Chapter One
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Why do we fight?
To protect home and family, to preserve peace and bring harmony. For my kind, the true question is no longer why do we fight? It is what is worth fighting for.
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"Lady Artemis here's the list for this year's harvest season and the number of workers that we have this upcoming months,"
A slender hand accepted the envelope and silver eyes flicker open from the eyelids as they raised as it roamed the piece of paper with an occasional mutter on her breath as she absorbed the information.
"We have fewer workers for the next season," she calmly stated at the girl who fidgets a bit guiltily, her black braid clinking as the pearls adorning it bounced with one another.
"Well they have been working for two seasons straight my lady," she replied. "I thought it would be a good show of kindness that we allow them some time off for this season of planting. We have more than enough at our storage houses to live in comfort as it is for the upcoming winter,"
"I see," the tall girl nodded rolling the piece of paper in a scroll. "Good work Zoe. Don't worry. I'm not angry," she smiled making the girl sigh in relief. "I always knew I could trust on you to make the right decisions. Anyway, how are our warriors holding up?"
A small smile adorned the princess looking girl. "It was great my lady. We have ten new volunteers and it would be not long before we have them indoctrinated as apprentices to the regular teachers. But all in all we have at least a hundred men and women capable for battle at this point at a moment's call,"
"Hmm... and the village?"
Zoe only shrugged. "Same as ever my lady. We are prospering and everyone's as happy as they could ever be. We have a couple of hunters who died while hunting. Apparently they met a troll and it killed them before the warriors could get there. Their funerals will be held at a week's time,"
"I see," nodded the silver-haired woman. "Tell their families I will personally go and pay my respects for the deceased. They died in service for the village and it is the least I can do to honor their sacrifice,"
"As you wish my lady,"
Silence followed for a moment and the silver-haired woman frowned a bit as she realized that Zoe was still standing there at her door with a nervous look on her face.
"Is there something else Zoe?"
"N-no my lady," the girl stuttered looking at her feet before staring at the enigmatic pools of silver of the woman. "If I may my lady. Permission to speak freely,"
"Granted," replied the woman with a frown. She was a bit annoyed at her subordinate being so overly formal and militaristic. She had tried weaning her out of it, to call her rather a friend more than as a leader but the girl had been overly stubborn and refused the change vehemently unlike the others who had embraced it with open arms. As it was, the silver-haired woman was both relieved and annoyed at her long time friend.
"Are we doing the right thing here my lady?" asked Zoe. "I mean hiding ourselves from the outside world?"
The silver-haired woman only sighed as she took a small serving cup and pour some wine into it before raising it daintily on her lips.
"What do you think Zoe?"
"I'm confused my lady. A large part of me was glad that we are safe and sound here in peace and preserving something from the old world but a part of me also wanted to go out there and fight," spoke the girl sadly.
"Tell me Zoe, if you go out there and fight and in some chance of a million managed to win with whoever that remains outside of these safe haven. What would you then do once you've pushed the fiends back to wherever they came?"
"I-I don't know. Reclaim Olympus with you and the others and bring it back to its former glory?"
The silver-haired woman only smiled at the naivety of her former Lieutenant. "The old world will never be returning again Zoe, you know that deep inside your heart as I do. We gods lost all our power once the city was broken and it was pure dumb luck that we managed to return her and with the last of our powers seal this island to protect us forever," she stood up and stood at the open window, her blue robes and silver hair billowing on the air. If anyone would look at her standing there like a queen was a regal sight.
"We have built something more beautiful than Olympus here Zoe, I hope you understand that. A life of peace and plenty, more than any prosperity, power and gold of Olympus can ever compare. Is it not enough blessing for undeserving ones like us who failed everyone before?"
"N-no, of course not my lady," replied Zoe. "Thank you for resting the doubts on my mind,"
The silver haired woman merely waved her off. "Think nothing of it Zoe. I believe you have learned something more then today?"
"Yes my lady," a wry amused smile graced the girl's features. "I never thought that I would see the day that you would be so philosophical as your deceased sister,"
"Whatever Zoe," the silver haired woman snorted. "Go now and keep an eye on my two brothers that they will not cause too much mischief on the fields as usual. I had two spend two hours last time explaining to the others that coloring the fields red was not a red tide but a prank by those two devils,"
Zoe only chuckled as she left with another bow leaving the silver-haired woman looking down at the beautiful sight of the valley below her, watching her people do their daily business. It truly was a beautiful sight and worth every power she had when she expended them all to keep this valley safe from anyone or anything.
Unintentionally she gripped the wooden railings she is holding tighter letting the wood splinter at her strength. If the darkness ever found their way to this sacred place, they would have to contend with Phoebe Artemis, former Olympian and goddess of the moon and the Wild.
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"Fire!"
"Take cover!"
"Reload!"
"Damn!" cursed Percy looking around his already burning ship. He can't believe it, they are being beaten and they are being beaten badly. It had been a simple mission for the young captain ever since he left port with three ships. They had passed the familiar isles of the south Americas and restocked there for the long trip to the usual reconnaissance at the Pacific.
As the world is today, it is now divided into two parts after the holocaust of the gods and the immortals. Europe and Asia which is now named together as Eurasia are now the abode of the wandering and war loving tribes of Orcs, goblins and many more horrors which have been released at the early years of the holocaust thanks to one simple accident by that random group of necromancers who have been aspiring in the dark arts accidentally opened a gate from another world sending waves and waves of the new creatures unto the very unsuspecting human world. It was not even a war, more like a slaughter. Ununified nations remained stubborn, so set on their ways that they did not see the large picture. Only when most of the human armies and half the world are almost at the hands of such chaotic forces did finally the bright heads rose over the pathetic stubborn group of sheep and finally united under one cause and one banner. Still, it was too late. With most of the human population gone, the best that the new leaders could do was save as many of the people they could back to the new world continent of the Americas.
It was also a good thing that it is also the same time that the different pantheon of the gods finally intervened. However like the humans, they suffer the same problem, disunification. Still it did have one good thing as a result. It allowed the retreating remnants of humanity the much needed break and time to bring their ships to charter whoever that remains of their once numerous nations to their new home. When the gods finally fell and are defeated, thrown down from their seats of power and devoured by dark entities that fed on auras and magic, the humans are all but now safe as they could be, protected by the large waves that separated the continents. With whoever that is left, the humans now formed a new government under a monarchial rule and its name is Vroengard becoming a beacon for those who lived under the shadow for even though the Americas are as safe as they can be across the sea, that did not deter raiding parties of the human former enemies to make the perilous journey to ravage the new empire.
Percy or Perseus Jackson was the renowned second son of Matthias Arcturus, the seventh king on the throne of Vroengard ever since the holocaust from his concubine Sallania Jackson. At old times, brothers usually fight and murder each other for the throne. However at these times when humanity had a greater enemy, bonds are formed that deter the lust of power and turn it to a fight for survival.
"Brother!" Triton's voice snapped Percy from his thoughts making him look at the heir of the throne entering his cabin with his bronze and blue armor rent.
"What's the status?" asked Percy. At normal times, it was usually Percy who deferred to Triton Arcturus who wanted to be called on his first name only reasoning that his full name sounded ghastly for him being the legitimate heir and his older brother. However the two can be no closer than any best friends and each of them trust their lives with one another. This allows Triton to stuff his pride and leave the sea battle to Percy since he is the better at it than he ever will be.
"We've lost the Andromeda and the Seacliff already to those fish men," spoke Triton as cannon fire outside nearly drowned his words. "Two ships are coming our way and I believe they may be Orc battleships,"
Percy only nodded grimly as he analyzed the situation. Their ship, the Elizabeth is a fine ship on its own right but it is a scout ship as the other two. Based on experience, he knew that the Orc ships would be crude, badly designed and very dangerous. It would need at least a Galleon to go toe to toe with an orc created boat in terms of gun power. Boarding it is not an option, Percy's crew may be good but he doesn't wish them to go toe to toe with the greenskins two times their height and four times their size. Strong warriors like Triton and himself would be able to do it, but the regular sailors cannot.
"Have we spotted any islands nearby?" asked Percy looking at the map of the Pacific on his table.
"There is one," replied Triton. "It would be a three hour trip to get to its shores on a boat and one if we bring the ship,"
"How many survivors did we manage to haul from the Andromeda and the Seacliff?"
"Sixty,"Triton's simple reply drawled.
"Damn!" cursed Percy. "And here I am hoping that we have more,"
"The fish men have caught us by surprise. It was lucky there is survi-LOOK OUT!" Triton suddenly roared and before Percy knew it, he was pulled under his table before the cabin exploded all around them.
Percy was still coughing from the smoke and his ringing ears barely heard Triton's mutters. "They're here already. We're so screwed,"
"No we're not," Percy groaned pulling himself up, his silver and blue armor clinking in protest as he stood to his full height. Sea green eyes immediately registered the shadow of an Orc ship looming over their smaller ones. With a quick count, he registered that it had at least fifteen cannons on its broadside. Two shots with that and they will be nothing more than sea debris.
"Brother what should we do?" asked Triton looking at him.
Percy's eyes narrowed as he looked at the looming ship noticing the green massive figures moving unto its deck loading the cannons of their ship again. They needed speed and they need it now.
"Load the cannons with smoke and start shooting. Everything we have that had the capability of explode I want it placed below deck now and light it with a timer of ten minutes,"
"But that would blow up the entire ship!" protested Triton.
Percy only gritted his teeth. "I know. But we had no chance to win this battle. Its better if we save as many as we can. Now go!"
"Yes captain," saluted Triton opening the door and rushing out. Percy also wasted no time following him after he strapped his trusty sword, Riptide on his waist.
The sound of shouting, crying, the cannon blasts and the moan of the dying immediately assaulted Percy's senses the moment he stepped out of his cabin. The deck below looked like a warzone with broken timber scattered around with the occasional body or two of a deceased Vroengardian. Barrels are rolling everywhere and arrows are being passed by the dozen to the group of archers standing on the deck. Already he could see that Triton had followed his orders to the letter as the cannons of the ship are puffing smoke everywhere that it is almost impossible to see.
"Percy!" a female's voice called out and Percy looked at his second in command and best friend ever since he could crawl.
"Status Cassandra?" asked Percy looking at the beautiful blonde female that climbed up to his side. She is wearing form fitting golden armor which are stained by smoke, scratches and blood. Her right arm is lying limp on a bloody sling and her brow is covered in blood from a scratch on her head. She had a pretty face that would enamor any man and had the most beautiful brown eyes that would put to shame any one. However it was her pointed ears that separated her the most from the Vroengardians as that labeled her as an Alfakin, or an elf from the isle of Aiela, the only ally of Vroengard.
"The ship's almost done Perce," spoke Cassandra wincing a bit. "We are leaking water on the hull as that broadside riddled holes everywhere, we would not survive the hour. I advise that we need to abandon ship right here and now,"
"I know," nodded Percy in affirmation. "After this last smoke broadside, load the cannons with the usual cannonballs and keep it on hold. Get me Lieutenant Luke then and ten of the best men that he had, also send a messenger to my brother to come here once he's done with what I sent him out to do. Evacuate the men to the boats after that and abandon ship,"
The horrified look of Cassandra was nearly missed by Percy as he noticed the second ork ship looming over to the other side sandwiching the Elizabeth between them.
"Percy we can't just leave-,"
"That's an order! Go!" the stern voice of Percy sent the she-elf reeling before she ran to the deck shouting Percy's orders. He took a moment to enjoy looking at the beautiful rear of her best friend in her form fitting armor before walking off.
He did not remain idle. Striding towards the set of fallen bows to the side of the ship where the bowmen dropped them after Cassandra's order to abandon ship, Percy took a weapon and knocked an arrow at it and drew. Percy knew he was a sucker at archery but with a target so large, it would be impossible for him to miss.
He let the arrow lose and was astonished as the arrow completely bounced off the Orc ship and returned to him at full force. He barely managed to duck as it whizzed on his head and impaled itself at a barrel.
"Now that's something that we don't see everyday. I know you're bad at archery but you cannot be that bad," an amused voice came from his back making Percy scowl as he turned to see the sandy haired Lieutenant of his ship with ten warriors armed to the teeth that he ordered to and Triton beside them his bronze armor contrasting badly with their white ones.
"You've done what I said brother?" asked Percy looking at the blue-haired prince who snorted.
"Yes, we've done it. I've asked Beckendorf to rig the gunpowder barrels and the rum with the time you said. Now it's six more minutes before we blow sky high. By the way, where is everybody?" he asked looking at the empty deck.
"I've ordered them to abandon ship. The smoke is keeping them invisible at the Orcs and we need to keep it that way. I want five of you," he pointed to the five nearest him from the right. "...to go to the other side and release the broadsides stored there already while me and the others will do the same to keep up the facade that this ship is still crewed,"
"What about me?" asked Luke when Percy did not point at him.
"You're better than anyone I know about rigging. So I want you to rig the steering wheel to keep the ship floating at a straight line,"
"I see," nodded Luke before he scampered off to the deck without a backward glance. Percy turned to the others.
"Now the Orcs would be sending boarders after us once we fire. It would not be them to not board a ship, they relish battle. When they come, we would have a window of thirty seconds before their next boarding and we would need that time to abandon ship,"
"Abandon ship sir? Why?" asked one of the men. Percy only grinned manically.
"Because the ship will blow up," he looked at the looming Orc craft floating beside them. "And we would take theirs with us,"
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"FIRE!" the sound of cannons ripping the air before crashing on their targets are heard through the silent ocean.
Triton grinned as he jumped backward barely avoiding the downward stroke of an orc twice his height with fangs jutting out of its lips. Percy had been right again. The orcs had boarded them immediately after the cannon fire and now they are engaged in hand to hand combat. Three orcs are dealing on his side with Percy and his men while another three are decimating Luke's men at the other side.
"20...19...18,"Triton ducked another axe swipe and charged with his trident.
"17...16...15," he jabbed with his trident making the orc howl as one of its arms went limp, red blood spewing from its holes.
"14...13...12," he kept on jabbing at the animal who barely dodged his attacks before crashing down dead.
"11...10...9," Triton jumped over the railing and kicked the nearest orc he can find chopping the head off one of the sailors.
"8...7...6," Triton blocked the orc's stroke with a well timed parry.
"5...4...3," Triton smashed the head of the orc with his trident sending it dizzying off from the impact,
"2...1...0..,"
"ABANDON SHIP!" Triton hollered at the top of his voice, immediately running ignoring his enemy barely recognizing the survivors before jumping off from the edge of the deck watching the waters came closer and with an impact, engulfing him. He barely managed to find his breath when the sound of their ship's explosing sent him downward even more.
Using his arms to swim, Triton hauled himself up the surface with his armor before reaching the surface, taking deep breaths of precious air on his panting lungs. He and the others have always trained to swim with armor on them. It was hard but possible. Relief however flooded his face as he recognized Luke and Percy floating a few yards beside him gasping also with three others who survived. Removing his gaze at his companions, he stared at the burning three boats. Even here he could hear the orcs' panicked screams trying to save their gigantous ships. He grinned, Percy's plan was an ingenious as ever. Once the ships' sink, the fishmen would attack the orcs and kill them all.
Moving his limbs, he swam to the foggy smoke a few yards behind them where the other survivors in their boats are hiding.
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I KNOW I SAID THAT I WONT WRITE AGAIN BUT I AM TOO TEMPTED NOT TO HIHIHIHI. BESIDES, I LOOKED AT THE COMPLETE PERTEMIS STORIES AND WAS HORRIFIED WITH HOW MANY ARE COMPLETE. I MEAN COME ON TRA-LA. THERE ARE AT LEAST 1K PLUS PERCY AND ARTEMIS PAIRINGS BUT 1OO+ ONLY. THAT'S SADDENING. ANYWAY HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS VERY UNIQUE STORY AND DONT HESITATE TO REVIEW AND ASK YOUR QUESTIONS, COMMENTS AND CLARIFICATIOS. HIHIHIHI TRA-LA-LAY
PS: I AM A GIRL! KEEP THAT IN MIND.