PART 1: The City Of Gold

CHAPTER 7: One Step Closer

The day seemed to be endless as Percy and Artemis trudged through the forest, the son of Poseidon was long since fatigued and even though with every step they were closer to their destination, he wasn't happy.

Probably because it seemed like a really pointless mission.

What exactly were they trying to accomplish? Breaking into the city? Defeating Erubus? Destroying as much as possible before their army arrived? He hadn't a clue.

Artemis wasn't helping matters as she still hadn't told him who they were fighting. How was he supposed to deal with the enemy if he didn't even know who they were?

The hunt had long since split up with them, going their separate way for a different mission.

"So, once we get to the city, what's the plan?" he asked, kicking a stick near his feet.

" We both will need to stay in the shadows," Artemis explained " Then we approach the palace, once we get into that, I summon the hunt using the whistle and we try to corner our enemy, Olympus's army will come soon behind us. We also need to leave as many gates to the city unlocked so they can just storm through."

"Hold on one second, our enemy's domain includes shadows, so they'll be able to do something to prevent us from reaching him, just with that," Percy stated, his eyebrows furrowed.

Artemis nodded "We also are going to send a few of the hunters to kill his soldiers in their sleep." she said gleefully and Percy tried not to think about what was going on in the Goddess's mind.

"How much longer till we get there?" Percy asked as darkness began to cover the trail in which they were walking.

" A while, find a good spot to camp for the night," Artemis said in a matter-of-fact tone of voice.

"Somewhere in the trees then," Percy said, tossing his backpack onto the ground. Within a moment he had a tent set up.

"Here work?" he asked the goddess who was staring off into the distance, she turned around and shook her head.

"We don't want people on the road to be able to see us," she said and removed the tent, they walked about 100 meters before resetting it up.

"This is better because we receive a lot more cover from the trees, people will also only spot us if they come into the trees," she said happily.

Percy nodded before opening the flap to the tent and crawling in. The inside was massive and had a small sitting area, 2 beds, and a small fridge. It also had a door on the side which Percy assumed was for the washroom.

The son of Poseidon examined the fridge for 10 minutes and found that it was filled with fresh produce. He then walked back to the beds, ready to retire for the night.

"Which bed is mine?" he asked, turning around to look at the goddess but was violently knocked over by a furry shape.

* * * * * FRAGMENTS - PART ONE * * * * *

Percy winced in pain as he crashed into the wall of the tent. His eyes widened as he saw the creature in front of him. Without a doubt, it was a werewolf.

"Why?" Percy choked out as climbed to his feet. The werewolf had his head down on the bed, he turned around and spoke.

"Come with me willingly or fight." he hissed and stood up, facing the son of Poseidon.

"I'll fight but can we do this outside of the tent?" he asked, uncapping Riptide.

The creature studied him and their surroundings intensely before nodding, "I suppose that would be alright with me."

The pair walked out of the tent and immediately Percy was knocked over.

The werewolf punched him in the face and Percy immediately rolled over and threw Riptide at his enemy's head. He immediately drew Waveslasher and summoned his shield.

The wolf scowled with frustration as he picked himself up from the ground, where he had ducked the oncoming blade. "My master wants you alive, it would be best to come without a struggle," he said refusing to meet Percy's eye.

"Who is your master?" the demigod asked, not having lowered either of his weapons.

The werewolf paused and looked down to the ground. "Well since you will be coming with me anyway soon, it wouldn't hurt to tell you that I am serving Erubus."

Percy groaned before charging the werewolf, he was caught off guard but quickly pulled out a sword of his own and thrust it towards Percy's.

The son of Poseidon locked blades with his opposition and supported his sword by pushing his shield up underneath it.

They stayed there for a moment before Percy pulled his sword away and kicked at the wolf's midsection.

The strike surprised the werewolf and he moved back but was immediately attacked once again by the son of Poseidon.

The pair exchanged blows and finally, the werewolf managed to hit the son of Poseidon with the side of his blade.

Percy winced in pain and slashed at the werewolf's stomach. He wasn't prepared for his opposition to dodge and punch him in the face.

The boy groaned in pain and staggered backward, The werewolf kicked him and threw him to the ground. He marched towards the son of Poseidon, a cocky smirk plastered on his face.

" Be glad you received the honor of being hunted by one of Erubus's best - AHHH." the werewolf screamed in pain as he too fell to the ground.

Artemis smiled as she dropped her bow, she proceeded to gut the werewolf with her knife. She kicked him to the side before kneeling down to the ground. She searched a bag and found a Ziploc of Ambrosia. Placing one in the demigod's mouth, Percy chewed slowly as Artemis rummaged through the bag again, finding a water bottle, and pouring the contents of it on his face.

She then turned her attention to the werewolf who was writhing on the floor in pain. " I am going to offer you a choice, aid us in sneaking into Erubus's palace, or die. Simple." Artemis stated.

The werewolf tried to speak but gasped in pain, seeing this Artemis removed the blade from his stomach, but held it at his throat still.

"I'll help." He choked out. "I swear on the river Styx."

"Good," Artemis replied curtly, before withdrawing the blade. She turned around to see the son of Poseidon slowly rising to his feet.

"Why do you think we need his help?" Percy asked, frustration visible in his tone of voice.

"Well, Erubus won't be expecting one of his own to aid us," Artemis explained as she repacked the bag. She looked at the werewolf. "Please return here by 7 AM."

He stared at her in fear and scrambled away. Artemis smiled at Percy as they walked back into the tent.

She pointed at the bed closer to the door "That one is yours."