Chapter 2~ To the Adventurous Journey (edited)
~Anthony~
"I'm Anthony Basil" I politely introduced myself.
"oh yeah? nice to meet you kid" Percy shook hands with me. I was surprised his hand didn't go through mine.
"wait! You're a son of Hades? Percy demanded suddenly.
"um yeah... since you seem angry i think I should at least tell you my reasons. I guess I could say I summoned you because I wanted--" I was cut off by Percy yelling at Hades like he didn't have control of how he spent his afterlife.
"How could you raise children so poorly?" Percy yelled.
"Who died and made you judge?" Hades demanded apparently miffed.
"Since my friendship with Nico! Duh!'"Percy shot back.
"how have you lived as long as you have!?" Hades practically barked. "Its all in the wrist" percy said smugly.
"WILL YOU STOP USING THAT EXCUSE?!" Hades roared. I felt myself smile. For some reason I felt like I was watching anime and it was very nostalgic.
'i guess i could say i summoned you because i wanted--advice from someone who had dealt with a child of Hades before' thought.
"What? youre throwing me out of my own home?" I demanded bringing myself back to the conversation.
"All right I've packed him a bag~!" Came the happy voice of my mother I blanched at the thought of her going through my clothes. It didn't help that the backpack she was holding was fairly large.
Then as my mom hit the last stair she seemed suddenly remembered why she had to pack me a bag in the first place. Thus the waterworks were triggered again.
She sniffled and handed me the bag.
I dropped slightly at the weight, even though I was used to frequently exercising. The bag was heavy and I noticed my mom carried it from my room upstairs to here with one arm. I should have expected this, I mean mom sews lots of clothes every year no doubt she had to carry large bundles of clothing at some time or another.
"Let's see for your clothes, I've given you six pants, eight shirts, nine underwear pairs --anything could happen on this nature hike of yours--"
"You told mom I was going on a nature hike?!" I blurted before I could stop myself. Mom halted her rant about her prepared provisions for me.
Hades seemed to pale and Percy had a look of mock surprise. "Lying to a mother?" Shame on you Hades" He scolded.
Mom didn't comment on Percy's presence or his remark to my outburst. I guess that was fitting, in TV spirits weren't visible to humans unless they wanted to be. But since Percy was under my control that most likely meant I had choose when he could reveal himself to humans.
"You're not going on a hike with your son..?" She asked "was there a change in plans?" Her head swiveled to me at an alarming speed. "What did you say to him?"
I cringed with embarrassment I glanced at Hades and wondered if he regretted telling her to pack my bag.
"oh! Two demigods happen to be in the vicinity! Oh no it's those two," Hades grumbled his mood seeming to dampen.
"What two?" I asked trying to keep up with the conversation.
"Leo West a son of Zeus and Archeezus Keye son of Apollo"
"Are they together because of a relationship or because lightning and arrows are a deadly combo?" Percy asked.
"Actually it's because Archeezus is the only person levelheaded enough to work with Leo.
" Huh? Isn't there a son of Poseidon chaotic enough to keep him in check?" Percy asked.
"He's busy with his own problems. Being a child musician is hard enough"
"Child musician!? Wow I should hear him play--" Percy started.
"Okay so two demigods are coming over. Got it. What do I need to do to get them to let me come along with them?!" I demanded.
"Pretty sure it should be fine if you ask" Percy commented dryly.
"Well there's always one useless guide in every anime so I can't be surprised." I muttered. I picked up my phone and MP3 player. As well as earpieces. I'm not going anywhere without my music.
"Ah children!" Hades called looking toward the sky where two lean teenagers were jumping from rooftop to rooftop. Hades got their attention as they were about to jump off and the one with cobalt blue streaks in his hair yelped as he fell off the roof. The one carrying a bow and arrows was wearing a red full length leather coat managed to not move except to look at Lord Hades. He must have been Archeezus.
We stood outside trying to come to agreement in our situation.
The two boys shared a look that had a hidden message. Leo probably thought something along along the lines of "what luck!" Archeezus on the other hand glared at him with a deadpan expression, one that said "let me do the talking or I'll impale you with my arrows"
"I see so you want us to help your son. That can be arranged. We were after all on our way back to HQ. It's about a five day journey from here. He will need to inform Chiron and properly register so we have a up to date full list of all the currently active demigods" Leo remarked while Archeezus put a hand on his chin. His eyes closed made him look deep in thought.
"There's no reason we can't accept. I could use the additional back up since Leo has a knack for getting into tight spots." Archeezus decided.
Leo chuckled nervously and Archeezus smiled and opened one of his eyes so it almost appeared that he was winking. His tanned olive skin seemed to compliment his teal colored eyes. I couldn't help but wonder where he got purple hair dye on the sides and back of his head. His hair in general reminded me of a Mohawk style since the sides were shaved down so they were shorter than the spiky middle hair which looked a bit tosseled as if whenever Leo did something foolish he ran his hands through his hair.
Leo on the other hand grinned. "Yes! a new teammate!" Leo had spiky hair as well but his was longer and it was black with two blue streaks in the front. Leo had a scratch going down his face as if he'd been cut with a curved sword. Leo was way more tan, like he spent a lot of time at the beach which probably meant he got his laughs from causing sudden thunderstorms if that was indeed the case.
Compared to the two of them I was the one underdressed. Leo wore a brown and white shirt with the "#1!" On it and while his jean shorts were fairly normal he had things like weird gold dust lightly coating it and his calves had bronze colored armor on them. Actually it looked more like he was wearing normal clothes over some sort of body armor. His hands were the only exception since the had fingerless leather gloves on them.
Archeezus was also wearing armor under his coat but it was more limited. He probably was better firing from a distance since he clearly made no effort to dress for serious close combat.
Underneath his coat I could see a dark grey almost black full length bodysuit. It extended to well past his knees and I bet it covered his arms as well. He wore black combat boots
Before you go, you'll need these; a Stygian iron sword and a Hat of invi
I winced this was going to be a interesting journey for me wasnt it?
We started walking but ended up jumping from rooftop to rooftop. Well Leo and Archeezus were jumping I was mostly keeping up with them from the ground.
When I considered triying to jump I realized that a) I had never done such thing before and that such action would probably kill me before the monsters would. b) I did not live for the thrill of danger.
Archeezus suddenly halted "wait!"
I yelled "what's up" and Archeezus stared at me as if to say "do you realize what just came out of your mouth?"
"it's a manticore!" Leo yelled like he was on a carnival ride. I facepalmed and Archeezus hit him. Then I climbed up the stairs and used the trash can to support myself to climb onto the roof. (Do not try this yourself readers I will not pay for your medical injuries)
I sighed and asked the spirit next to me"Percy surely you've encountered a manticore before right? What do I do?"
"I actually didn't have to fight the manticore. Both of my encounters with one I always had some godly help. First time was Lady Artemis and her hunters. Second time Mr. D, the wine god helped, more or less. Best I can offer right now is avoid the projectiles coming from the tail and don't jump off any cliffs in a valiant act of self sacrifice." Percy commented and evaporated. Hopefully he went where he can get more answers.
"Why would I sacrifice myself? And we aren't even near any cliffs--" Leo remarked most likely unaware Percy had left when suddenly four projectiles with sharp edges launched themselves at us.
Wisely he ducked and dodged to avoid them. I was conviently not in the path of the projectiles.
"Alright Archie! That's your cue!" Leo yelled suddenly. "What do you mean you don't think you can hit him? I'm positive you got this! Like you always do!"
I blinked and wondered about our third member who had been suspiciously quiet since we started talking.
Right then a dark bronze arrow whizzed past me. I kept the scream I wanted to let out to myself and instead focused on the explosion of light and flames that came from the arrow as it landed on the manticore.
"There! See? Look at all the nothing that did!" Archeezus scolded and Leo winced. It was obvious that the arrow hadn't done any visible damage, but the monster itself was very ticked off.
"Okay um... Plan B!" Leo yelled and took off running straight toward the manticore. I blinked. "What's plan B?" I asked.
"He Can't hear you" Percy added helpfully having returned suddenly.
"WHAT'S PLAN B??!!" I yelled.
Leo was probably within tail whacking distance of the monster when three arcs of lighting bolted from the sky and electrocuted the monster. He dodged as the manticore tried to slam it's tail into him.
"How about now Archie?" Leo panted heavily. I ran a little bit closer, put on my fedora which Hades said would allow me to blend in with the shadows becoming nigh invisible; and charged forward with my Stygian iron sword.
I swung my sword feeling the impact of it slam into the torso that I aimed for. And then felt the all too familiar feeling of being thrown backward and slamming into the brick wall behind me. My hat managed to stay on which was good since I couldn't afford to loose my gift when I just got it.
Leo must have said something to Archeezus because next I could hear him being yelled at.
"LEO!" Archeezus yelled "I. CAN. NOT. HURT HIM!!" Archeezus wherever he was behind me must have been really loud if I could hear him and Leo cringed putting his hand on his left ear.
I wondered how I could hear him when Archeezus was clearly nowhere near us. I need to ask Leo. But right now my head was throbbing.
"Alright. You asked for it," Archeezus seemed to sigh in resignation. I was suddenly more awake than what felt like 5 minutes ago. "What do you mean? What's happening?" I asked starting to panic.
In the distance, about three or four apartment rooftops across from where I stood a large bright yellow light appeared. I couldn't tell for sure but the light illuminated enough surroundings for me to see Archeezus. It looked like he was the source of the light.
"Something tells me you might wanna avoid that" Percy's voice rang in my ear. "Finally some good advice!" I exclaimed. "Leo we should move!" I grabbed Leo's hand and took off running.
A golden projectile that looked suspiciously like a sword shaped drill soared above us as we ran in the opposite direction like our lives depended on it. Which judging from the heat I felt come from the arrow Archeezus fired, we were. I got to the third Four story apartment building and started climbing up the stairs I needed to get to the roof. I had a feeling being on the ground might be bad.
I crawled on the roof out of breath just as I heard the BOOOOMM!! of an explosion. Most likely we were gonna hit the news as a mysterious force that caused a massive crater in the ground. Or possibly aliens. When in doubt humans typically blame aliens for stuff.
I looked away from the explosion. When I thought it was safe to look again I took my hat off at the sight. Apparently my reappearance scared the crap out of Leo who shrieked at me.
I looked back at the remaining smoke and flames licking the ground. As well as the 12 foot wide, possibly 8 foot deep crater in the ground the flames surrounded. From here I couldn't see Archeezus' arrow but I also couldn't see the manticore which was a good thing.
"We need to move before the civilians start to gather." Archeezus said. I almost jumped off the building in surprise. I noticed Archeezus looked tired and out of breath. Like he'd been running a whole lot before coming to join us.
I stood up and smiled "yeah let's go get my bag from where I left it, and get the hell out of here!"
