Chapter 15:
In the Flesh
Percy's sword sliced through its original owner, sinking into the former Demigod's body without any resistance. Almost gleefully, the blade burrowed itself through it, and popped out on the other side of Herakles' chest.
The fact that it went in that easily almost caused Percy to stumble. He expected more resistance from the divine flesh.
Gold ichor was leaking from the wounds, the blood of the divine.
Herakles roared as he reared his head back. The roar went through his bones and almost caused Percy to physically move back. It sounded like a wolf that had been hurt.
Slowly Herakles twisted his head, turning away from the grounded Kampê.
For, maybe the first time, Percy finally saw some emotion on Herakles' face. Pure rage.
The god was staring directly at him as well, seeing through the invisibility. Or maybe, Percy had given away his position by stabbing. Regardless, Percy started to back away.
With his sword still buried inside his chest Herakles straightened his back, picked up his club and strolled towards Percy, keenly aware of his location.
Now, unarmed, Percy realized that he was possible in the worst location possible for a fight. No rivers or oceans in sight, not even water reservoirs and pipes.
Herakles drew his club higher, preparing for a strike.
It never came.
A large shadow got up behind Herakles and rose above it. Huge wings cast a shadow on Herakles, causing him to turn his head around.
Two Scimitars came down and slashed through the god from above, splicing him from both left and right.
For one split second Herakles was penetrated on all sides by three different blades. Forming a gruesome piece of art. Decorated with shades of yellow, red colored meat and great poison.
Herakles's mouth remained open but no scream escaped.
The god collapsed, tearing open his flesh even more in the process. Until he spliced into 4 unequally divided piles of flesh.
Before the final piece touched the ground it transmuted into a breeze of Gold colored dust. It was swept up by the wind and dragged away before anyone could, or wanted, to react.
Percy caught himself staring at the pool of golden ichor left behind. Not sure how he was supposed to react. In fact, he was not even sure what had happened.
Kampê moved to pick up the two scimitars, her two dragon legs lowering so her upper, human body could pick it up.
Percy soon found he couldn't take his eyes off this new unknown. Now Herakles was gone and he finally verified that this was not another trick of the mist, Percy finally had the time to take in the fact that he was standing only several feet away from Kampê.
Surprisingly, he was not nearly as terrified as he thought he was supposed to be.
Still, he didn't make a single move.
Kampê swung her two scimitars, causing the golden ichor on it to splash on the ground. Percy's weapon was still there, half submerged in the golden ichor. Next to his sword was a wooden club.
Quietly, Percy began to think out strategies to survive this encounter. He was not sure what even came over him in the first place but now, he was stuck with a monster.
To his surprise Kampê did not even give his sword a passing thought. Without even taking a look at her surroundings, and by extension Percy, she turned away from the weapons and started to walk away. Her dragonic body, causing minor tremors as she did.
The moment he saw his moment Percy knelt down to grab Riptide. Shaking it clear from the blood before pocketing it. He gave the club a look, but ultimately he decided he would be better off not touching it. With how murderous the gods were acting, this might be another one of those cursed artifacts he had seen before.
In Louisiana he had seen a Dracnea pick up a random weapon, only to be skinned alive upon touching it. Another fun gift from Olympus.
PERCY REALLY WANTED TO FOLLOW KAMPÊ SHE MIGHT HAVE ANSWERS
Percy stared ahead, watching the shape of Kampê getting smaller with every step. Behind him was only more miles of lifeless road.
With a sigh of reluctance, Percy readied his invisibility cap and started to follow Kampê .