The quest wasn't going great. Oliver was still scowling at his quest mate as they went up the Gateway arch. She was incessantly blabbering useless facts about the landmark to the satyr on their quest. The other passengers ignored them, save from a fat lady with her chihuahua. She hadn't noticed Oliver, who's form had melted into the shadows.
He knew that something was up with the lady, She looked off, and a sixth sense at the back of his mind was prodding him to agree. He looked down at his right hand, a pale white scar traced along his knuckles, courtesy of Medusa. He scowled again, the blonde had been useless in the fight, shouting useless tips and not getting close, then refusing to take criticism afterwards.
He reached up, taking out the iron cross on the end of the metal chain around his neck. He could feel power radiating from it, it was cold yet inviting, comfortable almost, similar to how he felt currently in the shadows. He could still hear his companions, no, accomplices, talking to the fat lady. His suspicion was further enhanced when he noticed the dog's mouth foaming unnaturally, similar to if it had taken a cyanide pill.
The elevator arrived at the top, and the group dispersed about the viewing deck, Annabeth walking off to different informational boards, whilst Oliver moved silently within the shadows. Finally, after an agonizing wait, they begun to clear the deck, the tourists all piled into the elevator, ahead of the demigods who were trying to wrench Annabeth away from exhibit. They turned to see the lift full, leaving the demigods and the obviously monster looking lady and dog, who was still frothing at the mouth.
"We'll send another lift up, you guys just wait here." The staff member told them absentmindedly. The lady agreeing far to readily for his liking. The lift dinged shut, and all within the viewing gallery heard it descend. The dog snarled, and tried to leave, but was wrenched back by the lady.
"Now, now sonny, lets not be quick, I intend to savour these demigods." She told it.
Annabeth's hand twitched towards her dagger. "Sonny?" She questioned, grey eyes alert.
"Yes, my son: The Chimera." She explained. Her eyes locked with the daughter of Athena.
"That would make you Echidna." She replied, receiving a nod.
"But where is your third companion? It's not often Zeus lets me go after a demigod, and especially one of your lineage!" She cackled, as Oliver stepped out of the Shadows, twisting his ring to form his sword. He took satisfaction when the monster recognised it. The shadows curled around his form, his purple eyes alight with wrath.
The Olympian sky was calm, cloudless, warm ang soundless. The fountains ran quiet, the stalls closed for the night. The dark was where he thrived, what he was born of. Perseus walked through the marble paved streets in complete silence, his stealth being the envy of Artemis and her Hunters. In the branches of the flush godly trees, Ravens formed from the night, perching in the branches watching their master. His purple eyes set on the road ahead, his pace brisk. His black robes blending his form with the night, it's edges seeping into the fabric of night.
He moved through Olympus silently, until arriving at the door to Poseidon's Temple. It was mostly unknown, But the Major Olympians god's temples were portals to their realm, offering quick transport from Olympus to the respective domain. Perseus lay a hand on the door, reaching out his senses to locate Atlantis, before teleporting into the great underwater city.
He formed outside the palace, a black chiton adorned his form, patterned in purple, pinned by his symbol. A thin layer of air around him courtesy of his uncle Oceanus. He arose the steps to the front gate, stopping when to Atlanteans crossed their spears in front of him. He looked down at them, a pointed look on his face, flexing his aura. Upon realising his status as a god, they quickly allowed him entry.
Poseidon was currently finishing up on issues that required his attention regarding the underwater kingdom, solving quarrels between his subjects and so forth. As he listened to the two mermen bickering, He noticed Delphin stiffen. Just as he was going to question, the doors to his throne room where opened, a tall figure pacing in. Poseidon recognised his half-brother, and rose upon his arrival, his trident in hand.
"Brother." The son of Nyx and Kronos greeted, in a tone of deceptive cordialness. His wife, Amphitrite and his son, Triton steeling themselves.
"Perseus." He replied firmly. "What brings you here."
The two mermen let out a small eep, and quickly dashed to the side.
"Ah, you know, business." He replied evasively, Opening his palm and nursing a ball of hellfire within it.
"And how does this business affect me?"
"Currently," Perseus began, turning his back and beginning to pace around the grand hall, all of it's attendants watching nervously as the god emitted an uncomfortable aura. "My son is about to fall from the gateway arch into the Mississippi river, at a height that will kill him and his companions instantly. Allow the river to take them rather than kill them."
Poseidon glared at being told how to use his domain. He was about to decline before his half brother spoke again: "If he dies, the quest fails, and our youngest brothers sparkle stick still lost, of which he blames both of us. And I was not asking for you to let the river take him."
'I was demanding' The god of the sea finished in his head. Annoyingly his brother was correct. "Very well. Now begone, I have other matters to attend too."
Perseus looked over his shoulder at his younger brother, before squashing the flame in a fist, and melting into a spot of shadows, a gold coin being left on the ground. His son Triton reached for it, passing it to his father. One one side, a roman Aquila, the other, Perseus' son Julius Caeser. The sea god scowled and pocketed it, dismissing his court as he flashed to Olympus.
The god of the seas strode into the grand throne room, rising to his godly height and slamming his trident into the marble floor, summoning the council of the gods. Zeus' arrival was immediate, arriving in the throne room in a flash of lightning and boom of thunder, joined by his wife Hera. They were quickly followed by Athena arriving in a flurry of owls, casting a suspicious glare at her rival.
Aphrodite arrived in a puff of perfume, taking her seat and trying to fix a nonexistent issue in her makeup. Demeter arrived in an unnotable fashion, silently sitting on her throne. Hermes and Apollo both arrived together, looking slightly disgruntled at having their night interrupted. Ares followed in a flash of red, followed by Dionysus in a flash of purple. The gods all took their seats as Artemis arrived, her lieutenant in tow, taking a seat at the base of the silver throne.
Zeus began, "Now that we are gathered, Poseidon, why have you called this meeting." He inquired.
Poseidon sat down, his face weary. "Our brother visited me." He announced.
Hera raised an eyebrow. "I wasn't aware you talk with Hades." She said.
Poseidon scowled, "I wasn't referring to Hades."
"What did he seek of you?" Zeus asked.
"He wanted me to save his child, and their quest mates." The lord of the seas answered.
Thunder rumbled. "And did you?" Zeus asked.
"I did."
"You know of the rules regarding mortal quests."
"I do, yet I also know that they are searching for your master bolt." Poseidon grumbled.
Many of the gods were rapidly losing interest. "Who was on the quest?" Apollo asked.
Poseidon scowled. "His son, a Satyr and an Athena spawn."
"How goes the quest?" Aphrodite asked.
Zeus waved his hand, producing a one way Iris message, showing the group on a train.
Zoe had sat in silence through the meeting, however was more attentive than her mistress. She payed close attention to the behavior and actions of Perseus, his demigod child even more so. She looked at the boy in the train. Despite being only 12, he looked much older and still held the darkness within his eyes that his father now held.
His two questmates were both asleep, and he was pacing up and down the empty train car. His mop of hair was nightmare black, his purple eyes seemed to delve into the depths of her soul. The scar tracing his knuckles glinted in the moonlight, and his upper left arm was coated in blood soaked bandages. He took a seat at the other end of the train car, and opened his hands. A wisp of darkness flowed between his finger tips, wrapping around his hand. The boy stood, the shadow growing into a staff, then forming into a midnight black spear.
He gave it a test whirl, swinging and lunging, before collapsing it into shadows.
"The boy is powerful." Athena observed, receiving a muttering of agreement.
Zoe felt a twist in her gut as Artemis teleport out, bringing her back to the hunters camp. She arrived in the centre, the rest of the Hunters were retiring for the night, and Zoe made her way to the edge, tagging out the evening patrol and taking over the night shift.
The girl patrolled through the thick forest, the cricket's song soothing the otherwise silent night. The forest was clear of monsters, and the millennia old huntress meandered through the trees, bow slung on her back. The cold air whistled as it blew past her, as she came to clearing, she realised the crickets had gone silent, and the howling of the hunt's wolves was unheard.
She began to walk through the clearing, and her movements became sluggish, as if the fabric of night was trying to prevent her passing. She tensed, and went to draw her bow, only for the night to solidify around her, freezing her completely in place. Her eyes widened in alarm, and she heard the crunch of leaves as someone approached her from behind, she couldn't even struggle in resistance.
She felt a cold huff of breath hit the back of her neck, causing her to shiver. She waited in nervous anticipation for the character to make a move.
A cold finger traced her jaw, from chin to ear. She tensed at the invasive touch. She could feel close movement, and a larger form and its aura seemed to almost encompass her.
"These past millennia have treated you well Zoetheria." A soft voice whispered into her ear. She felt the darkness around her head lax, and she craned her head around to see him. Perseus towered over her at almost 7 foot.
"Perseus." She greeted shakily.
"How has the hunt been?" He asked, trying to make small talk, Zoe could tell however that he wasn't truly into it.
"Good." She replied smoothly.
"My father rises again Zoe." He informed her. Her chest tightened. "I have talked to Lady Ananke, your fate lies with it."
"I won't betray my mistress." She replied steadfastly.
"I'm not asking you to; I'm only informing you to be cautious, you still mean very much to me." His tone soothing.
She almost allowed herself to relax, but remained steeled. "And who do you plan to join?" She asked bravely.
The god was quiet for a moment as the thought. "I am undecided. Unlike the last war it will not be as easy for me to remain neutral. The gods offer me nothing, my father offers me power and recognition." He explained.
She was about to speak before he cut in again: "Our time here grows short, the gods are becoming suspicious. May fate's fortune lie with you Zoetheria." He beckoned, leaning in and placing a chaste kiss behind her ear, near the top of her jaw, an oddly cold yet warming sensation following it.
Perseus vanished in a vortex of darkness as the night released her, and she quickly returned to her camp, mulling over his words.
AN
Some classic PerZoe
Online school is melting my soul.
-Dudududhehe
