Chapter 4

Every weapon has its tale

I will never forget this day in my entire life.

After convincing Ra to meet the Greek gods and demigods, I was thinking on what to do next. I was standing outside the border of Texas unknown about my next move when suddenly I saw something flying towards me. At first it looked like a bird then suddenly I realized that I was a five headed Hydra. I almost freaked out when it landed in front of me. I was about to charge and kill that beast when I suddenly remembered, "Wait a minute, a flying Hydra? Well just let me confirm my doubt." I removed my binoculars and zoomed on the Hydra's chest. Five minutes passed and then I saw the omega symbol on it.

It handed me a note which said:

I have convinced all of them to meet at Cairo. Tomorrow sharp at sunset. Don't be late.

You know who.

I took a fresh piece of paper and wrote:

Seriously buddy, didn't any better place than Cairo? But don't worry. I won't be late. And dude, please put a bigger omega sign because THAT THING IS LESS THAN A MICRON!.

I then gave the note to the Hydra and then it flew away. Well, I more job done. Now what? I was thinking about that when suddenly a woman appeared in front of me. She was a middle aged woman with brown hair and stormy grey eyes. I asked "Who are you?"

She answered "I am Athena, goddess of wisdom and war crafts."

I said "Goddess of wisdom and war craft? Wait a minute. Are you a Greek goddess?"

"Yes."

"Ok so may I know the reason of your visit er… Athena? Can I call you that?"

She answered "Yes, I met your friend. Omega I think. Anyways, he told me that we all have to meet the Egyptian gods, so I have a task for you which will prove that you are on the good side."

I said "Okay, what task is it anyways?"

She smiled and then answered "My children were carrying the Athena Parthenon to its original place which unfortunately I cannot tell you….."

"I don't even need to know." Then I realized that I was interrupting. "Sorry."

She continued "…..when they were attacked by Pallas. You know her right?"

"Let me guess. A very ugly giantess who wants to kick your ass?"

She answered "Hmmm, you do know about giants. Anyways, she is hiding inside Mt Vesuvius. Your job is simple. Kill Pallas, rescue my children and of course bring the Athena Parthenon to me. If you survive I will reward you. Only if."

I thought for a minute and then with confidence "Fine. Deal."

She said "Then you should get moving…magician."

After saying that, she vanished. Phew, gods! Now how the hell I am supposed to get inside a volcanic mountain? Well I think I have to think about that.

Great.

So, I think there is only one person in the whole world who can help me with this stuff. And that guy is Alok. I then opened a portal and transported myself to the place no one wants to be. The Sahara Desert. I know what you are thinking. Who is this Alok? Well he is just a guy whom I saved from getting drowned in a quicksand. So, technically he owes me. The portal transported me right in the middle of the Sahara Desert. There were fierce winds blowing. A normal person won't be able to see anything. But me being immortal can see every grain of sand moving. I began searching for Alok. I found him in a matter of minutes. He was wearing a huge scarf around his face.

I said "Well, well look who it is."

He said "Hey man how you're doing?"

"You know, just the usual. Listen Alok, I need some equipment. I have to break in Mt Vesuvius without being seen. You think you have something?"

He said "Let's see. Come in." I looked around. I can see nothing but sand. I asked "Come in what?" He removed a trigger and pressed a button. In a flash, there was a huge mansion standing in front of me.

I exclaimed "Wow."

He replied with proud "Yeah that is wow!"

He opened the door to a lavish mansion. The floor was pure marble, the wall beautifully colored and the furniture made of pure timber. He said "Sometimes I regret leaving behind all the people I love. But when I look at my 87 room mansion, I feel better."

I mocked "Alright. Enough praising. Back to work."

"Follow me."

We then climbed on a fleet of stairs when we reached a storeroom like thing. He opened the door, took a box and started searching. Then he removed a small rubber sphere. He said "This is The Icarus. When you will press the sphere, a force field is produced which so strong it can destroy everything in its path. And the best thing, it is fireproof."

I replied "That's what I've been looking for." I took the Icarus, opened a portal and said "See you later." After saying that I jumped into the portal back to Italy.

So there I was, on the top of Mt Vesuvius. It was extremely hot up there, perfect for a titan to hide. I pressed the Icarus and immediately a force field emerged out of it. It was surely handy. I then without thinking twice jumped in to the volcano. Alok was right. This thing is fireproof. When I came in contact with the lava I was able to feel the heat. After some time, I came into an opening of a cavern. I pressed the Icarus again to disable the force field and tossed it in to my pocket. I kept my wand at the ready because; you know you just cannot trust titans. And my guess was accurate. Suddenly, a ball of fire came at me with ferocious velocity. I swiftly moved and dodged the attack. Actually, it hit my wand.

I commanded "Coward! Show yourself!" But after that there was no response. So I moved on. After a long walk I found a huge cave hidden by a door. I kicked opened the door and shouted" Everybody be cool, this is a robbery!" But the people I found were not in a condition to applaud for my humorous comment because they were all tied up. Behind them was a statue of a lady. My instincts told me that that was the Athena Parthenon.

The legends were true. It truly was a magical beacon. I was able to feel powerful in its presence. I walked towards the statue when on top of me a cage fell trapping me. Finally Pallas came out. She was even uglier than I had thought. Her face was looking like someone has fired a blowtorch on her face. There were many things struck on her hair. She asked "Mortals. I hate them. By the way, how did that puny tickle stick didn't get destroyed when I shot a fireball at it?"

Ander roared my ears. I wanted to blast the cage, rip her chest and remove her heart. But a kept a cool head. You know I cannot control myself when I get angry. Even Omega avoids me when I get angry. I told "There are three things you need to know. First, I'm immortal. Second, IT IS NOT A PUNY TICKLE STICK, OKAY? It is a wand. Third, it is made out of pure adamantium. Now lady, to avoid collateral damage of your…..home, release the demigods and return the statue."

She laughed and said "Never! And don't worry. You won't be able to get out of here…kid." My temper was out of control. I said "If you call me a kid again I swear to god I'll….."

"Oh yeah, kid!"

I was only able to say one word :Mistake. Then I blasted the cage and charged. She removed her club and charged at me. The collision was so hard that Mt Vesuvius erupted. The whole cave started rumbling. There were many cracks developed and lava was leaking. I was thrown back by a huge force. Jeez, I underestimated her. She smacked her club but I evaded the attack and smacked her back on her face. Golden Ichor was flowing from her wound. She howled with pain. She started throwing fire balls at me. I dodged a few, but after sometime I was overrun by fireballs. Smoke spread all over the cave .After sometime, when the smoke was cleared, I was surprised that the fire except for burning some part of my clothes didn't harm me. Then thought struck my head like lightning. Wait a minute. Ra is my brother. If he can control fire then indirectly I can too. Well, let's try.

I pointed my hand towards the fire and closed my eyes and concentrated. Pallas shouted "Hey kid, that's all you've got?" She repeated the mistake again. I opened my eyes and it was red with anger. Fire was in my control now. I pointed my hand towards her and the fireball obeyed. She was standing steadily and then she said, "Huh, a normal fire attack like that won't harm me!" I replied" Who told you that this would be a normal fire attack? THIS WOULD BE A LETHAL FIRE ATTACK!" Immediately I pointed my wand towards the fireball and shouted 'Ha- di!' .A bolt came from my wand and hit the fire ball and stated hurling towards Pallas. It was like a fire Ha- di. It hit Pallas' chest and it exploded. I charged and struck my wand in her heart. Immediately, she turned into dust. I said "That's for calling me kid." I then ran towards the hostages and untied them. One of girl wore denim and had a blonde hair. She demanded "Who are you and who sent you?" I told her "Relax girl. I am a magician and your mother sent me." She was stunned.

"Athena sent you?"

"Yes, she sent me to whack her ass, rescue you and bring the Athena Parthenon back to her."

She asked "How are you going to do the third job because you just destroyed the statue."

I looked back and she was right. In our fight I didn't even notice that I have destroyed the statue. I pointed my hand towards the remains and commanded 'Hi- nem'. Immediately the statue was reformed. I looked at her and said "Happy? Now I can't carry a 20 foot state with me so I got an idea." I then concentrated on the area below the statue. Then 20 foot statue went inside an opening. I looked at her and answered "No need to be so shocked, I just put it inside my locker. And by the way are you all children of Athena?" Every look confused for a moment and nodded their heads. I said "Good. Now let's get out of here."

We reached out of the cave on a cliff next to a lake. Everyone was enjoying the fresh air. I looked at the horizon and shouted "Athena! I have completed the task you gave me. Now I need the results." Just seconds later Athena appeared in front of me. All her children bowed in respect. She smiled and said "Rise my children." She looked at me and said "Danny, you have really done an impressive job and I will reward you far this." She clapped and two umbrella like blades appeared in front of me. She said "These are Athenian Blades, forged on Olympus specially for you. You will need then for years to come" She then looked at the blonde girl and said "Annabeth, go with him to Cairo. I have a task which only you can handle. You will know what it is. And keep the Athena Parthenon with you. You will need it." After saying that, she disappeared.

I looked at them and said "Come on kids! We have a reunion to attend."