Finding a large enough tree that would cover his body from sight, Aaron let nature take it's course, his shoulders lumped down in relaxation as he pissed on the base of the tree.
"Pzzt... Hey." A voice spoke out to Aaron. Jumping slightly in shock, Aaron followed through by quickly pulling out his Revolver and pointing it at the person who had just called out to him.
At the same time he pointed the Revolver at the voice's direction, he also called his Axe into his other hand. Once he had gotten into somewhat of a fighting stance, Aaron noticed that the voice belonged to a homeless hooded figure.
Aaron could just make out the bright blonde hair that slightly peaked out from underneath the man's hood. "Whoa, let's just calm down for a second here okay?! And let's not point weapons at each other... I come in peace." The hooded man stated.
"I've seen what that thing's capable of after you used it on the Nemean Lion. And I'd very much like to remain alive and I'd rather not have it pointed at my face." The hooded figure stated with his hand raised in surrender.
"Then you should know that it's not nice to sneak up on people while nature's calling." Aaron dryly stated, keeping the revolver aim true. "Now, who the hell are you?"
"Sorry but, I can't tell you." The hooded figure replied.
However Aaron didn't appreciate the answer and as a warning, he clocked back the trigger. "Okay, okay I'll tell you!" The hooded figure quickly stated in panic before pointing at Aaron's groin. "But... Can you put your Sword away first."
Blushing lightly from embarrassment, Aaron fixed himself up before zipping his jeans back up. "I'm Apollo." Apollo smirked as he pulling back on his hood, fully revealing the Greek god himself. "Don't be too embarrassed now. It was quite the impressive show."
"Sorry to break it to you but I don't swing that way." Aaron's eyes twitched as he un-clocked the revolver and placed it back into the holster inside his jacket. "What in the name of the Allfather are you doing here?"
"I came to help Zoe's quest." Apollo replied.
Aaron looked at Apollo as if he had grown a second head. "Okay, but why not just go to her?"
"The Ancient Laws are prevent me from directly inferring with a quest. Even a sudden one like this." Apollo replied which only caused Aaron to groan in annoyance.
"So if you're helping Zoe by going through me, then you're indirectly helping and bending the rules slightly to work in your favour." Aaron drily stated as his eye twitched once more.
Apollo snapped his finger and pointed at Aaron with a smirk on his face. "Bingo."
"Do that again and I will shoot." Aaron dryly stated as he zipped up his pants. "So, what do you need me to do?"
"Well, you don't have to do anything." Apollo stated before he handed over train tickets to Aaron. "I've even got two extra for both you and Percy."
Aaron looked down at the ticket and seen they were for Sun West Line. "Sun West Line... Subtle." Aaron sarcastically stated before he ripped up the tickets. "But it won't be necessary."
"Wait, what!?" Apollo asked in shock and horror.
"We'll be taking a detour to both Alfheim and Asgard. We should be at our final destination either tomorrow or the day after." Aaron informed Apollo.
"Oh that would be very bad idea... Are you sure it's wise to bring Greek Demi-gods to Asgard? I don't know Odin personally but Zeus won't like it in the slightest. Especially if his Daughter would be going there." Apollo asked in worry.
"It'll be fine as long as they arrive with me. And Odin already knows that they've been helping me on my Quest and that I'm only repaying my debt to them by helping their Quest in return." Aaron replied before he sighed and leaned back onto a nearby tree. "Besides, I'd take a good guess he already knows that I'm also directly tied into this Quest as well."
"Yeah, about that." Apollo nervously rubbed the back of his head. Aaron looked over at the god with a raised eyebrow. "Your Quest or your presence here, seems to have altered the original Quest's prophesy."
Apollo explained as he nervously chuckled. "Quite a lot in fact."
Aaron was a little taken back by how Apollo was not showing much anger over a quest's prophesy changing. "Correct me if I'm wrong here but for a God of Prophesy you seem happy about my interference with your original prophesy. Why is that?"
"To know the truth you must hear the original prophesy." Apollo smiled at Aaron as he softly answered.
"The original prophesy went something like this." Apollo coughed into his hands before his eyes began to glow.
Five shall go west to the goddess in chains,
One shall be lost in the land without rain,
The bane of Olympus shows the trail,
Campers and Hunters combined prevail,
The Titan's curse must one withstand,
And one shall perish by a parent's hand.
When Apollo finished his eyes dimmed down and smirked at Aaron. "Honestly, I'm glad you've arrived here... I think bringing you along had actually saved lives."
Apollo then smirked at Aaron as his eyes glowed once more.
The trick which captured the moon was something close to her chest,
To free her four must leave camp and journey out west.
Two friends shall arrive to aid you along your trail,
Only when the Campers and Hunters are combined will you prevail.
A Mountain's strength you shall also need,
As to withstand the Titan's curse he'll be the only one who'll succeed.
However this will come at a great cost,
Between his own Curse and the bridge he'll have to cross.
"I take it that you and Zoe already figured out the meaning of this prophesy?" Apollo asked.
"Zoe figured most of it when both me and the kid arrived back in the Museum... Well, mostly except the last two lines." Aaron replied. "Those I fully understand every word, and have accepted the fate that awaits me."
"So it seems." Apollo held a look of pity as he looked at Aaron, but it was only for a brief moment. "Then I wish you all the best."
Aaron looked down and seen that Apollo had offered a hand out to the young Demi-god. "Thanks." Aaron replied as he shook the Greek God's hand. The Greek God of the Sun and poetry left in a flash of golden light so after.
(Several hours later.)
Walking up inside her tent, Thalia rubbed her eyes as she heard an argument between Zoe and Aaron outside.
"Listen, as much as I agree with finding Artemis is a priority we have 5 days traveling to get to Mount Othrys. Our little detour will take us a half of that time and 5 hours if we move quickly enough. It's the quickest and safest route to completing your Quest!" Aaron stated out as he snapped at a stubborn Zoe.
"And as I've been saying for the past hour, we don't need to do that. It's a waste of time!" Zoe argued back in equal volume.
As Thalia exited her tent she seen the dry looks on Percy, Grover and Bianca's face. "Hey." Thalia groaned out to the trio. "So how long have they been arguing like this."
"They've been at it since I woke up about half an hour ago. But according to Zoe there now, it's been an hour." Grover replied with a tired groan, as the argument between Zoe and Aaron had woken him up from his sleep.
"Any idea what it's all about?" Thalia asked.
"I'm guessing a detour? None of what they're saying is making any sense to me." Percy answered.
"This might be a stupid question but what are you two arguing over?" Thalia asked both Zoe and Aaron to answer her own confusion.
"This idiot of a man whats to take us to Asgard! Just so he can drop off this stupid Head." Zoe growled out in response.
"Now you hold it right there young lady! I have the knowledge of the Cosmos with in my head. I am anything but stupid!" Mimir countered but Zoe growl only became louder.
"Shut it Head!" Zoe snapped at Mimir.
Aaron sighed once more before he tried to explain. "Listen I understand Artemis' importance not only to you but to Olympus as well. However this quest has become much bigger than both you and I..."
"Returning Mimir to Odin within Asgard is just as important if not more so. I didn't risk my life to get him from the hands of the Titans just walk right into their stronghold only to fucking lose him again at the end of this Quest!" Zoe's eyes widened as she understood the hidden meaning to Aaron's statement.
'So he knows he's going to die.' Zoe thought to herself as she started to accept Aaron's reasoning.
"I'll only need to make two stops. First to Alfheim to replenish the Bifrost key and then to Asgard to leave Mimir back with the Allfather. Plus we'll be able to have Heimdall look for Lady Artemis or send us directly to Mount Othrys itself." Aaron explained.
"Think about it! You can cut days off your travel with just a simple detour." Aaron raised his eyebrow towards Zoe who seemed to huff slightly. She couldn't find a way to counter his argument.
"Is it safe?" Grover nervously asked.
"Safest possible way that I promise you. You see Alfheim is currently under the control of the Light Elves so they won't interfere during our trip. They're a big bunch of cowards." Mimir answered in Aaron's behalf.
"And as for Asgard, the Allfather already knows we have Mimir. And the sooner we leave him back the less likely it'll be he'll interfere with this quest. And trust me when I say that he will interfere with this Quest. Ancient Laws or not." Aaron answered as he looked at Zoe at the end.
"He's right young Lady." Mimir added from Aaron's hip. "Odin is a peaceful god, however he's not one who you'd wish to make an enemy of."
"And besides. Alfhiem is lovely this time of the year. Oh and if we're lucky we might be able to view the Heart Roses blossom!" Mimir stated with an excited tone in his voice.
"Heart Roses?" Percy asked with a raised eyebrow.
"They're trees only found in Alfhiem." Aaron explained. "Their petals give off a pulsing glow when they blossom twice a year."
"I still don't like it." Zoe stated in exasperation.
"And I get that. But like it or not, Two Pantheons are in danger here, not just Olympus." Aaron replied with a sigh.
"Fine." Zoe reluctantly agreed. "What do we have to do?"
"Well because none of you have a weapon from the forges of Nidavellir, we'll have to travel to Alfheim and Asgard through the World Bridge." Aaron answered with a light shrug.
"The World Bridge?" Percy and Thalia both asked.
"It's Midgard's physical connection to Yggdrasil. It'll be safer to travel to both Alfheim and Asgard that way." Aaron attempted to explain. "Normally I would call the Bifrost directly to me and travel that way. But if I did that with the five of you attached onto me, well... Some of you might not make it and that's not a risk i'd like taking."
"Then how do you plan on us getting back!? Huh?!" Zoe growled as she tightly held Aaron's collar.
"Easy, easy. I'm sure the Allfather will grant you each a reward or blessing as thanks for helping me." Aaron attempted to calm down the Huntress.
After a few tense moments Zoe let go of Aaron's collar. "It better Davidson. Otherwise you'll be in for a world of pain. Understood."
"How are we gonna get to this World Bridge?" Grover asked.
"It's based in Norway and you've forgotten I can use this." Aaron replied as he pulled out the purple crystallised sap. Upon seeing the sap Thalia froze up.
"There's a crack on it. Will it get us there in one piece?" Percy asked.
"Oh it'll be fine brother. We'll just have to pick up some sap while we're there." Mimir answered.
"Right so while I get the Gateway ready, we'd best get everything ready to leave in 10 minutes. I should be finished by then." Aaron stated out to the group before they each left to complete their own tasks.
With the camp packed away and as the stones for their Gateway towards Midgard's World Bridge were laid out and ready, Aaron called out. "Opið til Tromsø Heimsbrúna!"
As the pillar of white light shined between the stones, Aaron knelled down in front of Thalia. "I haven't forgotten kiddo." Aaron stated as Thalia slowly climbed onto his back.
With Thalia secured, Aaron turned to face the group. "Remember my rules. Don't walk near the edge and travel together in pairs." Soon after Aaron and Thalia entered the pillar of light.
(Yggdrasil/Realm between Realms)
There walk on the roots of Yggdrasil was longer this time around as the group walked onwards in silence. That was until both Zoe and Bianca heard something. "What was that?" Bianca asked in confusion.
"Did you see where it came from?" Zoe asked. Bianca didn't reply back at first but after a few moments stated out.
"It came from there!" Bianca pointed to her left as she shouted out confusing everyone except Aaron.
"Yeah, I heard it too." Aaron replied as he pulled out his revolver. "Zoe, Bianca. Get ready."
"Oh Brother, don't tell me." Mimir groaned.
"Sorry Mimir, but the talking rat's here." Aaron replied as a bright ginger Squirrel peaked it's head out from the branch above.
"And who the fuck are ya calling a talking rat, ye useless excuse of a hairless Chimp." Ratatoskr exclaimed out as it pointed a finger at Aaron. Instead of replying Aaron opened fired a barrage of ice towards the Squirrel.
"Missed me!" Ratatoskr taunted as it ducked a weaved the small blocks of ice. "Missed again!" Once more the talking squirrel continued to taught as both Bianca and Zoe fired at Ratatoskr. "Oh, that missed shot was as wide as ya mother's legs! Even the Girl Scouts are missing me. The Queen of the Girls Scouts will be disappointed with ya."
"UHAHAHAHAHAHA!" With each missed shot of Ice and Arrow, Ratatoskr laughed as it taunted the group.
"And what's wrong with you two boys?" Ratatoskr asked both Percy and Grover.
"Well we haven't gotten anything to attack you with." Grover stated.
"And besides, I don't even know you." Percy replied.
"What do ya mean ya gimpy Dolphin! And here I was thinking that ya weren't nearly as ugly as everyone said!" Ratatoskr shouted out to Percy and it dodged another arrow.
"Why are we trying to kill a Squirrel?" Percy asked in confusion.
"He's not an ordinary Squirrel kid!" Aaron shouted out in frustration.
"He's right y'know gimp Dolphin. I even once beat Thor at an arm wrestling contest!" Ratatoskr taunted by flexing. "It's true really, just ask him!"
"Ratatoskr Furudóttir!" Mimir shouted out. "Get down here now young lady!"
"WHAT!?" Aaron roared out in shock. "You mean to tell me!?"
"Hey! Listen here ya old coot!" Ratatoskr was about to continue but was cut off by Mimir. "That's my secret!"
"Leave now, or I'll tell Níðhöggr why you're really been arriving late young lady!" As the group watched Mimir scold the Squirrel, they noticed she began to pout.
"Cute." Thalia softly stated as she looked at the pouting Squirrel.
"Am not!" Ratatoskr exclaimed out to Thalia before rushing off.
Aaron meanwhile could only watch on in stunned silence. "I'd close that jaw brother. I think I saw a few flies nearby."
(World Bride, Tromsø, Norway)
Arriving at the World Bridge. The only light source was coming from the gate's exit. "Ljós!" Aaron cried out as he held out a crystal in his hand.
The light that radiated from the crystal revealed a large and open room lined with Obsidian tiles. The room itself was a large circular room with what looked like a well in the centre.
Wrapped around the well were the roots of Yggdrasil. There were no leafs along the roots nor on it's branches. The roots and branches themselves were a sickly white in colour.
"We're here." Aaron stated as he left Thalia down from his back and walked towards the well.
"Why is there no light in this place?" Bianca asked.
"That's because Sister, we're actually buried deep inside of the Rødtinden Mountain just outside of modern city of Tromsø in Norway." Mimir explained to the young Huntress.
"Midgard's World Bridge is located here to prevent the other Gods of the Nine Realms from invading Midgard. As this world is the link to all other worlds, it must remain neutral. That's why the God allow mankind to guard and protect the planet. Only a few of us Demi-Gods knew of it's location." Aaron followed up from the well.
"If we're trapped in a mountain, how will we get out of here when we get back?" Zoe asked as she and Bianca moved beside Aaron.
"To get out you'd have to use the sap of Yggdrasil. But we won't be arriving back here. We'll be getting back to Midgard from Heimdall's lookout." Aaron replied from beside the well.
Percy, Thalia and Grover moved closer to the well and found that it was a bowl made of Iron with a shallow pool of water within it. Barely deep enough to cover a person's hand.
They all watched on as Aaron placed the Bifrost eye into the centre of the water. Once submerged the water began to shine as Nine symbols appeared within the water, three rows of three.
"Which one is Earth?" Zoe asked.
Aaron smirked as he pointed to the centre marking. "Midgard is the link between all of the worlds. And our trip is taking us to Alfheim."
Moving his hand left wards Aaron held an open palm over the rune for Alfheim. "Ferð Álfheimr!"
Underneath them the roots began to glow as the light from the bowl started to blind the Group. "Here we go!"