Previously
He gave her a toothy grin and a thumbs up before passing out on the floor in front of her.
Chapter ten
I woke to find myself in a familiar large tent laying on a comfy bed. On the desk next to me was a weird pelt that seemed to be a mash up of multiple animals.
"The chimera." I remembered. After I second look I realized that I was in the hunter medical bay.
"Your awake." I heard a voice say. I looked over too see Sierra looking over at me from her chair in the corner. "Did you have a good sleep? You've been out for a day." She said. "Uhh yea, I guess." I said groggily. "But has it really been a day since the fight. And what happened to Zoe. "She is fine, but right now get some rest." She said.
"But I have to continue," I said getting up. I couldn't waste my time when I had a quest to complete. "I suggest you sit back down, your body has not fully recovered. I realized she was right. I was aching all over and there was a constant stinging underneath my shoulder, where I had been hit by the chimera venom. "It doesn't matter, I don't have time." I said, making my way over to the entrance. Before I could open the door Zoe appeared through the doorway.
"Sit down." She said in a commanding voice. Before I could respond she grabbed my hand and dragged me over to the bed, not very gently. "Lay down." She said as she dragged the chair from the desk and setting it down by the bed. She sat down and spoke. I sat down in the bed, seeing as how I wouldn't be able to make it past her in my current state.
"Now," Said Zoe once I was sitting down. "Tell me your true motivations for seeking out the chimera." I was kinda scared of answering the question. Nekros had said that that this quest was going on behind Hades's back, so the less people who knew the better. I sighed before answering? "Truth is I'm on a quest. And I need the chimera hide to summon a god so I can ask him some questions." I said leaving out the full truth.
"Why do you wish to question a god? And just because you sacrifice the chimera hide will not make them guaranteed to give you the answers you seek. "Well 'why' is kinda of a secret. But I'm sure the god will answer my question, because I have something he wants."
Zoe looked at me suspiciously. I guess she sensed that I wasn't telling the full truth. "Very well, boy. Your statements are bold but what you do from now on does not concern the hunters. If you are to summon a god, wait for us to leave. I do not wish to involve my hunters into your problems. But as of right now I shall have Sierra give you some ambrosia and you can be on your way." She said. "Thank you Zoe, for all the help." I said, meaning it. Without her help I would've been destroyed by the chimera. "It was nothing boy, I expect to see you out of my camp by the time the sun fully rises." She said coldly. "You got it chief." I said with a smile. She scowled a bit then exited the room.
I turned towards Sierra. "Well I better get going, not trying to get on Zoe's bad side." I Said. "I understand but first take this with you, it will be very useful on your journey." She said, handing me a bag filled with golden food. "What is this?" I asked. "Ambrosia, the food of the gods. One bite of that and most injury's will be healed in no time. Do not take too much though, or else your body will burn up and disintegrate into ashes." She said. "Woah." I said, staring at the bag. "Wait a second, if this is so good at healing, why didn't I just eat this before. "Zoe was quite hesitant about giving such a valuable resource to a male, and I am surprised even now she is willing to give it up to you." She replied.
"Hmm, well I guess that makes sense." I said. I broke off a piece of the food, and took a bite. It tasted like the chocolate chip cookies my mom used to make me back when I was a kid. Immediately after swallowing the food my body felt rejuvenated and my arm was quickly feeling better. "Thanks." I said after finishing the food. I put the rest of the ambrosia in my pocket. "But now I really must go, thank you for all the help." I Said picking up the chimera pelt off the desk.
"You are welcome, I wish you good luck on your journey. May the gods be with you." I nodded and made my way out the tent. I walked out side to see the the sun rising in the distance. The hunters were already getting ready to depart. I spotted Zoe in the group of them packing up the tents. She gave me a look and I suddenly remembered about what she said about leaving before the sun was up. With that in mind I quickly left the camp, nowhere in particular.
I wrapped the chimera pelt around my waist, wearing it kind of like a kilt. After a little bit of walking I made my way out of the woods and into a nice green park. I sat down on one of the benches, trying to figure out what to do next. I knew I had to summon either Phobos or Deimos with the chimera pelt, but I didn't quite know how to do that.
My thoughts were interrupted, however by a slight shimmer in the air in front of me. Forming in front of me, in the darkness of dawn, was Nekros the ghost. "Nekros," I said. "What are you doing here." "I told you, young master, that I would assist you any way I can on your quest." He replied.
"O-Ok" I said, a little bit uncertain. If he was here to help on my quest, why hadn't he shown up before, I wondered. He seemed to pick up the look on my face. "I could not assist you against the chimera, young master, for I have limited interactions with the living world." He explained. "But I can give you information."
"Ok." I replied "Then tell me, what should I do with this chimera pelt?"
"As you know, you must sacrifice it to summon Phobos or Deimos so that they may help you find their father, Ares. And from Ares you must get the stone of souls back, and return it to Lord Hades." He said.
"But you must know, that whichever god you summon will not hand over the information without challenging you. You must be prepared."
"I am." I said as confidently as I could. "But how am I supposed to sacrifice the pelt?
"You must spill your blood on the pelt and call forth the god. Hopefully the god will take the bait, and once they do you ask them what you want to know. Do not forget to mind your manners, for they have quite a short temper." Said the ghost.
"I will, don't worry. But what's stopping them from just attacking me and taking the pelt?" I asked.
"Nothing, it is a risk you must take." Replied Nekros. "I assume your willing, to save your mother."
"I am," I said determined. "I was just wondering." Thank you though, Nekros, for the help. I will not fail."
"I have no doubt about that, young master. Good luck on your journey, and may the gods be in your favor." He said, while slowly getting harder to see.
"Thank you, goodbye." Once Nekros full dissipated, I made why way a little into the forest. I stopped once I found a nice little clearing, a place where I was sure no mortals could see.
I unwrapped the pelt from around my waste, and laid it on the floor on the middle of the clearing. I then took off my ring in its sword form slightly hesitant. I wasn't too fond of the idea of spilling my blood.
"For mom." I thought to myself. With that I slightly cut myself on my hand, away from any of my vessels. I moved my hand over the pelt, letting my blood drip down to it.
"Here it goes." I thought to myself. "Child of Ares, I call on you with this sacrifice. Please, answer my call. Please." I said. I didn't know which god I wanted to call on so I said something a little vague.
Nothing. I was starting to think I did something wrong when I suddenly felt a chill in the air. The entire clearing was covered in a light mist that made it just possible to see the clearing, but not beyond.
Out of nowhere the temperature got twice as cold and the mist turned into a thick fog. I was no longer able see three feet in front of me. I grabbed my sword with both hands and got into a defensive position.
It was then that the traces of a presence became indisputable. So strong that it felt like I was being approached by an army. I gripped my sword harder, but for some reason, i had an almost uncontrollable feeling of dread. It was if my body knew I was in great danger and was doing everything in its power to get me to run.
But I held my ground as bravely as I could. But at the same time I started to notice an dark outline of two figures. Slowly over time it became clearer and clearer until it seemed that they were right in front of me.
And at that moment all the fog seemed to be vacuumed up into the figures and their was a bright light. I instinctively turned my head in fear of being blinded just in time, because as soon as I died the light reached its peak and the entire forest was lit up.
After a couple of seconds I turned to see two boys, at least 16, both taller than me, one more so than the other, with drawn weapons. Both had shields in one hand, but one had a spear and the other, a sword. And of course, they were both pointed at me.
I stood for a second in a daze, staring at the two beings in front of me. Both were dressed in normal clothes, making their gear stand out more. They couldn't have been too much older than me but they were taller and way less scrawnier looking.
But the thing that stood out was their shield. I'm fact it took me all my willpower to not run away from the sights, but I couldn't take my eyes off them for some reason.
On the taller ones shield their was a human with a lion head, that looked eager to join hundreds of warring men in battle. On the shield there was the horrific sites of Greek soldiers fighting each other gruesomely with the lion in the middle, enjoying the scenes.
And the other ones shield was just as horrifying if not more. It depicted a terrifying monster with blazing eyes that seemed to be burning my soul. What's worse was it's mouth filled with rows and rows of teeth. The picture itself looked as if it was about to jump off the shield and eat me alive. But for some reason I couldn't look away.
After what seemed like an eternity, one of the beings spoke, waking me from my trance. "What is the meaning of this, demigod." He said in a commanding voice. He couldn't have been older than 16 or 17, but he sure was intimidating.
"Uh, what." I replied. It was all I could think of. Not a second after my response the boy moved at unimaginable speeds, swing his sword at me but stopping right below my chin, the tip slightly grazing my skin.
I stood there in shock of his amazing speed as my neck slowly dripped little droplets of blood. I had no doubt now that if this guy wanted to, I'd be dead in an instant.
While all of this was happening, the other boy was looking around the clearing with a bored expression, as if the sight in front of him was no big deal. "Brother," he said finally looking back in my direction. "Quit wasting time, hurry up and just kill the demigod."
"Not yet, Deimos." I first want to know why this mortal summoned us. "Now, demigod, explain to me why you dare waste our time by summoning us. He said looking back to me.
"Oh, uh well, I was just trying to summon Phobos or Deimos so that they could help me on my quest." I said shakily
"I guess if that's all wish for we may be able to help you, seeing how you helped us attain a form again with that sacrifice." Replied the boy. "So tell me, what do you need from us, demigods?"
"Uhh, what?" I asked confused. "I don't need anything from y'all, sorry for the confusion" I said.
The guy didn't seemed to take it too well. He squinted his eyes at me and pushed the blade a little deeper, causing me to take a step back. "Is this some kind of joke, I was being lenient in letting you speak but now you say you need nothing anymore? If you think that's how you talk to a god, than you are gravely mistaken" he said.
It was as he said that that I realized that these two were gods. If the one called Deimos called the guy in front of me his brother, then he must be Phobos. I know I didn't specify but I didn't want to summon both gods!
I didn't know if this was good or bad. But with all these thoughts in my head I had to think of something to say.
"Oh, uh, I'm sorry, my lord,"I started, (I didn't know what else to call him.) "but I just have been confused because of the way you were dressed. Please forgive me.
The god seemed to just now realize what he was wearing. "Hmm, it looks like I've been summoned in the modern clothes of this era." He said. He snapped his fingers and instantly changed into traditional looking Greek armor.
"I'll forgive you for your mistake but hurry up and state your wish, I'm getting impatient." Said Phobos.
"Thank you my lord. And well, I summoned just so I could ask you an question. Do you know where Ares is, or how I can find him?" I said hesitantly. I wasn't sure if it was a impolite question, all I knew was that I didn't wanna make him mad.
Silence. The question made Deimos turn his head back to our conversation, but made no move to answer it, just waiting for Phobos's answer. But Phobos stood still for a second with a look on his face that I couldn't interpret.
After what seemed like an eternity, Phobos spoke. "So you summoned us just so you could meet our father?" With this response Deimos turned away, slightly agitated
Wait- was that disappointment in his voice?
"Uh, yes if that is ok." I said hesitantly.
"Very well, but do not expect for me to give up such useful information without a challenge." Phobos said, adopting his commanding voice again.
"Of course, but I'm willing to do any challenge you have." I replied confidently.
"That's nice to hear, but I wonder, will you regret those words soon?" He said with an amused expression. "Since as of right now you are nowhere near strong enough to survive a duel, I suppose I must challenge you mentally then." He said.
"How does that sound? I cannot guarantee your life either"
"U-uhm, I will undergo any challenge. Whatever it takes." I replied.
"Very well." He said with a smirk. "Deimos come, this demigod wishes to undergo a challenge."
Deimos, hearing this, made his way over to me, finally seeming interested. "You really think this demigod could survive? He doesn't seem like much, isn't this just a waste of time?"
"Have faith brother, he is the one who killed the chimera. Granted, with help but killed them nonetheless. And you never know"
Them talking like I wasn't there and that I was about to die was kind of scary to me. But I was determined, I just just needed to complete this quest to save my mother.
"So, how do I take the challenge." I asked.
"Eager are we huh," said Phobos with a cynical expression. "Let's get started then." He said, finally moving his sword from my neck.
"How exactly do I take this test."
Instead of answering Phobos simply raised his hand towards my head.
"Wha..?"
Before I could say anything Phobos's hand began to glow a bright red. The light continued to grow, brighter and brighter. I attempted to get escape but I couldn't move. In fact I didn't even seem to have a body at.
The last thing I saw was Phobos's smiling face in the middle of the light before the light reached its peak, then there was blackness
New chapters every day for the rest of book one to make up for my break. If you made it this far, only gets better from here. Enjoy.