Atlanta
From up above came a whirring sound like a large drill."That's Festus," Leo said. "I've got him on autopilot, but we must be nearing Atlanta. I'll have to get up there... uh, assuming we know where to land."
Everyone turned to Percy. Jason raised an eyebrow. "You're Captain Salt Water. Any ideas from the expert?"
Was that resentment in his voice? Kassandra assumed it was from the twos duel in Kansas. The children of the gods naturally carried their parents best and worst qualities, so it made sense that the son of Jupiter and son of Poseidon were probably a little annoyed neither of them could prove to the others who was stronger.
"I'm not sure," he admitted. "Somewhere central, high up so we can get a good view of the city. Maybe a park with some woods? We don't want to land a warship in the middle of downtown. I doubt even the Mist could cover up something that huge."
Leo nodded. "On it." He raced for the stairs.
"When we land, I'll scout around in Atlanta," Percy said. "Frank, I could use your help."
"You mean turn into a dragon again? Honestly, Percy, I don't want to spend the whole quest being everyone's flying taxi."
"No," Percy said. "I want you with me because you've got the blood of Poseidon. Maybe you can help me figure out where to find salt water.Besides, you're good in a fight."
That seemed to make Frank feel a little better, his posture fixing itself. Kassandra didn't know that the son of Mars had the blood of Poseidon, she wondered where that had happened in his blood-line.
"Sure. I guess."
"Great," Percy said. "We should take one more. Annabeth-"
"Oh, no!" Coach Hedge barked. "Young lady, you are grounded."
Annabeth stared at him like he was speaking a foreign language. "Excuse me?"
"You and Jackson are not going anywhere together!" Hedge insisted. He glared at Percy, daring him to mouth off. "I'll go with Frank and Mr. Sneaky Jackson. The rest of you guard the ship and make sure Annabeth doesn't break any more rules!"
"Kassandra could come with us," offered Percy, but it sounded more like a desperate plea to avoid going anywhere with Hedge. The daughter of (Y/N) shook her head.
"Bacchus told me that I would find what I needed at 'the place my grandfathers work is carried out'. I have a vague idea of what he means, but I'll have to split paths with the rest of you. I think it's part of the quest somehow. So unfortunately I'll have to turn down your wonderful offer Percy."
Kassandra relished in the idea of Percy having to deal with Hedge, and watched him sigh as the son of Poseidon just looked at the crazy satyr disappointingly.
"This," he said, "is going to be so much fun."
They had landed near the summit of a forested hill. A complex of white buildings, like a museum or a university, nestled in a grove of pines to the left. Below them spread the city of Atlanta—a cluster of brown and silver downtown skyscrapers two miles away, rising from what looked like an endless flat sprawl of highways, railroad tracks, houses, and green swathes of forest.
During her time with the hunters, Kassandra had enjoyed those sorts of places. Just on the brink of the wild and a step away from civilization. As of recently, her training with Hector using spears, swords, shields and her own godly energy had distanced her from her roots of training with the huntress' of Artemis. It was only natural for her to expand her arsenal of combat choices, but her time with her sisters-in-arms was slowly becoming a memory.
"Ah, lovely spot." Coach Hedge inhaled the morning air. "Good choice, Valdez."
Leo shrugged. "I just picked a tall hill. That's a presidential library or something over there. At least that's what Festus says."
"I don't know about that!"Hedge barked. "But do you realise what happened on this hill? Frank Zhang, you should know!"
Frank flinched. "I should?"
"A son of Ares stood here!" Hedge cried indignantly.
"I'm Roman... so Mars, actually."
"Whatever! Famous spot in the American Civil War!"
"I'm Canadian, actually."
"Whatever! General Sherman, Union leader. He stood on this hill watching the city of Atlanta burn. Cut a path of destruction all the way from here to the sea. Burning, looting, pillaging- now there was a demigod!"
Frank inched away from the satyr. "Uh, okay."
Inside of the ex-huntress' mind, Hector grimaced. He had seen humans fight for so long, and every time he watched or listened to such atrocities was reminded of his dear Troy. What the Greeks had done to his city and people that day he could never forget nor truly forgive.
"Anyway," Percy said, "let's try not to burn down the city this time."
The coach looked disappointed. "All right. But where to?"
Percy pointed toward downtown. "When in doubt, start in the middle."
The boys headed to the presidential library, whilst Kassandra air travelled to the centre of Atlanta city. Time to take a look around and get to work.
The place seemed pretty modern and on the chill side. There were plenty of people around with various stores open, but she was driven to pursue Bacchus' hints for her prophecy of guiding the seven. She thought about it as she walked down the sidewalk. 'The place where her grandfathers work was carried out.' One thing came to mind primarily.
She had her mothers father, Jupiter, which suddenly put the thought of her being Jason's niece into mind. Then her fathers father, Asclepius, who was the primary suspect.
Kassandra could imagine places where the work of Jupiter could be carried out, like at a weather station or court of law. However Asclepius made more sense, that being a hospital or a place of healing. What she would discover however wasn't currently clear.
After wandering down the street until she got to a junction network where roads crossed, she saw a familiar looking face. Golden skin, perfect hair and a great looking outfit just on the opposite side of the street. White buttoned shirt, dark charcoal trousers and sleek shiny shoes. A better fashion sense than half the residents of Olympus.
She smirked and took a step back from the crosswalk, allowing him to walk over to her. He only saw her halfway across the road, and his pace hastened upon seeing the goddess.
"Kassandra!" cried out Adam, jogging over to her. "Fancy seeing you here!"
"Adam! I didn't expect to see you again so soon!" greeted Kassandra, shaking the hand he offered her. "You look great!"
"Ahh, thanks. Been travelling a lot more recently, you too by the way. I just got here for a new project we've opened up through a local hospital to provide cheaper treatment for the youth. How about you, what brings you to Atlanta?"
He was here for a hospital? Fate must work in mysterious ways.
"Y'know, I might be here for the same reason."
"What do you mean?" he asked, confused.
"Prophecy, quests, godly duties, blah blah blah. Stuff that I wouldn't want to bore you with. But I may have to, I think it's interlinked with what you've got going on."
"Well, I'd be delighted to bring you along, some company would be nice anyway."
The two began to walk down the street, with Adam leading the way. They talked as they walked, and as they made their way through crowded sidewalks and across roads conversation picked up to about family.
"So last time we met, you said your father was getting out of the hospital, right? How is he?"
Adam smiled. "He's doing great, I'm surprised you remember. He's been out for a while now and spending more time with my mother, they missed so much of their life together because of my sickness so it's great they get this time together now. I hated being a burden to them but now my charity work has me off their worries."
Kassandra could only wonder what her parents were like before she came along. (Y/N) had told jokes about how he had to tame the 'wild goddess' and Bellona spoke of how she 'civilised' her husband into becoming and acting more so like a god. When they were all back together...
"Hey!" jabbed Hector in her mind, "Focus young master, there is work at hand and distractions cannot be taken."
The ex-huntress could only roll her eyes and laugh to herself. "Sort of a similar thing myself. My parents put so much of their attention to me, I mean you knew (Y/N), he was that sort of guy. And my mother was like a mater-bear, ready to throw hands with whoever looked at me wrong. Your parents definitely did a great job with the attention they gave you though, you've blossomed into quite the gentleman of a mortal. Many gods lack half the qualities you have."
"I'm flattered," said Adam, "I imagine that's not a compliment many have received?"
"Not many deserve it," admitted Kassandra. "But... you are the exception it seems."
"I do what I can, and besides, you're about to meet some real heroes who deserve the praise."
They came to the hospital after roughly half an hour of walking. Kassandra could have just air travelled the two straight to the place, but she enjoyed walking and having good talk with Adam.
The hospital was pretty large, but nothing crazy that made it truly stand out compared to its surrounding buildings. The architecture was nice though, it reminded Kassandra of similar stuff she had seen back at Camp Jupiter. It was a blend of old and modern design, with an ancient stone exterior and revitalised interior. The daughter of Bellona had never visited a mortal hospital before, she was thoroughly intrigued.
"Here we are," welcomed Adam, "This is where it's been going down."
As the automatic glass doors slid open, the bright, sterile environment came into view. Fluorescent lights illuminated the lobby, creating a crisp but slightly harsh glow. The floor was made of polished tiles that reflected the overhead lighting, and signs with arrows direct to various areas like "Emergency," "Admissions," or "Cafeteria."
There was a reception desk positioned near the entrance, staffed by employees wearing uniforms and scrubs. Behind them, computer screens flicker with patient schedules and check-in information. Chairs in muted colours, arranged in rows or clusters, lined a waiting area. Nearby, a digital monitor might display patient updates or hospital announcements.
There was a real mix of people: a young child clutching a parent's hand, a nurse briskly walking around with a clipboard, a doctor in a white coat disappearing behind a door. The reception room looked like the entrance to a labyrinth, endless corridors twisting and branching off from there.
Adam casually strolled over to the reception, and Kassandra followed like a lost dog, still taking it all in.
"Hey there, I'm Adam Ariti, I believe I spoke on the phone to someone here called Judy about visiting to get a look at the Youths Future charity program?"
The woman at the reception suddenly began to glow up like the crushing weight of work was lifted off of her. She had bags under her eyes and probably hadn't slept well in a while, but that was shed off her as she raised from her seat and extended a hand which Adam shook vigorously. The receptionist appeared to be in her early 30s,
"That would be me dear, it's wonderful to finally meet you in person! You've done so much for the kids here it's just such a pleasure. Follow me, I'll take you to see everything the funds have been put towards."
Judy swung around the desk and began to make her way down one of the several corridors, whilst Adam turned to Kassandra.
"Will you be fine if I we split here? Say, meet up in half and hour or so?"
The daughter of (Y/N) nodded her head. Adam had matters to attend to and so did she. There must be more to this place than meets the eye if Bacchus claimed part of her journey was tied up with this place.
"You got it. Hope it goes well, you deserve it after everything."
"You too, daughter of (Y/N). Good luck finding whatever it is you're looking for.
It did not, as a matter of fact, take Kassandra long to find the anomaly in the hospital. As she wandered down hallways and peered into room windows, she picked up on an unusual aura emanating from a particular room situated deep inside the hospital. It was a strong one for sure, and it seemed to be poorly masked as if the one emanating it didn't want to be found. This had to be it.
Eventually, after traversing endless maze-like corridors, she found the room. It was labelled as an amphitheatre, but clearly long abandoned. Kassandra took a deep breath before she gently pushed open the door.
It was a standard medical amphitheatre, seating in various elevated position focused on a stage that would usually display lectures. But instead, there sat a woman, head in her arms. She had long dark brown hair, and her choice of clothing easily stood out. Roman armour similar to, no identical to, what Reyna wore when the sisters first met.
A flaming torch and bloody whip lay to her side, the torch burning bright but not catching anything alight. Kassandra knew those items.
"Mater?"
I know it's air travel, but I'm just going to call it teleportation from now on ;)
The goddess of Rome reacted immediately. Her head shot up, revealing red eyes and a weeping face. However, at the sight of Kassandra, the Republic's patrons face was instantly refreshed to dismiss any sign of her previous mess.
"K-Kassandra? What are you... how did you..."
"Mother!" cried out the young goddess, rushing down the amphitheatre steps and towards the stage.
She teleported forwards, just below the stage and at Bellona's feet before her mother could react. Contrary to what she expected though, her mother slightly moved herself back. She cocked her head to a side.
"You shouldn't be here, you're not meant to be here," insisted Bellona, her whip and torch vanishing into thin air. "Why are you here?"
Kassandra couldn't understand why her mother was acting the way she was. Why wasn't she happy to see her?
"I've been on a quest with the seven- you know, the ones of the legendary prophecy. We met Bacchus in Kansas and he indirectly told me to come here, so I'm here!" she beamed, a toothy grin.
"I... I...I...." stuttered the goddess in a state of confusion.
"And look!" she clawed down her top to show off her shoulder. It was scarred, but nowhere near as bad as the black charcoal look it once held. "I've been healing, and even learning how to heal like pater does!"
Her mother appeared to be at a loss for words, everything overwhelming her at once.
"Mater? What's wrong?" questioned Kassandra, teleporting up on to the stage.
Bellona stood up quickly and as she did so took yet another step back, slightly less back than before though.
"You've learned teleportation," said Bellona fascinated yet also still quiet.
"Yes, and lots more."
Kassandra turned around to face the seating and took aim with her finger-gun. Then, in just under a second, she had blasted a hole through all the front row seat backs. Her fingertip began to smoulder. Then she created two chains with jagged tips in either hand and began to twirl like a ballerina whilst they extended. After a while of spinning, the floor had her fathers name carved into it.
"I've been training with-"
"Hector?" filled in the goddess of Rome.
"Yeah- wait, how do you know about him?"
"You really think Pluto would send out one of his greatest warriors just like that?"
"But Hector said Hades- Pluto owed me something?"
The diadem on her head cracked, and from the split emerged the prince of Troy. He stood tall and proud in his bronze armour, spear on back and sword sheathed to his side. He bowed to Bellona and then Kassandra.
"Greetings again, patroness of Rome," said Hector.
Kassandra was confused. "I thought at the temple you two didn't interact."
"We didn't," admitted Bellona bluntly. "I hand picked him from Pluto's militia to be sent to aid you."
Kassandra's head went back and forth between her mother and her 'brother'. "What do you mean?"
"After... after your father.... after he...." tears threatened to spill, but they were held back by the dam that was Bellona's willpower. "After the battle for Mount Othrys, Lady Diana was ordered to send you to Camp Half-Blood. I wanted you to go to Camp Jupiter, but there was a majority against that, saying the Romans would be too tough."
Kassandra imagined spending the last several months in New Rome. With people like Reyna and Siopi, she could really only imagine such a reality. Then again, how different would she be?
"When you were sent to the Greeks and I discovered you were to get a prophecy from Mercury, I couldn't let my baby go out into the world alone without anyone competent to protect her. Besides, at the time you were still only a few months old. So I went to Pluto and demanded that I take Hector to assist you." The goddess of war shot a look at Hector. "And it took him a while to get to her."
Hector went slightly red. "I'm sorry m'lady. I got lost."
"Yes, well at least you reached her. I must say, your brother Paris whinged like a child when I left him in the Underworld."
Kassandra managed a laugh, sniffling and wiping her nose with her arm. "But why didn't you just come to me? I prayed you would arrive and take me home, or at least send me a sign. I know you save me from Enceladus, but what stopped you every other time? Why Hector and not you?"
Bellona stiffened up and in one hand her spear appeared, gripping it tightly.
"You have no idea how much you look like your father, even as his daughter," muttered Bellona, reaching out her free hand and brushing a stray hair on Kassandra's face aside. "As you grow with every passing day, you resemble him more and more. So after... after Manhattan, I couldn't stand to see you. I'm not ashamed to admit, for a while I was too absorbed in my grief to even see you."
"So you know? You know what happened to him?" Kassandra asked.
"Yes," admitted Bellona. "I know. Just before (Y/N) passed, he came to me and made his farewells. He entrusted you with me, and after I abandoned you I feared I had dishonoured his memory and last words as both his wife and as a goddess. And so I kept myself here, away from the world where I could hide in his domain- a mortal hospital."
A sudden surge of adrenaline hit Kassandra and Hector could see it as her eyes glowed a little more golden.
"But he's not dead!" she implored. "I've seen him!"
At the words, Bellona's eyes went wide and she dropped her weapon, putting both hands on her daughters shoulders and shaking her slightly.
"Where? Where did you see him? Is he okay?"
"It was him, but also not."
"What does that mean?"
"I saw everything that happened. He was betrayed and stabbed in the back, but he didn't truly die. His body was kidnapped by Gaia and she subdued his soul or made a deal and transformed him into... into a vessel."
"What's that supposed to mean?" demanded Bellona.
"He's still alive, I'm sure of it. But it's just that his body is now under the control of Gaia for her desires and needs."
Her mater took a step back yet again and brought her hand to her mouth to muffle a cry. Then, after a good ten seconds she dropped her hand to her side and in it created a standard scutum. With a yell she threw the thing like a boomerang for it to bounce off the corners of the room and return to her hand where it dissipated.
"DAMN JUPITER!" she roared.
Kassandra would admit it, this form of her mother scared her. Not because of her powerful aura or strength, but just by seeing a different and more brutal aspect to someone she loved. Bellona's eyes burned red and her armour erupted into flames. Hector subconsciously gripped his sword in its sheath.
The ex-huntress outstretched her hands.
"Look mother, I can understand your anger. Some people I considered friends have let me down recently too. But raw emotion won't get us anywhere, we need to get pater back to reunite the family and deal with everyone else."
Bellona visually calmed down, the flames vanishing and her eyes dimming.
"You're so mature for your age, Kassandra. That is what truly reminds me of (Y/N)," she sniffled. "But yes, I agree. What is it that you require of me, daughter?"
Kassandra's heart swelled. She was back in connection with her mother, score!
"Well, like I said earlier, Bacchus sorta indirectly told me to come here. I think it was for us to reunite, but at the same time I do believe you're to help me in my mission of guiding the seven. So, is there any information you can give me or any tools to help a little?"
Bellona seemed to contemplate the idea, leaning back on thin air.
There was a pretty unusual height difference between Kassandra and the other members of the seven, with her being slightly taller than everyone else. There was yet another difference between her and Hector who, as of standing next to her, was about a head or so taller. And then there was Kassandra and her mother, with the daughter being roughly two thirds of her mothers current height.
"There may be something I can provide."
At her words a shining bright light appeared on the floor between the two. When it died down, there was a map on the floor. Nice and modern like one found in a tourist shop, folded up from 8 segments.
"What is this?" asked Kassandra. admiring the thing on the floor.
"It's a map, one I've brought here from New Rome. It was crafted by Minerva and Vulcan and given to (Y/N)." She smirked to herself, remembering a fond memory. "Then he passed it on to the Roman demigods. It was designed to show the location of Titan activity across the continent and was basically a hit list. Now I pass it to you for you to use with a new purpose."
Kassandra took a few paces forwards and crouched down to pick it up. She unfolded it and spread it out across the floor. It was a map of the western world, and on it several key points highlighted, some conveniently named.
"Is this another hit list?"
Bellona shook her head. "No. It was purposed in the second Titanomachy and now will work in the second Gigantomachy. I don't know if the fates themselves have woven their magic into it or if Minerva and Vulcan were just smart enough to prepare for this, but it seems to be linked to you. I imagine the locations are places where you need to go."
Gazing down on the map, Kassandra noted a few of the locations. Sure enough, they were related to her quest. Camp Half-Blood and Camp Jupiter were labelled clearly, as well as Quebec City for the palace of Boreas, Mount Diablo for the battle with Enceladus and even the Great Salt Lakes for where she met her pa- Gaia. Even her current location was highlighted.
Other locations included someplace in Greece, Italy, Spain and the East Coast of America. One was even on the West coast of Turkey, she couldn't imagine why she would go there.
"I'm sure these are places you have never been to or even thought about, but they will become relevant soon."
"Why don't you come with me?" offered the young goddess. "Come with me and the seven demigods and Hector to save the world and (Y/N), two birds on stone as they say. Make up for our lost time?"
With the loss of her once loved Aspen, she wanted to have another close to her, and who else better than her own mother? She could teach her even better how to handle her godly abilities and fight like a Roman.
Bellona shook her head miserably. "I would if I could Kassandra, but Olympus would have otherwise. I'm sure you know how Jupiter has the place shut down, me being here for so long has probably set off alarms. But do not think I will not be with you every step of the way still," she said, prodding Kassandra's chest where her heart would be.
Kassandra slid the map into her back pocket, and then covered it with her top. Then, she bowed her head to her mother and clasped her hands together. In front of others she wouldn't give thanks to other gods and goddesses, but in private she saw no reason not to.
"Thank you, Bellona. Thank you for-"
Before she could finish giving thanks, she found her hands pulled apart and her head pulled up. It was her mater who had pulled her from thanks.
"Oh sweet daughter, do not give thanks to me. As I have already spoke, I disgraced your father by abandoning you for far too long. I can only now seek to soften a reprimand for dishonouring his last requests. So do not give me thanks."
Kassandra threatened to tear up. She compensated by rushing into her mother and wrapping her arms around her in a hug. Bellona seemed startled for a moment, before reciprocating the motion. Hector stood to the side tapping the stage floor awkwardly.
"I have missed you, my daughter," admitted Bellona. "So please, reunite our family. Do what I cannot my Kassandra. My warrior."
The daughter of (Y/N) met up with Adam back in the reception. Her run in with her mother was... revitalising to say the least. It gave her much hope and a true new found determination to carry on her quest and prophecy.
"Find what you were looking for?" asked Adam, walking by her side. He carried with him a folder.
"Very much so," grinned Kassandra. "And I hope all went well in your case?" she said, gesturing to the folder.
"Ahh yes. Judy was lovely, and everything seemed to be going just fine. There are 20 kids here right now being treated for various chronic and acute diseases thanks to my charities funding. It's heartwarming really to see the kids receiving what I could not as a child."
"Aww, I pray everything goes well. When I wrap up saving the world and this whole mess I'm in, we'll meet up in a coffee shop and have a real talk again. Perhaps I'll be able to throw in a little something to your cause."
"Indeed. When we'll both save the world in our own ways," he laughed, pushing the rotating door open. The fresh Atlanta air greeted them. Well, it was pretty fresh for big city standards. Down the street, there was screaming and horns honking with alarms going off. But neither of the two took notice, they were too absorbed in their talk.
"I assume this is where we split paths?" questioned Adam.
"It is for now," nodded Kassandra. She outstretched a hand. "It really was lovely meeting you again, Adam Ariti."
The charity worker took her hand and shook it well. "As it was for me. I look forwards to meeting you again when fate does deem so."
The alarms and horns and screaming grew louder.
"Then until next time Adam, worthiest of mortals."
And then, just as she pulled her hand away, a 2013 jeep wrangler came crashing off the road and onto the side walk, directly into Adam in front of Kassandra.
Everything moved in slow motion after that. Kassandra's eye went wide upon the impact and faster than any mortal could comprehend had grabbed the vehicle by a door handle and thrown it across the street. But she was too late.
"Adam?" she yelled, frantically twisting her head to find the boy.
And there he was, slumped down against the hospital wall with his head hanging low. She teleported to his side and clasped her hands on his shoulders, gently shaking him. Blood began to leak from his ears.
"Adam, you gotta talk to me man, give me something!" she yelled. "Gods dammit, talk to me!"
But Adam didn't talk. He never would again. And Kassandra could do nothing to prevent it. She continued to shake his lifeless body and cry sweet tears.
"Woah, fancy seeing you here!" she heard a voice chuckle from across the street. With a growl, she released Adam's body and turned to face the jeep where the voice was coming from. The laughing continued.
"Get out of that car coward!" she screamed, producing a pilum in her right hand.
The drivers door swung open, and from it emerged none other than Ikari. He looked different to say the least. He wore no clothes, instead his body covered in twisted bark that in turn was sprinkled with flowers and vines. His hands and feet were clawed and the same mask covering his face. He really did look the part of a villain. A pest she would kill here and now.
Cocking back her arm, she threw the pilum with all her strength directly at his face. It sped through the air, almost breaking the sound barrier and impaling itself just past where Ikari's ear would have been.
"Ichiro didn't lie, you really have gotten stronger," he cackled. He really was a sadistic devil. "But then again, so have I."
He rushed forwards, and as he did so his claws extended. They were made of the same bark as his armour, but glinted sharply. As he spun forwards he began to... oh god. He began to rip and slice and tear through the mortals still cowering in the street, cutting bloody swathes in the crowd. By the time he got to her, he was slick with red mortal blood.
"I need to send souls to Tartarus for Gaia, so you're helping me kill two birds with one stone today," he giggled, finally reaching her.
He dove for her legs, and just in time Kassandra jumped to dodge. When he was directly below her, she dropped herself downwards, crushing his back. She could hear the satisfying sound of something snapping underfoot.
Her victory was short lived though, as Ikari twisted himself and got a hold of her by the ankles. Then, vines erupted from the pavement and ensnared her by the wrists. The vegetation was weak though, so she broke free easily. Suddenly, she was off her feet and flung through the glass rotating doors back into the hospital.
Ikari grinned and slammed his palms into the ground. The floor began to crack and from the cracks, the nature demon began to toss in seeds by the handful whilst dancing around. Getting to her feet, Kassandra looked around, waiting for whatever was about to happen.
Soon enough, it happened. Dryads and naiads rose up throughout the reception room, each and every one of them somehow twisted with wicked nature, corrupted by Ikari's own power.
"Kill the mortals! Kill the mortals!" chanted Ikari gleefully.
"Everybody get out of here!" Kassandra yelled.
Some were quick enough to scamper off deeper into the hospital. Others made haste to escape out through the entrance. Those who couldn't get out in time... they ended up staining the walls and floor.
When all the mortals had been cleared, she was now left alone in the reception with Ikari and his creatures. There was nothing natural about these dryads and naiads. Whilst they stood in a deadly stand-off, Kassandra balanced her breathing. What she was going to try and do would require extreme concentration.
Outside on the street, chaos had erupted. Emergency services were sure to be on their way soon, so the fight couldn't go on for too long. The only positive so far was the removal of collateral, and she couldn't lose that. Ikari had to have wanted collateral damage from their fight, that must be why he ambushed her in the middle of such a busy city. There was just no way them meeting was coincidental too.
So, cracking her knuckles, she limbered up.
"What are you-" started a confused Ikari, interrupted by the golden shots from Kassandra.
She had achieved her goal of catching them off guard. No dryad could react to her speed, but twenty definitely could, so she needed to blitz them down with ranged fire. Her current shots of energy were nowhere near as strong as her bow or dagger at maximum potential, but definitely strong enough for an accurate one-shot.
So the dryads and naiads fell one by one, and just as she had finished blasting the tenth, Ikari finally reacted. He surged forwards with blinding speed leaving cracks where he stomped, and instead of diving down he went for her outstretched arm instead.
The daughter of Bellona blocked, but he used his other arm to send an elbow straight into her face, and hard. Then he brought the arm back, smashing his fist into the back of her head. It didn't help that he had spiked his entire arm with thorns. They had to have been laced with something because Kassandra suddenly felt a little woozy.
Before she could be swept off her feet though, she could feel a hand on her shoulder and a faint whisper in her ear. She could recognise it to be her mothers, but couldn't make out exactly what she was saying. Whatever it was though filled her with a strong sense of determination and surge of power.
As Ikari swung for an overhand into her neck, she managed to land an uppercut enforced with everything she had. The blow sparked with power, and Ikari went flying upwards, his head temporarily stuck in the ceiling. Kassandra took the chance to fire off ten more shots, killing the remaining nature spirits. Their bodies fell to dust as they died. Had Aspen been killed off now Kassandra knew of her true purpose? If she hadn't, she'd have to deal with her upon her return to camp half-blood.
Ikari got unstuck from the ceiling soon enough and dropped down, not before Kassandra was ready for him though. Chains flowed from her hands and she twirled them around in the air like a helicopter blade, hoping to catch her rival as he fell down. Unfortunately, he seemed prepared, not falling and rather latching himself onto the ceiling by his hands and feet like a spider.
He growled at her before releasing his hands to start standing upside-down.
"You are an irritating child, Kassandra (L/N). Ugh, I wish I could just toss you to my brothers monsters, but apparently he needs to store them up. I don't see why, he's been gathering them like mad recently," he shouted over the noise of her chains.
Gathering monsters? She'd keep that in mind.
"Really? I'll throw your corpse to the Athena kids to dissect then when I kill you."
"Ha! Good joke goddess, maybe you have a redeeming quality or two."
Their fight resumed quickly, with Ikari clapping his hands together. The earth rumbled and split again, but instead of breaking in it rose upwards. On either side of her, a wall of tiling and ground began to move rapidly towards her like some sort of Aztec trap. Gritting her teeth, she dropped the chains and leapt backwards just as the two walls slammed into each other.
Ikari took the chance to drop back down onto the floor with a slam, vines from his armour snaking out. He stared at her with no signs of emotion, the two locked down again. From her side, Kassandra pulled her dagger. She could make an energy produced one, but by testing the two on different materials her physical one proved to be that much more efficient and sharp. Under his mask, Ikari panted like a dog. Well, his mask was actually fused to his face right now, but he was still panting.
It was the vines that moved first, snaking forwards across the floor and through the air. They were decorated with flowers, and for a second Kassandra was mesmerised by a white lily. It looked like the same white lily in (Y/N)s head. It caught her so off guard that she would have been pierced if the diadem on her head had not shattered and Hector burst out to save the day.
"You must be more attentive young master," boomed the prince of Troy.
Ikari frowned as he stared at Hector. "Another lamb for the slaughter?"
"No more casualties besides yourself today," ordered Hector, taking his spear from his back and gripping his shield. "So prepare for Thanatos, hell-spawn."
A mental string appeared between the two, and in seconds they had a full conversation about their next moves
The nature-demons eyes lit up with glee at the prospect of a better fight, and he charged forwards like a bull. Hector matched him, and Kassandra flanked her brother in arms. As they sprinted, Hector threw his spear with all his strength whilst Kassandra sliced at vines that tried to attack them. The spear lodged itself in Ikari's thigh but he showed no sign of stopping.
When the three finally met, Hector threw a hook at Ikari, Ikari attempted to grab both of them with clawed hands and Kassandra slid down on the floor between her rivals legs. Everything happened so fast that the results could only be noticed when they had smashed into each other and everyone came to a standstill.
Ikari had caught Hector by the chest, shredding the front of his chest plate somehow. Kassandra didn't know it, but Ikari had entered a new level of strength thanks to his brother in which the souls of a hundred damned ones had been infused with his being. A side perk of this new strength was the ability to hit spirits and wandering souls like Hector. Luckily his starting strike was nowhere near fatal.
His other hand had missed Kassandra by the hair of her neck, and as a result of being unbalanced Hector had managed to sneak in his hook whilst also snatching his spear and pulling it through Ikari's body to reclaim it.
Meanwhile, Kassandra on the floor had successfully snuck under Ikari to gain a more strategic position for what was to come. Now, they were positioned with Hector and Kassnadra on either side of Ikari, just like with the walls earlier. And they would have the same effect. It seemed Ikari realised this as his eyes below his fused mask went wide.
Before Ikari could get out of the way, he was caught in a barrage of jabs, fists, stabs, energy shots and shield bashes. Every time he tried to escape the barrage he found himself receiving yet another blow, whether that be to the gut, head or any other exposed part of his body. He began to cough up nectar, splattering all over the combatants and the floor.
Ikari took the beating for a minute or so, and the only reason they stopped was when the sound of sirens could be heard nearing. If more mortals arrived, who knew what the nature demon would try and pull.
So, Hector spun around his spear and drove it deep through his chest, and Kassandra stabbed her dagger into his back, dragging it down from his neck to where his tailbone would be. The combined penetrations squirted and oozed with nectar.
Kassandra took a step back panting, marvelling at her work. Hector did the same, pulling out his spear and re-equipping it to his back somehow, clapping his hands.
"Good work m'lady," he complimented her.
"T...Two on... one... no... fair..." whined Ikari, barely gripping on to the strands of life. He was just about standing, but it was obvious that any second he would collapse.
"I don't know, maybe you should have summoned more of your little minions. I'm sure Ichiro would have had no such problem."
Ikari grimaced and stared at the two with some unrecognisable emotion below his mask. Then, he hissed and before Hector or Kassandra knew it, he had been absorbed by the floor. Neither of them had noticed he was standing on a patch of earth, the tiling of the floor in a circle around him. Dammit.
Kassandra kicked the ground frustrated. "He got away," she growled, stating the obvious.
"Yes, but it's not exactly all negatives today," responded Hector, drawing the map from her back pocket and examining it. "We have this now, don't we?"
As the two trudged through shattered glass, Kassandra barely caught a sob and a sniffle as she watched a body bag being carried into an ambulance. Adam. He wasn't meant to die, he was too young to die. If anyone should have died here, it should have been Ikari. All up and down the street, the place had been filled with emergency services.
Wiping her eyes of tears, she could feel the weight of her diadem forming on her head. And with a snap of her fingers, she teleported away.
Adam, I will never let your memory die.