A sigh of relief left Perseus' mouth as he stepped foot onto the docks of Lokris. The three weeks of avoiding the Daughters was taking a toll on him, especially after the scuffle caused by the hot-headed Eumelia. The girl in question had refused to look in the young man's direction, which Perseus was, quite frankly, grateful for.
Nonetheless, the rest of their journey was to be completed on horseback, and Eutropia had requested Perseus to secure horses while they stocked up on supplies.
After double checking that the pouch of drachmae Eutropia had given him as funds for the horse purchase was still secured to his belt, Perseus made his way through the market in search for their new travelling companions.
Artemis pursed her lips as she studied her twin brother's face, coming to the conclusion that he was being truthful about his 'vision'.
"To be clear, I have reservations about this whole situation," Apollo held his hands up as if trying to placate his sister. "I know who Perseus is. I am not very keen on killing my grandson just because the Fates told me to."
"So you knew." Artemis said dryly.
"Of course I knew," The moon goddess was slightly put off by how offended her twin looked. "I cared deeply about Daphnae."
"Right." Despite her cold demeanor, Artemis believed her brother's words. "So what do you suggest we do about the vision?"
"The Fates have always sided with Olympus, against both the titans and giants," Apollo spoke as he leaned against a tree. "Perseus may pose a threat to Olympus. Not now, but perhaps in the future."
Artemis closed her eyes, recalling her encounters with the young man.
"He carries rage towards his father within him," Artemis said softly. "Not unjustifiably so, I should add, but he respects Olympus and the Gods. I find it hard to believe he will be a threat."
"People can change," Apollo replied. "Just like how Daphnae did. You- We never expected for her to break her oath. Yet she did."
Opening one eye, Artemis stared at Apollo. "Do you wish for Perseus to go against Olympus?"
Apollo raised his hands in mock surrender once again. "Just listing the possibilities. Keeping the council and father, especially father, in the dark about this would have disastrous consequences."
Artemis nodded in agreement, but added nothing more. Apollo, sensing that the conversation was coming to an end, stood up straight and bowed his head.
"I trust you will keep a closer look on him from now on," The Sun God started to glow as he slowly released his divine energy. "Be careful. The Fates have been eerily silent. That much is true."
Artemis opened both her eyes and sighed heavily.
"I will, Apollo. Thanks."
Perseus reacted instinctively to a familiar but faint whistling sound, tilting his head just in time for an arrow to fly harmlessly past his face.
Almost immediately his companions drew their own bows and returned fire in the direction of their assailants, and a scream of pain told the trio that at least one of their arrows hit its mark.
"Over there! Go!" Perseus barked orders to the horses, and the animals neighed as they sped up, charging in the direction of the woods. Soon they came face to face with eight bandits, one of which was squirming on the ground with an arrow stuck deep inside the right side of his chest.
Perseus leapt off his steed and unsheathed his knife, slashing at the closest bandit. The silver blade cut a deep red gash across the bandits face and the man howled in pain before dropping to his knees. Landing deftly on his feet, Perseus focused on the two bandits standing in front of him and dropped into a battle stance. One of the bandits readied his sword, while the other shakily took a step back.
Breathing out sharply, Perseus sprinted at the closer bandit and made an experimental swipe at his neck. The bandit parried the knife with some difficulty, his poor footwork causing him to stumble slightly. Without pause, Perseus rushed forwards, throwing a feint at the bandit's chest. The bandit hurriedly raised his sword in response, but Perseus redirected his attack and plunged the blade into his right shoulder instead.
The bandit screamed in pain, but Perseus paid it no heed as he swiftly grabbed the hilt of the knife and retrieved it while spinning around to the back of the bandit before burying the blade into the bandit's heart. The young man immediately turned his attention to the other bandit but faltered when he saw the bandit cowering in the shadow of a tree.
"I'm sorry," The bandit sobbed, his voice shaking as he looked at Perseus with fear in his eyes. He looked to be about the same age as Perseus, maybe a summer or two younger, and knowing that made Perseus' intent to kill dissipate.
Was this how Demetrios' victims looked at him before he took their lives?
Disgust towards the hulking man produced a weird taste in Perseus' mouth, but he quickly regained focus and lowered his knife.
"Leave," Perseus said quietly. "Do not let me ever see you again."
The bandit nodded gratefully and turned around to run away.
But before he even managed to take a step, an arrow sprouted from the back of his head.
Perseus gritted his teeth as he struggled to contain his rage. After exhaling deeply to calm himself, he turned around to look at his travelling companions. Eumelia had a boastful look on her face, while her sister looked at the bleeding body mournfully.
"Do you enjoy bloodshed?" Perseus said as he walked up to the tall girl, his voice ice cold. Eumelia levelled her gaze and met Perseus' eyes.
Thunder rumbled above as the smell of rain permeated the forest.
"I enjoy removing this world of filth." Eumelia snapped back. "Do not challenge me, boy."
"Have you ever starved?" Perseus asked almost condescendingly. "Have you ever found yourself praying to see the sun rise another day?"
The journey to Chios with Phoebe was not without difficulty, as one would imagine for two children travelling halfway across the Greek world. Perseus was well trained, and was usually able to feed the both of them on most days, but there were also days when he was unlucky, forcing the two to scavenge berries and even resort to stealing food to get by.
He counted himself lucky he had never resorted to violently taking from others, but he understood that some simply did not have the choice.
Eutropia felt a drop of water land on her cheek and frowned. The sky had been clear just moments before. Since when had gray clouds blanketed the sky?
"You have not seen what men are capable of doing," Eumelia sneered. "Lady Artemis would have done the same."
The sound of raindrops hitting leaves and the soil beneath them surrounded the trio.
"Do not assume that you are the only one who has suffered at the hands of a man." Perseus spoke, his anger leaking out. "Your prejudice blinds you."
Eumelia scoffed, her grip around the hilt of her knife tightening.
"You have been a thorn in my side since the beginning of this quest- Nay, since your induction into the Daughters of Artemis," Eumelia said, the volume of her voice increasing with every word. "It is about time you learned a lesson."
With a sharp cry, Eumelia surged forwards, her gleaming silver blade aiming straight for Perseus' neck.
Lets see how long it takes for me to update this again