Chapter 12
"Zoe?!" I asked completely surprised.
The being that I was gushing over not even a second ago was none other then the man hating huntress, and I immediately retracted my previous thoughts, because I had no doubt that she would murder me for even thinking about her like that.
I immediately snapped back to reality, out of my temporary daze. How could a hunter give off this vibe? Something was definitely different about her.
Zoe looked at me with eyes that seemed to be looking into my soul. Something was definitely different.
"Percy." She said "sit down."
Here voice was the same, but it had a calmness to it. For some reason, I actually sat down in the grass with no hesitation.
Zoe sat down too with Icarus going to her lap and snuggling with her. Since when was he this friendly?
"What are you doing here?" I asked. "And what's...whats up with you." I said gesturing towards the fact she was literally glowing.
I had my guard down right now and was ready to listen, but I was still confused about all of this.
"Percy, I'm a hunter and it's a full moon, as you can see." Said the huntress and she lifted her hand, gesturing towards the sky, as if this was an answer.
"And I'm here to talk to you, once more." She said, referring to our little talk we had two days ago after our little scuffle. "But I'm no longer here to give you advice, we're past that. I'm here to warn you in a sense."
She said, and with the way she was right now, I didn't think that was a good thing.
"Warn me about what. And before that, how are you even here? There's no way you got across the entire country in only a day."
"You should know by now, the hunt is not something to underestimate." She said, giving me chills. "Plus, we have been traveling with lady Artemis."
My eyes widened. Did that mean Artemis was near by? This far away from Olympus? But now that does explain the vibrance of the moon right now, and Zoe's glowing.
"But as I was saying, I'm here to warn you." Said Zoe getting back on track. "It has come to my attention that you have ignored my advice and involved your self with even more godly business, ironically." She started.
"How do you know about Eris?" I asked, wondering if Icarus had snitched on me or something.
"Eris?" Asked the huntress.
Shit. What other gods was she talking about, if not Eris?
"Unless you are referring to her children, then yes." She said, saving me from explaining. But then it makes me wonder, how did she know about my involvement with the killer goddesses.
"The Androktasiai. The 14, no 13 children thanks to you, of Eris who are the source of all that is wrong, in a broad sense.
They are more like demons then gods that plague the human race, usually left unbothered by Olympus, but occasionally they will test their luck.
And from what I've heard, you have involved yourself with these creatures, despite my warnings." She said with a disappointed expression.
I don't know what it was, but something about her look made me feel some type of way. But wait, 13?! Thirteen gods were on my tail, and by the way Zoe described them, they weren't anything pleasant.
"The Androktasiai huh?" I said as I recollected my thoughts. "Well I do appreciate the warning Zoe, but now I have to ask your real intention." I said, seeing right past her front.
"I doubt that you came all the way over here to warn me for a second time. What do you gain from all this, Mrs Nightshade?" I said, looking her in the eyes.
The air grew silent, and Icarus sensing the tension lifted his head up, looking between me and Zoe. After a moment, Zoe spoke.
"You are correct, Perseus, though I do hope you take my advice, that is not my only reason for coming. I have my own reason to know about the Androktasiai, though I cannot tell you." She said.
"Hmmm, I see. But there may be a problem with that Zoe." I got up from my the ground. "I'm assuming the only reason someone like you would involve yourself with these gods would have something to do with conflict, possible a hunt of some sort." I said as I wiped myself off.
"And if you are in fact on a hunt for these gods, then we will definitely have a problem." I said staring the huntress in the eye.
Zoe let out a sigh before gaining a stern expression. To be honest, if I didn't already know her I would be pretty on edge by her look alone. Saying that, I didn't feel completely safe even now.
"Your skills to deduce the situation are sharp as ever, Perseus." She said in a way that didn't make me think it was a compliment. "And sadly you are right in your guess." The huntress stood up.
"So let me tell you right now, we shall all benefit from you staying away from the Androktasiai." She said.
"And if I don't?" I asked, my hand was on my ring, ready to be used. I didn't know where this was going, and based off the aura coming off Zoe, things weren't looking great.
Zoe raised an eyebrow. "Percy, I'm not in the mood for this. I'm telling you to stay away from those gods. If you choose to ignore my words, then I wish you good luck, but if you get in my way..." I swear I saw the moon shine a little brighter, reflecting off Zoe's seemingly black eyes.
Black eyes huh? I didn't know if there was such a thing, and they sounded weird but on Zoe they were intimidating and elegant at the same time. I almost lost my thoughts as Zoe finished her sentence.
"Then we shall have problems. And like I said, you do not want that."
The air grew silent once again, with both me and Zoe facing each other as she waited for me to reply. I didn't really know what to say though. I didn't want to start a problem with Zoe, but I knew I couldn't just ignore the gods on my tail.
I wasn't sure if I could tell Zoe about the gods wanting my head, but if I did I would have to explain Eris as well, something I didn't want to happen.
I decided to take my chances and just hope that we didn't cross paths.
"I suppose that all I can do is pray that we do not meet, for my sake, I guess." I said.
Zoe furrowed her brows as if mad, but before speaking she closed her eyes and took a deep breathe. After a second, she let it all out and spoke.
"It's clear to me you have no intention of listening, which I expected in all honesty." Zoe turned around.
"So without violence I shall leave you with one last message. Do not underestimate the Androktasiai. Though they are in fact weaker then Orcus, the Orcus you killed was in a weakened state after just being revived. Do not think that not even one of these gods can kill you, so if you think you are prepared to kill 13 of them, then do your worst."
I watched as Zoe walked off into the woods, Icarus doing the same. I thought about her words for a second. Though I was cautious, I didn't doubt my abilities. Besides, if Zoe planned on hunting the gods, then I could too, I decided.
I watched as Zoe almost made here way out of sight, still glowing when I felt something in the air.
With no hesitation I took off my ring and grabbed my scythe mid air, the black metal shining in the moonlight.
Zoe stopped in her tracks. She turned around towards me with a condescending look.
"To think you would draw your blade on me..." Zoe took out her bow. With the look of disgust on her face, I wouldn't be surprised if she planned on killing me.
I watched as Zoe cocked back an arrow, and of course I let her. I let out a small smile, despite myself.
"A smile at a time like this." Said Zoe. "You truly are an idiot." I knew what she meant, and she was right, but I didn't think it mattered.
I watched as Zoe let the arrow fly. The white projectile made a piercing sound in the quiet night sky. The arrow quickly closed the distance between me and Zoe, and thankfully Icarus didn't jump to stop it.
The arrow continued to soar, narrowly missing my face and going into the woods behind me. Right as it seemed like Zoe missed, a bloodcurdling screech filled the air. Of course, Zoe never missed.
I turned around, and raised my scythe in front of me. "Who's there!" I called into the woods. I felt Zoe silently make her way next to me.
I was glad Zoe was a competent fighter, because most people wouldn't have even noticed the slight presence enter the forest, but I could feel it clear as day, and I'm guessing right now it was even more obvious for Zoe.
It was silent for a second, but soon the intruder decided to reveal themselves. And safe to say it wasn't what I expected.
From the bushes emerged a large mutt, completely black with blood dripping from its mouth and some splattered across its back. The strangest thing about it though was the roll of bandages wrapped across the dogs eyes.
Not a hellhound, I knew based off the energy the monster was giving off. In fact, I would assume that this was a normal Doberman if it wasn't for the blood and the bandages.
I slightly lowered my guard, caught off by the seeing the dog, now with an arrow pierced in his shoulder.
Zoe tapped my shoulder with the end of her bow, a little rough to be honest.
"Keep your guard up, this is not a normal dog."
I knew she was right and I raised my guard back up. I studied the dog a little more, and after a moment, I felt like I recognized the beast from somewhere, but I decided to ignore it.
"Who, err- what are you?" I asked a little confused. I didn't even know if the dog could understand me, let alone speak.
The dog was silent and I was starting to assume I was wrong about the animal, but their was no doubt that the negative energy was coming from this being.
But Zoe had no doubt about the dog as she immediately shot another arrow at he creature before I even noticed her even knock an arrow.
The dog simply hopped to the side, but Zoe followed the shot with another before the dog even landed. It looked like the arrow would pierce the beasts skull, but the dog simply opened its mouth and bit down, snapping the arrow in half, surprising me a little.
How the dog could see with covered eyes was beyond me.
"Wait Zoe.." I started to ask her to maybe stop attacking the blind dog but I couldn't even finish before the canine lunged at Zoe at full speed.
All sympathy immediately disappeared.
With no hesitation I lifted my foot up and kicked with all my light, making contact with the dog as soon as it was about to reach Zoe.
The dog flew a couple of meters away, rolling on the ground and stopping at the base of the tree.
The dog lied lifeless for a second, but I knew not to check to see if it was or not, and Zoe did the same. I had no doubt that it was trying to lure us in.
Zoe, being as smart as she was, cocked back another arrow and aimed at the dog. Without skipping a beat, the huntress let the arrow fly straight for the dome of the monster.
Realizing it's trap had failed, the beast immediately got up and jumped to the side, dodging the attack with ease.
The dog shook its head a couple of times and started to circle me and the hunter. I assumed it had finally realized that it couldn't simply rush in without a plan. Despite the fact I couldn't see them, I could tell the dogs eyes were locked in me specifically, for some reason.
I decided to get serious as well.
I twirled my my scythe a couple of times before standing my ground directly in front of the dog, Zoe behind me.
Something about this made me reminiscent of last year, when me and Zoe had challenged the chimera. But I could tell this monster was much stronger then that beast, despite the fact that even now, the chimera would give me trouble.
Seeing me plant my feet, the dog stopped it's scanning and faced me head on. I stared at the creature with a focused gaze, waiting for it to strike.
After a couple minutes of waiting, I felt my hand shake a little in anticipation, and at that moment the beast struck. With blinding speed the creature launched itself at me, reaching me before even the hunter behind me could react.
But I knew it was coming.
To fake as if you let your guard down so the enemy could attack was something I had used quite often in combat, but even so...
If I didn't know the attack was coming, I don't know if I could have saved myself in time.
But thankfully I was able to shift my my blade back in time so the dog bit down on the handle seconds before reaching my chest, like I had expected. But unlike I had expected, the dogs sheer force was much more then predicted.
I was knocked onto my back as the dog started to bite at my torso as I did my best to keep it from ending my life. I couldn't even use my weapon as the dog stood over me, inches away from my face.
Deciding to test my strength, I put my weapon away and grabbed the dogs snout with my bare hands. I used all my might to force the creatures mouth shut, but that was only half the problem.
As I struggled to keep the dogs mouth shut, it found other ways to attack. The dog scratched and tore at my chest, ripping up my shirt in seconds.
Realizing that if I didn't react quick my organs would be spilling on the floor, I brought my feet up and put them on the dogs stomach, pushing with all my strength.
But Jesus...this dog was strong. Despite my attempt to kick the beast off, it only gave me a second to breath before the dog was back on me.
I was starting to wonder what the hell Zoe was doing, and if she maybe had left me to die because I had annoyed her. But surprisingly it wasn't that, but instead she was in fact helping, well trying to at least.
With my second to breathe, I noticed that this entire time, Zoe had been firing arrows, but only a few were even piercing the beasts skin, and the ones that did were shaken out within seconds.
I watched as Zoe got frustrated and put her bow away. She whipped out a knife and advanced towards me and the dog, but I didn't see her next move as the dog jumped right back on me.
Honestly, I didn't know what the hell this creature was. It couldn't have been a hellhound, it was way to strong and durable, but it was defiantly not a normal dog.
I started to suspect what this monster really was, but I couldn't think for long as the dog snapped its jaw open, disregarding my hands. I felt my eyes widen as the dogs fang got closer to my neck. My mind raced as I thought of a million things, but I couldn't think of something to save myself.
"Zoe!" I called out desperately. It wasn't my best moment, but I decided to rely on the hunter just this once. But apparently Zoe didn't care about me that much, maybe because I ignored her warnings and this was karma, but whatever it was, it seemed like I was going to die.
But to my benefit, this statement was not, in fact true. Just as the tip of the dogs fang hit my neck, the beast let out a deathly screech, lasting for what seemed like ever.
After the dog finished it's cry, it fell down abruptly, landing on top of me completely flayed out and limp. After a second, I could feel the dog stop breathing, saving me from its bad breath.
After recollecting my thoughts, I slowly pushed the dog off me and rolled over, getting up on my feet. After catching my breath I slowly turned around to Zoe who was still looking at the dead dogs body that for some reason still hadn't disappeared into dust, but that wasn't unusual for stronger creatures.
I walked over to Zoe and joined her in looking at the dog, just now noticing the knife sticking out his skull.
"A little late." I said with a harsh breath. I was kinda struggling to speak. "But what the hell is this thing?" I said, kicking the dead dog.
Zoe grabber her knife from the dogs corpse. Instead of answering she turned around and walked away, a stern but frantic look on her face.
"Stay on guard." She said, with her blade ready. I quickly took out my scythe. "There's...there's more?!" I asked, worried that the beast wasn't the only of its kind.
"No...it's not that." Zoe put her blade away. "You need to worry about yourself, if you hadn't reacted quick enough...you would not be here."
I put away my blade. "I was fine." I stated bluntly.
Zoe squinted her eyes. Instead of a come back, Zoe got straight to business.
"Perseus, I hope you see now-" Zoe stopped mid sentence. Both me and the huntress whipped out our weapons, sensing something in the air, but I didn't even have time to make a move as I was immediately tackled by Icarus, sending me a couple feet back.
I immediately got up, confused as to why my pet had just hit me mid fight, but I could see why.
In the spot I was standing two seconds before was a beast, much bigger then the dog we had just fought, looking more like a bear then a dog now. But it wasn't a normal bear, seeing as it was on two legs and looked like a part human, part dog, and part bear hybrid.
But I knew it was the same creature, based off the same bandages covering the beasts eyes. Though the dog was pretty scary, this new beast that stood at 7 ft tall gave me a bad vibe.
I gnashed my teeth.
I knew that me and Zoe had gotten a little lucky with the dog. I didn't want to admit it, but based off power alone that dog was definitely stronger then me, and if Zoe didn't get that open shot, I think we'd both be dead, and even then it had cost me a lot of blood.
So this monster before us who had already launched an attack at me before I could react would be a completely different matter. It wasn't looking good.
I felt a smirk appear on my face. What would I look like being scared the first time a challenge appears after begging for a strong opponent.
I lifted my blade and pointed it at the beast. The monster turned towards me and I could feel the fire burning within it's covered eyes.
"I'd advise you run, before things get bad for you. But even then, I can't guarantee I'd let you live." I said cockily. The beast fully turned towards me, hunched over, ready to pounce.
The beast let out a low growl, and I was pretty sure it understood my words. This was going to be fun, I decided in my head, but before I could take a step forward, Zoe spoke.
"Perseus, stay back...this is not a battle, and you are in no shape for it, and surely not alone." She said, keeping her eyes on the monster, who was looking between the two of us.
"And you are? What makes you think that you can stand up to this thing." I said, slightly offended.
Zoe looked me in my eyes, giving me a little chill. "Do not worry, Perseus, this will be over soon."
Though I didn't believe Zoe to be superior to me, never that, but something about the way Zoe said it made me completely believe her. I don't know if it was my eyes messing with me, but I could've sworn Zoe started to shine even brighter in the moonlight, looking just like a goddess.
But I guess it wasn't me, because the beast also noticed this, as it immediately jumped back, and crouched down.
And lucky it did so, because with unbelievable speed Zoe had cocked an arrow and shot an at the place the beast was standing.
I felt my eyes widen. Was this a hunter at it's full strength. Had I underestimated Zoe?
It was looking like that as Zoe launched herself at the beast. The dog (can I even call it that anymore?), waited for the attack, only making a move at the last second. The beast swiped his hand forward, attempting to catch Zoe with a shot that could've very well have killed her.
But Zoe had expected it, seeing as she simply slid under the attack and slashed at the dogs legs, getting a clean hit, but it wasn't enough to stun the beast.
The beast didn't even react to the attack, instead it reached down to grab Zoe. I could see that Zoe wasn't ready for the counter and would definitely be caught by the monster. And based of its previous strength, I heavily doubted that I could save the huntress once she fell into the paws of the monster.
With this in mind, I ran towards the two combatants, but I quickly realized how bad of a state I was in. I dropped to my feet and gripped my chest. How did the beast do so much damage in such little time?!
I looked back up toward the fight just to see Zoe narrowly dodge the monsters grip, wrapping herself around the creatures bulky arm, only possible because of the size difference between the two.
The creature threw his arms up in the air, and attempted to bite Zoe, but she was already gone. Just before the dogs teeth reached her torso, Zoe leapt behind the creature, grabbing its head.
Though I wouldn't believe it at first, I think that Zoe may have actually been faster then the monster.
Zoe landed behind the creature and had her hands around its head.
The forest grew silent for a second. Based off the position the two were in, Zoe could snap the creatures neck right here, right now, and the monster knew it. That's why it had stopped.
But it wasn't a guaranteed kill, for all I knew, Zoe may not have even been strong enough to make its head even budge. Zoe knew this too, or else she would've already killed it.
The beast stood still, barely even breathing. I was starting to think nothing was going to happen when the creature shot out it's hand and grabbed Zoe by the leg.
Simultaneously, Zoe twisted her hands in quick fashion, sending out a cracking sound from the creatures neck, and just like that, it stopped moving.
I heard Icarus give out a happy cry, probably glad that the one who gave the best ear scratches wasn't dead. The hippogriff waddled towards the huntress, but immediately stopped.
Why? Simple.
The beasts body tensed up, despite its broken neck. The monster tightened its grip on Zoe's leg and swung her into the air with no effort.
Without hesitation the dog slammed Zoe's body with full force, causing the ground to shake.
I felt my eyes widen. No matter how powered up Zoe was, that hit...
I decided to not waste any time thinking. I took off my ring and summoned my spear. With a little struggle, I launched it at the beast head, hoping to catch it off guard.
But it couldn't be that easy. The beast simply swatted the blade away, and I watched as it hit the floor behind the monster. Though wobbly, I slowly got a form stance in the dirt as I prepared to fight the monster with nothing but my hands.
This may seem like the worst thing to do in this situation, but though I wasn't as proficient as a mortal who had trained there whole life per day, I was more then capable when it came to hand to hand combat.
So without fear, I charged forward towards the beast with nothing but my fist, at least until I retrieved my weapon once again.
The beats ran forward and met me in the middle, quickly forcing me to dodge his initial swing. I ducked under and sent an elbow directly in the monsters side, a place where a human would normally have a pressure point.
And though this thing was far from human, I could tell that the hit had hurt him more then it should've, probably because of my precision.
I continued to dodge the bess close quarters while delivering planned hits, hoping to tire the beast out. I had no doubt that if someone was watching this, they would be able to see that I was dodging each hit by millimeters, obviously making the beast irritated.
But as long as I was alive, I didn't care how close I was, and you may have been thinking that I was doing good up until this point, but to be honest, I felt myself getting slower and slower.
Before I could really register this though, the beast had caught me in one of its broad swings directly in my chest, launching me back all the way into the shallow water behind me.
I landed with a thud and immediately had to force myself to stay conscious, my vision getting slightly blurry.
I looked over to Zoe, hoping to the gods she would wake up, but she stayed still on the ground. I was trying to call out to her, but the monster interrupted me. With my messed up bison I noticed the beast bend down and pick something up, something I was unable to see
The monster then turned towards me with my own spear in hand, looking 100 times scarier. I forced myself to my knees, no plan in mind, but I had to do something.
While my weapon was in the monsters hand, I wouldn't be able to summon it, but I didn't care.
I struggled onto my feet and got into a fighting stance.
The beast took a step toward me, but didn't get any farther. Almost in slow motion the beast fell to the ground, making the ground shake. Not a second later, Zoe got back up and out her foot on the dogs head.
She forced her boot down and yanked the monsters arms up, stretching it out. In one quick move she grabbed the spear and took it out the beats hand. She flipped the spear around and plunged it deep into the monsters back.
The dog screeched out and quickly got up, attempting to grab Zoe, but she was already gone, along with the spear. Zoe threw me my spear, but kept her eyes on the beasts.
I wondered how she was alive, without any scratches too, but we didn't have time.
The beast turned towards Zoe, a deathly aura rolling off of it. After a second of anticipation , the beast ran at the huntress at full speed, but she held her ground.
I didn't know what she was planning, but with the confidence she had on her face, I decided to trust her.
Just as it seemed that Zoe was going to take a monster fist to the face, she simply slighted the blow, the monster missing by inches.
With Zoe now close inside the beats guard, she jabbed her knife straight at the beats thick stomach, but it didn't hesitate to swing it's left elbow downwards, attempting to crush Zoe's skull, but she was too fast.
Zoe easily shifted her weight and dodged the attack, now face to chest with the beast, a risky position.
With no other choice, the dog resorted to swinging its leg towards Zoe's chest, an attack that forced the huntress to get away from the dog, not before stabbing it a couple of times.
I don't know what had changed, but now Zoe's knife was actually doing damage, causing the dog to bleed a dark black.
"It's stronger then expected. There's no doubt..." Zoe didn't finish her sentence. Instead she reached towards for something on her back, and out of nowhere a quiver appeared.
She pulled out an arrow, one that seemed to shine as bright as the moon itself. I stared in awe at the arrow, sensing that it was something I would not want to be hit by.
"An arrow from the quiver of Artemis herself...I did not expect to need it so soon." She said as she cocked the arrow.
"But it is needed."
Zoe aimed the bow at the monster who was currently crouched down, preparing to lunge. I didn't think that was a good idea.
But apparently the monster disagreed with me, as it jumped towards the hunter at full speed. I watched as Zoe reacted immediately, letting the shining silver arrow fly.
The beast did it's best to dodge, but it was no use seeing as how it was mid air, it didn't have a chance, but somehow it slipped the arrow to its head, but it still took it to its chest.
I was surprising it dodged the head shot, but it still dropped to the ground like a rock, screaming out in pain.
The monster squirmed and squirmed, before it slowly went limp.
Zoe let out a heavy sigh before dropping to a knee. I started to walk over still a little shaky, but I decided I had to see if Zoe was ok, seeing as how she kinda just saved my life.
Just as I was about to reach Zoe, I heard a low growl from behind us.
Of course things are never easy, though I wouldn't describe the encounter as easy to be honest.
I turned around to see that the beast was in fact dissolving from its left side, but that didn't stop it from getting up. The beast forced itself to its wobbly legs and let out a great roar, shaking the trees throughout the forest.
I don't know how, but soon the dissolving stopped, and the beast was standing there with a massive chunk of his left torso gone, but he was still determined to fight, and something told me it wasn't going to be easy.
The beast started to breath heavy, and for the first time since the fight had begun, the bandages around its eyes started to fall off. I don't know why, but I had a feeling that it wasn't a a good thing.
But no more waiting. It was time that I actually did something instead of watching Zoe have all the fun. I smiled at the monster.
"At this point, I could never let you get away. So fight with me, beast, until one of us falls!" I said dramatically despite myself. I don't know what it was, but a good fight was the only thing that brought me joy in this dull world.
I summoned my scythe forward, the wicked blade wrapped around my neck, but I knew that I could attack in a seconds notice if needed.
Just as I was about to make a move, I heard Zoe get back up.
With heavy breaths, she spoke.
"Do not fight this thing, Perseus, it will kill you without any hesitation." She said as she drew her bow.
"I don't think it will be much different for you." I pointed out.
"No Perseus, sadly I'm just now understanding my purpose here, and I know for a fact the beast is after you. So get away, quick, and maybe it'll give me enough time to kill it."
"Zoe, there is no way I will be running away from this thing, and I don't think your in any shape to fight." I said.
"Your one to talk. Your insides are leaking out, boy, and if you were not a demigod you'd be dead right now. That said, I doubt you have much time before that wound will leave a long lasting effect."
I scowled. I knew Zoe was right, but my adrenaline had made me forget about the wound, though now that I thought about it, it was killing me. But I knew I couldn't just leave Zoe, even if she could kill this thing, so I decided to settle.
"How about we do this together. I don't like it, but it's probably the best- no smartest option."
Zoe glances over at me. "Teamwork with you..." she thought about it before finishing. "Not something I thought would be possible since then." She said referring to the chimera.
I smirked a little bit. "So what do you say?" I asked.
"I suppose it is necessary in this situation, though not my preferred route. I hope you know that you are starting to sound like your old self, battle really does change you."
I scoffed, but before I could respond, the monster let out a low growl, growing impatient. I focused my gaze onto the beast and spoke to Zoe.
"Let's just get this over with." I said and saw Zoe nod on the corner of my eye, and with that, we charged at the beast, side by side.
Im really bad at fights and its annoying, but oh well, I just hope to learn from it. I should get better, but please remember this is kinda like my first fic, technically second but whatever.