"And here are your arrows, some are spelled like we planned." Charlie started, showing the arrows to Rowan. "This one has your freezing potion, this one has that screaming spell, and this one sparks into flames. I only got these three sets done, most of my siblings re still uncomfortable doing anything for you. Sadly enough."
Rowan just sighed. "It's all good. I don't mind, people are going to judge regardless of what I do. Being Hera's champion only seems to have aggravated people, your siblings especially. I mean look at what she did to your father. I can't judge their judgement."
They both sighed at that. "Well, be safe, and kick ass... okay?" Charlie asked, softer than his bulky frame would have made Rowan guess he was capable of.
"I will try." he hugged Charlie, and pulled back smiling. "Give my love to Castor and Pollux."
"Will do. I kind of have to see them for more herbs for your spelled arrows, anyway."
Satisfied, Rowan moved out and away, ready and armed for the mission ahead. Within an hour he was taking an Amtrak to Buffalo, and later a bus to Jamestown. It took hours and hours to get there, he ended up sleeping for a bit with an alarm spell set just to make sure he did not miss his stop. When it was time, he left the Bus and immediately sensed the presence of not only a potent demigod, one that felt a lot like Percy, but also monsters. They were not super close, but their taint filled the air with power. Without hesitating, he shot off in the direction he felt them, not even needing a spell.
It took about five minutes to find them, the girl was fighting with a baseball bat and Gleeson Hedge was using a club. They were fighting four Empousai, each snickering at the attempts. "Now, now, is that any way to treat ladies?"
Quickly, Rowan armed his bow and shot off a freezing spell arrow, pinning the talking Empousai in the back, making her shriek as the magic rippled around her, creating a path of ice around her torso before she collapsed, smashing into a million pieces. They turned to face him, good and bad guys, before another got shot in the face with a fire arrow that exploded her into dust.
"OUR SISTERS!" They shot at him, armed with claws, not realizing that he was prepared for this. Ducking underneath their strikes, he shot out with a good old one two punch, disorienting them. They stumbled back before he pulled out his blade and stabbed the first and sliced through the other's neck. They died instantly and he was pleased.
"I am getting better at that." Turning to the survivors, he saw them gaping. " What, I train hard! Now let's get going, before they get back up." They both nodded and hurried after him. "Gleeson, Alex, you hurt?" He asked.
Alex, a pretty red haired girl with a powerful frame, nodded. "They bit me. I thought they were just pretty girls looking to fool around, but they were frigging vampires."
He laughed. "More or less, Empousai are created by Hecate to be part animal, ghost, machine and person. They were ... complicated. We need to hurry, I pissed off whoever sent them, and that is not a good thing."
He would have said more but an arrow shot through his shoulder, he screamed in utter agony, turning to see a stunning girl with black eyes and hair dressed in Silver glaring at him. She was backed by a dozen or so girls of similar dress, each glaring pointlessly at him, armed with bows and sexist rage. "We will take things from here, Mortal male."
Glaring, after realizing the Gleeson had been knocked out by an glove arrow to the head, he turned fully. "Why attack me, you stupid bitch, I did nothing but save the girl." He panted, the pain was intense but he was sure the wound was not fatal or close to it.
She sneered. "Mortals males like thee have no business in our world, you are-"
"Champion of Hera." He said, just in time for a white aura to erupt around his body. They, the girls, stepped back and he saw fear enter their eyes. Good, they deserved it. Punishment he hoped would come soon. "That's right, be afraid..." He panted more, trying not to groan. "Alex, these are the Hunters of Artemis, they are a crazed bunch of sexist nutjobs that serve Artemis. They are likely here so you can join them. You get powers and immortality by joining them, I can't stop you but you can join them."
She froze, the new girl, but a smile crossed her face. "Immortality?"
"Yes, real immortality, bar death in battle and abandoning your oath."
She beamed. "Then I choose to join, maybe I can make them less sexist." She turned to them and glared with enough force to startle the Hunters. "I will join, but you will heal him. He saved me, and I will not have a friend harmed."
The leader, stunned, shook her head. "We cannot-"
"Do it Zoe." They turned and saw a goddess,a truly powerful being so great it made Dionysius look like nothing. She was taller than her hunters, and stronger, with a luminous aura of power. Her hair was auburn and she oozed beauty.
"Alex, meet Lady Artemis." Rowan said, annoyed. "Now, can I get healed before my injury becomes everlasting?"
Artemis actually turned to him, sighing. "I am sorry, Champion of Hera, they are a bit... trigger happy. As it my duty, I will repay you and your Patron... " She turned to her daughters. "You are all lucky, My stepmother has the right to punish you in many terrible ways. I warned you of her newest champion, you must be careful. You cannot treat him like just any male. Besides, he has my respect, at least a little."
That stunned Rowan. "Huh?"
She turned back. "I respect earning power, you have earned and become a powerful witch and warrior. You defeated four Empousai fast, That is no easy feat. I also saw your archery, very impressive. Now, follow us to our camp."
Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.
This was a joy to write.
Love, your Ninja Overlord,
Mika.