Hunting

“James it’s over...” Athena spoke trying to calm her father but James almost pleading to her spoke, “But Athena!” “I said it is over, we were never going to be together and we knew it. Why torture yourself over me?” James’ head sank and trying to offer some comfort to him Athena was interrupted by, “Get away from my family!” Zeus yelled throwing him across the the air until he landed head first into the muddy floor hitting hard against the rocks, eyes closing when the trickles of blood started to on the floor around me.

James’ eyes opened and sitting up in sweat, James groaned smelling the food being cooked from below. “It was just an dream” he mumbled before clutching his head but feeling the dried up wound the lump which had been sealed realised the truth. He lowered his legs over the side of his bunk and sighing spoke, “It wasn’t an dream” his head lowered to his own comforting hands and recalling the event of the previous day unable to hear the calling of his mother for him to come and get breakfast. He let go of his head and staring into space was unaware of his mother walking in to check he was alright, “Come here son!” Cersei hurriedly rushed hugging the man who simply didn’t break his stare, “I know, I know. I’ll have a word with Hermes and see what he thinks but for now let’s get you some breakfast, your father has come to visit.”

“Hello son!” Zantano spoke expecting some sort of welcoming or embrace but nodding James sat down facing opposite where Zantano would sit, James looked at his plate before pushing it away he spoke, “I’m not hungry” “Son you must eat!” Cersei pleaded before shrugging James replied, “It doesn’t matter, I don’t matter anymore. Athena doesn’t want me and Zantano is back to do his job and will just make more children with the human there” “James... I know you are hurting” Zantano’s lover spoke but not looking up he simply replied, “Doesn’t matter, I’m just an insignificant human, that’s what Zeus thinks and evidently what Athena thinks” “James... it’s not easy, Zeus is the supreme ruler and what he says goes; Athena... well she is special; Zeus knows this and won’t let anyone touch her. He even made an cock and bull story claiming she would lose her abilities if she lost her virginity” Hermes explained and sighing James spoke, “So what? Our feelings, my feelings don’t matter?” “No, you are only a hybrid” Zantano explained so nodding James spat, “So what? I’m meant to marry a human and be considered nothing, just like the merchant in the street?” “You are an hybrid, a Demi-god with an high concentration of Isu blood. You matter, you just picked the wrong woman to love and you have admirers; Aphrodite has offered herself to you” Hermes explained but not taking any comfort from it James grumbled, “So what now?” Zantano shifted uneasily trying to explain what was next but it was Hermes taking his fathers role more easily began to list the choices, “Zeus given the circumstances has let you off any responsibilities, you will be free to roam and act how you please providing you don’t go near Athena unless required to do so. When you are ready you will obtain an military rank or be given an role like the rest of the Isu” “So the fact I was doing Zantano’s job for all this time means nothing?” “You can come and work alongside me if that’s what you wish, but I feel that you need...” Zantano began, “No, no, no. You listen to me all of you! When you were stuck with Sansa, probably fucking her all this time; I did your job and actually well. You came back and fucked it all up. Yeah I got my father back but I lost everything else and all of you just stood there and bent over for that tyrannical bastard because he said so. Not one of you stood up for me apart for those weak please of ‘please don’t do it’” “Son that isn’t fair. There’s a hierarchy that must be followed, even on earth” Cersei pleaded and shaking his head James snapped, “Fuck you. If you won’t do anything about it then I’ll just do it myself!” “Don’t do anything stupid, you aren’t strong enough to even try!” Zantano spoke trying to comfort his son but pushing his hands away James spoke, “I thought you would have understood but you are just like the rest, a little bitch!” *Smack* “I’m not like them and don’t forget it!” *Thud* “Get out of my way!”

James walked out storming passed his mother who being upset by his attitude called out to try and get him to take an breath but freezing stopped to see Athena with her guards standing there she looked to him and signalling for them to leave her side Hermes wasn’t convinced by her action, “Hermes please! Zeus knows that I’m saying goodbye to James so no harm will come to him” Hermes glared at her for a few moments before nodding walked back to the house leaving the two to just look at each waiting for each other to speak, “James... you won’t understand it but what I did was the right thing, this way you will be able to live your life free from Zeus and the others trying to ruin it or tell you what to do; I had to be hard so you would understand we couldn’t be together” James looked down hearing this and nodding spat still hurting from the event, “I feel betrayed and lied to. I loved you and would do anything for you, I thought me standing up to Zeus showed you this; no I must have looked like a fool to all you Isu; someone to laugh at” “James stop it, no one was mocking you. People respect that you had the bottle to stand up to him but also their sympathy knowing the situation” James shook his head before snapping, “You didn’t seem to care, daddy’s perfect little daughter. ‘We can’t be together, daddy says so’ what next, going to ask him to read you a bedtime story?” “Don’t be immature” “He is an whore, Athena he only wants you for himself. It’s him or no one. Oh that’s is what you want” “*Slap* don’t you ever include me in the same group as his other whores. I will not be touched by him in any way. Your problem is you just don’t know you place” he nodded before agreeing shrugged, “Yeah, what am I? A filthy hybrid; lower than an human. My father is fucking another human and mother is just Hermes’ latest lover. I should just shut up and do whatever mindless and pointless task he assigns me to get me out the way and hide your peoples embarrassment.” he shook his head and walking away heard Athena plead, “I didn’t mean that... and you aren’t just an filthy hybrid. You’re smart when you want to be, charming, caring and from what I can see a decent fighter. You are petty but funny and... attractive. You just don’t understand what I have done for you; I have returned your freedom from this foolish quest to win my hand so you can focus on something much more rewarding” he shook his head before snapping, “I don’t want to and I will slay the bastard himself if I must” “You won’t even get near him James. Please don’t do anything stupid, please. I won’t do anything else or ask anything of you again, just don’t do something stupid” he sighed looking into her puppy eyes and nodding walked away seeing Hermes return, “James... we can’t be together but take this; the text reminds me of us, seek comfort from it as I once did; it’s ancient but still speaks wisdom and take this owl to watch over you. My symbol is your symbol and yours will be mine. It’s all I can offer even if it isn’t much” he held the parchment and burning it to her cry in grief at the fact he was burning the only copy of her favourite text as she then watched him hand the owl to Hermes, “Why did you do that for?! Do you know what you have just done?! No... the owl is still yours, it’s fine!” he shook his head before stating, “No and I don’t care. I’m done; I’m done with all this fucking bullshit. Go back to playing happy families; I will know what my feelings and heart says and that’s nothing he or any of you can take from me” he wiped a tear from his face and fighting to hold back more tears spoke, “And it’s going to hurt like a knife in my chest not being able to act on them.”

“Hermes, I couldn’t offer anything else. You have to believe me” Athena pleaded and nodding he replied, “No, I fully aware of your situation; combining both symbols together is the equivalent of consorts and makes an statement to the other Isu but I still feel for him. He’s young and this will take a lot of time, drinks and other people to get him over this” “But he refused it, Zeus has won” “No, the Owl. Your primary symbol is here; take a Raven and put it in your Temple. They’ll get the message even if it means Jack shit to any of them or him” she looked back to the impatient guards before nodding disheartened replied, “Just tell him, I feel the same pain he does and it’s unbearable. I better go before Zeus pulls me away” “Stay safe Athena” “Look after Hermes, for my sake” “I can’t promise that but I’ll try.”

“You foolish boy” Hermes spoke finding James adjusting his training armour, “Going to lecture me as well?” “No, but first of all tell why are you putting your armour on?” “If you must know, Ares has offered to teach me to fight better; he has seen potential and knows I have the anger to currently match his” “What for?” “Because if I can fight at least I can do something useful. Okay?!” “Hey, don’t take that tone with me, I was just worried for you” “Is that why you are here? No. You came to talk to me for a reason, so what is it?” “What Athena did and you did...” “A lame ass apology Hermes, nothing more.” “No it was an sign of an consorted pair. Aphrodite and Ares, Zeus and Hera, all the consorted couples exchange their symbols to show a sign of unifying the pair as one, it also acts as an sign to the others of who loves who. You refused it which is an sign of your rejecting her but the owl remains here just like a Raven has gone back with her. It’s isn’t much but it’s the closest you two will ever get to be together, you can’t expect anymore” “And this is meant to make me go and say; ‘Oh yes, I feel soo much better now?’ Or is this just your way of saying accept it and move on?” “No I don’t want you to. I want you to remember this, learn from it and to constantly oppose that fat bearded bastard. He gets away with too much and others will remember his treatment of you. He is going to throw a lot of shit at your way; you need to accept it and throw it back at him.” “I’ll handle it my own way Hermes, I don’t need or want a pep talk. Now go back to YOUR lover and YOUR job, maybe you’ll bend over for father and have an orgy to honour Zeus and I will go and handle my own problems” Hermes sighed before nodding not willing to sink to James’ level of arguments agreed just so he leave him be, “Do what you want James, I don’t care anymore.”

“There he is, Mr I don’t give a fuck what you say Zeus” Ares bellowed in laughter watching the hybrid approach and slapping him on the back James saw Aphrodite lounge back on her lounger drinking more wine that Ares had fetched her, “You have my deepest sympathies James, I know you two would have been a great couple. I know it isn’t worth much but you have my prayers” “I would almost say thank you if you saying this wasn’t purely to help your own ends” “You know me too well, yes I do want to court you, however Ares wouldn’t allow it” “Is that meant to help?” “No but it will hopefully remind you of the fact that people are interested in you, I’m one but I know Nyx likes you” “Aphrodite this is not the time or the place” Ares spat but offering comfort in James’ situation he stated, “They didn’t like and still don’t like the idea of me and Aphrodite being together but eventually we ended up together; it may not be pretty but if you stay true to your feelings and eventually you will get what you seek” “Or a lot of action whilst trying to move on from her” Aphrodite butted in but shaking his head James snapped, “Can we please focus on my task in hand” “Of course James, we were just trying to help...” Ares replied but shaking his head furiously once again James spoke, “Leave ms to deal with my life. Here, let’s just fight!”

“Good. You do have natural talent and this frenzy; well I suppose you were always going to have this anger. Ever considered joining up? I could use a soon to be great warrior like you” Ares stated sheathing his weapon acknowledging Aphrodite was horny and wanted some fun and if he didn’t soothe it; she’d look elsewhere. “No, I want to do this alone, no more strings to hold me back and NO more Isu to tell me what to do. I will work for myself and when I want to!” Ares nodded before sighing replied, “I wish mine was as simple as yours. Anyway Hades commissioned Hephaestus to make a sword for you and.... well she did to; I would take both to avoid any arguments. You are also going to need new armour so take this to fund it, see it as an gift from us” “Thanks Ares. Your first job is free” and laughing he replied, “I’ll make sure to use it for a big job, more for my money there!” “Don’t worry you will” “Good luck James; you’re going to need it.”

A few months had passed since Ares had finished teaching him what he knew and failed to try and lure James to his side even willing to offer James the role of Aphrodite’s bodyguard, James insisted on going at it alone as a mercenary. Zeus of course didn’t care providing he didn’t go near Athena and didn’t do a job that acted out against himself. Thanks to Ares James now had a new strong armour that had a Wolfskin jacket and a Tartarus flamed hood and a bow handed to him by Artemis from his last job. “How is everything?” Hermes questioned, “What do you think?” James fired back and from that response Hermes knew his response, “Like that is it? People are still worried about you. Where do you sleep? Do you actually eat?” “Wherever I want and whatever I fancy like eating. My job pays well enough!” “Hunting Isu isn’t a job. It pisses the Isu off. If just one Isu has enough of you then you’re dead. You aren’t powerful enough to defeat them!” “You think I care?” “No you don’t but everyone else does. It’s why Hades is acting out against everything Zeus puts up to debate and why his land lived in isolation. It’s why Persephone is trying to sabotage everything Athena tries to do. It’s why Cersei wants me to deal with Zantano whilst she tries and make Sansa suffer. You need to stop the drinking and adopt a role. Please, we know you are unhappy but don’t waste your life moping over an stuck up Isu when there are many others out there. Hell even Hephaestus has had three lovers. Look one of my ex-lovers, Merope is single and is interested in you. I did exaggerate a bit so tidy yourself up but she will be great for you!” “You want me to pick up your leftovers?” Hermes frowned and considering on the way to reword it said, “See it as moving on with a caring woman who I know won’t hurt you!” “I’m busy!”

“Drinking isn’t busy!” Hermes retaliated but handing him a document James explained, “Before you say anything it’s not an excuse for me to be closer to Athena. We will have to see each other but it will only be to discuss my findings, my next topic and so on” “Basically business” Hermes explained and nodding James replied, “She may kiss my cheek as a thank you or hug me if she was worried but nothing serious. I just need Zeus to permit it” “Why would he. It means you will be next to Athena” Hermes questioned and shrugging James argued, “It gives me a role, Zeus gets the lost relics found and analysed and if something goes wrong where the retriever gets hurt or dies, it’s no one important but also it means being away from his land and Athena for most of the year. I would be the other Clans problem!” Hermes nodded so accepting the drink said, “I can trick Zeus into most things but those arguments were almost entirely convince Zeus to let you go. Getting rid of you makes his life easier. Just… don’t go unprepared and be cautious in how you interact with Athena. There will be eyes on you!”

“James…” Cersei cheered returning a short time later with Hermes holding the sealed document of approval but pushing her arms away from his body to prevent the hug from taking place and taking it from her hand spoke, “So he gave me permission?” “Providing Hera or someone else is there to make sure it’s purely business or anything intimate” Hermes responded, so nodded as he walked away Cersei asked trying to get him to at least talk a bit longer than he planned to, “Why are you doing this son?” “Many reasons. One it gives me something to do. Two it means I am not here much, three I can move on somewhere else, somewhere I can forget the past and everyone in my life and meet new people and make friends who would support me and not throw me to the curb. Maybe even a wife. Imagine a ice giant from the North as my wife! Or maybe Sekhmet!” and laughing James bluntly finished, “Seriously… the main reason is simple. Like you yourself said Hermes; I’m not strong enough to fight an Isu. Out there hidden and lost has to be something that will make me stronger than the rest of you and when I find it, everyone will remember what they denied me; if I can’t find it I will make allies who can help me get what I seek!” “James, don’t become the monster I was!” Cersei pleaded but shaking his head James said, “Unlike you I will finish the job!” “Wait James there is another way… take your fathers role” Cersei exclaimed, “Yes… Tartarus is fully independently operational. When you are connected up fully; it will make you a Isu. You just need to manually override it and add something to the machine to give you your desired power!” Hermes justified, James looked back and considering it said…