And that what happened." Prometheus finished. Kratos processed the information he was given.
Hestia.
Kratos remember that day after he killed Zeus he saw her, and he let her live.
She stole his vengeance, after everything he been through, all the hardships, all the suffering. She ruined everything.
He decided then and there if he must kill the Gods again, Hestia was one of his top priorities.
"Kratos?"
Kratos didn't say anything he focuses on climbing up the mountainside. The wind became furious, icy gale washed over Kratos and Prometheus.
"Kratos, what happened to you? Where did you go?" Prometheus asked, he held on tight to Kratos as the wind try to knock them off.
Hanging on the mountainside Kratos told Prometheus all he knew. His cycle of death and rebirth.
"I can't believe it. How many lives have lived?" Prometheus asked. The titan looks around cautiously for any oncoming attacks.
"Eight I'm aware of, but every day it seems as new memory appears to remind me of a different existence I have lived." Kratos continues to climb the ever frozen cliff.
"Hang on."
Kratos threw them on the next cliff and climbed.
"What was that stole the Torch?" Kratos climb the edge and Prometheus hop off him. He was still looking around for any oncoming attacks.
"The eagles, the ones that tortured me for so long. When I was reborn I try to reclaim my Torch, but Zeus was still holding a grudge against and command his eagles to hunt me down and steal the torch." Prometheus leg finally healed.
"I been playing a long game of tag with those birds, I get the Torch, they steal it, I take it back."
Kratos raised his hand then pointed to a small cave. A large shadow flew over them and they took cover.
"Dammit, I hate birds!" Prometheus carefully looks out the cave. "I can sense it, it's far but not too far."
Kratos pulled out the Stallion and slowly emerged, the shadow flew over him. Out of the clouds above, an eagle the size of a small plane flew out with it talon ready.
CAW!
Twenty in Kratos fired two shots and got it right its chest and left-wing. The eagle crashed and slid through the snow.
It was still alive, violently thrashing to fly again. Kratos walk up to it and shot it through the eyes.
Prometheus peered out the cave, "Is it dead?"
Kratos looked over the eagle, "Do they attack you after they steal your Torch?"
Prometheus came out of the cave and look at the dead eagle. "No, once they got it they always fly away."
Prometheus pulls out a stick and began poking the body.
Kratos knew what this meant. "We are near the nest, how big are the flocks?"
"Convocation." Prometheus, "A flock of eagles is a convocation." The titan felt Kratos stare go through him.
"Sorry, but I study the behavior of birds to track them." Prometheus said, "But to answer your question, a least three at most twelve."
Kratos notice the light was growing dim. "Not much time till nightfall, are the eagles active at night?"
"Thankfully not, but their eyesight is as keen in the dark as it is in the day." Prometheus turn west, "This way."
They travel for an hour, the mountains in front of them were covered with giant nests and eagle droppings. Over three dozen eagles circle their mountain.
"You said a dozen." Kratos kneeling behind a boulder. Prometheus did the same. "Looks like their family been growing. The good news is that my Torch is on that mountain."
Kratos began to strategize, the eagles may fly off with the Torch if they're spotted. Most likely the Torch is on the top of the mountain with the head of the convocation.
"We wait for night and carefully make our way up." Kratos lean back against his boulder.
Prometheus did the same. "Well, we got two and half hours till nightfall, wanna talk?"
"No."
"You sure."
"Yes."
For the next two hours, they sat in slice observing the eagles, one by one they went back to their nest with only a few left still circling.
"Ok, only three left, I give another hour or so," Prometheus said, he looked over to Kratos who had his eyes closed.
"What your plan Kratos, the one for the Olympians, is it going be slaughtered them all and anyone who gets in your way or?"
Kratos slowly opens his eyes and looks back at Prometheus, his amber eye glowed.
"I will attempt to end this peacefully if possible, but I will do what I need to." Kratos words were as honest as they were cold.
Prometheus was absolutely aware of what Kratos was capable of. He was also aware of what happens when a God dies.
"Prometheus, what are your Torch abilities?" Kratos suddenly asked.
Prometheus knew Kratos would ask him this, they were a reason we the God of War would want it.
"First of all it can't be used as a weapon," the titan said,
"Everything can be a weapon," Kratos said.
"Well, not my Torch, remember when you shot me?"
"Yes, you use to heal yourself." Kratos looked at the mountain, only one eagle left flying.
"My Torch was lit in the Western Flame, it has the power of western civilization as well. It can heal, guide, inspire, give hope, and cook food. But hurting or destroy it can not do." Prometheus watched as the final Eagle went to its nest.
"Alright, the last one-stop flying, what now?" Prometheus eager to get his Torch and far away from those birds as possible
"We wait, make sure they're asleep," Kratos said, he knew this was going to be difficult. If he went up there himself it is much faster, but Prometheus knew these eagles better than anyone else.
"Any idea how to get past the eagles?" Kratos said. Prometheus smiled, "Brother, do I know away,"
Kratos stared at him.
"Kratos you haven't used your full power yet have you, you fear if you do that the Olympians will find you." Prometheus said, "Lucky for you I made a spell that will completely hide your essence to the point where you will enter the domains of the gods without any trouble."
He was right about Kratos not using his full power, he's been holding back. He figures learning to control the Mist would help, but if Prometheus has a better way.
The Titan and God waited for thirty minutes watching the mountain for any more signs of activity.
"I say now is our best option, will your spell hide us from the eagles as well?" Kratos said. Prometheus was still looking at the mountain.
"Yeah, it will, but it doesn't make us invisible or inaudible, we still need to move carefully." Prometheus prepared himself. He began a silent chant his eye glowing light orange, his body was cover in an intangible orange film that soon disappeared.
Kratos try focusing on Prometheus aura. Nothing, it was like wasn't there at all.
"Ok, the spell can last for a day so there no rush, now slightly active your aura and I will cast the spell."
Kratos nodded and a low red glow emerged from his body. Prometheus started his silent chant again. A red film covers Kratos' body. It felt he was being insulated body and soul.
"Right, how do you feel?" Prometheus asked. Kratos look his hands and closed them.
"Alright."
Kratos pulls out his spare knife and handed it to Prometheus.
"Just in case."
Prometheus nodded and took it. They then started their journey up. For three hours they carefully made their way up. They move slower when they got closer to the nest.
With their back to the mountainside, they carefully move past a nest with two crop-duster size eagles sleeps. One eagle eye slowly opens. Kratos and Prometheus quickly grabbed feathers near them and hid. The eagle close its eyes and went back to sleep.
It got more difficult with snow and ice, but they managed. Finally, they reached the top. Well close to it. Something was above them.
"The Alpha Nest," Prometheus whispered. Kratos leap up and grab the bottom of the nest and began swinging like Tarzan. Prometheus jump up and followed.
Climbing over the edge of the nest the two finally got an understanding of how big it was.
"Damn!" Prometheus whispered.
"Mmm." Kratos agreed.
The nest was big as Michigan Stadium, with hundreds of thousands of trees, buildings, telephone poles, and trains.
Not to mention the countless bones. Elephants, giraffes, whales, dragons, and other eagles.
Kratos looked around, "No sign of the Alpha."
Prometheus made his way down, "Good, that bastard the one that ate my liver."
"Can you sense the Torch?" Kratos said picking up a minotaur skull.
Prometheus closed his eye and focused.
"Yeah, it this way."
Kratos felt off about something, this was all too big, even if the Alpha the largest, this seem too big. Then something white caught his eye.
"Kratos?" Prometheus realized that the GOW stopped following him. Kratos was digging through a pile of trees.
Kratos grabbed hold of what he found and pulled. Prometheus stood as Kratos pull out a thirty-foot-long white feather.
Kratos stood up the feather next to him. Reminded him of a parasail.
"That's not an eagle feather," Prometheus was horrified, "That's a Roc Feather."
The Eagles of Zeus or simply the Eagles are the second-largest avians in the Greek Pantheon, the largest are Rocs.
So big that they pick a whale out of the sea or an elephant in each talon foot.
Kratos turns to Prometheus, "We need to find your Torch now."
Prometheus immediately dashes off and Kratos followed behind him.
They leap over every obstacle in there until they came up to an interesting site.
In the center of the nest, giant eggs were nestled together, and near them the torch.
"Impressive, the Roc using my Torch to keep her eggs warm." Prometheus grabs his beloved Torch and hugs it. "My precious."
Kratos rubs his hand on one of the eggs, which was covered in small smooth bumps. Prometheus hung the Torch to his belt, despite the flame touching him neither he nor his clothes burn.
"Alright! We got my torch, now let get out of here before-"
RAAAAACCCC!
Every Eagle woke up and quickly flew out the mountains. They were to find food for their Alpha.
"Before the Roc comes back." Prometheus sighed, "Man I just the worst luck."
On the horizon, a giant figure with a five hundred wingspan came shoring toward the mountain.
Kratos and Prometheus hid among the eggs. Two blue whales were dump in the nest and the Roc land in its nest hard enough to shake the mountain.
The Roc didn't look like the giant brown Eagles, instead, its head and long neck had white feathers and its body was covered with gray feathers. It also had black feathers over its eyes that look like a pair of sinister eyebrows.
The Roc got close to her eggs and carefully poke one of its eggs.
Kratos and Prometheus lay as still as possible. The Torch was left near the eggs.
'What do we do?' Prometheus mouthed to Kratos. "We wait.' He mouthed back.
Unfortunately, Roc decides to sit on top of her eggs and on top of the men who were hiding. The titanic bird soon fell asleep.
The God of War and The Titan of Trick carefully crawled out from under Bird of prey.
Prometheus carefully grabbed his Torch, and the two slowly move away from the snoring beast. They made it pretty far.
SNAP!
The sound echoes through the entire mountain range. They groaned and knew what was going to happen next. They did the clique of slowly turning around to find that, yes, the Roc was staring right at them.
They didn't care who stepped on that twig.
"It's never that easy is it." Prometheus groan. Kratos nodded in agreement and pulled out his sword. Despite the Roc immense size, its speed was nothing to mock.
Become Prometheus could react Kratos shoved him out of the Roc incoming attacking. The Roc snatch Kratos and threw him high in the air.
"Kratos!"
The Roc opens its beak and catches Kratos snapping its beak shut. The Roc turn to Prometheus was a smug look.
"Oh shit!" Prometheus began backing up. He could transform into his full height and go full kaiju, but that would break his cloaking spell and either the Olympians or Eagle will descend upon him.
The Roc stopped and suddenly began shrieking. Its head began to violently thrash and blood flew out of its beak.
Kratos flew out clutching his sword in one hand and the tip of the Roc tongue in the other. He rolled against the ground and stood up.
"Kratos!"
"I'll deal with the bird! You figure a way off this mountain!" Kratos yelled, he then dodges the Roc beak trying to bite him.
Prometheus began to think, he's calm under pressure. When you spend a few centuries being hung over a fire and have your liver ripped daily, you learn to keep your cool.
'We need to get off this Mountain now! We can't climb down so what do we do!?' Prometheus analysis his surrounding, "Let's see!" Trees, bones, old fishing boats, eggs... Eggs!
Prometheus got to work.
Kratos held on to the Roc eyelid and swung his sword down between the eyelid and eye. The Roc shrieked an ear-bleeding noise. Kratos pulled out his sword and stab through the protective third eyelid and straight into the pupil.
RAAACCCC!
Kratos was throw off. He pulled his Stallion and began firing, the bullet barely did anything, but it sure as hell annoyed it.
Kratos landed on his feet, The Roc flew up to gain distance.
"Kratos! Over here!" Kratos looks over to see during the time he was fighting the Roc Prometheus took one Rocs egg and turn it into a makeshift sled. He saw a pile of yolk and white.
The Roc seeing one of her eggs destroy let out an enraged shriek.
Prometheus managed to his egg sled to the side nest, Kratos hopped in and shove them off.
At first, they flew. Then they crash. At the bottom of the mountain in a shattered eggshell, they used as a sled.
Kratos and Prometheus bolted off to the more narrow areas to prevent the Roc from following.
"You think we're good!?" Prometheus said dashing like he was aiming for the gold medal.
RACCCC!
A giant shape flew over them. Prometheus mentally smacked himself for the jinx.
Kratos fired an entire magazine worth in the hope of some damage
RAAACCCC!
It was pissed. The Roc flew close to them at a vertical angle, using the edge of its wings to slice through the snow and frozen ground. The wings went past Kratos and Prometheus, the intense force sending flying straight into a canyon below.
Slamming onto the frozen ground, Kratos quickly got up, his eye began to glow with rage. Prometheus using his foresight began to rapidly think of the next move.
"It's coming back in ten seconds! You afraid of heights." Prometheus back up as far as he could on the canyon.
Kratos groaned knowing what the Titan was asking. Kratos stood in the center of the canyon, he held his sword at a horizontal stance and planted his feet to hold. Then the force of Roc wing crash into Kratos, his blades slice through feathers and into the wing, but not deep enough. The blade stuck into the wing and Kratos did not let go.
The Ghost felt tons of rock and ice slam against his back, then icy winds that felt like sharp knives wash over him. Kratos look down and saw the mountains below.
He pulled his sword free and began climbing up the wing. As he progressed he slashed at feathers. The Roc started spinning showing Kratos off. He managed to pull two feathers off using them as a glider.
The Roc turn back talons ready to slice through its attended prey. Kratos ready himself for the right moment. Just as the left talon foot closed in, Kratos left go of the feathers and embrace the attack. The talons caught and sliced his back.
Kratos freed himself from The Roc grip and climb up the leg. The Roc began spinning and thrashing itself to throw off Kratos again. It didn't feel anything.
The Roc went back for Prometheus and spotted the titan a few miles away.
Something then came flying straight into its eye. Kratos grabbed one long eyebrow like a feather and swung toward the right eye. He grabs hold of the third protective eyelid and forced it back leaving the pupil unprotected.
Kratos summoned his Stallion and plunge the gun through the pupil and into the eyeball. The Roc felt pain as Kratos began firing, hit the blood vessel and nerves.
RAAAACCCCC!!!
The Roc desperately tried to shake Kratos off as he continues to attack the eye. The titanic bird loses control and crashes headfirst into a mountain.
After watching the Roc crash, Prometheus ran straight to the crash site. He wanted to see if Kratos was alive, if he ran off and Kratos was alive, well Prometheus would rather have a hundred crash after than one angry Kratos.
Finally reaching the site the Roc laid still with its neck broken after the impact. That didn't stop Kratos as he was repeating smashing a boulder on the back of the Roc skull.
Arrrgh! With one more smash Kratos crack opens the skull. Prometheus just stood by and waited for The God of War to calm himself.
Kratos wiped the blood off his face and hope off the body.
"Wow that um something," Prometheus said, "how are you feeling buddy?"
Kratos look back at the body. "Better."
"Good, now let get out of here before-"
CAAAWWW!!
The Eagles were flying over the horizon toward their fallen Alpha.
Prometheus looked up to the heavens, "Why?"
Kratos groaned and reloaded The Stallion.
It's been two days since Kratos went into the labyrinth. Clark didn't leave the entrance site pacing back and forth.
"Sweetie?" Molly came in floating wearing her green robe. "It's been two days, you haven't slept a wink."
It's true when he lost Kratos signal Clark panicked. What if he thinks Clark set him up? Oh boy, having the Ghost of Sparta targeting you, sleep was impossible.
"I can't Carson went in there, and I need to be here," Clark said wiping off his brow.
Molly yawned, "Then I'm saying up with you, I prepared some coffee."
Even after having their coffee Molly fell asleep leaning against her husband. Clark was wide awake.
Then his eye began picking up a strange signal. He stood up immediately, waking up Molly,
"Wha-What going on?" She said rubbing her eyes.
"Molly get back something coming!" Clark pulled out his hammer. Several of his automaton came in ready to fight.
Molly stood up glowing, "No way, I will fight with you regardless of any threat!"
Molly was going to drive him crazy, luckily for him as he was already crazy in love with her.
"Alright then, everybody gets ready!"
Clark, Molly, and the automaton stood their ground and got ready for whatever was coming. They could hear multiple footsteps.
"Clark, stand down, I'm not in good mood."
Clark let out a sigh of relief, "Stand down everyone, he friendly...ish."
The automaton went into passive mode and Molly cancels her magic.
"Carson, would you like something to eat?"
"Yes, and may I use your shower?"
"Yes, you may."
Molly left to prepare Carson/Kratos food. From the shadow of the entrance Kratos came out, his clothes were ripped to shredded and he was pulling something behind him. He had a real pissed-off look on his face.
Clark had a question, but after seeing that Kratos was the severe head and feet of a Roc behind him, along with several bodies of giant eagles, Clark decided to ask later. He asked one question.
"Hey! Who the hell is that!?"
Prometheus came out wielding his torch. When Clark turned back, Kratos had left.
Prometheus held out his, "You must be Clark, Nice to meet you, I'm Prometheus."
Wait a minute, Prometheus!?.
Oh boy.
Prometheus explained everything to Clark, it was quite the story. After Kratos kills the Roc it eagle subordinates attacked and manages to steal the Torch again. For two days Kratos and Prometheus hunted and killed every eagle until they got the Torch back.
"That's some story," Clark said.
"Yeah, can you put the gun down now?" Prometheus asked with his hands up. Clark had his new Celestial Bronze Bull Barrel Revolver aim at the titan's chest.
"Let's just wait until Kratos gets back," Clark said.
"Put the gun down, he's an ally." Kratos came in dress in new clothes Molly left for him. A white t-shirt and black shorts.
"If you say so." Clark headed the Revolver to Kratos, "I call that the Steer, it's slower than the Stallion but it will put a hole in a giant."
Kratos examined the Steer "Impressive." It heavier than the Stallion, a hundred and twenty pounds. Its bull barrel was ten inches long. The handles have omega symbols on it black handle.
Kratos held his new gun to his belt and it went into his HammerSpace. Good, now he had one for speed and one for power.
"How your sword?" Clark asked nervously. Without saying a word Kratos summon his sword in his right hand. It was chipped and dulled, the blade was coated with blood and slightly bend. But Clark was happy that blade didn't break, repairing it would be easy.
Clark took it, "I'll have it repaired in two days. I'll use one the Roc talon to increase the sharpness."
Kratos nodded. He wanted to try out the Steer, he bet he could blow the head off a satyr.
Molly floated in, "Alright boys time for dinner."
Prometheus had a big smile, "Oh boy, it been a long time since I have a home cook meal!" He rushed out of the room.
Clark smelled the air, "She made pancakes, bacon, and eggs."
He and Kratos went to go join Prometheus.
"No!No! No!No!" Sally yelled as her bus drove off. She was only a minute late. Sally took out a bus schedule she kept in her purse. The next bus that would get her home was a few blocks away.
Sighing she began her way. Great, now Gabe going to bite her head off for being late. It was late and the neighborhood was not known for its hospitality at night.
Sally held on to her purse and sped walk. She just needs to get to the next bus stop, only three blocks away.
Then two men step out in front of her.
"Hey, mama where you going?" One of the men said.
"I just heading to a bus stop." She tried to move around then. They quickly block. "Hey, now it dangerous for a lady to put here, how about we escort you."
Sally step back. "No thank you, I'm fine."
"Yeah, you are fine now arent you." They look up and down her body. Sally quickly turn around and tried to leave only for her to run into a third man.
The next thing Sally knew she was shoved into an alley. Her body pushes against a wall the men cornering her.
"Please just let me go!" Sally begged. One of the men pulls out a knife. "Your purse now!" He order. She handed it over. They rummage through and dump its contents on the dirty alleyway.
"Dude, she only twenty bucks on her." One of them groaned. The one with the knife turns to Sally. "Well, then she'll have to pay another way." He grabbed her shirt and pull it up revealing her blue bra.
"No please don't!" Sally pleaded. The knife was pointed directly in her face.
"Shut up! Scream and I will cut you!" The man growled.
"You should leave her alone." A new voice warned. They look and saw a very large man with angry eyes came into the alley.
"Carson," Sally said. Carson analysis the situation. Sally quickly yanked her shirt back down. One of the men walks up to Carson, "Look buddy you better get out of here if you know what good for you."
"Mmm," Carson said. Then without hesitation grabbed the man and smash his face into a brick wall. Blood splatter against the wall and the man fell back, his nose was smashed in and his teeth knocked out.
"Holy fuck!" One of the men back off.
Sally gasped at the sight, she saw the look in Carson's eyes, no remorse. The man with the knife grabbed Sally and held the knife to her neck.
"Back off! Or I will slice her neck opened!" He yelled. Sally did her best to remain calm. Carson began to move closer. The man pressed the knife against Sally's skin, her heartbeat increased at the feeling of the cold sharp metal.
Carson's hand grabbed the man's arm and gripped the arm hard enough to drop the knife. Man screams in pain and lets Sally go. Carson struck his stomach and then strikes the jaw-breaking it.
The last man tried to escape but Carson grabbed a glass bottle off the ground and threw it straight at the back of the man's head knocking him out. Carson looks at Sally, she was shaking. "You alright?"
"They-they...they we're going to..." Tears ran down her face. Carson cups her chin and looks her in the eyes. "Your safe."
She wiped her tears away and nodded.
"Thank you, Carson."
The Police arrived and arrested Sally's attackers, but first, they were sent to the hospital. Two broken jaws, three fractured ribs, one broken radius and ulna, and three concussions.
After giving their statements, one officer drove Sally and Carson back to their apartment. The whole ride Sally held Carson's hand.
When they got back, Carson went into his apartment. When sally enters hers she was not greeted with a warm welcome.
"Where the hell have you been!" Gabe yelled, "Your an hour and a half late!"
Sally flinched at Gabe's harsh tone. If she was even a minute late he would go off on her.
"I'm sorry Gabe, I was mugged and Carson-"
"Carson!? Carson! Why the fuck were with Carson!?" Gabe demanded.
"Gabe it's not what you think, I-I missed my bus and then I was attacked and-and he just saved me." Sally tried to explain. But Gabe didn't believe her, he looks her up and down.
"Oh yeah you look like someone who has been attacked," Gabe said sarcastically, "You known what I think, your fucking him aren't you."
Sally gasped, "No Gabe I would never cheat on you!"
Gabe shook his head in anger, "After everything I did for you, allow you and that little bastard to live in my apartment, used my car, and spend my money and this is the thanks I get!"
Gabe corners her, trapping her against the wall. Sally's heart began to race, the last time he was this angry she didn't leave the apartment for two days because she couldn't hide all the bruises.
Gabe took off his belt, "You need to be taught a lesson." He grabbed her arm roughly and pull her close.
Sally tries to shield herself, "Gabe! Please!"
Right as Gabe was about to strike her.
POW!
Gabe fell limp to the ground, Carson grabbed the unconscious man by the back of their neck and lifted him.
"Maggot," Carson said. He grabbed Gabe by the jaw and was ready to snap his neck.
"No! Don't!" Sally grabbed Carson's arm.
Carson looks at her, "Why? He beats you." Carson gripped tight on Gabe causing him to make a weird choking noise.
Sally tried to pull his arm away but it was trying to move the arm of a statue.
"Please! I need him!" Sally said.
Carson could not believe the effort she was putting to save her abusive husband. Stockholm syndrome?
Carson groaned, "Why do you need him? Is it money?"
Sally was offended by that, "It not about money!"
"Sex?"
"NO!"
"Then why do you this maggot alive then?" Carson asked irritated at the woman's foolishness.
Sally sighed and dragged her hands through her hair. "Percy, he helps protect Percy."
Carson raised an eyebrow, "Him? He helps protect the boy."
"In a way, he does in a way, please Carson put him down." Sally gave her best puppy eyes. Strangely enough, it was working. Carson realized something, "Where is the boy?"
"Probably his room asleep." Sally went to go check and found he was not in there. "Percy? Percy!" Sally called out.
The hallway closet doorknob began to rattle. "Mommy? Mommy?"
Sally unlock the door and found Percy inside, "Mommy!" He held out his arms to pick up. Sally picked him up and held him tight, "oh my sweet precious baby, why we're you in the closet?"
"Smelly Gabe threw me in, I told him I was hungry and he got mad," Percy said.
Oh not again. Sally then heard the water running in the bathroom, she put Percy down.
In the bathroom, Gabe laid unconscious on the floor, Carson started running the shower water.
"Carson what are you doing?"
Carson turn to her, "Getting rid of Gabe, we'll tell the police he slips in the shower. I will get him a position, you call the police in three minutes."
Sally's jaw dropped, "NO! Carson, please don't kill my husband!"
Carson groaned and pinch the bridge of his nose, "he beats you and locks your son outside or in a closet, you two would be better off without him!"
Sally grabbed his hand with both of hers, "Carson, please, don't kill him, please!" She looks at him with her big blue eyes.
Percy came into the bathroom, "What happened to him?" He said pointing at Gabe.
Carson turned off the water, "He slipped and hit his head." He picks up Gabe and threw him over his shoulder.
"Where do you want him, Sally?"
Sally sigh in relief, "Just put in him his bed." Carson nodded and took Gabe to his bedroom.
Sally gave Percy a big smile, "What would like for dinner sweetie."
"Blue Butter Noodles!" Percy said with his hands pump up in the air.
"Alright, then Blue Butter Noodles it is."
"Can Mr.Carson eat with us?"
Sally stopped, "Ummm, I don't know,"
"I'll go ask him." Before Sally could stop him, Percy bolted off. Then they both came back in.
"If it's all right with you." He said. Carson did save her twice, the least she could do was offer him so much food.
Three plates of Blue Butter Noodles were set at the table. Percy had three servings. Sally then got Percy bathed and ready for bed.
She read him Thomas the Tank Engine and he was out like a light. Carson, for the whole time, sat silently at the table. He could hear Percy fall asleep by the sound of his heart rate. As for Gabe, he won't get up until noon tomorrow.
Sally quietly closed Percy's door and join Carson at the table. They sat in awkward silence, well for Sally it was awkward.
"I can get rid of Gabe for you. Make you he never hurts you or your boy again." Carson said.
Sally gulped, "What do you mean by "get rid of?" She knew what he meant, but she had to be sure.
"Kill men." He said it too casually, it unnerved Sally to hear someone say something like that.
"No."
Carson groaned, "You being ridiculous, having him well only cause you both pain."
"I know what I'm doing," Sally said beginning a little bit irritated.
"No, you don't," Carson said.
Now Sally was angry, "Yes I do! Who are you to try to come into my life and tell me how to run things!" She fumed.
"Because you clearly don't, your ignorance will only hurt the boy," Carson said calmly.
Sally stood up so fast that she knocked her chair over. She slammed both her hands on the table. "How dare you! Everything I do is to protect my son!"
"Yes letting your husband lock your son in a closet is good parenting." Carson mocked. Sally's face became red with anger.
"You don't know anything about me or my son, what do you know!" She said with angry tears.
"More than you."
Sally pointed to the door, "Get out! Get out right now!" She almost screamed. Carson groaned and got up.
"And I want my book back!"
"Sure, it was too dull for my liking."
The moment he was out the door Sally slammed it. Instead of going into her room, she went into Percy's room, got into bed with him, and held him.
"Mommy?" He sleepily. Percy was a heavy sleeper.
"Percy always remember that mommy loves you and will do anything for you." She sobbed. Every time she got so angry and upset she would hold her son.
Sally eventually falls asleep holding the most important person in her life.
Carson turn on the lamp in his den and sat down on his recliner. He groaned and put his face in his hands.
"What did I just do?"
"Yes did you do?" The Voice said.
"I just wanted to help."
"Oh yeah, you did a great job, but why do you even care? Shouldn't that woman and her son's troubles be beneath the concerns of The great Ghost of Sparta?"
Truth is, Carson, Kratos, whoever he was at that moment didn't know why he did care. He just didn't know.
For the rest of the night, he stayed awake trying to figure it out.
Winter eventually became spring. The ice and snow stopped and bleak trees and grass came back to life.
The flowers bloomed and birds began chirping.
For Kratos, he was glad to feel the warmth of spring.
To his surprise, Clark and Prometheus became fast friends. They began working on several projects together, one including creating a map that could properly guide one through the labyrinth.
Prometheus let Clark borrow his Torch to give the Cyclops a new idea in exchange for the titan to live in forge.
Molly was skeptical about having the titan live with them but eventually folded when Prometheus constantly compliment her cooking. Molly has low self-esteem, having Demeter as your mother will do that to you.
Prometheus even agreed to teach her new magic. The cloaking spell Prometheus knew only how to cast on himself and others. So he and Molly began working on making a new version for others to use.
Clark infused Kratos sword with Beak and Talons of The Roc greatly improving its sharpness.
He progresses as Kratos was great. But the progress of his mortal alter ego, Carson, was not doing so good.
Few the few weeks, Sally has been avoiding him. The moment she saw him she would quickly retreat into her apartment and run down the stairs.
Usually, someone being upset didn't bother him. But knowing she was mad at him didn't feel right.
"Kratos? Kratos? You awake buddy?" Kratos's attention returned as Clark waved his hand in Kratos's face.
"Sorry, I had something else on my mind. What were we discussing?"
The cyclops and titan shared a look of concern. "Yeah, we were discussing the possibility of you venturing into the labyrinth with the Tracking Map."
The Tracking Map was created to guide the labyrinth. Everything the labyrinth would change so would the map.
"Yeah," Kratos said. "Clark has you detected any more signals?"
"Yes, I getting a signal from New Orleans and another from Las Vegas, but I think we should hold off, the Gods have been more alert than usual, some rumors on Olympus," Clark said.
"Pointless gossip." Kratos went back to look at the note he was given.
Clark rubbed the back of his neck, "Well the thing about this rumor is quite serious. The rumors are about one of the Big Three breaking an Oath of the River Styx."
Kratos look back at Clark with a serious look. "Continue."
Clark and Prometheus both explain the Oath that Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades hooked, no more half-blood children.
Kratos laughed at that, actually laughed. Clark and Prometheus freak out, they both believe that Kratos was incapable of smiling or laughing.
"It just funny to me, Zeus or Poseidon giving up sleeping with mortals." Kratos chuckled. His laugh was like gravel being poured
Prometheus and Clark laugh uneasily,
"Yes, let wait until the Gods become less active. Prometheus your foresight."
"Yeah." Prometheus closed his and let his power get work. "Oh, boy that not good." Prometheus opens his eyes. "Something about happening and get the Olympians workup, they won't calm down for a long time."
Kratos nodded, "Then we will be cautious and move carefully, let see what happens and plan."
Clark and Prometheus agreed and the three went back to discussing their plans.
Kratos didn't like using his Carson persona, he felt restricted.
As Carson he went to Sally's apartment and knock on her door, unfortunately for him, Gabe answered. "The fuck you want?"
Carson stared at the ugly little man. "I just to talk to Sally."
"Too bad she ain't here." Gabe tries to slam the door but Carson stops him and shoves him back. Gabe fell back on his fat ass. Carson closed the door behind him.
"You can't do this to me!" Gabe complained. He tries to get up but Carson planted his foot on Gabe's chest pinning him down.
"Where is she?" Carson demand.
Gabe began sweating making his odor worst. "She went on vacation with that little retard of hers." Carson applied a little more pressure
"Where?"
"Long Island Montauk!' Gabe choked out.
"When will they be back?"
"Next week!"
Carson lifted his foot off Gabe who got up coughing. "I gonna sue you for all your worth! You hear me asshole!"
Carson used the most to wipe Gabe's mind erasing the past few minutes.
"What? Hey! What the hell are you doing in my apartment!"
Carson then struck Gabe knocking him out.
He left Gabe unconscious on the floor and went into his apartment.
When he closed his door behind Carson notice he stepped on something. An envelope.
He opens it and reads.
-Carson
I'm sorry what happened that night. You were voicing your concern and I appreciate that. I'm still mad about you telling me that I don't what I'm doing on raising my son. But I don't want us to be on bad terms. Percy likes you a lot and the truth is I like you as well.
So if you like, we can get together and talk.
Love Sally Jackson.
P.S. Percy and I are vacationing on Long Island Montauk. Won't be back on till next Sunday.
Carson felt relief. Good, she didn't hate him.
When she gets back they will figure things out. Maybe he should tell her who he is, who he really is.
"Do you think she will accept a monster like you?" The voice laughed.
He ignored it.
He just wanted to help. Make sure the boy would be set on the right path.
He folds the letter and puts it in a drawer.
It was a Jackson Family tradition to stay a week at Montauk. Sally's grandparents Ethan and Mary Jackson took their sons, James, and Rich Jackson, to Montauk beach since they were babies.
James and his wife Estelle took Sally to the beach since she was a baby, after her unfortunate passing Rich started taking her.
Now as a parent herself, Sally brought Percy to the beach once a year.
The same cabin was always rented. Cabin twenty-one.
"Alright, Percy we're here!" Sally said pulling up to the cabin.
"YAY!" Percy began bouncing up and down in the back seat.
Finally, after a long year, Sally and Percy got some time together. No work, no school, no Gabe. Just the two of them, the beach, and that wonderful donut shop in the small town nearby.
Sally borrow Gabe prized seventy-eight Camaro and carefully parked it. She had to be careful with it.
'Not one scratch.'
Sally step out and stretch breathing in the fresh air. She could smell the sea.
Percy unbuckle himself and ran out of the car. "We're here! We're here!" He cheered and jump around.
Sally felt so happy seeing her baby so full of joy.
"Mommy, can we go swimming now?"
"Not yet Percy first we need to get unpack and then we can go swimming."
"Ok," Percy went back to the car and grabbed his Pokemon backpack that he stuff with his favorite toys.
As they settle in a truck pulls up to the cabin. A man in Montauk park ranger uniform set out the truck.
"Ranger Greg!" Sally ran up and hug the man.
"It good to see you, Sally," The Ranger said hugging her back. Sally has known Greg since she was a little girl. He was well into his sixties and work for Long Island Park Association for over forty years.
"How have you been Greg?" Sally asked.
"I'm good, is Percy here? I got something for him."
As he said that Percy came out in his blue truck holding a Finding Nemo boogie board.
"Ranger Greg!" Percy ran up to Ranger who kelt down.
"Percy you are getting so big, hey remember when I show you my badge and you wanted one?"
Percy nodded, "Yeah! Yeah!"
"Well I got something special for you," Ranger Greg reached into his back pocket and pull out toy badge label Junior Ranger.
"Percy Jackson you are now Long Island Junior Ranger!" He had the badge to Percy who was smiling as wide as possible.
"I'm a Junior Ranger!" Percy shows his mom his new badge, "Mommy look!"
Sally giggled, "Yes you are sweetie, now go put your badge in your bag so you don't lose it at the beach."
Percy did as his mother told.
"It funny, I keep expecting for your Uncle Rich to be here," Ranger Greg said.
Sally sighed, "I know,"
"Sally, I also need to also give you something," Greg went back to the truck and came back with two cans of bear mace.
"Bear mare?"
"Yeah, we had some incident with some animals lately, even a few attacks,"
Sally took the can look over them, "attacks? I have been coming over since I was little and I never heard of any attacks,"
Greg rubbed the back of his neck, "I know it strange, but nothing severe, The Park wants us to hand out cans of mace for protection, that or we have to send people home."
Home? Sally didn't want to go home, she and Percy have look forward to his vacation for the last few months.
Sally took one of the cans of mace and put it in her bag. "Ok well be careful."
Greg nodded and got into his truck.
"Ranger Greg, what animals are causing so much trouble?"
The ranger laughed, "It the strangest thing, goats."
"Goats?"
"Yup, we keep finding goat hair and hoof prints around the campsite and cabins," Greg said shaking his head.
"Their an emergency radio in your cabin, you can use it to call the ranger station or get a weather update."
They waved goodbye to each other and Sally watch as the truck drove off.
"Mommy! Beach! Beach!" Percy said becoming very impatient.
"Ok Percy ok, let me get change and we can go to the beach.
After changing into a two-piece blue bikini they finally made it to the beach.
While laughing and playing in the water they were being watched from the tree line.
"Check out the ass on her," said one creature.
"Oh boy, I wanna get a piece of her," another said licking his lips with a long tongue.
"You two calm down we need to get things ready for the boss," a third said.
His horizontal pupils went back to Sally and Percy,
"Come on Birch let us have a little fun,"
"No, plus you know the rule, the boss gets first dibs," Birch said. Then a wicked smile spread across his face reviling his filed down teeth.
"Don't worry we'll have fun with them later."
The creature disappeared into the wood leaving Sally and Percy alone.
They were completely unaware of the danger they were in.
END.