My Island in the Sun Ch. 03

My Island in the Sun Ch 03

A man finds his Greek roots and his dream island

This is part of a series. If you haven't already done so, I would suggest reading the previous chapters so this one will make sense. There is no sex in this chapter, so if that's what you're looking for, just scroll past.

It is assumed that Greek is being spoken throughout this chapter. I have written it in English mainly because I am not fluent in Greek, and I want to reach the widest audience with my story.

I would like to thank Moe789 for his help editing this chapter, it wouldn't be here without his assistance.

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AJ woke just as dawn was breaking, the brilliant rays of sun shone through the porthole into the guest cabin where he had spent his first night on board his motor yacht, a vessel he didn't even know he owned the previous day, his first day back on Greek soil since he was taken to England when he was 4 years old.

He found some running shorts and a top to wear, then searched through the footlocker and found his running shoes. AJ was determined to maintain his fitness, as he felt it gave him a mental edge when his body was as sharp as his mind.

He pulled his deck shoes on, ready to change into his runners when he got topside. As he ascended the stairs up to the saloon, he was surprised to see Nikos and Lykos already there.

"Yassas, Kalimera" (hello, good morning). I'm going to go for a run to get my miles in before breakfast. Can either of you suggest a route that might challenge me, get my heart pumping, and start my day off well?

"I'll do better than that," replied Lykos. "I'll join you if you'd like some company".

"It would be great to have a running partner; then I won't have to worry about getting lost," he chuckled.

"I'll go and get my trainers while you change from your deck shoes, AJ".

"Do you have any preferences for breakfast?" asked Nikos. "I usually do the prep work, ready for Mara when she gets up in about an hours' time".

"Fruit and yoghurt would be fantastic if that works; I don't know what everyone else has."

"We usually have all that, as well as a selection of meats and cheeses, along with bread and preserves."

"Well, I'll just stick with fruit and yoghurt. I'm easily pleased."

Just then, Lykos returned, ready to head out, so they said they'd see Nikos in a while, and off they went. They walked a couple of hundred metres along the port and then stopped to do some stretches to warm and ready their muscles for the run.

"How far did you want to run?" inquired Lykos.

"Until I get used to the surroundings and terrain, it thought it best to keep it short, say 20km?"

Lykos gasped in surprise. "I'll try to keep up, and if I'm going to do that, I'll take a flat route as far as possible."

Lykos took off at a steady pace, and AJ settled in beside him. As they ran, AJ asked Lykos how long he had been a part of the crew on the boat.

"I was in the Greek Navy up until about a year ago, however, when my service ended an uncle of mine asked around, to see if anyone was hiring", a couple of days later Kostas said they needed someone that could Pilot small craft and would be willing to pitch in with other duties. My uncle told me I should come and see Kostas, and when he explained what the job would entail, I was immediately interested, especially when he told me how much I would be earning.

"You seem to fit in really well; everyone on board seems part of a team and get on with each other really well."

"We are like one big family, and we look out for one another. it's also great to have a job that doesn't only run from May to October, when the tourists are here."

"I have to get my head around everything Lykos, but I like what I see so far. I don't see any reason to change anything."

AJ didn't know it, but hearing that eased Lykos' mind no end. he knew AJ told everyone that he wouldn't act like the boss, but he was a believer that actions always spoke louder than words.

Before long, they reached a point where Lykos said it would be a good time to head east; otherwise, they would complete a lap of the entire island and miss breakfast.

"Lead on, Macduff," said AJ Lykos started to laugh while trying to keep running at the same time.

"What's so funny?"

"Well, I may be Greek, but you just misquoted Shakespeare, it's a mistake a lot of people make, Macbeths actual words were "Lay on Macduff- and damned be him who first cries 'Hold, enough' and the actual meaning translates to "bring it on Macduff, let's fight to the death".

"The funny thing about it is, I'm nearly dying here just running this distance, but at least it will all be downhill shortly".

"I'm just amazed that we have a crewman that can quote Shakespeare amongst us," chuckled AJ.

AJ was not being even slightly pushed by the pace that Lykos had set, but he was glad just to be out getting to know part of the family, as he now saw them all onboard.

They were heading downhill now, just as Lykos had told him, with about another 4 kilometres to run. All of a sudden, AJ felt Aella call out within him. He was momentarily stunned, having just gotten used to an inner presence within him, and he could now feel a connection with Aella.

He quickly dismissed that thought and tried to speak out within his mind. "Aella he called out, is that you?" There was a quiet silence, although he was beginning to doubt his sanity for the second time in as many days.

"AJ, you can hear me?" It was definitely Aella.

"I can now, and I could only feel you."

"Where are you, AJ?" to AJ sounded more like a plea than a question.

"I'm with Lykos, and we are about 3k from the boat now", as all through this weird interaction, they had not stopped running, Lykos completely unaware of what was going on within AJ's mind.

Andreas got annoyed when I wouldn't agree to go to Skopelos with him this morning. he has forced me onto his boat in Patitri (the main port of Alonissos) and is just waiting for a crew member to arrive at the port; then, he plans to leave with me on board. I'm not quite sure what has brought about this behaviour; he has been nothing but a gentleman up to this point".

"What is the name of his boat, Aella?"

"It's called the Galazio Nero" Aella confirmed.

"Just keep your mind open so we can keep communicating. You are a part of my reason for living, Aella. Don't worry; I will be with you soon, and believe me, I promise Andreas will pay dearly for his imbecilic actions!"

"I'll never worry when you are near me AJ, I trust you more than anyone else alive, and I'll be waiting."

With that, he closed the link for the time being and turned to Lykos, telling him they needed to return to the yacht quickly, as Aella was in danger. Lykos turned to AJ with a look of puzzlement; however, with no time to lose, AJ told him to climb on Piggy's back as they had to move a lot quicker than their current pace, and he knew Lykos was tiring rapidly at this point.

"Whatever you say, boss," although he felt rather foolish accepting a piggyback from another man.

As soon as he had Lykos safely on his back, AJ took off at a blistering pace. Although he had never been to Alonissos before, he ran the route at a blistering pace, as instincts he didn't know he had kicked in, just 9 minutes later they arrived back at the port, and made their way to the boat.

Lykos thanked the gods that it was still early and that there was no one around to witness the embarrassment of the mode of his arrival. He was still a bit shaken over how fast AJ had covered the remaining distance after they had already run 17k.

"Lykos, is the Targa ready to go? We need to get to Patitri straight away. We have no time to waste, I'll answer any questions on the way."

"I always keep it fuelled and ready to go, as we never know what will crop up."

AJ Found Dimitri sitting in the Saloon. He told him they needed to get to Patitri straight away, as Aella had contacted him, and she needed his help. He also asked what weaponry they had available.

Dimitri went straight to the bar cabinet and pulled a hidden latch behind one of the optics. The front of the cabinet swung forward, revealing an array of handguns, a couple of rifles and two L115A3.338 sniper rifles, the exact type that AJ had used while in the Royal Marines.

AJ's eyes lit up when he spied four Vlad Pistol crossbows. Pistol crossbows were his stealth weapon of choice, although not standard Commando issue. his preference for them was because they are devastatingly accurate and lethal in their use in most stealth operations.

"Lykos will pilot, I will take two pistols, a sniper rifle and a Vlad crossbow with ammunition and bolts for the crossbow. We will be boarding a boat either in port or out on the open water, so get what you want, Dimitri.

We leave in two minutes." Dimitri also picked a pistol and a UK forces standard issue rifle, the L85A3, bringing enough ammunition on belts, for himself. Additionally, he chose the same for Lykos, along with another Vlad crossbow equipped with a clip of bolts.

They made their way off the swimming platform onto the dock and moved over to the Targa, stowing all the weaponry out of sight under the berths in the cockpit for the time being.

AJ then reached out to Aella again. "Are you still in Patitri? We are setting of now"

"Oh AJ, they are making ready to set off any time now, the captain has told Andreas that it will take about 4 hours to get to Glossa, apparently Andreas doesn't want to dock in Skopelos town itself, for some reason, as it will be too conspicuous."

"We're on the Targa, so just let me know when you set off, and if needed, we'll intercept you along the way."

AJ quickly explained to both Dimitri and Lykos the reason behind his behaviour and the need for absolute urgency.

As the three moved further away from Steni Vali in the Targa, AJ felt what he could only describe as a spiritual awakening, as the inner person he had felt within him, spoke with a clarity that AJ, knew was not only coming from within him, but was a part of his whole being.

"AJ, your powers are being released. You will now merge with them while you join your mind with mine".

AJ groaned as a bolt of bone-crunching pain struck him square on the chest, the like of which he had never felt, not even in the midst of battle, when he had taken rounds from enemy fire, albeit they had been stopped by his body armour. Within seconds, the pain disappeared as quickly as it came!

"Who are you? I find all this bewildering, but at the same time somewhat oddly intriguing."

"I am your forebear, Perseus. I find this somewhat perplexing myself. I have dwelt within all the male heirs of my line, and they have all felt my presence to a greater or lesser degree. You are the first of my descendants that I have had been able to have direct communication with".

AJ quickly explained what was happening to Dimitri and Lykos. They both accepted his explanation without question, with Dimitri simply stating, "AJ, you are truly being blessed by the Gods. You are a true Greek warrior."

Lykos burst out with "AJ, your eyes have now got a rim of gold around your brown irises!"

Perseus confirmed this with, "You have been blessed by Athena herself AJ, and with the backing of the great Zeus himself no-less, this is a wondrous proclamation and will have great meaning to all true Greeks."

This was all starting to overwhelm AJ. However, Perseus could sense this and used his own powers to release calming dopamine into AJ's internal organs, instantly making AJ more focused and motivated.

"I have more you quickly need to learn," exclaimed Perseus." AJ was quickly coming to terms with Perseus being his inner being, totally at peace with what he would have described as impossibly fantastical mere days ago.

Aella is a descendant of the same line as my beloved wife, Andromeda. You and Aella are linked by the two of us. I need you to clear your mind of all external stimuli and focus solely on finding Aella.

Feeling the utmost urgency and his natural instinct to protect Aella, AJ immediately did as Perseus bade him. He went into an almost meditative state, closing his mind to all but his thoughts of finding his very best friend.

As he did so, he heard Perseus talking once more. "Search your mind for a golden thread. It will be deep in your consciousness; as you have never attempted this before, it may take some time to navigate this first time."

AJ saw himself walking amongst the trees of a magnificent forest with golden trees. As he walked, he searched the ground that stretched out before him. Suddenly, he reached the edge of the trees and gazed upon the highest mountain he had ever seen. The hill appeared otherworldly in its stature; the peak was invisibly hidden amongst the clouds.

Once more, Perseus spurred AJ on. "Reach out with your mind and picture yourself on the peak."

AJ concentrated on trying to picture standing on the peak. However, after what felt like some time, he looked around and found himself still at the edge of the forest.

You must feel with your heart as well as your mind, and this will lead to your enlightenment within the realm of the gods, where your inner mind dwells. This is your destiny upon which you will make your way in both worlds."

Taking a deep breath, and with his mind now relaxed together with the love he felt for Aella within his heart, AJ pictured himself rising up, moving forward to touch the clouds, then refocusing on reaching the mountain peak hidden within.

AJ felt what he could only describe as some sort of out-of-body experience guiding his mortal body, and as he moved nearer, the clouds parted, and he saw the peak, surrounded by hundreds, if not thousands, of wondrous coloured threads.

"Concentrate on finding the golden thread, then keep it within your mind," Perseus reminded him.

"Move the threads with your mind, using your astral projection; you will know what I mean as you feel your powers flourishing, AJ," encouraged Perseus.

He could see a clear path in his mind, and then cleared multitudes of threads out of his way, now acting on pure instinct which spurred him to react without thought. In moments, he saw the golden thread before him, grasping it with all his being.

"Keep hold of it as you withdraw back, feel your way back into your body, picture yourself back on the boat," Perseus explained to AJ.

With a surge of power, AJ felt himself rejoining his body, and as he opened his eyes, he no longer held the golden thread but saw it stretching out in front of him, far into the distance.

"You seemed to go off into a trance for a moment there, AJ. What happened?"

AJ was stunned. Moments? he thought he had been gone for much longer.

"The realm of the Gods can be travelled in a mere fraction of mortal time, AJ," Perseus reassured him.

AJ saw they were still travelling toward Patitri; he explained to Lykos that he could follow the direction of the Galazio Nero as long as Aella was on board, as it was her he was following.

"We have a trick up our sleeve, AJ," Dimitri chortled as he went to a locker and came back with two magnetic signs. They read, "Greek Coastguard, " Dimitri stuck one on each side of the cockpit and then produced a blue emergency light, which he placed on the roof.

"This will get us close enough to them to give us the element of surprise, but we will need to keep an eye out for bonafide Coastguard vessels. If we're caught like this, it will be a long prison sentence for all of us."

"Lykos, change course to north, northwest." They have changed their heading."

"They're headed to Skopelos, alright!" confirmed Lykos. "They won't be able to outrun the Targa in the Galazio Nero, which has a maximum top speed of 7 to 8 knots."

As they headed towards Skopelos, AJ readied all the weapons, ensuring the working parts on the firearms were functioning optimally, and then loaded them, placing them back in their designated lockers. He kept one of the Vlad crossbows on hand in case it was needed in a hurry, and it also gave him quiet reassurance --a feeling he was familiar with in any tense situation he found himself in.

He always followed the adage "perfect preparation, prevents piss poor performance" adhering to this had saved his and his troops' lives many times on operations, during his time in the Commandos.

"AJ, reach out for Aella, use your mind to connect with hers, and speak to her through your connection, you need to practice this, it will be important as we approach them, you can make sure she gets somewhere safe on her own before they realise what is happening" advised Perseus.

AJ was already getting used to Perseus being a part of him and followed his advice. He decided to try and section off his mind and see if he could separate that part, to maintain what he would come to think of as a radio channel open directly to Aella.

"Aella, can you hear me?" he thought to himself.

"Wow, this is weird, and it's going to take some getting used to. We're underway, have been for about 10 to 15 minutes now."

"We are following you and should catch up in about 20 minutes or so. Just keep yourself safe until we get there. Your dad and Lykos are with me."

"I'll keep in touch with you AJ, as things develop, but I feel much better just having talked with you."

Back on the Galazio Nero, Andreas noticed that Aella seemed distracted, and this annoyed him immensely. He had fought to keep his jealous and volatile nature hidden from her since they met. Andreas had a vicious, paranoid streak, which he had inherited from his grandfather Georgos Papadopoulos, who had masterminded the military coup in the 1960s,

Andreas was prone to lashing out if someone didn't give him the attention he felt he deserved, believing that it was his due just because of his military heritage. Although he had never worn a uniform or fought himself, preferring to leave that to others, he felt that they were beneath him.

Aella, come and sit down to talk with me. I have plans I'd like to share with you.

Aella moved over to sit with Andreas, she knew how important it was, that at this stage of the game she must maintain control of her emotions, even as she sat down next to a man that until now, she had thought a friend and gentleman, but now had a deep pit of revulsion growing in her stomach, slowly reaching a point that verged on vomiting.

"What do you wish to share with me, Andreas? I had other tasks that I should have been doing today.

"Were they as important as us spending time together? I think not, that is why I insisted you accompany me on this little trip. I want to show you the magnificent house where we will live as soon as we get married."

"Marry! Andreas, we have only known each other as friends for the past two months. I do not have any romantic feelings for you," Aella shouted, and as she did so, she thought, Oh, well, so much for staying cool, calm and in control.

Ahh, you are a typical Woman, Aella; you will learn to love me, one way or the other. The route you choose will be up to you, but I would suggest avoiding the painful one. The last girl I had chosen for a wife did not survive the lessons."

Aella saw the need to placate Andreas, at least until AJ arrived

"You will find I can be very amenable, Andreas, as long as I am treated in the manner to which I am accustomed. I can be high-maintenance at times and require my creature comforts."

Andreas was quick with his response, "Any wife of mine would be treated with respect and given every luxury available to me. As long as you remain devoted to me, you will be the woman I desire."

Heavens, how conceited can this man be? Wondered Aella. She kept asking questions, seemingly to fawn over this most objectionable of men, and she had come across a few over the last few years.

These men saw Aellas' beauty and would not know the person behind the face and body. Misogyny was not restricted merely by countries or borders in her experience.

Aella looked at the clock in the saloon of Andreas' boat and calculated that AJ and the others should reach them on the Targa in the next few minutes.

"I need to visit the ladies' room, and while I'm there, I'll freshen up for you". Andreas was visibly pleased with the change in Aellas demeanour, and he thought this was going to work out nicely, just as he had envisaged.

As soon as Aella entered the bathroom in the second cabin, she bolted the door and sighed with immense relief.

"AJ, how far away are you? I've locked myself in the bathroom of the second cabin, and I don't know how long I can stay in here before Andreas comes looking for me, though."

"We are only two minutes out and have eyes on the Galazio Nero now. Remain where you are, and only open the door when you hear my voice; do not open it for anyone but me. Remember Aella, I am your sworn protector."

"Always. I'll see you soon then, AJ; be careful."

As they neared the other vessel, Lykos activated the emergency light on the cockpit roof, and with a megaphone he had pulled from another locker, shouted out to them, "Coast Guard, prepare for a contraband search. We will be boarding; stand back from the stern!"

The captain and the crew member remained in the forward cockpit. Andreas however, being the braggart that he was, remained at the stern waiting for them to board.

On the final stretch towards the Galazio Nero, AJ had changed into fatigues and also used camouflage paint to disguise his face in case Andreas recognized him immediately, risking losing the upper hand and throwing them off balance when they boarded in the hope of gaining an element of surprise.

In his right hand, he held a pistol, while the compact crossbow was in his left hand, which he concealed behind his back. Lykos had no sooner pulled nearer to the back of the craft ready to tie off when AJ leapt a gap of at least 3 metres in his desperation to ensure Aella was safe.

Andreas was shocked when this massive hulk of a man suddenly landed just a metre in front of where he stood. He was momentarily stunned, and when the man shouted for him to raise his hands and keep them visible, Andreas complied instantly.

"Hands behind your back, turn around and get on your knees."

As he turned, Andreas lowered his hands to help himself to the floor. AJ's pistol was jammed in his back within a split second. AJ was amazed at his reflexes. he was good, but he had never been this fast.

"I said keep your hands up he barked. Andreas dropped to the floor, not sure what was going on; he now feared for his life. He was right to worry that, being closer to the truth with that thought than he could have realised.

Andreas was not a fighting man unless it involved women. Then he became sadistic and twisted, to the point that it actually became sexually gratifying for him. Oh, yes, Andreas was one sick Malaka! (The nicest translation is a man who masturbates.)

Dimitri and Lykos quickly followed on board and approached the captain and crew member. They were also caught out by this sudden action, being easily brought under control. They were there to do their job, not to fight.

AJ took some plasticuffs from his tactical vest and restrained Andreas' hands behind his back.

"Lay face down and cross your legs!" snarled AJ.

Without using his hands, Andreas dropped forward onto his front with a groan of pain as he face-planted on the deck. He then crossed his legs. AJ knelt with one knee pressing into his back and pulled out some long flexi ties, securing his legs. Just for good measure, he pulled Andreas' elbows together, securing him with more flexi ties.

Dimitri and Lykos brought the other two down to the stern, with their arms also secured, and laid them on their fronts. They then proceeded to secure their legs so they could not move around.

AJ had their legs positioned on top of each other and secured all three together with one long flexi tie as an added precaution. Always better to be safe than sorry!

He asked Dimitri and Lykos to stay and guard the three while he went to find Aella.

First though, Lykos quickly jumped back over to the Targa and removed the bogus signs and light. That was one less thing to worry about!

Quickly returning, he saw Dimitri giving Andreas a disgusted look. Lykos looked at him with an inquisitive expression. "If Andreas has hurt a single hair on my little girl's head, he will die a slow, agonising death. I swear it to the gods."

Down below, AJ was entering the first cabin he came to and moved over to the bathroom. Pushing the handle down and opening the door, he found it empty. Wrong cabin, he thought; he moved back into the gangway and entered the door opposite.

As he moved into the cabin, he again reached out with his mind.

"Aella are you in the bathroom?"

"I am, yes." "Well, it is safe to come out now. Andreas and his stooges are secure; you are no longer in any danger."

He heard the door unlatch, and as it opened, AJ had a sudden epiphany as he gazed upon the most spectacular and breathtaking sight he had ever seen in his life.

Aellas' brown locks appeared to gleam with such brilliance that everything around them seemed pale, as if in shadow. Her bright, sparkling brown eyes reflected in the light as if they were deep pools of molten gold. In that moment, AJ was smitten; his childhood friend had disappeared before his eyes, replaced by a magnificent Goddess. He knew from then on, he would worship her for all time.

"Come sit, Aella, I need to know the whole sordid saga of events before I can decide on the consequences Andreas will face."

They moved over towards the bed and sat next to each other. As they turned to look at each other, Aella threw her arms around AJ and hugged him tightly, burying her face in his chest. AJ just held her for a few minutes, letting her settle herself after her ordeal.

"AJ, that man is a monster she blurted out. He told me I had no choice but to marry him, and if I dared to refuse, he would punish me harshly until I agreed."

"He ended up killing a previous girl he was going to marry. When she refused, he tortured her to ensure he followed his wishes. I am guessing she didn't back down and died as a result of her injuries."

Perseus spoke up again now. "AJ, you have the power to extract the truth from a person's mind. You will see their memories of deeds past, and their thoughts will be clear to you."

"How do I do that?" he enquired.

"Place your hands, one on each side of their head, and using the same meditative technique that allowed you to find Aellas' golden thread, concentrate on searching for a room inside the mind that holds all their thoughts and memories. You will be able to see all these in mere moments of mortal time".

"Come with me, Aella. I will exact my vengeance on he who sought to harm you," AJ told Aella.

Returning to the top deck, AJ asked Lykos to take Aella back onto the Targa and look after her on his behalf.

"I'm staying right here with you, AJ; I'm not leaving your side. You're stuck with me, I won't leave without you going too!"

With a resigned sigh, AJ was also strangely happy with Aellas' reaction. He moved over to Andreas and knelt, again with one knee in his back, and he knew from his training that any interrogation went better if the subject was uncomfortable and unbalanced. He viewed what he was about to attempt as just that, an interrogation!

Placing both hands on his head, he concentrated on looking inside Andreas' mind. he felt his consciousness move and focused on his astral projection, just as Perseus had told him earlier. AJ suddenly found himself standing in the middle of a tall room, which was lined with thousands of tiny drawers. He also noticed that the drawers were split into sections of three colours. There were so many black ones, some red, but far fewer green.

AJ felt drawn towards the black drawers. As he approached, he felt a heaviness pressing down on him, and he then heard faint wailing. He stepped up, and as he opened a drawer, a deep sorrow filled his heart.

AJ immediately saw a scene form in his mind. A man, who he immediately recognised as Andreas, was standing in front of a naked woman, who was bound by her hands and dangling from a chain which was attached to a hook in a cold dank room.

Andreas held a skinning knife in his hand, similar to one he had used many times when gutting and preparing fish he had caught back in England. Horrifyingly though, Andreas was carefully peeling back layers of the girl's skin from her breasts and down her stomach.

Trails of blood trickled down her body and legs, finally dripping from the toes of her feet, where an ever-increasing pool of blood was collecting in a large indentation in the floor. Andreas' victim was lapsing in and out of consciousness and now and then, screamed out in excruciating agony.

At the same time, Andreas's face gleamed in satisfaction at his handiwork and seemed to be preening himself from his sadistic endeavours. AJ was sickened to see the tent in Andreas's trousers from the apparent sexual reaction to these terrifyingly depraved urges.

AJ hurriedly closed the draw as he felt bile rise up in his throat. He certainly was not going to open any more drawers; just this one alone had confirmed what AJ already knew. Andreas was, without any doubt, in AJ's mind, a bloodthirsty, voracious predator.

He felt relieved that he had arrived back in Greece in time to prevent any harm coming to Aella. He was in no doubt of what he had to do, and morally, he would do whatever was necessary to protect all women from such a monstrosity as Andreas Papadopoulos.

AJ slowly withdrew from his mind and felt his way back to his mortal body. Once more, it appeared that his time in astral projection was mere seconds in mortal time. This was something he would begin to come to terms with.

As he stood up and moved away from Andreas, AJ felt his equilibrium returning to normal. Perseus, from what I found in his mind, Andreas poses too great a danger to all women to be allowed to remain a threat at any level. He is one sick, depraved individual!"

You have many options within your power. The punishment should fit the crime, don't you think?

"Would it be possible for his body to remain mortal, but send his soul to eternal torment? He should be made to suffer for his transgressions against humanity".

"I have a plan! You could create an air embolism in one of his arteries which will bring on a heart attack, that way he would suffer in this world, and then send his soul to Athena, where he can be chained to the rock beside Prometheus, where the eagle that plagues Prometheus, will feed from his liver every day for evermore. I can think of no more fitting punishment."

"What is to be done with the captain and his crewman, Perseus?"

"We can just remove their memories of our time aboard the Galazio Nero, and all they will know is that Andreas collapsed from what appeared to be a heart attack, which will be confirmed by a post mortem when they return to Skopelos".

"I suppose I just project with my mind once again, the same as I have been doing already?"

"It's really as simple as it sounds, AJ. I can already tell it's becoming much easier for you. It will soon feel like second nature, and just part of you, as easy as breathing, which comes naturally to all mortals".

AJ returned to where the three men remained in their restraints. Taking a knife, he cut the flexi-tie which connected the three men together.

He then rolled Andreas over and looked into his eyes. What he saw reflected back to him was fear, but within that fear, he could still see that look of entitlement, which Andreas, in his twisted mind, felt gave him the abhorrent right to behave in such despicable ways.

AJ took Aella away for a moment and took time to explain what he had seen inside Andreas' mind. She understood how this contemptuous, cruel being could not be allowed to remain amongst honest, good-hearted people.

"I take no pleasure in what I have to do, Aella, but throughout my military life, I came to accept that there comes a time when a day of reckoning comes to all who carry out atrocities in this world."

"I believe in you AJ, and know you will always do the right thing, I am just glad to have you back in my life where you belong" as Aella said that, AJ saw her eyes sparkle with a depth of feeling he wished to know every day for the rest of his life.

He returned and stood, looking down at Andreas. Kneeling, he placed his right hand on Andreas' chest over his heart. Closing his eyes, AJ went to his subconscious searching for Andreas' soul. In his mind, he could envision this small, black, swirling mass.

As he reached for it with an astral hand, he could feel malevolence radiating outwards from its nucleus. AJ swiftly took hold of it, squeezing it tightly so it was captured securely within his fist.

As he pushed his power forward, allowing it to draw back out of his subconscious, he placed his left hand where his right had been and willed with all his might to form an air bubble, which he forced through Andreas's body and into his bloodstream.

Within seconds, he started to writhe in pain. The air bubble caused a blockage in his left anterior artery. This immediately began cutting off the flow of blood around his body.

Within the next minute, Andreas bellowed as intense, agonising pain gripped hold of his heart. AJ looked away and stood up. he went to the bow of the boat, and concentrating deeply in an effort to bring forth his powers once more, he asked Athena to take the soul held in his fist and cast it into the realm of the gods, to join Prometheus in his eternal torment.

"Ajax, you have performed with honour today; your actions bring their own rewards. I will grant you a gift when the time is right. Be assured that I will always be watching over Aella and you."

AJ was no longer aware of Athena's presence. She had also taken with her the malevolent dark soul that he had removed from Andreas's body.

Returning to the stern of the boat, AJ could see Andreas had expired, so he knelt and placed a hand on both the captain's and crew member's foreheads. He pushed his thoughts inwards, planting the information into their brain that all they knew was that they were sailing alone with Andreas to Skopelos when he had collapsed, and they suspected he was having a heart attack.

Despite their efforts, they were unable to save him, so they would continue with the journey as quickly as possible and alert the necessary authorities to the tragedy. They would have no recollection of anything else that had occurred on the vessel. With that, he swiftly removed all restraints from the three and ensured that nothing unusual or suspicious was left behind.

"As soon as we leave the boat, they will not remember we were even here, AJ told the others, Let's be on our way; I'm feeling rather hungry, having missed breakfast."

Lykos was first to head back over to the Targa, Dimitri following him. As AJ turned to help Aella, she flung her arms around his neck, pulling his face down to hers. Although she was 5'10", AJ still towered over her. She mashed her lips to his, and he felt the passion explode between them. Just as quickly, she pulled away, blushing.

"My Dad's watching, but I just couldn't wait any longer."

Mesmerised, AJ asked, "How long have you been waiting then?"

"About ten years," she giggled, turning and jumping back onto the Targa.

AJ hurriedly followed, knowing full well he would follow her anywhere she wished.

Lykos soon had the Targa headed back to port at Steni Vala, they all agreed they were looking forward to lunch.

AJ added, "I need a nice cold glass of Mythos too," as the others just laughed.

"Oh well, I suppose we can go to Skiathos and the bank tomorrow to get my corporate cards, unless Aella has something else crop up." Aella just punched his arm in answer!

This concludes Chapter Three. Please leave comments and scores, and any helpful suggestions would be appreciated.

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