I did a lot of research for Mika's powers and all that magic does... basically if you put power behind any phrase or thought, it happens but you need enough power for it to work...
" Rain... really... Which of you did this?" Chiron kept his tone even, and truly he was not angry merely curious as the only person in camp that could cause any kind of weather on their own was Percy and he was far from possessing that level of control. Turning his gaze to the Soaked members of Hermes' cabin, he saw one person looking at him with a sliver of guilt in his eyes. Billy ' William' Genova, son of Ganymedes and one of their Older counselors. To be honest he had wanted Billy to lead Hermes cabin after Luke abandoned them, but only a child of Hermes was allowed to Lead the cabin... sadly that meant it was the Stolls that lead it...
" Uh... I did Chiron. I'm not really sure how, I was angry that no one was being quite when I was studying for my Statistics class, I wanted them to shut up so badly... I ... I felt this surge of power and the next thing I know, it is raining... my dad can't do anything like this, so how did I do it?" Billy looked shaken, something Chiron understood implicitly. Yes the powers were envied, but lesser Demigods were rarely if ever targets of monsters. If he gained even a sliver of power, he became substantially more of a target.
Sniffing lightly, Chiron took in the boy's aura and almost recoiled as the sharp difference from earlier. He smelled very much like a child of Zeus and Aphrodite mixed into one... there was always a touch of Zeus in Ganymede's aura thanks to Zeus being both Ganymede's ancestor and lover but not to this level. That could only really mean one thing, something Chiron had noticed a few times in the past. " It seems your father has been Promoted, I noticed this long before when Apollo became the God of the Sun, his children's aura's all changed in mass and they became much stronger though their prophetic powers dwindled..." Shaking his head, Chiron turned to Mr. D, who cringed for a moment.
" It seems you are right, Father just spoke to me. Ganymedes has been promoted to the God of Rain and Service... Iris as well, though in her case it is Goddess of Peace, Sanctuary and Organic foods... Ah!" The god barked out, holding his head for a moment before sighing and turning to Charles Beckendorf. " I am afraid my Father and Step-Mother has commissioned a new Project for your Cabin. A Shrine is to be dedicated to Iris and her new domains, and it has to include her new Symbols... the Peace Symbol, Locust and Flying Fish."
As in response, a Single Scroll appeared in brilliant rainbow colored Light, landing right in front of Beckendorf who opened it with a nod. " She wants a Small Gazebo with a Water Fountain inside and Organic Food offered with it...it has to feature the Peace Sign Heavily, and she will bless it immediately... " Gulping, Charles Nodded and started to mumble as he walked away. " Pray to dad... need materials... Something shiny but not goddy... maybe have Silene help..."
With a sigh smile, Chiron watched the boy, knowing personally how difficult it was when a God asked a favor of you... even one as kind as Iris..." Billy, why don't you practice with your New Powers near the Beach, gather Percy to see if he can help you test your limits. Oh, and while you are on your way please gather the Children of Iris and have them see what they are now capable of..." Turning to the God, Chiron's expression changed to one of deep exhaustion. " Mr.D, did they tell you why there was a promotion? No one has faded, have they?" That was always a concern...
The God of Whine shook his head, looking a little weary now that the Demigods had left. " It seems that Old Corpse Breathe has promoted Hebe, making her his intern of sorts, the potential Goddess of Youthful Dead and the Pardon of Sins while Pallas has been made not only the God of Traumatized Souls and those who have died in Combat, but also the Head of the Armies of Hades as well as it's security... Father saw that as a threat, a raising of arms... That means Barnacle Brains will do the same, and that means an all out arms war and at the worst possible time..." Dionysis flinched, something Chiron understood completely... this had happened before... it never ended well.. not with those three egos at play...and with Kronos at the rise ( And Zeus Ignoring it entirely) it would not play out well.
Sighing, Chiron stood from his wheelchair and made his way to his Office. He would have to speak to Iris, the more he knew on this subject, the better he could ensure the safety of his children...
" Really... Prosipina chose you as her Ambassador?" The Male Praetor, whom Mika now knew as Deshaun, gave him an almost amused look, it was pretty obvious that he did not believe a word Mika was saying. Naturally that very irritating, Mika was hardly a fool, pretending to be a God's Ambassador was worse then a deathsentence... he really did not want to suffer that fate, why would he lie about it?
Sighing, Mika closed his eyes and focused his thoughts onto a prayer. ' Lady Proserpina... I ask, as your Ambassador, prove my connection to you... let the Praetor and all of the idiots ruling Camp Jupiter to see the Truth...' The Scent of Sweet flowers and death washed over him, making all of the Centurions gasp in honest Shock. Mika opened his eyes, very smug as a light aura of Dark yellow encompassed his body... Of course the real kicker, and what really surprised him, was the sudden appearance of a Staff in his Left hand. A Tyrus to be exact, it was Taller then he was, with a Green Pincone at it's top. Small Runes covered the Staff from within Long Flower covered vine patterns, telling a story of Spring and Flowers, of Nature and the Renewal of Life. The Staff itself was made of Popular Wood and smelled of Pomegranates. It radiated a lot more power then Mika was currently capable of...
His Patron's soft voice drifted into his mind. ' My Mother has been nagging me once again for marrying Pluto, I was so flustered that I almost forgot... to safely channel magic, you need a staff. Circe uses potions and a Wand, for you I give this staff. It will help you safely manage your Power now that Don is not with you to disperse the Natural Energy you draw on. It will be better for you then using the Panpipes since they were designed solely for Fauns... Keep the Pipes though, they are an effective tool that you should still learn...when you draw in too much power, the staff will stun you and send it back into the Earth until you are completely free of Power. You can choose to activate this by pointing the Staff back at the Earth... remember this is a tool to learn, do not abuse it. Oh, and one last thing... it can turn into Tattoo, which shall be burned into arm the first time you seal it away... it will hurt, a lot. Enjoy![p'
Smiling once more, Mika turned to Deshaun. " Do you still not believe me?"
Deshaun slowly shook his head. " I believe you... And since you were given direct orders... You shall start work on the Additions to Pluto's Shrine as soon as possible. You will be supplied with all you need and whomever you need..."
Nodding, Mika turned away and saw several fearful and hesitant looks. Like Pluto himself, Prosipina was considered a bad omen due to her ties to the Underworld. Still several others gave him looks of deep respect and even admiration... however the resounding, all encompassing look was of deep jealous and even hatred, mostly due to the fact that a mortal with little time in their society grew to such status on his own. That made him both weary and very, very happy...
Tapping his Staff against the Ground, Mika focused on simple Faun Spell to Create flowers. Humming the Spell's tune Mika felt a build up of Nature energy, it filled him and unlike before it seemed to become his very breath. Smiling he tapped the staff lightly against the ground and before he new it, tiny white flowers blossomed where the Staff touched. There was a slight drain, making him shudder lightly, but overall it wasn't too bad... this was going to be so much fun to play with.
Closing his eyes, he spoke one of the few spells he had already been taught and managed to learn. " Iter autem adspirant" Fixing his mind on the idea of an empty place to practice with his new staff, Mika felt the winds shift around him followed by a slight coldness to his body ( One of the many signs of Magic working). Softly and slowly, the Winds gently directed him away from the Council and to a far field, right behind Pluto's Shrine Where a tiny meadow grew... clearly Prosipina's influence.
" Right... Let's start with a simple spell... A Growth enhancer, these Flowers should be simple enough... now what was that tune... Summer Breeze, by the Beetles... Blowing through the Jasmines in my mind... fighting..." Chuckling at his mental joke, Mika started to hum the song lightly for a moment before actually belting out the song for the hell of it. Power washed through him, but he carefully paid it full attention as he tapped the Staff against the Ground rhythmically. Tiny puffs of energy flowed through the ground, making tiny waves into the Flowers. At first nothing really happened but after a few minutes towards the end of the Song, the Flowers glistened lightly and started to grow just a little bit. The Ground around them seemed to darken as it became more fertile, mixing well with the light dew that started to cover the Flowers. By the time the song ended, the energy was still flowing through his body but no longer through the earth... that concerned him greatly, which was wise as he suddenly was unable to move or even breath as his flesh started to petrify.
Gasps caught in his throat, escaping only when the staff kicked in and banished his collected power back into the Earth though not all at once. It took several moments, several terrifying, uncomfortable, miserable moments... honest fear filled his mind. Internally kicking himself, Mika understood and was grateful for the Staff's safety features. Still it was a pain in the ass that such a simple spell, the most basic of the Faun spells, was just barely beyond him...
Hopefully, he could overcome that weakness soon enough...
" I think I can see Lelantos' trail now... it is a lot fainter then I would have guessed." Jason ignored Maddison's frown, turning to Don. " Can you tell us how much further it is going to be?" He was kind of eager to meet Lelantos, but also really scared. His Dad had hurt this Guy in ways that no one could really ever forgive. More then likely, like most Gods, he would take his anger out on the Child of his Enemy which in this case was Jason himself. Hopefully Maddison would Smooth that conversation over at least slightly...
One Hillary Duff song Later and Don flinched. " Uh... he is two miles that way... I can sense his anger from here... he knows we are trying to find him..." A Massive bout of Wind suddenly struck their Taxi, startling their Driver who was actually forced to Pull Over, just in time for three arrows to bury themselves in the Engine, Tires and Radio respectively..." Yeah, I guess we are walking..."
Fear clouding his thoughts, Jason nodded and they made their way to where the Acorns pointed. If only to make conversation, and ease his own personal issues ( and Guilt), Jason turned to Maddison. " Have you ever met your Dad?"
Maddison seemed kind of surprised, fair enough considering they never really spoke. " Uh, yeah, a few times. My Mom used to go to a lot of Hunting Conventions, so we saw him from time to time. He gave me my hunters license, First Bow, and a few targets. Maybe you should hide behind me, dad is really angry about what Lord Jove did... I don't want you to die Jason, your far too handsome for that." He wanted to groan, he hated this part about Being Roman. Everything was about Politics and power grabs, could he not make real friends that didn't want to use him!
Still, he couldn't outright call her out on this... so he settled for ignoring her pushing. " No thanks, I didn't do anything wrong... I can only hope that your father is Honorable enough to not strike me down." Turning his head, he sent a silent prayer to his dad... who, to be honest, he doubted really paid much attention to the Prayer but still it made him feel better, or at least he pretended it did...
Oddly though, he felt like someone was listening and he wasn't entirely sure about whom he was. For some reason, he doubted it was his Father... Just didn't seem his style.
No more small talk passed between them, they just made their ways across a small road and onto a Trail through a heavily wooded area. He would have been nervous, since Monster often filled Forests, but Don took his Pipes out and played a simple but familiar tone that eased some of his tension. It became easier to think of the Song, letting melody really dig into his Mind, reminding him of Sunshine and Happiness and Blue Skies. It was almost Euphoric, and that made him snap to it, unwilling to allow anything to blind him from his Quest.
It took only fifteen minutes for them to make their way to Hunting Shack, adding to the Tension. Part of him wanted to run screaming, feeling Lelantos' power colliding with his own in the air, he could literally taste the Malice and hatred that filled the power. It was almost conscious, aware...
" I wondered when you would get here." On Pure Instinct, Jason whipped around and flipped his Coin into it's Spear form, falling into his stance and jabbing forward at the Voice that suddenly whispered in his Ear. With an ease that was as disarming as it was impressive, the Person caught it with ease and smirked at Jason with a look all too Familiar. " So Jumpy, Poor Boy, one would think you were in danger. I would be careful with this spear by the way, Imperial Gold is very temper mental... if it were to snap, I doubt you could survive it."
Nodding, Jason pulled his spear back slowly, keeping it ready at his side as he took in the sight of Lelantos. It was Pretty apparently that he and Lord Apollo were related, for Lelantos looked a lot like Apollo's many children. Honey Blond Hair, Bronze Skin and a Bright Smile... however there was several differences that made Lelantos different. For One he wasn't very tall, he was almost Petite with lithe Muscles wrapped around his willowy frame. His eyes were Cold, Silver like Lady Diana's although very muted... almost grey really. Objectively, Jason Realized that Lelantos was a very handsome man even by God Standards, a fitting quality given he was the Uncle of Two of the Most beautiful and powerful Olympians. He radiated power, far more then Terminus did, not as much as Juno had when he met her... around Lupa's level, which was really saying something...
" Lord Lelantos... Where are the Others?" Almost panicking, he realized that he was alone and no where near the Shack...
The Smirk on the Titan's face grew to almost mad proportions. " Oh they are where we left them, I am not the titan of the Hunters Skill of Stalking Prey for Nothing. It was far too simple to steal you away. I am quite quiet and quite fast you know..." Wind brushed against Jason, who struggled not to take control of it ( not wanting to Insult the Insane Titan). "
Nodding, He bowed his head and tried to act submissive or at least not threatening and proud like his brother of the past had. " My Lord... I am on a Quest for New Rome, to Go to your Daughter's river and take the Hoard of treasure left behind by all those that made their way to her River... according to the Prophecy, we might heal her Mind and help her escape her River. Please, Please allow us passage and tell me how to help your Daughter."
Silence was almost deafening, several minutes passed by but eventually Lelantos started to chuckle. " Allow you, a Child of Jupiter, the Bastard who destroyed my Daughter, entrance to my Daughter's river? It is almost laughable, still it would be satisfying for one of his brood to heal her River... Hmmm... I'll tell you what. We are going to play a little game. You have an Hour to hide, I have until Sundown to Find and Skin you alive. If you survive, I will consider helping you...Fail and well... I will send your father a new coat, made from your tanned Skin. Your Hour Starts now... GO!" There was no hesitation, Jason shot into the Woods as fast as he could. " I FORGOT TO MENTION, AIR MAGIC IS FORBIDDEN, I AM MUCH STRONGER AND OLDER THEN YOU, DON'T EVEN TRY IT! OR DO, IT WILL BE SO FUN TO PRESENT YOUR FATHER YOUR WIND SHEERED CORPSE!"
The Raw Madness was beyond frightening, giving wings to Jason's Feet and making him hurry that much faster to hide... he had a feeling that when Lelantos said skin him alive, he was being literal... it would be slow and painful and unending...
Damn his Father!
" Damn them both, two more powerful gods at their command! This cannot be tolerated, it destroys the balance between us." Posiden growled, looking at upwards towards his arrogant brother's Domain. " RHODE, DELPHIN!" Blue light exploded, shimmering until he Daughter and Lieutenant appeared. " Zeus and Hades have both promoted two gods, making the balance of power unstable. Rhodes, You are now the Goddess of Islands, Docks and Beaches, Delphin you are now the God of Ocean Currents, Aquatic mammals and Sonar." Light exploded around them, neither having a chance to really have a say in what he was saying.
His Daughter recovered first, glaring at him heavily. " Father, You know I retreated after Helios Died, I want little to do with the Gods!" Posiden cringed, far too reminded of the rare instances of her Mother's temper as well as his own guilt for Helios fading. Their Love, unlike most of the Gods, had been pure and deep and it left his Daughter with so many scars... he had seen her a literal handful of times since her Husband died... " Please, take these new duties away from me... " The Cracking in her voice broke his heart and calmed his anger entirely.
" My Daughter..." Amphrite, his beloved wife, appeared from the Doorway and swam to her daughter to hold her closely. " Rhodes, you have been grieving for Millennia... I know you love him still, but you cannot hide from the world forever..." Amphrite stroked Rhode's soft green hair, kissing her temple. " These new Duties will be good for you... a good, much needed distraction."
Rhode shuddered for a moment, holding back a sob, before sighing and nodding. " Very well Mother... Now, if you will excuse me..." She swam away, an aura of misery surrounding her, making Posiden cringe.
Amphrite gave him a steady stare, knowing and wise as always. " Delphin, I am sorry to dismiss you so soon but would you please leave? My Husband and I have much to discuss..."
The God of Dolphins nodded, bowing to them both before shooting away, leaving them alone together.
Sitting straighter in his throne, Posiden sighed. " You always were a better parent then me...I am sorry to do that to her, but I cannot allow the Balance of power to remain distorted. You know how My brother would abuse it. "
Amphrite smirked, nodding as she swam towards him. " I understand my love, I figured you would do as Much. However there is something else we much speak of, one that concerns me, another imbalance if you will. Hera and Persephone both have Ambassadors, powerful influenceful Ambassadors that can influence the world in their stead. I have no such being and while I would normally not be concerned with this, it is an imbalance and one that cannot be allowed."
" I agree, but whom will you make your Ambassador?" He was genuinely curious who she would pick, even with Eons of marriage he didn't always understand her methods.
A sort of smugness crossed her face. " Oh, I have a few ideas... one that sticks out more then the Rest, someone already tied to us..." Waving her fingers, she caused the Water around them to shimmer, revealing the being she was speaking of.
Surprised and a tad jealous, he turned to her. " Are you sure, it will cause some issues... especially with the current tensions."
" They have already Promised to help you gain respect, and if what they did for Hades is as good as they say, there is little loss. Besides, with their current duties working for me will not be much of an issue."
Nodding, he agreed with her despite himself. " As you Wish, my queen."
Chapter End, Tell me what you think in the Reviews.
This was a lot of fun to write, it really was... I know I spelled Wine as Whine, that was intentional... also Jasmines are in the Olive Family, that is why Mika giggled. He found it kind of amusing...
Magic is pretty simple bar potions and Runes, it is power and thought mixed together. With the Staff he has a safer way to channel Nature Magic but can also use it to channel normal spells. Yes he can cast normal spells without it, not many but a few and that is important. Still I am leaning towards potions being his combat method...
Thoughts on the Staff? I thought long and hard on that one... I'm pretty proud of it.
Now I need your help... Hecate and her kids are weaker During the Day but strongest at Night and in the Underworld... Circe, as a child of Helios, lacks that problem so it got me thinking... what should make Mika his strongest and weakest? Should he have one at all? All thoughts on this welcome...
Power levels, which I feel is important...Mika is as strong ( magically) as the Child of a Nymph with a human or a really weak Faun... He will get stronger but he has no natural connection to the Elements so it is much harder to control...
Love, your Ninja Overlord,
Mika.