This Chapter is dedicated to lovegoodbooks, who pointed out something hilarious I overlooked... that I have to incorporate now that he pointed it out.
Without wasting time, Aaron explained his new mission to Chiron and Dionysius, and to their credit neither seemed particularly shocked or surprised. In fact Mr. D turned to him squinting. "I thought I felt another god's presence here. Who was it?"
"I can't say, they want me to be incognito for this mission. I can say and swear that it does not endanger this Camp or Olympus in any capacity. I swear by Styx itself." Thunder rumbled, confirming this honesty to the God and Immortal centaur before him.
Chiron sighed. "Can I ask what it is though? Why you, you are still but a mortal?"
"I am to rescue demigod, take them someplace safe but not here. Their parents wants me to hide them, I think out of fear of the war. I cannot tell, nor did I ask." He sighed. "Listen, I wish I could tell you what is going on, but I am bound not too. What I do know is that two demigods need my help. I saw what happened to Percy when he had a weak protector like Grover. These kids need someone stronger. Mortal or not, I am a decent swordsmen, my skills have amped up since I started to spar with Charlies, Silena and Meggy. I am a decent shot with a bow. My magic is far greater and more trained then it was even two months ago when I went on my trip to gather the Bones, I have access to the Spirits...I have learned a lot about first aide and healing from Will, I even managed to invoke Apollo's essence with Will's help! I am able to protect these kids.
They need me and I am willing and wanting to help them. Meggy is too and she is not weak at all... actually I was thinking of making this a typical thing, going out to get Demigods for recruitment. Sort of giving back to you lot while also gaining experience in combat and tracking. We are going to need it too, you know I am right. We've already lost a few kids, we cannot afford to lose any more."
There was a a very calm, but proud look in Chiron's eyes, as if he had changed his views on Aaron. "You've grown since you've been here. Your motives are far less... singular. Very well, if Mr. D has no issues, I will allow this mission."
Aaron tried to hide it, but he his motives were far more selfish then he was letting on. He figured if Hades was willing to give him power, the Spirits, in return for collecting his kids then maybe the other gods would do the same. He realized long ago that he needed allies, this would be a perfect way to manage that, getting more Demigods and maybe even rouge Cyclopes like Meggy, and getting them into the Camp. He would get allies among the gods and demigods, get stronger and more skilled, and he would help his new home become safer and more powerful. Everyone won!
Mr. D shrugged, before throwing his cards down. "I cannot see why not, but we cannot overly support your Mission as it is not an official quest. However, since you wish to collect Demigods for us, I will treat this like a test. If you complete this quest successfully, then I will allow you to aid the Satyrs in collecting Demigods with our full support." With an odd amount of respect, unusual for the annoying and rude god, Dionysius looked at Aaron straight on. "Do not fail this, I cannot tell you summoned your spirit but they are powerful. I would say it was an Olympian or one of the rare gods close to our power. They would not be pleased with failure of any variety. You would suffer greatly for it."
" I know. but the warning it still appreciated. When can I depart?"
"In an hour, collect your things and Chiron will see you off."
Standing, Aaron bowed low. " My sister is collecting our things, I will tell my friends where I am going. Stopping their worries, I hope. Maybe get me some prayers, to make my journey easier... sigh... thank you both. I won't fail."
""'
"Your going on a mission, last minute?" Charlie sighed, looking at his friend sadly. "I wish I had more time, to make you some better arrows. I realized a loophole in the whole you touching divine metals that would have made it easier to give you better weapons."
Aaron was confused and eager to hear the answer. " What is it?"
"Arrowheads! You can still touch the shaft but just not he arrow heads, that way you can unleash hell."
"Huh, I cannot believe I never thought of that... pity. Still, I have the rest of my bone arrows, I have my magic, my sword, and Meggy. I hope this will be enough... if not, well... I'll be dead."
Charlie frowned. "Your not allowed to die, I don't want you to even think about death for a long time."
"I don't plan too but it is a possibility. The Spirits I channel like to remind me that my aura is filled with the possibility of death, and that's just with Agnes. I have to accept it and make sure it doesn't happen for a long ass time."
"Good, cause I don't like losing my friends... " Charlie hugged Aaron, a tight squeeze that made Aaron flush a little. He then pulled away and shoved him a little. " Now go, you need to get going."
"I know, I just wonder how the hell I am supposed to get to Las Vegas on my own... I can't drive, I doubt I will have enough money to get across the country. This is going to be fun."
'''
Silena was waiting for him at the Hill with Argus and Will, smirking a little. He had no idea how she knew to be there, he hadn't told her that he was going on a missionm, having been unable to find her. Still he appreciated her being there. "Your going... I'll miss you." She hugged him and Meggy, who had joined Aaron, close. "I would offer you a pegasi to ride all the way there, but if this is supposed to be as covert as Meggy says, it might be better to go without something so obvious."
" That would be best."
"Well, in that case I wish you luck and I want to give you these." She handed him a box of chocolates. "My dad owns a shop in the village, I thought having a treat on the way would be nice for you."
He smiled at his kind friend. "It will be. Thank you."
Will approached him next. "I don't have chocolate, but I do have some medical supplies to go into your satchel. It contains a few potions we made together since you can't eat ambrosia or nectar, a vial of nectar for Meggy since it can be used to heal her wounds or at least clean them out, and some instant coffee. Thought you would like the boost there."
"Your sweet." He hugged his young friend. "Really, thank you both for your gifts. I genuinely appreciate it."
Meggy, sweet girl that she was, embraced them all in a massive group hug. "I am happy that you all are so nice." Her speech had really gotten considerably better now that she was around others and was getting older. She rarely talked in the third person anymore, bar when she got really excited.
"Hehe, I guess it's time to go. Will, I left my original Grimoire and the notes I took in my room. Feel free to visit and read to your hearts content but don't let my stuff leave the room. Kay?"
Will looked excited. "Not a problem."
"Well, if that's all... see you guys." And with Meggy at his side, he walked down the Hill of Half Blood Hill to the van, ready for his new last minute Mission.
::
Silena's heart ached as she watched her friend walk away, the knowledge of what she was about to do was... painful. She liked Aaron, the thought of betraying him to Luke was terrifying, but she had made her oath. 'I have to commit, to limit the deaths... one person is not worth all of those who would survive.' She managed to gulp down her disgust with herself and depart the hill, waving goodbye to Will and Chiron, walking towards the Pegasus stables. No one would question her going there, she was always there, no one would even think twice about it.
The moment she went inside of the stables, she moved into a corner away from the horses and raised her bracelet to her face. Dangling on it was a scythe, a charm given to her by Luke to pass along messages. It glowed a soft blue for a moment, then gold as it connected to Luke.
"Do you have news for me, Silena?" Luke's voice was smooth and sexy, making her blush even though he wasn't anywhere near her. She could feel his power, the raw aura of charisma that drew her to him.
"Aaron is on a mission to collect demigods of unknown parentage. They are somewhere in Las Vegas. Whomever their parent is, they are strong enough to mask their presence from Mr. D. The kids have to be strong." She smirked a little, despite her disgust with herself. The Charm on her bracelet was charmed to mask her presence, allowing her to spy on Mr. D without being detected. It was an easy thing to sneak into the Big House and listen into the conversation Aaron had with Chiron and Mr. D, she had followed him knowing from his look that he had something important to talk to them about.
Luke hummed into the Charm. "You did well, I will send out a scout to follow him and see if we can't snatch the kids up before he gets to them."
"Okay... um, Luke,.. please don't hurt Aaron or Meggy, their my friends and their not really loyal to the Gods. Their loyal to the Camp that took them in..."
"I'll think about it." And with that he hung up on her, leaving her regretting her life choices even more then she had for...
Well, a while.
"""
Argus left them off at the bus station, the same one he left Aaron at when he went with Percy during his first Quest. He and Meggy waited there for, about twenty minutes, before their bus came and took them off. They were off to the nearest train station where they would make their way across the country to Las Vegas. Aaron was a little worried, they did not have enough money to make it all the way to Las Vegas and back... but he had a plan.
'Lord Hades, your the God of Wealth... and I am off to get your kids, so please, give me the means to get there. I can handle the transit and whatnot, but I need the income if I am to make this process possible. I will make a sacrifice later, when it is appropriate to start a fire safely. Maybe on the train... either way, it will happen. Maybe I will offer some of these chocolates, they would make a worthy sacrifice I think.'
Satisfied with his prayer, he settled into the bus seat and waited with his adopted sister and just enjoyed the ride in peace.
He never knew how difficult things would end up being.
Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.
This is beyond fun to write, I love this story.
Love, your Ninja Overlord,
Mika.