The Hunter
Chapter Eight
They had walked for almost an hour before they found a path that led to the road. The branches snapped under Orion's weight and he pulled his jacket tightly just as a cold wind ruffled his hair. Orion glanced down. The river was almost seven hundred feet below. He shivered thinking how one fall could lead to death.
The journey was quiet. The only sounds were coming from their boots and Grover's sniffing.
Thalia was right beside Orion. She insisted she wanted to be in the middle for reasons Orion didn't know of.
"How close are they?" He heard Percy ask Grover. They were right behind him. He slowed down until they were side by side with Grover in the middle.
Grover shook his head. "Maybe not close. The wind on the dam, the desert all around us… the scent can probably carry for miles. But it's coming from several directions. I don't like that."
"Monsters?" Orion guessed.
Percy nodded grimly while Orion sighed tiredly. Why couldn't the monsters leave them alone?
Maybe it's because we have only two days to find Artemis and they want to distract us as long as possible, a voice in the back of his head whispered.
"There's a snack bar in the visitor center," Thalia said.
"You've been here before?" Percy asked.
"Once. To see the guardians." She pointed to the far end of the dam where two big bronze statue stood proudly.
"What are those?" Orion asked.
"They were dedicated to Zeus when the dam was built," Thalia said. "A gift from Athena."
Orion watched as tourists surrounded the two statues and began to rub its toes.
"What are they doing?" Percy asked.
"Rubbing the toes," Thalia said. "They think its good luck."
"Why?"
She shook her head. "Mortals get crazy ideas. They don't know the statues are sacred to Zeus, but they know there's something special about them."
Orion scoffed. Mortals and their misguided beliefs, he thought whilst shaking his head.
"When you were here last, did they talk to you or anything?" Percy asked.
"No. They don't do anything. "They're just big metal statues." Thalia said bitterly.
"Let us find the dam snack bar," Zoe said. "We should eat while we can."
Grover cracked a smile. "The dam snack bar?" Even Orion had to smile at that.
Zoe blinked. "Yes. What is funny?"
"Nothing," Grover said, trying to keep a straight face. "I could use some dam French fries."
Thalia smiled at that. "And I need to use the dam restroom."
Orion smiled wider. Then Percy started cracking up, and Thalia and Grover joined in, while Zoe just looked at us. "I do not understand."
"I want to use the dam water fountain," Grover said.
"And…" Thalia tried to catch her breath. "I want to buy a dam T-shirt."
Then Orion suddenly staggered back frowning a little. Some powerful force was near them. He narrowed his eyes. It was the same one he detected a few days ago at camp. He opened his mouth to warn his friends when he heard something that shouldn't technically be there.
"Moooo…"
Orion glanced at Grover, who abruptly stopped laughing. "Did I just hear a cow?" He asked in confusion.
"A dam cow?" Thalia laughed.
"No," Grover said. "I'm serious."
Zoe listened. "I hear nothing."
Orion furrowed his eyebrows. The presence is still here, he thought.
He heard Thalia asked. "Percy, are you okay?"
He glanced sharply at his half-brother, who looked ready to pass out. His normally tanned skin was pale and he looked like he has seen a ghost.
"Yeah," Percy replied, a bit of a strain visible in his voice. "You guys go ahead. I'll be right in."
"What's wrong?" Grover asked.
"Nothing," Percy said. "I… I just need a minute. To think."
"Bu-" Grover tried to say.
"I'll come with him." Orion said with a tone that left no objection. "No need to worry."
When they were gone, Orion turned to Percy. "You felt that too, didn't you?"
Percy gave Orion a confused look. "Felt what?"
Orion searched Percy's face for any lies but he found none. "Never mind," Orion muttered. "You're too young to detect something like that."
Orion closed his eyes trying to pinpoint the location of the being. It was below them. Orion wondered what could give off that kind of power. It was still there as if waiting for someone. Orin doubted it could be monster because it was too powerful unless it was a Kraken but no way could a Kraken survive in a lake.
The best way to deal with this situation was to run. But Orion can't, not physically but mentally can't. He was a hunter. He couldn't miss this opportunity to grapple with an unidentified beast.
"Percy," Orion said distractedly. "Go back to the others. There's something here that does not belong here."
Without waiting for a reply, Orion jogged toward north. He felt a hand wrap around his arm and he was jerked back.
"Wait," Percy said. "Are you talking about Bessie?"
"Who's Bessie?"
"The cow." Percy stated. Orion shot him a look that clearly said 'are you insane'.
Percy seeing the look sighed impatiently. "Come here." He dragged Orion toward the north edge of the dam and looked over.
"Moo."
"What in the Hades is that?" Orion demanded. It was a cow serpent.
"I found her near the camp beach," Percy explained. "She was trapped by a net."
"She looks familiar." Orion muttered. He ignored Percy, who was talking to Bessie. Suddenly a story came into his head. Burn entrails. Titans. Zeus eagle. Power to overpower the Gods.
"Oh my Gods!" Orion exclaimed.
Percy frowned just as Bessie gave out a distressed 'moo'.
"Did you hear what I just said?" Percy asked and sighed. "Something's wrong. Bessie isn't her usual self."
But still no response.
Suddenly, Orion gripped both of Percy's arms tightly and asked. "Do you know what that is?"
Percy shook his head which resulted in a tighter grip. "Ophiotaurus. That is Ophiotaurus."
"Okay, so?" Percy shrugged.
"Ophiotaurus has the power to overthrow Gods when its entrails are burned!" Orion nearly shouted.
Percy paled right before his eyes and asked. "What do we do?"
"We need to contract Chiron or the Gods and tell them tha-"
Percy interrupted. "She's gone!"
"What?" Orion asked sharply and looked over the dam to see Percy was right. Orion cursed and felt Percy tensed beside him.
"What's wrong?" Orion asked.
"Skeletons!" Percy said frozen on the spot. "East road."
Orion snapped his head to where Percy was indicating. There were two warrior skeletons headed their way. They were pushing through groups of people.
"There!" Percy pointed toward a visitor center. "Run!"
Percy and Orion bolted for the visitor center. He made sure that Percy was running first so he could protect him from behind. When they made it to the stairs, another black van appeared and more skeletons poured out.
Percy ran through the metal detector alarming the guard.
"Hey, kid!" The guard yelled and stood in Orion's way.
"Sorry." Orion muttered before pushing the guard away. His head banged on the table and was knocked unconscious.
The elevator dinged open and Percy went in. Orion ran faster. The doors were closing. He lunged and barely made it through. He crashed into the metal wall of the elevator, his right shoulder taking most of the impact.
He ignored the weird looks sent in his way and stood up.
"We'll be going down seven hundred feet," the tour guide said cheerfully. "Don't worry, ladies and gentlemen, the elevator hardly ever breaks."
Percy wasted no time and fired a question. "Does this go to the snack bar?"
A few people chuckled. Orion took this time to catch his breath. He breathed heavily and glanced at the tour guide. She was a park ranger with black hair that was in a ponytail and her eyes were obscured by black tinted glasses.
"To the turbines, young man," the lady said. "Weren't you listening to my fascinating presentation upstairs?"
"Oh, uh, sure. Is there another way out of the dam?"
"It's a dead end," a tourist behind them said. "For heaven's sake. The only way out is the other elevator."
The doors opened.
"Go right ahead, folks," the tour guide told us. "Another ranger is waiting for you at the end of the corridor."
They didn't have much of a choice but to follow the group. Orion followed behind an old couple, who were arguing.
He was half-way the tunnel when he realized Percy wasn't following him. He looked back toward the elevator just in time to see the first elevator close and the second one opened. Even from where he stood, he could hear the clattering sound of the skeletons. He waited for Percy to catch up before running beside him.
They caught up with the tourists and blended in.
"We have to hide." Percy whispered.
"Hide here!" Orion pushed Percy into a little hallway while Orion took the opposite hallway. He kept his eyes on Percy and unsheathed his sword.
They waited for a few seconds then out of nowhere came a sound that suspiciously sounds like the skeletons. Percy caught his eyes and Orion nodded. Both of them got out of their hiding spot and Orion watched as Percy swung his sword on a mortal.
The mortal turned out to be a girl that same age as Percy with frizzy red hair and green eyes.
"Oh my god.'" she shouted dropping her Kleenex. "Do you always kill people when they blow their nose?"
"You're a mortal!" Percy couldn't help but say.
"Percy." Orion warned under his breath.
She asked in disbelief. "What's that supposed to mean? Of course I'm mortal! How did you get that sword past security?"
"I didn't—wait, you can see it's a sword?"
"She's a clear-sighted." Orion hissed but Percy once again ignored him.
She rolled her eyes. "Well, it's either a sword or the biggest toothpick in the world," she said. "And why didn't it hurt me? I mean, not that I'm complaining. Who are you? And whoa, what is that you're wearing? Is that made of lion fur?"
Then she started firing questions.
"We need to go!" Orion said grabbing hold of Percy but before he could drag his half-brother, Percy opened his mouth and snapped his fingers. "You don't see a sword," He told the girl. "It's just a ballpoint pen."
She blinked. "Um… no. It's a sword, weirdo."
"Who are you?" Percy demanded.
Orion growled in frustration and began to drag Percy away.
To his utter annoyance the girl followed. She huffed indignantly. "Rachel Elizabeth Dare. Now, are you going to answer my questions or should I scream for security?"
"No!" Percy said. "I mean, we're kind of in a hurry. We're in trouble."
"In a hurry or in trouble?"
"Um, sort of both."
She looked over my shoulder and her eyes widened. "Bathroom!"
"What?"
"Bathroom! Behind me! Now!"
Without warning, Percy pushed Orion to where the girl was indicating and closed the door.
"What do you think you're doing?" Orion hissed.
"I don't know, alright!" Percy huffed.
"Well, yo-" Orion stopped when he heard clattering sound. He sucked in a deep breath and gripped his sword tightly.
"Oh my god! Did you see that kid? It's about time you got here. He tried to kill me! He had a sword, for god's sake. You security guys let a sword-swinging lunatic inside a national landmark? I mean, jeez! He ran that way toward those turbine thingies. I think he went over the side or something. Maybe he fell." He cringed at how Rachel Dare sounded like Aphrodite.
The skeleton clattered excitedly before moving off.
Rachel, who looked shaken and pale, opened the door. "All clear. But you'd better hurry."
Orion glanced at Percy. He looked like he wanted to talk to Rachel privately. Orion sighed catching both of their attentions. "I'll go check the elevator. You have a minute." He shot Percy a stern look and walked toward the elevator. He pressed the button and waited.
"Orion!" He heard Percy yell just as the elevator dinged open. His eyes widened a fraction. The skeletons were right behind Percy. He quickly stepped into the elevator and brought out his bow. He fired two shots of black arrow and it landed directly on the two skeletons that almost grabbed Percy, who lunged for the elevator just as it closed.
The café was full of people and Orion spotted Zoe, who was just sitting down with the others. They walked fast and brisk to avoid attention.
We need to leave," Percy gasped the minute we arrived at their table. "Now!"
"But we just got our burritos!" Thalia protested.
Zoe stood up, muttering an Ancient Greek curse. "He's right! Look." She pointed at the observation floor.
Skeletons with weapons were visible from left to right. Orion cursed. They were surrounded. Then as if the universe hated them, the three skeletons that were chasing them appeared on the stairs.
"Elevator!" Grover suggested and bolted to that direction but the elevator dinged open and more skeletons appeared.
"Burrito fight!" Grover suddenly yelled, and flung his Guacamole Grande at the nearest skeleton.
Orion watched as Percy and Thalia tackled the two skeletons on the stairs. Then they bolted in that direction.
"What now?" Grover asked when they were outside. They ran across the street near the two bronze statues but it was in the wrong way. The skeletons moved forward forming a semi-circle around them.
"Four against eleven," Zoe muttered. "And theycannot die."
"It's been nice adventuring with you guys," Grover said, his voice trembling.
Orion kept quiet and focused on the skeletons. They couldn't fight these skeletons without one of them dying. Maybe he could distract them while his teammates escaped. There would be a better chance of survival when it was him against the skeletons. They could save Artemis and maybe he could pass a message to Zoe. Speaking of Zoe, he glanced at her and she caught his eyes. She shook her head slightly knowing what Orion was about to do. He smiled sadly and prepared to yell out his orders when Percy suddenly interrupted.
"Whoa," He said. "Their toes really are bright."
"Percy!" Thalia said. "This isn't the time."
Percy kept on staring at the toes.
"Thalia," Percy said. "Pray to your dad."
She glared at him. "He never answers."
"Just this once," Percy pleaded. "Ask for help. I think…I think the statues can give us some luck."
"Do it!" Percy yelled.
"No!" Thalia said. "He won't answer me."
"This time is different!"
"Who says?"
Percy hesitated. "Athena, I think."
Thalia scowled.
"Just try it." Grover pleaded and Orion watched as Thalia closed her eyes and began to pray.
Then the skeletons closed in. Orion fired arrows at them but all it did was slow them down. He growled unsheathing his sword. He was about to attack when a shadow fell over them. Orion didn't risk glancing behind him and kept his eyes on the skeletons. The skeleton nearest to Orion suddenly lunged and Orion was prepared. He was about to swing his sword when suddenly another sword appeared and swiped the five skeletons.
This time he did glanced behind him and his jaw dropped. The two bronze statues were moving. They stretched their bodies and Orion had to avert his eyes when the sunlight reflected on it. He almost missed it when the skeletons fired. He could only watch as bullets soared through the air in slow motion. He braced himself for impact but there was none. The two angels spread their wings and covered them. Then both angels slashed their swords and skeletons went flying.
"Man, it feels good to stand up!" the first angel said, his voice sounded scratchy as if he hadn't drank anything.
"Will ya look at my toes?" the other said. "Holy Zeus, what were those tourists thinking?"
Orion was stunned. That was certainly unexpected.
"Trouble!" Percy yelled.
"Get us out of here!" Thalia yelled.
Both angels looked down at her. "Zeus's kid?"
"Yes!"
"Could I get a please, Miss Zeus's Kid?" an angel asked.
"Please!"
The angels looked at each other and shrugged.
"Could use a stretch," one decided.
One of them grabbed Thalia and Percy while the other grabbed the remaining three and they flew off.
A/N: I am updated early because I'll be gone this weekend. Apparently, my family and I will vacation in Guangzhou so see you next week.
