# The Walls of Akros

Author: LuciaEvaDamora
Tags: Minotaur, Siege, Soldier, Twins, cyclops, gods

#5 of Theroes

The Walls of&nbsp;Akros&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Beneath&nbsp;the two stone monoliths known as the Horns, ten soldiers stood, sweat glistening on their skin.&nbsp;Heliod's&nbsp;light beat down on them, the shadows of the Horns falling ahead of and behind the line where they stood at attention. The shadow ahead of them had crawled tantalizingly closer as they waited, but it still stood a sword's length out of reach.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Leandros&nbsp;desperately wanted to settle into that shade and take a nap. Well, what he&nbsp;wanted&nbsp;was to go back to&nbsp;Akros&nbsp;for a bath and some pleasant company, but he'd gladly take the shadow--or a fight, if it came to that. Anything was better than waiting.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Captain&nbsp;Kyrillos&nbsp;stepped out of line. He was sweating just like the rest of them.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"That's long enough," said&nbsp;Kyrillos. He pointed to three of the men. "You three, with me. Bardas,&nbsp;Borias--climb the Horns and see what you can see. Everyone else, take a rest."&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Bardas and&nbsp;Borias&nbsp;grinned and bolted toward the Horns, shucking their armor. The two men were not brothers, nor, as far as&nbsp;Leandros&nbsp;had ever determined, lovers. But they were undeniably a pair, and they liked nothing as much as competing with one another. Grunting, sweating, and exchanging colorful insults, they hauled themselves up the great standing stones.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Kyrillos&nbsp;took young Haemon, handsome&nbsp;Nikasios, and steadfast Xanthos to secure a perimeter.&nbsp;Leandros&nbsp;gratefully settled down in the shadow of one of the stones, setting his sword within arm's reach and taking a long pull from his water skin.&nbsp;Mnesos&nbsp;sat, leaning against the stone, his well-worn copy of&nbsp;Perisophia's&nbsp;Essays on Logic&nbsp;already in hand. White-bearded&nbsp;Diocles&nbsp;took off his helmet and set it on a rock, running his hand through his thinning hair. And Pallas started doing stretches, the bastard. He was taller and more muscular than any of them save&nbsp;Nikasios, and he liked to show off.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"They're not coming," he said, bent double to touch his palms to the ground.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"Quiet," said&nbsp;Diocles. "Eumalos&nbsp;is a good captain. Not the type to miss a meet-up. If they don't arrive, it's because they're all dead. And you've no right to be so flippant about that."&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Both their squad and&nbsp;Eumalos's&nbsp;were part of the&nbsp;Alamon, the wandering soldiers who were as vital to the defense of the polis of&nbsp;Akros&nbsp;as the city walls. The many small squads of the&nbsp;Alamon&nbsp;met up regularly to exchange information and supplies. Missing a rendezvous meant nothing good.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"Ha!" cried Bardas, or maybe&nbsp;Borias, having won their race.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"What do you think, O great scholar?" asked Pallas, now upright again but twisted almost all the way around to look at&nbsp;Mnesos.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"I think there are many possible solutions to the problem of universals, of which the theory of ideal forms is only one," said&nbsp;Mnesos, without looking up.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Pallas snorted.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"Cyclops!" shouted&nbsp;Borias, or Bardas. "Cyclops, from the northeast! Arm yourselves!"&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Leandros&nbsp;regained his feet, sword in hand.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Bardas and&nbsp;Borias&nbsp;scrambled down the sides of the Horns as the others rearmed themselves.&nbsp;Mnesos's&nbsp;book disappeared, replaced by a sling and stone.&nbsp;Diocles&nbsp;had his helmet back on within less than a second, and Pallas picked up his spear and wheeled to face the attacker.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The perimeter team made it back around the same time, and the ten soldiers fell into formation as the hulking form of a cyclops lumbered into view from the northeast.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The cyclops was already wounded, dragging one leg and leaving a trail of blood. It gave a cry that was more wail than roar and turned to lope around them.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Pallas reached it first, plunging his spear deep into the thigh of its good leg. It wailed again and backhanded him, sending him sprawling.&nbsp;Borias&nbsp;ran past it to catch its attention while Bardas lunged in to slice across its belly--a wound, although not a deep one. The cyclops lurched past them.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Beside&nbsp;Leandros, behind a wall of shields,&nbsp;Nikasios&nbsp;hefted his spear to throw. If the cyclops had been fighting back, he might have had a shot. But it was still trying to go around them. Taking down a cyclops, even a wounded one, without taking its eye would be a long, bloody business.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"Mnesos!" said&nbsp;Leandros. "Get its attention!&nbsp;Nikasios, be ready."&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Nikasios&nbsp;nodded.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The scholar backed off from the group, loaded his sling, and whirled a stone around his head.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

There was a crack as&nbsp;Mnesos's&nbsp;stone met the cyclops's skull, and the creature roared. It whirled around to spot its attacker--and found the point of&nbsp;Nikasios's&nbsp;spear instead. It screamed, clutching at the spear, blood streaming down its face, and the squad surged forward.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Leandros&nbsp;rushed forward, ducked beneath flailing arms, and sliced the tendon on the cyclops's good leg as he passed. The cyclops dropped to its knees, and the squad surrounded it and finished it off.&nbsp;Leandros&nbsp;didn't see who landed the final blow, but the kill was&nbsp;Nikasios's&nbsp;if it was anyone's.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"Anyone wounded?" asked the captain.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"Bruised," said Pallas, wheezing. "Gave me a good swat."&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"Don't be a hero," said&nbsp;Kyrillos. "Mnesos, take a look at him."&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Pallas grumbled, but let&nbsp;Mnesos&nbsp;check him over for serious injury.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Nikasios&nbsp;and Xanthos trotted out around the perimeter while Haemon, the youngest of them, stared at the cyclops.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"Hungry?" asked Bardas, clapping Haemon on the back.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"You eat... cyclops?" asked Haemon.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"Gotta&nbsp;take what you can get out here," said&nbsp;Borias.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Haemon turned pale.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"You don't eat cyclops," said&nbsp;Diocles, scowling at Bardas and&nbsp;Borias. "Unless you're starving.&nbsp;And even&nbsp;then,&nbsp;it might kill you. They're noxious things."&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Xanthos returned from the perimeter.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"That's the only one," he said. "And nothing gave chase. Looks like this fellow came all the way from One-Eyed Pass."&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"So,&nbsp;what's it doing out here?" asked&nbsp;Leandros. "They're pretty territorial, aren't they?"&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"Very," said&nbsp;Mnesos, nodding to Pallas. "And a wounded cyclops usually goes to ground."&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"Who cares?" said Pallas, who stood and stretched. "It's just a cyclops."&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"I don't think these wounds were inflicted by&nbsp;Akroans," said&nbsp;Nikasios. He was shifting the cyclops's body with his spear to get a better look at it. "This other leg was mauled, not cut."&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"Another cyclops?" asked&nbsp;Leandros.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"No," said&nbsp;Diocles. "Something smaller. Another cyclops would've just brained him with a boulder."&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"I've heard enough," said&nbsp;Kyrillos. The rest of the squad fell silent. "Eumalos's&nbsp;squad missed the rendezvous, and there's something besides our soldiers in One-Eyed Pass that can drive off a cyclops. We're going to check it out."&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Nikasios&nbsp;nodded. Pallas scowled.&nbsp;Diocles&nbsp;frowned. No one spoke.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"Mnesos, leave a sign," said&nbsp;Kyrillos. "Then let's get moving."&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The scholar pulled out a charcoal and wrote the time and date in his impeccable handwriting on the near side of one of the Horns, so the next squad of&nbsp;Alamon&nbsp;who passed this way would know they had been here.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The ten soldiers marched in formation, leaving the dead cyclops behind.&nbsp;

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------&nbsp;

The squad camped restlessly for the night on a rocky outcropping. Above it, where glowing constellations had once acted out the stories of the gods, there were only stars.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Mnesos&nbsp;sat apart from the group, staring up at the sky.&nbsp;Leandros&nbsp;came and sat beside him, staying silent for a time.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"Why have the gods abandoned us?" asked&nbsp;Leandros.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"On that," said&nbsp;Mnesos, "no one seems able to agree. For their own reasons, no doubt."&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"Will they return?"&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"The historians tell us that this is not the first time the gods have retreated into Nyx," said&nbsp;Mnesos. "I doubt it will be the last."&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Leandros&nbsp;nodded.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"Should I still pray?" he asked.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"Hard to say," said&nbsp;Mnesos. He turned toward&nbsp;Leandros. "But I do."&nbsp;

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------&nbsp;

They followed the cyclops's trail up into the hills, a winding path that took them into narrow gullies and winding canyons. The blood trail dried up, and with no footprints to follow on the windswept stone, they marched on toward One-Eyed Pass.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

That afternoon, in the shadows of the sheer rock faces that marked the entrance to the pass itself, they found a scene of carnage. There were nine&nbsp;Akroans&nbsp;lying on the ground, their bodies already bloating in the heat. The smell of blood and putrescence was oppressive.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The bodies had been butchered, their battered armor scattered around the pass. The heads were all missing.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Mnesos&nbsp;covered his mouth and nose with a cloth. Haemon looked as though he might faint.&nbsp;Leandros&nbsp;felt sick with fury.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"That's&nbsp;Eumalos," said&nbsp;Diocles&nbsp;quietly, pointing to one of the bodies. "I recognize his sword."&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"Tracks," said Xanthos, pointing past the bodies, where the blood had marked the assailants' passage. "Minotaurs."&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The far edge of the mess was a tangle of bloody hoofprints the size of dinner plates.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"Keep moving," said&nbsp;Kyrillos. "We need to get to the outpost."&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"But the bodies--" stammered Haemon.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"They're not getting any deader," said&nbsp;Kyrillos. "Come on."&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The squad formed up.&nbsp;Leandros&nbsp;muttered a prayer to&nbsp;Athreos, who ferried souls to the Underworld, and hoped that the River Guide was still listening.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"Better vengeance than remembrance," said&nbsp;Mnesos. It sounded like he was quoting something, although&nbsp;Leandros&nbsp;didn't know what.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Haemon lingered by the body of Captain&nbsp;Eumalos.&nbsp;Nikasios&nbsp;put a hand on his shoulder.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"We'll come back for them," he said.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Haemon nodded, and the ten living soldiers moved on.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

In the pass itself, the scattered bodies of cyclopes and&nbsp;minotaurs&nbsp;made grim decoration. The&nbsp;minotaurs&nbsp;had been flattened by boulders or smashed against the stone walls, and a few looked like they'd been set upon by their fellows. The cyclopes had fared worse.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Behind them, rocks crashed.&nbsp;Leandros&nbsp;spun to see boulders tumbling into the canyon behind them, blocking their exit.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

From ahead of them came the sound of savage cries and thundering hooves, and then the first&nbsp;minotaurs&nbsp;rounded the corner.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

At the head of the minotaur horde was a hulking brute carrying a sword. It bellowed insensibly, driving the others forward.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"Ready for charge!" yelled&nbsp;Kyrillos.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The squad was already forming up around him, shields up and spears out. The close quarters would buy them some time, but they were sorely outnumbered.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"They trapped us!" said Bardas.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"Minotaurs&nbsp;don't set traps," said&nbsp;Mnesos.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"Did you read that in a book?" snapped Pallas.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Nikasios&nbsp;and Bardas skewered the first&nbsp;minotaurs&nbsp;to reach them. Another got past the spears, and Haemon got his sword up in time for the creature to impale itself. Then the horde was upon them, and tactics fell by the wayside.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

A slavering minotaur that was already missing an arm lunged at&nbsp;Leandros, its remaining hand outstretched.&nbsp;Leandros&nbsp;bashed it in the face with his shield, then sliced one of its legs. It went down under the crush of hooves.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Kyrillos&nbsp;was barking orders from behind&nbsp;Leandros, fighting from the rear to keep a full view of the situation. Bardas and&nbsp;Borias&nbsp;fought back to back, shielding each other and hacking at the&nbsp;minotaurs&nbsp;around them. But they were being surrounded, cut off from the group.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Mnesos&nbsp;fought beside&nbsp;Leandros, muttering to himself about&nbsp;minotaurs, their tactics, and their supposed lack of intelligence. Pallas took risk after risk, throwing himself into the fray whenever he saw an opening and being fast enough, so far, to make it out again. Xanthos and&nbsp;Diocles&nbsp;flanked Haemon, covering any missteps. And&nbsp;Nikasios&nbsp;seemed to appear wherever he was needed, a quick spear thrust here and there buying crucial moments for his companions.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

One of the&nbsp;minotaurs&nbsp;raised a stone sledge to batter&nbsp;Leandros, but&nbsp;Diocles&nbsp;got his shield up, and instead the axe came down on his shield-arm with a splintering sound.&nbsp;Diocles&nbsp;cried out but kept his feet, and&nbsp;Nikasios&nbsp;rammed his spear into the minotaur's chest.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Haemon stepped forward to finish the job, but another minotaur loomed, raising a massive axe. Then Xanthos was there, sword in hand. He lunged toward the minotaur, but he was too slow. The axe fell, and split him from shoulder to thigh.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Pallas roared and ran forward, batting aside the minotaur's clumsy backswing, and disemboweled it.&nbsp;Diocles&nbsp;dropped his sword and pulled Haemon back with his good hand.&nbsp;Leandros&nbsp;took a defensive stance, to cover their escape.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Another cry, to his left, and&nbsp;Mnesos&nbsp;was bent double around a minotaur's clawed hand.&nbsp;Leandros&nbsp;took the hand off, and the minotaur bellowed in pain. A quick, clumsy thrust from&nbsp;Nikasios&nbsp;was too wild to hit, but it got the thing to step back.&nbsp;Mnesos&nbsp;fell to the ground, moaning, blood seeping from his stomach.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

From out of sight, Bardas or&nbsp;Borias&nbsp;cried out in rage.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

They had killed dozens of&nbsp;minotaurs, but they were losing ground, backing toward the wall of&nbsp;fallen stone.&nbsp;Leandros&nbsp;tried to drag&nbsp;Mnesos&nbsp;with them, but every time he bent down, he had to straighten to block another blow. The scholar vanished behind a wall of matted fur and stomping hooves.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Haemon was back on his feet, weeping openly, taking chances.&nbsp;Nikasios's&nbsp;omnipresent defense was finally being overwhelmed.&nbsp;Kyrillos&nbsp;had stopped giving orders, focusing on the fight at hand. Pallas was panting, covered in blood, and his swings were getting slower.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Leandros's&nbsp;arms ached. He tried not to think about&nbsp;Mnesos.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The brute who had led the horde into the canyon finally stepped into the fight. It was easily ten feet tall, snarling defiance. It raised its blade and attacked.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Nikasios's&nbsp;spear skidded off its chest, taking only a strip of skin, and the blade came down at him.&nbsp;Nikasios&nbsp;lurched to one side, but the minotaur struck his leg, severing it.&nbsp;Nikasios&nbsp;cried out. Haemon ran forward, but the brute grabbed him by the head and threw him against the canyon wall with a sickening crack.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The minotaur swung at Pallas, who dodged. Now it was off balance, arms flung wide.&nbsp;Leandros&nbsp;and Pallas hacked at its sword arm, but its thick hide and makeshift armor deflected their blows.&nbsp;Diocles&nbsp;dragged&nbsp;Nikasios&nbsp;away from the stamping hooves.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Kyrillos&nbsp;had the opening, and he went for it. He stepped forward and rammed his sword up to the hilt in the minotaur's gut.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The minotaur howled and slammed&nbsp;Kyrillos&nbsp;to the ground with one huge fist, then brought one hoof down on his chest. It leered down at him, drooling.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Leandros&nbsp;cut the tendons in its leg, and it fell to its knees. Pallas's sword made a great arc and severed the minotaur's head. Its body slumped onto the fallen captain, spurting blood.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

More&nbsp;minotaurs&nbsp;came, the last stragglers, but they had seen their leader fall, and they were scattering.&nbsp;Nikasios&nbsp;bound his own leg as&nbsp;Diocles, working with one arm, tried to push the massive minotaur's body off of the captain.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Pallas hacked at the fleeing&nbsp;minotaurs, shouting his rage, and&nbsp;Leandros&nbsp;tried to keep up. Soon they were alone, awash in blood, although the sound of growling voices and trampling hooves told them there were more&nbsp;minotaurs&nbsp;nearby.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Leandros&nbsp;found&nbsp;Mnesos's&nbsp;body, trampled and barely recognizable. He reached into the scholar's pack and pulled out&nbsp;Essays on Logic, hoping to save it. The book was soaked in blood, useless. He left it on&nbsp;Mnesos's&nbsp;body.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Pallas helped&nbsp;Diocles&nbsp;heave the minotaur leader's body off of the captain.&nbsp;Kyrillos&nbsp;was dead, his eyes glassy, helm askew, staring up into the sun.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Leandros&nbsp;found&nbsp;Borias&nbsp;next, slumped over next to the still form of Bardas. He'd been run through the shoulder with one of their own spears, and both of his legs were broken.&nbsp;Leandros&nbsp;bent down next to him.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"We had a b--" stammered&nbsp;Borias, staring down at Bardas's body. "A b-bet. Who'd live longer. There's a jar of, of money. In m-my quarters back home. We added to it every time we left. I guess... I guess I won."&nbsp;

&nbsp;

He looked up at&nbsp;Leandros.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"You can have it," he mumbled. "The money. I don't think... I'll have... much use for it."&nbsp;

&nbsp;

He shuddered, and his eyes went glassy. His ragged breathing slowed and stopped.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Leandros&nbsp;straightened.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

There were four of them left.&nbsp;Nikasios&nbsp;was still conscious, leaning against a rock and gripping his spear with white knuckles.&nbsp;Diocles, his beard streaked with red, had gotten the battered shield off his left arm, which hung uselessly at his side. Pallas was still standing, but he couldn't seem to catch his breath.&nbsp;Leandros&nbsp;himself was untouched, through luck or fortune.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"Minotaurs&nbsp;don't act like this," said&nbsp;Diocles, sounding&nbsp;wearier&nbsp;than pained. "Something's wrong. They lured us, and they trapped us."&nbsp;

&nbsp;

He looked down at the captain, and his eyes focused.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"We need to warn&nbsp;Akros," he said. "The&nbsp;minotaurs&nbsp;are hunting the&nbsp;Alamon, deliberately. If they can plan that, they can plan an attack on the city. Who can still run?"&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Nikasios&nbsp;stared down at the stump of his leg.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"I can," said&nbsp;Leandros.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"Nope," said Pallas, his breath coming fast and shallow. "Not happening."&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"What's wrong?" asked&nbsp;Leandros. "I didn't see you take a blow."&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"Didn't," said Pallas. "Felt something pop, during the fight. Right where the cyclops got me yesterday. I wouldn't make it a mile."&nbsp;

&nbsp;

He managed a grin.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"I can buy you some time, though," he said.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The sounds of rumbling voices and hooves scraping on stone grew louder.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"I can't just leave you here," said&nbsp;Leandros.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"Go," said&nbsp;Diocles. "Whoever stays, dies. But it might not be too late to warn&nbsp;Akros. Climb out of here, and run."&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Nikasios&nbsp;hauled himself up onto a rock. He nodded to&nbsp;Leandros, spear at the ready.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"Get out of here," said Pallas.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

He turned to face the far end of the canyon, then turned back.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"Tell them we went down fighting, will you?"&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"I will," said&nbsp;Leandros.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Then more&nbsp;minotaurs&nbsp;poured into the canyon, and&nbsp;Leandros&nbsp;turned to climb the tumbled boulders.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Behind him,&nbsp;Nikasios&nbsp;banged his spear against his shield, and Pallas yelled insults at the&nbsp;minotaurs, until the sound of hooves on stone drowned them out.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Leandros&nbsp;reached the top, and ran, and did not look back.&nbsp;

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------&nbsp;

He ran for a full day and more, dodging roving bands of&nbsp;minotaurs&nbsp;and fighting to keep his eyes open. Occasionally he came upon squads of fallen&nbsp;Alamon, and signs that large bands of&nbsp;minotaurs&nbsp;had passed this way.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

By the time he caught sight of&nbsp;Akros, night had fallen for a second time. In the darkness, it took him a moment to realize that something was wrong. He slowed, then stopped, a vast blankness blotting out what should have been view of the city.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

A wall. Someone--minotaurs--had built a wall around&nbsp;Akros, to keep the&nbsp;Alamon&nbsp;out while they besieged the city. It was a ramshackle thing, ugly and probably flimsy, but the&nbsp;Alamon&nbsp;were lightly armed and had no siege equipment. Even if any of them had survived the onslaught out in the wilds, they would have to besiege the siege camp themselves.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

In the skies directly above&nbsp;Akros, stars flared to sudden, brilliant life, regaining color and motion for the first time in many weeks. Slowly, two figures took shape: brave&nbsp;Iroas&nbsp;and savage&nbsp;Mogis, the twin gods of warfare, respective patrons of the&nbsp;Akroans&nbsp;and the&nbsp;minotaurs. They grappled in the sky, fighting the latest battle in their long and brutal conflict.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

But the gods had not returned to&nbsp;Theros. The twins were interested in each other, not mortals. There would be no help from that quarter.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Leandros&nbsp;fell to his knees.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

He was too late. Even the gods could not stop this disaster.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The siege of&nbsp;Akros&nbsp;had begun.&nbsp;

Source: https://sofurry.com/s/7ej3rowm
Part of the series Theroes
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