Authors Note: So, I'm putting a warning. There will be mentions of like, miscarriages, and infant deaths and all that brought up in this chapter, just had to get that out, just in case. But other than that, I hope you guys enjoy this chapter
Chapter 36: The official god team returns!
It was early in the morning, just a day after Artemis had experienced her first case of a domain overload. The hunters woke up in typical routine as the first rays of the sun hit the grass, prompting them to set up everything needed for their mornings. And while they usually never got any visitors, only weird mist like messages which their patrons used often, today seemed to be a start for another unusual day. For they did indeed, had a visitor.
Clio squinted her eyes as she felt the sunlight become brighter than before, and glanced up momentarily to check the position of the sun, only to find it shining quite brightly. And it seemed to be just seven in the morning.
"Um, is it just me or does it weirdly feel like its afternoon right now? Even though the sun is clearly not in the afternoon position?" Clio asked.
Arius stared at her weirdly and then glanced at the sun, raising an eyebrow. "It does seem a bit bright."
"Don't stare at the sun, you wouldn't want to be half blind now would you Arius." Phoebe said.
"Let him stare Phoebe, maybe it will help him grow some sense." Celyn piped up. "Or render him blind, but which he does he need more."
Arius stuck out his tongue. "I will still be here in the hunt. Because Artemis and Perseus are nice people. Gods actually, but still."
"Then good thing this isn't Sparta." Aias, a hunter muttered with a shudder.
"Is it just me now again, or is the grass around now smoking." Clio said, staring at slowly blackening grass, with smoke forming out of it.
"No, but- watch out!" Acantha yelled, pulling Celyn and Phoebe aside. Up on the sky, a large burst of light lit the horizon, sending a wave of warmth and heat everywhere, which the hunters experienced. And that only increased, making them feel that their clothes were going to melt right there. The hunters immediately averted their eyes, but had their weapons out, a cautionary tactic by Artemis. If something weird like the sky lighting up and heat waves arose, expect it to be divine intervention. And to take out weapons, just in case.
The heat waves and the blinding light died down, prompting the hunters to open their eyes. Standing at then of the clearing was a fairly large chariot made out of solid gold, with various designs depicting the sun etched everywhere. Apollo clambered out of the chariot, looking a bit dazed as he approached the hunters.
"Man, parking a chariot, no less the sun, is a real pain." Apollo grumbled, adopting an easy going grin when he saw the hunters. "How's it going everyone, Apollo over here. Phoebe, Celyn, nice to see you again. It's been a while."
Phoebe raised an eyebrow. "Since when was seventeen years 'been a while'?"
Apollo shrugged. "I don't know, time is weird."
"Y-You're Lord Apollo?!" Aias stammered.
"Yep. Apollo the sun god, chariot rider extraordinaire. Archer extraordinaire, medical extraordinaire, poet extraordinaire, and a whole lot of things extraordinaire." Apollo replied with a grin. As he listed off his domains, the hunters had already kneeled down and got up.
"Is that actually the sun?" Irene blurted out.
"Not exactly miss. The sun chariot, to put it lightly, is a culmination of all the dreams and views mortals have when they think of the sun. you could say that my chariot is made up of mortal faith. Does that make sense?"
"…That actually does. Kinda…" Irene replied.
"Why are you here Lord Apollo. Wait, what am I saying, you're here for either Artemis or Perseus, or both." Celyn said.
"Spot on. Perseus told me to come down here yesterday, not sure why though. Is he and Artemis up yet?"
"They're both sleeping, which isn't that unusual honestly." Ajax said, pointing at their tents.
"Well, they aren't morning people, which makes sense." Apollo replied with a grin. "Which gives me the perfect opportunity to wake up Perseus." Apollo said, summoning a metal pan and rod.
"Excuse me for a minute." Apollo said, walking towards Perseus's tent, marked with an eclipse. As soon as he entered the tent, the hunters covered their ears for what's to come. However, there was no loud sounds or swearing coming out from the tent. Apollo then came out, looking confused as well.
"Percy is not in there; did he leave without saying anything?" Apollo asked.
The hunters glanced at each other with slight frowns. "He always leaves a note if he does go out early."
Ajax's eyes then widened. "You know, the last thing I did see before I entered my own tent was Percy going into Artemis's. You don't think, he…stayed there for the night?"
"Yeah…no." Apollo said with a laugh. "Percy in Artemis's tent. Yeah, that will only happen if I'm not a god, which means never. Like, that's impossible, it can't be, it's preposterous." Apollo finished with a nervous chuckle, but the hunters didn't look convinced.
"You know what, maybe I should check." Apollo muttered as he headed for Artemis's tent. He then steeled his nerves as he slowly opened the flap of the tent. Apollo then took one peek inside, and immediately screamed out shrilly.
"AAAIIIHHHH!"
The hunters watched with slight amusement as Apollo made a mad dash for his chariot. Within minutes, Perseus and Artemis stumbled out, both of them tangled with their separate blankets.
"Who screamed just now?" Perseus said worriedly.
"Is that…my brother's chariot?" Artemis wearily asked.
"He did." The hunters said, answering Perseus's question and pointed at the chariot. A distinct squeak was heard from it.
"Yep, that's your brother's chariot alright." Perseus said dryly, making Artemis groan softly. The two then approached the sun chariot, where they found Apollo huddled inside, clutching a bow tightly.
"Hi Artemis. Percy." Apollo said. "How was your sleep?"
Artemis narrowed her eyes. "Very good, one of my better ones actually. That is, until you ruined it."
Apollo gulped. "I admit, I freaked out when I saw you and Percy sleeping together-"
"We weren't sleeping together." Perseus protested. "I just had my head on Artemis's bed."
"Your entire upper body was snuggled against Artemis, don't lie to me."
I'm not lying, you're trying to deny me!"
"Why would I want to deny the fact you and Artemis are not sleeping together!"
"Boys! Before you two go and light up the sky on fire, can someone at least tell me while you are here." Artemis said, her stare directed at Apollo.
Apollo pouted. "Why are looking at me like I'm some kind of gerbil? Wait, don't even answer that."
"I called him here, and I will explain why later. You sticking for breakfast Apollo?" Perseus asked.
"As long as I make some sunny side up eggs, then a definite yes." Apollo said as he sprung up.
The hunters watched with slight fascination as their patrons bantered with the sun god. Not to mention, for some, this was the second or third time they have ever seen another god in front of their eyes. Thankfully, Apollo had managed to ease them up considerably, though they were still careful around him, in order to not get smitted. Each god was different after all.
The hunters though were sitting especially close to Artemis, still shook by yesterday's events. Perseus and Apollo were no better, watching Artemis like a hawk which in the end, ticked her off.
"I'm not going to drop into another coma you know." Artemis said, glaring at Perseus and Apollo, who flinched in response.
"We know Artemis." Perseus replied, trying for a smile. "But we can't be too careful if anything arises."
Artemis sighed in response. "Look, I know you two were the ones who were seriously worried and actively trying to heal me, but I'm fine. Same goes for you to kids, I'm not going to give you all another scare. Really, the apples and other stuff worked as it intended. I'm kinda itching to go out for a hunt honestly, due to how much energy I have right now in me."
"I know how that feels." Apollo muttered.
"Well, that's good to hear." Perseus said, a smile forming on his face. "And speaking of going out hunting, I actually have a simple solution for that."
Artemis immediately perked. "You and me hunting? I know the perfect spot we can head to, there's this place far off called Ephesus-"
"Actually." Perseus interrupted. "I was thinking you and Apollo go for a hunt together, just the two of you." He said, rubbing the back of his neck. "That's why I called him over here in the first place
"Oh." Artemis simply said, glancing from Perseus to Apollo. "You sure you don't want to come Percy?"
"Oh come Arty." Apollo whined. "It'll be like the old days, the two of us hunting in the forests while Percy was too busy trying to evade Ares and Athena from daily lessons up on Olympus. It'll be fun!"
"Don't call me Arty." Artemis muttered, a thoughtful look on her face. "Though I don't mind having Apollo tag along. How god are you still in hunting?"
Apollo snorted. "Come on sis, I'm the god of archery."
"I said, hunting not archery." Artemis replied.
"…Is there a difference?" Apollo whispered to Perseus, who shrugged in return.
"Thank you Fates for the extra energy power in me" Artemis said to herself, but still loud enough to hear. "Because I wouldn't be able to handle an incompetent Apollo when it comes to hunting without it."
"Hey!" Apollo protested, leading the hunters to snicker, only to immediately quieten down when they realized they were laughing at Apollo who was still an unknown god to them.
"Arius, go and oversee the hunters with their close combat. Perseus will join you later on." Artemis said. After the hunters had left, Artemis pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed. "What are you going to be doing then Perseus? I assume you will be staying back, if I'm not present."
"That's correct. But I also plan to find that onocentaur's Hippalectryons today."
"You sure you don't join? Or are you hell bent on it just being my brother tagging along with me?" Artemis asked.
"I feel like you need a break and maybe let loose some steam after yesterday's fiasco." Perseus replied. "And while I would love to be by your side during your break and all, I have things to take care of which I don't think I can delay. Which is, to possibly find a lead regarding Lycaon."
Artemis nodded with approval while Apollo looked confused. "Lycaon? You don't mean the wolf man king of Arcadia right?"
"Former king of Arcadia." Perseus corrected. "I have a feeling he's targeting us, but I don't know the full reason for it."
"Hmm, maybe he's getting a craving for humans. The hunters are the only ones here present who are, well, qualify as 'humans'." Apollo said, forming air quotes with his fingers.
"Thank you Lord Obvious." Artemis said. "So little brother, when do you want to leave for our hunt?"
"I'm little brother now? Man, that's mean sis." Apollo replied with a grin. "As for when we can leave, I was thinking, now? We can even take the chariot; and I know you haven't even taken one step on it as far as I can recall."
Artemis wrinkled her nose. "I just don't like it, too flashy for my taste."
"It's the sun Artemis, what did you expect." Apollo said in a deadpanned voice.
"Well, will you look at that, you guys are going for a little bonding trip after such a long time." Perseus said, wiping away an imaginary tear. "You two are growing up so fast."
"Can we make him a pincushion?" Apollo asked Artemis.
"Only if he says one more remark about us." Artemis replied, taking out her bow.
Perseus's eyes widened. "Then I take it it's my cue to leave. Have fun, and don't kill each other while you're at it." Perseus said, giving Artemis a quick kiss, and Apollo a ruffle on his head.
"We can't die." Artemis and Apollo said together, the former having a blush on her face while the latter had a scowl as he straightened his hair. Perseus made his way to where the hunters were, a small smile on his face as he heard the distinct playful banter erupting between the twins.
"Iris, show me Hephaestus. Probably in one of his forges I'm guessing." Perseus said as he threw a drachma into a newly formed rainbow, while examining a set of claws. The rainbow shimmered, forming an image of Hephaestus, kissing a woman.
"Hey Heph, I was wondering- what in the world-!"
"Perseus!" Hephaestus rumbled, swinging his neck so fast that a mortal would have gotten whiplash. "I…uh…"
"I am so sorry about this; I can call you another time-"
'No no, it's fine, Algaia was just leaving. I was seeing her off. Yeah, bye now, see you tomorrow."
"Algaia?!" Perseus questioned, looking surprised. "Isn't she…" Perseus said, glancing through the message to see if Hephaestus's lover had actually gone. "Isn't Algaia one of the Charities? Aphrodite's handmaidens?"
"Yep." Hephaestus replied with a grin.
"You're first ever relationship, outside of Aphrodite, is with her handmaiden."
"Yep."
Perseus blinked once. "Fair enough." He then said. "How is the helmet I asked for coming along?"
"I made the mold of the face, just like you asked for." Hephaestus replied, holding out a block. "I'm trying to find a suitable way to get the opening and closing mechanism for the helmet operating. You have thought of quite a complicated design Perseus."
"And there's no one better to make it a reality than you Heph. Unless, the Elder cyclops work together to make it that is."
"Bah! You don't need those procrastinators when you have me. I can safely say that the helmet will be ready in a couple of days."
"That sounds wonderful. And while you're at it, I need another favor." Perseus replied, holding out a singular lion claw. "You see this?"
"Yeah, a claw. What you want me to do with it?" Hephaestus asked.
"Recently, I have found out that werewolves, are hurt by weapons made out of silver. Or anything silver really, if you know how to use it as a weapon." Perseus replied offhandedly. "I'm tracking some beasts which I believe to be taken by those wolves, which brings me…"
"To me, because you need silver weapons." Hephaestus finished, a frown on his face. "Can't you just ask me to make a silver sword or something? Why go through the trouble of showing me a random claw?"
Perseus sighed. "Because I want you to make me a set of gloves that have retractable silver claws attached to the fingertips. I don't want to bother with another set of weapons which I can just form with a fleeting thought." Perseus replied, showing of his brace forming a dagger. "I like variety in my arsenal."
"You sure do.' Hephaestus muttered to himself. "Very well, I understand your proposition and will see to its completion. If I were to give it an estimate…I will say a couple of days, just like your helmet. You're lucky I currently don't have any old projects on me now."
"Thanks a lot Hephaestus. Also, I was wondering if you can model the claws after the ones which hellhounds have. And if you can-"
Hephaestus barked out a laugh. "Hellhound claws? Have you forgotten how big they are; they will surely not fit on your mortal sized, or any sized fingertips. The only way I can implement them is if I place them within the space between your knuckles. So it will be like…retractable claws, coming out of your knuckles."
Perseus had a thoughtful look on his face on hearing it. "That…actually sounds really cool in its own way. But I want more mobility, and I already have something like that with my attached blades. So fingertip claws will be best."
"Fingertip claws it is then." Hephaestus rumbled. "I will model it out of the claw you showed me before, those will do."
"Thanks a lot Heph, you really are one of the best." Perseus teased, making Hephaestus grumble. "But one more thing, does Aphrodite know you're dating Algaia?"
"Not at all. ...Are you going to tell her?" Hephaestus asked.
"Nah." Perseus replied. "I think her finding about it herself would be funnier."
"Ah, I see. Well then Perseus, until next time." Hephaestus said, swiping the Iris message away. Perseus then settled his belongings, and stepped outside to see that it was almost five in the evening. Which meant, that Pootus the onocentaur will be arriving soon, to take him and a couple of hunters to retrieve the Hippalectryon from the wolves.
"Have you decided on who you're going to take with you?" Phoebe asked. "I am the best tracker after all, if you need one that is."
"Thanks Phoebe, but we already know where to go." Perseus replied.
"Then you need a great archer." Celyn piped in.
"Or a trapper." Britomartis added.
"Someone who can use melee weapons would be better." Arius chimed in.
Perseus pinched the bridge of his nose as he let out a sigh. "I've already decided who I'm going to be taking, so none of you all will be able to persuade me." Perseus announced, making some of the hunters groan.
"Let's see…Aias, Irene. You guys are tagging along with me."
"B-But, they only have two months of experience?!" Britomartis exclaimed.
"Which is why I'm taking them along." Perseus replied, snapping his fingers, summoning a number of silver weapons. "I want everyone to equip to these weapons temporarily for this is the only material known that can kill those wolves that have been reported to be scouting our area, like the one we saw yesterday. Acantha, you're in charge for today, and don't leave this area for the day. I need all of you to stay within the premises, just for today. If anyone dares step outside, punishments will be handed out. Have I made myself clear?" Perseus stated. Maybe he and Artemis should appoint a commander of sorts within the hunters, someone permanent to take charge. After the hunters agreed, Perseus then crouched down, placing his hand on the ground. He muttered something incoherent, though it led to the ground lighting up, sending a pulse around that ended with the invisible barrier protecting the camp. A few moments later, the barrier began to glow momentarily as well.
"A good precaution." Perseus muttered as he got up. "If you see anything really suspicious looking, and if some monsters come that you don't think you all can handle, then please pray to me immediately. Your safety is my top priority; I don't want anything to come in the way."
"Are you two ready to go now?" Perseus asked the two hunters, who nodded in response, but still looked a bit fearful. "Don't worry, I'll make sure you guys will be well protected. And as long as you have your silver weapons, you won't have a hard time taking down any of those weird wolves if we come across them."
Soon enough, Perseus and the hunters were walking through the forest of Arcadia, later joined by Pootus. As soon as they entered a particular area, Perseus had taken note of some abnormalities found in the forest. Slash marks on trees, splatters of dried blood, and the faint stench of raw meat enveloped the area. Pootus looked visibly nervous, his tail swishing around back and forth.
"How much further do we have to go?" Perseus asked.
"Another few minutes, milord. I'm almost positive we will be there soon." Pootus answered.
"I have a bad feeling about this." Aias muttered. "What if it's a trap?"
"Trap or not, I'm going to get what I'm finding for." Perseus muttered to himself. "Even if it means a couple of dead rooster horse hybrids."
Pootus audibly squeaked.
Five minutes later, Pootus abruptly stopped and started to sniff around. Perseus also felt the air change in his surroundings, like something unnatural was close by. "Hunters, weapons out." He whispered, while also taking out his own bow. The group then continued forward, until Pootus hurriedly climbed up a tree, and then let out a sigh as he gazed down in the distance.
"My Hippalectryons are still there, along with the wolves indeed. Thank the gods they didn't move their spot." Pootus stated.
"Your welcome." Perseus mumbled, peering through the overgrowth at where Pootus was looking. True to the onocentaur's word, the Hippalectryon were present, and even Perseus had to admit, that they did look quite spectacular. The front half was of a horse, but it also had the plumage along the upper and bottom neck, and beak of a rooster as well. The back half was definitely that of a rooster's, with instead of horse feet on the back like it had for the front, it had the feet of a rooster itself. A set of large colorful wings were attached to its back, which confused Perseus on how it could be such low flyers, according to Pootus. The flying horse born out of Medusa's blood had a similar wingspan as well.
"Woah, they actually look much cooler that what I thought they would be." Aias whispered.
"I thought they would be little, they look huge!" Irene said.
"Well, I am glad you are now appreciating them. Very glad indeed." Pootus stated proudly.
Perseus didn't answer, as he took in the scene in front of him. Just as there were Hippalectryon's, there were also wolves roaming about, with the same markings of Lycaon on their faces. Off in the distance was a rugged looking man, tearing apart a dead Hippalectryon with his mouth and hands. It looked like the forest wasn't very kind on him, but Perseus was able to make out something unusual about him. Canine like features, deer skin wrapped around his body. And the old mark of Arcadia, burnt on his upper arm.
"Not Lycaon…but definitely a subordinate of his." Perseus thought. He knew it was a matter of minutes before the werewolf would sense his godly presence, and would either run off, or engage in a battle. No matter the outcome, Perseus had to capture him alive.
"Okay, listen up. We are going to engage contact with the wolves first. Irene, go on the treetops and only kill the wolves I will trap with my powers. Aias, you're going to target the wolves that will go for the Hippalectryon's. And also our possible decoy. Pootus…what are you good in?"
"Nothing of note milord." Pootus said glumly.
"Then you're going to be our decoy."
"…What?!"
"Oh mighty wolf, I ask you to kindly return my precious childe- I mean Hippalectryon this instant." Pootus announced, walking into the wolf's lair. Every single wolf reared its head and growled loudly on seeing the Onocentaur. The werewolf glanced up from his meal, it's orange colored eyes narrowing.
"Your Hippalectryon? Last I checked, no one was even guarding them, or even had a piece of parchment or leaf that said 'belongs to this person'."
"Because a fool would destroy that to cover it." Pootus exclaimed.
"Are you calling me a fool then, centaur?" the werewolf growled, baring it's teeth.
"Uh…"
"Get him." The werewolf ordered. "And I want him brought alive, as I want my face to be the last thing he sees!"
The wolves howled and then bounded for Pootus. Pootus then began braying loudly, and still continued on when the wolves pinned him down. Until…
"What the-" the werewolf mumbled as he watched tendrils come out of shadows, and wrapped themselves around the wolves surrounding Pootus. The bounded wolves were then launched on to the werewolf, temporarily incapacitating them. Pootus watched as the earth rumbled beneath him, and formed a cover around the pile of wolves. The sounds of arrows then whizzed by him, making him turn around to see a couple of wolves that looked to be heading towards him, now melting into a pool of shadows.
Perseus then stepped into the lair, bow out as he eyed the encasing he made. He then dissolved it, revealing a couple of passed out wolves, and a gasping werewolf. Perseus then used his wisps to bind the werewolf again, suspending him up in order to come face to face with him.
"I always wondered if werewolves can turn into a wolf during the day. Is that true, or does it only happen during nighttime?"
"Who the hell are you." The werewolf gasped.
"I wouldn't bother honestly, seeing that I'm going to kill you anyway." Perseus replied. "Now tell me this, did Lycaon send you here?"
"You won't get a word out of me." The werewolf spat.
Perseus sighed as he took out a silver arrow, making the werewolf chuckle. "Threatening with weapons, how original. And seeing that you asked about my transformation, I'm guessing you know nothing about our kind."
"Hmm? I'm guessing you don't know how to recognize silver metal then." Perseus replied with a smirk, drawing the arrow through the werewolf's face. The werewolf began howling loudly as he felt the metal pierce his skin, and Perseus watched as small black wisps came out of the newly made wound, instead of blood coming out.
"Shadows." Perseus thought as he felt a tug in him. "I'm asking once again. Did Lycaon send you here, and why?"
"I-I-I…I...will not tell."
"I swear if you don't tell me werewolf, I will kill you so hard that I'll make sure you won't regenerate ever. Then again, do you werewolves even regenerate?"
"Perseus!" Irene shouted. "All the wolves are down, but a couple escaped though."
"I think that's alright, as long as I get what I need from you." Perseus said, eyes glowing blue. The werewolf struggled against the binds as he dared not make direct eye contact with the being in front of him. But it was a hopeless case, as Percy used the wisps coming out of the wound from the werewolf to steady the werewolf's head, and to make him look directly into his eyes.
"No…I won't…" the werewolf mumbled as his eyes glazed. "I can't…tell…outsider-"
Perseus just blankly stared at him as shadows pooled around him, encasing him and the werewolf in a cocoon of sorts. Later on, when Irene and Aias met up from their initial positions, they found Pootus staring dumbly at Perseus, as he dragged the dead werewolf behind him, that was dissolving at a very slow rate.
"Milord…what did you do to him." Pootus whispered.
"Just talked." Perseus simply said, absorbing the dispersing shadows from the werewolf. "Are you two alright?"
"Yeah, I just got a scratch from a branch as I was climbing down, but nothing serious." Irene said, while Aias stared at the werewolf.
"Did you, enter his mind Perseus?" Aias asked.
"No, like I said before, we just talked." Perseus replied nonchalantly. "And Pootus, sorry about the death of one of your Hippalectryon."
"Oh that." Pootus said, sniffling. "I see that two of them were dead, but at least most of them are alive. My precious!" Pootus exclaimed, running towards the Hippalectryon with open arms. Perseus had turned around to see if there were any stragglers or watchers present when he heard a strange noise and the hunters cry out in shock. He immediately turned around to narrowly miss seeing Pootus sail up in the air, while a Hippalectryon had its back feet out like it just kicked something. Perseus then turned around again, and gasped along with the hunters as he saw Pootus get impaled by a tree branch. The onocentaur struggled to break free from it, but then became slack in a few moments time.
The Hippalectryon neighed loudly, prompting Perseus to form a spear and shield as he brought the hunters behind him. The Hippalectryon didn't seem to mind Perseus though, as they kept neighing and snorting, while making weird clucking sounds.
"Perseus, what is happening." Irene whimpered. Perseus didn't answer, as he decided to communicate telepathically with the creature in front of him, that is, if the creature was willing to talk.
It was only a few minutes later when Perseus broke the connection, and let out a simple 'Huh', which really confused the hunters.
"It seems like Pootus wasn't the original owner of these Hippalectryon at all." Perseus explained. "Turns out, he seemed to have stole them from their previous owner, and used some kind of herbs to make them listen to him. The same herbs also affected their flying ability, which makes sense now on why they were supposedly 'pathetic' in flying. And since Pootus was separated from the Hippalectron for quite a long time, he never got a chance to administer the herb again. And that leads us to them killing Pootus…as revenge."
Both Irene and Aias had mixed reactions on hearing all this, as they stared back and forth from Perseus's non joking face, the Hippalectryon, and the remains of Pootus, a pile of dirt with a single weed sprouting out.
"This is a bit too much for me to handle." Aias muttered.
"Not the worst I've seen honestly. Hmm? No way. Oh you got to be kidding me." Perseus said, groaning out loud. He then explained further on seeing the confused looks on the hunters faces.
"It seems like the Hippalectryon belong to a group of Akephaloi, the worst kind of humanoid beings I've ever met in my life." Perseus replied.
"Humanoid?" Irene asked.
"Well, they are humans. In a way. Basically, they have no head at all. Their eyes, nose, mouth, all that is located on their chest area. So yeah, they have like eyes for nipples, a mouth for a belly-button-"
"Eww." Irene and Aias said together.
"Same reaction kids, same reaction." Perseus said with a chuckle. "And they are the most snobbish and stuck-up bunch of people I've ever met, like damn, are they irritating. But they can't hear properly, due to their ears being under their armpits. Which is a good way to sneak in quick whispers." Perseus then spotted an Iris message forming next to him. "Why don't you guys go and collect your arrows or any spoils remaining. And don't go near the Hippalectryon, while they said they wouldn't hurt us, I'm not taking any chances."
After the hunters had gone, Perseus approached the Iris message, which then showed an image of a grinning Apollo, covered from head to toe with leaves and dirt.
"What's up with the get up, are you trying to be one with nature?" Perseus asked.
"Close enough, I'm hiding. Or more like, I'm on a timeout." Apollo replied.
"Timeout? What did you do, flirt with the nymphs over there?" Perseus asked with a laugh.
"No, not at all. But it seems like attracting wild animals with music and then killing them when they are close enough is not 'ethical hunting' in Artemis's books." Apollo replied. "And as for Artemis, she's wrestling and slaughtering a mountain bear right now."
Perseus blinked. "A mountain what?!"
"Relax Perce, she's fine, it's Artemis we're talking about." Apollo said nonchalantly. "But enough about her, look at this!" Apollo said excitedly, showing off a raven that was perched on his shoulder.
"I found my animal companion!" Apollo shouted. "And I'm calling him Vision!"
Perseus raised an eyebrow. "Why Vision?"
"Because I saw him in a vision. How cool is that!" Apollo replied.
"Apollo! You're here wanting a sibling outing, and you're already Iris messaging- Perseus! How has it been, hunters gave you any trouble? Did you find those Hippalectryon of that ono…centaur?" Artemis said, alomost pushing Apollo aside
Perseus grinned. "Hey dear, I'm doing great. And honestly, I should be asking about your day, since I'm sure It's more exciting than mine."
"Well, I am having fun. And Apollo hasn't been much of a pain either, probably because I put him on a timeout." Artemis replied.
"I'm right here you know." Apollo whined.
Perseus smiled, but then remembered Artemis mention the Hippalectryon. Which then led to the conversation he had with the werewolf, and what he had learnt.
"Percy? You okay?" Artemis asked, noticing the smile disappearing off Perseus's face.
"Artemis, I found out something related to Lycaon that you will have to hear. But not now, I'll tell you once you return back though, you don't have to bother coming early."
Artemis was going to open her mouth to say something when she suddenly went rigid. Perseus and Apollo were immediately on high alert as they saw Artemis frown in concentration, her silver aura glowing brightly.
"Please not again, please not again, please not again…" Perseus chanted internally, letting out a sigh of relief when Artemis opened her eyes, looking relatively normal.
"I think you should tell me now in fact Perseus. About Lycaon." Artemis said, eyes flashing. "Meet you in my tent?"
Perseus nodded, and then watched as Artemis disconnected the call. After seeing to it that the Hippalectryon had left on their own accord, he quickly collected the hunters and then flashed them and himself to back to the camp. As soon as Perseus entered Artemis's tent, Artemis herself had then flashed in, looking troubled herself.
"Arcadia. There's something that's going to happen in Arcadia." Artemis blurted out, making Perseus widen his eyes.
"Well what do you know, that werewolf was right." Perseus said with a sigh. "I got information that states that Lycaon is planning to attack that city in a few days' time. And the reason he's been scouting out the hunt is to analyze how much of a threat us and the hunt will be."
"I don't think he will be acting alone though." Artemis continued. "I got another vision regarding something similar before my domain overload. The only reason I didn't really get affected is because of my excess power. But this thing…this thing was communicating with Lycaon's wolves. It seems to have a similar agenda I believe, or something even worse…"
"So we have like, dozens of werewolves, who all want to unnecessarily attack the city who 'wronged' them, then some kind of demonic entity that is linked to the death of infants and children? Something all those lines?"
Artemis frowned. "It's not just infants…"
"This is already giving me a sense of flashbacks. That is, if, you, me, and the 'others' are going to roam around Arcadia, kill werewolves, and trying to stop a person." Perseus said.
Artemis smiled. "Are we really going to do this? I mean, last time we went through Kichyros freely was thanks to Hades hiding us out. Arcadia, while it doesn't have an actual patron, is under strict watch from my father. No way he's not going to pry his eyes away from the city."
Perseus snorted. "Unless he sees a beautiful woman."
Artemis rolled her eyes. "Last I heard from Apollo, my father is in deep trouble with Hera because she found out that some hero, coincidently named Perseus of all names, is his demigod child. I highly doubt he's going to look for another woman with Hera breathing down upon him."
Perseus had a thoughtful look as he heard all this, the only other reaction being an eyebrow raise on hearing about the demigod. And, when Artemis mentioned Hera breathing down upon him…
"Then…the only beautiful woman Zeus would have to settle for is his own wife." Perseus said slowly, his mind wandering to various scenarios. Until, he thought of Aphrodite.
"And I know exactly what to do." Perseus said, grinning evilly, and slightly making Artemis freak out a little.
A few days later
"Hey aunt Hera! How are you this fine evening." Perseus chirped brightly as he entered inside Hera's temple. The temple was the only place where Hera's grand peacocks were kept, which was what Hera was tending to.
"Perseus? I didn't expect to see you here, and to see me so soon." Hera replied, raising an eyebrow. "Especially after what you did to revive Artemis."
Perseus was prepared for this. "I have been thinking about that, which is why I am here. To apologize."
"I don't care about health or no other means, my apples aren't- I beg your pardon?"
"I apologize for your using your apples without consent, that was wrong of me to do." Perseus replied solemnly. "Because of this, I am willing to abide to anything you say, as long as it doesn't diminish my happiness, or put me in compromising situations. And of course, if it is within my realm of power."
Hera was speechless on hearing everything Perseus had to say. After Perseus was finished, it took a minute for Hera to get her voice back. "Oh…okay. I must say, this was not the response I was expecting." Hera replied, narrowing her eyes. "Spill it out nephew, there's more to this I believe. A favor from me, I presume?"
"That is correct. Not only will I do what I listed above for an entire month, and only for a month, I will also take it upon myself to get more of your golden apples. Without the Hesperides help if you so wish."
"Hmm, a month to do my reasonable bidding, and you will go and get the golden apples again with potentially facing off against Ladon? That sounds very reasonable nephew. But the question is…" Hera said, getting up. "What do you require from me?"
"I need you, to distract Zeus tonight. And when I say distract. I mean you need to have my Uncle's full attention. To the point where you are the sole thing he will focus on for the rest of the night, nothing else should tear him away from you. Do that, and my favor will be complete."
Hera was staring at Perseus now with a very questioning gaze. "The fact that you want my husband's attention to be away from what you're possibly doing makes me uneasy…"
"It's not anything bad or threatening to Olympus." Perseus clarified. "I just don't want Zeus to be breathing down upon my neck and shouting 'ancient laws' over and over again."
"Now I'm even more worried. And besides, how am I going to get my husbands 'attention' when I can't even stop him from chasing after other woman." Hera spat out. "And besides, we are in the middle of a fight, what good will it do now if I try to act all nice around him…"
"Jackpot." Perseus thought, and even though he hated the thought of influencing his aunt's actions, there was no other way to get Zeus off him. Except for one…
"I'm sure you will manage, due to the fact that you are obviously very beautiful, and I say that as a familial compliment, nothing else." Perseus said quickly (he didn't want another potential Demeter situation). But if you're still doubtful, I actually have something that might interest you." Perseus said, reaching for the inside of his cloak.
Hera's eyes immediately widened as she choked on her saliva. "That, no. Is that…Aphrodite's belt?!"
"Yes." Perseus simply replied. Aphrodite's belt, an object that allows the user to get anyone, to fall in love with the wearer, no matter the situation or person, in theory. It was the most powerful love object in the land, and something which Perseus found quite bizarre to even exist. Since, Aphrodite can virtually make anyone fall in love with her as well, and there were of course Eros's arrows but those were temporary. The belt however, while the effects of it can be removed, was permanent when the wearer wanted it to last. And that's what made it very powerful. Lucky for him and Aphrodite, no one knew that the effects of the belt could be permanent. Everyone else thought it was temporary, like the love arrows. But it still had its worth.
"If you use this on Zeus, you would have the full upper hand against him." Perseus stated. "And of course, he'll be too busy drooling at your sight then to pay attention on mortal affairs. What do you say Aunt Hera?"
"This is for a night, right? Just for tonight…I can have the belt…for myself." Hera said slowly, a hungry look forming in her eyes.
"Yep. Oh and, I would need it first thing in the morning, preferably during breakfast. Otherwise Aphrodite would get mad and make me listen to her dumb crab's songs on repeat. And that's equal to Apollo's early poetry stages for sure."
"So…how did it go?" Artemis asked.
"She was apprehensive, but as soon as I got the belt out, it was all over for her."
Artemis shook her head. "Sometimes, your genius astounds me."
"Aww, thanks hon. Now if only I can get Athena to say that aloud."
"Which, would never happen with you present." Artemis quipped, her expression then turning serious. "So my father is taken care of. Have the others made their preparations?"
"Hecate has the map, Hermes has the intel, and both Aphrodite and Apollo have made sure to check on the happenings of the city." Perseus replied. "We won't be having drugged up civilians though, so that's an obstacle."
"I would probably suggest putting them to sleep, but I feel that would make it easier for the enemies to attack." Artemis muttered.
"We just have to try our best to make sure that no one comes in our way then. Which would probably be easy, if we finish this quickly." Perseus said. "Have you got, any other flashes or jerks since that day?"
"No, not really. But my senses are particularly dialed up today. And I can fell something approaching." Artemis said softly. "Something foreboding. Which I do hope that thing is also feeling by sensing me, because I'm going to kick that thing's ass straight into the realm of the faded if I have to, mark my words."
"That would be a sight to see." Perseus replied, holding her. "We're going to get through this, together."
"I know." Artemis said, leaning forward to peck Perseus's lips. A bright flash of light. and swirling sounds were than heard outside, making Perseus and Artemis sigh.
"Of course, we can't forget about those guys."
"Did Artemis just mention us? I'm pretty sure she did." Hermes said, entering inside, followed by Apollo and Hecate.
"All…right. The official god team is back in business!" Apollo announced.
"And don't forget about me!' Aphrodite piped up, poking her head inside.
"What joy." Hecate said as she rolled her eyes, though there was a small smile playing on her lips. "I must say Perseus, good job in finding this spot for our meetings. It was a pain having you all in my place."
"I agree with Hecate on the former. This is a pretty big upgrade from that laboratory room we had before." Hermes said.
"…What's wrong with my 'laboratory room' mister?!" Hecate exclaimed.
"And best of all, this place is in Skiágis! I told you this will be the perfect hangout spot for us, huh Perce?" Apollo said slinging his arm around Perseus's shoulder.
"Don't…remind me." Perseus said through clenched teeth.
"Break it up everyone, we need our plan out now." Artemis said, clapping her hands. "Brief summary, tonight, Lycaon's wolves and himself are going to attack Arcadia. While his motives are unknown, he has been working with someone that is linked to my domain of childbirth and children. But, in a very bad way, which caused my domain overload. As found earlier, werewolves can only be defeated by weapons made out of silver material. We have a stock of silver weapons if you need some now. We're not sure about magic though, but it wouldn't hurt to try other methods. Like maybe set them on fire? But silver should be the primary material used to kill the werewolves, is that understood?"
"Yes ma'am!" Apollo and Hermes said together.
"Silver huh." Aphrodite said, wiggling her fingers. A burst of rose petals came out of her hand, glowing an eerie grey color. " ThenI am prepared."
"Hellfire will have to burn them, there's no other option." Hecate said, bringing out her unlit torches.
"I second that." Perseus said. "But I want to try another method in killing them actually, an unconventional one."
"I have just given the obvious options. You all can use any effective option, as long as we take them down." Artemis stated. "Hecate, bring up the map, Hermes, point out their locations. Apollo, Aphrodite, any particular news regarding the city?"
"Yes actually. Now listen to this, the current king of Arcadia is holding a party, to celebrate the one-year birthday of the new prince, his son. Nothing out of the blue, but, now that we know Lycaon is striking the city today. …Coincidence? I, think, not."
"Wow Lycaon, you had to choose a special date to attack, and not a random one." Hecate drawled.
"That's genius actually." Hermes said. "If, and only if Lycaon is going to target the local people, then they are virtually unguarded due to the fact that the king will maximize his security for himself and his guests. It's selfish in a way, but it totally works for the unsuspecting enemy's favor. And what's worse, if Lycaon does get away with it, the people will actually shift the blame on the king, claiming that he left them defenseless for his own good. It won't do well for him at all."
Everyone was silent after hearing what Hermes had to say, as they processed what they had learnt. They had to admit, whether intentional or not, Lycaon's plan was quite smart. And brutal.
"Well, on a happy note. Perseus, I forgot to give you this." Aphrodite said, summoning a large box. She handed it over to Perseus, who opened it slowly, and then immediately grinned on seeing its contents.
"This is prefect. Thanks for bringing this sis, and give Hephaestus my thanks when you see him."
Aphrodite smiled. "No problem, and way ahead of you. I already said told thanks to Hephaestus on your behalf. Mostly because I didn't want to see him again." She then muttered.
Perseus chuckled in response while Apollo sniffled.
"Why can't we have a nice sibling relationship like them Artemis?"
"Because Percy is a caring person. And you are a piece of turd."
"Hey!"
"More like I'm done with Aphrodite really, so I don't care."
"Hey!"
"Anyway, I think we all know where we can go and tackle Lycaon's minions. I, would want to meet Lycaon myself, since he's in league with my possible adversary." Artemis stated.
"I'll back you up." Perseus said. "You guys, can we trust you in creating a path for us to go through?"
"You bet." Apollo said with a grin.
"Well then, who's ready to kill the pooch?"
The moon in the center of the sky shone brightly upon the city of Arcadia, where most of its residents were already asleep. The ongoing party for the king's son was still going strong, though their knowledge of what was happening down was weak. In the outskirts of the city, people wearing fur coats and a number of wolves milled around, waiting for the signal to strike. And another certain group was also in standby, waiting for their own signal.
"The different groups seem to be aiming for the central sewer system for some reason. Which is absurd, since it's not like the sewers lead to anything special." Hermes stated,
"Maybe that's their exit route? Instead of backtracking from the surface, they will do it underground in order to evade possible resistance. Not to mention, sewers are all blocked everywhere in the city, due to the fact that king is the only one to need the use of sewers." Perseus said with a scoff.
"You may be right Perce. Other than that, it seems like nothing is changed in plan. Lycaon is still in the middle, surrounded everywhere by his pack. Me, Percy, and Aphrodite will attack from one side, while Artemis, Apollo, and Hecate will attack the other side. If we're lucky, we'll get to corner Lycaon and any remaining cronies, and send him to Tartarus. Or fade him, anything works really."
Suddenly, numerous howls and shouts were heard everywhere in the city of Arcadia. Perseus watched as numerous banners popped up from the crowd, all bearing the insignia of Lycaon. Simultaneously, a soft pop was heard overhead from the sky as a shooting star streaked through the night sky. And if anyone had godly vision, then they would have clearly seen a partially naked Apollo, yelling through the sky.
"Why does he have to go all extra." Perseus muttered, opening the box.
"He's covered from head to toe with flammable gas. Now that's dedication." Aphrodite said with a nod.
"As Artemis would have said, dedication to look like an idiot." Perseus commented, making Hermes and Aphrodite chuckle. Perseus then took out a pair of gloves and slipped them on, immediately getting a good feel of them and its mechanism. He then took out what looked like to be a metal face plate, attached to the bottom of a vertically sliced bowl. Perseus held it in front of his face, and then felt the bowl expand along his head, until the slowly expanding metal plates reached the top of his neck. He then looked up, giving everyone a good look at how the face looked like. A classic Greek war helmet, but with the intricate designs reminiscent of Perseus's vambraces, and while there was no mouth slit, the eye holes remained, but they instead joint together to form a zig-zag like pattern, with triangular holes located on the top and bottom, jutting from the opening.
Hermes let out a low whistle. "Have I mentioned before how badass you always look? And the helmet like, the frosting on a cake."
"Is that glowing blue coming from that eyehole thingy a part of the helmet?" Aphrodite asked.
"No, that's just me." Perseus simply replied. He then formed triangular shaped vambrace shields from his braces, and then flexed his fingers to reveal a set of silver claws jutting out of the fingers. "You guys ready to go?"
"Oh yeah. Georgios, Márta, sword mode please. Silver material." Hermes said, banging his caduceus on the ground. The snakes tightened their grip on the caduceus, until they and the staff began to glow. A moment later, a gleaming silver sword was in Hermes's hand, with the snakes being enterwined around the bottom half of the sword and Hermes's upper arm.
"We shall hold on to you tightly milord, so that you wouldn't lose your grip on us." Márta stated.
"And, we shall pluck a baddie's eye out if we get the chance!" Georgios exclaimed.
"Thank you for getting rid of their snake speech. I always found that annoying." Perseus replied.
"You sure it's not from flashbacks from the Python?" Aphrodite teased, placing Sebastianos on her shoulder. "I want some battle music please."
"Kill me if it's underwater themed." Perseus muttered as the crab clicked its pincers excitedly
The sounds of howls and swords slashing were heard in the distance, making the trio perk up. Which was then they realized that they were still not in the fight, and immediately rushed ahead.
"Hermes, Aphrodite, I'll separate them into bigger groups, you do your thing to kill them!" Perseus shouted. He then let out a battle cry as he jumped forward, momentarily forming a claymore to cause a shockwave to separate them. Perseus then got the desired effect, as a long winding crack erupted, moving straight ahead. While this was happening, Perseus had shifted the Lycaon's forces on either side of him, leaving Hermes and Aphrodite to tackle each group.
"This is where the fun begins." Hermes said with a grin as he moved in circles around the group. As he picked up speed, the wind rustling from the aftermath began to form larger and larger, until there was a mini tornado surrounding the werewolves. Hermes then steeped out of his running track and then extended his sword, aiming for the tornado. Or rather, the contents within it.
Giving out a yell, Hermes then launched himself back to the tornado, this time dealing blow after blow as he spun around the werewolves. Soon enough, werewolf parts and shadow wisps were flying everywhere as the tornado picked up speed, with the wisps of shadow heading for Perseus.
Meanwhile, Aphrodite walked seductively towards the other group of werewolves and wolves, all of them baring their teeth and weapons. Aphrodite merely winked at them as she waved her hand with an outstretched finger around, the finger glowing a bright pink. Lycaon's forces were confused on what was happening and were about to strike when a flurry of petals began to surround them, the number growing faster. And unknown to them, the ground beneath them turned a violet color as a portal of sorts appeared.
"Will you…die for me?" Aphrodite cooed, pointing her glowing finger at the group. The petals then stopped moving and began to fall down, until, numerous amounts of different rusted weapons popped out from the portal, every single one of them piercing a wolf or werewolf. The weapons were made of silver, as Aphrodite watched triumphantly as they all dissolved into shadows, some of them moving through the air to where Perseus was.
As for Perseus, he decided to take a more direct approach as he fought Lycaon's forces head on. He stabbed and slashed his way with his claws, and when he got the chance, ripped some parts out to throw them at nearby wolves. Perseus used his vambrace shield to parry off weapons, and then swiftly grabbed the arm of the person to get him into killing range. Perseus did the same when he parried off wolves heads as they charged at him, grabbing them by their necks and then slamming them on to the ground.
"Looking good out there!" Hermes exclaimed, doing another tornado spin for some stragglers. Aphrodite also joined Perseus up ahead, giving him a wink as she sent another flurry of rose petals on unsuspecting wolves, while Sebastianos, if Percy wasn't going mad, was singing something with lyrics like "Now you have bad blood".
"Cannonball!" a voice shouted, and Perseus watched as Apollo barreled through a bunch of werewolves, all this while he was on fire.
"Hey Percy guess what! Fire can easily kill them, which is awesome! But don't tell that to Hecate, she would definitely disagree." Apollo shouted as he turned back to burn off the remaining forces. Perseus merely shook his head as he ran forward, killing a werewolf through the chest on the way. As he stopped to take it off, Perseus felt a familiar sensation wash over him, and saw his surroundings coated with a familiar looking silver and white fire. The flames dispersed, revealing an embarrassed looking Hecate, holding back a torch.
"Sorry about that Perseus. I didn't know if it was really you because of that helmet."
Perseus smirked in response, not that Hecate could see it. He then went forward, collecting more shadow wisps as he passed by. Unbeknownst to him however, a werewolf had managed to sneak up behind Perseus, and was about to strike when a silver arrow embedded itself into the werewolf's arm, making him howl loudly. Perseus turned around with claws out, and was soon joined by the archer, who had a steely look on her face.
"This one looks very different than the rest." Artemis commented. Perseus took a look at the werewolf, and noted that it had a lion coat around it's figure, two gold swords on each arm, and a wolf's skull for a helmet. Perseus and Artemis watched as the figure took out the helmet, it's blood red eyes boring down upon the two gods.
"Lord Perseus, and Lady Artemis." The werewolf spat. "The two gods which I had in high regard. But now, that is gone. For you failed me, and my kingdom."
"I don't remember promising something which led to us failing you. Lycaon." Perseus said, brandishing his claws while Artemis nocked an arrow."
"Was my loyalty, my praises for you not enough to grant asylum to my family?!" Lycaon snarled, but then composed himself. "It doesn't matter, because this is all rubbish talk for you gods. That's what our affairs are, rubbish. Unless, it's something that has to do with one of you. Something like, 'big shot sky god murders innocent children, leaves king as a monstrosity as an afterthought'."
"You dare mock my father like that." Artemis growled, launching an arrow in binding speed. But Lycaon was no slouch, and narrowly dodged the arrow after second guessing himself if he could catch it mid-air.
"Shall we Artemis?" Perseus asked.
"We shall Perseus." Artemis replied, the two of them heading straight for Lycaon. Lycaon's eyes immediately widened, and he then howled loudly. More wolves and werewolves appeared out of hiding, as they tried to intercept the two gods. But they were having none of it as Perseus slashed and parried them into Artemis's waiting arrows, while she simultaneously hacked and slashed anything that came her way. Lycaon was too busy licking his wounds to check on his forces, which led to him having an arrow and a dagger in front of his face, and a set of claws almost resting on the back of his neck.
"You're quite distractible honestly with fixing your wounds. At least do that after the fight is over." Perseus said with a sneer.
"Lycaon, I know you're working with someone outside of your pack. Who is that person, and why is she aiding you!" Artemis demanded.
Lycaon narrowed his eyes on hearing Artemis's words and then scoffed. "So she was correct, you would know about her. I'm impressed Lady Artemis, but it's too late now. Her plan is going to begin soon, and there's nothing that can stop her. Nothing! But…if you're so confident…" Lycaon said, pointing a finger to a half damaged fountain. "She's in there, if you want to meet her."
"What." Artemis muttered, turning around. It was then that she noticed that there was a gaping hole beneath the fountain, a path that led to the sewers.
"Artemis, I'm not sure if that's a good idea." Perseus said, already knowing what was going through her mind. "It could be a trap, or some kind of bluff."
"But there is a possibility, and I can sense it. Sense her." Artemis said slowly. "What game are you playing werewolf?"
"Nothing of importance, I just want what was taken from me returned." Lycaon replied with a growl. He then let out another piercing howl, which was followed by more howls and Perseus and Artemis watched as more of Lycaon's forces pooled in. He had clearly amassed an army during his exile.
"They don't seem to be stopping!" Artemis exclaimed as the immediately got swarmed by Lycaon's forces.
"Artemis, catch!" Perseus shouted, forming a human sized shield with one vambrace, and tossed it over to Artemis, who quickly ducked behind it. Perseus then levitated a little as a silver grey aura surrounded him, and then let out a scream as a burst of hellfire erupted from his body, spreading everywhere. Each and every creature dissolved into silver ash on contact with the fire, though Perseus was disappointed to note that Lycaon had snuck out during the stampede.
"Perseus, I-"
"Go! I know you want to see for yourself if that being is down there. Me and the others will manage over here, don't waste any time!" Perseus said, taking off his mask.
"…Yeah. Yeah I should, get going…" Artemis said.
"Oh and…" Perseus said, grabbing the shield from Artemis. He then changed it into a fairly long dagger, and handed it over to her. "Just in case."
Artemis's eyes widened. "B-But its yours! Wouldn't you need it more than me?!"
Perseus shrugged. "Turning them into weapons will anyway have no effect on these mutts. And I have a feeling that ally of Lycaon is much more than she seems."
"Thank you." Artemis said softly, leaning in to give Perseus a quick kiss on the lips. "I'll be back before you know it, and I won't lose this either."
Perseus chuckled. "You better not!" Perseus said, and watched as Artemis made a mad dash to the hole beneath the fountain. "Because Pontus and probably Nyx are going to have my head if I do lose it." He then muttered, donning the mask again, and coated his arms with hellfire as he readied his hunt for Lycaon.
Artemis was surprised to find the drop down quite deep, especially if this was for a sewer system. Landing on her feet, and opting for her celestial bronze arrows, Artemis was greeted by heavy darkness, and an overwhelming feeling that spiked as she took a step towards north. Where the palace was located.
"But these don't directly connect there, so why?" Artemis wondered as she walked forward. Having godly vision helped with not having to deal with darkness, and Perseus's now formed dagger also emitted a soft blue glow from its ridges. Artemis was walking for a while now, until she came across a dead end. That is what Artemis figured would have been, if the gaping hole that looked newly created on the wall didn't attest to that. Slinging her bow back, Artemis went through the hole and found herself in a dimly lit room. It was large, with a big oval dome for a roof, and small sleeping rectangular stone pillars dotted everywhere on the ground. Artemis frowned on seeing them, vaguely remembering seeing them somewhere before.
"Beautiful, aren't they? I just, love tombs. Very eerie and mysterious, especially if they have bodies in them."
"Wha- who said that!" Artemis demanded, her eyes darting around.
"...You know, I was surprised when I first heard there was some childbirth goddess, or a goddess who is a patron to young children. You even have maidens if I'm not mistaken under your protection, but I'm not interested in them. What I am interested in however, is why are you after me."
"Maybe if you reveal yourself, I would tell you." Artemis said as she slowly crept back. She then hit something, which prompted her to look back. It was one of the stone pillars, and that was when Artemis noticed a name etched on the surface. With a short description. And a year.
"No." Artemis whispered as she remembered the voice's earlier words. Tombs.
"You're in the royal catacombs goddess, the first of its kind." The voice bellowed. Artemis watched as a figure came underneath the dim light, giving her a good look at the speaker.
The figure was a woman, just like Lycaon had said, but she wasn't a regular looking woman. She had pale grey skin, and was wearing a robe that covered the top of her head, and extended down to the ground. Her body except for her head and arms had a peculiar metallic sheen to them, like it was armor or something, but there didn't seem to be anything to indicate that she was wearing armor. And her lower half…
Artemis had a double take on seeing it. For instead of a waist and legs, she was levitating, and a slimy looking vine that emerged from the lower half of her body. Artemis didn't want to know if it was a part of her inside body, or not. Other than the mess on her lower half, she looked more or less regular. That was what Artemis thought, until she got a good look at her face.
At first, Artemis thought she was smiling. Then she realized it wasn't a smile, the woman had a cool look on her face. The smile instead, were scars, scars etched on the corner of her mouth, and were curved upwards. She had a Glasgow smile. And coating her lips was some thick brown like crust which Artemis again didn't want to know what it was.
"Surprised by my appearance. Did you believe I was a monster only, or some kind of werewolf because I'm using that dumb beast up there?" the woman replied with a yawn, and then cackled loudly. "Oh, where are my manners goddess. The name is Gello, and I, am a daimon. Something that you shouldn't confuse with a lowly demon."
"Daimon? What are you then, if not a lowly demon." Artemis asked readying her knives.
"I just told you, I'm a daimon." Gello said coldly, floating away. "Artemis, I presume?"
"Presume all you want. What are you doing here in the mortal realm? I'm sure this is not a place for creatures like you to roam about." Artemis asked.
Gello smirked. "Yet we have one eyed beasts, snake legged women, and goat-men roaming these lands. I think I fit right in."
"With the acts you committed, you do not." Artemis snarled. "What pleasure do you derive from killing innocent infants?! Performing miscarriages, making young children die such painful deaths. What incentive do you have for that?!"
"Those are reasonable questions. and I have resaonable answers. to simply put, I feed off of impending doom you can say. It's in my nature. And what I find most fascinating, is the doom befallen on certain people. Maybe I will cause infertility to a woman, or threaten the reproductive cycle. Maybe I will cause a couple of miscarriages. Or maybe, see to it that an infant's soul will be snuffed out as quickly as it came, the same goes for the young children. I feed...on all of it." Gello said, raising an eyebrow. "But why do you care; their lives are expendable. Not to mention, you would anyways not care if they were grown adults and not little children, am I right?"
"That's-!" Artemis shouted, her voice trailing off. "That is not true, I-"
"The only reason you found out about me was because I was interfering in your domain. If you were another goddess without your current domains, you wouldn't have bothered at all. Because you would know nothing about what was happening." Gello replied.
"Arguing about this is all for naught anyway." Gello said with a sigh as she drifted away. "You're distracting me from my end goal."
"End goal?" Artemis questioned, following her. "Where are you going, come back…here." Artemis said, trailing off as she had another double take. Right in front of her, Artemis could clearly see that almost all the tombs were open, the buried bodies still in the graves, covered with the shrouds. Artemis was horrified at the sight, the dead weren't supposed to be disturbed at all, all of this went against everything she knew.
"How…are you actually crazy?!" Artemis yelled. "Disturbing the dead like this, even with their souls moved on to the underworld, is still uncomfortable for them. Its disgraceful, you-"
"Says the goddess who is shouting her lungs out." Gello said softly, placing a finger on her lips. "Don't disturb the dead."
"That's it." Artemis muttered, rushing towards Gello with her knives out. Gello merely floated up, out of Artemis's reach but Artemis grinned at that. She instantaneously removed her bow and arrow and sent it at Gello, that actually hit her straight on the arm.
Gello then let out a screech, which sounded like three Gello's screeching at once. She immediately tapped the arrow, and Artemis watched in surprise as the arrow dissolved into nothingness.
"I've been told that I always underestimate my opponents." Gello said softly, her robe bellowing. "Maybe I should change that, starting with you. After all, you are trapped here with me, goddess."
Perseus had just regrouped with the other gods, with him searching for Lycaon. He was surprised to note that there was yet no appearance of any mortals. That was until, Hecate spelled it out.
"Mist." She said. "The magical kind, it's strong around here for some reason. I have no clue why and how, but there must be a powerful mist user here in the city. Brace yourselves, cause the mist could be directed at us for all we know. but I will try my best to counter it."
Hecate had also promised to search for the unknown mist user, though he told her not to really worry about it. No interference from mortals was a blessing in disguise, at least Perseus did not have to worry about more damage taking place.
Perseus had just ripped a wolf from entering a house when heard the faint sound of a spear being thrown. He sidestepped, and a spear them embedded itself on the wall a few moments later. Perseus turned to see that it was Lycaon who had thrown it, a furious expression on his face.
"You gods are so slippery and annoying. Why don't you all just scram!" Lycaon shouted.
"Maybe we will, if idiots like you don't mess with natural order." Perseus said, as he bounded towards Lycaon. Lycaon also charged towards Perseus as well, expecting a grand fight between them. He, was wrong.
Shadow tendrils erupted from the ground and launched themselves at Lycaon. Thinking they wouldn't have any effect on him, Lycaon continued his assault, only to cry out in pain as he felt the tendrils go through his shoulders. He writhed around in agony as he twisted and turned, until he was then dropped to the ground. Lycaon was gasping out lightly, though he still felt searing pain on his shoulders. As he moved his arms to cover his wounds, he realized something. He couldn't feel his arms.
Lycaon opened his eyes to see both his arms missing, and the open wounds leaking out small wisps of shadows. He glanced ahead to see Perseus remove his mask, and smirking down at him. On either side of him was the shadow tendrils, each having Lycaon's dismembered arms, which were then soon absorbed into the tendrils.
"Just like fighting fire with fire." Perseus simply replied.
"This…is not over Lord Perseus." Lycaon spluttered. "My ally will come through, she definitely will! She has power beyond the god's knowledge, and she will end your goddess. Artemis is trapped with her imminent death, she-"
Perseus was still smirking while Lycaon was going on, then scoffing, and finally, full blown laughing at the armless and pathetic looking king of wolves. Lycaon even looked scared and confused at the reaction, wondering what was it the god found even remotely funny.
"Do you really believe that Lycaon? You think that Artemis is going to give up that easily? Even she has something that the gods don't even know fully about." Perseus said, showing off his other vambrace. "And as for Artemis being trapped, with what, some demon spirit or something? I believe, It's more like-"
"-You being trapped here with me, you lowly daimon. For I am Phoebe Artemis, Olympian goddess of the moon and hunt, and I will mark you down!" Artemis yelled, her silver aura flaring. She then launched herself into the air and managed to tackle down Gello which greatly surprised her. While like this Artemis took out a set of arrows, all attached with rope and hook, and stabbed them at various places around Gello, most of them out of her reach. Gello cried out in pain as she tried to shake Artemis off of her. When that didn't work, Gello flew straight on to a wall, with Artemis taking a full hit from the force of the impact. Artemis then let go of Gello, but not before making sure her preparation was done. She then let go then dropped down, only to be then suspended in the air while Gello tried to get her bearings back.
"You are persistent. However- Agh! What, where did you pierce these arrows?!"
Artemis smirked in response as she then sent another volley of arrows while in the air at Gello. Gello wasn't able to dodge them due to the close distance between she and Artemis, making her really ticked off.
Gello then let out another scream as she twisted and turned around, grabbing all the harnesses that attached Artemis to her, and then dissolved them. She then launched herself at Artemis, but before she could do anything, Artemis nocked an arrow midair and pulled it back. This time however, silver pulses of energy were flowing from Artemis, into the arrow, making it grow larger in size, and turn a glowing pure light in color. Artemis then launched the arrow into the air where it then split into a number of miniaturized portals. After that, numerous arrows rained down from the portals to where Gello was, making her unsuccessfully dodge them all, though she didn't seem to be dealing any damage.
"This is just a minor inconvenience goddess! And I'm just getting prepared." Gello said, once again going for Artemis, and this time caught her. She then slammed her into a nearby wall. Artemis cried out in pain as she took out her knives, and repeatedly slashed them on Gello. Her silver knife didn't even do anything, but the umbra ore knife left deep green marks on Gello's skin making her once again cry out in pain, this time dropping down Artemis.
"That…that's not a celestial bronze knife." Gello growled out. "What is that knife made out of goddess!"
"Wouldn't you like to know." Artemis taunted. "You claim that I'm a goddess that doesn't care about the everyday mortal lives. That the only reason I'm here today is because of what happened concerning my domain. And that I wouldn't bother if it wasn't mine. I'm here to tell you you're exactly right, and wrong. I'm here not just because of what happened regarding my domain, I'm here because my domain was in danger, my responsibility. The very thing that defines me. Obviously no other god will actually bother, because it doesn't actively concern them. But you're wrong again, because I have my friends, my brother, and my lover up there, who care for me and are helping me take down my aggressor and its allies. Which of course, includes you. And I myself have the pleasure to take you down myself."
"…Bold words goddess. Bold words." Gello murmured, raising her arms. Artemis watched as Gello's eyes sunk back, and a trickle of black liquid came out from both ends of her mouth.
"Hear me souls of impended doom!" Gello shouted. "I feel your morose, I feel your pain. I feel, the damnation that was unrightfully brought down upon you, by the gods. And I say, vengeance shall strike! Breath in the essence of morose, arise and take your-"
Gello abruptly stopped. Artemis clutched her knives tightly as she glanced around, trying to note if something had been changed. But nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary. But as for Gello...
"This...is a downer." She then said, looking genuinely disappointed as she floated down to the ground. "Goddess Artemis, that weapon you hold does not belong in this realm. I don't know how you got a hold of it, but it seems that my benefactor is interested in it as well."
"...Your benefactor-?"
"In the meantime, I am summoned back to my realm. Poor Lycaon, he's going to be so disappointed. Unless, he's dead? Either way, he was anyway going to be disappointed." Gello said with a chuckle, peering down at Artemis. "You interest me, then again, I rarely meet someone who uses a different prime resource. Try not to go to Tartarus or the elusive faded realm, I would really like to see you before any of that happens. As I want to be the daimon that puts you in either of those places."
"What are you-?" Artemis questioned, but Gello had then raised her arms again, a black and white outline forming on her. She then descended down, leaving behind her metallic body while the rest of her figure disappeared into the ground, never to be seen. Even the leftover metallic body, dissolved into vapor.
Artemis stared slack jaw at what just transpired, trying to process this recent event. She then heard scuffling behind her and immediately drew her bow out, only to see that it was Perseus entering the catacombs, followed by Hecate.
"Oh this is ridiculous; the aura has been lost." Hecate cried out.
"Artemis, you're here!" Perseus said, as he rushed forward and enveloped Artemis in a hug, with her also returning it with equal vigor, "Are you alright, what happened to that ally of Lycaon's? Is she alive, still here, dead-"
"Gone. She left Perseus." Artemis interrupted. "She just left, though it didn't seem like she wanted to."
Hecate raised an eyebrow on hearing this. "Does that mean that lady was the mist user? Wow, she must be quite skilled with it then."
"Guys, are we in the royal catacombs by any chance?" Perseus slowly asked.
"It does seem like it. Oh wow, Lycaon's dead children. There are like fifty of them here alone. I honestly did not like what happened to them, but it was doomed as soon as Lycaon incurred the wrath of Zeus." Hecate said, shaking her head.
"Doomed…Gello mentioned something similar." Artemis whispered.
"Gello? Is that Lycaon's ally?" Perseus asked.
"She is…but why would she want Lycaon's children" Artemis said, looking confused, and so did Perseus and Hecate. "I know there is a connection, but I can't seem to join all the pieces. Even with what Gello said back then: doom related, impending doom, morose, essence of morose, breathing-"
"What was that last thing you just said Artemis?!"" Hecate shouted, looking strangely scared. "Essence of morose?"
"Yeah-"
"Did you see this Gello lady with black liquid dripping down her mouth?!"
"Yes? Hecate, why are you-"
"This can't be happening; oh this can't be happening." Hecate muttered as she began pacing around.
"Hecate." Perseus said. "Do you know this Gello, and what is this essence of morose?"
"I-" Hecate said, and then gulped. "I don't know who Gello is, but I know where she might have come from. A realm, that has rarely made contact with physical primordial realms, much less Earth. As for the essence of morose, it's a prime resource, that even mother doesn't know hardly anything about But she does know who's prime resource it is, someone she herself hasn't seen in a long time. Her son Moros, primordial of doom.
Late update, late update. Late update. But whew, that was a hell lot to write, and I admit, this time, I underestimated how much I will write. But I did it, something that I thought I would write for 8k+ words, has now been written for 20k+ words :D (kill me) (also, I'm talking about this ch and the previous one amounting to 20k) But yeah, this has been chapter 34, and more stuff will be coming, with time jumps…only a couple! Other than that, nothing much to say. So thank you guys for reading this chapter and fic, and I will actually not be able to update next week as I have a couple of testes I need to prepare for. But don't worry, I'll make sure to make the next one more exciting, we I'll be covering possibly multiple stuff. Until then. Bye!...\/