About A Day After Gill Left Camp…
Jackson, Wyoming…
I let out a sigh of relief, as the shrouding warmth of the hot tub's water relaxed my muscles. Whilst Gamer's Body made my entire body return to base health, there was something about traditional forms of muscle relaxation that really hit me. Or it could just be the sheer luxury I was experiencing. I mean, chilling in a hot tub, a glass of wine in hand, with a brilliant view of mountains… Well, it was most certainly something that I could never dream of experiencing in my previous life.
Of course, Icarus was enjoying himself as well. The kid deserved it, after having saved a life yesterday. He was celebrating his heroism with a tiny inflatable boat that he lied upon as he feasted upon some beef jerky. Should I be worried that he was so skilled at relaxing at such a young age? Probably. Will I act upon it? Nah.
After the events of yesterday, I rode upon Nimbus for about 5 or so hours, time which I used to sleep so I could regain a majority of my HP and MP. I was pretty lucky that Nimbus seemed to have some sort of GPS feature, because it thankfully woke me up when we were in the air above Jackson. I guided Nimbus to a hotel and got off it and put it in my Inventory. The hotel was 5-Star of course. With the Invisibility Cloak over me, I used a little Photokinesis to gently move the security cameras in the reception to face the walls, and then I snuck behind the receptionists desk and knocked her out behind.
Learning how to karate chop someone to make them unconscious was easily one of the first things I endeavoured to learn at Camp. I had to pay 10 Drachma to the Ares kid I learnt it from, but it was worth it simply because of how badass I felt.
After I had knocked out the receptionist, I went through the computer and began altering the information in the databases. It's pretty simple to be thankful, since the hotel seems to use basic databases. Like Microsoft Access level databases. They weren't even relational, so I had to manually change information in multiple sheets. It was 2002 after all.
For my troubles, I had decided to give myself a suite room with a hot tub, and with premium room service. Of course, I booked the room as an adult. I also added in special instructions that I was not meant to be disturbed at all. All food would be left by the front of my door, followed by three knocks of the door, and that no cleaning service would come into my room until the end of my stay. I also booked it for an indefinite stay. I'm sure they'll figure out my little ruse whilst I'm hunting Skorpius.
I had easily made my way up to the room and immediately jumped onto the king-size bed. It was a relief knowing that for at least one night, I wouldn't have to deal with sharing a room with a bunch of sweaty, hormonal teenagers, even if they were my brothers.
And now, after a day of lavish living, I was here in the hot tub. Interestingly enough, my body seems to endure wine far better than it does with beer, and frankly, my taste buds seem to enjoy the taste far better. Personally, I suspect the reason for this was because back in Ancient Greece, most people drank wine, even children, because it was less diseased and safer to drink than water. I suppose since I was technically half-greek, my body was built for drinking wine. It seems with this, and my high Endurance stat, I could tank about 5 or 6 bottles of wine before getting drunk, and even then, after an hour, I was perfectly fine and sober.
I'm sure the room service was very concerned as to why a mysterious guest in one of the hotel's best rooms was ordering a shit ton of wine bottles.
As I rested in the hot tub, I decided that now was the best time to look at my rewards from completing yesterday's quest.
Quest Completed!
Obligatory Chase Scene
After a brilliant movie-style plane explosion, of course you are now the subject of a chase scene! Will you be eaten by the mysterious monster, or will you escape to see another day… or see something more?
Objective: Escape the mysterious storm monster for 6 minutes and 35 seconds
Rewards: EXP, 200 Stat Points, 40 Levels in a Skill of your Choice, 250 Lightning Arrows
Hmm… Overall it's pretty good. The EXP managed to level me up to 45 and the Stat Points were very, very welcome. Whilst I'm sure I'll get a lot of stat points when I'm training at camp, extra stat points were very handy to have in a quest. I think I'll split the points between Intelligence, Strength, and Endurance since those stats are… lacking at the moment.
As for the 40 Skill Levels, I decided to place them into my Tracking Skill, a skill I had gotten a few months ago when I was looking for Luke to train with. I had tried to level it up a bit, but after level 6, I got bored and never bothered training the skill again. I sort of regret not doing that now, but with the 40 skill levels, it wasn't all too bad.
The lightning arrows were also pretty good, though it was a little annoying that it was a limited item. Hopefully, I won't have to use them all against Skorpius.
Speaking of Skorpius, I should probably head to Yellowstone soon, though I guess Artemis never gave me a time limit on the quest.
Perhaps I'll stay in this tub… for another hour.
5 Hours Later…
The Sky…
Okay, maybe I stayed a little longer than an hour, but you know what they say! The best time to hunt for giant man-eating scorpions is at sunset!
Using Nimbus, I was above Yellowstone Park, and was a little distracted by how brilliantly beautiful the park was. It's a shame that it probably got nuked in my past life. Beneath me was a sea of trees, filled with life. There are plains and rivers with buffaloes and deers, bears trekking the vast green, and birds flying the skies. I could see the fire-like body of Icarus flying next to me, occasionally deviating to meet a passing-by avian.
However, there was no giant scorpion in sight.
We began to sail the skies for another hour, looking for any signs of disturbance. Hell, I'd even take a broken tree! How on earth does a house-sized scorpion not leave a single trace of its existence!?
But the skies had turned black, and the stars now ruled the air. Night had arrived, and there was little point in searching now. And Nimbus stuck out like a sore thumb in the darkness. Skorpius could probably see us far away and hide before we even breathe in his direction. So, with much annoyance, Nimbus and I descend to the ground, at a very small clearing far from any sign of humans.
With my feet on the grass, I put Nimbus into my Inventory, and took out the Hunter's Tent I had gotten from my bet with Zoe. Going in, I smile, because despite looking like a small regular tent that looked like I would have to crouch to be inside of it, it was actually far larger on the inside. I'd honestly say that it was as big as the Apollo's Cabin interior. And the tent was temperature regulated, so that it was constantly warm, regardless of the weather outside.
Honestly, despite all the shit that bet with Zoe has gotten me in, this tent may have almost made it worth it. Almost.
From my Inventory, I bring out a certain king-sized bed that I may or may not have stolen from a certain 5-star hotel in Jackson. Ah, they could probably afford it. I made sure to also take anything that may have my DNA so the police won't be able to identify that I was the criminal. Although, that meant I had taken 90% of the things in the suite, including the hot tub which I had no idea what to do with.
The hotel had insurance for it… Right? People take stuff from hotels all the time!
Anyway, with strength that had never been seen before from a 9-year-old, I lifted the bed and placed it in the corner of the tent. I jumped onto the bed, lying down, and took a coke can from my Inventory, still cold as I had put it in my Inventory straight out from the fridge I had found it in.
On the other hand, I had a book opened, to which I began reading. Just because I was away from civilization didn't mean I could enjoy myself.
And after only 15 minutes into the book, I hear the sound of strong thuds hitting the earth. I immediately get up, and instead of taking Athantos, I take out Zoe's bow, notch a Lightning Arrow. There was only one thing that could make such loud steps in this forest.
I stealthily leave the tent, and jump to the roof of the tent for a better view. I look around, and to the right, I see it. A hulking, bug-like creature, stalking the forest. A large tail as thick as a tree, with long thinner legs that somehow managed to support its weight even though the body looked so much heavier. The monstrous scorpion had a very… strange exoskeleton. It was near black, but had a slight purple tone, its body was covered in white dots that were reminiscent of stars, and all over the body, there were patches of pink and purple that looked like nebula's.
I remember in the myths that Artemis had turned it into a constellation after it killed Orion. Has it changed after becoming a constellation?
Though a little entranced by its strange beauty, I snapped myself out of it and focused on its movements. It seemed to be… tearing something? I think it might be eating. Perfect.
I draw back the bow string, as the Lightning Arrow flickers with sparks, as if it were charging. I aim at the scorpion, unaware of the arrow that would soon pierce it. I take a deep breath, and activate the Sharpshot skill, immediately repositioning myself as the skill told me of any mistakes I was making. And then, I fired.
The arrow soars ahead passing by the trees and bushes, leaving crackles of lightning in its trail. Skorpius turns to me, but it's too late for the monster to run, as the arrow makes it to the target, and pierces through the exoskeleton. The monster lets out a cry, before it instantly scuttles off in the darkness. I swear, as I jump off the tent, putting it into my Inventory along with everything inside of it with a single swipe, and run to the clearing I had shot Skorpius in.
As I look at the clearing, I frown. There wasn't even a single tree that got damaged by the monster. I also see what Skorpius had been feasting on. A bulking bison, clearly mauled to death with blood trailing out of gaping wounds, intestines all over the grass, staining the earth it was on. Purple liquid came out of what used to be eyes, clear signs of poison.
I remember something that the Camp Halfblood demigods had written on their analysis of Skorpius. The monster, with a single flick of its tail had taken down a pegasus with only a mere scratch. One of the demigods managed to collect a couple drops of poison from the pegasus's corpse, and had given it to the Athena Cabin. After experimentation, the Athena Cabin theorised that the poison was strong enough to take down even a Blue Whale, although, there was no way of testing that.
After more careful analysis, I could almost feel my Tracking skill kicking in as my mind was drawn to a line of blue liquid, or rather a trail. A trail of Skorpius's blood.
I let out a yawn, a little annoyed that my planned night of reading was in ruins. Alas, I had a quest to do and a scorpion to hunt. From my Inventory, I take out my Techno-Binoculars and put them against my eyes. Immediately, the forest becomes far more clearer to me. However, clarity was not what I desired. I turned the dial that was on the bridge between the binoculars' lens, and suddenly, the binoculars switched to infrared vision, showing me a heatmap of my surroundings. Looking to the ground, I grin, as the trail of blood now showed as a bright orange. Good, that'll make following the blood easier on my eyes.
I begin walking through the forest, following the blood trail. By the gods, I truly have fallen. One day I was living in luxury, and now I was looking for blood in the middle of National Park. Maybe I should've stayed another night in that hotel.
3 Hours Later…
Northwest of where Gill was originally…
Ya know, last year, I would've totally been moping and complaining about how my legs were hurting, and how tired I was. But now? This was just a light walk. My legs didn't feel shit from walking for 3 hours. Although, I was a little bored that nothing was happening. Seriously, why did this dumb scorpion feel the need to run away so far?
The only real solace from boredom was Icarus, who was frankly having the time of his life. Despite being a week or so over 1 month old, he was thriving in this forest, with endless rodents for him to feast upon, and with his very minor pyrokinesis, know predator would dare touch him. Of course, just because he was having fun didn't mean that he would leave me alone. He'd often come to me, albeit a little blood stained, and do some tricks with his fire or just rest upon my head. Honestly, he was such a daddy's boy.
Huh. I guess I'm technically a dad. I mean, I know it's kind of cringe to call yourself a parent if your 'child' is an animal, but Icarus was clearly far greater than that. He was way more intelligent than a human of his age, and he had the potential to become a god-like entity. Someday, humans to him will look like what we see dogs as.
Regardless, my instincts are telling me that I was nearing Skorpius.
And judging by the giant hole in the ground, my instincts were probably right. I remember that Annabeth, when she had found out about my quest (she was pretty angry that I wouldn't take her despite her being the last on my list of possible quest companions) had told me that Skorpius would probably be best found in a burrow, as that's where scorpions slept during the day.
I suppose Skorpius went to his burrow now to wait for his injury to heal. Well, it's not like I'm going to go inside that tunnel, where he has the upper-hand. Nah, I'm doing this on my terms. I could see Icarus giving me a worrying look, concerned by the positively devilish smile on my face.
Skorpius is going to regret that he ran away.
4 Hours Later…
Next to Skorpius's Burrow…
Sun Tzu's Art of War was a truly fascinating book. He must've been a demigod, at least in this world. Some of his advice is quite useful. "In battle, there are not more than two methods of attack-the direct and the indirect; yet these two in combination give rise to an endless series of manoeuvres." I read aloud from the book in my hand.
I was sitting upon a tree branch, with a clear view of Skorpius's tunnel. I had spent about two hours or so setting up… surprises for our favourite little giant-slayer, and then just decided to read until the monster decided to leave his little hidey-hole. Reading was surprisingly fun, but I have a sneaking suspicion it might just be because I'm young. I was an avid reader as a kid in my previous life, however the interest in reading dwindled as I aged. Hopefully that wasn't the case in this life as well.
But snapping me from my thoughts was the rumble of the earth. The trees shook to their very roots, small rocks shattered, and cracks around the tunnel's entrance began to form. I was on high alert, putting my book away, and drawing my bow, a grin clear on my face.
As loud thuds echoed from the hole, I saw the giant black pincers that belonged to a familiar monster. Skorpius walked out of its burrow, and when my eyes went where my Lightning Arrow had pierced, I slightly frowned as I saw the wound completely healed. I did expect it of course, but one can hold hope.
Regardless, with the prey clear in sight, now I had to give it his presents. I fire a regular arrow up into the air, up to the top of the hill that stood over Skorpius's burrow. However, I wasn't merely aiming randomly. No, the arrow soars the skies, and to the peak of the hill, where it descends and pierces straight through a rope that was oddly tying a giant fallen log to the ground. And without anything holding the log down, the log tumbles down towards where Skorpius was. Now, a lesser mind may assume that I was hoping the log would kill the monster. But what the lesser mind has not realised is that the log was the only thing holding back a barrage of caravan-sized boulders from tumbling down the hill's slope.
And thus, Skorpius was met by 20 boulders rolling full speed towards it. Of course, the monster tried to run away, but that's most certainly not to be allowed. I jump off the tree branch, and slam my feet on the ground, causing a cascade of rocky spikes that sprouted from my feet, past Skorpius, and to the foot of the hill, creating a wall of rocky spikes. Earthbending was so fun to use, even though I didn't know the techniques fully because I still didn't know what martial art it was based on, and The Last Airbender wouldn't air on TV until 2006. It was frustrating that Earthbending was like my only skill that needed specific techniques and movements, however, I suppose I could deal with it. Just because I didn't know 90% of the way to use it didn't mean the skill was useless. I could still do very basic moves, like the Rock Wall I just made, since it only needed my right foot to slam upon the ground. I was still trying to get the Seismic Sense that Toph used, but frankly, it was pretty hard.
Skorpius tries to turn around to run back to its hole, but with a grin I slam my foot onto the ground again, causing the earth to shake and the Rocky Wall to form on the other side of the monster, effectively trapping it. Its pincers drag at the earth, most likely trying to create a burrow. Ah, but alas it was too late for the scorpion, as the boulders crashed against its body. It lets out a shrill cry as the boulders stack against its body, almost crushing it.
Almost, as usual.
Despite the sheer combined weight of the rocks on its body, Skorpius manages to crawl out, shattering a boulder with one of its boulders. However, despite its escape, the monster was not unscathed. Its blue blood dripped from crevices in its exoskeleton, and its left pincer was clearly damaged albeit still in use. However, Luck seemed to be on my side, as its tail looked completely flattened, and whatever poison within was pouring out like blood. That's precisely what I wanted. My little trap had taken out its strongest weapon.
Now it was time for combat.
With masterful hand movements, I begin drawing and firing my Lightning Arrows in rapid succession, letting loose maybe an average of 5 arrows for every second. The arrows struggled to pierce the scorpion as it was more on guard and facing towards. I believe its head is far harder than the rest of its body. Though it was being barraged by a horde of arrows, Skorpius began to stalk towards me. I didn't mind though. The arrows were just to get some chip damage in and weaken Skorpius's armour.
However, soon the scorpion came close enough that arrows would be dumb to use. So I put Zoe's bow into my Inventory, and took out Athanatos. I coat it in light and frost so it could get elemental damage, and then I charge the monster.
It firsts tries to clamp me with its pincers before I could reach it, however I swiftly dodge the attack, and instead stab Athanatos at one of the joints in the pincer's limb, and like I had done with the a hellhound on Halfblood Hill back when it had existed, I let light energy flow through blade, and then force it out into the joint, causing an explosion, making Skorpius's only good pincer blown off onto the ground and useless.
The monster screeches, and then uses its other limb to hit me. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to dodge this one, and it slammed my body. I'm thrown into a tree, and the sheer force seems to shatter the tree trunk. Fuck, that hurts.
Damn, I hope I don't get any splinters on my back.
Regardless, Skorpius was shockingly fast despite its size. What I needed was to restrict the bastard's movements, and lucky me, I have something to help me with that. Or rather, someone.
I charge at the monster again, but I also let out a whistle from my mouth. On command, Icarus swoops in, and just like I had told him to do earlier, and he dives down to Skorpius's face. The monster screeches, but can't do anything against our favourite little bird. I'm sure its tail was meant to be its weapon against birds, but that had been destroyed. And now, Skorpius was distracted, waving its arms aimlessly, trying to kill the phoenix that was trying to peck out its eyes.
Now with an opening, I swipe Athantos at two of Skorpius's legs, cutting them off, causing the scorpion to topple to its left. And then I began to slash its other legs, systematically one by one. And now, it was a legless scorpion. Yeah, the only way this asshole managed to kill Orion was by surprise.
"I'm not going to lie dude" I say aloud to the giant scorpion despite knowing it couldn't understand me, "If we had a straight up fight, you probably would've beaten me! Ah, maybe we can go again when you come back from Tartarus." And with one final slice, I opened up its stomach, and in an instant, the beast had been beaten, evaporating into golden dust. Replacing where it lied, was what I assumed was its Spoil of War.
It was a painting. I easily recognised it. The Hunters of Artemis, all together with their bows out. I could see Artemis as well. But I noticed something odd. A tall man, muscular and strong, with skin the same colour as toast, dark hair with a spiky undercut, and his most distinctive feature was his bronze mechanical orbs that replaced his eyes. This must be Orion.
There was a ghost of a smile as he stood behind the Hunters, his eyes glancing a little at Artemis. Ah, the poor guy was in love with the goddess if I remember correctly. That's why Apollo sent down Skorpius to kill the giant. I don't feel guilty for my father's actions. But there was a tinge of annoyance.
With a sigh, I store the portrait into my Inventory, and take out Nimbus, along with an entire plate filled to the brim with fresh bacon. I jumped onto the cloud, and put down the place, to which Icarus immediately flew to it and began shoving the meat down to his mouth. I mean, he deserves it, after all.
We begin our journey to Jackson, and my thoughts go to the portrait. I remember something I heard a couple months ago when I was in one of the Camp's classes about mythology. The lesson was about the Hunters, and the Athena kid that was in charge of the lesson told us something interesting. The Hunter couldn't obtain Spoils of War after killing a monster.
It was interesting, though, that Artemis specifically wanted me to sacrifice the spoil of war to her. Temples were sanctified, so the sacrifice would go straight to Artemis instead of her altar in Olympus. This meant that she really wanted this portrait. Could it be that she missed Orion? I suppose that makes sense. Whilst they weren't lovers, Orion was still her closest male friend.
Regardless, that wasn't really any of my business. Whatever reason Artemis wanted this portrait, was not my place to interfere.
I look forward to Icarus, who was lying on Nimbus with a rather full belly and a very empty plate. Honestly, I could go for some food as well.
As I take a bite out of an apple I got from my Inventory, I look down at Yellowstone National Park. It really was quite beautiful. Maybe I'll come here again some time in the future.
49 Minutes Later…
Jackson…
I walk the streets looking for the place the leaflet had told me to go. Ah, there it was! Artemis's Shelter for Women in Need. It wasn't the most creative name, but I suppose this wasn't a business in the first place.
Anyway, my business wasn't with the actual shelter. Instead I walk to the side alley next to the shelter, and walk to a mural. The mural was of a little girl, though the mural was in all white paint. She was in a pose that seemed like she was pointing to something. Next to the wall that the mural was on, sat a bucket of white paint with a brush inside, sitting there innocently.
Now to paint on the mural, most people would use the brush. But the brush was a mere trick. Instead, I dipped a finger in the white paint, and following where the mural girl was pointing, and painted a crescent moon. Suddenly, the painted moon turned to golden dust, along with the paint on my finger, and the wall the mural had wavered away like water being poured onto chalk. Instead, there was a perfectly rectangular entrance, though there was no clear sign as to where it led to.
I walked through the entrance, and as I walked, a pathway in front of me seemingly lit up. Standing torches suddenly had white flames, and at the end of the path stood a shadowy figure in white robes, their face and shape obscured. "
"Lady Artemis has warned us of your arrival, boy" Ah, I suppose they were priestesses of Artemis. Makes sense considering this was a temple. "Follow me, and touch nothing. The sooner you are done, the sooner this temple can be cleansed of your presence." Harsh. I'm sure I didn't smell that bad.
As the priestess commanded, I followed her, passing by several silver doors. They really liked the silver and white aesthetic. And then we arrived at what I assumed was our destination. A giant room, with two giant statues of presumably Artemis, and in between them was a single altar with giant white flame. However, above the altar was a square hole in the ceiling, and instead of showing the morning sun I had seen before entering the temple, I instead saw the night sky, decorated with the full moon. How brilliantly beautiful.
I walk in front of the flaming altar, and notice by my feet, a silver plate on the floor, with Ancient Greek letters etched into it. "Read the words on the plate, and throw the sacrifice into the flames. Then you will be finished, and will have to leave."
I memorise the words, and look to the flames, "Huntress and archer, maiden daughter of Zeus and Leto, Artemis to whom are given the recesses of the mountains, please accept my sacrifice for so above thine altars will Gilgamesh Ashford offer a vapour of frankincense". I throw the portrait into the flames, and watch it instantly vanish. The priestess gets my attention, and hands me a bottle. Observe told me it was frankincense. I open the bottle, and pour the contents into the flames. The fire turns from white to prismatic rainbow colour, until a few seconds pass by and the flames revert to their normal colour.
"The Lady Artemis had accepted your sacrifice. You may now leave." The priestess says, breaking the silence. She points towards a door. Huh. That was certainly anti-climatic.
I shrug my shoulders and walk through the door. After half a minute of walking in darkness. I find myself in the alley I was before.
Bloody hell, I guess that was my quest done. I suppose they can't all be like Percy's. Hmm… I wonder if I can go to that hotel again. I mean, nobody said I had to come back to camp immediately…
I'm broken from my thoughts of luxury by an oddly loud notification from the System. I look to it, and my eyes widen in surprise. How interesting…
You have gained the Blessings of Artemis!
Author's Notes: Hey people. How's life? I've not got much to say, apart from the fact that this is my first Thursday update in quite a while. Anyway, after this, I'm pretty sure there'll be another timeskip next chapter, but I don't think we'll reach the first book until maybe 4 to 5 chapters later.
Ah well, it's alright.
Anyway, here's Gill's stats:
Name: Gilgamesh Ashford
Age: 9
Level: 45
Title: Child of Apollo
HP: 5498/6710
MP: 4321/7270
Stats
Strength: 261
Agility: 250
Endurance: 281
Charisma: 255
Intelligence: 250
Willpower: 285
Luck: 200
Stat Points: 0