Free Guardians of Rhea by Jose Rodriguez

armor
and a mask pulled back over their heads. The blue male, Gillan, sat
as he casually spun a sai in one hand. Next to him was Kamala, a
female with green scales and two short battle-axes holstered to her
waist.
    The Hegiran was in fact made of two races:
the Anubians and the Persians. Nedim, a tall, lanky Anubian male
had grayish skin. He was sparsely decorated in gold, light armor on
top of white tattered clothing wrapped around his body. His only
weapon, at his side was a long knife.
    The female Persian was Janah, a sultry
humanoid feline with even skimpier clothing than Caycee. As far as
felines went, her 'pattern' was like that of a cheetah. She was
armed with two short swords holstered across her back.
    “Kamala, have your people had any problems
with the invasion?” Alexia asked.
    “Nothing too bad yet,” Kamala answered.
“We've had some of our undead seeking temporary shelter. With the
loss of their ability to control the elements, they don't have much
to fight against the Pelasgians.”
    “The weapons we do carry are meant to be
secondary to our powers,” Gillan added.
    “It's a similar story with us,” Nedim said.
“While we can equip those who've crossed over, a sword in the hands
of one who's only known the power of the cosmos isn't much
help.”
    “That's speaking for the Anubians, of
course,” Janah said. “Aside from the Prometheans, the Fenrir and
your Turin, the Persians can hold their own.”
    Alexia stood and began to walk around the
table. “I guess the most important question to ask is why would the
Pelasgians invade the Netherworld? We all know that many years ago
they threatened us directly, and we managed to stop them.”
    “It makes no sense,” said Nedim. “A war with
the Netherworld seems pointless. Logic suggests the Pelasgians
would eventually lose by attrition.”
    Kamala spoke. “But the number of Pelasgians
is enough to occupy the Netherworld for a long time. That kind of
pressure is going to cause a lot of refugees to keep pouring into
Rhea.”
    Gillan crossed his arms. “I don't see the big
deal. If we beat them before, we should be able to stop them
again.”
    Janah slammed her fists on the table and
stood. “Why does everyone say 'we stopped the Pelasgians'?”
    “Janah, please,” Nedim pleaded.
    “No! Everyone knows the Pelasgians stopped
because they stopped. Why? That's what worries me. And now, they're
coming at us again when we're even more helpless!”
    The room fell silent. Sara felt the hairs on
the back of her neck sticking straight out.
    “Janah speaks the truth,” Alexia said.
    Gillan cleared his throat. “So who's the
human, if I may ask?”
    “I'm Sara,” she answered.
    Alexia stood by Sara. “The humans possess a
vast number of skilled warriors which may prove vital to our
survival. Like it or not, we need their help.”
    Denzso slumped in his chair and sighed.
“Still want to see the Shadow Realm, Sara?”
    With both hands flat on the table and eyes
darting back and forth, Sara explained. “Okay, look...it's not that
I don't believe you, but...I...there's no way I can just go back
and tell my leaders that I think you're telling the truth. I
have to go back completely sure.”
    “Very well,” Denzso said. “There's a portal
in the ruins of the Promethean capital. That's the only way.”
    “I'll take her,” Leon said.
    “Do you require an escort?” Marus asked.
    “No, an escort from you is like a legion.
Fewer people will have an easier time getting in and out
unnoticed.”
    Kamala stood. “Leon. Gillan and I would like
to join you.”
    “And we as well,” Nedim said.
    Leon thought for a moment. “If you're
absolutely sure about this, pack your bags. We leave
immediately.”
     
     
     

CHAPTER FIFTEEN
     
    The group stepped out of a tower at the edge
of the city.
    Leon gathered everyone's attention. “There's
an underground passage through the Southern Mountains. I'll lead
the way.”
    Walking with Nedim, Sara asked. “So how