Kratos was in a peaceful state of mind, on top of a mountain, sun breaching through the clouds, fogs below him with smaller mountain tops barely emerging. It was nice, peaceful, quiet, and serene.
But in the real world a stampede was heading his way, Kratos and Sally bedroom door burst open, "IT'S THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!" Percy, eleven years old, announced and jumped on the bed, then the rest of the Jacksons jumped on. "Mom! Dad! Get up!" Anthony, age six, shaking his mom awake, Sally's eyes barely open "Huh?!"
A four year girl with pigtails grabbed Kratos arm and pulled, "Daddy! Daddy! Time to get up!" Estelle Jackson, Kratos and Sally's first daughter, had her father black hair and amber eyes. She greatly favors her father over her mother and would actively compete with Sally for Kratos' attention. Estelle loved being the center of attention and was taking ballet lessons.
A three year girl with blue eyes and curly brown hair tied into a top ponytail, Bella Jackson, crawled between her mom and dad, and began tugging on her father's ear. Bella grabbed Kratos top left eyelid and pulled it open, the moment Kratos pupil moved Bella let his eyelid go. Bella was quite shy and preferred to color and finger paint then socialized, Bella patted her tiny hands on Kratos bald head.
At the end of the bed two year old twin boys each grabbed the cover and pulled them off. Joseph and William Jackson, the youngest sons were hellraisers, they both had black hair, but Joseph had blue eyes and was the brains of the two, and William who had amber eyes acted as the muscles. The twins rushed to Sally's side of the bed, Joseph grabbed an arm and William grabbed a leg, the two began to pull their mother off the bed, "Aah!" Sally yelped as she landed on the floor, "I'm up."
At the other end of the room sitting up and cooing, four month old Fiona, grabbed the bars of her crib and happily squealed, at the sight of her older siblings. Kratos' eyes stared at the ceiling, and thought to himself, 'I have too many kids.' and he wouldn't have it any other way.
"I'm up." Kratos looked at the clock, six a.m. The only time the Jacksons children got up this early was the last day of school and Christmas day. Any other day Kratos and Sally literally had to pry the kids out of bed.
A lot of things have changed over the last four years, for one beside the growth of their family the Jacksons move out of New York to the countryside. Kratos bought several acres of land and had Clark the cyclops build a house big enough for his family.
Kratos went over to Fiona, who squealed with joy at the sight of her father, carefully, Kratos picked her up and followed his family to eat breakfast. Sally made pancakes, eggs, bacon, toast, ham, sausage, toaster strudel, hash browns, steak, waffles, biscuits and gravy, and muffins.
The Jacksons spent over two thousands dollars on groceries per week.
Percy was bouncing up and down as he scarfed his food. Today was the last day of school and he was so excited for summer vacation, and his dad promised him to teach him a new sword technique. For the past four years Kratos has been training Percy to be a warrior.
Armed, and unharmed, offensive and defensive, sword, spears, knives, axes, clubs, and firearms. The boy showed great potential, the only real criticism Kratos could actually give was Percy impulsiveness, strike first, strike hard, and ask questions later. The only other thing was that Percy was gods awful at archery, somehow training made him worse. Not even Orion wanted to train him because last the arrow Percy shot went up Orion uthera.
Percy's god-given abilities being the son of Poseidon appear every now and then. Kratos carefully worked his way to prevent Percy becoming aware of his heritage. As far as Percy was aware Kratos was his father.
"Percy, Anthony, Today your mother and I will be visiting your school to talk with your teachers." Kratos said, Percy nearly choked on his breakfast, he forced his food down. "Ummm, that's alright dad, the teachers don't need to talk, they just wanna go on vacation!"
"Boy, I found the letters from the school you hid." Kratos held off his coffee cup to the side so Sally could refill it. Percy gulped, "I can explain!" Kratos waved him off, "Don't worry, your teachers will explain everything." Percy stood up in his chair, "Those teachers are liars! I have an alibi and eyewitnesses! I will not have my good name besmirched!"
Sally refilled Kratos coffee, "Sweetie, you're not looking anymore innocent."
Line break.
The Jackson family's new home was located outside of New Haven, The Jackson was a lovely two stories plus basement and attic, surrounding porch and patio with plenty of space for the kids. The boys shared a room and the girls shared a room. Sally had her own reading and writing room, and Kratos had his own private study.
Below the House, below the basement, was a Labyrinth Gate in case of emergencies. Kratos also purchased the land surrounding his house, his land, his rules. Kratos was not going to allow any Gods, democrats, vegans, or diet soda on his property.
Sally and her three oldest children got into her blue Jaguar and waved good-bye to Kratos and youngest of the Jacksons children. Sally got her bachelors in Literature and now worked as an editor for Disney-Hyperion Publishing.
Percy, Anthony, and Estelle attended Red Wolf School System in The Town of Red Wolf. Percy, before attending Red Wolf, has been kicked out of six other schools for various 'Problematic Behavior'. Red Wolf had a 'Special Class' to help Percy with his ADHD and Dyslexia, but Percy was even pushing them to their limit.
Percy appeared to be your average eleven year old American boy, but thanks to his demigod heritage and Kratos' training, Percy had the strength of a polar bear, and was fast enough to leave afterimages. And yet Percy grades were subpar, yep the boy was a straight C Minus average.
Percy could disassemble and reassemble any firearm blindfolded, but he still had trouble with his multiplications. He knew how to made bombs from your average household applices, but he still had no idea what an adjective was. Percy was taught the various weak points of any creature, but say the word 'Science' and he would mentality shut down. The boy ain't right.
In the Labyrinth Gate area, Kratos carefully put Bella, Joseph and William into the stroller, and put Fiona into a baby carrier strapped to his chest. Fiona rested her tiny head against her father's massive pectoral and drifted off listening to his heart beat. Kratos selects the Hidden Forge.
"Joseph, stay in the stroller," The older twin responds by blowing a raspberry, causing Bella and William to laugh. Usually People, animals, or other beings naturally feared Kratos, his children on the other hand didn't. Williams pulled his left shoe off and chucked it straight at his father's head, Kratos effortlessly caught it and tucked the shoe in his pocket.
"Daddee, my cwayons!" Bella said, "Bella, there are crayons at the Forge," but Bella wasn't having it, "No! I want my cwayons!" the three year old demigod began fussing, the twins began acting up as well, it didn't take much for the twins to get restless. Kratos shut down the Labyrinth Gate, and quickly headed up the stairs to get Bella crayons. "Thank you Dadee," Bella said, Kratos knelt down and tapped his cheek, Bella stood up in the stroller and gave her father a kiss.
Finally after getting through The Gate they were greeted by a cyclops. "Hi Mister Kratos," Tyson said, despite being eleven years old, the young cyclops stood six foot one. Kratos greeted him, "Tyson,"
After Percy and Anthony were rescued, Percy told them how Tyson helped them. Clark and Molly adopted him after learning he was a homeless orphan. Tyson was really happy to have a new mom and dad, Molly was ecstatic to have her own child and took every opportunity to spoil her new son. Clark did have to stop her found bottlefeeding Tyson.
"Tyson, where are your parents," Kratos asked, Tyson pulled candy out his pockets and gave them to Bella, Joseph and William. "Mommy at work and Papa working in his private room."
"Where are Prometheus and Orion?"
"Uncle Pro and Orion went alien hunting in Marfa," Tyson said, Kratos slightly raised his left eyebrow by a centimeter, "Alien hunting?" Tyson nodded, "Yeah," Kratos groaned. They didn't have to worry about an alien invasion for at least another eighty years, the demon invasion how ever, those fuckers in hell have been too quite for too long.
"Let your father know that I am here, I will be waiting," Kratos pushed the stroller in the living area and unleashed his kids. Molly had bought tons of toys and playthings for Kratos' children, Joseph and William began building a fort out of foam blocks and Bella began coloring.
Kratos sat down holding Fiona, and turned on the T.V. and began watching the news. Civil unrest, clashing policies, the economy fluctuating, and other terrible news meant to raise stress levels. Fiona grabbed a handful of her father's beard and pulled, Kratos looked at his tiny daughter, "I will not let anything happen to you, any of you."
Clark entered and the twins attacked, Joseph on the left leg and William on the right, hitting with all their might, Clark played along and fell to the floor, "Have mercy! I surrender!" The Twins didn't let up continuing their assault. "Ow! Ow! Ok I Surren- OW! Kratos! Call them off!"
Kratos whistled, Joseph and William stopped hitting Clark and ran back to their foam block fortress. Clark got back up, "Dang it, those are your boys all right." Kratos looked at his youngest sons, who were staring at Clark waiting for the next opportunity to strike. They were definitely the most ferocious of his children.
"My arsenal." Kratos said as he adjusted his arm to keep Fiona's head up. "Come, I made improvements and made armor for the whole family," Kratos got up and headed out, his children following him like ducklings. "No." Kratos said and pointed back to the playroom, his children ignored his order and continued to follow their father. Kratos picked them up and placed them back in the playroom and shut the door. Bella, Joseph and William proceed to pound on the door and cry. Kratos gave in and let his kids follow him.
In another room, several mannequins stood in light hooded armor with elbow, knee, and shoulder pads, a flexible chest plate, and combat boots. "Armor model Delta, stab proof, weather proof, fireproof, and extreme impact resistance," Clark began. "The hood emits a protective mental barrier to protect against hypnosis and illusion, the boots are slip proof and emit no sound," Clark went over to a table with several gadgets, and a pick a visor and gasmask, "Special eye protect wear and mask prevent even the most powerful of toxins from getting into the eyes and lungs, and they store oxygen so the wear can survival with little to no oxygen for a single month before needing to be replaced."
Kratos examines the armor, one for Sally, and one for each one of his children, "What is the armor limit?"
"The Delta is meant for survival and slealth rather than combat, but I plan on making a combat edition, now twist the ring on the blue one finger," Kratos looked at the blue armor one left ring and twisted it, the armor disappeared. "The armor can be stored in a ring or watch, so it can be carried at all times." Clark then shows the Flashlight that beamed morning light, High Noon Sunlight Flash Grenades, Stymphalian bird feather throwing knives, and the Lotus-Eater tranquilizers.
"Now your armor, The Armor of Labors," Clark rolled a massive blue print, the design for the armor which resembles that of some futuristic space marine armor than any armor of the past.
"Good." Kratos said he liked the design, it was powerful, mobile, and intimidating.
"Until I get all the material needed I can't ever begin to work on it," Clark said, rolling up the blueprint. The materials needed were from the twelve Labors of Hercules, Kratos already obtained the Nemean Lion Skin, Erymanthian Boar tusks, and the Ceryneian hind.
Orion had gotten Kratos the Stymphalian Birds Feather, the Skull and horns of the Cretan Bull, the blood from Mares of Diomedes, and The Hydra blood and hide. Having the giant hunter around certainly made things easier for Kratos.
Kratos had also been training Orion to surpass his limits, along with Prometheus and Clark. Kratos would spar with them one vs three and always win. Kratos was making there were no loose ends. Everyone was training, Kratos even had Sally training, she would usually spar with Molly who also taught her magic such as Mist Manipulation, some healing spells, and the general basics or the arcane arts.
Kratos had taught his wife hand to hand, knife combat, and marksmanship. Plus the 'Special' training Kratos teached Sally had greatly increased her strength, stamina, and endurance to superhuman levels.
And when his children reach the age of seven is when Kratos will begin training his children. Kratos' phone then rang and he answered it, it was Sally, "Percy just ran a bulldozer through his school."
Line Break.
Percy was eating lunch, a turkey and swiss sandwich on the playground when the bulldozer pulled up, "Wow! Cool!" he scarfed down his lunch and ran towards the bulldozer to get a better look at it. Percy notices that a few dump trucks and excavators are pulling up as well.
"Hey Mister! Hey!" Percy called out to the bulldozer driver, a porty man wearing a yellow vest and hard. "Can I drive the bulldozer?" the driver chuckled, "Sorry sport, but you need to get a license first."
"What are you going to do?" The driver pointed to the old gymnasium, "We're gonna tear down the old gymnasium and put up a new one." Percy had stars in his eyes, "WOW!"
The lunch bell went off, Ring! And the teachers began calling the students, "Mr. Jackson, time to go back to class." Percy groaned and made his way back in, but not before taking another glance at the dozer. For the rest of school Percy could not stop thinking about it.
After school Percy and Anthony would wait for their mom and dad to pick them. The brothers were playing tetherball waiting, Anthony was winning but only because Percy wasn't paying attention. "Come on Percy," Anthony hit the ball and sent it flying toward Percy's head, "Huh?" Anthony caught the ball, "What got you so distracted, is it because Mom and Dad are gonna be mad for all the stuff you did?"
"What? Nah i'll be fine but you wanna see something really cool?" Anthony nodded and followed Percy to the construction site, "Wow a bulldozer!" Percy hopped on track to get a better look, "Um, I think you should get down," Anthony said. Percy waved him off, " I'm just looking," he then tried to open the door but found it locked. "Damn it." Hopping off Percy noticed the key on the ground, smiling mischievously, Percy grabbed the key and unlocked the dozer.
"Awesome!" Percy sat in the driver and put in the key starting the dozer up. Anthony was getting worried, he was aware of his brother's impulse control, "Ok Percy that enough! Please turn it off!" Percy ignored his brother and began messly mashing with all the buttons and levels. Then the bulldozer began moving, "Yeah! I'm driving the hell out of this big boy!" Percy yelled, Anthony's protests were silent over the noise of the bulldozer.
"Yeah! Yeah!" Percy sheared the multi tonne construction vehicle around, several construction workers came running up yelling at him to stop. "Ok! Ok! Geez!" Percy flipped a switch, but the bulldozer began speeding up, "What? Ok… this one!" Percy pulled a lever and the bulldozer blade rose up. Percy was heading for Mrs. Garrison math class. "Uh oh."
"THE BLACK LEVER! PULL THE BLACK LEVER!" one construction worker yelled out. Percy searched around and found it near the seat and pulled it. CRASH! And then the dozer finally stopped half through Math room.
"Percy-Percy jackson?" Percy saw Mrs. Garrison, who looked like your standard fifty something year math teacher, stared at him with eyes the size of dinner plates and her jaw on the floor. "Heh heh, hi Mrs. Garrison, are you ready for summer vacation?"
Line Break.
The Red Wolf School system expelled Percy. Though the nearby military school Red Wolf Academy of Disciple for Young Lads sent Percy parents an email stating that they would accept him. Percy would be attending in the fall. Anthony, Estella, Bella, Joseph, and William peered into the dining room where Mommy and Daddy were scolding him.
Sally was especially upset, because of this incident Sally had to leave an important meeting with an up and coming writer, Rick Riodiran, writer of the new Peter Johnson series.
"Percy, I just want to know why you would do such a thing? You could have gotten yourself or someone hurt or even killed!" his mom said, "Well? What do you have to say for yourself?" Percy shrugged his shoulders, "I dunno." He didn't look either of his parents in the eye. Kratos sat quietly at the head of the table. Kratos felt the veins in his head pulse, Percy was a constant source of his headaches.
"You don't know? You don't know." Sally continued, "Percy's recklessness is getting out of hand. No Tv, no video games, no guns, no swords, no weapons of any kind, and no cookies."
"But that is not fair!" Percy complained, "No cookies? What is this, communist England?"
"Boy, go to your room." Kratos pinched the bridge of his nose. Percy groaned and went to his room. "Children, go play." The rest of the Jackson kids went to their playroom. Sally rested her head against the table, "What are we going to do?" They tried everything, but Percy absorbed discipline like a sponge absorbs water. Plus because of his training he could complete any household chore in a matter of minutes so they were running out of punishments.
Later after dinner, Kratos went to take a bath. The master bedroom had its own private bathroom with a separate showder and bath, a double sink, a closet, and a smaller room where the toilet was. Kratos slipped into the bath and turned on the jets, a minutes later the master bath door burst open with Estelle, Bella, and the Twins charged in, stripped and jumped in the bath with their father.
"Daddy Daddy wash my hair!" Estelle said, holding her favorite Barbie strawberry shampoo. Kratos took the shampoo and began washing Estelle's hair. Then he washed Bella's hair, he tried to wash Joseph and William's hair, but they would not stop biting his hand.
After the bath, Kratos helped his kids into their pajamas, and got them ready for bed. Finally the God of War had some alone time. Escaping to study Kratos poured himself some Wilde Turkey and began contemplating Percy. "The boy ain't right." groaning, he poured another glass. Kratos needs Percy to learn that there are consequences to one action.
Time for a little tough love.
Line Break.
Percy covered his eyes as light shone right on his face. "Anthony, turn off the lights." rolling over Percy felt cold, "William, did you take my blanket again?" sitting up Percy saw trees instead of room. "What? How do I get here?" He noticed he was dressed in a blue -shirt and black shorts, and no shoes. "Boy, over here." Percy followed his dad's voice and found him sitting on a log eating Mcdonald breakfast, Kratos tossed a bag at Percy's feet. "Eat."
It was Percy's favorite, a bacon egg and cheese mcgriddle, two hashbrowns, and a large caramel macchiato. Percy began eating, "What are we doing here?" bits of egg and cheese land on Percy's shirt. Kratos drank his black coffee, "Special training."
"Cool, what am I learning?" Percy said while drinking his coffee. "Self-control and observation." Percy raised an eyebrow, "Lame," drank more of his coffee, "Super lame,"
"Your lack of control is becoming an issue, so until you learn patience we will stay here.", "Wait? Stay here? Do I still get to go to Montauk?"
"No." Kratos said. Percy panicked, "But we always go to Montauk!" Kratos continued, "You will not if I decide," Kratos gave Percy his only supplies, a four inch knife.
Percy shrugged his shoulders, "Ok, but what do I do about food?"
"There food all around you,"
"What about water?"
"we will find it."
"Where am I going to sleep?"
Kratos looked at the ground, "The ground looks quite soft." Percy's jaw dropped, "You want to sleep on the ground!?"
"Persus, a real quest involves difficulties that delay you, food, water, equipment, and other obstacles that could prevent you from success, out here you will learn to think and overcome any difficulty that gets in your way, or you will spend your whole summer out here." Percy could not believe what was hearing, the summer stuck out here, no Montauk, no Fourth of July, and then straight back school. Was he in hell?
"Your quest is simple, hit me." Kratos in his usual stoic tone, but Percy thought he was being sarcastic, "You're joking." Kratos shook his head, "I am not, if you hit me once, even graze me by accident you can return home." Percy didn't say anything.
"You attack whenever you want, when I am eating, sleeping, awake, or when using the bathroom. You can attack however you like whether it is straightforward, or an ambush." Kratos said, Percy felt a little better about his situation, just one hit and he got to go back home.
Percy gave his trademark smile, "Ok, let's do this, but don't get too comfortable out here I bet we'll be back home by tomorrow." Percy already had a plan, wait for Kratos to stop paying attention and strike. Kratos already figures out Percy's plan.
"Hey, can I have my shoes?" Percy asked, wiggling his toe against the dirt. "No shoes." Kratos pointed down showing his bare feet, Percy shutter at the sight of his step father jagged, yellow toenails.
"Wait, what does mom think about this?" Percy knew his mom would not approve him missing Montauk, it was a Jackson family tradition, Not even his very hated ex-step father, Smelly Gabe, could prevent the annual Montauk vacation. Kratos himself was aware of this as well, that is why didnt tell Sally his plan.
"Don't worry, I left your mother a note." The note Kratos left read: 'Took Percy with me. Don't wait up.'
Soon Kratos and Percy set up camp. Percy carefully watched Kratos, thinking he had a chance to strike, but decided to hold off. "Boy, here." Percy moved next to a kneeling Kratos who was shaving wood off a dry branch, "Remember how to start a fire?" the wood shaving piled up on a piece of bark, "Yeah, I twist a stick back and forth to build up friction."
Kratos nodded, "Good boy." and handed him a stick. It took Percy five minute to get a spark. "Dad, what for dinner?" Percy threw dead leaves and twigs on the growing fire.
"Whatever we can hunt or gather, how do we tell if something is poisonous?" Kratos looks down on Percy. "Don't you rub it on your skin first?" Percy said, "And wait like five minutes, then you rub it on your lips, wait again, and then you keep it in your mouth for a few minutes."
"Right." Kratos walked out past the camp and disappeared for nearly ten, Percy was briefly concerned that had just been abandoned before Kratos returned with an arm of tree branches. The Last Spartan sat down on a tree stump pulling out his much larger knife making Percy feel inadequate, and began cutting the branches until they resemble poles.
"Good." Kratos said, examining his craft. "Boy, come here." Percy hopped up and dashed over, Krato handed him a five foot pole, Kratos pole was seven feet long. "We are going to spar now," Percy raised an eyebrow, "Wait, if i hit you during a spar does that count?"
"Yes, now take your stance." The two took their stances holding their weapons in a neutral, waiting for the other response, of course Percy attacked first. Kratos easily blocked and parried every one of Percy strikes. Then he swung his staff behind Percy's left ankle and knocked him over.
"Oof!" Percy quickly rolled away to keep distance. Getting back up, Percy rushed and continued striking, Kratos stepped sideways and brought the end of his staff on the top of Percy's head. Bonk! "OW!" Percy fell to his knees holding his head as tears of pain filled his eyes. Kratos has never struck Percy in their sparring matches before. "Why did you hit me! Asshole!"
"Perseus, your opponents will not go easy on you." Kratos explained showing no remorse for his attack. Percy growled, grabbed his staff and charged. For the next two hours Percy failed to even graze his dad, while he on the other hand developed a collection of welts.
Line Break.
"You're sure you have no idea where Kratos and Percy might have gone?" Sally asked desperately. Finding out her husband took her oldest son somewhere without telling her had peeved her off. Clark shook his head, "I've not been told anything and he cleared his location after using it, so it could be potentially anywhere." Sally groaned and rubbed her temples, and Kratos had the nerve to leave a note. "Clark, how many Labyrinth Gates do we have now?"
Clark sighed, "Eighty-three." Over the past four years, Kratos and his team had been tracking Labyrinth entrance and setting up gates. With Prometheus Foresight and Orion tracking, they make a new entrance at least twice a month.
"Eighty three." Sally groaned and buried her face in her hands, "Ahh, Kratos you jerk!" how could he leave his wife in such a state of worry, and she had to look over the rest of their kids.
"Look, Kratos is most likely training him, and they will probably be back soon." Clark said, reassuring his friend.
But then two weeks passed by. "Be back soon, huh?" Sally growled. Clark let out an uneasy chuckle. Luckily Molly and Clark were helping Sally watch the kids. Without Kratos to watch the children, Sally had to work from home, and the children were slowly draining her life force.
Meanwhile Percy was sitting on a rock watching fish swim by, lifting his spear up he steady aim for large trout. As he brought his spear an acorn hit his temple, "OW!" Percy glared at Kratos who was eating the fishes he caught. "You made me miss the fish!" Kratos overlooked Percy's tantrum, "You could have dodge it. It is your own fault for falling."
Percy went back to his rock and waited for the fish. Kratos flicked another acorn at Percy's head. "QUIT IT!" Percy's stomach growled, Kratos would only give Percy his scraps from what he got, and if Percy tried to steal food, Kratos would tie him to a tree. His feet were raw from the endless exposure and his back and neck were sore from sleeping on the ground.
STAB! "Finally!" Percy cheered as he examined the fish he caught, a big, juicy trout. As he turned around to head to the fire to cook it, Kratos snatched the fish away from Percy and disappeared. "HEY!" Percy ran after his dad, "Give me back my fish!" Kratos was nowhere to be found, Percy sadly sat down, his stomach began yelling at him. "I'm so hungry." He was tired of eating nuts and berries, which he was starting to run out, and the mushrooms kept giving him diarrhea.
Kratos watches him from the treetop eating the fish raw. Percy was still allowing his impulsive take over, he had been making some progress. "Hmmm." he tossed the fish bones aside. Near their campsite Percy checks the snare, nothing. "Seriously?" a squirrel would be just fine. Sighing he decided to finish off the nuts he had left.
Kratos tossed the last nut up in the air and ate it. Percy stared in disbelief as he realized that he had no food left. His face turning bright red from anger, he leapt up in the air and brought his spear down on Kratos, who disappeared once again. The spear snapped in two and the other end flew back and smacked Percy in the face. Screaming like mad baby Percy charged headfirst in the forest knocking down every tree in his path he stopped when he slammed his head into a rock the size of a mail truck.
The rock splitted down the middle as the eleven year demigod was panting. "I hate this." in the corner of his eye he saw a grub crawling next to him. Percy grabbed and without a second thought ate it. Percy began lifting rock and digging in search for more bugs to eat.
Kratos watched from the trees. 'Finally, he is making some progress.' feeling a new presence enter the area he left to greet this bring. Orion sat on an old stump, feeding squirrels with birds perched on his shoulders. "Hey," Kratos caught the beer throw at him, "You shouldn't be here," Kratos snapping the tab, Orion metal eyes adjusted, "Well I wouldn't be here if it wasn't important, by the way your wife is pisssssed off,"
Kratos gulped down his beer, leaving foam on his mustache, "Speak," Orion tossed Kratos a plastic license, bright blue that read, 'Huntsman License' Orion scratched a squirrel head as it ate from his hand. "An old friend of mine has asked for help, he the a leader of a group called 'The Huntsman' a mortal group that hunts supernatural creatures, two of his finest hunters have gone missing,"
Kratos tossed the license back, "And how does this involve me?" The squirrels and birds felt Kratos' irritation and fled. "You need an army, Kratos, Olypmus has their own army, right now numbers are on their side."
"And these 'Huntsman' are to be my army?" Orion pulled a knife, then the knife turned into a gun. "The Huntsman are not ordinary mortals, they are of bloodlines that have hunted virtually every kind of monster, and they have the power and equipment to back it up."
Kratos thought about it. Orion was right, in terms of raw power Kratos outclassed all, but in number he was lacking, and having an army to lead will increase his chance of victory. "Alright, let's meet these hunters," Orion had a big smile, "Awesome, though I should warn you, their leader, Ozpin, he is a real manipulative son of a bitch."
Line Break.
"So wait, you're just going to leave me out here?" Percy asked as he roasted a frog over the fire. Kratos decided to meet the Huntsman leader Ozpin, leaving his son alone for at most a week. "Yes, now while I'm away you will continue your training and when I return I expect improvement. Do not disappoint me." Percy waved him off, "Good riddance, maybe I can eat in peace now." Kratos vanished. Percy didn't like it out here, the squirrels kept trying to store him for winter.
Later in the evening Percy was finishing his sword training, "Nine thousand nine hundred ninety seven! Nine thousand nine hundred ninety eight! Nine thousand nine hundred ninety nine! Ten thousand!" his arms muscles began twitching uncontrollably, his practice sword was a log with several large rocks tied to it. Falling back Percy landed in a pool of his sweat.
The stars were bright tonight. Percy was very hungry, maybe if he went to sleep the hunger would go away. Closing his eyes he began to drift off when an enticing aroma entered his nostrils, "Food!" Percy began smelling the air and tracked the scent, campfire light shone through the tree. A massive black pot the size of a bathtub hung over a fire, Percy peek around through the bushes, no one was around.
Percy carefully stepped up to the cooking pot, opening the lid he found some kind of orange stew with big chucks of meat. Percy found a ladle and poured himself a bowl. The stew was bloody, greasy, and salty. Percy proceeds to eat the entire pot. "Uuurp!" Percy's belly was bloated, "Man that was good!"
"Ere we go, Ere we go, Ere we go!" loud, ruff voices shouted, beings with green skin marched into the camp. Percy quickly rolled into the bushes and watched. Eight green skinned came into view, big, and burly, wearing a mixture of regular clothes, animal skins, and scrap metal. Big tusks stuck out from their lower jaws, and several had piercings along across their bodies.
"Wot da Hell!? Wot happened to da stew?" the mohawk one yelled, "Lugg, did ya's eat it already?" the one called Lugg yelled back, "Maybe ya did it!" the green people began yelling and pointing at each other. Percy burped again and they turned towards him.
Percy stepped back and a snare snagged his leg and pulled him out for all to see. "Uh, hi." Percy waved as the angry green people came up to him. The mohawk one pointed his finger in Percy's face, his finger smelled bad. "Why did yer eat our stew?"
"I was hungry." Percy said. he had his knife on his hip and waited for the orc to get closer.
"Well wot are we gonna eat?" Percy shrugged his shoulders, "Chinese? Hey, what are you guys?"
"We'ezs iz Orcs, the bestest, meanest, greenest, strongest, baddest machines around!" the mohawk Orc said proudly with the other orcs nodding in agreement, "Now we're gonna eat ya now."
"I like to see you try!" Percy pulled out his knife and sliced Mohawk's left cheek before freeing himself. The orcs surrounded him, "Eat me and will kick your asses from the inside out!" Percy stood his ground. The mohawk leader wiped his bright green blood off, "Ya eat our food and kut me." he growled. Then a big smile appeared showing his yellow teeth, he began laughing, "I like ya like lil wun! Ya got spirit!"
The orcs began making more stew, the meat was from some kind animal called a squig. The mohawk leader was Ghull, he the boss of this group,
They all sat around the campfire eating, Percy sat next to Ghull, "So lil wun, wots ya's doin out ere?" Ghull guzzled some blood from a beast he killed. Percy explained that he was out here to train and get stronger, Ghull gave an approving nod, "dat's gud, be'in strong iz gud! Ta stronger ta betta," it felt great being praised, for the last month Kratos had done nothing but criticize him.
"What are you guys doing here?" Percy asked, "We're gonna raid tomorrow, yep, stoopid goblins stole our stuff, gunna ma dem pay!" Ghull roared, the rest except one, Mol, who glared at Ghull, while the rest roared.
"Goblins?"
"Yeh, stoopid, weak, cowards, na like Orcs!" Ghull had an idea, "Oi lil wun, why dont ya's join us, help us smash and bash goblins, prove ya's iz strong!" Percy and the other orcs were baffled, Mol was not having, "Yas want tiz runt to join us, ya's iz stoopid!"
Ghull got into Mol's face, "SHUT YER GOB! I'M TA BOSS!" the two growled in each other's face until Mol back down. Ghull went back to Percy, Wot ya say?" Percy thought about it, maybe he could help, maybe this was a test, yeah, his dad must have set this up, Percy's elven year brain told him, "Yeah lets do this!"
Line Break.
Where Orion brought him to a bar called the Just Rite, Kratos followed the giant hunter in. "what'cha mac?" The Bartender, a middle aged man with glasses, gray hair and green apron greeted them. Orion stepped up, "I like a 'Hot and Cold' please," Orion handed the licenses and the bartender looked over it. "Yes sir."
The bartender guided them to the back and unlocked a door that revealed an elevator. Getting in they spent a few minutes listening to calypso music while descending. The doors opening, Kratos was taken by surprise. Thousands of people wander between shops, stands, and kiosks.
Buy your vampire repellent here! Pure silver weapons for werebeast! Holy Water ten percent off! Protection talisman-one hundred for twenty dollars!
Not a single person was unharm, everything from crossbows to bazookas, swords and guns. Kratos saves one casually carrying a gatling gun while buying an ice cream.
"Everyone here is a devoted monster hunter, these are the people we need." Orion said, walking through the crowd, Kratos that not everyone seems human. One woman had rabbit ears instead of human ears, one man's dog tail wagged happily as he got an ice cream, and another guy was sharpening his claws against a lampost. "What are they?" Kratos has seen many strange creatures, but not like these.
"They're called faunus, their a human subspecies," Orion looked at an ad for elemental enhanced weapons.
"Orion and Kratos?" a gentle voice called, a beautiful, bispectral blonde wearing blouse and black shirt walked up to them. Her stern eyes looked them over.
Orion had a big smile, "Glynda! It's been too long," he walks over to hug her, Glynda took out her riding crop and smacked Orion in the face, "It is good to see you again orion but please respect boundaries," Glynda stoic look met Kratos' "My name is Glynda Goodwitch, pleasure." she held out her hand to speak but Kratos didn't, "Goodwitch? Is that a codename?" Glynda adjusted her glasses, "No Goodwitch is in fact my last name. I have been sent to greet and guide you to Ozpin, now if you will follow me please." Kratos and Orion follow to their meeting.
Kratos did see something that pissed him off. How was there a Starbucks down here?
Line Break.
Since Percy was joining the Orcs on their raid party he had to look the part. He was given a bear skull helmet, armor made of scrap metal. Ghull brought him over to several cars that looked like they belonged in a Mad Max movie. Percy was even given a nickname 'Lil Kutta' and was offered war paint. "You got blue?" Ghull nodded, "Gud choice, Blue is lucklest kolor!"
Percy had blue stripes covering his arms and shoulder, and blue stripes covering his eyes. "Now ya's need a weapon, and not dat pansy lil knife, you need a choppa." Percy raised an eyebrow, "What's a choppa?" Ghull pulled out a giant meat cleaver and gave it to Percy, "Dat's a Choppa! And ere a shoota!" Percy then received a gun made of junk.
"Alright boyz! Et's roll out!" Ghull order, "Ere we go! Ere we go!" The Orcs and Percy hopped into their Wheelz, colored bright red and sped off. Percy held on as the Orcs' cars bounced through the woods, first there were only four ten they were joined by eight more.
Upon the horizon an abandoned saw mill appeared, a makeshift fence separated it from the outside world. The Wheelz stopped most of them crashing into each other, the Orcs laughing it off. The Orcs lined up before the fortress, "So what do we do now? Do we lure them out?"
Ghull took a deep breath and then roared, "WAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!" birds and animals for miles ran away from the warcry. A pair of oversized yellow eyes appeared, then hundreds more. Percy finally saw what goblins looked like, ugly as sin. Short, ugly green men with oversized noses and big ears. Wearing trash and animal skins for clothes. Welding weapons made from wood, rocks, and metal bits.
Hundreds of goblins crawled out and began growling. "ERE WE GO BOYZ!" The Orcs roared and charged, Percy ran after them, the larger Orcs charged toward the first wave sending the smaller goblins flying through the air. Percy watched as more and more goblins crawled out of nowhere and began to surround the orcs, Percy charged toward his first opponent, before the goblin could defend itself Percy sliced it head off.
The next goblin Percy splitted it skull open and another was disemboweled. Another one swung its cheap spear at Percy and knocked off his bear skull helmet. Percy pulled out the shoota and fire, the goblin head exploded with its yellow eye flying through the air. Getting up Percy saw goblins overwhelm an orc, swarming over him and repeatedly stabbing him until he was dead.
Percy didn't see the ax goblin charging behind, Ghull brought his foot down on it crushing it like a bug. Laughing wildly, "Ya scrap gud lil kutta!" Ghulla swung his hacka, a big axe, and killed five goblins at once; the Orc boss grabbed another two and bit their heads off.
"What do we do? There are two many!" Percy yelled, he saw another three orcs being brought down. Ghull didn't seem concerned, "Simple, we find da big boss and kill em!"
"Da big boss?" Percy quickly dodge an incoming sword and kills its welder. "Da big boss is the biggest goblin, kill em and da other goblins will run away. Let's go" Ghull charged to the saw mill with Percy tailing behind him not aware of how big da big boss was going to be.
Chapter end.