The air thrummed with power as witches, both male and female, noticed his arrival. Coming to their feet they grabbed for weapons, ignited their various abilities as Helix strode past they followed him. Passing the courtyard where his family had been murdered served to add fuel to Helix's fury. He walked faster, face set in a grim mask. The assumption that Zeus and Decuma would be found in what remained of the great hall was correct. As he stepped into the crumbling structure, lit by a large smokeless fire in the center, the god and seer looked up from where they had been conferring over a large table. Across the surface was strewn papers, maps, food and drink.

Zeus came to his feet, lightning crackling to life in his outstretched palm. Decuma stayed seated, raising her own hand to Zeus's elbow, "Wait. I want to hear what he has to say. After all, it is rather brazen of him to stroll up in this fashion."

In her green eyes was a wariness. What she could sense Helix did not know. Erring on the side of caution he immediately spoke, "Surrender and be spared. Fight and face Hades in the underworld."

"Hades can't hold me! And even if you could kill me I'm not about to give you the chance." Zeus thundered, the lighting crackling once more.

"Peace, my lord." Decuma's gaze never left Helix's face.  "Is that all? If so I think we will pass."

He knew that the crafty seer was up to something. Her will was almost a living thing that he could smell.

"One more thing." With a quick thought Helix released the souls of the living dead, holding back his living witch allies and the soul of Alexa. Within seconds the entire courtyard and beyond, was filled with his army.

For a split second all was silence, then Decuma laughed, "Oh Helix I thought you were smarter than this?" She snapped her fingers seemingly at nothing. The next instant Eslein materialized behind him a knife held to his throat.

"I'm sorry Helix. Its the only way I can get my sister back." Pain laced her words.

The sting of her betrayal burned in his chest. Still he spoke calmly, "I have your sister. A gift from Hades."

"Kill him! Kill him now!" Decuma snapped, "Don't listen to these lies."

Eslein's hand trembled, "What?"

Focusing Helix pulled Alexa's soul from the periapt. Instantly the knife fell away from his throat as the sisters both cried out and embraced each other.

"How touching." Zeus growled, "I've seen enough." Lighting bolts lanced out toward Helix and the women, igniting chaos.

Battle erupted. Witches power thrummed, the dead attacked and Azag's demonic laugh echoed eerily above the din. Helix rolled into a shift, the gods lighting attack harmlessly meeting his blood mist as the man turned wolf.

Alexa and Eslein were joined by Cinix who threw up a hand blocking Zeus's attack aimed at them. "Ladies, if we could hug it out later. I believe now is the time for action."

A blast of fire and ice roared at Helix from separate directions. Leaping clear he ripped throat from one of the attacking witches then whirled looking for Zeus. He caught a glimpse of the seer and god fighting their way toward the rear exit of courtyard. A bit further on he saw Ynyr laying waste to witches attacking him black clouds and sword ripping at the enemy.

Snarling Helix summoned his own witches from the periapt and howled a battle cry. Were-wolves and witches converged in a writhing mess of gore, screams power and pain. With a steady rhythm he crossed the battle field until he was standing behind Zeus and Decuma. Ynyr stood at their front and a few moments later Cinix and Azag appeared to either side.

The god snarled, "Time to die!" Lighting shot out in all directions.

Helix and his cadre dodged except for Cinix who simply held out a hand and grabbed the lighting bolt materializing it into a glowing staff of light.

Decuma's eyes widened, "Why are you here she hissed at the gold haired male."

"I don't like you. Oh and you hurt my friends." Cinix grinned sharp teeth flashing.

Zeus snorted, "Friends? Right. Like a bastard like you could even have those."

"Enough!" Helix growled launching at Zeus.

The battle was swift, Ynyr moving in on Decuma the power of the first witch and the seer met with tremendous pressure. Zeus launched lighting at Helix while Cinix Used his light staff to deflect the bolts protecting Helix as the wolf came into striking distance of Zeus. Zeus retreated as Helix took a bite at his legs and Cinix swung at his head.

Meanwhile Azag killed any enemy foolish enough to try and intervene in the private battle between gods and immortals.

Helix did not know how long the battle had lasted, but an extraordinarily loud peal of thunder deafened him to the world around as Cinix's staff connected with a lighting bolt sending it back into Zeus's chest. The god flew back and hit the ground hard. Helix was on him instantly his teeth ripping out the gods throat. blood sweet and bitter spurted into his mouth. Not trusting his kill, Helix shifted back into human form, quickly grabbing up a nearby sword the were-wolf cut Zeus's head free kicking it away from the body.

Cinix stood head tilted. "Well done."

Eyes shifting over the battle Helix saw enemies all around surrendering. Turning around he found Ynyr and Decuma still locked in a power struggle. She was panting and snarling profanities at him.

Helix took a step toward them only to stop as Ynyr snapped, "No! She is mine." Their fight lasted only a few more moments as Decuma realized her army was either slain or surrendering, Zeus was dead and she had no hope of success.

"I surrender." The Seer said suddenly, retreating then lowering her power before Ynyr's onslaught.

The male witch looked frustrated, his eyes flicked to Helix in obvious deference, "She is yours."

"NO!" Decuma was to slow, Ynyr's power blasted out ripping into her. Blood and gore exploded outward then imploded back into a disgusting heap on the ground, everything that had been her body liquified.

With their deaths a calm descended upon the battle field. Helix looked around again. Witches on both sides looked relieved. Walking closer to Ynyr he reached out and grabbed his former commanders shoulder. "Gather your people. They will need your leadership."

Ynyr nodded. "Thank you Helix."

"Helix?" Eslein's quiet voice came from behind him.

Warily Helix turned to her.

"I am so sorry. My sister I just,"

"Stop." She fell silent at his command, "I understand why Eslein. What I do not understand is why you did not trust me."

"I just-"

Helix stopped her again, "No. Now is not the time. Take your sister and go. I have enough to figure out and so do you." His tone was carefully emotionless.

Pain slipped across her face. Eslein nodded turning away, "I'm sorry Helix." She whispered ever so softly knowing he would hear her anyway.

"That was harsh," Marcel commented.

Helix glanced at him, "How did we fair?"

"Only, three wolves died. A few more wounded. Witches took more losses, though I am not sure how many." Glancing around Marcel winced, "I don't have any idea about your spirit soldiers as they all pretty much vanished after the battle."

"Hades must have called them back." Cinix mused. "They served their purpose."

"My lord," Azag appeared before them, "May I have your permission to wander?"

Helix arched an eyebrow, "Somehow I don't think turning a demon loose on the world is a wise choice."

"I'll take her with me." Cinix commented. When Helix gave him a quizzical look he shrugged, "What? You have the wolves and your country to see too your highness. And this beautiful creature and I can surely get up to some fun that does not ruin the world."

Azag giggled, "If my master allows I would agree to this arrangement."

"Fine. Do not let her destroy the world Cinix."

Glancing about Helix studied the remains of the ruins that used to be his childhood home then to the wolves he had created. Deciding on a course of action he smiled. It was time to rebuild. His companions would need a home and surely as an exiled prince in league with the gods, he could pull the strings required to make this castle into that home.