What I knew about the tendencies of lions was limited to say the least. They were territorial beast, extremely prideful and vicious. But one thing was sure, the territory of a pack of lions strictly depended on the abundance of prey.
That would be the first point of our strategy.
First we needed to know the actual size of their territory, the layout of the island and details on the wild life.
I needed to act in person, yet I couldn't leave Odysseus alone…
Why is it taking so long for him to wake up? Sure he did absorb ichor, but he was born a Demi-god…
Walking through the greenhouse to go visit the sleeping beauty, I couldn't help but feel a sense of urgency. It almost felt like nature was urging me move, yet I wasn't sure of what to do.
I had never hunted wild game in my past, and these lions were anything but normal.
"What's wrong with you now?"
Merlin was sitting right outside of Odysseus' room snacking on some fruit when he interrupted my train of thoughts.
"I'm not really sure, I was never a hunter."
"Oh? Did you receive a quest from your loving mother?"
"No, father told me to hunt the Nemean Lion barehanded."
As silence descended between us and time stretched, Merlin rested his chin in his hands.
"Well it's not actually that different from humans, if it's the lion I'm thinking about. It's just his skin is hella tough."
"I know, it's not like I can beat it to death, I'm not that strong."
"Well, since you know, just do your thing the Damocles way, exploit weaknesses."
I had thought of that but at the same time I believed Father wanted me to prove myself, so I was trying to find other ways around it, maybe getting a better control on my chaotic Archana would have helped.
"Now scram and go make daddy happy. I'll take care of your man."
"He's not… you know what, whatever. Just protect him well. I'll also leave Eurylochus and Polites on board."
"Sure, get out."
This bastard half incubus.
Although I wanted to curse that pseudo master of mine to the ends of the world, I had pressing matters to deal with.
The unease and sense of urgency were only growing greater by the minute. I needed to leave for my mission immediately.
_____________________
The island was big, but completely covered with forest. That in itself was somewhat strange for me, this wasn't exactly the habitat lions should live in, but again, we were on an island, so I couldn't really judge at that point.
After giving my orders: protect, hunt the lion's pray and return, I ventured to explore myself.
I was confident with my level of stealth, even if discovered, I'd be able to run away whatever I'd encounter, so I started my investigation.
Why was I feeling a sense of urgency, and why did it bring me into the woods?
Jumping from tree to tree without making any sound I reached the place my men found the pack the first time, and certainly there it was.
A truck like golden maned lion lazily sleeping in the middle of a glade surrounded by 3 other lionesses.
That bastard has a harem hahahaha.
I was just on an investigation mission, but that wasn't the same for Hali who was sloppily trying to hide her presence and make a sneak attempt on the big guy with her sword already covered in Aura.
Oh right, she uses them that way.
The problem was that despite her efforts, the lions were all aware of her presence. Only she was in the blind about the entire situation.
Should I help her? I don't really want to interrupt whatever she's trying to do.
So I decided to just watch and interject only if there was real life threats.
______________________
-Hali's POV-
Never had I thought I'd be using stealth techniques to hunt down wild beasts, but after watching the fight between one of those lions and Dimitris I started to think of this hunting ground a little more differently.
He also really cares for all of his men, not only a few.
During these past few days on the ship with him and his crew I came to know what kind of men he really was.
Training to the brink of death only to come back alive in a minute with his spells. Ordering around everyone with efficiency, not wasting a second of his time. Sparring daily with everyone, giving pointers and explanations. Teaching his alleged family stealth techniques, which were insane for anyone to even think of develop, to everyone indiscriminately.
But Eurylochus said he didn't have a family… they said they found him on the shore of Itaca when he was just a baby and grew alone until Odysseus took him in years and years later.
Dimitris was anything but ordinary, so I pushed those useless thoughts aside and continued my hunting.
Sure, the lions were tough, but with my sword art and the training I've been going through these days it would have definitely been easier than I thought.
Maybe I'm just that stronger in comparison with him.
I continued to slowly approach the center of the island until I finally reached my target. There in the clearing were an enormous golden lion with 3 females roaming around.
I could already taste their blood and the praise I'd receive for securing such a great amount of meat.
I took my stance and started circulating my aura. I would have finished everything in one single attack.
Sword art, Shattering tide.
1st form, surface refraction.
Just before I was about to make my move, an earth splitting roar completely paralysed me.
I tried to circulate my aura to move, the 3 lionesses were slowly approaching me but my body felt like under the pressure of a superior being and refused to move.
Then I remembered my training with Dimitris, how he paralysed himself and then proceeded to work out, when I asked why he'd go to such lengths he just shrugged and said:
<
Fuck, I hate to admit that he really fits the perfect image of The Lightning Bringer's son.
Luckily I had gone through such training myself, sure I wasn't even comparable to his level, but I was at least able to move my hand.
Focusing with everything I had I moved my sword to slash at my tight. Blood came out and the pain was enough to free me from the paralysis that was clutching me.
I'll show you.
As I freed myself, the big golden lion seemed surprised but then he just went back to sleep. That bastard was mocking me.
I circulated my aura even faster and got ready to engage in battle.
The tree lionesses, seeing as I was now free, strarted to roar and immediately launched at me.
Ducking to avoid the first set of teeth aiming at me I then slashed my sword to the side of the beast, leaving only scratches.
This will be hard.
Avoiding the next attack by one of the other beasts, I jumped up and prepared to plunge my sword deep into this monster's head.
Sword art, shattering tide
2nd form, convergence.
A clean stab with a huge amount of aura viciously spinning like a tornado, that was my preferred attack to pierce through anything.
"AAAAAAAAAHHH"
With a battle cry I pushed my sword deep into the brains of my enemy who fell dead soon after.
"Hahahaha, see what I'm capable of?"
Just as a was singing my own praises, one of the lionesses slashed her talons at my back leaving a big gush.
A scream of pain erupted from deep within me and I tried to jump away and get some distance.
<
Fuck, why am I thinking of those psychos now. I need to focus.
Getting back my composure I waited for their next move. I had been complacent, but I still had the upper hand.
The two beasts rushed at me again but this time their movement seems coordinated. When one attacked the other covered disturbing my sword art.
Blows were exchanged but neither parts were faltering.
At that point I invoked my divine blood.
Sea water erupted from the ground creating an intricate web of footholds for me to use.
Stepping on water I felt my wounds starting to heal and my energy replenish. This was exactly what I needed.
The dance continued, but this time it was clear what the result would have been. In a matter of seconds the game changed its pace and I was able to fell another enemy.
Only one lioness and the big boss himself remained.
I prepared myself to engage again when another roar from the giant golden lion engulfed the glade.
I wasn't paralysed but what happened next was equally scary.
The lioness, who up until now was almost a normal beast, erupted with earthy mana.
Spikes similar to pillars erupted from the ground destroying the water paths that had been helping me in my fight.
The lioness growled and punching the ground launched at me with her maws opened.
I needed to evade.
Focusing again on my divine blood, new water paths were created fast enough for me to exploit.
I jumped to the side and slashed with all my strength sending and aura slash towards the lioness, but just as the slash was about to make impact an earth wall erected to protect the lioness sending then dust everywhere.
Our fields of vision were compromised, but I wasn't naïve enough to believe I held any kind of advantage in this situation, at the end of the day, this was still a beast, her senses should naturally be more precise then mine.
I needed to clear the area.
Sword art, Shattering tide.
1st form, surface refraction.
With a single horizontal slash an aura blade was freed from my sword to then explode and scatter all the debris clearing the view.
The field was clear, but no trace of the lioness could be seen.
I frantically turned around just be struck by a pillar directly into my guts.
The hit was so strong that it sent me flying and stunned me momentarily.
Spitting out blood I steadied my footing for the menace coming my way.
"A fucking animal is pushing me this way. Fucking beast even your meat is probably disgusting."
The lioness growled again, but this time I could feel it, she was making fun of me.
Bastard creature. I will see that you die today.
Rage was possessing me. Being pushed to this length by a single beast was too humiliating.
My aura was rampaging and I could feel it. A resonance with my divine blood.
Water started to rush to me and slowly started to fuse with my aura. Almost like armor, it stuck to my body and I knew it was enhancing my entire being.
With this newfound strength I rushed towards the beast with everything I got and relentlessly started attacking.
My armor reflected most of the lioness strikes, but some of her earth spike onslaught bypassed my defences piercing through my shoulders and tight, but it was to late.
My sword, overflowing with aura was embedded into the lioness skull finally taking her last breath.
I did it.
Feeling the final battle coming to an end, my body relaxed. I was in no state to fight anymore, I needed to run away and get healing, but would the golden lion let me go?
I tried my best to move my body.
The Golden Beast stood and slowly started to approach me, like my existence was nothing more than an insect in its eye.
Move! MOVE FUCKING BODY MOVE!
I was screaming at myself. How did I not realise what foes I had before me?
I was arrogant. Even if I did win against the tree lionesses there was nothing I could do against this moster.
I knew it, and so did he.
I started to move my aura and mana simultaneously in a last effort to at least escape; that's when the atmosphere around us changed.
The previously battle stricken clearing exploded with colours.
It was His garden.
He's saving me again.
Flowers continued to bloom and multiply, my body was rapidly healing like never before, his spell clearly stronger after absorbing divine blood.
Peace and serenity descended on the battlefield, but no trace of Dimitris could be seen. Even the Golden beast seemed confused and unable to trace him.
What the fucking level of stealth is this? Did he directly erase himself from the fucking world?
Just when the monster was about to forget the distraction and get back to me, His figure appeared right above the beast's head surrounded by colorful petals and violent lightning arcs running through his entire body. He focused all that lightning on his knuckles and threw a thunderous punch directly at the Lion's maws sending him a few meters back.
"Where is your pride King of the forest? You only jump in when the job is done by your underlings?"