Disclaimer: I do not own Hero: 108 or Percy Jackson and the Olympians.

Chapter 8:

Hawk looked at the suddenly scared winter spirit in front of him. The wind was currently dying down in her fear. "You're Yuki-Onna?"

The snow woman nodded, looking around. "Yes." She whispered out, almost too scared to speak. At that moment, Lin Chung started walking to the door. Yuki-Onna watched him as he limped stiffly to the door.

"What's wrong with your leg?" Hawk asked the clone.

"Frostbite. I need to heal it." Hawk nodded, and Lin Chung disappeared out the door.

He turned back to the girl. "Do you want to learn how to better control your powers?" It was better being blunt and straightforward about it then trying to beat around the bush, he often found.

The girl nodded violently. "Yes!" Hawk smiled, before sitting down.

"Well then, the first thing you have to learn: how to keep your emotions in check."

"Side! Duck! Left, right!" Lin Chung placed his blade at his opponent's throat. Yuki-Onna looked back up at him, before sighing.

"I yield….again." Lin Chung grinned as he let her go.

"You're too predictable, Yuki-Onna. Even before you strike, I can already tell where you want to strike. Against someone who has had experience, you would be dead within seconds." Yuki-Onna sighed again, looking down as she nodded.

Kichijoten watched them with fascination. Hawk had suddenly been requested by from the Chinese gods, and he had left a few night ago. This left Lin Chung as the only one who could finish training her. It was clear to see that Yuki-Onna was improving. Thanks to Hawk, Yuki-Onna wasn't so intimidating any more, taking on a slightly shorter and younger physical appearance.

The Japanese goddess of fertility and beauty sighed, wondering what the Chinese gods had needed that was so important that Hawk had to leave and let Lin Chung finish Yuki-Onna's training. Hawk haven't seemed pleased about it, but had left rather obediently. This had surprised Kichijoten. She had always thought that Hawk was one to stick to what he thought was right.

Kichijoten smirked as she saw Lin Chung's blade near Yuki-Onna's throat once more. Yuki-Onna was slowly progressing, nearly ready to be taken out of the frozen chambers, but she was still trying to recover from thousands of years' worth of abandonment.

The Japanese goddess turned around, frowning at the thought. The Chinese gods better have had a good reason for bringing Hawk away so abruptly.

"He left without telling us?!" It had been a few days since Hawk had left, nearly a week, and Yuki-Onna was finally allowed to travel around the mountains instead of being restricted in her small area. It was the first time she was meeting the group, only for the group to find that Lin Chung had also suddenly left without a word.

"Yep." Amaterasu said, skimming through the note. It was in Hawk's handwriting, clearly having been scribbled on in a rush. There wasn't much, only noting about how the two were needed urgently for something in the war, and that Hawk would come to get them after a few more days.

"Nothing else?" Yuki-Onna prompted. After a few hours, the group had warmed up to her considerably, especially upon learning that she was only afraid of abandonment and loneliness once again. Yuki-Onna had proved to be a valuable asset to the Japanese gods. Under the tutorage of the god and the clone, she had flourished, helping them with plans to defend the Japanese deities' home.

Amaterasu shook her head. "No. None at all." She turned to the group. "Well, let's make the most of this. In a few days, Hawk will come and hopefully offer an explanation to what is happening."

The others nodded, before leading Yuki-Onna away. Rick, Aron, Ingr, and Annabeth were still quite cold to Yuki-Onna; they regularly called her a freak, and often called for her to be caged for the rest of eternity. This taunting continued until they were bound and gagged for a whole day, courtesy of Hawk.

Yuki-Onna wasn't bothered by this. After seeing Lin Chung and Hawk's intolerance of the four, she hadn't even wanted to get to know the four. However, she admired the other three, growing especially close with Jumpy (who had enjoyed the extra attention she gave him).

Hawk soon arrived, as promised, to take them back. He seemed in a rush; he had briefly talked with Izanagi to arrange a meeting between the Chinese gods, Japanese gods, and the Olympians about the upcoming battle. Then, hastily saying goodbye, he had brought the group back to Olympus, before he disappeared once again. There, the group was greeted by Zhu Rong, who had mentioned that Eagle was also going to be gone for a while.

After having several chaotic days at camp, the group had demanded to know what was going on. Hawk had promised them that all would be explained in due time, but contact with the Chinese gods became more and more limited as they started planning.

The Olympians seemed just as confused as the campers, while the Japanese gods seemed content to wait for an explanation. As Re briefly came down to announce the date that the meeting would be held, Percy took the opportunity to ask her where Lin Chung was. She only gave him an odd look before disappearing without an answer.

The meeting seemed normal enough; most of the Chinese gods came in late, looking weary as they took their seats. However, other than that, the meeting started without a hitch. Izanagi and Zeus each represented their side. After a long debate about steps to take from there, they finally reached an agreement.

They would defend one another from Twin Masters, or - as the Japanese called him - Tsuinmasutazu, and help one another should the need arise.

"So it is agreed that the Olympians will come to your aid if you are in need of it."

"And so shall we."

Athena interrupted, gaze narrowed. "How do we know we can trust your word?"

Izanami also frowned. "If you doubt our words, we have no reason to believe yours."

At that moment, Hawk came flying in muttering a quick apology as he took a seat next to Hestia, looking like he had just ran the whole way here.

Lin Chung was still nowhere in sight.

"Where were you?" Athena took this opportunity to ask the Chinese god of Creation and Protection, but Hawk shook his head.

"Doing some planning for the battle to come."

Athena narrowed her eyes at him, but it was a valid excuse that she couldn't poke through. Seeing that she wasn't going to get in this way, she instead changed the question. "Then what do you have planned?"

Hawk sighed. "The only way it would work is if Lin Chung can start the first phase of it. Without it, we are stuck waiting around."

"Where is he?" Athena repeated.

Hawk shook his head again. "I'm afraid that I cannot tell."

"Why not?" Poseidon demanded, feeling slightly frustrated. For the past few days, it had been very hectic; the Chinese gods rushing to and fro without revealing anything. Added with the sudden disappearance of Lin Chung, well, it was frustrating, to say the least.

Hawk sighed. "It is crucial that you don't know. After that, we may be able to reveal everything to you." Poseidon nodded, still miffed, but knowing he was not going to get anything better than that.

Hawk turned to the two groups. "Now, back to the topic at hand: the agreement." They nodded. Hawk smiled. "Swear it on each other. Once you do, the agreement will be binding." The two groups nodded as Lëi and Zeus stepping forward, and both recited the same oath.

"We, the Japanese gods, pledge to help and defend the Olympians and their children should the need ever arise."

"We, the Olympians, pledge to help and defend the Japanese gods should the need ever arise."

Hawk smiled again, feeling the agreement become binding. "And the agreement shall be followed." Everyone nodded, before he smiled and vanished.