30 Ambush
The Riordanverse
Westover Hall
The light of dawn heralds the coming of Apollo, God of Light and the Sun, Archery, and many more domains.
"These so-called 'gods', they are nothing like the gods of our people." says the Other from within Aemon's mind.
"You speak from within the confines of my mind, do you fear these gods?" mocks Aemon with a smirk as he observes Artemis return to her huntresses as they begin to unmake their camp.
"Only a fool would not fear beings that can be called gods." retorts the Other.
Huffing in amusement, Aemon lets the matter drop. These "Cold Ones" are not as cold as they wish themselves to seem. They may bring the cold, ice, snow, and death wherever they go, but they still feel. They feel fear.
It is a pity that he himself has never been the one to cause them fear.
"They may not have shown it, but those you have originally faced, those that you called the Others, certainly feared you. They were merely brave." the Other says in response to Aemon's thoughts.
Hearing the Others being called brave is not something that Aemon has ever imagined experiencing. It is a jarring claim, yet one he cannot refute, for did his father in all but blood not claim that the only time one can be brave is when one feels fear? If they truly feared him, then they indeed were brave when they chose to face him. Still, Aemon doubts that they feared him, for what is there to fear in a mortal man when one is supernatural.
"It is precisely why they feared you. For what can one feel if not fear when their death is brought upon by a lesser being."
"Derision, disdain, regret, any number of emotions that your icy heart could never understand." Aemon says as he vocalizes his thoughts to the Other for the first time, causing Evelynn to regard him with a questioning look; or as questioning as a raven can be.
"My demon is a persistent one." Aemon tells her with a smirk, causing her to squawk with laughter.
Ignoring the Other's rebuttal from within the confines of his mind, Aemon makes his way to his side of camp where his hunters await his command while the demigods regard them curiously.
Numbering a dozen, himself excluded, the Wild Hunt would not seem impressive to those inexperienced in true combat. Only those who have truly experienced battle where their survival is uncertain can feel the faint sense of danger emanating from Aemon's hunters.
With six former Seelie Knights well versed in combat and Fey magic, five werewolves who can change at will and are almost as big as Ghost, and one daylighter vampire with a cunning mind and a fanatic loyalty to him, Aemon feels confident in his budding army.
Eventually he plans to separate them into different divisions based on their strengths with a leader chosen from their ranks. Already he plans on making Reina, Alpha of the werewolves, the leader of the peacekeeping division. Evelynn shall be in charge of the vampires who will be his agents in mundane politics once she sires more vampires, and the Seelie Knights will lead his standing army once they start showing themselves capable; for unlike Evelynn and Reina who have drawn his attention, Aemon's fey knights seem to be content as mere faceless soldiers, obeying all orders masterfully yet not once showing an ounce of the potential of a leader.
All of these are, however, pointless conjectures at this stage. Until their numbers become sufficient enough for such an endeavor, he will lead them himself.
As Aemon comes to a stop before his hunters, Ghost joins him on his right, his massive form now taller than Aemon's six feet and rippling with power.
For reasons unknown to Aemon, the direwolf seems to be experiencing a growth spurt. The Other stuck within his mind theories that as Aemon himself grows more powerful, his bonded companions shall also grow more powerful. A theory that Aemon hopes to be true and has yet seen any proof to disprove it.
Huginn himself has also grown bigger, his eyes possessing a gleam that Aemon has yet to decipher, and he spends more time in the air or with Ghost, as opposed to perching himself on Aemon's shoulders. Almost as if the two have struck a bond or understanding of some sort.
Whatever the reason for their newfound bond, Aemon cares not for they seem to enjoy each other's presence, and it makes them much more effective hunters as one.
"You are ready, good." remarks Aemon before he turns to the demigods.
"Lord Apollo shall take you and the Hunters of Artemis back to your camp." he tells them while nodding towards the hunters who have long dismantled their camp in an orderly fashion and await Apollo's arrival.
"What about you guys?" asks Percy.
"My hunters and I are going hunting with Lady Artemis." Aemon says, drawing looks of interest from his hunter, the werewolves especially seem excited for the endeavor.
"What beast are we hunting, Lord Commander?" asks Reina, sounding quite excited to Aemon's ears despite her attempt to sound indifferent.
It is a jarring thing, for as Rhaenys claimed upon their first meeting, Reina and Arianne Martell can pass off as twins. And to hear such bloodthirsty excitement from Arianne's indifferent face.
It is made all the more jarring considering the uniform of The Wild Hunt.
Drawing inspiration from the Night's Watch, the members of The Wild Hunt drape themselves in black wool, leather, and ringmail. Over, they wear knee length black cloaks. Covered as they are in black, with only their heads remaining uncovered, they seem like black shadows in the cover of the forest even as the sun begins to rise.
Arianne would not be caught dead wearing anything other than her revealing dresses unless absolutely necessary.
"The Ophiotaurus, if my conjecture proves correct." Aemon says.
With the naming of the beast, the atmosphere around the camp becomes tense for they all understand the severity of hunting such a beast. As preparation for traversing this world, Aemon had educated them on all manner of beasts and monsters of the Greco/Roman world.
"Ok. Judging by everyone's reaction I'm guessing that's bad, but what exactly is it? The Ophiotaurus?" asks Percy.
"An ancient monster that could bring down the gods if it was slain and its entrails burnt." Reina explains.
Before the demigods can ask anymore questions Aemon walks towards the Artemis and her huntresses as they gather near the cliffside past the forest, "Come, Lord Apollo will be here soon."
Wordlessly, the group follows behind Aemon to stand near the huntresses.
"Are you ready?" asks Artemis when she sees Aemon.
"We are at your service, my lady." says Aemon with a smirk and a bow, causing her to roll her eyes while her lieutenant glares at him.
"Good, because my brother is here. Late as usual of course. He gets lazy during the winter" Artemis says mere moments before a sudden heat blast melts the snow as a glowing cherry-red Maserati appears before the group.
"Little sister!" exclaims the sun god as he exits the car.
"Little? I helped mother deliver you." retorts Artemis with a sigh.
Ignoring his sister's response, Apollo observes the gathered group.
"Wow, what an ensemble you've got there little sis." he says before making his way to Percy.
"Perseus Jackson, the man himself. Big fan." says Apollo as he shakes Percy's hand, ignoring the demigod's flinch at the mention of his full name and not giving him time to respond before making his way to Annabeth.
"Annabeth Chase, proud daughter of Athena." he says as he takes her hand and places a kiss on her knuckles while winking before making his way to Thalia.
"Little sister, it's good to have you back." the sun god tells her while giving her a hug before turning to Artemis' lieutenant.
"Don't you dare." warns Artemis with narrowed eyes.
"Hahaha, of course not. I know better." says Apollo with a forced chuckle.
"And who might you be?" asks Apollo as his eyes fall on Aemon and the Wild Hunt.
"Fey?" he asks as he turns to his sister with a raised eyebrow.
"The Wild Hunt." she replies, causing his eyes to widen.
"Woah. You guys have been MIA for centuries." Apollo says as he approaches Aemon. "Although I do like the makeover." he says as he gives Aemon's armor a once over.
"Apollo, God of Archery, Art, Prophecy, Sun, etcetera, etcetera. You know the deal." says Apollo with a smirk as he offers Aemon a handshake.
"Aemon, Lord Commander of The Wild Hunt." replies Aemon with a smirk of his own as he grasps Apollo's forearm.
"Just Aemon huh?" Apollo asks as he returns the gesture.
"How subtle." Aemon replies sarcastically with a roll of his eyes while Apollo merely shrugs as if to say 'A god can try'.
"A valiant effort, little brother, but the fey do not easily reveal their True Names." Artemis says.
Shrugging once more, Apollo looks at the other members of the Wild Hunt.
"Your numbers have dwindled." he observes.
"How observant of you brother, but must I remind you that the situation is urgent?" asks Artemis with a scowl.
"Right, right. All aboard!" exclaims Apollo with a snap of his fingers, his interest in Aemon seemingly forgotten.
With Apollo's snap, the Maserati turns into a massive van able to seat all Artemis' huntresses and the demigods.
"Before we board, allow me to recite a haiku as tribute for this momentous occasion." Apollo says, causing Artemis and her huntresses to sigh.
Ignoring their reaction, Apollo carries on "Green grass breaks through the snow. Artemis pleads for my help. I am so cool." he says with a grin, waiting for an applause.
"That last line—" Artemis begins before abruptly stopping with a sigh while gesturing to her huntresses to board the van.
Seeing her sister not take the bait Apollo stops grinning and regards his sister with a worried frown.
"That dire?" he asks.
"Yes. I can feel the danger and I haven't even begun to hunt the beast." Artemis says.
"Be careful." Apollo tells her before entering the van and driving it to the sky.
Without seeing the Sun Chariot off, Artemis turns towards the forest and takes off, The Wild Hunt following closely behind.
…
…
…
Whether Artemis is the Goddess of the Hunt due to her skills as a huntress, or the title itself is what affords her those skills, Aemon knows not. Regardless of which it is, Goddess of the Hunt is a deserving title, for while Artemis seems to immediately pick up the trace of her prey Aemon himself knows not where he would even begin to search were he and his Wild Hunt by themselves in this hunt.
Somehow Artemis seems to be able to sense the beast's essence and follows its trail to its possible dwelling.
Of course things can never be that simple and many a time they found themselves in a temporary dwelling that the Ophiotaurus had vacated long ago, causing them to continue their search. While other times they seem to have found a false trail; something that rightfully sets the group on edge. For one can only follow so many false trails before it becomes evident that there are other forces at work.
Like this the hunt continues as they follow one trail to another, from wild land to wild land in search of the Ophiotaurus.
Eventually they find a trail that seems the most authentic and they follow.
Remembering the events of the book, Aemon cannot help but be much warrier than Artemis herself, something that the goddess herself takes note of.
"Is something the matter?" asks Artemis, speaking for the first time in hours since the beginning of the hunt.
"Aye, we are being hunted." Aemon tells her with a frown, something that his werewolves and fey seem to agree with judging by their tense shoulders and their shifting eyes.
Aemon is not surprised considering that even without his foreknowledge he would feel the same.
As a skinchanger, and despite his favorite 'skins' being Ghost and Huginn, Aemon has spent ample time within the minds of animals that often find themselves as prey, and throughout those experiences he has felt what they themselves feel when they are being hunted. It is not a sensation that can be explained and rather must be felt, and currently he distinctly feels it in the back of his neck as his hairs stand on end.
His werewolves, having the animalistic instinct of wolves themselves, no doubt see the signs of when a hunter herds his prey; while his fey are as comfortable in the wild as any animal, beast, or nature spirit.
"An astute observation." replies Artemis.
"Someone herds us towards a location of their choosing with false trails of this beast and I like it not." Aemon tells her.
"For the sake of finding the beast before the Titans we have no choice but to follow all possible trails." Artemis remarks as they find themselves before a lake in the middle of a massive forest.
The sky above is black and full of stars, indicating that whatever forest they have found themselves in has yet to experience the light of day, a perfect place to set an ambush for Apollo would not see the assault.
Trees loom like silent sentinels, their branches reaching out with grasping fingers. The scent of damp earth and ancient wood fill the air, and a preternatural silence engulfs the forest.
Trusting his intuition, Aemon whispers into the night sky, "Night of Ten Thousand Shadows."
Understanding the words of their Lord Commander, The Wild Hunt slinks into the shadows, cloaking themselves darkness and fey magic.
Artemis, seemingly understanding Aemon's intent, nods towards him while nocking an arrow to her bow.
Seeing no other avenues for an incoming attack, Aemon turns his attention to the lake; only for it to explode into burning steam, causing him to instinctively bring his cloak to bear for protection.
With his vision obscured by the steam, Aemon is unable to block the massive punch that smashes into his torso, sending him flying through multiple trees.
Quickly reorienting himself in the air, Aemon draws Longclaw and stabs it into the earth, using it to slow himself until he finally comes to a stop.
Ignoring the burning pain in his chest, Aemon stands to his full height while discarding his cloak and placing it in his inventory.
Looking towards his attacker, Aemon finds himself facing what can only be a Titan.
Standing at roughly 10 feet tall, with an elaborate black Stygian Iron armor and a single diamond blazing in the breastplate, the Titan possesses eyes that are blue-white and as cold as a glacier. His hair and beard are of the same color, with his hair cut in military style. He wears a helmet shaped like a bear's head, and wields a massive sword bigger than Aemon himself which also radiates more cold than the Night King himself. His face, though marked by a number of battle scars, is quite handsome.
However, none of these features are what gives Aemon pause, rather it is his gaze, cold as Artemis', and his smile as bright as Apollo's that tell Aemon of who he is. He is none other than Koios, Titan of the North, Titan of Farsight, Foresight, Intellect and Knowledge, grandfather to Artemis and Apollos, and the most intelligent of all Titans.
Following Koios out of the steam is an army of monsters numbering near the dozens.
"Granddaughter, you cannot fathom how pleased I am to finally meet you." says Koios, his voice booming throughout the forest.
"Koios." greets Artemis warrily.
"Now, now, there is no need for such hostility between grandfather and granddaughter, especially not when I come to you with diplomatic intentions. Join me in returning the Titans to their rightful rulers of the cosmos and bring this world back to its Golden Age." Koios says.
"Golden Age for the Titans maybe, but everyone else will suffer under Kronos' yolk." Artemis retorts.
"It need not be as you say. With a say in Kronos' council you can change things for maidens and women all around the world. They need not suffer under the whims of cruel and lesser men." Koios argues.
Hearing a Titan proclaim such ideals, Aemon cannot help but chuckle in amusement, drawing Artemis and Koios' attention to him.
While he knows not whether Koios himself was a participant of the Titans' horrific treatment of mortals, Aemon can say for certain that Titan himself cares not one whit for the treatment of mortals and neither do his siblings. Artemis' voice in Kronos' council would be akin to a fly's buzzing amongst a cacophony of dragon roars.
"Is there something humorous in my statement, young man?" Koios asks with a frown.
"Bravo, bravo, bravo. Such a splendid performance worthy of Loki himself, I proclaim you Koios Silver-Tongued, Titan of Mummers and Bards." Aemon says with a bow.
As Aemon mockingly bows towards Koios his long hair falls away from his ears, allowing Koios to see their pointed nature.
"Fey." sneers Koios. "What is one of your kind doing so far from your domain?" demands Koios.
"Hunting." replies Aemon with a dangerous glint in his eyes.
Sneering once more, Koios returns his attention to Artemis "What say you granddaughter?" he asks.
"Go to the Pit." she replies as she sends a barrage of arrows into the army of monsters, reducing a number of them to dust.
Not to be outdone, Aemon launches himself at Koios while his warriors hunt the monsters from the shadows, piercing their heads with arrows and slashing their throats with swords or claws.
As he brings his sword up to bear, Koios snarls at Aemon "You insignificant gnat, you dare to face? I will freeze your lungs from within." he threatens.
"I am a Stark of Winterfell, the cold has never bothered me." Aemon replies as he furiously assaults Koios, hoping to make use of his speed and smaller size to his advantage.
Unfortunately Aemon quickly finds despite his massive size and his heavy sword that Koios can easily keep up with him. Every slash is blocked by the massive sword, and despite having clashed with Aemon dozens of times already, not once has Koios moved from his initial position. Even when it seems that Aemon's speed has outpaced Koios, the Titan manages to lean away from Longclaw just enough to escape unscathed.
At the first instance, Aemon had attributed it to luck, after the second he became skeptical, and after the third of such happening, Aemon is all but sure of his suspicions.
Dodging a particularly vicious slash, Aemon takes advantage of Koios' overreach in order to retreat.
"Titan of Foresight indeed." Aemon says. "Nothing that I do can escape your sight." he comments with a frown.
"How astute of you. Perhaps there is more to you than the failings of your species." Koios compliments before swiftly adding "Regardless, this forest shall be your graveyard."
With a snarl Aemon launches himself at the Titan once more. Yet despite his determination and skills the Titan remains unphased. Regardless of his speed, strength or skill his attacks are always blocked, countered, or outright avoided. It reaches such a state that for the first time in years Aemon finds himself frustrated in combat.
That last being to frustrate him so was none other than the Night's King, avatar of the Great Other and Commander of the Others.
Gritting his teeth, Aemon parries a particularly heavy blow from Kiois, sending him skidding backwards before taking a knee and leaning on his sword.
"Surrender, young man." says Koios. "You have fought valiantly and are far more skilled than many an immortal. To lose such a talent would be a waste, especially when one considers your subordinates." compliments Koios as he looks at his rapidly dying army, prompting Aemon to do the same.
Despite Koios' compliment Aemon can see the tide slowly turning against them. Regardless of the amount of monsters that they kill, Aemon's hunters and Artemis are always vastly outnumbered; for they cannot kill them as quickly as they seem to come from the passageway located at the bottom of what was once the lake.
No members of The Wild Hunt possess any area of effect abilities and should Artemis use anything on such a scale she risks killing the Hunters.
As for slaying Koios himself, not even Artemis herself is confident enough in slaying him faster than his army can overwhelm The Wild Hunt. Should she turn her attention to him the monsters can very well overrun The Wild Hunt, leaving her to face the Titan and the army by her lonesome.
The situation must be reversed, and quickly.
"You fight like a mortal." says the Other's voice, interrupting Aemon's train of thought.
"I do not have time for your scorn and derision, say something useful or bugger the fuck off!" snarls Aemon.
"Very well, I shall be brief. You are no normal man, the royal blood of the two greatest dynasties your people have seen flows through your veins, and unlike your ancestors your blood is not tainted by the weakness of the mundane. Your potential is greater than any of them could even conceptualize, whether they be Garth Greenhand, Brandon the Builder, or Aegon the Dragon, they all pale in comparison to you." the Other says with his cold and dispassionate voice.
"Magic flows through your veins as much as blood, use it."
"Tch, brief. What a load of horseshit." says Aemon as calls upon his magic while biting his tongue and bleeding on the blade of Longclaw. Within the same breath he calls upon his most trusted companions.
With a far faster speed than he's ever accomplished before he launches himself at Koios while Longclaw is engulfed in a roaring flame.
"You have chosen to defy me thrice now, there will not be a fourth time." Koios says as he parries Aemon's slash.
Ignoring Koios' threat, Aemon continues his assault. Pouring all his rage and hatred into the flames, he slashes, stabs, parries, and ripostes as strong, fast, and skillfully as he can. Using every single experience of his lifetime as a gladiator, soldier, warrior, and commander, he faces Koios' the most dangerous Titan second to Kronos himself.
He moves quickly and gracefully around the Titan, never staying in one place too long. His body and his sword seemingly becoming one and moving in a blur.
"Good!" exclaims the Other in his ears. "Discard all unnecessary movements for they will hinder you. In a battle of such a caliber the one with the strongest foundation and better fundamentals will prevail." the Other advises.
And for the second time in his lifetime Aemon listens to the Other's advice. He reduces his movements to the very basics of every form of swordsmanship he's learned in lifetime. From the efficient and utilitarian style taught to him by Ser Rodrick, the graceful and quick style of Waterdancing, and even the minimalist style he learned from facing the Night's King, Aemon reduces them all to their basics.
As he sidesteps a stab from Koios, Aemon brings all his strength to bear and shoulder charges the Titan, sending him stumbling back.
"Did you notice?" asks the Other as Koios regards Aemon with narrowed eyes.
"Aye, he knew that I would charge him with my shoulder but he did not expect such strength from me." Aemon replies. "His foresight is dependent on acquired knowledge. Considering that it is rumored that he reads the stars in order to deliver his prophecies, it makes sense. I can work with this." Aemon says with a smirk as he grasps Longclaw with both hands and charges the Titan once more.
As with their previous exchanges, Koios' defense is a stalwart fortress. Unlike their previous exchanges however, the Titan is wary of Aemon; for the number of beings who have even staggered him can be counted on both hands.
Redirecting a slash away from him, Aemon uses the momentum of Koios' attack to change the direction of his sword and slashes a glancing blow on the Titans left thigh.
As Longclaw slashes the armored leg, a sizzling sound reaches both combatant's ears as the flaming valyrian steel sword leaves a singed incision on the armor.
Not giving the Titan time to process what has happened, Aemon gives out the command that he hopes will finally turn the tide.
From the shadows, and hidden within the snow, Ghost leaps at Koios, biting the Titan's swordhand.
With an enraged roar, Koios aims a punch at the massive direwolf, only to lose the hand at the wrist when Aemon slashes through the small gap of his gauntlet.
Screaming in pain, the Titan shakes his arm hard enough to dislodge the direwolf and send him flying.
"You starvelling, you elf-skin, you dried neat's-tongue, bull's-pizzle, you stock-fish!" screams the Titan as his golden lifeblood pours onto the snow from his missing. "I will rend the flesh from your bones, cook you in wildfire, and feed you to the hellhounds." threatens Koios as he raises his sword.
With a mocking sneer on his face, Aemon attacks the Titan. Ghost, having experienced many battles alongside Aemon, is not far behind.
As the two clash against Koios, Aemon fully opens the link between Ghost and him as much as possible, drawing strength from his companion while also giving him strength. It is a symbiotic bond that Aemon had theorized on the validity of after his experience skinchanging into Caraxes. If Caraxes can bleed his arrogance and disdain for 'lesser' life forms into Aemon, while he himself can bleed his intelligence and knowledge into the dragon, can they not also bleed power and magic into one another?
It is a question that Aemon answered during his time training The Wild Hunt.
With eyes as red as Ghost, Aemon redirects Koio's slash away from Ghost, allowing the direwolf to scratch a flaming claw across the Titan's arm and briefly drawing blood from his elbow before the fire from the claw cauterizes the wound.
With gritted teeth, Koios barely weathers the storm that is Ghost and Aemon, the two fighting so seamlessly well as one that despite knowing what they will do the Titan is barely able to defend.
For the first time since the beginning of the battle, Koios finds himself on the defensive.
"Enough!" bellows Koios, bring a lull to the battlefield. "I will not be bested by a mere elfling." the Titan says as he begins to glow.
Understanding what Koios means to do, Aemon quickly gives the command to retreat while he himself brings up the rear alongside Artemis.
Not willing to let Aemon escape, Koios aims an attack at Ghost, knowing that Aemon will move to defend him.
As foreseen by the Titan, and against the advice of the Other, Aemon blocks Koios' slash, the force of the attack sending him buckling to a knee and cratering the earth beneath his feet.
Before Aemon can continue retreating however, much of the forest is engulfed in a golden glow that incinerates all monsters.
When the light disappears all Artemis sees is a ruined forest whose ground is covered in golden dust, with Longclaw on the ground, and Koios and Aemon nowhere to be found. Hearing the sounds of footsteps, the Goddess of the Hunt turns towards the returning members of The Wild Hunt, not knowing what to tell of their Lord Commander's fate.
In the heavens above, a storm, the likes of which has only been seen when the master bolt was stollen, ominously brews.
Lightning flashes ever frequently and the thunder quickly follows, its rumbling far louder than naturally possible. Zeus, the King of Gods, has been enraged.
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Author's Note: Here's the next chapter two days early. From now I plan to release one chapter every Sunday as opposed to Tuesday. As usual I would love to hear your thoughts on the chapter. If you wish to support, I do have a patreon: patreon.com/servantambrosius
