Golden Fleece, we are here to rescue you, bring food and defend for the rest of the day while the archon destroys the nest of the myrmekes.
The hoplites looked at the three somewhat bewildered.
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-Is it just you?
Laconia firmly raises her black sword that was still held after killing the myrmeke, evaporated the blood from it and placed it on her back.
-We are enough. How many soldiers are left?
A small silence was generated in the temple.
-I understand that you are Miss Laconia, we heard several stories of your exploits, but this is beyond your abilities.
Asterion between Niko and Laconia hugged both of them from behind and leaned on them.
-We understand your concern, but the city of Helena is at war against multiple Mycenaean tribes, there is barely any personnel, we are not even a full phalanx, we are missing two members.
The soldiers looked at each other and losing all hope they simply resigned themselves.
-They sent you to die with us. Only the three of us are left.
Niko broke away from the hug and began to doubt the situation he got himself into.
-We have to go now, let's go.
Laconia grabbed his shoulder.
-The polemarch decides.
Niko and the hoplites looked without any faith at Asterion who was yawning while looking at the columns of the temple, he thought for half a clepsydra cycle with his hand covering his mouth until he finally began to speak.
-How many favors do you have left, Laconia and Niko?
-I used two favors against the ants, and I still haven't received the last blessing from Hephaestus so I still have two left.
-I only received the first two blessings from Zeus, I also have two favors.
-What about you, hoplites?
-We only have one favor from Amphitrite left and nothing more.
Asterion thought calmly while opening the bag with food.
-It is not convenient for us to fight in an open place, most likely we will fight against more than a hundred myrmekes and we do not know when the archon will destroy the nest through the eastern exit, Laconia annihilated several ants on the western road to the polis of Helena, the insects must already know this so I am sure they are coming from that direction, it is best to stay in the temple.
Everyone turned their eyes to Laconia seeking her approval and she spoke loudly.
-Understood polemarch.
The warrior walked towards the temple and the group followed her without much encouragement, Asterion stayed behind without being able to take his eyes off the columns, until he decided to continue forward.
The temple previously had five columns at the entrance, of which now only three remained standing, five columns in the back with only one destroyed and five columns on the sides with two broken on both sides and five interior columns; one central and four forming a square, several columns had some rock walls created by blessings of the hoplites to try to restore their shape, but apparently they did not last long thanks to the brute force of the myrmekes, Asterion returned to discuss his plan with the soldiers who were answering Niko questions.
-Why didn't the myrmekes destroy the columns? If they can destroy their walls, they should be able to do the same with these.
-The temple is not made of rock, it is made of marble, thanks to our prayers to Hercules, our blessing slowly restores its form with stone without requiring the use of our favors.
-When will they come again?
-We don't know.
-How many hoplites defended the place?
-Fifty.
Niko stopped for a moment to think about his situation.
-And if they still fell, what is left for us?
Asterion took all the air he could to raise his voice, addressing the hoplites to prepare the defenses, although even with everything he still sounded normal; he didn't have much strength in his lungs.
-Tell me that God blesses you.
The hoplites let out a single laugh among themselves, mocking Asterion lack of command, but they answered anyway.
-Two blessed by Hercules and one by Amphitrite.
-Those blessed by Hercules I need you to make a hole in the roof of the temple just above us at least twenty cubits wide.
The wounded and tired hoplites ignored the order and simply continued sitting polishing their shields and checking the tips of their spears.
-Why don't you ask your phalanx instead? Lord "polemarch."
It is natural to trust prejudices, Asterion knew they would doubt him, practically everyone in Helena knew there was a cursed polemarch, without any blessing, but he hoped that the fame of Laconia would help them trust him enough to follow this order. The young polemarch opened the other sack, full of sealed kantharos, counted how many he had and then called Niko with his arm.
-Niko, go outside for a moment and tell me when the myrmekes arrive, be very careful.
Niko just grabbed his head in worry but followed Asterion's orders, once he was out of the temple, the polemarch approached Laconia.
-Could you destroy part of the roof above us?
-My blessing doesn't have that much destructive force; I would have to use a favor.
Asterion simply bowed his head and gave a small smile, Laconia just sighed and pointed her sword at the ceiling.
- Λόγχη -
The fire from Laconia's ring was transferred to the tip of her greatsword, then it formed a triangle of flames that grew until it shot up to the ceiling forming a bright lance of fire, the bewildered hoplites stood up and pointed their weapons at Asterion.
-WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING?!
-Putting together the defense plan, if you want you can help, if not I will ask Laconia to use her last favor and we will have to fight with even less resources.
-We'll have, you say? Damned parasite.
A hoplite tried to stab the polemarch shoulder but Laconia stepped in, covering the attack with the scales on her upper arm.
-Why are you defending this fool?
-The polemarch already gave you orders, follow them.
With no other option and afraid that Asterion would carry out his threat, the three hoplites lowered their weapons and marched with the polemarch.
-I need you to make holes in the pillars to place these vessels inside.
-That will weaken the pillars, the temple may fall on us.
-Relax, I have a plan for that.
-What do the kantharos have?
-If I tell you, it won't work.
The hoplites looked at each other confused, followed the instructions and with the blessing of Hercules, slowly dug into the marble until they placed the vessels inside and then hid them with a stone barrier.
-Do it on all the pillars except the one in the center where Laconia created a hole in the roof.
The hoplites fulfilled their mission until they were left without any pots, still without any idea of what the plan could be.
-If you don't tell us what these things do, we could ruin your "wonderful" plan.
-Well, let's say it's our trap card.
-Will you create a wall? We already tried that; it gives us some time but eventually the strength of the ants is superior.
-You guessed it, but don't worry, the wall that will be created will also serve as a trap for the myrmekes.
When they finished preparing the pillars, Niko returned to the group.
-Dozens and dozens are coming, get ready.
Immediately the two hoplites blessed by Hercules formed walls on the pillars and Laconia formed fire barriers at the entrance, finally they formed a V formation, Laconia as the spearhead, the sides covered by Hercules' hoplites and Amphitrite's hoplite together with Niko and Asterion in the center, using the central pillar to cover their backs, completing their defensive perimeter.
-Laconia, Niko, use your favors now, I think there are more than a hundred of them.
- Σφυρηλάτηση –
Laconia's body filled with flames that quickly formed a fire armor covering her entire body, spreading to the edge of the sword improving its range.
-Niko use your sling, concentrate on supporting from a distance.
- Πατέρας -
As Niko spun his sling in the air an electric sphere was forming and growing in it, until it reached the size of a head.
-I can only throw fifteen of these, then we won't have any range.
-Okay, you concentrate on taking down those who climb the pillars, Laconia will protect you in the front.
-What will you do?
-Stay behind you and trust in your strength.
Niko had no time to get angry, he had to be fully prepared for combat and although Asterion words irritated him, the imposing soul of the hoplites and Laconia calmed his rage.
The hoplite shield blessed by Amphitrite was surrounded by a veil of water that began to spin until it turned its defense into a watersaw.
-You take care of those who aim at our defense line, I will cover you, do not use your last favor until we are in an emergency.
Suddenly the footsteps entered the temple and from all directions dozens of myrmekes ran straight towards the center of the place, all with a thirst for blood and hungry for the flesh of Heleny. Asterion simply sat leaning on the column and focused his sight on the front.
-I guess is time to start counting.
Hoplite: Soldiers trained in combat with bronze spears and shields, they defend the polis and camps in large numbers, the Heleny infantry.