Updated: Monday 4/09/2023


Chapter 3: Shadow Unveiled


Shadow and his Protector had been camping in Yellowstone National Park. Which Shadow was surprised to see it still thriving. But then again, he knew the God of the Wild and how serious he took his duty. So, he was happy and so very, very proud one of his best friends was doing such good work.

But the hurt Shadow knew those that didn't betray him felt since they believed him dead made him hate himself for being such a coward that he couldn't even show his face or even tell them someway he was alive.

Mystique in her panther form purrs at him in comfort.

'Peace my Shadow everything will be well', she purrs as she nuzzles his leg.

"What are you thinking about?" his Protector asks him.

"Just about all the pain and suffering I have left behind", Percy says in his raspy, damaged voice.

"You could've have helped it. Basically, your Primordial parents said most of this was fated to happen", the Protector replies.

"Still doesn't change the fact that I have been hiding in the Shadows and only peeking out to help those I care about", Shadow replies.

"Listen to yourself. You may hide in the shadows. But you have been protecting them for decades. It doesn't matter if you have shown your face or not. You have still helped keep them alive and giving them a fighting chance!" his Protector exclaims.

Shadow sighs, "And still somehow it doesn't seem enough", he whispers stroking Aniu (one of his wolves) white/golden fur.

"You're still healing my friend. And nobody will expect you to be perfect after everything you have been through. Hell, when your family knows you're alive and about you're past they will probably INSIST you take more time to heal!" his Protector exclaims, "And your biological Dad will probably get overprotective of you or everything will dissolve into chaos!"

The Shadow actually lets out a small raspy chuckle. Which was rare for him. But he had to agree with his Protector when his Dad knew he was alive there was going to be chaos.

Before they could continue on with their debate Shadow's six sense flares to life. He closes his eyes and focuses on the feeling.

His Protector goes silent as he waits to here where they were needed next. But when Shadow got this look whatever he was feeling couldn't be good and Mystique was starting to growl 'feeling and seeing' what her human was feeling and seeing.

Shadow 'saw' the source of the disturbance and what might happen if he didn't interfere.

"Looks like my friend today is the day I come back from the dead", Shadow tells him.

His Protector could see fear in Shadow's posture.

"Are you sure about this?" his Protector asks.
"If we don't go many will die", Shadow replies hollowly, "Including my cousin/sister Thalia"

"The Hunters are in trouble?" his Protector asks as he dose the fire.

"Will be shortly. We need to be prepared for a large force. The Hunters don't even know what they are walking into. It is a lethal trap", Shadow tells him.

Shadow begins strapping his weapons on. Two katanas across his back with his bow and quiver placed over them. But not in the way of drawing them. Guns went in their hostelers and his throwing knives and axes in their holsters. Daggers too were in their spot. Hunting Knives hang from his belt. That was enchanted to always be light. His sabre was put in its holster at the side of his belt. His main-gauche was hanging behind his back for access. Scimitars were as rings on his fingers as was his Battle Axe and Scythe. He checked and his shield watch was on his wrist. Gladius and Glaive were also rings and his other weapons were on his bracelet for him to summon if they are required. But then he remembered his whistling arrow and double checked it was in its holster on his hip. A horn of water hung from his belt and a special cylinder of lightning hung from the other side. A baton that could conduct his powers were also holstered on each side of the belt. The belt its self was enchanted to be feather light and hid a dagger in it.

"Everything in place?" his Protector asks him.

"I believe so", Shadow tells him as he snaps his fingers and their tent shrinks and he puts it in his dimensional pouch and hooks it too his belt.

"Let's go save these Hunters. They do seem to always need saving, don't they?" his Protector jokes.

Shadow shrugs, "So are the times we now live in"

Shadow grabs his Protectors shoulder and he fire travels them to a location just far away enough to give them enough element of surprise.

"We go East 3 miles", Shadow says to him quietly.

The Protector nods and draws his spear.

Shadow actually choices to draw his bow and arrows.

His wolves spread out around them and his Falcon Silvia, Hawk Shiva, Eagle Luminosa and Shadow Phoenix Nightshade were close at hand. Actually, Nightshade was on his shoulder and Mystique had stayed in panther form stalking to their quarry next to him.

They slowly make their way forward. The Protector could see Shadow's golden robotic eye swirling and twisting around as it locked on something far in the distance.

Shadow was watching the Hunters even from this distance he could see them and they didn't even know they were being surrounded. By a large group of monsters. If he and his Protector didn't step in most of them were likely to end up being killed. He KNEW Thalia would end up being killed and having to reform.

Yes, he knew Thalia had become a Goddess and really couldn't die. But it doesn't mean he wanted to see her have to reform. He owed her. And he still loved her as a sister more than a cousin. He had heard tales of what she had done to avenge him this last century. Thalia and Nico were the two he trusted the most outside his Protector and Parents.

They were the only ones keeping him going in that hellhole. He owed it to Thalia to save her and the Hunters under her and Artemis's command.

Even if that meant exposing his identify after all this time. Even though he was still badly damaged and scared to do so he would try for them. And basically, this Prophecy had said he and Artemis were destined to be together and you can't deny fate. But Shadow was sure Artemis and He were going to try for BOTH their sakes.

"Prepare for a shit storm", Shadow tells his friend.

"Always my friend", his Protector replies.

Shadow's eye suddenly spots something a bit farther away from the trap the Hunters were about to step into.

He swore.

"What is it?" his Protector asks.
"We have a Giant to deal with", Shadow rasps out, "And it is one of the ones I hate most of all"

The Protector growls knowing exactly who Shadow was referring too.

"I take it you're going to deal with him?" his Protector asks.

"Yes. I owe that beast an ass kicking for all the harm he has caused", Shadow growls and winces as it hurt his scarred throat.

"Then you deal with him and I'll do my best to help the Hunters"

"No together. He won't attack straight away", Shadow reveals, "I'll keep part of my eye on him for the whole fight. Anyway, Mystique and my familiars can also keep their eyes on him. I can see through them"

Suddenly he draws his bow and mentally changes the type of arrow to a Flare one and lets it loss. It zooms forward past the Hunters and hits the ground several dozen metres in front of them flashing brightly a bright red colour that showed the monsters hiding in the darkness of the trees and making the monsters panic.

He hears the shouts of the Hunters. The shouting of Thalia AND Artemis to get in position. That they were under attacked.

Good his flare worked.

Then he switched to Celestial Bronze arrows and let four go in the span of a second all hitting their targets causing the monsters to screech in pain as they explode into gold dust. Those four arrows were quickly followed by four more.

"Show off", his Protector mutters.

Shadow ignores him as saw the Hunters were going to begin to look for HIM. He curses internally and sent several Greek Fire arrows to the Monsters that were closer to him. That were behind the Hunters. The Greek Fire arrows explode in their ranks causing maximin damage to the Monsters. But not harming the Hunters. As Shadow had placed a shield to protect them only from his arrow's effects. It wouldn't do much about a physical attack. Unless he put more power into it and he didn't believe he should do that if he was going to be battling a Giant soon.

Shadow whistles sharply and his whistle arrow comes out of its holster and it had the added bonus of getting everyone's attention.

"Lady Artemis, Lady Thalia and Hunters are we late to the party?" Shadow raspy asks as he and his Protector break the cover of the trees.

And everyone sees who the Monsters call the Bane of Monsters.

The Shadow of the Storm himself in full battle glory…


(Line Break)


Artemis and Thalia hadn't realised what they had walked into until a flare arrow hit the ground several dozen metres in front of them illuminating the dark forest up ahead and the Huntress and her Sister could now see the panicked glowing eyes of the Monsters.

The horrifying part was now Artemis realised they were surrounded!

"We have walked into a trap", Artemis gasps.

"Girls battle formation", Thalia orders.

"We are being surrounded on ALL sides", Artemis tells them.

The girls let gasps of fear escape them. But quickly try and cover them up. But they all forget the flare arrow that had alerted them of the monster's presence.

Suddenly arrows hit the first four monsters that were going to jump their way. Hitting their target, they burst into gold dust. Those four arrows were followed a second later by four more.
"Someone else is out there!" Artemis says looking for the source of the arrows.

She sees her girls trying to keep an eye on the Monsters AND find the archer. Before a green arrow comes from behind them hitting the back ranks of the Monster army that was now surrounding them. It explodes on top of the ranks.

Artemis gets ready to shield her Huntresses from the explosion and from whoever was stupid enough to fire that type of arrow in close quarters.

But was surprised, as were her Hunters when debris from the explosion hit a shield that had appeared around them.

A suddenly whistle pieced the air and everyone turns to the back ranks of the Monster Army. Even the Monster army turns to the noise.

A raspy voice calls out to them, "Lady Artemis, Lady Thalia and Hunters are we late to the party?"

And out of the cover of the trees comes the man that had been eluding them for nearly a century.

The Shadow of the Storm himself and his partner, along with his creature that could change forms.

The Shadow had his bow drawn but there was a floating arrow next to him. The other man had a spear ready in one hand and a sword in the other.

"Now Monsters this is your only chance to back away. Go now and I will not kill you THIS day. Stay…and well…this will be a slaughter for you and your leader of course", the Shadow rasps out.

The Monsters growl at him.

"We are not scared of you. We fight for a higher purpose", one growls at him.

"So be it", the Shadow states and whistles.

The floating arrow shoots out killing many in the first few seconds as the other man charges into battle.

"Girl's attack! Don't harm these men…yet", Artemis replies with a smirk and a frown at the same time.

She notices the Shadow had flipped his bow back onto his back and had one of his Katanas out and he was slaughtering all that stood in his way. She noticed how his right hand was switching between weapons. Each weapon seemed to appear out of nowhere on the end of his arm and at one stage she saw daggers shoot out of where the hand was meant to be.

Shadow waves his hand and the fallen Hunters were protected by fire.

"Wolves protect", Shadow barks in Greek.

The wolves Artemis just noticed that always were with the pair appeared covered in gold dust. They must have been taking out the Monsters hidden deeper in the forest. They surround her girls that had fallen. So, they both had the wolves and fire to protect them.

She hears a curse.

"Bob! The Echidna and her pet chihuahua are approaching from the east", Shadow calls raspy barely heard over the noise of the battle.

Artemis and Thalia saw a gold eye swirling from under his hood. Thalia frowns at the phrase the man used. Somehow it seemed familiar to her and where had she heard the name Bob before?

"Toss for it?" the other man who apparently called Bob calls out.

The girls thought they saw Shadow's golden eye roll. But it was hard to tell. The falcon flying around screeches and just before a lamia could claw at Shadow's back, Shadow dodges seemingly at the falcon's signal and switches to his sabre and stabs the Lamia right through her stomach. A dracaenae goes for The Shadow's back but the Shadow without looking stabs the dracaenae with a twist of his robotic arm.

Monsters come on The Shadows left and he knocks them back into a wall of fire with a strong gust of wind.

They heard the growling and they all saw the Echidna and Chimera coming out of the trees. The Echidna laughing at them.

"It is no use Hunters we WILL win this and one of Olympus's mighty forces will be wiped out!" she calls out tauntingly.

"I don't think so Echidna", Shadow rasps.

"So, the Bane of Monsters has joined the fight. I have waited for the day I can prove to my Master that every mortal is weak", Echidna tells him.
"I believe you and your charming pet Chihuahua are going to be singing to different tune soon and how was Australia since last we met?" Shadow asks stalking around the Echidna.

Echidna's eyes widen, "YOU!" she roars and launches at him.

"I guess I have the Chimera then", 'Bob' calls out cheekily.

Shadow defiantly knew the Echidna know knew who he was. There wasn't any point in hiding it anymore. As today was the day he would be unveiled to all.

Shadow disappears in and out of shadows as he and the Echidna fight. Shadow's moves were like a dance but they were stiffened by his robotic leg. But Artemis was still just as mesmerised by it. She was confused when he dosed the Echidna in water from a horn on his belt. The way he manipulated water was like…

Echidna's laughs, "Water can't stop me son of Poseidon!" she shouts.

Making everyone nearly turn to look at the fight. As they could now see that Shadow's manipulation of water was up there with a children of Poseidon! Maybe even stronger and more disciplined meaning years and years of training and fighting with his element.

But the only person who had this type of control was…

"But it makes a good conductor!" Shadow calls out with a cough.

He actually used his robotic leg to jump with a spring in it up and over the Echidna's head and had switched to his battle axe mid jump and slams it down on her back and sends several thousand bolts of huge lighting from the cylinder on his belt, into her and it flows into the water. Making her scream and thrash in the grip of the so-called son of Poseidon. She couldn't escape as a ring of fire was blocking her and the wind was pushing her back from the Hunters.

"Fire, Air, Water, Lightning…Shadows", Artemis whispers in shock.

"You will pay Jacks…!" she didn't finish as the Shadow slams his robotic arm now turned into a sword down into her brain and kills her.

She bursts into gold dust and Shadow manages to land on one knee. He looks up at Artemis and Artemis could nearly make out features under his hood.

"Impressive", a voice breaks through the fighting as Bob and some Hunters have taken down the Chimera after it was distracted by Echidna's demise.

Artemis tenses seeing one of the men she hates the most in the world.

Orion.

Suddenly the Shadow was stalking Orion.
"Leave now Orion and we will fight another day", the Shadow rasps.

"Why should I? This is a perfect chance to kill you. You have been a pest for many of my allies for over 119 years. So why would I pass up the reward of bringing your head back to them?" Orion asks him snickering.

Artemis and Thalia frown.

119 years?

"You have raped innocents and you have killed many of Lady Artemis's Hunters during the Second Gigantomachy. I might have been too busy to stop you then and I will regret that to my final breath", Shadow looks right at Thalia, "I am sorry I couldn't help you then"

Thalia was confused why was he seemingly apologising to her.

"But I'm here now and you will NOT take any another Hunters lives nor will you rape another innocent again. Your time is over Orion", Shadow tells the Giant as he stalks him.

Orion laughs, "You? Take me? You're a broken man. And you're not nearly powerful enough"

"You have no idea what I am capable of", Shadow tells them.

"Why don't you show them Shadow. Show them who you are and why your so broken. Show them the broken man they are going to have to put their trust in once again. But this time you're not nearly as strong enough", Orion states, "Everyone would you like to see who the Shadow of the Storm really is? Who the man who is supposing destined to save you again is completely broken man and nowhere near his prime of when he was when he saved you all at 16 and then again nearly a year later. Who fought at the front lines of the Second Titanomachy and the Second Gigantomachy and now WILL fall to my Masters in this new age of war because of the simple facts he is broken and WEAK!"

Suddenly something clicked in Artemis and Thalia's mind.

NO, it couldn't be.

It was not possible.

It was not probable.

And they never did find a body.

And Hades never said he had his soul in the Underworld.

Suddenly the hood covering the man's face fell back. The man's head was bowed. But his hair was jet black with a VERY familiar and distinctive grey streak running through it. But there was a little more grey flecks through the man's hair. That would be expected at his age.

He looks up and everyone gasps.

He may be scarred.

He may be different.

He there standing in front of them was the one person who everyone thought lost to them forever.

There readying his sword and sabre was the Hero and Legend of Old.

There the unveiled Shadow stood…

Perseus Achillies Jackson…


~:O)~~Author's Note: What Do You Think? Please Review:)!~~(O:~~