A/N: Hey guys Gryphon at you service here with another chapter coming your way! To the Guest that reviewed thanks for the kind words! Sorry for making you chuckle in a serious situation but I'm glad I got a laugh from ya! Hope you guys continue to enjoy and if anyone is wonderin there will be action coming up soon-ish! I don't wanna rush anything and make sure I get story line going properly. Otherwise you know the drill, have fun and try to review guys cause I don't mind putting in details but I need basis to go by. Like I said action should be coming up soon and if I get some more reviews I might even make it a bit gory for extra fun :)
You know what's up, I don't own PJO or HOO ( I wish I did T-T). I only own my plot and OC's. NOW ENJOY!
Chapter 6: Sarcastic Wolves & Mortified Immortals
Zeus jumped a solid 3 feet in the air and squeaked in a quite un-masculine manner. Normally this would have been a point of great amusement for the godly family however many of the other Olympians mimicked this reaction leaving no room for teasing. Artemis on the other hand was quite pissed.
"You can talk?!" She yelled. Noir gave her a wry smile.
"No, of course not. What could have possibly made you think that?"
His voice was just as liquid as his eyes and dripped with sarcasm. It echoed around the room more like it was coming from everywhere at once and held a light bass to it. It wasn't a booming voice but a welcomed vibrato. The hairs on her arm trembled in resonance to the pitch and she took in the flow of his voice. It was a playful warmth and trickled like water drops on crystals. Her rage was replaced with irritation and indignation, she cocked her hip and crossed her hands over her chest.
"And you didn't say anything before because?"
He scoffed, "Wasn't fully conscious, and I'm still not. I can only maintain this state of functioning for a short period of time. Just cause I'm not always vocal doesn't make me an idiot"
"Artemis what the hell is this beast?!" Zeus called in outrage, "It should not speak much less emanate such quiet power! I demand to know who or what you are mutt!"
Artemis flinched. 'Well that's torn it' she thought.
"BEAST! MUTT!" Noir called out in unbridled rage and offence, "Tell me oh wise king of Olympus, what makes you so much better than me? Surely not your loyalty, point of order your demi-god daughter within the Hunters, thank Chaos above she is kind soul unlike her father might I add. I know it cannot be in your humbleness, as you sit above everyone on this supposedly 'fair' council, do take note of my sarcasm. Please do forgive me if I fall over laughing should you claim benevolence as nigh smiting the one who has returned your bolt and saved both of your daughters, does not fit that bill. Not to mention Competence and Honor as was it not you who broke the Oath to not have any more children first out of your brothers; then not even stand for your punishment damning your daughter in the process? Even now you look down upon me as though the words I say are not true." Noir let out an annoyed huff. "Is the youngest always a spoiled brat…yeesh. Almost causes the end of the wold over a stolen teddie."
Noir let out a derisive snort. He shrunk back to ten feet, turned, and made to head towards the hearth.
"Might as well enjoy some properly civilized company while I'm here instead of bothering to help this wind filled buffoon, sitting on his high horse acting like the universe owes him…"
Noir's grumbling trailed off as he trotted back to the Hearth to lay down beside an astounded Hestia. The Olympians on the other hand seemed to find their bearings and Artemis, Apollo, Hermes, Poseidon, and Hephaestus of all people roared with laughter. Zeus on the other hand, had been turning progressively more red throughout Noir's tirade and finally snapped. Shooting to his feet he bellowed/spluttered.
"HO-HOW DARE YOU! I AM KING OF THE GODS AND I WILL NOT STAND FOR THIS DISRESPECT"
Noir tossed an amused look over his shoulder, "I believe you were sitting for that boss man"
More raucous laughter followed that statement and Zeus launched his Maser Bolt. Artemis quickly snapped out of her laughing fit with a look of horror.
"NOIR!" The bolt exploded and all they heard was a howl of pain.
Noir was staggering about smoking slightly, "Oh you have bested me, truly you power and attributes are more than I could hand-" He flopped on his side and started laughing completely unharmed. He rolled around with his tails flying every which way. "Oh by Chaos I'm sorry Artemis but I couldn't say it was a straight face!" He roared out more laughter as the Olympians looked on in surprise save Zeus who was still outraged.
"I mean that freaking TICKLED! Like big bad Zeus rolling up with his electric toothpick all, 'Prepare for a terrible hair day!'" He continued laughing and rolling around, tears streaming down his wolfish face. He finally devolved into chuckles after a minute and found his legs slowly rising to his feet.
"Artemis please tell me you got his face on camera, we can sell those photos for piles of drachma! Somebody see if you can imitate his face, I was too busy laughing, I missed it!"
The gods simply looked on incredulously. Sure it hadn't been a fully charged blast but it would have still stumbled a titan, so why was this wolf unharmed and laughing of all things? Artemis was worried at this point, the Masterbolt wasn't a joke but to Noir it was a weak punchline. She wasn't quite as apprehensive about him anymore but still that was more than enough to scare anyone with common sense.
Noir looked around puzzled, "What no one got pictures? Ugh! Weak sauce guys! Anyway if Zeusy-poo is done with his hissy fit can we move on to busine…"
Noir was interrupted by a charging Ares who swiped as his head.
"Oh for fu…"
He ducked beneath the swipe and took a step back. Then another as the horizontal follow up hit nothing but air. Ares shoulder charged forward hoping to catch the wolf off guard and get him to stumble. He connected with jaw rattling force…and stopped. Noir was looking down at him clearly unamused and unshaken.
"Oh Ow, the pain. It's unbearable, someone please put me out of my misery, I can't go on" Noir's voice was entirely flat and he rolled his eyes throughout the entire spiel, undisturbed as Ares swung again. He didn't even bother dodging as his bronze claymore connected with his neck…and shattered. Noir caught the broken blade with a tail and tossed it into the hearth. The same tail patted Ares on the head, "There there, sweetums. Go find a new toy while the adults talk"
The smirk was evident on his face and in his voice as he walked past a nonplussed and fuming Ares. As such Ares whirled and charged hands outstretched to apparently strangle the sassy wolf. He got within a centimeter of his tails and caught air once more. He wildly swung his head around trying to find the wolf that had disappeared and reappeared 8 feet above Ares head rolling rapidly in a somersault before descending while still rolling. Ares looked up and was hammered into the ground by 10, evidently, indestructible tails. The blow sent him face first into the throne room floor cratering it while Noir landed lightly on the now unconscious Ares' back.
"Annnnnnnnnd… He sticks the landing for the…wait…what's the word for 15 times in a row? Ugh, never mind the moments ruined. Now then can we move on beyond attempting to murder me? I do have news to share ya know."
The gods looked on in shock at the wolf that had just survived a direct blow from the Masterbolt, and now laid the War God low in a single blow. Artemis could feel a headache developing to migraine levels. She simply sat back in her throne and rubbed her temples. "Noir if I knew you were going to end up being this much of a headache in this short of an amount of time, I would have turned you into a scarf."
He grinned cheekily at her, "Love you too Moonbeam, just glad I made your day interesting." Artemis glared at him for the Moonbeam comment and sighed in defeat.
"I recommend we hear him out, I did bring him hear as he is not your typical wolf. I was going to bring up that I have no idea of his origin nor of precisely how much power he holds. I figured that it would be best to alert Uncle Poseidon, Uncle Hades, and Zeus to his presence as it may herald the rising of more like him."
After Noir's short but astounding display of ability that revealed absolutely no perceived effort on his part, the Olympians were grim at the prospect of possibly facing more like him.
"She is entirely right. Hence why I said I cannot be conscious for too long. It may cause a ripple effect and my brethren could possibly awake as well. They won't be able to visit the surface for a while regardless but it would still be best if they stay asleep. Their power alone is enough to warp reality and they do not have the same restraint that I do, hence warning you now of this."
All eyes were on him as his voice was pure seriousness and all form of jest was thrown from his posture. His eyes were cold and hard holding none of their typical warmth and amusement. These were the eyes of a battle hardened king, one who stood in front of his soldiers as he led them to battle. Aeons of decimation briefly flickered in his eyes.
"Heed Artemis's warning, war is upon you and you cannot win without assistance and I am risking a great deal just by being here right now speaking with you. Do not take this encounter lightly and I would recommend you leave my host alone as he will still have access to a portion of my power and will likely help in my place. I can still answer a few more questions but I will have to reduce my presence further before anything can latch onto my temporary consciousness and use it to their advantage."
That being said his fur returned to its state of unadulterated black save for the bands beneath his eyes, and then burst into platinum flames. The heat washed over them like a wall. It was actually quite welcomed after the battle fiasco and cold attitudes being previously displayed. Once they died down and were absorbed back into Noir. She couldn't believe her eyes.
He was a pup! Tiny and slightly puffier and plushier looking, but it was Noir non-the-less. He was a meager foot long and a ¾ foot tall. He nodded in approval at his reduced stature and vanished. Everyone looked for him but that was interrupted by a squeal from Aphrodite as they all turned towards her. Noir was happily laying on the Love goddess's head with his tails fanned out like a crown on her head.
"Hmmmm… I like this one, welcoming and warm souled. Full of love. I think I'll keep her" He gave Aphrodite a lick and she smiled radiantly and squealed once again. Typically Artemis didn't like Aphrodite but he was still adorable in that form and it was an easy way to break the tension. Noir was caring and seemed to do best caring for others in need, which caused her to question his close presence to Aphrodite but that could wait. He looked about and took in the rest of the Olympians,
"You should make use of the time I have left, ask and you shall receive but within reason. I am far outside the Ancient Laws and plans of the Fates but my answering of such questions could very well cause you to doom yourselves by trying to prevent certain outcomes that may come to light. Proceed with caution Olympians and do not let this form fool you nor my whimsical attitude. The warm persona is only a single face that can be seen."
Athena looked towards a still anxious and annoyed Zeus. He nodded and let her take the lead, deciding they could do without any more embarrassment and conflict. They had no idea what the wolf was capable of and had no need to find out when he was offering aid. Athena leaned forward directing her attention to the tiny wolf perched above Aphrodite's forehead.
"Do we truly need the demi-gods' help?"
"Yes. With what is in store for you to fight, you will need them to defend Olympus whilst you are…indisposed per se. For that battle in particular focus on what is most important Olympians."
He shot a pointed look at Poseidon who did not seem to notice and another at a shadow just behind Apollo's throne. It seemed to darken as if recognizing the message.
Athena took in this into careful consideration, "I don't suppose you could name the threat could you?"
"That would be quite disadvantageous in the long run Child of Wisdom, we do not need pre-emptive panic or dread. You will need to think on your feet, but you should be fine."
She nodded solemnly, took the complement, and continued, "Has Kronos truly risen?" the room darkened slightly and the flames of the braziers fluttered in an invisible wind. The Olympians waited with baited breath as Noir met her gaze gravely.
"Yes, but do not despair he is not fully risen. The only way for that to happen is if you Olympians keep your children out of the war and attempt to deal with this matter yourselves. Know that the demi-gods are essential to your survival. Now I only have enough time to answer one last question, make it count Child of Wisdom"
Asking the question that had been plaguing the Olympians and mainly Artemis.
"Who, if not, what are you?"
Noir didn't respond immediately. He looked thoughtful and finally let out a dry laugh that seemed a little more dark than Artemis was used to.
"Truthfully child? I have no clue. I am but a proxy for something greater. The wolf, Noir as you call him, is a vessel for me as I am a vessel for something, someone, more. All I can say indefinitely is that I am. I have been conscious for, lived for, and existed for a period of time I cannot fully grasp with surety. The closest thing I can relate to is a force that even I am unaware of. I am without name but I suppose I am also Noir in a way. As for who I am a proxy for…I cannot say, for even I have never met him. Only 2 have, and one of them sits beside me. I envy you Artemis for having contact with him but I also dread that. If he has truly made contact, and with you specifically, then change will come. Good or bad cannot be determined quite yet and I have no idea what role you will play that he contacted you Artemis but I can guarantee that his arrival will be determined by you or someone near you. As it were I have already said too much. Farewell for now Olympians for this will not be the last time we meet. I will have more time to reveal a history that will prepare you for the worst. And should He truly awaken… even Chaos could not help you with what could follow."
Noir's eyes closed and the platinum bands beneath his eyes flaked off and vaporized in a shimmering trail. When they reopened the ancient intelligence was gone, and Noir looked down at Aphrodite wagging his tails happily. He jumped off and expanded to regular wolf size and curled up in her lap coaxing her to pet him. Her expression after his announcement was grim but she still obliged smiling softly as he rumbled appreciatively.
Zeus still scowled at the wolf but looked slightly apprehensive of the canine lazily lounging in the Love Goddess's lap. He looked towards Artemis a troubled expression on his face. "What did he mean you met him? Is there someone more, beyond him, more powerful?"
Artemis sighed, tiredness etched into every line of her face. "Call Morpheus, what I saw would take far too long to explain much less who or what I met. I can give you the dialogue but that was rather short and more meaning was held within what I saw there. Morpheus can show my dream where I met the Presence as I refer to him."
The Artemis met their gazes individually before coming back to Zeus. He nodded to Hermes who flashed out to find the god of dreams. She looked over at Noir who was now on his back having his belly rubbed and setting his leg running. Hermes popped flashed back in with Morpheus in tow. He looked bored but quizzical as to why the Olympians would need the presence of a minorgod at their council meeting. Still he bowed respectfully to the Olympians, "What is it that you need Milords and Ladies?"
Zeus acknowledged the bow and responded, "We seek to revisit one of Artemis's dream where a...presence of great importance visited her. We need you to allow us into the dreamscape."
Morpheus nodded 'As if I had a choice either way'. Instead of voicing this he simply said, "Of course, join hands and Artemis I need you directly in front of me so I can have proper contact." She scowled at the thought of contact with a male but was mollified as Morpheus continued, "I only need brief contact Milady and Hestia will need to stay here and guard our bodies as it will take significant concentration from myself and you all to enter the dream. I will open the gateway, Artemis you need to pull us to the dreamscape, and the rest will have to focus on keeping up with Artemis's mind without dragging her down. One way or another we all end up on the floor" He chuckled lightly at her slightly less severe frown, "I swear upon the Styx."
Thunder sealed the oath and she nodded and stepped off her throne towards him. Noir whined at being evicted from Aphrodite's lap but trotted over to Hestia and laid his head in her lap. Aphrodite shot him an apologetic look and took her hand and Athena's. Demeter took her left and Hera's right and they continued around until they completed the circle. Once it was done she nodded to Morpheus who reciprocated the gesture and raised grey glowing hands. They connected with her temples and the throne room fell away.
The gods were awestruck at the sight that laid before them. They stood together where Artemis had first met the Presence minus the desired individual.
"I see you have returned young one."
The voice she heard was not the same as the presence but unique in its own right. She understood it perfectly but the words were not spoken in Ancient Greek or in English or in any other language she had ever heard. It was if every pitch and tone were woven together and said in every language at once. It was not beautiful nor was it appalling, it simply was. Words needed to be said and so they were, no excess meaning put into them, and no evident emotion. It just was. She opened her eyes and turned while the rest of the gods followed her line of sight.
Zeus for the second time that day shrieked in fear. Most of the others backed up rapidly while Artemis just smiled, for in front of her was Cosmos looking quite amused. "You sound like you're disappointed" she replied with a smirk. The massive celestial snake, for his part, reared up and hissed out a hearty laugh. This time around Artemis had the chance to actually look at him. When she had sat on him it must have been the absolute end of his massive tail as he was 120 feet long. His huge spade shaped head towering over her and the rest of the trembling Olympians as heat and light flowed off of his scales. His body was no different than most snakes but his scales were what made him a true sight to see. They did not simply overlap, rather they were raised along his back and sides. There were a set of more sharply raised scales that got slowly longer as they moved up his head, they formed a set of curved horns as they came up over his eye ridges. They seemed to accomplish the same at the end of the tail except these scales were entirely flat and undulated as they roses and fell causing a sound like heavy water drops on metal. Each scale was outlined in void and radiated the heat of a star, which was expected as the rest of the scale roiled like the surface of the sun. He noticed everyone watching him and apparently needed to show off. Two massive wings stretched lazily out from his back achieving a full span of 150 feet. They were grand and what you would typically get in your average flesh and feather wings but they could still make your jaw drop. They feathers were the opposite of the scales, each framed with the roiling surface of a neutron star but containing a void of space speckled with stars creating a scene none of the gods could take standing. Explaining why Poseidon was currently sitting on his ass attempting to catch flies. Athena walked over, and closed his mouth with an audible click which brought everyone back to reality. Or surreality, cause this was a dream right? Ugh…dealing with higher powers is a pain. (She mentally winced at that though)
"Actually it is quite a surprise to see you again so soon, you can imagine I don't get too many visitors. However it seems it is not me you are here to see is it?"
She shook her head, "Honestly I was expecting to see the both of you again, I'm afraid I wasn't very talkative the last time"
"You were gaping like a fish out of water" he deadpanned
Artemis huffed, "Well if you were me in this situation what would you have done? Asked for a seat and a cup of tea?"
"Yes"
"Exact- wait what?"
"I do, actually, brew a choice cup of tea you know. I would even break out the specialty herbs since I haven't had this many guests in Aeons. If you're going to make a big pot of tea might as well make it a great one while you're at it."
Artemis was about to question how a giant celestial snake with no arms managed to make tea when she was interrupted by her father squeaking, I mean shrieking, I mean bursting into the middle of their conversation.
"WHAT IN CHAOS NAME IS GOING ON HERE, AND WHY ARE YOU HAVING A CASUAL CONVERSATION WITH A GIANT, WINGED, SIX EYED, GALAXY SNAKE?!"
He panted slightly after the small rant and realized he had made a severe miscalculation as said giant, winged, six eyed, galaxy snake looked right at him. Zeus seemed to regret his outburst immediately and interposed Ares between him and Cosmos. In lay man's terms, he hid behind him. Were it not for the fact that Cosmos was who he was this would have had her rolling around laughing like a maniac but considering this is the second time her family was meeting with ridiculously powerful animals she should probably cut them some slack. She realized he had a point though, typically it would just be a replay of her dream and conversation and possibly her thoughts and emotions (Thank gods that wasn't the case or she would be mortified) but instead here they were, deviating from the set course.
"He does have a point, this didn't happen in the dream Cosmos. I was simply supposed to be approached by you and then meet the Presence."
"The Presence? I suppose that's a fitting title in a way…Regardless of that he did say it himself young one. It is not quite time yet and it appears his proxy has already explained what needs to be known without giving away too much. He can be quite talkative at times. As you can see even though it should have been a replay of your dream from your perspective but instead a different event has transpired. There are things you simply cannot know and things that simply cannot be revealed yet. Be patient Olympians many things must occur before he can fully awake but I assure you it will happen. For now return to your duties and Artemis to your Hunt. There is still much to be done before this day comes to an end."
His wings flared out again and reality began to dissipate. Artemis bowed and turned to the Olympians only to spin back when Cosmos called her.
"Oh, and Artemis" He winked, "See you soon"
Everything went white.