As Aaron and the other Demi Gods looked towards the towering figure of the Golden Lion, The Norse Demi-god couldn't help but sweat in slight fear. "Umm, Mimir... You know anything that will help?"
"My knowledge over the Greek Pantheon isn't on the first thing I remember Brother. It's not my Pantheon so I might need a minute... In the meantime, don't get eaten." Mirmir stated as the Nemean Lion lunged at Aaron who rolled out of the way.
"Wow... Such great advice." Percy dryly stated.
"If it's not part of the Norse realm, I only know of the tales over your Gods on the top of my head." Mimir responded from Aaron's hip. "Beside you five Greeks should at least know something if I don't in this case."
Upon hearing Mimir's words, Zoe's long time role as Artemis' lieutenant started to show. "Scatter!" Zoe ordered out as the group separated. "Keep it's attention while I think of something!"
Slamming his axe onto the ground, Aaron attempted to pin the Lion's feet to the ground. However the Ice wasn't thick enough as the lion was easily able to break free with a single step. 'That's not good.' Aaron thought to himself as the Lion rushed towards him.
Watching the Lion swipe at him, Aaron was able to duck underneath it's paw and quickly launch his own counter. AS he slammed his the Axe into the side of the Lion's neck, Aaron's eyes became wide as he noticed it's sharp blade didn't even scratch nor break it's skin.
As The Lion turned it's head towards Aaron. He was saved as Thalia threw lightning to get it's attention. It worked as the Beast turned and rushed at her. "Brother I just remembered something!" Mimir stated to Aaron.
"Yeah?" Aaron asked as his attention was kept on Thalia and the Lion.
"It's skin is impervious to all weapons." Mimir responded which caused Aaron to nearly throw him in anger.
Aaron groaned as he growled out. "That would've been better to hear 10 seconds ago, y'know before I attacked with my Axe Mimir!"
With a sigh, Aaron attempted to think on what've might be able to hurt or even possibly kill the Lion. As he watch Zoe and Bianca engage with the Beast, he realised something. "Hey Mimir." Aaron stated out loud getting the heads attention.
"You remember the story I told you of how I killed a Dragon in Vanaheim?" Aaron asked as he unsealed his backpack and dropped his Axe beside it.
"Oh yes Brother. I was in stitches when you said that..." Mimir suddenly stopped as he eyes became wide. "Oh please tell me you're not going to be doing THAT!?"
"Not with you on my hip!" Grabbing Mimir's head, Aaron tossed it over towards Percy. "Think fast DayCare Boyo!"
Caught of guard with the sight of Mimir's head flying towards him, Percy didn't even register the insult as he just managed to catch Mimir. "Whoa!"
The others watched on as Aaron suddenly charged towards the Nemean Lion. "Hey! It's dinner time!" Aaron shouted out gaining the Lion's attention. As he jumped into the air they watched on in shock as the Nemean Lion opened it's jaws wide before slamming them shut, swallowing Aaron whole in the process.
"NO!" Thalia, Grover and Percy all shouted out in shock while Zoe and Bianca remained silent.
'Why would someone do such a thing!?' Zoe thought to herself as she tried to process what she had just seen.
"By the Allfather... He actually fucking done it!" Mimir's stunned voice echo'd in the room.
With a smug looking grin, the Lion then turned his attention towards the rest of the group but it suddenly stopped. For some reason it then began to wrestle it's head around. Almost as if there was something on it's face that he couldn't get off of it.
Slowly they watch in awe as it's mouth began to open. Inside the Lion's mouth was Aaron prying the golden Lion's jaw open from inside. "Backpack!" Aaron shouted out to the group getting them out of there shock.
Thalia was the first to recover as she rushed over towards the backpack. "What do you need?!" Thalia asked as she opened it only to find several crystals within. "What colour is the crystal?!"
"No Crystal! There's a Gun! A Gun!" Aaron grunted out as he slowly started to push the Lion's jaws wider.
"Where!?" Thalia asked as she moved the crystal's around trying to find a gun in the bag.
"Side Pocket! Side Pocket!" Aaron snapped back at Thalia who opened the left side pocket only to find nothing in there.
"There's nothing in here!" Thalia exclaimed out in a panic.
"RIGHT SIDE!" Aaron shouted out.
"I've already opened the right side!" Thalia snapped back.
"JUST FUCKING OPEN THE POCKET!" Aaron roared out in frustration as he finally fully opened the Lion's jaw.
Upon opening the other pocket, Thalia seen a gun in a shoulder holster. The gun appeared to be a heavy Revolver. Pulling the gun out of the bag and holster, she aimed it at the Nemean Lion.
"Get out of it's mouth I don't want to hit you!" Thalia shouted out to Aaron as she closed one eye and aimed down the revolver's sights.
"Don't shoot!" Aaron command caught everyone off guard.
"What do you mean don't shoot, she's got a clear line once you're out of the way!" Zoe snapped out in anger"
Aaron didn't respond as he focused his powered into his hands and began to freeze the inside of the Lion's mouth. With enough ice keeping the Lion's jaw open, Aaron was able to free his left hand. "Throw it!"
"Are you crazy!" Both Zoe and Thalia roared out in sync.
"I don't think that's the best question to ask since he's inside the Nemean Lion's mouth!" Percy retorted which only caused both Thalia and Zoe to scowl at him.
"I haven't got all day here! So will you stop wasting fucking time already!" Aaron snapped back at them both as he extended his hand out to Thalia.
Throwing the gun towards Aaron, the group's eyes went wide as Thalia under threw the Revolver. However before it hit the ground the runes on it's grip began to give a faint light blue glow.
Without any further warning the Revolver flew into Aaron's free left hand. Grinning at this Aaron pointing the gun onto the roof of the Nemean Lion's mouth. "Gotcha!" Aaron stated out before he fired.
AS the bullet fired from the revolver and into the Lion's brain, the Nemean Lion nearly instantly burst into a cloud of Black Dust as Aaron fell down to the ground. He knelt down onto one knee as he tried to catch his breath. The other's meanwhile looked around in confusion.
"Wait aren't Monsters meant to turn into a golden dust when killed?" Percy asked as he was the first to recover from his confusion.
"If Celestial Bronze or Lunar Silver was used to kill a Monster you'd be right." Mimir stated getting there attention. "However both Aaron's axe and the bullets from his Gun were made from Svartalfheim Steel."
This didn't seem to answer the question though as they still held looks of confusion. "I don't get it?" Bianca stated out loud.
"Svartalfheim Steel severs there link with the Nine Realms. In other words child. What he kills won't come back." Mimir explained as they looked at Aaron's axe and Aaron's knelt down form.
'Right, so we have a son of Poseidon, a daughter of Zeus and a daughter of Hades.' Aaron thought to himself as stood back up onto his feet. 'No wonder Lord Hades asked me to watch out for his daughter. This quest is a major beacon for trouble.'
"But what about that Nuckerlee you killed back in camp? It didn't turn into Black dust and you had used your Axe to kill it." Grover asked in confusion as he looked over at Aaron.
"Nuckerlee?.. What!?" Mirmir exclaimed out in shock as he eyes stared at Aaron who collected his head back from Percy. "You killed a Nuckelavee!?"
"Yeah I did." Aaron answered Mimir before he turned to face Grover. "And while I did use my Axe to kill the Demon, it was also coated in Alfheim's light."
"That would about do it." Mimir sagely added. "Congrats Brother on being the first Demi-God to kill a Nuckelavee in three hundred years. You'll have to tell me everything about your battle with the Beast!"
"We can talk about that later. Right now it'll be best if we all get out of here quick before more Monsters arrive." Aaron stated to the group who nodded back in response.
"Agreed." Zoe stated with a scowl on her face before glaring at both Percy and Aaron. "I'll deal with you two idiots once we're clear."
(Later)
Free from the city limits, Zoe had lead the others to a large forest just outside of the city. Knowing that he would have to be a part of this quest now. Aaron was silently putting up a tent that he had stored in his backpack.
But as he worked on this simple task, the journey ahead was plaguing his mind. While rescuing Artemis was the end goal, he still had to bring Mimir back to Odin in Asgard.
However his thoughts were cut short when he heard someone speak to him. "Why are you remaining with us?" Zoe asked in annoyance as she watched him but the finishes touches to the tent he had constructed.
Aaron pointed at Bianca who looked confused before he answered. "Her father asked me to watch out for her during this quest. in return he brought me here and lead me straight to Mimir. I aim simply here to honour my promise to him."
"My father..." Bianca began speaking but soon after began to doubt her own voice. She didn't know wither to be angry or happy upon hearing that a father she couldn't remember even cared for her.
Seeing and knowing the doubt that was written on the girl face, Aaron knelt down to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. Zoe narrowed her eyes at this as she tried to guess what his intentions were.
"Your Father knows that your Brother is safe in Camp Half-Blood. However he also knows the dangers of this quest. While I don't know what he thinks about you joining the Hunt. I do know that he still cares and loves you enough to ask a stranger to watch out for you." Aaron softly stated to Bianca who looked to be fighting her own tears.
Aaron's next movement shocked Zoe and the others as he softly began to hug Bianca. "Let it out kiddo. It'll only hurt more if you hold it in."
Zoe was about to jump at Aaron but when he heard the soft and muted cries from Bianca she stopped herself. Not wanting to see the newest member hurt like this Zoe soon placed he hand on Bianca's hair and began to stroke it to help with the comfort.
The others looked on sadly as they watch the two console Bianca. They too wanted to help but they also didn't want to overwhelm her at the same time. "Thank you." Bianca softly spoke as she stopped crying.
"Anytime kiddo." Aaron replied as he let go of the hug he held. "I've been there before so I know what you're going through right now. My mother done the same for me when I was near your age."
Aaron smiled down at he as he stood up. "But now it'll be best if you all get some sleep in. I'll use Yggdrasil's sap to get back on our Journey tomorrow morning."
The three campers looked like they wanted to argue but a yawn from the Satyr caused Aaron to smirk. "We'll take turns on look out. I'll stay up for the first shift."
"And I'll be joining you." Zoe stated out getting everyone's attention as she kept her own solely on Aaron. "I still have more questions for you."
Sighing in slight defeat, Aaron sat down in front of the camp fire. He watched the others enter their tents before turning his attention towards Zoe. "You'd be best sitting down. I have a feeling this could be a while."
"You're not planning on sleeping tonight are you?" Zoe asked with some annoyance as she sat directly in front of Aaron. The fire dimming slightly between them as she stared at him.
"The kids will need as much sleep as possible. I'll be re-energized once I've drunk my supply of crystal water from the springs of my home realm." Aaron replied as he pulled out a water bottle from him backpack and lightly shook it in front of Zoe. "So, what're your questions." Aaron asked as he put the water bottle back down.
"What did you and the spawn of Poseidon learn before you ran into us in the Museum?" Zoe asked in a heartbeat.
"Mimir told me where Artemis is being held." Aaron sighed as he sat down to rest.
"And where is she?" Zoe asked as she narrowed here eyes. Aaron seemed to be hesitant in answering as he now knew fully who Zoe's father was and didn't know how she would react to this news.
"She's currently holding up the sky right now." Mimir answered on Aaron's behalf.
"Is this true?" Zoe asked Aaron.
"... I'm afraid so. The Norse God of mischief Loki, tricked her into holding the sky." Aaron softly answered.
"How did she fall for his trick?" Zoe once more asked. When Aaron didn't respond to her question she looked down and seen that he had tightly closed his fists in anger. It was clear to her then that what ever had happened, it had upset him.
"He took the form of Aaron's mother, child." Mimir softly answered, Zoe's eye became wide after hearing this, understanding Aaron anger. "You need to know one thing about Loki. He has got one hell of a silver tongue. His performance even convinced me that he was Skadi."
Zoe was silent for a while before she responded. "We must go to Mount Othrys then."
"I'm still thinking of a plan of action at the moment." Aaron continue'd. "I have a rough idea though... But I'm still working on it."
"Why can't we just use the sap thing like when we travelled to Camp Half-Blood?" Zoe asked with a raised eyebrow.
"It's not that simple." Aaron sighed in response. "While Half-Blood and Othrys are not fixed locations. I know where the camp was. I don't know where Mount Othrys is. We'd be making a random jump and most likely will end up in the real Mount Othrys in Greece."
Zoe nodded in agreement. Knowing where her quest would end didn't make things easier. "Did the boy tell you what the prophesy was?"
"... Yes." Aaron silently answered.
"I think I've figured most of the prophesy's meaning... The trick which captured the moon was something close to her chest." Zoe stated. "If what your friend said is true then my Lady was tricked by Loki using another Goddess of the Hunt's form."
"To free her four must leave camp and journey out west. This part was made true with me, Bianca, Thalia and the Satyr leaving camp this morning. And it means Mount Othrys is located west of Long Island."
"Two friends shall arrive to aid you along your trail. This was you and that Jackson boy."
"Only when the Campers and Hunters are combined will you prevail. As much as is dislike that line, I believe it doesn't need anything further added to it."
"A Mountain's strength you shall also need. I believe Hades knew of this part when he asked you to watch for Bianca."
"As to withstand the Titan's curse he'll be the only one who'll succeed." Zoe hesitated for a moment before she continue'd. "This means at some point you'll... You'll have to hold the sky."
"However this will come at a great cost. Between his own Curse and the bridge he'll have to cross... This part I'm not sure about. The cost I'm sure will be your life but... What curse are you effected by?" Zoe asked.
"Wait... Did you say a bridge he'll have to cross?" Mimir asked with a hushed tone in his voice. Zoe nodded a silent yes towards the head which only caused Mimir's to show horror and he looked at Aaron and sighed. "Oh, I'm so sorry Brother... But... I don't know if you'd want her to know the truth. But I think she should know. It's your story to tell."
"Know what? Is this part of your curse?" Zoe asked.
"... Yeah." Aaron answered as he pushed through his hesitation. "The blood that flows inside of me... I consider a part of my curse."
Zoe raised an eyebrow at this. "Your blood? How can that be?"
"There is no real easy way for me to say this. My mother was raped by my Bastard Demi-god father, and I was born as a result of the Assault." Aaron answered, his eyes staying on the fire pit in front of him.
Zoe's eyes widened upon hearing this. Before she slowly sat down beside Aaron. "When I was a kid, I found out and started to question my own existence. I couldn't understand why my mother loved me. Why she kept me. It was tearing me apart from the inside."
"Around that same time I found that my grandfather had destroyed his own son soon after what he had done. But by then I had decided to reject all of my godly powers. That was when my mother told me why she had kept me."
"She said that a child is born without sin and that I was not my father. And even though what he had done to her had destroyed her trust in men." Aaron struggled to fight back his own tears as he pushed through. "She loved me because I was her own flesh and blood."
"So this is your curse?" Zoe asked as she placed a hand on Aaron's shoulder. Although she did not trust men her gut was telling her that this man was different. She could tell that he had never seen him look at another woman nor man with lust in his eyes. And upon hearing his story she now understood why.
"Not exactly. It is only the reason behind my curse." Aaron laughed lightly, his mood better than what it was before.
"What do you mean?" Zoe asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I asked Freya, our Goddess of love to curse me. So that I will never fall for anyone else. So that I can never turn out to be like my father." Aaron answered with a small smile. "It feels good telling you this. I don't know why but... I can fell like there's no longer this huge weight on my shoulders. I might've just been because I needed to talk about but, thank you for listening to me."
For several seconds the pair were silent as they both watched the flames dim slightly. But when Aaron stood up they seen a smirk on his face as he took Mimir from his belt and placed his head beside Zoe. "Keep an eye on him for a moment. I have a plan but I just need to use a restroom quickly here first."
Zoe was about to state that it was too much information but Aaron had already disappeared into the trees. However, Zoe thoughts were still left in a state of confusion and she wanted to have her questions answered. As she turned her attention to Mimir's head she quietly asked. "I need you to explain something to me... It's about something Aaron said a few moments ago."
"You have doubt with his words Sister?" Mimir asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes... When he took us to Camp, he told me about his love for another. I'm confused as to how this could be." Zoe stated.
"Ah, yes... Hillevi. He and Tyr both mourned her for months after her passing." Mimir's face held a solemn look as he remembered the late Valkyrie warrior. "But I can tell you the curse was in effect at that time."
"Then how did?" Zoe began to ask but was cut off from Mimir.
"Norse curses are different child." Mirmir explained. "They will always contains a loophole. Either an I that wasn't dotted or a T that wasn't crossed."
"The curse held no effect over his feelings for Hillevi because she would never return his love. Combined with Aaron's fear of becoming like his father and it was nothing more than a childhood crush. But since this was the first time he had ever experienced love, it had greatly effected him as it had claimed his heart." Mimir continued.
"But the last line in the prophesy worries me." Mimir solemnly stated as Zoe raised an eyebrow to his statement.
"What do you mean?" Zoe asked.
"Between his own Curse and the bridge he'll have to cross... The bridge references Helheim's Bridge of the Damned." Mimir stated before he continue'd. "So if this prophesy remains true. Then during this quest, Aaron will fall in love with someone. And this will kill him."
(Omake - The REAL Nemean Lion)
"I'll explain everything once we're out of here! Did you bring any transportation?" Aaron asked as he turned his head to face them.
It was then that Zoe noticed the anger and slight fear on Aaron's face as he questioned her. "We arrived in a truck outside." Zoe explained.
"Wait, where are you going we just got here." Thalia shouted before a soft meow echo'd throughout the hall.
As the group turned around to face the direction the cat's cry had come from, they were confused by what they had seen.
Because walking around the corner was a small Ginger Tabby House Cat that for some unknown reason, appeared to have a dagger strapped to it's back.
"Uhm... Mimir? Do you know what this Cat is?" Aaron asked out loud to Mimir as his attention was stuck solely on the orange cat in front of him.
"I would guess Puss in Boots, but considering it's lacking the Boots I have the foggiest." Mimir replied he too looked at the cat with confusion.
"Oh! Aren't you the cutest little thing." Thalia exclaimed out as she moved towards the cat in the hopes of petting it.
But Zoe was quick to stop Thalia and just a quickly pulled her back. "Hey, what was that for?"
"We need to leave now!" Zoe face displayed nothing but blind panic as she backed away from the cat, her eyes never leaving it.
"What's got you so scared? It's just a kitty cat?" Percy asked out loud with a raised eyebrow. But when he looked over towards Grover, he found that his friend was sharing the same fear that Zoe had.
"Percy... That's not a cat!" Grover replied to his friend as he swallowed the lump in his throat.
As the cat watched the Group of Demi-gods in front of it, he tilted it's head to it's side. Prompting both Bianca and Thalia to awe at it's cuteness.
Slowly though the cat started to stand up on it's back legs, almost like a human. "I think the poor thing see's us a a threat?" Mimir stated in wonder before he continued. "Cats normally only stand on their back legs when they are trying to ward off Predators."
Aaron was about to reply back but stopped when he watched the Cat's front right paw reach behind it's back and grab a hold of the dagger. "Thunder!" In a deep growling voice the cat called out as it swung the dagger downwards over it's shoulder.
"Okay, yeah this isn't a cat!" Aaron exclaimed out as he readied his axe.
"Thunder!" The Cat exclaimed as it's second swing was across it's body. The dagger now glowed and slightly extended.
"Davidson, try to hold it off! Everyone else behind me!" Zoe cried out to the group as the began to shuffle.
"Thunder!" Bringing the sword in front of it's body, The Cat lifted the sword up into the air and once more cried out. "Thundercats! HOOO!"
As the small Cat gave out one final roar, a bright Red light suddenly engulfed the Cat and the Sword blinding the group in the process.
When the light had subsided the group looked over to reveal a 6ft tall Anthropomorphic Lion with a Crimson coloured mane.
"You should've listened to your friend and run when you had the chance. Because I'm the Nemean Lion. But you may call me Lion-O." The Nemean Lion softly informed the stunned group. "Now, let's get this show on the road!"