The Guardian of Knowledge

Skulking into the Phlanax walls, Alexus gazed at his fellow heroes in arms. Most of the Phlanax had been supported by the Imperials, but when it came to the grunts, Alexus was considered their second-in-command, even if he didn't like it.

Making his way through the small colony alley ways, Alexus made it to Hermad, the general of the Phlanax. "Look, who decided to stop by." Hermad teased. "It's been a while, Alexus, what brings you back?"

"I'm in need to speak with Diana, is she in?" Alexus asked blattantly. Hermad laughed pointing at the gate. "Your Oracle, left a few hours aho, she said she was traveling west to search for enemies of the Phlanax."

Alexus smiled. He knew exactly what that meant. Normally most of the Greeks thought the Roman republic fell two thousand years ago, but in reality it survived. Even the first legion did too. They settled to the west of every powerhouse country much like the Greeks did to the east.

"That means my business here is done with." Alexus turned as he began to walk away. "I'm off to the west then. Before I leave does Valerie have ambrosia?"

"Yes, the crew brought in a new stock just this morning. She should still have enough assuming, the sickly didn't buy it all." Hermad replied.

"Thanks for the heads up then." Alexus concluded. With that he traveled through the town toward the harbor in search of Valerie, the daughter of Ascepulus, the god of medicine.

Arriving at the harbor, he spotted Valerie instantly. She was a lovely thing, her blonde hair and cinamon brown eyes. She held suck grace and purity almost eledgible to become an Oracle. Although it'd be a waste.Walking up to her shop, Alexus held a kind and tender smile.

"Anything new today?" He exclaimed gingerly. Turning around Valerie smiled. She rushed over to check his new battle scars and pat him down. "It is you!" She threw her arms around him, and smiled. Taking a wiff of her scent, Alexus took a calmer breath. She smelled of honeysuckle which was an intoxicating aroma for him.

"I thought you were dead!" She exclaimed releasing him. "How have you been, you don't write and your communcation skills are below average. Are you ok?"

"Oh, come on!" Alexus replied non-chalantly. "It's no big deal, I've just been fighting monsters protecting the people of Greece, no big deal."

"People of America. We are in America." She chided.

"Same, Diff." He replied. "I believe everywhere is Greece, I mean the gods are here so this is Greece. And when they are not, it'll be Ancient Greece, get it."

Sighing, Valerie gave up. "It's no use, you'll never change. So what can I help you with anyways. Did you come her to you know." She elbowed him as if to pass on a secret.

Amazed at the thought, Alexus smiled. Of course he wanted to, but he did still have feelings for Diana, who he was supposed to be looking for. Noticing the gleam in her eyes, Alexus retreated to a more serious facial expression.

"I'm sorry, but no. I need some ambrosia cakes. I'm actually on my way back out. Just hoped to meet Diana here but I guess I missed her."

Sharpening her attitude, Valerie thickened. "I see." Her tone dropped to a hint of bitterness. Reading the sadness in her voice, Alexus felt guilt. He did in fact like Valerie but, he wasn't sure if he loved her and with the modern eras, love was almost always tied to sex.

"Yea, I have some that would be thirty-six drachma." She pulled out an old wool bag that held a pack of twelve cakes of golden bread. It was the food of the gods salvaged from the island of crete, where everything originated from.

"Thanks again, Valerie." Alexus concluded. As he walked away, he felt bad letting it end like that, but he knew that if he tried to recover it, Valerie would just end up flustered and furious.

As Alexus reached the gates, he was intercepted by Hermad once more. This time Hermad was fully equipted for battle. He doned a golden breastplate and chainmail of the finest minerals. His beard was shaved and his hair looked calmer than before now being tamed back. His eyes still held anger and jealousy towards Alexus how had defeated him in battle a few years back.

"Alexus!" He called, as the one shot killer marched forward. Turning, Alexus gazed at the general of the Phlanax in confusion. He couldn't understand why but the way he said his name was filled with anger.

"Hermad. Is there something I could do for you?" Alexus wondered.

"Yea, you are to fight me in order to leave. If you defeat me, you may leave, but if you lose-"

"I stay forever. Sure why not, What is the challenge? With fist, or with weapons?" Alexus replied.
Pulling out a bronze sword, Hermad replied silently. He bares an expression of anger and his eyes were devoyed of light, just darkness.

Charging forward, the general slashed his blade down. Blood dripped from the corner of Alexus's forehead. Amazed he gazed at his fellow hero. "You've been training." Alexus muttered. "Good, then I won't hold back. I've trained my swordsmen skills too, but I've learn more things than you. For example did you know that I'm also a legacy."

"Say what?!" Hermad's face closed with dread. "That's impossible, you're joking, even the strongest of demigods weren't legacies!"

"But they were. Hercules was the grandson of Perseus. If you go back enough there are even many heroes that were legacies too."

"You're nothing but a hollowed out trashed son of Apollo!" Hermad cried as he swipped the floor before him. In an agile manuver, Alexus did a triple axle backflip. Glazed his eyes burn in anger.

"I am the son of Apollo yes, but if you are reckless, I will refuse to fight you." Alexus sighed. "Calm your anger and face me with dignity. War is not a bloodlust of carnage and violence. It is man's last option when it comes to resolution. I do not seek to fight you. I seek to resolve whatever ill will we have with words."

"Just like Hermes, you are. A traveler, a trickster and a conversationalist. You'd suit Hermes to be a son of." Hermad rebuttled. "I will make you fight me!" Charging in, Hermad slashed and buckled, as Alexus dodged, bobbed and weaved until, Hermad's energy was dragged out.

After ten minutes, Hermad's energy was expired and he collapsed to the floor. "You lost." Alexus muttered. Walking forward, he felt a tugged at his foot. "Let go, Hermad, you lose have some dignity."

Gripping tighter, Hermad gazed at his enemy. "No! I can't! I have to prove myself. You didn't just win another battle that day three years ago, you took away my honor, you hurt. . . MY PRIDE!" Struggling to his feet Hermad gazed at the one kid. The one man that had wounded him deeply.

"A man isn't anything without his pride. You stole it! And I want it back!" Charging in for a punch, Hermad's eyes burned loosing focus, he closed them in a solid tud he opened them to see Alexus's face being punched.

"I understand why you are angery. I was like that as a kid, but now I see it like this. Even if not by blood we all are brothers and sisters." Alexus pulled Hermad's fist away from his face. "I'm leaving to follow my own path, I'm a leader. Not a follower. I can't be here where everyone follows. I need to make my own place in the world, so that I can lead. Farewell my brother-in-arms Hermad."

As the gates closed behind him, Alexus realized one thing, he wasn't sure where he was going or if when he returned he'd know who he loved. If he'd break his vow to himself and love Valerie or keep on chasing a hopeless dream of having Diana as a wife someday.

Notes

NOTES

It was simple yet clouded. The one shot killer's father is revealed. But is there a love interest conflict. Continue reading to find out more.