Chapter 27 - Hunter

Hunter stood and looked through the crowd, seeing Prometheus weaving through the mobs, trying to retreat. Hunter grabbed his knives and took off after him, slicing into a monster or two on the way. There was another screech and Hunter froze as a large shadow passed over him. The monsters scattered and Hunter looked up, gasped and rolled out of the way just as a huge chunk of a building landed in front of him, blocking his path to Prometheus. Hunter looked up and watched as a large golden bird swept through the crowd, knocking monsters and demigods around.
“That…is a big bird.” Hunter said as he put away his knives and drew his bow, nocking an arrow and firing at it, the huge arrow blasting through a couple of Laistrygonians and nearly missed the eagle, slamming into one of the buildings right below where a child of Hypnos was standing. He wobbled as a crack shot up the wall and spread a little bit more. Hunter cursed under his breath and slipped his bow over his shoulder before taking off toward him.
“You cannot kill me!” Hunter looked over as Philippa squared off with the giant man in the toga and batter armor. “As long as my feet touch the ground, my mother, Gaea, keeps me alive!”
“Hunter!” Philippa shouted as she dodged a giant fist that left a crater in the pavement. Hunter cursed under his breath and quickly drew his bow, notched an explosive arrow, turned, and fired, aiming right at the giant’s face. Before the arrow collided, Hunter took off again, but he smiled faintly when he heard the BOOM of the arrow hitting its target. There was a screech and Hunter looked up at the eagle which was flying straight toward him.
“I am busy!” Hunter shouted as he ducked into the alley and leapt onto the ladder leading up the building. Hunter climbed quickly, hanging off the side to avoid a beak and the talons of the bird attacking him. He pulled himself up onto the roof just in time to bump into the fleeing child of Hypnos. “Clovis! Stop!” Hunter shouted, grabbing him by the shoulders.
“Hunter, look out!” Hunter turned around and ducked, yanking Clovis down with him just as a large beak snapped at him, large wings tossing his hair around. There was a loud crack and Hunter looked over as the corner of the building cracked off and fell to the ground with a smash. “I hope no one owned that car.” Clovis mumbled, closing his eyes and putting his head down.
“Clovis! Ugh…Fine. Stay here.” Hunter said, rolling his eyes. Hunter stood and looked around, listening for the sound of wings. He turned and rolled to the side as razor sharp talons raked the roof of the building. Hunter quickly notched an arrow and fired. The arrow sank into the eagle’s back and it screeched in pain. It quickly circled around and Hunter fired and fired again and again. He could see dust leaking from where arrows hit, but it didn’t seem to be slowing it down. Hunter braced himself just as a wave of dust washed over him. He slowly opened his eyes and saw two enormous wings lying on the roof. Hunter took a deep breath and turned to Clovis. “Would you get up!? There’s a war going on if you didn’t notice.” Hunter said, kicking him in the ribs. Clovis groaned and rolled over, sitting up.
“Fine. Fine.” Hunter looked over the side and scanned the battle. There were a lot of piles of dust, but among them were downed half-bloods. Hunter’s eyes saw the canine looking man swinging a lightpole at several demigods, smacking a hellhound into dust in the process. There was a squeal and Hunter looked over and saw the Manny running after a giant flying pig. Hunter rubbed his eyes and shook his head. No. He wasn’t seeing things.
“HELP! HUNTER!” Hunter turned immediately and looked down off the side. Philippa was on the ground and the man in the toga was lumbering toward her. The same man who he had shot in the face with an exploding arrow. Hunter quickly notched another and aimed down. He fired and the arrow zoomed and blew up on impact, leaving an empty space where the giant’s head was. Hunter quickly descended the fire escape and helped Philippa up.
“You are a slow learner, mortal!” Hunter turned and watched as the man’s head grew back. Hunter fired a regular arrow and it burst out his back, leaving a hole in his chest. Hunter watched in surprise as it closed up.  “As long as my feet rest on the ground, I cannot be killed!” Hunter heard a squeal in the distance and watched as the pig flew around behind the giant. Hunter thought for a second and nocked a tripwire arrow.
“Hunter, what are you doing?” Philippa said quietly. “He can’t be killed on the ground.” Hunter dodged around a giant fist and then fired. He waited and then fired. The arrow shot through, leaving a hole in his chest and then flying through the rope dragging against the wound that quickly sealed around the rope. There was a squeal as the arrow landed into the pig behind him. Antaeus looked down as the road went taut and he was pulled by the pig.
“Stay safe, Philippa.” Hunter said, quickly kissing her on the lips and then grabbing the end of the rope just as Antaeus and he were lifted into the air. Hunter climbed the rope and grabbed his knife. Antaeus scratched at the rope, but it was stuck.
“What is this?! No! No!” Antaeus screamed as he shifted, trying to free himself. Hunter climbed and climbed and finally stabbed his knife into Antaeus’ stomach. Dust poured out of the wound and Antaeus didn’t reform. He slowly wasted away until the rope was clean. Hunter relaxed a little, but quickly tensed again when he realized he was swinging through the air on a rope that was stuck in a giant flying pig. Hunter started climbing again, his arms burning as he finally reached the pig’s side.
“You blasted pig!” Hunter glanced down and saw Manny still chasing the pig. Hunter sank his knife into the pig’s side and then drew his other knife. Slowly he climbed up, sinking his blades into the pig’s shoulders. The pig was headed straight for a building and reflexively braced himself, gripping his knives to hold on and surprisingly the pig moved with him. Hunter wobbled his knives and the pig wobbled with them. Hunter smiled a little and shook his head.
“I can’t believe I’m riding a giant pig.” Hunter said as he descended a little bit.
“You stole my kill, you stupid sow!” Hunter lowered again and looked at Manny. He was sprinting after the pig and Hunter looked at the end of the road where water spread in front of him. Hunter zoomed forward through the buildings just as a searing ball of fire came swishing past them.
“Just to the river.” Hunter muttered as he dodged another fireball. Manny followed closely and stared up at the pig, not noticing when they started flying over water. With a big splash, Manny landed in the water, steam rising up around him.
“I’m going to kill both of you! You stupid sons of—“ Manny was dragged under the water and hopefully back to Tartarus. Hunter turned around and aimed faced camp.
“Time to give some very odd back up.”