Chereads / The Son of Mischief and Moonlight / Chapter 15 - Chapter 14

Chapter 15 - Chapter 14

The last day in Asgard for Harry, Fleur, Clarisse, Jasper, and Charles was turning into one of those emotionally exhausting affairs—the kind Harry would rather skip if he could. Goodbyes? They sucked. Big time. Especially when your family included gods, Valkyries, and a dad who thought gifting knives to kids was "stellar parenting."

At the edge of the Bifrost, Harry shifted uncomfortably, adjusting the straps on the harness that held his brand-new knives. His mother, Artemis, stood nearby, projecting the cool indifference of a goddess who totally wasn't worried, thank you very much. But Harry knew her better. Her silver eyes scanned the gathering, calculating threats like a huntress tracking prey. Surrounding them were Zoë, Phoebe, and Atalanta—three of Artemis' fiercest hunters, forming a protective circle like wolves guarding a cub. They gave Harry those deadly-serious nods that said, If anyone tries anything, we're turning them into venison.

Harry's uncle Apollo strutted around in loafers and a sleeveless T-shirt that said, I woke up like this. He wore his usual cocky grin as if he were already composing haikus about their departure.

"Bifrost, shining bright,

Leaving stings, but friends await—

Hey, Harry—high-five!"

Harry groaned but slapped his hand against Apollo's with a little more force than necessary. Somewhere behind him, Thor, the God of Thunder, grunted, throwing yet another competitive glare at Apollo. Harry half-expected them to start arm-wrestling right there for the title of Favorite Uncle™.

"Knives are mandatory," Loki said from behind him, crouching down to meet Harry at eye level. His green eyes glinted with mischief as he presented two gleaming blades. "Celestial bronze and vibranium, and a bit of lightning thrown in for fun. You know, standard son-of-Loki starter pack." He grinned. "Made them myself. Well... with the help of Thor and his hammer."

"You're welcome, nephew," Thor boomed, thumping Harry on the back so hard he nearly face-planted into the rainbow bridge.

The knives slid into the scabbards strapped across Harry's back. But, of course, because Loki was involved, these weren't just any scabbards—they were enchanted to morph into a nondescript backpack with a single tap of the wooden deer keychain dangling from the strap. The keychain was an exact replica of James Potter's Animagus form—a stag that hummed with low-level magic, like a promise of home wherever Harry went. Because nothing says son of a trickster like sneaky weapons disguised as school supplies.

"And one more thing." Loki produced a shimmering silver fabric from the folds of his coat: the Potter family's Invisibility Cloak. He draped it over Harry's shoulders with an uncharacteristically soft smile. "This has been in your family for generations. Use it wisely." Then he leaned closer, smirking. "Or not. Mischief is encouraged."

Sirius Black beamed like a proud parent from the sidelines, balancing his four-year-old daughter, Lyra, on his hip. Lyra grabbed at the cloak with glee, clearly under the impression that invisible fabric was the coolest thing ever.

"You're gonna cause so much trouble at Camp Half-Blood," Sirius said, his grin widening. "I've never been prouder."

Beside him, Marlene rolled her eyes but gave Harry's hair an affectionate ruffle. "Just try not to burn the place down, alright?"

Remus Lupin stood off to the side, chatting quietly with Brunhilde, the Valkyrie who'd be escorting Harry to Camp Half-Blood. Zeus had officially given her the green light to drop the whole "Hilda the Huntress" disguise, though Harry figured it was probably more fun to have a Valkyrie on his side than against him.

Frigga—his grandmother and probably the only person who could make goodbyes hurt worse—pulled Harry into a hug that smelled like warm bread and fresh rain. "You carry both Asgard and Olympus in your heart," she whispered. "Never forget that."

Thor stepped up next, planting another meaty hand on Harry's shoulder, nearly knocking him sideways. "Tell those demigods that if they challenge you…" Thor grinned, a wild, thunderous thing. "Show them why you carry the blood of Asgard."

Fleur, Aphrodite's daughter and eleven-year-old master of looking elegant even while standing in the middle of a chaotic farewell, gave Harry an amused glance. "They won't know what hit them," she whispered with a smirk.

Jasper, Apollo's kid and a perpetual ray of sunshine, elbowed Harry playfully. "Camp Half-Blood isn't ready for us. I'm telling you now—we're going to be legends."

Charles, who somehow managed to get soot on his face again (because Hephaestus kids just radiate chaos), shrugged. "As long as I get to build something cool, I'm good."

Clarisse, five years old and already scowling like it was her job, bumped her fist against Harry's. "Anyone messes with you, they answer to me." Her grin was downright terrifying, but Harry appreciated the sentiment.

The Bifrost began to hum, swirling with light, signaling it was time to go. The lump in Harry's throat grew heavier. Sure, he was the son of two gods, heir to tricks, hunts, and more powers than he knew what to do with—but goodbyes still sucked.

He gave Artemis one last look, and she nodded, her expression saying everything: I believe in you.

Loki winked, his grin mischievous but proud. Make some trouble for me, kid.

With a deep breath, Harry adjusted his harness, feeling the familiar weight of his knives on his back and the reassuring hum of his cloak tucked under his arm. His friends flanked him, ready for whatever came next.

"Alright, let's do this," Harry muttered, stepping toward the shimmering rainbow light.

And just like that, with one final glance at the divine chaos he was leaving behind—and the adventure waiting ahead—Harry Lokison walked into the Bifrost.

Next stop: Camp Half-Blood.

And if anyone there thought they were prepared for him? Well... they were about to learn otherwise.

As Haris Lokison returned to life at Camp Half-Blood, the announcement of his dual parentage spread through the camp like a wildfire at a summer bonfire. At first, it was all whispers and raised eyebrows. "He's the son of Artemis and Loki? No way!" became a favorite line among campers, each one more incredulous than the last.

At eight years old, Haris found himself navigating the bustling chaos of camp with a blend of excitement and bewilderment. While most kids were busy trying to figure out their powers, he was busy trying to blend in—an impossible task when your dad was the Trickster God of Asgard, and your mom was the fierce Goddess of the Hunt.

His days quickly filled with archery practice, where he found solace among the trees, arrows flying true under the watchful gaze of the moon. "Do you turn into animals like your dad?" a kid named Jason asked during lunch, eyes alight with curiosity. "Or can you turn people into antelopes like your mom?"

Haris chuckled, shaking his head. "I'm still figuring out how to turn my homework into a passing grade," he replied, a glimmer of mischief shining through. With a heritage like his, mischief was basically in his DNA. But as the days turned into weeks, the whispers began to fade. Campers who once stared at him in awe started to see him as just another demigod.

---

Connor Stoll leaned against the railing of the Hermes cabin, his brown eyes wide as he watched the latest camp prank unfold. A troop of squirrels, each with tiny helmets and capes, swarmed the Ares cabin, chanting "War! War! War!" while snatching snacks and shiny gear.

"Dude," Connor said, trying to contain his laughter, "you didn't have to go that hard!"

Harry—or Haris Lokison, as he was officially known—grinned from his perch, a few feet off the ground on the cabin roof. "But it's so much fun! They asked me to help them! Squirrels need a hobby too, you know."

Travis Stoll, who was crouched next to Connor, burst out laughing. "You taught them to steal? What are they, little furry ninjas now?"

"Exactly!" Harry nodded eagerly, his green eyes sparkling with mischief. "We're training them for squirrel combat. It's a new sport! Look, there's one wearing a bat cape!"

Travis squinted at the squirrels. "That one looks like it's wearing a helmet from the Ares cabin. Are they really stealing weapons?"

"Yep!" Harry beamed. "I told them they had to look fierce! Besides, who would take a tiny squirrel army seriously?"

Connor snickered. "Clarisse will when she finds out! She's gonna flip if she sees them!"

As if on cue, a furious shout echoed from the direction of the Ares cabin. Clarisse La Rue, barely six years old but with the fierce attitude of a warrior twice her age, stormed out, her wild hair bouncing with every determined step. "STOLL BROTHERS!" she bellowed, hands on her hips. "I know you did this!"

Connor and Travis exchanged panicked glances, the thrill of the prank fading fast.

"You're not gonna tell her we had nothing to do with it, are you?" Connor whispered nervously, inching behind Travis.

Harry stepped forward, his hands raised in mock surrender. "Relax, guys. I've got this."

Clarisse reached the Hermes cabin, her tiny fists clenched in frustration. "Who's responsible for all this? I'm gonna tell my dad!"

Harry smiled brightly, his green eyes twinkling with mischief. "Clarisse! It's not what it looks like! The squirrels wanted to train for a war, and I'm just their coach."

Her brow furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean, coach?"

"I'm helping them get ready for the biggest squirrel battle of all time!" Harry explained, his excitement bubbling over. "They're going to be heroes! Like you!"

Clarisse tilted her head, considering. "But they're stealing! That's not what heroes do!"

Harry put on his best serious face. "What if I promised to train them to be good heroes? No more stealing—just epic squirrel adventures!"

A flicker of a smile broke through her stern expression. "Really? You'd do that?"

"Of course!" Harry replied, puffing out his chest. "And I'll even share my secret recipe for enchanted squirrel stew. It's delicious! You can help me make it, and we'll teach them how to be the best hero squirrels in the world!"

For a moment, Clarisse hesitated, glancing between the squabbling squirrels and Harry's bright smile. "Okay, but if they steal again, I'll tell my dad!"

"Deal!" Harry agreed, his grin widening.

Connor whispered to Travis, "Did that really work?"

Travis shrugged, wide-eyed with disbelief. "He's like a genius or something. How does he do that?"

As Harry turned back to the squirrels, Connor couldn't help but chuckle. "He really is something else. Mischief is definitely an art."

"And the artist is a genius!" Travis added, laughing as they joined Harry, all of them ready for the next adventure, with Clarisse reluctantly in tow, plotting how to train an army of heroic squirrels.

The Black Family's seaside cabin was deceptively peaceful—waves lapping against the shore, the faint cries of seagulls, and sunlight streaming through the windows. Inside, however, things were far from calm. Cupcakes sprouted tiny legs and scurried across the floor while enchanted balloons floated near the ceiling, ready to burst into clouds of glitter at the slightest touch.

At the center of the controlled madness stood Harry Lokison, now nine years old, the perfect blend of his divine parents: Artemis, Greek Goddess of the Hunt, and Loki, Norse God of Mischief. With him were Connor and Travis Stoll, twin sons of Hermes, the Greek God of Mischief. At nine years old, the Stolls had already built a reputation at Camp Half-Blood for pranking everyone from campers to monsters. But today's event was going to raise the bar.

Harry had invited Fred and George Weasley, 11-year-old wizards who were about to start their first year at Hogwarts, to meet their mischief-loving counterparts. Harry knew from the moment he met the Weasleys that the Stolls and the twins were destined to become fast friends—and possibly the cause of many headaches for anyone nearby.

Connor tilted his head as the redheaded twins entered the cabin, taking in their mischievous grins. "These guys look like trouble."

"Oi, Travis," Connor nudged his brother. "Think they're competition?"

Harry smirked, knowing exactly what was coming. "Fred, George, meet Connor and Travis Stoll—Camp Half-Blood's finest troublemakers."

Fred's grin stretched wide as he extended his hand. "Fred Weasley, co-founder of future chaos and mayhem."

George mirrored his brother's smile. "And I'm George Weasley, his equally brilliant partner-in-crime."

Travis folded his arms with an exaggerated smirk. "Future chaos? We've been causing it for years already."

Connor gave Fred a mock-serious look. "So... you guys any good at pranks, or do you just wave wands and hope for the best?"

Fred grinned, not missing a beat. "We don't need wands for everything. But when we do use them..."

George gave a playful wink. "The world isn't ready."

---

The five boys gathered in the center of the cabin, each sizing the others up with a mix of curiosity and excitement. Harry plopped down onto the floor.

"All right," Harry said with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "The adults think we're just playing nice today. But I say we make this meeting count."

Fred's eyes sparkled. "What are we thinking? Balloons that explode in glitter? Cupcakes that explode in—"

"Everything should explode," George cut in, earning approving nods from the Stolls.

Connor tapped his chin, pretending to be deep in thought. "You guys ever heard of a glitter bomb?"

"Yeah, but," Travis added, "have you ever seen enchanted glitter? That stuff sticks for days."

Fred and George's jaws dropped in unison. "You mean it doesn't come off?" Fred asked, awestruck.

"Nope," Harry said proudly. "Trick is, you've got to charm it so it repels water, soap, and magic."

George grinned. "We are so using that at Hogwarts."

---

The boys huddled closer as they started brainstorming. Harry produced a small enchanted notepad that scribbled down every idea they came up with.

"Okay," Fred began. "First plan. We booby-trap the door so anyone who walks in gets hit with flour and glitter."

"Easy," Connor said. "But what if we charm the glitter so it follows them around all day?"

George tapped the map thoughtfully. "And what if we put itching powder in their shoes at the same time?"

Travis raised a hand. "Hold up—glitter AND itching powder? We need a distraction for when they try to fight back."

Harry grinned and pulled a small mechanical toy from his pocket. "This little guy sings 'I'm Too Sexy' on a loop. Wind it up, toss it in the middle of a fight, and boom. Instant confusion."

The twins looked at each other with identical grins, their eyes practically sparkling.

"Brilliant," Fred said.

"Absolutely brilliant," George added.

---

With their plan finalized, the boys shook hands solemnly, as if sealing a sacred oath of mischief.

"From this day forward," Fred declared, "the Stoll-Weasley alliance is officially formed."

Connor smirked. "What about Harry? He's the reason we're all here."

George nodded sagely. "Right. The Lokison Accords."

Harry laughed, knowing he'd just created a monster. "As long as nobody snitches if we get caught."

Travis grinned. "Snitches? What's a snitch?"

Fred and George's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Oh, you'll find out soon enough."

---

By the time the adults arrived to check j , the cabin was a masterpiece of enchanted mischief. Cupcakes scuttled under chairs, mechanical snakes sang pop songs at random intervals, and enchanted balloons exploded with glitter whenever someone moved too fast.

When Sirius Black, Harry's godfather, walked in, he was immediately hit with a cloud of flour and glitter.

"What in Merlin's name—" Sirius sputtered, blinking through the sparkling haze.

Fred and George high-fived. "Flawless execution."

The adults tried—and failed—to restore order. Artemis crossed her arms, fixing Harry with an unamused glare.

"Harry," she said slowly, glitter still clinging to her hair, "I expect you to behave responsibly."

Harry gave his best innocent smile. "I thought I was."

Loki, appearing in the corner with a goblet of wine, chuckled. "Atta boy."

Sirius muttered something about needing a drink as he watched enchanted glitter swirl around him.

"I'm surrounded by maniacs," he grumbled, though there was no real anger in his voice.

---

It was the calm before the prank-storm. The Black family's seaside cabin bustled with energy as demigods, wizards, and gods alike gathered for a pre-battle Viking feast. Everyone sat along long, wooden tables spread out across the sand. Plates overflowed with roast meat, honey cakes, and exotic fruits under the glow of enchanted lanterns.

Thor grumbled from the end of the table, raising an empty goblet high. "What kind of feast doesn't have ale?" he bellowed dramatically.

Artemis's silver eyes narrowed. "The kind where children are present," she said dryly.

Thor pouted. "Children ruin everything."

Loki—currently wearing the appearance of a younger version of James Potter—grinned from across the table. "Yes, yes, they do. But watching you suffer is delightful."

Thor shot Loki a dirty look, taking a sulky gulp of his root beer, while Apollo laughed beside him. "C'mon, Thunderhead, lighten up. We're here to make memories, not bail you out of a drunk wrestling match."

Apollo gave Harry a wink. "And for the record, I still plan to win 'Favorite Uncle of the Year.'"

Harry grinned. The "Favorite Uncle" war between Thor and Apollo had been raging for years, and honestly, it was entertainment gold.

---

Harry's team huddled beneath the enchanted lanterns, their faces illuminated with eager anticipation. The Ninth Annual Marauder Prank War was about to begin, and it was shaping up to be the best yet.

"All right," Harry began, holding up a piece of parchment. "This year, we raise the stakes. No more basic whoopee cushions and stink bombs. We're going advanced. Enchanted paint bombs, spell-triggered illusions—" He gave a wicked grin. "And flaming poop."

Connor Stoll pumped his fist. "That's what I'm talking about!"

"But make sure it sparkles," Travis added. "If it's not glittery, what's the point?"

Charles, the son of Hephaestus, wrinkled his nose. "Couldn't it just be normal poop? Why does it have to sparkle and burn?"

"Because," Harry, Connor, and Travis said in unison, "that's how legends are made."

Their lineup this year was stacked: Harry, the Stoll twins, Fleur (daughter of Aphrodite), Jasper (son of Apollo), Charles, and Clarisse (daughter of Ares). For adult advisors, they had Thor, Loki, and Hermes, though everyone knew Loki and Hermes were just there to have fun. Artemis stood nearby, arms crossed, watching the proceedings with an amused, exasperated look.

"I'm only here to ensure none of you blow up the cabin," she warned.

"Define 'accidentally,'" Loki murmured with a grin, earning a glare from Artemis.

---

Across the battlefield (read: beach), Sirius Black stood atop a rock, delivering his battle speech as if he were leading a Roman legion. His long black hair whipped in the breeze, and his expression was one of determined seriousness.

"This isn't just a prank war, people," Sirius declared. "This is our legacy! And we don't prank to win—we prank to annihilate!"

Remus Lupin leaned toward Tonks, who was unsuccessfully stifling a giggle. "He's been watching too many Roman war documentaries again," he whispered.

"I'm giving it five minutes before he makes us salute," Tonks whispered back.

Sirius, ignoring them both, continued. "This year, we have the Weasley twins—our secret weapon." Fred and George grinned mischievously, looking as if they'd just been handed the keys to the underworld.

"Ginny," Sirius said, "you're on distraction duty."

Ginny clapped her hands together. "Yes! Distractions are my specialty!"

"And Ron," Sirius added, "your mission—should you choose to accept it—is to… try not to mess up."

Ron gave a solemn nod. "I'll do my best."

Their lineup wasn't half bad either: the Weasley twins, Ginny, Ron, Neville Longbottom (quietly holding his toad, Trevor), and Lyra Black—Sirius's five-year-old daughter, who was already showing dangerous levels of cunning.

---

At exactly noon, Loki gave the signal—a sharp crack that echoed across the beach.

And chaos erupted.

Paint bombs rained from the treetops, exploding into bursts of neon green and electric blue. Harry conjured a shield just in time, deflecting a stink bomb launched by Fred and George.

"You'll have to do better than that!" Harry yelled, grinning wildly.

Meanwhile, Travis and Connor Stoll sneaked into Team Black's supply tent, replacing their water balloons with enchanted ones that turned the thrower's hair bright purple for twenty-four hours.

"Operation Lavender Locks: successful," Travis whispered, giving Connor a high-five.

Thor tried to summon lightning to short-circuit the other team's traps, but Loki had already enchanted Mjolnir to stick to the sand like it weighed a thousand tons.

"LOKI!" Thor roared, tugging futilely at his hammer while Loki vanished in a puff of green smoke, cackling.

Apollo, in the meantime, lobbed water balloons while shouting haikus at the top of his lungs.

"Chaos fills the air,

Pranks exploding everywhere,

Victory is near."

Fred and George, impressed, immediately began composing their own haikus in response.

Somewhere in the madness, Ginny managed to fake a fall, clutching her ankle and whimpering in pain.

Charles, ever the gentleman, rushed over to help—only to be hit square in the face with a glitter bomb the moment he got close.

"Well played," Charles muttered, spitting out glitter.

By sunset, both teams were covered in paint, glitter, and enchantment residue. It was impossible to tell who was winning—mainly because everyone was laughing too hard to care.

Sirius and Loki met in the center of the battlefield, both grinning from ear to ear.

"Truce?" Sirius asked, holding out a hand.

"Until next year," Loki agreed, shaking it.

The moment their hands clasped, a hidden trap—courtesy of Fred and Connor—exploded, drenching them both in neon pink slime.

"BOYS!" Artemis called from the sidelines, exasperated.

Sirius and Loki just looked at each other, grinning like fools.

And so, the Third Annual Marauder Prank War came to a glorious, messy end. The battlefield was littered with paint, glitter, and sparkles, and everyone was already counting down the days until next year.

Because if there was one thing everyone knew, it was this: The only thing better than a good prank war is the one that comes after it.

As the adults finally wrangled control over the enchanted chaos, the boys huddled together in the corner, sharing grins of triumph.

Fred clapped Harry on the back. "This was the best birthday ever."

George nodded. "Hogwarts isn't ready for us."

Connor and Travis exchanged a glance. "Camp Half-Blood isn't ready for us either."

Harry, still grinning, leaned back with a satisfied sigh. "And this is just the beginning."

As they plotted their next prank, a collective sense of destiny settled over them—five boys, born troublemakers, ready to take on the world one glitter bomb at a time.

Somewhere in the corner, Hermes and Loki shared a knowing grin. Artemis simply sighed, already regretting every decision that had led to this moment.

It was going to be a long year.

The sun hung high over Camp Half-Blood, casting golden rays over the training grounds where Harry Lokison and his friends sharpened their skills. The sounds of clashing swords, arrows hitting targets, and peals of laughter echoed across the camp. Under the watchful eyes of Chiron, the wise centaur, and Brunhilde, the fierce warrior maiden, the young demigods pushed their limits.

"Focus, Harry!" Chiron's voice boomed, slicing through the chatter like a well-aimed arrow. "These hunting knives aren't just weapons; they're extensions of yourself. Feel the power flowing through them."

Harry nodded, gripping the twin hunting knives that had been a gift from his father, Loki. As if infused with their father's trickster magic, these blades weren't ordinary—crafted from a unique alloy of Vibranium and Celestial Bronze, they shimmered with the blessings of Bast herself. This meant he'd be quicker and stronger than ever before. He shifted into a fighting stance, determined to master the art of wielding them.

"Hey, you've got this!" Clarisse encouraged from a few feet away, her own spear glinting like a silver comet. "Just don't forget to breathe."

Harry furrowed his brow, lunging forward to practice strikes against a training dummy. The knives sliced through the air, whispering promises of power with each fluid, precise movement.

"Not bad, pint-sized powerhouse!" Travis cheered. "Just remember to watch your back!"

"Watch your own back!" Connor shouted, barely dodging an errant strike from Clarisse. "Your aim is worse than a satyr's!"

"Hey! I could've hit you if I wanted to!" Clarisse shot back, crossing her arms and puffing out her chest. "You're just lucky I don't want to be responsible for your imminent demise."

Harry chuckled, feeling a surge of confidence as he resumed his practice. With each strike, he felt more connected to the knives, their power thrumming through him like a song only he could hear. He could almost hear Loki's voice in the back of his mind, urging him on, "You can do better than that, my son."

---

Later that week, Harry joined Artemis and her Huntresses for a night of monster hunting. As they trekked through the dense forest, Harry couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement coursing through him. With Zoe, Phoebe, and Atalanta—his honorary big sisters—by his side, he felt like he could conquer the world. Or at least a few Gorgons.

"Stay close, Harry," Artemis instructed, her voice calm yet commanding as they made their way into territory notorious for Gorgons. "We're venturing into their hunting grounds."

"Do you think they'll be as creepy as Uncle Thor's stories?" Harry asked, glancing sideways at Zoe.

"They're worse!" Atalanta chimed in with a smirk. "But don't worry; I'm here to protect you."

"Just try to keep up!" Zoe teased, their banter lightening the mood as they ventured deeper into the woods.

As night fell, shadows danced around them, and the stars shone like scattered jewels against the dark sky. Harry felt the weight of his bow—crafted from Uru and Celestial Bronze—against his hip, ready for anything.

"Remember to focus on your breathing," Artemis advised, her keen eyes scanning the trees like a hawk. "Your bow is an extension of you."

"Right, right," Harry replied, drawing the bowstring back. "I can conjure any arrow I want," he whispered, thinking of a lightning arrow. In a heartbeat, a shimmering bolt formed at the tip of the bow, crackling with energy and promise.

"Nice!" Phoebe exclaimed as Harry released the arrow, sending it hurtling toward a distant shadow. The arrow struck true, illuminating the night with a bright flash.

"Thanks! I can't wait to try one that explodes," Harry said, his grin wide enough to rival a Cheshire cat.

"Let's hope it's not at my expense," Zoe joked, rolling her eyes playfully.

Suddenly, a rustling sound broke their banter. "Shh!" Artemis commanded, raising a hand. "Get ready."

A Gorgon slithered out from behind the trees, its eyes gleaming with malice. "Stay behind me!" Artemis ordered, not missing a beat.

"Not a chance!" Harry retorted, positioning himself beside her. "I want to help!"

"Just keep your distance, Harry!" Zoe added, concern etched across her face. "I don't want to see you turn to stone."

Harry took aim, his heart racing as he conjured a piercing arrow. "Watch this!" he shouted, letting it fly. It struck true, hitting the Gorgon squarely in the shoulder.

"Good shot!" Artemis praised, a hint of pride in her voice as the creature recoiled. "Now finish it!"

Harry felt a rush of exhilaration. "You got it!" he shouted, charging forward with his knives glinting like stars.

---

During summer breaks, Harry spent time in Asgard, where he was doted on by his grandmother, Frigga. The golden halls echoed with laughter as he joined Odin, Thor, and the Warriors Three for a day of bilgesnipe hunting.

"Keep your eyes peeled, Harry!" Thor bellowed, his laughter booming like thunder as they roamed the fields. "They're tricky little creatures!"

"I'll get one this time!" Harry declared, radiating confidence like a beacon in the storm.

"Make sure to watch out for the spines!" Fandral called, a playful grin dancing on his lips. "They're not just for decoration!"

Harry took aim with his bow, feeling the familiar rush of excitement. "I know, I know! I'll be careful!" he called back, focusing on a rustle in the grass.

With a swift motion, he conjured an arrow designed for tracking. It shimmered like starlight, leading him straight to a bilgesnipe hiding behind a bush.

"Gotcha!" Harry exclaimed, releasing the arrow. It struck true, and the creature let out a startled yelp as it tried to escape.

"Good shot, lad!" Odin praised, nodding approvingly. "You're growing stronger by the day."

"Now you're just showing off!" Sif teased, watching Harry beam with pride. "Don't let it get to your head!"

"Too late for that!" Harry laughed, doing a little victory dance as they approached the captured creature.

---

Every night, as Harry settled down to sleep, Nyx, the primordial goddess of the night, visited him in his dreams. She taught him the intricacies of darkness manipulation, dream control, and reality alteration.

"Focus, Harry," she whispered, her voice smooth and velvety like midnight itself. "The darkness is not to be feared; it is a tool. Use it wisely."

Harry felt an inexplicable warmth emanating from her presence, despite the shadows swirling around them. "I'm trying," he replied, determination shining in his eyes. "I want to be strong."

"You already are strong," Nyx assured him, her eyes sparkling with ancient knowledge. "But strength comes in many forms."

As he practiced under her guidance, Harry learned to weave shadows into shapes, creating illusions and veils that concealed his presence. "Can I really do this?" he asked, excitement mingling with doubt.

"Of course! Trust in your abilities," Nyx encouraged, her smile reassuring. "Soon, you will not just manipulate darkness; you will command it."

"You make it sound so easy!" Harry said, trying to shape a dark orb in his hands.

"It will be, with practice," Nyx said, her voice soothing like a lullaby. "You'll be unstoppable, Harry."

---

With every training session, Harry grew more proficient in sword-fighting, spear-fighting, Pankration, and archery. He pushed his limits, practicing blindfolded, shooting multiple targets, and honing his skills to a razor's edge.

"Can you even see?" Clarisse asked, watching him shoot arrows while relying only on sound.

"Just trust your instincts," Connor encouraged, impressed.

Harry shot another arrow, the thud of it hitting the target echoing through the clearing. "I can hear their heartbeats!" he said, pride swelling within him.

"Okay, that's impressive," Travis admitted, eyebrows raised. "But can you hit the target while I'm dancing?"

"Don't even think about it!" Harry laughed, shaking his head. "I need my focus!"

"C'mon, Harry! I'm an excellent dancer!" Travis twirled dramatically, causing everyone to burst into laughter.

"Let's just see you dance with a Gorgon chasing you," Connor retorted, rolling his eyes. "You'll wish you'd stayed still."

---

Hey fellow fanfic enthusiasts!

I hope you're enjoying the fanfiction so far! I'd love to hear your thoughts on it. Whether you loved it, hated it, or have some constructive criticism, your feedback is super important to me. Feel free to drop a comment or send me a message with your thoughts. Can't wait to hear from you!

If you're passionate about fanfiction and love discussing stories, characters, and plot twists, then you're in the right place! I've created a Discord server dedicated to diving deep into the world of fanfiction, especially my own stories. Whether you're a reader, a writer, or just someone who enjoys a good tale, I welcome you to join us for lively discussions, feedback sessions, and maybe even some sneak peeks into upcoming chapters, along with artwork related to the stories. Let's nerd out together over our favorite fandoms and explore the endless possibilities of storytelling!

Click the link below to join the conversation:

https://discord.com/invite/HHHwRsB6wd

Can't wait to see you there!

If you appreciate my work and want to support me, consider buying me a cup of coffee. Your support helps me keep writing and bringing more stories to you. You can do so via PayPal here:

https://www.paypal.me/VikrantUtekar007

Or through my Buy Me a Coffee page:

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/vikired001s

Thank you for your support!