Chapter 2: Camp Half-Blood?

Hey guys, welcome back to the second chapter of this story. Hope you all enjoy it. If you haven't check out my other story, then please go over to the story and give it a read. Thank you.

"The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing"- Socrates.

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*A couple days after the meeting*

The morning sun cast its golden rays upon the camp as the three demigods emerged from their tents, greeted by the bustling activity of Artemis's huntresses. Some were carrying bundles of wood, others were engaged in perimeter patrols, and a group could be seen honing their archery skills with deadly precision.

Suddenly, the forest around them seemed to come alive, the trees shifting and parting like the waters of the Red Sea. Every hunter tensed, hands reaching for weapons as they braced for whatever threat might emerge. The air crackled with anticipation as an unnatural silence descended upon the camp.

Then, with a thunderous impact, a massive paw slammed into the ground before the demigods, sending shockwaves rippling through the earth. Thalia, Luke, and Annabeth recoiled in terror, their hearts pounding in their chests as they stared wide-eyed at the colossal limb before them.

Without hesitation, the hunters sprang into action, arrows flying through the air with deadly accuracy as they unleashed a barrage of attacks upon the looming threat. But to their astonishment, the projectiles seemed to have little effect, bouncing harmlessly off the massive paw as if it were made of solid rock.

Amidst the chaos, a low rumble echoed through the clearing, and the paw withdrew, revealing the form of Kurama, the legendary nine-tailed fox. His eyes gleamed with amusement as he regarded the startled demigods and the astonished yet embarrassed hunters.

"Apologies for the dramatic entrance," Kurama rumbled, his voice resonating with power. "I couldn't resist having a bit of fun."

Thalia, Luke, and Annabeth exchanged bewildered glances, their fear slowly giving way to awe in the presence of the mythical creature. As the initial shock wore off, they found themselves filled with a sense of wonder at the sight before them—a reminder of the boundless wonders that lurked within the world of gods and monsters.

A flash of light streaked through the air as Artemis, the Lady of the Hunt, materialized in the camp. Her eyes scanned the scene, noting the rattled gazes and tense postures of both demigods and hunters alike. "What has occurred?" she questioned, her voice sharp with concern.

Before anyone could respond, a deafening growl reverberated through the clearing, the sound akin to mountains crashing down upon them. Artemis reacted instinctively, drawing her bow with fluid grace and releasing an arrow of divine power at the source of the disturbance.

The arrow struck true, but to Artemis's astonishment, it merely bounced off the entity's fur, its divine energy dissipating harmlessly into the air. Her eyes widened in realization as she beheld the creature before her. Immediately, the camp was filled with the sound of booming laughter as the son of Gaia, found great amusement in the shocked expression on the faces of the huntresses. Artemis, feeling a flush of embarrassment, slowly lowered her bow, her gaze meeting Kurama's with a mixture of apology and reverence.

"Forgive me," she said, her voice carrying a hint of regret. "I mistook you for a threat."

Kurama's laughter subsided, replaced by a warm smile as he regarded Artemis with understanding. "No harm done, Young Artemis," he replied, his voice resonating with a deep, rumbling timbre. "Your instinct to protect your Hunters is commendable."

Artemis nodded, a sense of relief and slight pride of the fox's acknowledgement washing over her as she realized her error had not caused any harm. She was grateful for Kurama's understanding and the peaceful resolution of the misunderstanding. However, beneath her composed exterior, a flicker of irritation stirred within her. The practical joke played on her reminded her all too much of Apollo's mischievous antics, and she found herself slightly perturbed by the resemblance. Despite this, Artemis chose to keep her thoughts to herself, not wishing to further disrupt the harmony of the moment.

Unbeknownst to her, the nine-tailed fox, was privy to her slight grimace. His ancient wisdom allowed him to perceive the subtle nuances of her emotions, and he regarded her with a knowing glance. Though Artemis may have been the embodiment of the moon's serenity, Kurama understood that even the Greek goddess of the hunt was not immune to the occasional annoyance. Soon enough, the tension eased and the camp returned to its usual rhythm.

"WOAH, that was incredible, Lord Kurama," Annabeth exclaimed, her excitement palpable. "How did the trees move like that? Was that you or was that the dryads who reside within the trees? Can you do it agai—"

Before Annabeth could finish her barrage of questions, Thalia and Luke quickly intervened, exchanging a knowing glance. They were well aware of Kurama's status as an ancient and revered being, and they didn't want to risk earning his ire by overwhelming him with inquiries.

Thalia clamped a hand over Annabeth's mouth, cutting off her stream of questions, while Luke stepped forward, offering a respectful nod to Kurama. "Forgive her enthusiasm, Lord Kurama," he said diplomatically. "We are simply grateful for your presence and assistance."

Kurama regarded them with a bemused expression, his eyes twinkling with amusement at Annabeth's eagerness. "No harm done, young one," he replied, his voice carrying a gentle undertone. "The movements of the trees were a mix of my mother's doing as well as the dryad's fear and respect for me. The dryads know to listen to me. But let us focus on more pressing matters at hand as I believe that young Artemis wishes to speak."

Thalia and Luke exchanged a relieved glance, grateful for Kurama's understanding. They knew that in the presence of such an ancient and powerful being, it was best to tread carefully and show proper respect.

As they turned their attention back to the tasks at hand, Annabeth shot them an apologetic look, realizing she had overstepped her bounds. But deep down, her curiosity continued to bubble beneath the surface, eager to learn more about the mysteries of the world and the creatures that inhabited it.

Artemis narrowed her eyes slightly at the mention of the Earth Mother, a flicker of tension passing over her features. However, she quickly pushed aside any personal grievances, recognizing the importance of addressing the matter at hand. "Yes, Lord Kurama," she replied, her voice measured and composed. "My father wishes to extend greetings to you as well as ask if you are willing to move to Camp Half-Blood to look over the Council's children."

Kurama's eyes glinted with amusement at Artemis's mention of Zeus, the King of the Gods. "Ah, Little Zeus," he remarked with a hint of playful sarcasm. "It has been centuries since I last saw that thunderhead."

The hunters and demigods exchanged nervous glances at Kurama's casual insult to the ruler of Olympus. While they understood the ancient fox's penchant for wit and humor, they couldn't help but feel a sense of unease at the audacity of his words. After all, even in jest, it was not wise to mock the mightiest of the gods.

"As to answer your question, little Huntress," Kurama eventually replied, his tone more solemn now. "I shall ponder over this matter and will arrive at the Camp in roughly two months if I agree to this request by Zeus."

Artemis nodded respectfully, a slight furrow in her brow indicating her concern. "By your leave, Lord Kurama," she said, giving a slight bow of the head. "Come, my Hunters, let's pack up and move on to the next Hunt. As for you children, we shall guide you in the direction of the Camp, but no more."

"Yes, ma'am," the three demigods replied simultaneously, their voices tinged with a mixture of deference and anticipation. They understood the gravity of the situation and the importance of following Artemis's lead, even as they braced themselves for the challenges that lay ahead on their journey to Camp Half-Blood.

Soon, the clearing was empty, and Kurama found himself alone for the first time in several days. His body remained still, his tails still waving through the air, deep in thought, pondering the request of the King of Olympus. Then, breaking the silence, he spoke with commanding authority, "Come out of the shadows."

Three bat-like figures emerged from the darkness of the trees, their forms slightly trembling as they bowed in nervousness at being caught. "Lord Kurama, a pleasure to see you again," one of them spoke, their voice tinged with apprehension.

The giant fox regarded them with a steady gaze, his expression unreadable. "The Three Furies, how wonderful of you to visit," he remarked, his voice booming throughout the clearing. "What can I do for you, Alecto?" he questioned, his tone carrying a hint of suspicion.

"We were following the trail of the daughter of Zeus, Milord," Alecto, the leader of the Furies, said cautiously. "We ask that you do not impede our mission."

He narrowed his eyes, a flicker of anger flashing across his features. "And just why are you hunting the girl? Why did Hades send you?" His voice rose slightly, betraying his growing frustration.

"The King has broken the pact of World War II, and our Lord seeks retribution," Alecto explained nervously, her words faltering slightly under Kurama's intense scrutiny. "He also seeks vengeance for the death of his lover decades ago."

Kurama's expression darkened at the mention of Hades's intentions, his mind racing with thoughts of the implications of the Furies' mission. As the gravity of the situation sank in, he knew that he would need to tread carefully in the days to come. While most beings would fear the consequences of interfering with the affairs of the underworld, Kurama was not like most. His ancient lineage and formidable power afforded him a level of impunity that others could only dream of.

However, even for Kurama, the prospect of entangling himself in the machinations of the underworld was fraught with peril. The Furies were relentless in their pursuit of justice, and any misstep on his part could result in dire consequences, not just for himself, but for all those involved.

With a deep breath that stirred the branches around him, he squared his shoulders, his resolve hardening. He would need to navigate this delicate situation with caution and cunning, ensuring that his actions did not inadvertently spark a conflict that could engulf them all. For now, he would bide his time, observing from the shadows and waiting for the opportune moment to make his move. After all, in the game of gods and monsters, patience was often the greatest weapon of all.

Killing intent filled the air, thick and palpable, as the Three Furies stood before Kurama, their presence radiating menace. Even the trees seemed to shudder with fear, the dryads within trembling with terror at the looming threat.

"She is but a child," Kurama's voice thundered, his anger boiling over. "What business do you have killing innocent children? She is not at fault for Zeus's lust."

The Furies recoiled at the force of Nine-Tail's fury, their resolve faltering in the face of his righteous indignation. Sensing their hesitation, Kurama's crimson eyes blazed with a fierce intensity as he issued his warning, his voice echoing with the weight of his authority.

"Leave, before I destroy you," he growled, his words carrying the unmistakable promise of violence. "And ask my father to keep you imprisoned in his body."

At the casual mention of the primordial of the abyss, the Three Furies went pale white, their fear palpable. They exchanged uneasy glances, realizing the gravity of his threat. With a collective shudder, they quickly retreated, their tails between their legs, not daring to test the ancient fox's resolve.

As the clearing fell silent once more, Kurama's anger gradually subsided, replaced by a profound sense of satisfaction. Though the encounter had been fraught with tension, he had emerged victorious, asserting his dominance over the forces of the underworld. And as he watched the Furies vanish into the shadows, he knew that they would think twice before crossing paths with him again.

"Mother, did you enjoy the show?" Kurama spoke, his voice laced with a hint of amusement, as he sensed a subtle presence emanating from the Earth itself. The ground beneath him trembled ever so slightly in response to his question, a gentle rumble echoing through the clearing.

The ancient fox couldn't help but chuckle at the Earth's response, the air around him becoming charged with the raw power of nature. As the Earth Mother herself, Gaia, was stirring from her slumber, her consciousness awakening in response to the anger of her dearest son.

In that moment, Kurama was reminded of his divine heritage, a testament to the enduring strength of the natural world. And as he stood amidst the quiet beauty of the forest, Kurama couldn't help but feel a sense of peace wash over him, knowing that he was not alone in his quest to protect the balance of the world.

*The Underworld*

The Furies swiftly entered the Underworld, their wings carrying them towards the throne room of Hades, the God of Riches and many other titles. As they entered the grand chamber, they found Hades and his Queen engaged in discussion, their attention drawn towards the three sisters as they approached.

"Ah, Alecto, have you completed your task?" Hades inquired, his voice tinged with a hint of impatience.

"No, Milord. We have decided not to pursue the child of Zeus," Alecto replied, her voice trembling slightly under Hades' gaze.

A blast of divine power echoed through the room as Hades slammed his fist onto the arm of his throne, his anger simmering just beneath the surface. Persephone, ever the voice of reason, placed a soothing hand on her husband's arm, urging him to listen.

"Calm down, my love. Hear her out," Persephone said gently, her voice a calming presence in the midst of Hades' growing ire.

Taking a deep breath, Hades addressed his subjects once more. "Why have you decided this without MY consultation?" he demanded, his tone firm.

"We were stopped by Lord Kurama," Alecto explained, her head bowed in deference. "He not only threatened to destroy us but also spoke of his father imprisoning us within him."

At the mention of the Nine-Tails, Hades' anger faded slightly, replaced by a growing sense of curiosity. "Interesting," he mused, his gaze turning thoughtful. "You have encountered the Nine-Tails himself."

"Very well, you may cease hunting the child," Hades declared, his voice carrying a note of finality. "I will never forgive Zeus for killing Maria, but it seems we have no other options at this time."

With a nod of dismissal, Hades turned his attention back to his duties, while Persephone offered a reassuring smile to the departing Furies. "Now, return to your duties, ladies," Hades ordered, his voice echoing through the chamber. "You have been gone for too long, and I hear that Sisyphus is throwing a tantrum. Go make sure he is quiet."

The Furies bowed respectfully before exiting the throne room, their mission now concluded as they returned to the eternal tasks of the Underworld. Left alone, Hades and Persephone exchanged a meaningful glance, their thoughts lingering on the unexpected encounter with the brother of Typhon, and the mysteries he brought with him.