There are a few thing I have to say before the Chapter starts.
- First I'm sorry for the long wait but with easter and such it took a bit longer.
- Second and most importantly Leez, who was my Beta, is now Co-writer.
- And third Chapter one has been edited.
So that was it from my side. I can't thank you often enough for reading and reviewing.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. J.K. Rowling and Rick Riordan do.
Aurelia's POV
Fighting an invulnerable opponent quickly proved to be even more difficult than it sounded and considering that it didn't sound easy in the slightest degree to begin with one could easily imagine how horrifically dangerous and difficult a fight like that would be to those involved.
And a fight like that was exactly the sort of danger the group of demi-beings faced, in form of the mighty Nemean lion staring down at them with his massive yellow primeval eyes.
The eerie silence which had laid itself over the soon to be battleground was shattered by the lion's deafening roar as he suddenly in one fluid and quick movement lunged for the demigods as they just finished settling into a loose half circle formation in front of him.
Only Percy's inherent battle reflexes saved him from being brutally mauled by the beast's powerful jaws and claws as he barely managed to succeed in a swift dodge to the right leading him out of the attacks path.
Swiftly spotting the opportunity Thalia and Aurelia both used the short moment it took for the lion to turn and attack again to swing with all their might in an attempt to engage the lion in hopes to keep him away from the two archers of their group long enough for them to land a killing blow. They soon were joined by a sword swinging Percy who had regained his footing after swiftly climbing to his feet and charging straight back into the fight.
As the fighting proceeded and intensified it quickly became clear that Artemis' warnings were more than justified. The Nemean Lion was not only as large as the van that they arrived in, but was also blindingly swift and fast in a way no one would expect of a beast this large.
Dodging another swing of her father's claws Aurelia couldn't help but notice how the Lions strikes and attacks against her were slightly weaker and slower than his furious and unforgiving attack against the demigods, it quickly dawned on her that he was holding back against her but that didn't mean she would too.
"We have to make it roar again!" - Came the shout of Percy from beside her.
"'It' can understand you seaspawn." – The comment seemed to have angered her father as he paused to look sneering straight into Percy's eyes with his own primal orbs blazing with power.
Percy froze looking baffled on hearing the deep voice coming from the lion's snout and looked back at the angry gaze fixated on him. - "Oh... sorry."
As the battle continued it became painfully clear to the Questers that they were way in over their heads. Not only was their opponent far more experienced than them by far, he was also immune against all their attacks, everything they had hit him with so far hadn't done the slightest amount of damage to the beast. While with the constant dodging and weaving of the lions attacks their energy quickly drained faster and with increasing intensity.
Without a genius idea or some sort of miracle, they were definitely done for and both the Questers and the Lion knew that as clear as day.
"Why do you continue to fight when there is no point? Just let nature take it's path and give in to your fate. There's nothing you can do." - Chuckled the lion amused while knowing that they wouldn't surrender.
"Your tricks have proven to be nothing but child's play. I would have thought better from my own daughter but that sort of behaviour will be corrected after she comes with me."
About five minutes into the fight they had tried out a trick Percy came up with including astronaut food which only resulted in being laughed at by their enemy and a bare dodge by Thalia. After that disaster everyone seemed to have come to a non verbal understanding not to listen to any more of Percy's harebrained ideas... at least for the duration of this fight.
"If you won't co-operate then I will finish this now!" - With that he tightened his muscles swiftly crouching low before making a mighty bound over the defending demigods aimed directly at Zoë, who had stoped momentarily in shock at the move's surprising display of pure power.
Time seemed to stand still for Aurelia as she was forced to watch what would certainly be her best friend's death... And it would have been if it wasn't for the swiftness of Bianca who managed to shove Zoë out of harms way just before the beast's body could collide with its prey. In the process however she had put herself in the way and was now the target of the lion's proud jaws.
Watching on in horror the campers froze, Aurelia herself was numb with fear for her sister in arms though this fear quickly turned in blinding speed to a raging anger which she used with all her might to fuel her magic to avenge her fallen sister.
It was this moment when just before the attack could connect with Bianca that the earth shook and the ground in front of the scared hunter ripped open and rapidly grew into a protective wall of dark stone shielding the demigoddess from the attack which she was certain was going to take her life.
The lion unable to stop in his mighty flight in the air heavily bounced striking the new massive barrier with an earshattering loud impact.
Nemean Lion's POV
Still fuzzy and dazed from the unplanned impact the Nemean shook his head – 'Who the fuck put a wall right there?! It so does not work with the rest of the room...'
He could feel his left paw had broken from the pain and at least three rips had been fractured on the same side from when he had tried to shift body to protect his head. Shaking his head to clear it and coming back to his feet, he took a quick but sure look around in order to orient himself and get his bearings, that was when his eyes fell on a beautiful blond girl with a furious snarl on her face staring straight at him with haunting orange colored eyes. It was his daughter. It was in this moment he realised how alike she and her mother were when they both were angry.
He quickly began to feel a strangely familiar feeling as it filled the air that he hadn't felt in years, one he quickly identified as the feeling of mortal magic gathering. So young and so powerful – Were his thoughts as he looked at her seeing the woman he loved in his daughter. That was when the magic started to shape and realising what was about to happen he decided to stay in place and let it strike.
He felt the magic complete and then suddenly a great pain smashed in his right side and he was catapulted through the air as the wall he had just struck was turned and used as a missile and slammed into his, thankfully, previously unhurt right flank with crushing force.
He came to a sudden halt at the rooms door as his flying body ripped it out of it's fixture, shattering it into pieces and sending clouds of debris all around. This time as he regained his bearing he knew that this battle was lost - and that is a good thing.
Standing on his feet was a task in itself. With a last look to his daughter he turned around and fled.
... 'There are things I have to think about...'
...
Aurelia's POV
As she saw the lion escape Aurelia was bent over panting, she couldn't chase after him, after using so much raw magic to lift the earthen wall and send it flying with such force so quickly and having to fight such a long battle she was exhausted, she didn't particularly want to chase him anyway. Right now she stood beside a pale faced Bianca who was still on the ground looking rather shaken after her near death experince.
"It's okay, he's gone" – She said softly to Bianca in a low and soothing voice.
"How... how... did I do that?" - Bianca asked, shaken from her first real battle and the demanding use of her power as a demigod.
"It would seem that thy godly parent has a connection to earth and a strong one at that seeing as what thou have done was nothing short of astounding." - Zoë spoke as she joined Aurelia and Bianca. - "Do not worry, with time your power will become easier and your control will increase."
"We have to get out of here," - Grover said interrupting them as he came out of hiding. - "The security guards will soon be here."
As they fled the museum she could feel Grover's gaze in her back focusing on her while telling Percy how he used his woodland magic to confuse the guards.
"There is enough time to talk later, now we have to escape." - The boys were sharply interrupted by Thalia as she trailed closely behind them, shutting them up for now in fear of get snapped at.
...
It seemed the designated time of "later" was exactly when they were inside the van again although this time Percy was here.
Zoë started with a commanding voice - "Percy tell Aurelia what you have seen."
"I think it would be best if I tell you from the beginning..." - Percy said as he began his story up to the moment he encountered the Questers sans Aurelia.
It was a pretty amazing story she would give him that. He had saved some sort of marine cow creature in the early morning only to find the quest had left without him. He then followed the quest on a black Pegasus – 'that must have been black spot I saw earlier today' – to D.C.. After arriving in the city and seeing the abandoned van he spotted and followed Mr. Thorn, the manticore she had seen before when she met Artemis, who he spotted walking down a street not far from the van. It was then that Percy's story became interesting for the quest. As he followed the manticore using a cap he had which could turn the wearer invisible he overheard a conversation between "the General", making Zoë cringe and some boy called Luke. Apparently this General had summoned some sort of zombie warriors.
The rest of his story was him fleeing after being detected and then he encountered the quest.
"Does anyone has to say or ask something else?" - Zoë asked from the driver seat quickly getting positive reactions from the others, it was obvious that they all had quite a few questions they wanted answers too.
The first was Grover who rushed out looking straight at her with needing eyes. - "I have a question for Aurelia if you don't mind." - He gushed out swiftly and nervously.
Seeing her shake her head he continued. - "What sort of magic was it that you used at the end of the fight, where did you learn it?" - He spoke in a fast voice.
That question put her in a tight spot. She didn't want to betray Pan's trust by telling someone about him and most likely condemn many satyrs to an early death by entering the Labyrinth but she also had to answer something...
"It was Nature magic." - She answered leaving the part of where she had learned it out.
"Nature magic?" - the satyr inquiered confused.
Deciding to give him a bit Aurelia started to explain. - "You know woodland magic? The magic satyrs use and are taught in?" - waiting for him to nod she continued – "It's a part of Nature magic. Nature magic is the manipulation of life and the various factors it needs to develop like earth and air."
While not necessarily statisfying Grover's thirst to learn more and to ask more of her he didn't push her further seeing that she was obviously not comfortable with his question. It also helped having her glare at him in a manner he last saw just under twenty minutes earlier from the lion.
Percy however didn't seemed to have the same survival instincts Grover possessed and still pressed on. - "What about who taught you?"
"I don't want to speak about it."
That got Thalia going - "And how should we know if we can trust you if you won't even answer simple questions?"
"How about this; I Aurelia Potter, daughter of the Nemean lion, swear by the river Styx that I am loyal to the hunt and Lady Artemis. Furthermore I swear that I will do what is asked of me to ensure this quest succeeds." - Following her words there was a rumbling of thunder which sealed the binding oath.
"So I think that was enough of questioning Aurelia" - Zoë cut in sharply in full mother bear mode ending any arguments in that direction.
But that didn't stop the van's occupants as their focus turned to Bianca. - "So who do you think could be your father?"
"I don't know...?" - Came the quiet and unsure reply from the Hunter.
"Well we know it has to be something with earth. Which gods have a connection to earth?" - Percy reflected.
"I would normally suggest possibly Demeter or Persephone but we already know that it's the father..." – Thalia trailed off in thought as she got involved in the discussion.
"Maybe Hephaestus?" - Percy said – "I mean he's the God of Volcanoes right?"
"No, it would have been a more fire focused defence for Hephaestus and this kind of power exceeds what his children are capable of." - Zoë answered without a doubt, she had met several of children of Hephaestus through out her long life in the hunt and even saw a few of them use their Earth powers before. Still in her eyes Aurelia could see a hidden suspicion.
...
They spent a few minutes giving ideas but a short time later all conversation quickly stopped when they spotted a helicopter overhead following them. They just had crossed the Potomac, a large river on their way out of D.C.
"They know the van." - Thalia said in realisation as the helicopter continued to follow closely behind them.
"How can the General use mortals." - Asked a bewildered Percy
"They are mercenaries" - Zoë spat bitterly. - "Mortals who will fight for any cause as long as they are paid well enough."
"But how can they work for monsters?! Don't they see what these beasts are?!" - Percy continued to ask.
"I doubt it would matter to people like them even if they knew the truth. Sometimes mortals can be even more horrible than the most of repulsive monsters." - Aurelia said with a long buried pain in her eyes, knowing the truth of her words all to well.
It was again Bianca with the saving idea. She pointed out a parking lot asking Zoë to trust her and turn in which she quickly did. After leaving the van they hurriedly followed Bianca into a subway where the helicopter couldn't see or follow them.
"Good thinking there Bianca." - Came the praise from the Questers.
"I remembered it well because it was new when Nico and I came through and I was surprised because at seeing that because it wasn't here when we lived here."
That statement created confusion with the rest of the group but before any questions could be asked they had to change trains.
...
With no idea where they were after they left the last train they were on but knowing that they had lost the helicopter on their heels awhile ago the Questers looked around. They were now all standing in an abandoned railway stop in some industrial area but not seeing anyone they wandered around through the train yard searching for another train taking passengers or even a place to take shelter for the night.
On their way looking through the train yard Percy dryly managed to summarize their situation very well if one was to ask Aurelia. - "Somewhere far to the west Annabeth is in danger. Artemis is missing and in chains. A doomsday monster is on the loose. And we are stuck on the outskirts of D.C."
After looking around a bit more they noticed a homeless guy standing not too far away. As he looked them over he gave them a toothless grin before waving them over to his trash can fire. - "Y'all need to get warmed up? Come on over!"
"Maybe we should contact camp," - Bianca ventured. - "Chiron—"
"No" - Zoë cut her off. - "They cannot help us anymore. We must finish this quest ourselves."
"You know" - The homeless man started - "you're never completely without friends. You kids need a train going west?" - He asked.
"Yes, sir." - Percy said. - "You know of any?"
He pointed with one of his hands over to the side. Suddenly there was a freight train, gleaming and free of the snow which lay everywhere else in thick layers on the rail yard. It was a train to transport cars. On the side of the train was in bright yellow letters written SUN WEST LINE.
"That's... awfully convenient" - Thalia said. - "Thanks, uh..."
As they turned to the homeless guy again to thank him they saw that he and his fire were gone leaving not a single trace to be seen.
...
Sitting inside a black BMW on the train Aurelia was soon joined by Zoë sitting herself next to her. - "I wanted to talk to you about somethings I heard when first entering the room where we fought your father." - Her voice didn't have any accusation in it, which made Aurelia question what and how much Zoë had heard.
"Hmm... go on then, ask." - Aurelia said looking away into the night.
"Please look at me when I speak to you." - Zoë's voice was stern but not unkind. Looking back at Zoë eyes she saw no disgust there, at least not yet, so she waited for Zoë to begin.
"As I hid myself in the shadows of in the far corner of the room I heard him say that he could smell human blood on you." - Zoë stated, it was not a question so Aurelia didn't answer vocally, instead giving a curt nod and glancing away. - "Do you want to talk about it?"
Seeing nothing but kindness on her lieutenant's face Aurelia slowly lost her composure and started to talk about what she previously only told three person in her life so far, all of whom were gods. She needed Zoë to tell her that it was fine like Artemis had done, she needed to be accepted by what she deemed her family.
She wasn't sorry for what she had done, but she didn't want to, no she couldn't lose this family who had been so welcoming and invited her in.
Throughout her tale Zoë's face turned red with anger, her obsdian eyes shining like black gems in the light of fire.
"If they weren't dead by now I would kill them myself." - Zoë reassured her as she saw Aurelia's look.
"After I heard him say that you had killed I knew I had to talk to you about it. Especially after hearing your comment about the mortals' potential to be worse monsters than monsters themselves." - Zoë said to her. - "You don't have to worry, being part of the Hunt means being part of a family. We look out for each other. As soon as Artemis accepted you into our ranks you were above all suspicion."
Aurelia spoiled not having taken her eyes from Zoë, and saw that as her chance to help her fellow Hunter in return. - "Last night you said you didn't want to talk about it but what do you know of the Titan's curse? What do you know that we don't?" - Aurelia asked. - "You can trust me you know as a member of the same quest and as a member of the same family."
"Maybe I will in the near future." - Zoë sighed, before continuing. - "But for now let's go to Bianca the last thing I saw when I left her was the satyr trying to impress her with his music."
"Oh and when we talk about me we may also talk about you and what the lion said to you, I didn't hear much beside what I told you." - Zoë finished, with that done both girls gracefully exited the black car and marched towards the Lexus the other Hunter occupied.
...
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