Out Of The Darkness

Chapter 11

A Wizard?

By the time Carson had finished bandaging Harry, he got to his own feet feeling better. Refusing aid from anyone else, he'd been humiliated enough already. Weakness was humiliating to Harry, any weakness was. He'd been a 'hero' too long that he thought he shouldn't need help. He never expected it for sure; it had never once been given to him as a child. Instead of going down to the bar, they went up the stairs to a nice room. The place was protected better than Fort Knox or as he would have said years ago Gringotts. It had the newest technology that was for certain. It dawned on him that they didn't need to end up injured after all. They had both been magical, and he'd been worried about his reaction all this time? It was laughable really. Acheron must be a pretty powerful wizard to be able to cloak himself, even from Harry. He was no slouch when it came to magic, that much he was confident about. It was probably the only thing he was truly confident about.

Harry walked over to one of the chairs, sinking down gratefully. He was simply put exhausted, he could sleep for a week. He kept his injured arm curled up against his stomach. His jacket and trousers were ripped and torn. His helmet was broken as well; he'd have to get new riding gear. At least a new helmet, he didn't want to repair it just in case it didn't work properly. Some things were just incapable of repairing properly, something his charms teacher elected not to tell them. His skin had been protected though, that was the main thing.

"What are you?" asked Acheron his voice pensive and a little baffled. He couldn't keep silent any longer. He had run through the entire list of what Harry could be, each of them had just been dismissed as quickly as he thought it.

Harry was startled by the question; he looked up at Ash in apparent confusion. "What do you mean what am I?" he asked, the guy had used magic too…then again he doubted any normal wizard would have survived two bullets to the chest. "I think the better question is what are you." he finished.

They both stared at one another both not wanting to answer. They were like two peas in a pod. Both stubborn to the very core of their beings. It was no wonder they didn't get along very well.

Harry groaned giving in first, "I'm a wizard," he was in too much pain to argue.

"A wizard?" asked Acheron incredulity written across his face. He was magical he'd give him that, but a wizard? It wasn't a term he'd heard used for magical beings before. Well other than on the television and in books for children.

"Yes, like Merlin you know, wand waving sorcerer," said Harry he was confused why Acheron didn't know what he was.

"You mean like Hecate?" asked Acheron, she was the goddess of the darkness, witchcraft and crossroads that he could understand. The term wizard he couldn't.

"Hecate? The Greek goddess? They don't exist and I'm not some sort of Demigod." said Harry shaking his head.

Acheron laughed, they didn't exist if only his life would have been a lot easier. "They do exist." he told Harry solemnly. Harry's eyes widened comically, the Greek gods existed? Apollo? Poseidon? Hermes? Athena? Artemis? Zeus? He was magical and believed a lot of things…but this…this was hard to get his head around. Well why not? Vampires, goblins, werewolf's and everything else existed why not the Greek gods?

"Are you a god?" asked Harry staring at Acheron finally getting his mouth into working order. He'd told Acheron what he was; it was time for him to come clean.

"It's complicated," said Acheron evasively as always.

"How complicated can it be? Either you are or your not." said Harry arching a sceptical eyebrow at Acheron.

"It's complicated because you obviously don't know anything about my world." said Acheron quietly. Was he better off telling Harry he was a Dark-Hunter? Then he'd have to explain what they were…a god would mean less conversation. He had to get to Artemis, he was furious that she was behind this all. Not only had she forced his hand but endangered Harry as well. That was not acceptable to Acheron Parthenopaeus; you'd think men like him would learn not to give their hearts so easily. Especially when all they knew was betrayal, yet they did it time and time again. Hoping this time they'd get it right, that they'd finally see the world in the same way other people did. Both of them were alike in so many ways it was almost scary.

"You're world?" asked Harry his voice becoming wary. He didn't want to join another magical world, not after leaving one behind. He'd been happy the way things were…or so he deluded himself. Deep down he'd missed the thrill of using magic openly, missed riding his broomstick and missed learning new things every day.

"Do you know what a Dark-Hunter is? A Were-Hunter?" he asked to prove his point.

"No," sighed Harry conceding Acheron's point, he obviously didn't know anything about that world. Although he was definitely curious now…he really did want to know about Ash's world. "But I'd like to know more." his face turned a little sheepish at his confession.

Acheron felt warmed by Harry's confession, so what he'd seen so far hadn't scared him. Namely him killing someone without so much as breaking sweat or guilt. It seemed Harry could protect himself, but that didn't remove the need Acheron felt to protect Harry. He felt very possessive of people he loved, Simi was one of them, and his daughter was the other. Harry was becoming one very fast. Unfortunately he was going to have to leave; hopefully Harry would stay where he was protected.

"I'll tell you more about it soon, but right now I have to leave." said Acheron. "Stay here where it's protected. I'll be back in half an hour."

Harry stared at Ash curiously, before nodding his head he'd stay. If only to protect his neighbours and especially Margaret. Whenever he was home she liked to come over. Heaven forbid should anything happen to her because of him. He wouldn't be able to live with himself; Jared had already died because of something he was involved in. He'd have to live with that guilt, but he wouldn't if anymore people were killed.

Acheron nodded before he teleported out of the room, and to Artemis' temple in Olympus. The fury that had evaporated when he knew Harry was fine came back with a vengeance. If Harry had been human he would have died. Acheron flung open the doors to Artemis' temple, so viciously they clamoured against the wall. Her servants shrieked and ran from the room, leaving Artemis to face the furious god alone.

"What's your wreckage?" she said raking him with a feral glare.

"Damage," he corrected her, "Can't you tell?" he said his voice was cold and furious.

"What? That you look like crap? You're filthy and you smell. Why didn't you bathe before you came to me?" she said screwing her nose up in disgust.

"Because a car ran over me, after I was chased by a group of men shooting at me Artie." boomed Ash fury still pulsing off him in waves.

"And that's my fault? How?" she asked haughtily.

"Does the Atlantikoinonia ring any bells for you?" hissed Acheron.

"Yes, they do. So what?" she said unrepentantly.

"They tried to kill me, Artemis. And as you can plainly see, I'm not really thrilled over it." said Acheron through gritted teeth, just imagining what could have happened made him very, very mad.

"They weren't supposed to touch you. Ever." said Artemis paling drastically as the situation finally dawned on her.

"No," said Acheron, "Their orders were to terminate an innocent human on sight. I just happened to be with him when they struck." he wasn't about to tell Artemis Harry was a wizard, god knows who she'd send after him if she did know.

"Why do you even care about the human? I was only trying to protect you." said Artemis waving away any concern; it was obvious she didn't care for a 'human' as she put it.

"No, you weren't. I know what's in the missing journal. You don't give a shit about my dignity. It's your own ass you're trying to save." he said bitterly.

Artemis scooted back on the couch, trying to escape him. "Does this mean you're the one who took the book?"

"I thought your people had it." said Acheron. Nobody else seemed to bloody have the damn thing.

"If we had it, why would we be after the bastard?" she said curling her lip at him.

"He's not a bastard, Artemis. Now call your dogs off. I mean it." snapped Acheron.

"What if I don't do what you want? They're innocent humans too. Are you going to kill them?" she said not cowering from him.

"I am not playing with you." said Acheron; it was taking sheer force of will to stop himself strangling her. Unfortunately he couldn't do it; he couldn't kill his mother's daughter. Although Katra was grown up now…she didn't need a mother.

"And neither am I," she shrieked. "That journal threatens everything and I won't stop until I have it."

Acheron hissed in fury.

"You won't hurt me and I know it. You love Katra too much. She would be devastated to know her father killed her mother. I should have introduced you two a long time ago. So long as I have her love, I know I'm completely safe from your wrath." she said smirking at him viciously and victoriously.

Acheron hated that she was right. He lowered his arms in defeat, despite the fact a part of him still wanted to choke her.

"I've missed you." she said smiling seductively as she slid her arm around his waist.

Acheron shoved her away from him in disgust. "If you value your worthless life, stay away from me."

"Are you sure about this Urian?" asked Acheron. He was still at home, when his phone rang. It was Urian, and the news he had was disturbing to say the least. He had gone from Artemis' to his home in Katoteros, had a conversation with Urian. Let Simi free, gave her his master card so she could spend money on herself. Then he was visited by Jaden, a Demon Broker, telling him Simi tried to trade for a handbag! Of course he made sure his Demon couldn't do it again. He's just been about to head back to Harry. He'd been gone longer than half an hour.

"Absolutely, it pays to have friends on the dark side. Stryker is sending out scouts even as I speak to find the journal. He wants to take down Artemis and Apollo and absorb their powers. He's also hoping there's something in the journal to hurt you, which now has your mom going ape shit and sending out her demons to look for it too." said Urian laughing evilly. "Welcome to Armageddon, buddy. Looks like they're starting without you."

Acheron flashed out of there immediately, it wasn't just humans after that book now. Magical beings Harry new nothing about were after it. He couldn't protect himself from something he didn't know or understand.

Harry had just rested his head on the pillow of the room he was in when the door went. Cursing at the interruption and pain, as he'd jumped when the door knocked startling him. He opened the door, confused it was Aimee again the girl who helped him before.

"What's up?" asked Harry confused.

"There's six people here to see you…will I send them up?" asked Aimee.

"Send them up," said Harry his eyes narrowed in suspicion, he wished he'd brought his bloody wand. It was easier to use magic with it, than to use Wandless magic. Then six incredibly beautiful, tall women entered the room they all had a symbol on their jackets. A sun with three lightening bolts embedded in it. His hand unconsciously rose to his forehead…wondering if there was more to his scar than he thought now. No he was just too suspicious and paranoid.

"Who are you?" asked Harry warily staring at them, his hands were read to send spells at them if they made one wrong move.

"I was told to deliver this to you," said Justina bowing low as she gave the bag over.

"What is it?" asked Harry staring down at the bag in apparent confusion who where they?

"It's what Jared died for," Justina explained. "The Atlantikoinonia must have killed him before he got away. I'd met him in his flat then left with the journal…if I had known I'd have helped." she sounded genuinely upset.

"The Atlantikoinonia?" asked Harry, wondering what the hell it was.

"A group of lunatics," Justina spat. "They've chased up all the way from Greece to New Orleans. Every time we turn around, there they are trying to nab the journal."

Harry was taken aback by the volatile words spewing from her mouth - and he thought he was bitter.

"They're a group of men who are sworn to protect the secrets of Atlantis and they're ruthless." said Katherine.

"So that's how my boat exploded, the equipment was somehow always faulty…David was bloody right…we were cursed from the get go." cursed Harry furiously. He was glad he'd fucking killed them, innocent people looked for Atlantis, and they fucking killed them for it.

"Yes," said Katharine.

"So you are what?" asked Harry, this world was strange but he was determined to get to the bottom of it.

"Our goddess…"

"Goddess?" asked Harry perking up very interested with that.

"Apollymi the Great Destroyer. Our Order goes back to the days when Atlantis was ruling power on earth. After Atlantis was destroyed, under the protection of our goddess who saved us from the great fall, we went to Greece and set up our Order where it's been maintained in secret ever since." said Katherine.

"We were one of the great Amazon tribes," explained Justina "Only where the others were Greek, we kept to the Atlantean ways."

Harry's head was starting to hurt, he wasn't sure if he understood any of it never mind it all.

"And we were the strongest of them. But since the moment our foremothers escaped to Greece, we've been hunted by Atlantikoinonia. A group founded by the goddess Artemis. Their mandate is to eradicate all evidence that Atlantis and Apollymi ever existed." said Katherine.

"Which means killing innocent humans and you as well of course?" said Harry; he couldn't see a way out of that. They'd continue to hunt him down until he was dead…or he'd killed every single last one of them in retaliation and retribution. No wonder Atlantis had never been bloody found! How had nobody put the dots together? Everyone that looked for Atlantis coming to a sticky end? There had to be someone in the government covering up things like that.

"Which is why we've been hiding for centuries," said Katherine.

"But for Apollymi's protection, we wouldn't have survived so long." said Justina.

"Okay but why bring this to me? Why does Apollymi want me to have it?" asked Harry.

"Our Oracle told us to bring it to you and that's what we are doing. It's foretold that you, like the ancient Atlantean Hariton will be its Guardian." said Justina.

Harry paled drastically, his face loosing all colour, making his green eyes stand out. It wasn't long before a greenish tint began to work across his face. Oracle, fuck, he didn't want to hear that word! Or prophecy or anything relating to the future ever again. One second he's here and now there's a fucking prophecy about him? Why couldn't he get a bloody break! His good hand ran down his face in tiredness, he just wanted to disappear now to forget what he'd heard. He well and truly hated his life, and if the Greek fates were real - they better watch their fucking backs because Harry was going to get revenge big time. He wasn't their fucking toy to play around with. Not again.

Hariton, the Greek version of his name, go figure.

"Guardian?" asked Harry, well guardian didn't sound so bad…apart from the fact apparently people were willing to kill for it. What the hell was in it that people would kill one another for? How did they live with themselves.

"When Atlantis was being destroyed, the head librarian of the national achieves tried to save as much of their work as she could. It's said that her Shade now over-sees the treasures of Atlantis and keeps them save from plunder." said Justina.

"We are the Apollymachi are her Shades. We are the guardians and the Atlantikoinonia are the destroyers." said Katharine.

"So keep it then," said Harry trying to hand it back.

"We can't we were told to deliver it to the Elekti." said Katherine stepping back.

"Elekti?" asked Harry.

"It means chosen one," explained Justina.

Harry laughed in bitter irony; even the pain couldn't stop his amusement. He fell back on the bed, and laughed himself hoarse. It was either that or cry, and Harry just couldn't believe it enough to cry. His body was heaving with the force of his laughter. Harry didn't care that the women were staring at him as if he'd lost his mind. Harry was beginning to wish he had! Oh the irony of life didn't fail to amuse him, or er, rather piss him off. The chosen one, oracles it seemed his life was never his own. Those thoughts sobered him up, and the anger came.

"Leave me," said Harry sitting back up on the bed he didn't look at them.

"We've been told to guard you and follow your orders," said Katherine looking stuck between rock and hard place. If they left they couldn't guard him, but they had been told to guard him and follow his orders. They couldn't do both.

"Please, just go, I'm not going anywhere I give you my word, just let me be. Go to the pub down stairs, have a drink but all I ask is a moment alone." said Harry his voice thick with resignation and something none of them could decipher.

Acheron entered Sanctuary again, this time he headed straight for Harry's room instead of entering through the door. He had to make sure Harry was alright. Despite him not coming in through the door…sweet home Alabama still ended up on. It was a game they played. Since the were-hunters were cousins to the Apollites, they often sheltered Apollites and Daimon's. Ash, being a Dark-Hunter, would be obliged to kill any Daimon's he found which meant the Daimon's would be running for cover right about now. The Apollites preferred not to see a Dark-Hunter so they made themselves just as scarce whenever he was around. None of them knew Acheron was a god.

He was relieved Harry was there until he saw his face. Harry was sitting on the bed Ryssa's journal beside him looking sick. Ash's heartbeat thumped through him wildly, he prayed it wasn't the second journal they'd been looking for. Judging by the look on Harry's face … he'd read it. He had gone from Artemis' to his home in Katoteros, had a conversation with Urian. Let Simi free, gave her his master card so she could spend money on herself. Then he was visited by Jaden, a Demon Broker, telling him Simi tried to trade for a handbag. In that time, someone had been reading about his past…he felt weak and sick to his stomach as Harry looked. Shame squirmed like a living thing in his gut; he was so consumed by shame, fear and the ultimate humiliation he couldn't speak.

this chapter was extremly difficult to write...took me hours to do it rather than just the normal hour i need to get a chapter out! ooooo has harry read it? or is he still in shock over the news he'd recieved? and acheron is over reacting? will harry even stay or will he want to run? leaving ash behind as he always is? or will ash disapear and harry grow concerned? despite the fact that he knows ash can defend himself...harry always had a saving people thing ;) will he be helped then by hacate and appolymi given magic so he could go to Olympus and find Ash there? or will he recieve the powers and ash get back to him before he can go up there? ash wouldnt want anyone to see him like that (Artemis beating him)...least of all harry the poor guy :( dont worry guys ;) it will be the last thing she ever does to him! :D then its game on and revenge will be Harry's! R&R PLEASE