Chapter 16- Aeithales and a Quest

I exited the maze through the doorway inside the basement of a building. I could tell from the stars in the sky that I was no longer in the Eastern Seaboard. Rather I was now somewhere in California.

After some wandering around and investigating the area I found myself in Palm Springs. Sun-blasted ochre mountains ringed a valley patchworked with unnaturally green golf courses, dusty barren flats and sprawling neighborhoods of white stucco walls, red-tiled roofs and blue swimming pools. Lining the streets, rows of listless palm trees stuck up like raggedy seams. Asphalt parking lots shimmered in the heat. A brown haze hung in the air, filling the valley like watery gravy.

After much roaming I finally find the place similar to what the vision showed me.

The vision showed a series of greenhouses, shrouded in flames and the vision itself seemed to convey that this signified the dying Wild and the withering of Nature.

But all I could see was nothing but wreckage, charred and blackened stone, and ashes. There was a signboard which read the name 'Aeithales'.

Scathach told me this place was meant to be a chance for the revival of the Wild and of Nature but it was destroyed before it could be completed. Whatever was being done here would change things on a massive scale, likely affecting the entire Greek Pantheon. And whoever burned this made sure to destroy everything using greek fire. The fire that can continue burning even in water and can consume even divine metals.

Whoever caused this destruction are unlikely to be monsters as even monsters do not conflict with the wild. Though it could just be part of some greater scheme in their neverending quest to eat all demigods.

I felt like this situation had a human touch to it though I couldn't really tell how I felt like this. Maybe just a gut feeling? But until I find something that contradicts my gut feeling I will trust it. After all it hasn't failed me yet.

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I started my journey by going southeast. The trails to track were to old to follow but they could give some clues as to who was behind this incident.

The mortals in the area all thought it was an accident that led to the fire and that the family moved away. The family consisted of Phillip McCaffrey and his daughter Margaret McCaffrey who was just 5 years old when the Aeithales burnt down and they rushed away from here pretty quickly.

They moved east but I also saw some tracks moving southeast. The only reason I found these tracks because they belonged to a large group of humans and/or humanoid montsers.

I arrived near the Salton Sea following the Grapefruit Blvd and found an interesting and amusing landmark.

The International Banana Museum has the best banana flavored ice cream I have ever tasted. It had won a Guinness World Record and even though it didn't have too many tourists it had the occasional visitors.

In here I was surprised to meet not one but two goddesses.

I could feel their divinity and power though it wasn't nearly as substantial as what I felt near Artemis and Mr.D.

One had apple red hair and hazel eyes while the other had black hair and dark blue eyes.

They noticed me as soon as I entered and I tensed in preparation to wither fight or hightail my way out of there, though I was exited about the idea of fighting these goddesses.

That idea though was shut down when they ignored me and went back to their argument.

"You should just smite those pesky demigods and monsters that are troubling you."

"You know I cannot do that Pomona. I haven't lived there for a long time and can no longer claim it as my residence. Since it is no longer my residence I cannot smite the demigods due to the ancient rules."

"Oh please, the only reason you can't claim the territory is because the hydra and minor god you tasked with guarding the area betrayed you and now is letting those intruders free entry and exit." The red haired goddess named Pomona rebuked.

"But you know heroes can go anywhere in almost any territory and unless they insult, harm or challenge us we cannot do much to them."

"Then just give the job to another demigod. The new addition in camp is the son of Jupiter and he is currently trying to rake in achievements for his dilapidated cohort."

She then turned to look at me.

"Or this one would do if she is strong enough that is. If she fails then we will just send the son of Jupiter."

The black haired goddess turned towards Mr and examined me from head to toe as if assessing my value, which she probably was.

"My name is Thetis, a Neried and I have something I need your help with. Of course I will reward you properly for your effort if the quest succeeds."

After pondering for a moment and remembering I am speaking to the mother of Achilles I made up my mind.

I smiled at them and answered, "Sure."

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I trudged through the marshy soil and made my way towards the area marked in the Mao the two goddesses had given me.

They knowingly or unknowingly revealed quite a bit of information. But the fact that another camp exists with possible Roman demigods and Roman gods will be something I will investigate later.

Ripples spread and the water of the lake I was close to was pushed aside as a colossal 9 headed hydra surfaced and glared at me.

It was a huge and scaly lizard-like monster with nine heads, each one diamond-shaped with a mouth lined with razor-sharp teeth. Each mouth spat toxic acid.

Even with the obvious fear I felt and the shiver of anxiety that ran through me I couldn't help but feel exited.

After all it isn't everyday you get to fight against a mythical momster who even Heracles had to kill with help.