The Earth Monarch

Chapter 51: The Bane of Alaska

I stood on the bow of the ship, staring at the icy cliffs on our starboard. The waves were a little choppy, but still relatively calm in my presence. The glacier wall was hundreds of feet tall, and was blinding in the light of the sun.

"What's the plan?" Frank asked from behind me, warily watching the cliff. "We drop anchor, and figure out how to get to the top. Let's focus on that first, alright?" I answered, decreasing our speed.

"But, what's the plan of attack? How are we going to defeat this giant?" He asked, and I felt his gaze shift onto me. "You'll know in time. Focus on climbing the glacier, leave the attack pattern to me," I answered seriously. I snapped my fingers, and the 10 foot tall anchors of pure Stygian Iron dropped quickly into the depths.

"Percy! Ready the lifeboat!" I called behind me, still watching the glacier cautiously. "Get set up on the boat, I'll be with you in a moment," I ordered Frank, scanning the edge of the landmass.

He nodded cautiously, before running off after the party. Once their eyes were off me, I turned into mist, and teleported away.

I reformed on the Canadian border of Alaska, hovering 9 feet above the ground. "I warn you. Inter-Pantheon contact is strictly prohibited in regards to immortals," I called, appearing to be alone in the field.

"...I didn't expect you to sense me this quickly, Lord Perseus," a male voice replied warily. I landed without a sound, and turned to the Pseudo-God behind me. "What brings you here, Loki? I'm glad you're not in the US, but the Natives aren't to keen to outsiders either," I greeted.

The Asgardian smiled wickedly, bowing slightly out of respect. "I mean no harm to the Americans, Lord Perseus. I am merely on an educative journey," Loki answered, wickedly beaming at me.

"I'm glad to hear you are taking a bigger role in learning about the other realms, but I caution you. The Midgardian Gods vary widely, but are extremely territorial. Do not engage them in combat, otherwise you might be bringing war. And I will not tolerate war between my students. Not again," I replied.

"I understand, Lord Perseus. You have my word, I will not engage any of the gods of your realm, and will exercise extreme caution on my visit. Heimdall can vouch for my actions," Loki swore, his fist on his chest. "Good. As of now, I suggest taking this class orally. Their will be a battle between a Giant of Gaea and Tartarus, and I soon. It would be unwise to be in such a close proximity," I explained.

He nodded thankfully, and disappeared in a polygonal shimmer of rainbow light. I saluted to Heimdall, before teleporting back to the party. Surprisingly, they were still rowing to the Glacier in the lifeboat.

"You know, Percy, you can control all vessels on the sea," I said, sitting down. "Was going slow, while we waited for you," he answered sheepishly. "It would be fine. I can teleport anywhere on the planet, you really don't need to wait for me," I replied.

"Yes, but it's respectful," Hazel answered. I shrugged, and snapped my fingers. The boat bucked, and we sped forward on an ocean current. We leapt onto a wave like a ramp, and rode it safely onto the ice platform at the base of our first obstacle.

"Everyone have their weapons?" I asked. They nodded. "Frank, got enough arrows?" I asked him. He nodded, showing me his quiver. "Good. Let's get ready," I said, walking up to the cliff.

I slapped my hands on the wall, and a staircase was carved into the side, leading to the top. Rising from the floor, platforms of stone formed from tiny pebbles, and was placed on the steps.

"Advance," I ordered, briskly climbing the steps. Groans behind me, before I heard their footsteps follow me. As we ascended, the stone steps moved like a tank track, providing us with traction on every step.