Azrael Angel of Death

Chapter 2

Percy POV

Darkness

Where all I could see and an unbearable heat scorching my skin as I fell to Tartarus. The winds whipped my hair around. Quite annoying I must say as my hair flay around hitting my face. Bloody hell. I guess it's time to wait for a few hours till I reach the ground. Sighing I twist myself into a comfortable position and closed my eyes trying to relax and calm my heart for I knew the moment I land a signal would be sent all over Tartarus telling everyone in it my position. I truly hope I don't land in a horde of monsters. That would suck. I reached toward my pocket trying to feel for riptide. I panicked when I didn't feel it. Looking around frantically before finding it falling above me. Just great. Now how am I suppose to get it? Magic probably won't work here, maybe there is a specific one that could work? Groaning I let my hands fall. Damn my luck. Sigh might as well leave it be and find it when we landed. Calculating the distance it would probably take a minute max to get it back when I land. Physics right? I can't believe this. Hmm, I might as well plan for what I am gonna do after I land. Ok so first find the river of fire. Need that to survive. Next, find a place preferably somewhere where I have terrain advantage and maybe a good scenery if possible, highly doubt it though it is Tartarus. Third, food. Huh, how am I suppose to do it? Maybe the monster won't dissolve if I were to skin them alive? Would the meat dissolve? I sighed so many questions so little answer. I will worry about food later I did bring my storage ring so I could go for a month maybe two if I ration it. Thanking my past self for being smart enough to always bring the storage ring and keeping food and other necessities in it. The ring was a gift from a person who I think is Artemis if I were to look back on it now. But then if she was Artemis why would she help me? She is a man-hating Goddess. I cocked my head to the side thinking. Which brought me to the past

Flashback

I panted as I ran carrying my petite and malnourished body away as fast as I could. Away from smelly Gabe. It wasn't my first time running away. Yet, I would still have to return. mommy is still there I can't just leave her alone. Mommy will be sad. I don't understand why she could love someone like smelly Gabe. Don't she see what he does? All he did was play poker with his friends and beat us. Mommy thinks I can't see and hear it but I can. I heard her muffled screams and the bruises she hides with long sleeves and long pants along with the forced smile she wears. Snapping out of my thoughts I ran to a nearby forest or a place with a bunch of trees. I don't know I just let my legs carry me to where comfort is. I ran until my legs gave out. Collapsing near a tree. Gasping lungful of precious air. Staying there as I trembled and started to cry quietly, afraid of animals that might come. That is until a branch cracked and leaves crunched. A sign of something approaching. Shaking in fear I shrink myself as small as possible crawling as quiet as possible to a nearby bush and hiding in it. Looking up as I breathe with my mouth to minimize any sound I might make from breathing and closed my eyes preventing any light from reflecting in them. And prayed, hoping whoever or whatever it is to leave me alone.

"Come out! I know your there, show me who dares to enter my home." a voice said coldly.

Home? I never saw one on my frequent trips here. Frowning as I racked my brains to see if remember any houses in here.

"I give you 15 seconds to show yourself or I shall find and kill you. " the voice said pausing before continuing, "Let me be clear I will kill you." Before turning quiet. I stay hidden tense. Contemplating whether I should reveal myself. Mommy always says to never talk to strangers. But if don't the voice would kill me. Yet for some reason, I dare not to take a peek. My instincts say the voice would immediately know my position if I were to peek. So I trusted my instincts. They never lied and fail me before.

" 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Since you didn't reveal yourself you now shall face the consequences." The voice said before letting out a scream. I tensed thinking someone or something killed the voice. Please don't find me. Please don't find me. I said mentally. But as the saying goes, curiosity killed the cat. I opened my eyes and peaked at the clearing where I was previously. And that was my biggest mistake.

"Look who's here." The voice crowed. I twirled back to look at the voice who turned out to be a woman with black hair that reaches down to her calves. A crown rested upon her head swirling with black flames. Her eyes were emerald green, skin tanned. Her body build was similar to a hunter and lean muscle showing that she prefers speed over strength. 2 hunting knives hanging on her hips. Throwing knives on a belt on both of her thighs. A bow and quiver slung across her back. She was wearing a camouflage outfit. With 2 knives in each boot, she was wearing. I watched her warily as she circles me. With a predatory gaze as well as gaze that cuts you open leaving you and everything about you bare to the owner of the gaze.

"Ah, so it's you again." She said stopping. "The same boy that trespasses my home."

"S-sorry I didn't know it was your home," I said shakily while shuffling nervously. "I didn't mean any offense ma'am." Her gaze softens before saying

"Child what are you doing here? You are nothing but an 8-year-old. Where are your parents?"She said before adding, "Why are you crying too?" When she noticed the trails the tears have left behind.

"I always come here to find comfort and peace. Mommy is at work. Please don't make me go back I don't want to go back. Smelly Gabe is bad. Very bad." I said timidly and softly before tugging at her cloak trying to get her attention when she seems to space out. I frowned before saying

"Er, Earth to ma'am?"

"What?" She snapped annoyed. Just like Gabe does sometimes. Which made me shrink back. Eyes watering. Her face softened and said again

"What?"

"What is the ring for? It looks cool." I exclaimed regaining my former excitement.

"Hm? Oh its a storage ring. You can store anything inside with the exception of living things." She said bored.

"Can I have one? Can I have one? Can I?" I asked rapidly jumping up and down.

"Alright, here." She said taking out her ring making me frown.

"But it's yours. Do you have a spare one? If not it's fine. Really." I said taking a step back shaking my head.

"Take it or leave it." She said annoyed. I tentatively reach out and took the ring. And I slide it on. The ring was too big for my tiny finger. Until it glowed softly and shrank down to my size and disappear.

"If you want the ring to show up just think about it. The same goes for when you want to store something or take out something. Just think about it. The ring already has food that will last you for a month. Don't worry about it being all moldy and expiring. Time in the space is stopped so all things when taken out are still fresh as the day you put it in."

I hugged her and said thank yous again and again. After that meeting, we would always meet whenever I ran away. Sure Gabe will beat me but at least I made a friend.

Flash back end

Whoever it is whether it is Artemis or not. Just know. Thank you. You were the only friend I have. I hope you are okay.

I let out a sigh and look down and saw that I am about to reach my destination. So I start to shift my body so I would land on a crouch. As I near the ground the heat of Tartarus assaulted my face making my body glistened with a layer of swearing formed. Shit. I remember now why I hate Tartarus. Grumbling to myself I ready myself for the impact.

*bang*

I landed finally. Taken a long time, far longer when I first fell. I waited and grab riptide when it fell. Immediately I uncapped the pen. Knowing when someone was thrown or fell or water down to Tartarus it would send a signal wave to all monsters. So everyone inside knew of the new arrival. I get into a battle stance knowing that running would be useless anyway since I saw a monster army nearby and they would catch up to me and I would have wasted some energy by then. When it comes to Tartarus always save your energy. Those monsters are relentless. A few minutes ticked by until the first monster came to view.

Good old beefcake

End

"Kindness is a gift everyone can afford to give." - Unknown.