Ch. 2 Something on the Wind

The girl looked over her soldiers, watching them fight the seemingly endless hordes of monsters. Each man and woman was easily capable of holding their own. The matter was of attrition. Which side would run out faster?

"General," a man said as he ran up and saluted her. "Our people can't last much longer without supplies. We need those reinforcements." Clarisse nodded, looking back to the battle.

"They're on their way," she said. She picked up her helmet and slipped it on. "But until then, we all fight." She made her way down the hill, jumping instantly into the battle. Monsters of all kind were hacking and slashing at the army. Every time one went down, four more came up. Clarisse was in the midst of it all. Those that saw her that day called her a walking, bladed tornado. Nothing dared to get close to her. Nothing dared to touch her. That is, until arrow flew in and buried itself in her shoulder. She fell with a scream, her momentum sending her skidding. A Cyclops laughed and raised his club to deliver a killing blow.

"Don't lay a hand on her," a voice said. With one small swish of a blade, the cyclopes a pile of golden dust. Clarisse looked up, fearful of her life. Standing in front of her was something she had never seen before. The voice had come from a man. He wore black pants and a black and red mask. His upper body, which was revealed by the fact that he wore no shirt, was lean and muscular. In his hands was a long sword.

"Who are you?" she said. The man looked at her and tilted his head. A noise that sounded like laughing emanated from his mask.

"They've already forgotten about me," he said. "How cute." Before Clarisse could say anything else, he turned around and moved through the enemy lines. If Clarisse was intimidating, then this man was petrifying. Within minutes, he had cut the enemy forces down to half of what they were. Eventually, after the Olympian reinforcements arrived, they were able to push the rest away.

"They're earlier than expected," the man said as he watched the fleeing monsters. He wasn't worried about them, as the Hunters would probably kill them. He was about to leave and return to where he had come from when he felt a sword point on the back of his neck.

"You are under arrest and will appear in front of an Olympian trial," Clarisse said. The noise of laughter came from the man again. It was truly an eiry sound. As Clarisse was confused about the reason he was laughing, the man spun and took her sword by the blade. With a simple thought, the sword turned to melted bronze.

"I've been to a trial before," he said, his voice going from a high-pitched laugh to a low serious tone. "There's no fucking way that I would do it again. All the lies. All the heartbreak. All the pain. I'll come with you. But for your protection. He's still out here." She decided it was best to not question an obviously psychotic man and held handcuffs out. The man shook his head. Her, being faster, quickly wrapped them around his hands. Without missing a beat, he brought his hands closer together then yanked them apart, effectively destroying the chain in the middle.

"I said, 'No'," the man barked angrily. He was no longer playful, obviously.

"Fine," she growled. "At least take off your mask." The man froze, seeming to debate with himself. Coming to decision, he slowly pushed the mask up. It got to above his lips, revealing a smirk. Then it stopped. He quickly slid it back down.

"There," he said, pointing. Standing on the hilltop was the titan, Prometheus. The man began sprinting, making his way to the Titan of Forethought. The Titan had seen him coming, though. He brought his spear up in time to catch the man in the jaw, launching him into the air. It didn't even seem to faze the man. He kept going, using his sword to slash at Prometheus's back. Not stopping when he landed, he leapt back up. His sword cut another mark into the Titan's belly. He was about to deliver a killing blow when the Titan began healing.

"Oh fuck this," the man said. He pulled a large revolver from his waste band and shot Prometheis between the yes. The Titan, not knowing what had happened, dropped to the ground and dissolved. The man tucked his gun backed into his holster. Clarisse, who had finally caught up from the uphill trek, nodded at him.

"Thanks" she said. "I guess. You saved mine and my men's lives. We owe you. But for now, you must come with me." The man, not even bothering to argue with her, just nodded.

"Fine," he said. "But no handcuffs." He followed her to the large clearing. In the middle was a three story cabin, surrounded by other, smaller cabins. As they approached the larger one, two men sitting outside were visible. At least one was sitting. The other was standing on four hooves. The two looked up from their game as the general and her 'prisoner' approached.

"Lord Dionysus," Clarisse said, bowing on her knee. "I request your assistance in helping us get to Olympus. Would you be so kind and generous to flash us there." Dionysus watched them for a second, contemplating on what to do.

"Fine, Clare," he said, sighing exasperatedly. "I'll get you to Olympus. Who is he though?" Thean stepped forward and grabbed Dionysus by the collar, lifting him up a foot.

"My name is unimportant," he said menacingly. "Until you find it out, and even after, you will call her what she is named. Do you understand?" Dionysus nodded, quivering in his boots. The man let him go, dropping him to the ground.

"Shield your eyes," Dionysus said as he began to glow. Clarisse turned her head, yet the man watched on. With a flash, they were in the train room.

"Call a meeting," Clarisse said. Dionysus nodded and climbed into his throne, pressing a button to signal the other thirteen gods. One by one they flashed in, each giving the pair different looks. The looks ranged from lust to admiration to jealousy. Finally, Zeus, King of the Gods, flashed into his throne and called the meeting into order.

"Why have you brought us here, Dionysus," Zeus asked. Dionysus didn't say a word, only motioning to the two people in the center.

"Lord Zeus," Clarisse said as she bowed down. "During the battle with the monster army, this man came forward and saved mine and most of my men's lives. He also killed Prometheus who tried to come from behind. He refuses to give a name or reveal his face." The man stepped forward.

"My name is Equinox," he said. "As for my face." He reached up and removed his mask, tossing it to the ground. Underneath was a face that was basically split down the middle, one side containing multiple scars, the other side being clear. His eyes were a glowing green and his hair was messy, long, and jet black. Three people gasped. Aphrodite and Ares quickly flashed out of their thrones and appeared in front of him. Aphrodite wrapped her arm around his shoulder and placed a hand on his chest.

"Hows about we blow this place and go back to mine?" she said, using her charmspeak to try and seduce him. Clarisse felt jealousy begin to bubble up in her. She had no idea who this man was, yet she felt drawn to him. His face was too familiar to belong to a stranger. The man looked at Aphrodite. With a quick glance to Clarisse, he answered.

"How's about you fuck off, Aphrodite," he said, his voice cold and dark. "I'm not interested." He looked at Ares. The war god nodded and guided him out of the throne room. When they made it outside, he began to laugh. Then he hugged him.

"I knew you'd make it out," Ares said. "I missed seeing you fight." The man smiled.

How'd you know it was me?" he said. Ares chuckled.

"I don't forget the face of a great warrior," Ares answered. "The world needs you. And I know she needs you." The man nodded.

"She's what brought me back," he said. "I swore on the Styx to protect her."

"You better keep that promise, Punk," Ares said. "Or the Styx will be the least of your worries. And one more thing, welcome back, Percy." Ares turned around and walked back to the throne room, leaving the demigod in silence.