Its been another few months, and she still has questions. I can't answer all of them, and remembering is useless because for some reason my past is a blur. Just when I thought everything was going to turn out okay, we realized the was gone.
"Where to next?" I decided to ask the question this time. If only to reassure me I could.
"Well, it looks like we're in Kansas. So we ought to be near an old friend. Let's camp until nightfall, then we'll know for sure. Just watch for the glow." With another glare, she sat down.
"You've been here before? When? And what glow, are you having trouble with your Overheat, again?" I suddenly wanted to get as far away from her as possible, especially realizing that we were in a field of wheat.
"No, more like I can't do it here no matter how hard I try. This place feels like the one where he should be, but I guess we can only really know at sunset."
"Just like you at sunrise? This guy is like us, then? A half-blood?"
"Yes, though he's had more time, and been through a lot worse. Now, let me rest! Because we've been going for 4 months without any real rest. Damn it, I feel like the storm should be close…"
When is she going to stop brooding, because now I can't believe she ever had a fun side to make up for this. Even though each question felt like I knew nothing about myself, and sometimes I can't take them without getting angry. I knew three answers, and after that, each question drew a blank. I knew my powers, my name, and oddly why I named my sword Interitus, but every other question couldn't be answered. All she can guess right now is that my memories were being suppressed and that the only place that could help (according to her source) was this "camp".
So, I left her to rest for a few hours. I never knew what could happen during times like these so I trained while she slept, even though I felt like we were safe for the first time in months. Not at peace, but more like the monsters that were after us every few minutes were held at bay. Only I couldn't tell why they would just stay back if we were on our own and without help in the middle of nowhere. Nineteen jabs of wheat in my eye and twenty hours of Pause ability later and I was drenched in sweat from head to toe. "I'm glad I had this time to rest," I said without thinking," but, man I wish I had a straight-up fight." Immediately, I knew something was wrong because of Phoenix. She got up and charged me like a rocket, even adding as much flame as she could muster. I had enough time to think I'm dead because of a flare-up, then realized she was attacking something behind me, instead.
"You idiot!! I told you to keep watch! It's almost dusk, meaning the monsters might get a power-up! And I can't use my flames at full-power here! Use Slo-Mo now! I need time!" Phoenix screamed all at once. I mean, I felt drained but could feel something stronger approaching, something that indeed grew stronger by the second.
"Our problem isn't that one. Something immensely powerful is heading to us from the opposite direction..." Then, I saw a light, almost like a specter was coming at us, I must've been more out of it than I thought. Because I saw a big guy with a spear running at the monster, and the next second I woke up in a soft bed. I thought, I died in Kansas and went to farm heaven. What could be worse? Until I realized that I couldn't save Phoenix, and she was the closest I had to family. Suddenly, the door opened, and Phoenix was on the other side with the big guy talking like he was an old friend. "Can I get some help? I seem to be left out of the fun," I felt snark was the best option at the time," Also, you know this guy Phoenix?"
"I told you we were close to an old friend, and here he is! It seems like you need more rest to jog your memory..."
The big guy stopped her, "The name's William Stern, you can call me Bill. And I want to know why you two are chasing Typhon, as well as the reason I sense the same aura from you two that I felt cross from the west 5 days ago. A huge army passed by here, and I need to know if your friend or foe. Either way, you two are leaving within the week. Too much danger if you stay, as I've saved you both every night despite my defenses against monsters being broken. Although they do seem less inclined to kill you."
" Bill... We're clueless on as much as you at this point, all we know is that someone told us to follow the storm to find out more..." He raised his hand. At once I was silenced.
"Omoro has already informed me of that, and the Smith has done that too many a time before. Though, you two are not his common bond forgers. You are like me, half-bloods that defy the rules. I can tell that. Now, Ms. Katastrof, tell him the full truth. If you wish to travel with him he must know."
I was scared. I didn't want to know what this girl was hiding. "What truth? I want to know everything, and I want to know both your abilities. Sorry, Bill. You speak about trust, but I need you to show it by giving us more information about yourself and this place. Why are our powers suppressed to start with?"
"Well, somebody's woken up full of energy..."Omoro decided to intervene. Weird name for a girl like her, but what was her last name again? Katastrof? Doesn't that translate to "catastrophe"?
"Well, my land does have that type of effect on people. You couldn't sleep for two days after your nap in the field. And Lucius, to answer your question, my powers are the only ones that are affected here, but they are not dampened. You see, I, like you, am a special kind of half-blood. Even Omoro is like us. We should not exist. That is why, when my father appeared to me after a long journey full of battles, I had him immortalize me, and send me to live in a place that I could be safe, not realizing the cost. Did you notice the forest around the property?"
"Don't tell me there are ghosts..." I started.
"No, but dryads seem to like the tree in the center of the field, despite the spirit locked within. So, I have protection thanks to my greatest enemy. And immortality thanks to my father."
"If I might ask, which enemy?" Damn it, another slip.
"My half brother, the warrior who was once known as Alexander the Great. But we have more pressing matters, Omoro told me you carry a special blade. May I see it? It may have a symbol from your father. That will help me decide on whether speaking more is wise."
"I will have to get up, and I will need more space than this room. So can we go outside?"
"Sure," Bill was too kind, it had to be an act, all immortals have ulterior motives. Don't they?
Immediately after we stepped outside, I could see he'd been fighting for at least a week. Half the field was gone, and the other half was charred.
"Don't worry about the damage, a few months of farming can fix it."
"I have a better idea." I reached out my hand and thought my sword's name,[Interitus], and immediately my sword was in hand. "Now a gift while I have it, back away ten feet."
[The blade has a clock? That narrows it down, but what he shows me will be an ability from his father.] Bill looks wary but steps back.
"Here it comes, " Omoro says smiling. [Finally, I can know what I'm dealing with. And set the task in order correctly.]
"Rewind!"I lifted the blade and spun it counter-clockwise, and Bill suddenly yelled to watch out. I didn't know why, but I could see every fight he fought for us, and decided at that moment we needed his help. As a trainer, and as a trustworthy person. I left the field how it was before we came, and realized I didn't knock out. Instead, I gained strength. I turned around and was tackled by Omoro, while Bill was walking up."I know both your parents, but, I can't let you two leave alone. Lucius, you are literally your name, the Son of Time, and not a good thing on the east coast right now. Though you actually might do better on the west. Omoro, you are the Daughter of Hyperion, and technically my niece, I'm glad we're family, but I know why the monsters want you two. Now that you know you both will need help…"Then come with us, and we can get to where you say we belong."
"Omoro, you can take the two of you. And Lucius, I can't leave, so don't try to think that. My wish was for this, now it is also my curse. If you wish to know more, stay one more day. I will tell you at dusk, and you will depart at dawn."
Part 5: The Wolves and the Army at War
"Wait for a second, I'm confused. You said we couldn't leave alone. But for me and Omoro to leave alone. Those contradict each other."
Bill replied," I know where you must go, and will tell Omoro. From there, you both must follow the path set for you."
"And if our path is leading to death by monsters? What should we do?"
Bill laughs, "Fight it, as every hero has done. Now I will tell you my story. I was born during the time Alexander the Great was with his teacher, Aristotle, and despite this renowned scholar's reputation, he was the one who set a bounty on my life. As a young boy, I had been rushed away multiple times in the dead of night. Until my caretakers realized my abilities with a spear. They called me the Boy with the Will of the Stars because each evening as the sun went down I would become a new person, a fighter that no assassin could match despite my timid nature during daylight. At that point, my men saw fit to make me into a military commander for the city I fled to. My skill with the spear caught the eye of my father, Iapetus, and he gave me a choice, I would battle for eternity or I could save myself for the one fight that would matter to the world. Now, the fact that I'm here tells you my choice. All I know is that my army was slaughtered, and the place they came from is covered in ash to this day."
"And how does this help us?" Omoro said, suddenly interrupting her own silence with a yell.
"It shows your choices don't always come out right with deities. Omoro, you have been hiding the fact of a deal at Mt. St Helens. Tell us that story." Bill couldn't smile, and I mean he was trying for it, but his lines were too defined already. It almost looked sinister.
"You knew?" Omoro was incredulous. "Why would you let me fester over it all week, then?"
"Hm, what's the current phrase these days? Oh, yes. I remember. It has to come from the horse's mouth." Once again, his smile seemed like too much.
"What was the deal? Did it involve the camp?" I was suddenly very scared of both Omoro, and at the same time saw how calculating Bill could be. Neither of them was letting my heart slow down enough to be calm." Omoro, please tell me, what was this deal?"
She looked at me, and I saw the flames in her eyes despite the environment forcing her powers down.
"Vulcan said to send you to Camp Half-Blood, and that I would be rewarded with complete control over its abilities. He also said to make sure you live, because someone like me and you would be targeted there, and especially at this time. Now, I believe he sent us to our deaths. Thank you, Bill. For once, I was shown the light."
Now I was beginning to calm down. Only then did I realize what that meant, because the sun was rising. Immediately I heard wolves, a howl that seemed to come from directly outside the door.
"Ah, Lupa came herself. You two are special." Then he chuckled.
The last thing I saw before leaving with the wolves was Bill practicing with his spear against opponents that looked like dryads. But had a lot more speed and power. I made a promise to myself before I set foot off the grounds.
" I will lead you to your fight, even if it means starting a war myself. Because you're just living another hell. And that's not true life."