Misery's Smile Chapter 2
Hello everyone and welcome to the second instalment of Misery's smile. I must say, thanks to all of you for all your support and I hope that you also enjoy this chapter that I am conjuring right here. Lastly, I would like to thank my dear Eyes, who is xRinneandSharinx, for being a big help in making this story, yeah. There's so many ideas you can actually credit to him, yeah!
Leto continued to gape as she probed Perseus' power. It was so immense that if Perseus let loose, the Death Mist would be the least of her worries. The dark power that lay within him so dense that it closely felt like a sentient being. She had no doubt that Perseus, should he survive into adulthood, would become a potent force. However, therein laid her first challenge, which was to let Perseus survive to adulthood. It was then a cold presence materialized, while all the shadows darkened. The flowers seemed to wilt, as rain fell. A translucent image of a beautiful, yellow eyed woman formed as Leto's eyes widened, recognizing her. The woman looked at Leto with her piercing yellow eyes, as she softened.
"It's been a long time, Leto," Akhlys said, as Leto inclined her head.
"My Lady, what brings you here?" Leto asked.
"To check on my only child, of course. And to inform you of things that you must know, for his sake," Akhlys' eyes gleamed, seemingly reflecting the beautiful moonlight that shone across the island.
"Is it about his dormant power?" Leto could swear she saw a small smirk adorning the powerful goddess' features, before it reverted back to the emotionless expression.
"Among others. Now, we must speak quickly, for we do not have much time. The Death Mist can only do so much to cover my presence, even if it is but an image," Akhlys said, as Leto nodded understandingly.
"About Perseus' powers, there is something that I must tell you. Perseus is neither a child born from a mortal, nor a child born from a lesser consort. He is a pure-blooded child of mine," Akhlys said, earning a gasp from Leto.
"But that means-" Leto said, as Akhlys nodded.
"This boy will be powerful. I suspect monsters are starting to fear him. And with his instinctive control of the Death Mist, he will be indeed potent. However, as we all know, the Gods will be jealous, and will try to dictate his fate. We must not allow that," Akhlys said resolutely, as Leto gave a sceptical look.
"With all due respect my Lady, just how do I do that? I am not as powerful as the Gods, and I am not Lady Nyx, who can mask any presence with her dark powers," Leto said, earning a smirk from Akhlys.
"Have you not felt Perseus' own dark powers? I suspect, until his youth, his presence will be masked, and until then, we will have the time to brief and train him to use it to his advantage. Secrecy and discretion is key here, Leto. I would rather not make a personal appearance to, ah, remind the Gods their place among immortals, for that would cause unnecessary strife, and would unbalance the world," Akhlys' yellow eyes gleamed.
"I understand, My Lady. Anything else?" Leto asked.
"Nothing else Leto. Do not displease me. And if you should betray me or my son, I will come personally to deal with you," Akhlys warned menacingly.
"You'll never have to, My Lady," Leto reassured, as the image started to fade.
"Oh Leto, I almost forgot," Akhlys said, before her image touched Leto,
Immense pain filled Leto, as she screamed. Akhlys' face remained emotionless as she continued to press her index finger pressed on Leto's forehead. Leto's eyes rolled into the back of her head as the pain increased to nearly unbearable levels. When it finally stopped, Leto fell to her knees, panting. She was about to ask the reason why Akhlys subjected her to such pain, but couldn't find the words.
"As owner of the Death Mist, I give you permission to access it to protect my son. Use it well," Akhlys said emotionlessly, before fading.
Perseus was confused. The twins had tried to kill him, and they were now, well, friendly. Well, at least they tried to be. Artemis and Apollo kept whispering behind his back, not to mention when he'd ask a simple question, Artemis would let out a squeak, while Apollo would release a timid gasp, before stammering their answer. Not to mention they weren't too subtle either. When Perseus would look back towards them, Apollo would immediately shove his sister behind him, with one hand on the golden bow.
"Calm down, Apollo. I'm not here to kill, or maim, or torture anyone," Perseus sighed, earning another squeak from the twins, which made him laugh.
Then, Artemis' face started to go red as she looked at the older godling who was still laughing. Her 'legendary temper' (as Apollo calls it) started to act up as she walked up to the yellow eyed godling and socked him in the mouth.
"S-SHUT UP!" Artemis shouted, as Perseus gave a cold look and drew an arm back.
Apollo went to stop him, but Perseus did not relent. He swung his arm, only to stop at the last moment, as Artemis gave that squeak. Then, Perseus left, all the while laughing, as Artemis' ears became golden. Humiliated, she chased him. Apollo did not know what to think. While his brotherly instincts told him to protect Artemis, he couldn't help but want to laugh at his sister's vulnerable moment.
"Squeaky Arty~~" Perseus sang, as Artemis screamed her displeasure.
"Eh, Artemis, wait up!" Apollo shouted as his sister ran to chase the laughing godling.
Perseus panted as he hid behind a tree. Artemis was fast. Way faster than those nasty monsters. And she looked ready to kill. Perseus started to regret riling up the girl like that, but he couldn't help it. It was like an inner voice that told him to continue to tease her, to continue to rile her up. Although he had to admit, she could pack a punch.
Suddenly, the tree broke through as Artemis let loose a cry of triumph, before pinning down Perseus, earning a small whimper from the godling. It was then Perseus truly observed Artemis, and found himself mesmerized by her red hair. Perseus could only open his mouth as he touched her hair, earning a look from Artemis.
"W-what are you doing?!" Artemis asked loudly, as Perseus' yellow eyes glazed over.
"You have beautiful hair…" Perseus started to trail off, before he caught himself.
"Uh, I mean, you suck! Absolutely suck, Squeaky Arty!" Perseus started to shout, as Artemis sported a golden blush.
"SHUT UP!" Artemis screamed, before Apollo pulled the angry redhead from Perseus.
Apollo was, well, dumbfounded. He never saw his sister like that, even when their mother complimented her. He thought nothing of it, though, as it was approaching nightfall. Leto had warned the Twins against leaving the house at nightfall, owing to the fact that monsters liked to 'Rip godlings to shreds at nightfall'. Perseus couldn't suppress a chuckle when he heard that, earning a small glare from Artemis, who had a torrent of thoughts going through her head.
'He really thinks my hair is beautiful?'
"Why are you blushing, sister?" Apollo asked, earning a raised eyebrow from Perseus.
Artemis couldn't help but turn her head, not daring to look at Perseus for some reason, before she mouthed a subdued 'Nothing'. Perseus could only give a grin, as the trio walked back to the cottage, all wondering this particular question.
'What's for dinner?'
Leto was smirking. At least, she was smiling at the trio as they dragged themselves home. Ladling out the food, she couldn't help but notice that Perseus and Artemis refused to make eye contact with each other. Shaking her head, she looked as Apollo also dragged himself in, muttering about 'troublesome sisters' before collapsing on the chair.
The food was finished quickly, and Perseus went straight to bed, but not before thanking Leto for her hospitality.
Out of the blue, Artemis blurted, "Perseus likes my hair."
It was then Apollo did a spit take, and started to laugh, remembering that particular moment. Curious, Leto could only ask about it, wondering what could happen to her daughter to make her react like that to a simple remark.
"Um, nothing! F-forget about it, M-Mother," Artemis stuttered, earning an amused chuckle from Leto.
'Ah, young love…' Leto pondered aloud, as Artemis choked.
"I-I'm going t-to b-bed! Apollo! Let's go!" Artemis shouted, before pulling Apollo along towards their shared room.
Just then, Perseus suddenly appeared, grumbling about 'noisy twins' who 'disturbed his beauty sleep'. Leto could only sigh as Perseus sported a silly grin, before suddenly muttering with a sad tone, "Did I miss anything?"
That night, Percy had a dream. It was a stormy landscape, and he could feel the dark atmosphere, while he felt himself being moved through thick mist. Frantic female voices could be heard while a sharp pain suddenly entered his heart. The dark mist shrivelled his skin, while his vision blurred. In the darkness, he could make out female voices arguing, as he tried to reach out for dear life.
'SAVE HIM, NYX! PLEASE!'
'I cannot… I told you not to be hasty. I warned you not to be impatient. Now he is dying because of your rashness to place him into the world too early!'
'Perseus, don't fade… Please...'
'SISTER! I need your power right now, or he WILL FADE!'
The pain increased, while Perseus started to scream, and the voices became even more frantic. Eventually, he felt his heart burning away, while the distinct sound of sobbing could be heard. It was then he woke up with a start.
Sweat beaded his head as Perseus tried to make out what his dream meant. Could it have been his memories? After all, he did remember being dropped into this world covered by the black mist, before being chased by those monsters. But other than that…
Suddenly, Perseus felt excruciating pain in his head as he tried to remember. His screams was heard by Leto, who frantically rushed to the godling, and used her godly power to ease her wards' pain. It was then she discovered the slight tinge of mist on Perseus, before the screaming stopped, and Perseus started to sob.
It was then, the whole island began to rain, and sadness crept into Leto's heart. She could only stand there amazed as Perseus drew her into a desperate embrace, before sobbing, "It was s-so painful, I d-don't know why. All I did w-was try to r-remember."
Leto hushed the young godling, all the while observing the effects his sadness had on the island. A heavy downpour could be seen outside, as if the island was weeping for Perseus' plight.
It was then Leto said, "It's alright… None can harm you while you are on this island… You are protected."
Suddenly, Perseus did a 180, and broke into a bright smile, before blurting, "Okay mother!"
Leto sighed. She never could get used to the godling's sudden mood swings. The rain seemed to be stopping, as a ray of sunlight shined onto the cottage, as Perseus ran up the house, looking for the twins. Then, Leto realized something. She could only open her eyes in shock as she realized what Perseus accidentally called her.
"Mother"
Deep in Tartarus, a yellow eyed goddess could be seen sobbing in regret, as she remembered the disaster that happened when she brought Perseus to Chaos' plane.
Artemis was livid. Her day didn't start out well, after having a miserable dream like she did. Then, she had to be the end of a small prank from that insufferable godling that woke her up. Worse still, she could only remember the smirking face of her brother as she shivered from the freezing cold water that woke her up from, well, a miserable sleep.
"PERSEUS!" Artemis angrily shouted, earning a laugh from the Primordial godling (Not that she knew yet).
"Squeaky Arty? Good morning," Perseus said with a smirk, as Artemis' eyebrow twitched.
Sensing danger, Apollo suddenly came in and said, "Let's go hunt!"
At this, Artemis perked up. Hunting was always the twins' passion, and the fact that, it was a common tool used by Apollo to distract her from her angry fits. Apollo then nodded to Perseus, who got the message.
From afar, Leto could only smile at how the twins and Perseus were bonding together, knowing that it made her job of protecting the godling infinitely easier.
Perseus groaned as he fell. This monster was harder than the usual ones. It's golden fur glistened in the sunlight, while it leaped for the trio, who were by now, pinned down by the cliff side. While Apollo and Perseus held it off, it was Artemis who would find a way to escape. However, the monster seemed to have expected it, and leaped towards Artemis, who was isolated as she tried to find a way out.
Perseus and Apollo could only look in horror as the monster caught Artemis, who tried to evade its blow, and managed to leave three deep gashes across her stomach. Ichor poured out, as Perseus came out of his shock, and Apollo's eyes deepened in anger.
"ARTEMIS!" Apollo screamed, before charging the monster.
It was then Perseus, who was eyeing the wounded Artemis, got back to his wits, and held Apollo, who looked at him with a murderous look. Perseus returned the look with his piercing yellow eyes, as he tried to make Apollo understand that this was no time for such foolishness. He had no intention of leaving Artemis to bleed to let Apollo sat his thirst for revenge.
"Apollo, get help! I'll hold him off," Perseus shouted, as Apollo looked at him angrily,
While Apollo wanted to stay and watch the monster destroyed, he knew he had to help his sister, who was unconscious.
"You better kill that monster, Perseus… For what it did to my sister," Apollo whispered dangerously, before retreating with Artemis on his shoulder.
"Now, kitty cat… I'll kill you," Perseus growled, as he unwittingly flared a large amount of dark power, which unnerved the giant monster.
Rain started to pour, as thunder sounded. Perseus frowned. There was never any thunder on this island. He was driven out of his thoughts though, when the monster leaped at him. Perseus, who saw it all the way, calmly sidestepped the monster, before instinctively slashing at an angle, which, as usual, just bounced off the golden fur.
"I need to get past that armor…" Perseus muttered, as he gripped his sword tighter.
Suddenly, a cold presence made itself known as it nestled in Perseus' mind.
'Call upon your dark power, Perseus. Use that power to meld with your weapon, and cut down that beast!'
Perseus never really knew who that was, but he paid no heed. The cold voice had saved his life more than a couple of times. Calling upon his power, he focused on its darkness as he flared it and melded it with his blade. His yellow eyes gleamed as he glared at the monster who hurt Artemis.
The whole island darkened, as the storm deepened. The young godling could only charge at the now cowering monster who had its paws over its head. Perseus then swung his sword in a deadly arc, as he cut through the monster with a powerful slash. It was then, his sword suddenly shattered. He could only look in abject horror, as when the now green shards touched the ground, an air of death could suddenly be felt across the ground. Everything in a range of twelve metres wilted, and Perseus could hear some animals suddenly gasp and die on the spot.
Touching the floor, and smelling the air, Perseus could only mutter, "Poison."
Perseus then left the area, and in his fatigue, never noticed the foul presence that watched him from afar.
Perseus, as he returned to the cottage, couldn't hide his relief when he saw his friend rouse after being gored by the monster. A fur cloak lay folded in his hands as he greeted his 'little huntress', which was a nickname used by Leto, before being adopted by Perseus himself.
"Here you go, little huntress. For better protection," Perseus teased, as Artemis' eyebrow twitched.
"I don't need better protection! And don't call me little huntress! Only Mother can call me that," Artemis said indignantly, earning a small laugh from the godling.
Apollo shook his head fondly as he watched the scene between the two children. At least now, there would be another 'white knight' to save the 'damsel in distress'.
"Oh stop it Apollo. I've saved your life more times than you saved mine," Artemis snickered, as Apollo's face fell.
"Now, now, children," Perseus said sagely, as the twins looked at him with a deadpan.
"But you're a child too," Artemis said, her flaming red hair gleaming in the sunlight
Perseus could only shake his head as he stroked Artemis' beautiful red hair, before saying, "I'm glad you're awake. Don't scare us like that ever again, okay?"
Looking at the two boys' expressions, Artemis could only soften as she whispered, "I'm sorry."
It was then the two boys embraced the bedridden girl, who couldn't help but feel thankful she had two companions like this. Not to mention she nearly melted when she saw Perseus' sad yellow eyes staring at her when she apologized.
Leto, who was watching from afar, could only smile at the children, before frowning. While the island darkening was due to Perseus' powers, there was no doubt about that, she recognized the sound of thunder. She recognized, it was time to have a talk with Akhlys, who instructed, no, more like ordered Leto to update her should anything happen. It was beyond doubt now that Zeus knew of Perseus.
Deep in the forests, a monster stirred. Licking her lips, she could only smile sinisterly as she walked past the poisoned field that Perseus left behind. With a gloved hand, she held the green shards, only to drop it as the poison burned through the fabric. She licked her lips again. It was powerful poison. Her gloves were made out of dragon scales, and she knew it would take something extremely potent to penetrate it, let alone burn through it.
This godling intrigued her. Perhaps Zeus wasn't exaggerating when he mentioned that this child may be the child of Akhlys, who was also named Lady of poison. Just then, the lord of the Skies penetrated her mind, before speaking telepathically, causing her to grit her teeth.
'Do you see the child?'
'No, but there is no doubt he is on this island.'
'Hm… Very well. Find him, and bring him to me. But do it after the Twins come to Olympus. Right now, he is protected, and I would not put it past him to slay even you.'
'That child. Slay me? I think not. You think too highly of him, Zeus.'
'He is a child of the Mistress of the Death Mist. Do not invoke her name there. No doubt she has layered protections on the child, and has taken sufficient precautions for his protection. I will not help you should she come personally to, ah, check on her son.'
'I see even the King of the Olympians fear something. A first, indeed.'
The monster sneered, as Zeus then tightened his hold over her mind, causing her to scream in pain.
'Do not test me, filth. I have only one order for you. Bring the godling to me, or kill it.'
'And do not be caught. I have no intention of drawing the Lady of Misery to this world for revenge. That is my order... Echidna.'
Echidna could only hiss in pain, as her eyes glowed in hatred for the Olympian.
ALRIGHT DONE! Omg, this was so tough to write xD. Anyway, thank you for reading, and I hope you all had a great day! Oh, Eyes, this is your moment.
Oh, and an author's note from Eyes.
The Bossman is truly something spectacular if he can conjure up an idea such as this i must say there is one thing that the story lacks and we're discussing if we should even put it in lol but for that he would need to change the fic rating, HAHAHAHAHAHAHA i think you know what i mean now ;)
And one last thng...
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