Chapter 13: Cleveland
Rorik POV
A little before noon on the outskirts of Cleveland and Rorik had come to a conclusion. Hiking sucked. Who would make a sport out of aimlessly wandering up mountains and across plains ? It was nice to be out on the road again though, getting to see sights. Ale had hot wired a car the day before but it had run out of gas, and the mortal money they did have would be needed to buy food. Now they were camped out in a forest just southeast of the city. They only had enough food for lunch so they would need to head in and check out a grocery store.
Erin dropped gracefully down from her perch at the top of a large oak tree. "We should get moving, and we're low on supplies. I'm think I'm gonna head into town to get some more supplies. You guys stay here and pack up camp. We'll meet up halfway. Sound okay ?"
To Rorik the idea didn't sound okay. The idea of Erin going off alone made him nervous. " That's fine. As long as Ale goes with you. I'll stay here and pack up camp. "
"I'll be fine. It's not like I haven't been alone." She replied.
"Just take him. It's not like it's new to be either." The daughter of Apollo gave in, seeing that Rorik was determined.
"C'mon Ale. Let's get going."
_P-P-P-PAGEER BREAKER_
Rorik POV
Rorik stuffed the last of their equipment into Erin's bag which she had left him. They hadn't brought much, but it was too much to carry with out the bag. Each of them had brought a solo tent, a sleeping pad and a sleeping bag. There were also assorted bits and pieces, like a some scrap metal that Ale had brought and Erin's fletching kit. Rorik hadn't brought much. Just his camping gear, his weapons and a short little utility knife so that he didn't have to use his swords all the time.
He heard a stick break behind a cluster of bushes. From behind the bushes came two massive tan bull-mastiffs followed by a stunning women. The dogs gave him a quick sniff then started growling.
"I'm so sorry. They not usually like this." The lady said. One of the mastiffs walked over. The women kneeled down and the dog seeming whispered something into her ear. "Oh. Really my precious ?" She turned towards Rorik, glaring at him. "In that case I'm not sorry. Now, it is time for you to die." The air around the women and her dogs began to shimmer. In unison all three of their appearance changed. The dogs morphed into hellhounds. The women's eyes turned blood red and her legs turned to those of a goat.
'Great. Two hellhounds and an Empousa'. He thought. Rorik tapped his rings and his new bronze swords appeared in his hands.
"Foolish demigod. You may have two swords, but still we still outnumber you. Layla, Chuck, kill him !" The hellhounds, apparently named Layla and Chuck, charged with alarming speed for creatures of such a size. Chuck alone must have weighed at least 160 pounds. Layla pounced but Rorik rolled out of the way. Chuck lashed out with his claws and nearly landed a hit. Now Layla had come around of Rorik.
The empousa laughed. "They said that you would at least pose a slight challenge. I guess they were wrong. Finish him." Both hounds started charging. ' very quickly… GOT IT !' Rorik remembered something he had read in the book that Chiron had given him. The book referred to it as "Animal allegiance". Rorik just hoped that it would work on monsters that resembled animals.
"RAAN MIR TAH !" He shouted. There was a flash of gold. Rorik turned to look at the hellhounds. They were lying on the ground pawing at their heads and howling in pain, as if they were trying to resist the magic. Quickly he Rorik finished them. Decapitating Chuck and stabbing Layla through the heart. Both of them quickly turned into golden dust.
"NO ! You have angered me filthy demigod ! Now you shall suffer !"
Rorik felt more confident now. "You talk a lot. Now how about you just come and fight me." The monster charged, teeth bared. She jumped at Rorik, attempting to land a blow from above. But Rorik just dropped to one knee and shouted.
"FUS RO DAH !" The empousa sailed a good 35 feet back through the air before slamming into a tree with a loud 'CRACK'. It tried to stand but Rorik could see even from where he was that the empousa's back had been broken in two. Before Rorik could even finish it off, it's eyes rolled back in it's head and the body turned to golden dust. "Gods these shouts are great"
There were sirens down the path and they sounded like they were getting closer. 'Shit, guess the mist doesn't hide shouts' Rorik ran back to where he had left the bag sprinted away into the forest.
Hey guys. I am so so so so so so so sorry that it has been so long without an update. i've kinda been on vacation in Greece so I've been a little busy with school work, sightseeing and being tired afterwards. But I promise, I'm back on schedule. So, please leave a review, like and or follow. If you have any ideas, opinions, constructive criticism or even an OC that you want to be included just leave it in a review or even PM me. Thanks guys.