Ocean Song woke up, groggy and with a strange headache. Considering he was smacked by a hammer, that was probably understandable. But he vaguely recalled something else happened afterwards.
The memories slowly returned, meeting Thor and Odin both was surprising in hindsight. I felt like they talked about something, but he couldn't quite recall properly.
Oh well.
Ocean Song wasn't particularly perturbed, he remembered the important tidbits. Especially Odin's advice on his cultivation.
As expected from such a Wise God, he didn't even know the intricacies of Ocean Song's profound cultivation, yet was able to point out a potential troublesome point that Ocean Song didn't consider.
It made sense.
His body was currently in a harmonious state.
Divine and Demonic if one wished to be more elegant in descriptions.
Yin and Yang respectfully.
The two opposite forces existed together in a harmonious state and if that state was disturbed, the potential backlash could be catastrophic!
Despite his Golden Core being elevated to the Mid-stage and his Demonic Core – which he used to call his Monster Core – being still at the Early Stages, the balance had not yet broken, even if it were strained.
Still, he was excited, any increase in cultivation was cause for celebration.
It was a most fortuitous encounter to be able to consume such a legendary Spiritual Herb from the Great God Odin.
It made him feel even more like a proper Cultivator knowing that he luckily stumbled into a cultivation increase by doing almost nothing!
He rose from the couch he was laying on and quickly sat in a meditative position, letting himself feel his own body.
There were no hidden dangers inside and if anything his body was in perfect shape.
One thing did stand out to him though, his Demonic Core increased in size slightly!
That was odd, he didn't think the Golden Apple piece would increase his Demonic Core, in fact, he recalled how his Golden Core absorbed all of it!
Was it a side effect, as a coexistence state, if one increased by a substantial margin, the other inevitably had some sort of increase?
No, that didn't make sense because they had separate properties.
His Golden Core represented his Cultivation Base, while his Demonic Core represented –
At that moment Ocean Song wanted to chide himself for being so blind.
Of course, his Demonic Core represented his Physical Body! The fight with Thor, even the liquor that was enough to bring him to his knees, they affected him physically and thus his Demonic Core received a measure of 'cultivation'.
The more he trains his Physical Body, the more his Demonic Core increases!
Though, after all of that, it was only a small increase…..
While he now had a vast mountain in his mind that he knew would be exceedingly difficult to climb, he was also happy to know how to progress.
One step at a time.
Regardless, with the newfound strength of his Mid-stage Golden Core, he felt stronger than ever!
The difference between the Early-Stages and the Mid-Stages was like the difference between Heaven and Earth!
Or something like that.
He remembered that every time a cultivator broke through, they must compare their previous cultivation to their current cultivation and use that same comparison.
Realistically, he was noticeably stronger. How much, he had no idea.
It's not like he could look at himself and attribute some arbitrary percentage by which his strength increased with so many metaphysical concepts attached.
He had yet to reach that level of Cultivation insights, thus he must work harder.
Once Ocean Song realized he was in good condition, he hopped up off his seat to look at his surroundings. He was still at the Hotel Valhalla if the décor was anything to go by, but he was simply sleeping on a couch in a room he didn't particularly recognize.
However, he eyed a letter on the table next to him, he assumed it was from Thor. Mostly because it smelled like goat.
'Come back again whenever you want to fight! You're welcomed as a friend of Asgard, just show anyone that piece of wood and no one will stop you.'
'—Thor, God of Thunder.'
Ocean Song slapped his Storage Bag, and the block of wood mentioned in the letter popped out. He looked it over and it seemed rather ordinary, merely Runes carved into it. However, after staring at it for a few moments, he seemed to feel an archaic and primordial aura to it that left his mind a little shocked.
"Don't probe any longer, boy. There are some secrets to the world that are more dangerous than beneficial at your level."
Ocean Song's mind snapped back to place as he blinked and looked around, eyes landing on Odin who was now sitting in the corner.
The Cyclops hadn't noticed him before, or if he wasn't there, hadn't noticed him entering.
Either way, he could only bow to the Great God's superior cultivation.
Wisely, Ocean Song heeded the words of the All-Father and put the block of wood away. "Thank you for your Wisdom." He bowed politely.
Odin grunted. "Anyone here will recognize it. Only a God will know its worth. If need be, you can flash it to one of those Olympians and they might hesitate to kill you if you anger one of them. Otherwise, no one will bar your way if you want to come and go." His tone was very dismissive as if it were a small thing.
"If I may ask, how long was I asleep?" Ocean Song asked curiously.
"Little over a day." Odin hummed. "I expected you to only sleep for a few hours, but your body is strange and even I'm surprised by how it responds."
A whole day?
Ocean Song's face paled because he was supposed to have been back and checked up on Percy and Madam Jackson.
"Great God, I do not mean to be disrespectful, if you have any need for me, I will gladly walk through fire and ice for you. However, I do have a pressing matter. I beg your consideration." Ocean Song said with some urgency.
Odin casually waived his hand. "Get going if you need to go. You don't have to put up with all that nonsense around here. We aren't those Olympians, speak what you what to speak. If someone doesn't like what you say, they'll simply punch your teeth in rather than curse you or whatever they get up to over on your side of the world."
Ocean Song blinked and nodded, once more politely bowing his head in thanks.
Regardless, he would not stop being polite to any Gods he meets.
At least until he knows he can cut them down.
Odin Silently pointed at a door at the edge of the room which Ocean song happily went through, only realizing that he was now back onto the streets in the human world. The door behind him slammed shut and he read it as theEmergency Exitfrom the hotel.
He simply scratched his head and chalked it up to Godly shenanigans and threw his sword out, quickly jumping onto it and flying back to New York.
(Line Break)
Ocean Song flew through the city and arrived at their apartment quickly. However, he only sensed one life within it when he swept it with his Divine Sense.
It was that smelly man from before.
He furrowed his brow and swept his Divine Sense outward across nearly the entire city. It felt a lot more effortless this time compared to beforehand now that he was Mid-Stange in the Golden Core realm.
He didn't find Percy or Madam Jackson.
He wasted no time entering their apartment.
Madam Jackson's husband was leaning against the kitchen counter with an ice pack on his head.
"Who the hell – "
He smacked the man again, knocking him out again.
Luckily, Ocean Song found a piece of paper on the ground and picked it up noticing there were words on it.
'I took Percy out to Montauk Beach. I wanted to wait to tell you before we left, but you didn't come back. If you need anything, you can find us there, but I wanted to give Percy a chance to relax before he has to go off to that camp of his.'
Ocean Song wasn't obtuse, he caught the hidden subtext. She basically was asking him not to come ruin the trip unless there was something important.
Obviously, she wanted to spend some alone time with her son before he inevitably goes off and learns how to be a proper Demigod.
He felt a twinge of sadness that he missed the opportunity to assuage his younger brother's worries due to his own mishap.
He wouldn't be such a brute to ignore everything and rush over there. He would have the opportunity when they come back.
Well, he had more time to kill now, and with nothing better to do, he left the apartment and flew back to his almost-house.
That is to say, the house only had a vague outline as of now.
However, he easily began to chop down trees with a wave of his sword and cut them into proper dimensions before stacking them up.
He had the instinct to almost immediately start meditating and cultivating, but he had yet to digest the new breakthrough he experienced yesterday.
Rather than a forceful method, he believed that a simple and mundane method would be better. Carefully carving up wood beams for his house, and meticulously assorting them to build up the foundation of his soon to be house.
The actions carried no hint of obscene power or displays of shocking might beyond some minor superhuman means. However, it allowed Ocean Song to calm down, let his mind focus, and enter a relaxed state.
Yes, everything in Ocean Song's world calmed down in this moment. The worries he currently had along with his own anxiousness that came with trying to increase his strength, they drifted away.
There was nothing to disrupt Ocean Song's peace. The only thing that he noted was the passing of time due to the sun disappearing in the sky, and nighttime quickly approaching.
Yes, there was nothing that could disturb him in his tranquil work.
Except for the annoyed Goddess standing there suddenly with arms crossed, staring at him like she wanted to beat him up.
"Great Goddess!?" Ocean Song, nearly fell over and quickly bowed politely to her. "I apologize, I did not expect your arrival."
Hecate stood there silently, glaring his way. "Do you know what this is?" She asked, holding up a glass orb.
Ocean Song blinked. "A Crystal Ball that you use to tell the future?"
"Do I look like some street performer!?" She huffed indignantly. "Do you really not recognize this?"
"I apologize, but should I?" Ocean Song questioned.
Hecate pursed her lips in deep thought. "You changed again. You've gotten noticeably stronger. What have you done since I last saw you?"
"I went to find a sparring partner." Ocean Song smiled. "I was lucky enough to have the Great God Thor spar with me and the Great God Odin passed on a piece of Golden Apple to heal my injuries, and it also allowed me to achieve a breakthrough!"
Hecate twitched.
She expected him to hide it, but he just blurted it out so easily when she asked.
Honestly, it made her want to kick him even more.
Several questions she had now also made sense. Like, why the Chief God of another Pantheon used his familiar to drop off a magical recording right to her doorstep.
When was the last time she even interacted with the Norse Pantheon, let alone any other Pantheon!?
She mostly stays in the underworld!
Really, it only happens when she consults with other Magic Gods with regards to managing the Mists. While she may be the creator, there's no plausible way to manage it across the world with every other region and Pantheon. All the major Magic Gods of each region help manage it even if they rarely interact.
Of course, the contents of the recording are what's making her the most annoyed.
Particularly that she can't beat up the stupid Cyclops because he seems completely oblivious to its existence!
She simply grumbled indignantly. "Why did you go seek out other Gods from another Pantheon? You are a Greek Monster."
"….who would spar with me?"
She paused because he made a very good point. Who among the Gods of Olympus, or even Lesser Gods under Olympus would willingly lower themselves to spar with a Monster?
In hindsight, it was actually a smart decision.
She knew a bit about the Norse, she wasn't one to particularly become enthused by other Pantheons, content to keep to herself. But she knew they were….more brutish.
They'd be more than willing to start a brawl at the drop of a hat, but likewise, they didn't really carry grudges the same way her fellow Gods did.
If two Gods of Asgard found themselves at odds, they would simply fight until a winner was decided and most of the time, things were settled there.
Regardless, she put the magical recording away –carefully.
To preserve it…for reasons she hadn't yet decided on. But she knew it was important and must be kept safe.
Then she kicked the stupid Cyclops to release some of her pent-up annoyance.
"What kind of idiot goes to challenge the God of Thunder to a fight!?" She began to chastise him.
"Thor was nice!" Ocean Song defended himself.
Hecate paused because she felt the gaze of a God look over after he called the name.
She scowled, throwing up her hand to obscure the area around her, and vaguely she felt the laughter from said God of Thunder as it pulled away.
"And what part of me looks unhappy?!" She kicked him again with a huff. "Don't go around saying things like that!"
Ocean Song was confused but just nodded.
His profound cultivation allowed him to instinctively navigate some dangerous situations.
That is, he nodded along to anything she said to appease her.
Once her anger was vented, she finally relaxed a little. "Did you at least find what you were searching for when fighting with that man?"
"Yes, Great Goddess." Ocean Song nodded enthusiastically. "I'm still far from where I need to be. I was only able to land a couple of good blows on the Great God before he smacked me with his hammer and knocked me out. I have a long road to walk still."
Hecate raised an eyebrow.
Being able to land a few hits on the Thunder God was by no means an easy feat.
She too was somewhat curious how strong this strange Cyclops was considering his…..everything.
He was an anomaly of the highest order.
"Great Goddess, I have a question if you would honor me." Ocean Song spoke.
"What Great Goddess?" She repeated with an eye roll. "Speak my name, you have my permission."
"…..Hecate?"
"Hmph." She let out a grunt in acceptance. "None of those empty platitudes, they only make me want to hit you. Just speak my name for now on." There was very faintly a certain gentleness to her tone as she finished.
Ocean Song smiled happily. "I ran into a strange human. Hesmelled, not just a normal smell, but it was enough to mask the scent a Demi-God gave off. I've never heard of this before, and it left me confused."
Truthfully, Ocean Song was confused by the existence of Gabe.
He recalled the original 'text' and it seems like the existence of Gabe being 'smelly' was never really answered.
"Oh, you met one ofthose." Hecate drawled, but her demeanor shifted to that of a teacher. "You have heard of Clear-sighted mortals, yes?"
"Yes." Ocean Song Nodded.
"You can consider those to be the exact opposite."
"What do you mean?" Ocean Song found himself confused further.
Hecate let out a breath. "I keep forgetting how…. inexperienced you are." She looked at him strangely. "Do you know how a Clear-sighted Mortal comes about?"
"Please enlighten me, Great Goddess!"
Hecate raised an eyebrow her gaze hardening.
"I mean, Hecate." He corrected.
She snorted but continued. "There are three sources, primarily. Of course, any God can basically force a Mortal to be Clear-sighted if they want, so that doesn't really count. But the first source is a type of legacy, a descendant of a God or Monster can develop the ability to peer through the mists at any point in their lives. The second are individuals who have great talents in magic. And I don't believe I need to overly explain that one. Lastly, and the most random, are a certain type of rare Mortal that can peer through the mists due to their outlook on life. The type of person who is so willing to accept the nonsensical and open minded enough to not dismiss the supernatural that happens in front of their eyes. This last type of mortal can sometimes perceive the world openly, thus penetrating the mists. "
"Thank you for your insight. But how does this relate back to the smelly man I met?"
"It correlates to the last one I mentioned. Where one is so open minded that they can peer through the mists, the man you met is the type that is so horrendously narrowminded that they actively reject anything beyond their own 'reality'. Commonly, they carry some of the more disgusting and vile traits among humans. Egotistical, Narcissistic, Self-absorbed, I could keep going, but you get the idea. Of course, there are many humans with these traits, but it's rare for one of them to develop the 'smell' you experienced. Well, beyondactuallyjust plain smelling awful."
"I see, thank you." Ocean Song was polite in his thanks
It made sense, he supposed. And she was probably dumbing it down for him to understand.
He wanted to ask another question, but a strange thundering above cut him off.
Both he and Hecate both looked up at the sky, and very quickly, a thunderstorm appeared overhead.
Hecate furrowed her brow. "Who angered him enough that he would make such a scene?"
"Is…that who I think it is?" Ocean Song hesitantly asked.
"I would suggest not doing anything to stand out at the moment." She replied. "Zeus isn't known for being reasonable when he gets in a mood." There was a hint of disdain in her tone.
However, Ocean Song's eyes widened.
He didn't put it together beforehand, and it's not like he knew the timetable he was thrust into.
Honestly, he only vaguely recalled the texts he read in his previous life, so he didn't know exact dates or times!
"You – " Hecate's words died because Ocean Song was already stepping on his sword.
"My brother is in danger." He said solemnly before shooting off into the sky.
He made a promise to his brother, no harm would befall him or his mother.
He intended to keep that promise.
(Line break)
A/N
Canon starting and Big Brother Cyclops to the rescue!