Chapter 32

“It's time to recover the Lycans, Dnirya. Hezin, join us,” Theanna instructed as the battle below finished and no more Titans were found alive. She wanted to rescue her friend and all of the Lycans. They'd suffered for long enough.

Once Hezin appeared before her, he informed, “The Royal Guard have secured Reniac and his Generals, my Queen. We've made sure to keep them separated and are using the chains that Lord Chaos provided.”

“Excellent. Now that the battle is over, let's recover the Lycans, shall we?” Summoning several of her legions she watched as Damian opened a portal to Talos. Walking through as if simply stepping into a room, she asked, “Where to, Hezin?”

“Ajax says they're being held in the slave markets. My connection to him is strong, so I know that we're close. I can lead the way.”

“Excellent as always, Hezin.” She smirked as innocent Titans ran and hid when they saw Theanna and her Legions walking through the streets. Looking at the color of the sky and the ground, and even of the sun she asked, “It's mid-day here, correct?”

“It is, my Queen,” Hezin answered.

“This place is so... well, so ugly. Puke green sky, red sun, puke blue ground. Yuck! Who knew that blue could be ugly but there it is. It reminds me of the color of painting water that has turned an ugly shade of gray as you added a paint brush filled with blue paint. I'm sure it has a name but right now we’re going to call it puke blue. And OH MY HEAVENS! What's that smell? It's foul! I don't know how the Lycans could stand it!” Thea complained as she held a hand up to her nose in an attempt to block the smell.

“Let's try to spend as little time here as possible,” Damian practically begged as he pinched his nose closed.

“Agreed.” As they started to move a little bit faster, she realized that she'd expected at least some resistance but it seemed that Reniac had taken every warrior available to battle against her and her legions. Not even a single guard or even a male with any kind of weaponry stopped them and before long they approached the center of town where a series of tents filled what seemed to be the town square.

“Who are you?” the only Titan guard they'd seen snarled at them.

With a simple swipe of his sword, Damian dispatched the guard and lifted the tent flap to let his mate in. Inside there were rows and rows of cages and inside the cages, her Lycans. With a swipe of her hand, she broke every lock. “You're free, my Lycans. Are there any others besides those of you in this tent?”

“My Queen,” a Lycan with red hair and green eyes called out as he exited the cage closest to them and immediately approached with a bow of his head. His clothing was nearly nonexistent and he was covered in bruises. “Thank you for saving us. We're forever in your debt and your service. I'm Wic, one of Filtairn's warriors. There's another tent with the 'special' Lycans as they referred to them. There aren't many but I don't know what condition they're in.”

“Show me,” Damian instructed as Wic led the way.

“Theanna!” she suddenly heard.

“Ajax! Are you ok?” she quickly asked as she hugged him tightly before pulling back and looking him over closely.

“I am, thanks to Hezin. The Titans were fond of punishing us but thanks to him, I fared much better than most did.”

“I'm so relieved! We're getting the last of the Lycans now. When Damian returns, we'll return everyone to Filtairn's compound.”

“Thank you! Are Lina and Sophia alright?”

“They're just fine in my palace. Return with us to the palace, so that you can reunite with them and enjoy the celebration of our victory.” Turning towards her Daemoni soldiers she requested, “My Legions, please help these poor Lycans. They're weakened and in need of food and water.”

“We found two females, Zoqa. The only other Lycan unfortunately hasn't survived. We're returning his body along with a few others we found to Filtairn,” Damian stated solemnly.

“Of course. It breaks my heart that we lost them. They should be buried as heroes. Ajax, help organize the Daemoni to prepare the Lycans for travel. Damian, Hezin and I will be right back. I need to pass on a message to the Titans of Talos,” Theanna instructed. Leaving the tent she approached an elderly Titan female who simply scowled at them.

“You're that Daemoni Queen our stupid king was intent on destroying, aren't you?” she asked. Her long white hair was pulled back into a long braid and her clothes were tattered and torn. Even sitting she was quite a bit taller than Thea.

“I am. Your 'stupid king' as you called him lost. Are there any heirs that are set to take the throne in the event of his death?” Theanna asked her.

At her question the woman started to cackle. “Of course not. Reniac believed that he was beyond death, such is the ego of a fool. If you wish to get a message to his people, I would recommend posting a declaration. It's how Reniac dispersed orders to all of us.”

“Thank you. I'll do just that. I have a feeling the people will like this message.” Theanna held out her hand as a parchment appeared in it. Handing it to the woman, she smiled.

“To the people of Talos: Reniac and his army are gone. You have a choice. Take up arms and avenge them, at which time I'll be forced to dispense with you as well, OR choose a new ruler and live your lives peacefully, never to step foot into the Dark Realms again. The choice is yours. Choose wisely, Theanna, High Queen of the Dark Realms,” the woman read aloud. “I like you, girly. You're a good one.”

“Why, thank you. I've posted those in every town and every neighborhood. I hope that your people choose wisely,” Theanna smiled at her.

“As do I. Safe journey, my Queen,” the woman said to her as she stood up and with a bow as she left them.

“Well, that was interesting,” Damian smiled at his mate.

“That it was. Come Dnirya, let's leave this foul smelling place. Ugh, seriously, how can it smell so bad?”

While Damian and Hezin chuckled, she led them back into the tent to gather everyone up. It was time to go to Earth.