Expedition to Mount Olympus

{Camp Half-Blood, December 21st}

"It's already been seven months, huh, Thalia," I murmured, my back leaning against the pine tree that had grown over 100 feet tall. I placed my hand onto the tree's trunk, feeling my shadowy threads slowly work on her wound and restraint. It was taking a while but I was making slow and steady progress it was only a matter of time before I turned her back to normal.

"Kaw, Master, the rest of the campers are already at the entrance of camp," a voice called out.

"Okay, Skia. I'll go there. Tell your brothers to stay here and protect the tree."

"Understood, Master," Skia replied, lifting her left wing in a salute.

As I sunk into the ground, I remembered what my crows had told me they were doing while I was gone. They said they just protected Thalia's tree, and by protecting, I meant just pooping on any intruders – which basically applied to anyone who wasn't me. Even Dad got shit on once.

I emerged from the shadows near the camp entrance, where a large group of excited campers was gathered around a bus. Argus, our hundred-eyed security chief, was at the wheel, his many eyes blinking in anticipation.

Chiron stood before the group, his horse tail swishing because of the wind. "Alright, heroes," he announced, "it's time for our annual trip to Olympus. Remember, this is a privilege, not a right. Behave yourselves."

Only new campers or ones who hadn't gone on the trip before were in the group. The reason I was here was just to protect the campers since leaving with almost 25 almost-never-trained demigods was a recipe for disaster.

As the campers began to board the bus, Chiron called out, "Luke, Beckendorf, Odysseus – you three will act as protectors for this group. Stay alert."

Luke nodded curtly, avoiding my gaze as he boarded the bus and took a seat at the front near Chiron. Beckendorf gave me a friendly nod, gesturing towards the back of the bus. "Shall we?"

As we settled into our seats, the bus rumbled to life. Argus maneuvered us out of Camp Half-Blood and onto the road toward New York City. The chatter of excited demigods filled the air, but I couldn't help but feel bored after all I had already gone to Olympus like six times.

"So," Beckendorf said, breaking into my thoughts, "which gods do you think will show up today?" He nodded toward the sky, almost as if he were already looking at the Empire State Building.

I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "I think there will be four or five. The Horny King, the crazy wife, the Machiavellian girl, and the raging child. The usual, I don't expect anyone else."

Beckendorf chuckled. "You're really gonna anger them if you keep talking about them like that."

"Probably," I admitted with a grin. "But I've already got a list of gods who hate me longer than a Cyclops' arm, so what's a few more?"

He shook his head, laughing. "You do seem to have a talent for that. It's almost impressive."

"You have no idea," I said, leaning back in my seat. "I can think of more Olympians who hate me than those who don't."

Beckendorf nodded. "Well, what did you expect? You've killed a ton of sacred animals, you know. And not just regular sacred – like, extremely sacred."

"Did you at least roast any of them?" Beckendorf asked, a playful gleam in his eye. "Get some sacred meat out of your trouble?"

I turned to him, deadpan. "You do know they disintegrate, right?"

For a moment, Beckendorf turned red with embarrassment. It seemed he had really forgotten that detail. I could only do one thing – laugh.

"Hahahaha."

Beckendorf raised his hand and playfully slapped the back of my head, sending my face into the cushioned seats. "Shut up."

Still, that only made me laugh harder. "You're just mad because you wanted some divine BBQ."

"Yeah, yeah, keep laughing," Beckendorf grumbled, though there was a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Our banter was interrupted by a sudden, thunderous sound.

-BOOOOM-

-SKREEE-

Something hit us, making the bus lurch to the side before Argus managed to regain control. Beckendorf and I immediately stopped laughing, the atmosphere turning tense.

I stood up from my seat, scanning the faces of the campers. Most looked scared, but Luke remained unnervingly calm. I could have sworn I saw the shadowy figure that clung to him smirk.

"Keep driving!" I shouted to Argus. "I'll take care of it!"

Without waiting for a response, I teleported outside the bus, materializing on the road behind it. As I appeared, I saw the bus speeding away, following my command. Good. The more time a demigod stayed in one place, the worse it got. And when we were talking about 25, it was even worse.

Waiting for me was a sight that would have terrified most demigods – two bronze bulls the size of elephants, Colchis bulls. Their massive forms gleamed in the sunlight, steam snorting from their nostrils as they prepared to charge.

But that wasn't all. As I watched, dozens of empousai emerged from the shadows of the forest, their mismatched legs clicking on the asphalt. And behind them, looming large and menacing, were Laistrygonian giants, their beady eyes locked onto me with malicious intent. Further back, even more threats gathered – Myrmekes, each the size of a full grown german shepherds, their black exoskeleton which appeared to glitter when rays of the sun reflected on them, swarmed out from the trees, their mandibles clicking with hunger.

I sighed, feeling a headache coming on. "This is gonna be annoying," I muttered to myself.

From the shadows at my feet, two enormous forms emerged. Lailaps and Swiper, each the size of a truck, flanked me on either side. Their hackles were raised, low growls rumbling from their throats.

I summoned my spear, feeling its familiar weight in my hand. "Great," I said, louder this time, "cannon fodder."

The bronze bulls snorted, a sound that shook the very air around us. The empousai hissed in unison, their hair flickering with flames. The Laistrygonians brandished their clubs, grinning with anticipation and the golden, while the Myrmekes just clicked their mandibles a little acidic poison falling from each which started to disintegrate whatever was below them.

I twirled my spear, shadows gathering around me. "Alright then," I called out, my voice carrying across the impromptu battlefield. "Who wants to die first?"

[Greek Myth Fact: Today's fact will be about the empousai and lamiai.

The empousia and lamiai, were fearsome daimones which assumed the forms of beautiful women to lure young men to their beds to feed on their flesh and blood. Behind the illusory facade the creatures were truly demonic--the Lamia had the tail of a serpent in place of legs, while the Empousa had flaming hair and two mismatched legs, one of brass, one of an ass.

Later authors describe the Lamiai as ghosts (phasma) which used illusion to seduce young men. They were companions of the goddess Hekate which followed her to earth from the depths of the underworld.

The Empousai and Lamiai were the ancient equivalent of vampires and succubi--vampiric ghosts and demons. Though I honestly don't think this is were Bram Stoker (author of Dracula) got the idea from since while there are women vampires in the book the main one is obviously Dracula.]

Patreon.com/Joanjudo Stories