Summer sun 1

Fanfic of Hercules: the legendary journeys

Summer sun 1

Iolaus’ POV
“I’m telling you Herc, Aphrodite was really making eyes at me the last time we saw her.”I told my best friend as we walked through the forest to our hometown. Hercules chuckled and patted my shoulder. “I hate to bring you the bad news my friend, but my half-sister makes eyes at everyone she meets.”he reminded me. I wanted to argue with that but didn’t get the chance since the sounds of a battle in progress reached our ears.
Hercules and I exchanged a short glance with each other before we ran off, towards the noise. We both froze however when we reached the small clearing that got mostly filled with a Nightmare and I’m not talking here about the word we use for bad dreams. No, this was a Nightmare as in the creature. A mare made of pure darkness, its manes and tail constantly moving as if they were from black water, twice the size of a normal horse, red flaming eyes, the ability to breathe fire and claws that looked more like a wolf’s instead of hooves.
The one who was fighting this creature which came from the depths of Tartarus was even more interesting. A girl in her late twenties who’s long brown hair hung in a plait over her shoulder. She wore a pair of light brown pants and a white blouse which were both ripped while her feet where cladded in a standard pair of Greek sandals. Her blue eyes blazed with anger as they stayed focussed on the monster as she held her sword firmly in her hand.
The girl was wounded judging by the smears of dark red on her clothes, though it seemed as if she couldn’t be bothered by that for now. She suddenly raced forward in a quick and graceful pace on which the Nightmare opened its mouth to burn the girl alive. On instinct I took a step forward but Hercules pulled me back, his eyes not leaving the girl’s form.
“She doesn’t need saving just yet.”he spoke on which we both witnessed how the girl moved much quicker than the horse and stuck her sword upright into the opened mouth of the beast which screamed in pain. The girl didn’t let go however and pushed her blade even further until it got stuck into the creature’s brain. With a last cry, the large horse fell down, done fighting, done living.
“Should we clap now?”I asked Hercules who smiled amused. “I don’t need applause for trying to stay alive.”the girl breathed as she pulled her sword out of the creature. The Nightmare melted in a puddle of black goo before it just disappeared into the earth.
“Since when does Hera send big horses to torment the ones that wronged her?”Hercules asked her. “And what exactly did you do to piss her off?”. “To answer both of your questions…”the girl replied as she rested her bloodied sword on her shoulder. “I have no trouble with Hera. At least, not yet. She didn’t send that Nightmare. Erebos did.”.
“Erebos?”I repeated and whistled. “What in the Underworld’s name did you do to piss him off?”. The girl smiled sadly, the tiredness after this all clear in her eyes. “I… I accepted my destiny.”she said. When she saw both Hercules and me were looking at her confused she rolled her eyes and pulled the fabric of her shirt away a bit to show us the skin that laid above her heart. A black mark in the form of a sun was drawn against her slightly tanned skin.
“You’re carrying the summer sun.”Hercules realised. “Apollo himself choose me.”she explained. “I have to reach his temple in Delphi before the summer solstice. That of course would be an easy task if it wasn’t for Erebos to throw monsters on my path.”.
“If the summer sun isn’t brought to Apollo’s temple the day of the summer solstice, the world will be covered in darkness forever.”I remembered from the legend. “Something Erebos would love to happen.”the girl pointed out. “But not while this demi is still alive and kicking.”.  
“Demi?”Hercules spoke. “You’re a half-blood too?”. The girl giggled causing her blue eyes to sparkle. “You really thought you were the only one, Hercules, son of Zeus?”she questioned. “I may not come from such a powerful bloodline, but yes, I’m a demigod like you. My name is Lio, daughter of the muse Calliope.”.
“Hercules.”my friend said as he offered her his hand which she shook. “But you clearly knew that already… And this is Iolaus. My best friend and the one I trust with my life when in battle.”. “Though he does the toughest part of the rumble.”I added as I took shook hands with Lio. Just now I noticed she was holding her stomach with her other arm.
Not thinking twice about it, I nudged her arm out of the way only to lay eyes on the deep claw marks that had not only tiered her shirt but also her skin. “That Nightmare clearly gave you a run for your money.”I commented. “The Nightmare, the Drakon, a set of Harpies, a Hellhound…”she summed up.
“Our hometown is a good ten minute walk from here.”Hercules told her. “How about you join us so that we can take care of your wounds? My mother won’t mind having someone extra over for dinner.”. “Dinner?”Lio repeated eagerly. “As in warm and cooked above a stove? How can I say no to that.”. I looked at Hercules who laughed at her remark. “I already like her.”I told my best friend causing him to chuckle even further.