Chapter Title: From One Mess To Another
If I had to be honest, Bakersfield just seemed like one of those large places in the middle of nowhere which to be honest, technically it was - located in the San Joaquin valley, which was the southern part of the Central Valley region of California. This is what the Berkeley Hills that Camp Jupiter is in border to the east of it, anyway. I'll admit, I never really paid all that much attention to the region when I was sent up to the Wolf House.
In fairness, I probably should have. But hey, now is most likely not the time to be reflecting on what I should have done in the past. Not when the fate of your home is clearly on the line here.
I was feeling that kind of anxiety greatly, which is why the closer to Bakersfield we got, the more bubble gum that I chewed on. The other three people in the car with me didn't seem to mind it all that much, probably because they were all way more focused on all of this than I was, it seemed.
Colton, as per usual from what I could see of him, was focused on the objective as always. Michael, meanwhile despite having a serious look on his face, seemed to be content to stare out the left back seat window, watching the scenery go by as Chàris continued to drive the car. I honestly wondered how he could enjoy the scenery with the threat of Camp Jupiter's destruction hanging over all of us.
Anyway, we came into Bakersfield along Highway 58 or the Blue Star Memorial Highway after getting off Interstate 5 west of the town. Colton seemed to be a bit more restless as we got closer and closer to the town after getting on Hwy 58, as if he was anxious to get out of the car and cover more ground towards what we were after. It was understandable, since for one the car only had about 30 miles left, not nearly enough to get into the Tehachapi Mountains and then perhaps make it back to Camp Jupiter in time. Chàris would have to refill the car while in town, which given that he was the fire herald, seemed like that plan was just asking for trouble.
Soon enough however, the fields of Central California for now gave way to suburban areas followed shortly thereafter by urban areas. Chàris turned off Hwy 58 onto the Stockdale Hwy, and continued on until turning left about maybe a mile or more down from the previous turn and then turning right into the parking lot for the Flame and Fire Brazilian Steakhouse Restaurant.
"My apologies, young master, and to the rest of you in general, that I can not go farther without more gas in this inefficient heap of technology.." Chàris muttered angrily, yet politely too after pulling into a parking spot, which honestly just felt weird hearing him talk like that. To be fair, it was weird hearing him talk in general for me.
Colton simply nodded, and placed his hand on Chàris' shoulder. Despite what I was expecting to happen, Colton's left hand did not immediately burst into flames. "You did what you could, Chàris.." Colton said back to him. "You have been a great help so far on this quest. Meet us back on Hwy 58 on the east side of town if you can get gas. If not, inform us and I will tell you what to do based on the situation at the time we next speak."
"Understood, young master.." Chàris said back, and Colton turned to the rest of us. "Alright, everyone out.. let's get our gear on.." he said, as Chàris did a bit of hand waving stuff and I could have sworn I saw particles of some sort of red mist leap from his flaming fingertips and touch all three of us on our clothes before disappearing. Maybe I was just imagining things, I do not know.
Either way, we definitely were going to have to do some walking.
- — - — - — -
I strongly began to suspect that the red mist that had leapt from Chàris' fingertips and touched our clothes probably was some sort of mist manipulation or camouflage, since none of the mortals were batting an eye at Cameron and Michael not only wearing armor - well, we all were at Cameron's orders - but also carrying most of their weapons, including the MG42 and Whitworth both strapped on Colton's back in addition to his two swords, and Michael's bow in his hands with his sheath also on since the strap was around his body plus a sheathed sword on his belt on his waist too, in broad daylight. Since my weapon, a Manubalista (A/N: Lavinia doesn't have her imperial gold Manubalista yet at this point in the timeline, just a heads-up here), wasn't all that practical to carry out in the open much less in combat due to it being heavy and hard to aim - plus taking a few minutes just to set up, load, and get ready to fire in between shots, I just kept it in the garbage bag I was carrying over my shoulder which for some reason wasn't making the bag that heavy at all. I did have a Gladius sheathed on my belt on my waist just in case though, so I wasn't completely unarmed in this case.
Either way, it felt like I was in a whole new ball park with the way Colton and Michael acted out in the open. The two of them just kept looking left, right, up, down, and behind all the time mostly, with Michael on my right and Colton on my left as we walked eastwards through town.
"You two sure seem vigilant for Greek demigods.." I muttered.
Michael simply snorted. "I mean.. this guy.." he said, jabbing his thumb towards Colton. "..used to wake up at the buttcrack of dawn everyday back when Thalia's tree was poisoned just to keep watch at the border. He literally loads the rifle every night before he goes to bed just so he has a round in there that he can shoot just in case."
I turned to Colton, amazed. He did nothing but just nod his head, keeping his eyes focused to the front. "Not much for words today, are you, Sniper of Olympus..?" Michael said, and my eyes just grew wide.
"Wait.. hang on.. 'Sniper Of Olympus'..?" I said, looking at him.
"Tyson started it during the victory party.. and it just stuck.." Michael explained, and to be fair, it did make sense, even if I was still trying to get over the fact that Colton had demolished what was left of Kronos' army with a single shot, something that would be insanely impossible and yet somehow, the boy who was the Monster King had somehow pulled it off.
I don't think I was ever going to get past that, even if I was trying to right now.
Even as I thought that, I started to notice something odd. The further east we went, as we left the Hwy behind and began traveling along the Kern River Parkway Bike Trail, the less people we saw until just like the Gas Station we came into a space where no mortals were even around. Michael nocked an arrow on his bow while Colton took out the Whitworth, both of them on high alert now since they had noticed too.
Even though we could still hear the sounds of the city around us, it was clear to us that something was off here. "I don't like this one bit.." Michael hissed.
"Me either.. stay alert.." Colton said, looking down towards the Kern River. Michael looked towards the city streets, what he could see of them as we kept walking, that is. That is until I thought I saw the entire side of the bank to our south ahead of us move.
"Look!"
Colton and Michael's heads turned, and both of them grew as angry as ever while I just felt a sense of fear creep over me, for what we confronted now was no ordinary monster. No.
One of the Gigantes themselves confronted us now. A big, evil one.
"Well.. well.. what do we have here.." spoke the Giant, and I could tell it was a female. She was just as huge as the legends had made the Gigantes out to be, if not more — and I felt incredibly small now when compared to her. "..three demigods, two Greeks and one Roman.. plus the current Monster King at that.. today must be my lucky day."
She had plenty of muscle, enough to squish a human being into pavement just from being flattened by her biceps alone. She also had nearly shoulder-length blonde hair that seemed almost as golden as grain or wheat itself, sprinkled with plenty of black scythes with white stripes in her hair. Just like the legends, she had white eyes and dragon-like legs, with what seemed like skin that was the color of shimmering bronze. Add to that a long nasty scar running over her forehead and down her left cheek like a scythe as well, and a massive sword in her right hand plus body armor, and this forty foot tall giant looked like it was ready to steamroll the entirety of Camp Jupiter without breaking a sweat.
Add to the fact that I had never heard of this giant before, and you can probably see why I was really nervous and intimidated when compared to my quest-mates.
"Well, aren't you a sore sight to look at.." Michael shot back, grimly.
"The point is valid, son of Apollo.." she said back to us. "..I am no Periboia, that's for sure, but if there is one thing that traitor lacks, it's that I am loyal to the earth mother Gaea to the end."
Wait a minute, I thought to myself. Why is this one talking about Periboia? Is she her replacement or something?
Colton and Michael shared a look at each other, and both of their expressions were exactly the same. I knew it almost immediately — they knew more about this than I had been told.
"I'm guessing you're one of the new Giants that Gaea and Tartarus birthed recently, correct..?" Colton said to her, the rifle half cocked with his finger ready to fully cock it should the need arise. With every word of this exchange thus spoken, the more my world began to spin. I was at a loss for words. This was a brand new Gigante? Is that why I have never heard of this one?
"You are correct, Monster King.." the Giant said back. "I am. To be specific, I am Acacia, the bane of Demeter, or Ceres to the Roman here. I have heard quite a lot about you.. Colton Reynolds. Your reputation precedes you indeed."
Colton hissed. "Nice to see that my reputation as the Beast Of Camp Half Blood still persists in the monster world.." he sarcastically replied.
"Indeed it does.." Acacia replied, a malicious smile on her face. "I see that my planned attempt to kill you three at what the mortals call a 'gas station' has failed."
Colton and Michael both growled, while I gasped. She was the one behind that ambush?!
Acacia gripped her sword tightly with her hand, a smirk forming now. Her muscles seem to ripple due to the color of her skin. "I must confess, given what your 'spiritual backup' had your minions do to Kronis, I was rather dumbfounded when I heard from the Gorgons that you had indeed returned.." she said, a hint of fear betraying itself in her eyes.
Colton just smirked. "I'll be honest, I had no idea I even possessed that until recently.." he just said. I just looked at him confused now. How..?
Michael was aiming an arrow at Acacia now, firmly aware that since he was fighting side by side with the Monster King — should a fight break out, there was a good chance that we could win it. Either way though, even he looked confused at that remark from Acacia.
"What the fuck is she even talking about..?" he muttered to Colton. "Because I would like some answers."
"I'll explain later.." Colton just muttered quietly. "Be ready to run."
Michael just nodded.
"So.. I guess you all might be wondering why I'm here.." Acacia said malevolently.
"Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure it out.." Colton said back, rolling his eyes in boredom in the process. "You're after Argonaut, aren't you..?"
Acacia laughed. "Bingo, sniper boy!" she exclaimed. "Gaea will be pleased to have the weapon in her possession when I find it and bring it to her, as it will make her victory that much more assured."
Michael snarled loudly like a dog. "You can go stick that sword you have up your own ass, freak.." he said back. "..because we're not going to let you succeed in taking Argonaut or destroying Camp Jupiter!"
Acacia laughed again, as if she thought Michael was being delusional. "Surely you jest, puny demigod.." she taunted, and believe me, I felt even more small compared to her now, as I shrunk behind Colton. "..what can you two, even with the Monster King at your side, even do to me..?"
Colton just let out a chuckle that sounded creepy, causing both Michael and Acacia to look at him weirdly. At the same time, he slid his right hand up from around the trigger guard and stock to grasp the weapon near the middle. "..Well ..for starters.. this.." he said, holding up his left hand and for a split second, I could have sworn I saw his entire hand turn blue.
Then amazingly, even in the middle of summer, the entire lower half of Acacia's body was suddenly frozen in a massive block of ice — and while she strained a lot, she couldn't move any limbs on her upper body.
"AHHH.." she screamed. "..what trickery is this..?! I can't move!"
"NOW! RUN!" Colton shouted, and we all turned to our right and ran as fast as we could.
"HEY!" Acacia shouted. "COME BACK HERE, COWARDS!"
None of us did, even as we ran back into the city and pass mortals who didn't even bat us an eye, as well as crosswalks that always seemed to have to activate with the walk signal as soon as we reached them. None of us even looked back.
- — - — - — -
We came to a stop once we reached Ming Avenue, a bit slightly southeast of where we had left Acacia in the dust. We were all panting, well.. me and Michael more so than Colton was oddly enough. "Well that ought to keep her occupied for a while.." Colton muttered, quite pleased with himself.
It took me and Michael a bit longer to catch our breath, but once I did, I wanted answers as we all just waited under a tree near the intersection we had stopped at. "Okay.. you two had better start explaining yourselves.." I said. "What did Acacia mean when she confirmed that she was one of the new Giants..?"
Michael now turned to Colton too. "I would also like to know exactly what the hell she meant by you having a spiritual backup as the Monster King.." he said to him.
Colton simply sighed. "I guess I might as well answer your question first, Lavinia.." he said. "..since it ties in with what Michael asked. To put it simply, this current war isn't just a war between the Olympians and the forces of Gaea."
Michael turned to me, a grim look on his face. "As you may already know, Typhon crowning Colton the Monster King caused Porphyrion, Enceladus, and Periboia to escape from Tartarus somehow and begin a war of succession over who gets the power.." he said, and I just nodded.
"Yeah.." I said back. "So..?"
"What we hadn't mentioned.." Colton muttered. "..is that she and Tartarus had birthed not just three giants to replace the defectors, but three entirely new Giants born to oppose Juno, Ceres, and Vesta respectively."
My mouth just dropped open. "Are you serious..?" I asked. Both of them just nodded.
I felt my whole world just spinning out of control now. The look of regret on Colton's face told me all I needed to know about how he really and truly felt about this. Underneath all of that anger and rage was a boy who never asked to be put into this situation at all, and yet for whatever reason, had been. Everyone around him now had to suffer — it seemed like.
"And to answer your question Michael.." Colton now said, turning to the son of Apollo. "..I didn't know what she meant until Kayla told me before we had left on this quest yesterday. Apparently when Hera — Juno put us to sleep, the inability of the host of the Monster King to be located by anyone else released a spiritual backup of me made by prior Monster Kings into the world. Said backup helped along in the quest to save Hera and ordered my minions to beat Kronis, the replacement king of the Giants, to within an inch of his own life."
I looked on, a bit horrified at that revelation. Giants were bad sure, but to beat one within an inch of their own life without them being scattered, that was just cruel — but then again, this was war so who was I to be complaining here?
"So what you are saying here is.." Michael said after a few moments. "..when no one can find you, this backup takes your place until you are found..?"
"Seems like it.." Colton said back. "I don't know how else to explain it — and neither does Kayla right now. Either way, we don't really have much time to be talking about this right now. We have to keep moving."
Sure enough, the start of the sound of thundering footsteps off to the northwest indicated to us that Acacia had by now finally broken free of the ice that Colton trapped her in. "Point taken.." Michael muttered. "I don't really want to see her ugly mug again."
"Then — let's move out.." Colton said, starting towards the east once more, and me and Michael following along behind.
- — - — - — -
We spent a bit of time jogging — and also getting a quick hop on a bus for free thanks to some manipulation of the mist by Colton — down Ming Ave to East Casa Loma Drive, and by at least 4:30 pm, we had made it to where the road intersected with Cottonwood Road. That's where trouble once more found us.
There was this house off to the right just past the intersection — and it was packed with a lot of motorcycles, and full of guys drinking beer and getting drunk while shouts and loud screaming could be heard emitting from inside the house.
"Seems like some people are having a wild time over there.." Michael muttered as we crossed the street.
"Yep.." Colton added. "Definitely seems like it."
To be fair, we didn't want to crash their little party, for we had bigger things to do. The fates, however, had other ideas.
Some of the guys, that were most likely drunk, noticed us walking past on the other side of the canal we were next to and approached us. As they did, their bodies changed a bit, revealing what looked like dolphin fins on their backs. My eyes widened upon realizing who these guys were.
They were from Chrysaor's pirate crew.
Why exactly that the crew of that son of Neptune were out getting drunk on land at a random house in Bakersfield instead of being out at sea in the Mediterranean right now was beyond me, but either way, they were bad news.
"What the fuck..?" Michael said, confused. "Are these guys dolphins wearing human skin?"
"No.." I muttered. "They're dolphin warriors, members of Chrysaor's crew."
Colton growled. "Another of Poseidon's spawn.." he grumbled, and though he didn't make it clear why he was now annoyed knowing this, I had to bet it likely made him think of that rivalry he had with Percy once again.
Just as they approached us, that's when the last thing we could have expected happened.
"STOP THEM!" bellowed someone behind the dolphin warriors approaching us, even as Colton drew his swords, sliding the strap of the Whitworth over his body and Michael readied an arrow on his bow.
Dashing out of the crowd of dolphin warriors and across the short canal were 4 people. Three guys and a teenage boy. All of them showed signs of physical abuses — bruises and the like. Their condition only served to make Colton and Michael growl harder.
The four of them dashed behind us, cowering. The dolphin warriors all formed up on the far side of the canal, facing us. There were dozens upon dozens of them, more than possibly both Michael and Colton could handle. I drew my sword from the bag, and we all just waited for whatever would happen.
"Out of my way, men! Move aside!" shouted a voice that seemed to be moving through the crowd. We all waited, watching as feet shuffled left and right and a lone pair of feet kept moving forward. Soon, a figure emerged from the crowd, one wearing a golden Gorgon mask on his face with curved tusks, horrible features, and curly golden snake hair while also wearing full Greek combat armor with a Greek sword sheathed on the belt.
I trembled a little, for I knew who that was.
Chrysaor himself had arrived.
I looked to Colton, who stared down Chrysaor with a fierce look on his face. How are you going to get us out of this one now, Monster King?
(A/N: Another chapter down, and with some new characters being added to the story as of the next chapter. The following castings will be announced right here and officially folded into the main cast list at the start of Book Three:
- David Tennant as Professor Ludwig, an adult from Germany who is a long lost demigod son of Apollo (Roman form), also is a scientist / doctor
- Merrick Hanna as Joey Sanchez, a demigod son of Hephaestus — one of many taken in the past decade by groups loyal to or affiliated with Kronos and Gaea (and the Triumvirate) to keep Olympian demigod numbers down to help them win.
- Adrien Brody as Leclerc, an adult professional spy who has fallen on hard times.
- Woody Harrelson as Dale Richards, a genius who builds things.
Three of these characters are inspired by Team Fortress 2, a game that I had been playing a lot and will be used as inspiration for some of the trio's actions down the road — though Joey will also be important too. Either way, hope you enjoyed this chapter!)