Quick P.S. Percy isn't bad at using a bow because of a curse, he just isn't very good with it right now.
Chapter 7 - Delphi Here We Come! (2)
(Percy's POV)
I felt the shock course through my veins as my eyes adjusted to the darkness. Looking out onto the miniature battlefield that used to be our campsite. The grass had caught fire from the embers of the old campfire, evidently the battle had caused it to spread.
I immediately reached for my weapon, the beautiful, deadly sword gifted to me by my father during my time at the camp. Adrenaline surged through my veins as I scanned the area around the campsite. The scene before me was chaos.
Aris was engaged in combat with a group of humanoid creatures, each with wild, animal-like features and glowing eyes. Their movements were quick and aggressive, but Aris was holding his own; his sword dancing with deadly precision. Cassie was fighting as well, her spear swinging in circles as she twirled around, dancing through death. I suddenly looked around for the two people that had joined us during our journey, but to my dismay, I didn't see them anywhere.
Without wasting another moment, I rushed toward the fray, my sword ready. As I engaged one of the creatures, I realized that these were not ordinary monsters. They were different, more coordinated and intelligent. It was as if they were working together, strategizing. I parried a blow from one of them and managed to land a solid strike, but they were proving to be formidable opponents.
"Percy, watch it!" Aris shouted as one of the creatures lunged at me. I quickly sidestepped and countered, taking down the attacker, the creature exploded into golden mist as my mixed metal sword sliced through it. The night was filled with the clash of steel, the grunts of combat, and the eerie growls of the creatures.
Time passed in a haze, I was focused on surviving, and whenever I felt overwhelmed I could count on the twang of my sister's bow to cover my back. She had perched herself in a nearby tree- one that hadn't caught fire, and was focused on covering everyone's back.
Soon enough, the sun started to rise and we pushed the monsters back, it was our first big fight as a team. I panted as they slowly drew back into the forest, disappearing from view. I wiped my brow off as I turned to face Cassie.
"Where did they even come from?" I'd ask recovering my breath as I sat down.
"The two people who joined us… well they were the first two monsters, and it was like they summoned the others here." She replied.
I grimaced saying, "It seems we should be more careful about who exactly we invite to travel with us…. In the future at least" I'd added with a chuckle.
There were no major injuries thanks to our shotty teamwork. Just minor scrapes and scratches.
"What were those things anyways?" I heard Aris ask.
"I don't know," Cassie replied, her chest heaving. "But they were different from the usual monsters we encounter. Smarter, more organized."
"They were after something," My sister said suddenly, her expression tense. "This wasn't a random attack."
"Well one thing is clear," Delia said, "It seems we need to get to Delphi, and quickly."
As the sun rose and cast its warm glow over the campsite, we all began to clean up and assess the damage. Some supplies were lost, but we were all alive. We were the first four warriors of Camp Half-Blood, accustomed to facing danger head-on, and this was just another trial on our path. Chiron had taught us well, when disaster struck, keep moving.
"You guys want to take the cart that those two monsters were traveling with?" I heard Aris ask. The tarp was still on top of the cart, I had never asked what was inside. Approaching it I shrugged and removed the tarp. It was nothing special, just a few weapons and food supplies. Considering they had been monsters the weapons made sense, I thought the food was probably just so they could play off being mortal.
"Well it gives us something to carry our stuff on- so let's take it", Cassie said as she looked inside the cart. I nodded in agreement.
With renewed determination and a heightened sense of vigilance, we continued on our journey to Delphi. The events of the night had reminded us that the world beyond our camp was filled with mysteries and challenges.
"Let's get going once more…" I'd mutter as we slowly trudged off. The road was long and the sun was really starting to beat down, its heat slowly becoming a nuisance. Along the road we engaged in the peasantry of small chat, talking about the type of foods we thought existed in Delphi, the clothes, the people. The monsters of the past were an almost taboo topic, one none of us wanted to bring up. Though I knew it would be brought up once more, we'd have to talk about it again. Chiron had told us about the monsters, we had to get accustomed to them, after all we were demigods.
Soon enough, the city was in view, the large looming walls of the great city Delphi were in the distance.
"Hey there it is!" My sister said excitedly as she pointed towards the city in front of us. I'd smile at her excitement as I also gazed at the city, it had felt like a long journey, with all the dangers we had gone through to get here, it had been one. It would be nice to get some well deserved rest. I wondered if Sparta was watching me, as I reached the first destination along my journey. I felt my resolve steel, this wasn't just for me, but my people too. I was doing this for them, I would forever honor my city.
The mood within the group lifted dramatically after the first sighting of Delphi, we became more talkative and expressive as we walked, the sun progressing ever lower in the sky. We wouldn't make it to the city tonight, but we would be only a day's journey after the night passed. We decided to make camp for the night and continue our journey at first light, tomorrow.
As we set up camp, we made sure to set up our campfire, as the night droned on, it got colder. We set up sleeping areas around the camp, as we sat together. The flickering flames of the fire illuminated the faces of the friends around me, each of them silently contemplating what awaited them in Delphi.
Cassie suddenly broke the silence saying, "I can't wait to see what Delphi has to offer, the Oracle is said to posses immense knowledge. Maybe we'll find more answers about our situation, our parents, and how to serve them?"
Her words resonated with all of us, we were all new to this world. Children of the gods with a mortal parent. The desire to understand what we were exactly, and what our purpose was drove us to make it to Delphi quickly. It was strange to think that sitting here in this circle were the first four of our kind. I was sure there were more demigods now that the gods had done it once, they'd do it again… right? I wasn't sure.
We set up a watch schedule in case any of those monsters came to attack during the night, lucky as my shift ended, nothing had happened. I silently walked over to Aris, shaking him awake.
I'd mutter, "you're up friend." as he grumbled about having to wake up. The night passed without incident, but the air was thick with anticipation as we packed up our camp in the morning. The silence was loud in a way, in fact you could feel the nerves. The Oracle was a direct link between the mortal world and that of the gods. Today would be the day that we discovered who we were, and what our purpose was here in the mortal world.
I thought about my journey up until this point, it had been long and difficult, but I was sure that it would only get harder in the future. For the honor of Sparta, I'd keep telling myself.
As we walked the sun seemed to shine brightly, as if Apollo himself was watching our progress to the city of Delphi. Perhaps he was, I'd muse to myself. With positive thoughts about the god of the Sun watching over us, I'd start the journey towards Delphi, with Cassie, Delia and Aris following behind me. As we approached the city closer and closer, the walls seemed to grow larger with each step. Soon enough we arrived in front of the city gates, there hadn't been much talking along the way, we'd all been thinking about what was to come.
I'd glance at the city guards, they were lazily guarding the city gate, and would be easy pickings in a fight. It seemed Delphi should really try to beef up their city guards determination and training.
Clearing my throat I'd say, "Hello, we'd like to enter the city."
One of the city guards glanced up and said in a bored tone, "Yes, yes, what is the purpose of your visit?"
I'd glance back unsure of what to say, before Cassie said, "Oh it's pleasure related!" The guards looked at all of us and nodded, as we passed I heard one of them mutter, "Just tourists again.."
I wished I was just a tourist, I wished this city visit was as simple as pleasure, exploring a new city, with new shops and people. Instead, it was to determine me as a person, my whole purpose for existing. I thought that was enough to get anyone nervous.
We arrived in front of the Temple of Apollo, where the Oracle resided. The grandeur of the temple was breathtaking; marble columns stretched out as if they were rising to Olympus itself. The statues of Apollo sat perfectly carved around the front of the Temple, engravings of Apollo's past triumphs were carved into the tympanum.
There were guards at the Temple, and as we approached one of them said, "Stop, what is your business at the Temple of Apollo?"
With confidence only Cassie could muster, she'd say, "We seek an audience with the Oracle."
The guard glanced at another one of the guards who'd accompanied him. The second guard nodded and the original guard said, "Follow us," he led us into the Temple, the interior was dimly lit, with the soft glow of torches and candles casting eerie shadows on the walls around us. The smell was exotic and unplaceable.
"Wait here", the original guard said as he went to a priestess of the Temple. The priestess' were dressed in white robes, with golden embroidery, they were the ones who talked with the Oracle, as direct audiences were rarely permitted, they were usually reserved for times of War, royalty or whenever the Oracle permitted it.
The guard led the priestess back to us, as we stood there taking in the sights around us.
"You wish to have an audience with the Oracle?", the priestess asked us. We nodded in response, attempting to stay as respectful as possible in Apollo's temple.
"I shall talk to her'', the priestess said as she retreated into a different room, leaving us with the two guards as we stood waiting. A short time later, she returned saying, "You shall enter to have your audience with the Oracle, one at a time. This is the Oracle's only condition.", The priestess said as she walked towards the door we'd have to go through to get our audience.
I glanced uneasily at my companions, if it was really the only way…
"Who's going first?", I heard Aris say.
We exchanged glances, each of us grappling with our own inner thoughts and fears. It was a moment of reckoning, a moment that would set the course of our fate and destiny into motion, revealing the truths we'd sought to know ever since Chiron had brought us to Camp Half-blood.
Cassie, always the boldest among us, stepped forward. "I'll go first," she declared with unwavering determination. "I have to know what the Oracle says about… everything really."
The priestess nodded, gesturing for Cassie to follow her into the inner chamber. As the heavy door closed behind them, the rest of us were left in a tense silence. Time seemed to stretch on endlessly, the anticipation and uncertainty hanging in the air like a heavy shroud.
Minutes turned into what felt like hours, and the door finally creaked open; and Cassie emerged. Her expression was a mix of fear and awe, she was clearly deeply affected by the encounter with the Oracle. The priestess emerged a second later, with a passive look on her face, she gazed at the rest of us, before asking, "Who is Perseus among this group?"
I felt eyes flick to me, I'd slowly raise my hand saying, "That is me."
The priestess' eyes met mine and she said, "You've been requested to go and meet with the Oracle next."
Chapter End.
Hopefully you enjoyed it, feel free to leave constructive criticism. I tried to move the story along a little bit!
I'll do my best to upload, since my schedule isn't the best…
~Nyx
