AN at bottom
New York
Mayhem was not new to Kratos, the chaos of running through a hysterical crowd was like his time as a spartan fighting off a horde of barbarians. This was not so different. A wave of mortals rushed past Kratos, all eager to escape the smoldering remains of what was once the shipping depot.
"On your right lassie!" Mimir shouted, as Clarrise thrust her javelin forward into the neck of a young woman.
It was no ordinary mortal though, as can be seen by the horns, fire, and goat legs that took purchase on the woman. These were Empousai, seductresses with a penchant for fire. It had been centuries since Kratos had seen any, but they still somewhat looked similar to how they were back during his time in Greece.
"Behind you brother!" Mimir shouted.
Kratos spun around, atop a metal box another empousa launched a ball of fire at him. Kratos was ready. As the ball of fire came within reach, he deflected the blast with his shield and redirected it back towards the empousa. The blast hit the monster directly, as they did not expect it to return. The empousa was launched off the box and smacked into the building behind it, crumpling into a pile of gold dust as it slumped on the ground.
"I gotta get me one of those." Jackson said as he cut the head off of another empousa.
"Stay focused." Kratos commanded as he surveyed the scenery.
The entire complex had been on fire, more buildings were laid to ash than stood, and the empousa weren't making it easier. The workers that were here when the fires started had made to the exit quickly, Eager to escape with their lives. That only left the three of them versus the horde of empousa burning everything to the ground.
"Come on out monsters, I got a big stick ready to gut you with!" Clarisse shouted as she banged her javelin with her shield.
"I would phrase that differently, but yeah get out here." Jackson shrugged.
"Be careful what you wish for lad." Mimir said.
As if on cue a group of empousa revealed themselves from the smoke of a burning building, at least ten, all looking at them ready to pounce.
"Well well, if it isn't Percy Jackon." The leader spoke up, eyeing the Son of Poseidon.
"Yep, that's me." Jackson shrugged.
"Ugh." Clarisse rolled her eyes.
The empousa took a step forward before looking at Kratos, she immediately hesitated, "Been a while, you've certainly grown up, you look a bit more," She licked her lips, "Fuller."
"Have we met?"Jackson asked, scratching his head.
That seemed to get the wrong reaction out of the empousa, "Of course we have! Years ago at Goode High School!"
Percy stood and stared at the monster for a minute, his brain clicking trying to remember, "Oh yeah I remember you! You're Kelli."
"Tammi!" The empousa stomped its feet in anger.
"Right right, Kelli was the one I fought in Tartarus. So, what exactly are you doing here?" He asked.
Kratos would have told Jackson that now was not the time to make idle talk with the enemy, but he was as intrigued as Jackson. Why were empousa burning down one of Hermes' distribution centers? Kratos kept his axe out and didn't speak instead looking to the other empousa that hung in the back. They seemed to also be readying themselves for a fight, but waiting for their leaders go ahead.
"Be ready when they attack." Kratos whispered to Clarisse, she held onto her javelin and shield tightly.
"Unfortunately for us, monsters aren't exactly great at living in the mortal world unlike you demi-gods. Some of us have to make some money instead of getting free room and board at a camp made by the gods." Tammi bit out.
They were paid to burn these buildings down, but why and from who?
"You missed the stipulation of having to fear for our lives from monsters and gods." Jackson pointed out.
That seemed to make her more mad, "Oh don't even get me started!" She ranted, Jackson smiled knowing he had her right where he wanted.
"So, is money why you're doing this?" He pressed.
Tammi rolled her eyes like it was obvious, "Duh, our employer is paying us the big bucks to torch this place." It took Tammi a minute before she realized what she had just said.
Realizing she had been duped, Tammi shook her head and stomped her hoof. "Oh you dirty cheapskate! I'll dine on your bones today! Let's get 'em girls!" The other empousa hissed and cheered, some charged while others kept in the back throwing fireballs.
"Clarisse, up front!" Kratos commanded as his shield unfolded.
Quick to understand, Clarisse unfolded her shield as well blocking the wave of fireballs that came their way. Behind them, Jackson huddled behind Kratos to avoid being demolished by the exploding projectiles.
"You two, kill the ones in the back. I will keep this Tammi busy." Kratos said as he collapsed his shield in time for Tammi's group of empousa to reach them.
"Got it, c'mon Clarisse!" Jackson clapped her shoulders and the two made off for the second group of empousa.
Tammi tried to lunge at them but Kratos got in her way, grabbing one of her outstretched arms and throwing it back to the rest of her underlings. Tammi snarled as she was helped back up, dusting off any gravel on her clothes.
"I don't know who you are, but you'll be food like the rest of them!" Tammi pointed to Kratos, and that was the signal to sic him.
The other empousa charged, Kratos was ready with his axe.
"On your left brother!" Mimir's helpful shout alerted him to an empousa that rounded to his left trying to lunge at him.
Kratos quickly rolled away as the empousa jumped at nothing but air. Before it could correct itself Kratos was ready with a heavy strike, he held his axe for a moment before swinging it with greater force. The axe blade sunk into the creature's shoulder, another swing brought his cleave straight through its chest, splitting her in half. The body promptly turned to golden dust.
"Fireball behind you!"
Kratos spun around, sure enough a fireball was only inches away from him. There wasn't enough time to parry it but he could block it, the blast that hit his shield pushed him back a step. Safe from the explosion, Kratos lowered his shield to survey his situation. He was surrounded by at least five empousa, not counting the ones Jackson and Clarrise were dealing with.
Tammi entered his vision, an annoyed look on her face, "Years ago, last time I met Jackson he killed me and my protege. I swore to get him back for that, now here we are again, him killing my proteges! But this time he will be joining them, along with you!" Tammi summoned a fireball in each hand and tossed them.
Kratos brought out his shield once again and parried the first back at Tammi, but she was quick enough to dive to the second Kratos let pass him, striking an unsuspecting empousa. Another of Tammi's proteges hissed as she ran at him with claws and fang. The claws scratched the shield but nothing else, as Kratos lowered his axe and quickly brought it back up in an upward strike.
The empousa was launched into the air giving Kratos ample time to strike, a couple of swings led into him reeling his axe above his head and having it crash back down on top of the empousa. The entire upper body was split down the middle, as the body once again disintegrated.
Two more charged him at the same time, uncaring for any tactical advantage. Kratos eyed his axe, noticing the frost buildup was enough. As the empousa grew ever closer, Kratos' grip on his axe tightened. He carefully measured their distance, waiting for them to get into the right distance.
"Brother now!" Mimir shouted.
Kratos flipped his axe upside down, the handle up top, and slammed the blade head into the ground. The gravel froze immediately, ice covering the surrounding area as if it had been winter all year. The ice crept up to the empousa and froze them in place.
Letting his shield unfold once more, Kratos reeled back his left arm and swung in a wide arc. The shield's edge shattered both of the creatures in one go.
"No no no no, not again!" Kratos turned to see Tammi looking at the remains of her proteges, there was not much.
Not willing to pass the chance, Kratos strode towards the creature and kicked it to the ground. Now atop her, Kratos levied his axe to Tammi's neck, threatening to chop it off. "Who paid you to attack this place? And why?"
Tammi put her arms up in surrender, "If I knew why would I tell you?!"
"So you don't even know who paid you?" Mimir asked, once again Tammi cringed as she unknowingly gave away important information.
"Then you are of no use to us." Kratos brought up his axe.
As Tammi realized what was about to happen she deflated, "Not again." She bemoaned as the axe cut right through her and she collapsed into a pile of golden dust.
Standing alone, Kratos turned towards the direction of Percy and Clarisse. The two had just finished off the last of their group of empousa and started making their way back to him. Neither of them sported any notable scars or grievous injuries, another example of their skills in combat.
"I see you finished off your group, did Tammi say anything?" Percy asked as he collapsed his sword.
Clarisse did the same with her javelin and spear, "Like why did they attack Lord Hermes' shipping center?"
"They were paid to do it, but they don't know who paid them." He said as he holstered his axe.
Percy looked confused, "They don't know who paid them? Now that isn't suspicious at all." He crossed his arms.
"Should we look into it?" Clarisse asked.
Kratos thought about it for a moment, but came to the conclusion that this didn't concern him or Atreus. It was someone else's problem, namely Hermes.
Kratos shook his head, "No. We find Hermes and move on."
"Well if that's all you wanted you coulda asked a while ago." Kratos spun around, standing where Tammi evaporated was the god of messengers himself.
He looked different now that he was no longer on Olympus, sporting a brown garb and shorts with a badge on his chest reading 'OPS'. He looked ridiculous.
"Hermes?" Kratos asked, still a little hesitant.
"Well hello there Kratos, thanks for getting rid of those nasty empousa. Frankly they're bad for business and we're already backed up as is." Hermes gave him a thumbs up in congratulations.
"Hey, Lord Hermes." Percy waved, Clarisse beside him nodded her head in respect.
"Mr. Jackson, Ms. LaRue, great to see you two." Hermes walked forward past the three of them and motioned to follow, "Why don't we talk more inside?" As he approached one of the few non-torched buildings.
It was rather small, enough for a single room, "That hardly looks big enough, Lord Hermes." Mimir said.
Hermes waved off the concern, "Nonsense, it's plenty big."
Kratos didn't argue and stepped forward, Percy and Clarisse followed right behind him. As the four of them walked through the door, Kratos understood why Hermes was insistent on entering the small room. Inside was a large space full of tracks of metal with boxes going every way possible. People of all sorts were positioned at multiple spots across these tracks inspecting the boxes or putting things into the boxes.
"Ah, good ol' air conditioning." Hermes said, now sporting a black suit instead of the brown garb and shorts.
"Whoa." Percy merely said, taking it all in.
"This place is huge." Clarisse looked in awe.
"Thanks, I appreciate it. But I think you're here for something else? After all you came to my shipping center for a reason, right?" Someone approached Hermes giving him his staff before walking off elsewhere. "Not that I don't appreciate the help in dealing with those empousa, but I get the feeling you didn't come here to chat."
Kratos nodded before bringing out Mimir. "Aptly put, Lord Hermes, we are here for your assistance. As you know, Kratos is looking for his son. We decided against wandering around lost like chicken with no head. So we were staying at camp so that Atreus could find us."
The image got a chuckle out of Hermes, "Smart idea. Did you find them yet?"
"Annabeth found them," Percy spoke up, "They were in California about to take a plane here, but something happened. They might have been attacked and now we don't know where they are. Whenever I try to use an Iris message the call doesn't go through, but when I try to call Frank from Camp Jupiter it does."
"There's a sort of interference going on," Mimir added, "We think a third party, someone affiliated with the Vanir gods."
Hermes rubbed his chin, "The Nords, huh? So, how do I fit in all this?" He asked.
"We were hoping you'd help us. As the god of messengers and travelers, we were hoping you could find them. Surely someone has seen them and could tell you where they were or are."
Hermes thought about it for a moment, before nodding his head, "It wouldn't be impossible, but definitely hard. I can do it. Not that I don't like seeing a father and son back together again but what's in it for me?" He put his hand on his chest, "This is a tall ask, lotta work to be done."
"A favor, for a favor." Kratos said. The gods always loved favors, so many years away he was still sure of it.
Hermes looked at him for a moment before smiling, "Well then you just got yourself a deal. I'll plaster your face in every newspaper across the U.S. and have some of my people keep a look out while you do a little something for me."
"And what exactly will that be?" Mimir asked.
Hermes was about to say it but stopped before he could, "Um, ah…" He didn't know what to ask of Kratos. 'Come back tomorrow and I'll figure something out."
Kratos sighed, but he didn't argue. He turned back towards Percy and Clarisse, "This is my favor to undertake, you do not need to do this with me." It would be unfair of him to ask them.
"I'm coming." Percy did not waver.
"Me too." Clarisse backed him up.
Kratos only nodded, before returning Mimir to his belt, "We will be back tomorrow." He told Hermes.
"Good, I'll be sure to have something for you. In the meantime I will start asking around. This time of year there are plenty of people heading to Cali for summer so someone must have seen him and Annabeth."
Thus, the three of them left Hermes shipping center. While Kratos was weary of what kind of task the god had in store for him, he felt somewhat assured that he was now one step closer to finding his son. Nothing would stop him.
I will say ONE THING about the PJO movies (that totally don't exist) that I liked and that was giving us Nathan Fillion as Hermes. And that's exactly the person I portrayed in this chapter. Dude is super cool.