Pertemis: Chasing Time

Chapter 18: Guildirt.

Percy's POV

It was just another day at Camp Half Blood. Artemis, Frank, Hazel, Jason, Piper, and I was planning for the war in the Big house. Most of the campers were in there. Even Chiron. So far, the meeting had gone into a debate. Nico stood in the corner chatting with Thalia, completely ignored the others.

A bell suddenly rang from no where. Like a signal came down from the sky. Everyone stopped at what they were doing. They were all so quite that I could her the water drop. A pen rolled from the table, it dropped on the ground. And with that, the campers just roared out in excitement.

"Guildirt has returned!" They exclaimed. "Guildirt has returned!"

I looked at them dumbfounded. Even Artemis was smiling next to me.

"Why are you guys so happy. Who is Guildirt by the way?" I asked.

Arty turned to me. "Percy, you're about to see a great person. The strongest demigod ever alive, Guildirt."

"What!? You guys actually comparing demigods. I've never seen a competition or anything."

Arty chuckled. "Everyone calls him the strongest demigod. Even the gods have to admit ourselves."

I thought Nico was the strongest. But now, it seemed that I was wrong. The world is so large. You can never know.

"What did he do anyway?"

"Well" Artemis said. "He's the only person that single battled with Typhon and came out alive."

"Wait, didn't Typhon is asleep? How can he fight him?" I said confusingly.

"Well that's happened long time ago. In the first Titan war."

"Wait..." I stopped her. "You mean he has lived for that long."

"Well Guildirt has participated in both Giant and Titan war. He once stood among with Hercules, Perseus, Achilles even Theseus. As the greatest heroes. For his efforts in the Titan war, which he took down 10 Titans all by himself. The gods offered him to become an Olympian, hoping he could fight for us forever. But Guildirt turned the offer down. Zeus wanted to have him, in case if another war may happen again. Guildirt gained half-immortality."

"Like your Hunters." I asked

"Yeah" Artemis agreed. "He cannot die by age but he can die in battle."

That was insane. Battling with a Titan was already hard. This guy could take down ten.

"So he's older than you then?" I asked.

"Yeah. Guildirt treats me like his sister. He's one of the males that can have my respect." Artemis said.

"Where did he go all those time? I didn't see him in the Second Titans war." I grimaced.

"Guildirt never liked war. He loves taking quests. Even if you insist him for three days to fight for you in a war, he wouldn't come to assist. Just like the Trojan war. Agamemnon insisted him for three days and nights, but he didn't come out to help. Finally Agamemnon had to seek help from Achilles. Because of his personality and hobbies with going on quests. Guildirt was ordered to kill monsters for the Gods."

"Why don't you guys just do it?" I asked.

"You see" Artemis said. "We still have some problems in term of fighting monsters ourselves. Your quests are just some ordinary quests. The monsters we have to fight are the eldest ones. Like Typhon, Echidna, or Charybdis and Scylla, Dragons...those quests are called legendary quest. The quests only for gods."

"Is he really that strong?" I said disbelievingly. "You said he fought Typhon. Did he kill him?"

"Typhon is one of the strongest monsters. It took twelve of us to fight him and just managed to put him as sleep. He awoke in the Giant war. Guildirt was the one put him asleep again. It's just impossible so kill Typhon. Guildirt became famous after he came out from the battle with Typhon alive. His name is known in both Greeks and Romans. But Guildirt prefers to stay on Greek side because the Romans are too discipline and strict. But until now, most of the demigods just only heard of his legendary. Only us, the gods have witnessed him fighting."

I breathed out. That's just insane. How come I have never heard of that.

The ground suddenly grumbled as half blood hill split in half and shifted to both sides. Created a clear straight path leaded straight to the big house. Does he need to make it this fancy? But splitting a hill in half had already told me how strong he was.

A figure slowly walked onto the path. I couldn't see him, cause it was too far away. But the aura seemed familiar to me.

"Who is his God parents by the way? Is it some kind of eldest gods?."

"No one know about Guildirt's parents. Actually they don't dare to ask. Not even Zeus."

"Wow, Zeus scared him?" I said.

"Yeah. You and him are the only two who dares to stand up against Zeus. Exclude Hera. You guys are the only two."

Guildirt came closer and closer as my eyes got wider and wider. That tall and muscular appearance. The same shoulder-length dark brown hair kept slicked back and stubby beard. That one specific dark brown eyes and long brown with high collared and tattered cloak. He was the one. The man that saved me in Alaska. (N/A check Chapter 6: Battle in Alaska.)

"Percy, are you ok?" Artemis asked in concern.

"He, he's..." I couldn't even finish my sentence.

Guildirt walked passed he and stopped. "So you are here now?" He said "You were really tough back there kid." And went into the cheering crowd of campers.

"You two have met?" Artemis asked.

"Yeah, in Alaska. He saved me."

So the one that saved me. The one that sent the Giant straight to Tartarus. Was the strongest demigod ever alive.

Guildirt started catching up with the campers. "It's been along time Chiron." Guildirt greeted, hugging the old centaur. Chiron hugged him back happily.

Guildirt walked up to us and made me nervous. "Oh Artemis. It's been 100 years. You have grown a lot. Didn't think my lil sis here could've turned into a beautiful lady like this. The boys would be obsessed over you." He exclaimed and hugged Artemis while brushing her hair.

I gulped. He's dead. Hugging Artemis in front of anyone. To my surprise. Artemis hugged him back and was trying a bit to stop him from brushing her hair.

The door suddenly forced opened and standing was Leo with a smirk. Guildirt's face immediately lit up.

"So here's my old man" Leo said. "I've waited for too long to fight you again."

Guildirt sighed. "Just not today Leo, I'm tired."

"Ahha. So you're scared of me. No backing off old guy. I'm stronger now." As saying that, Leo flew at Guildirt, attempted to kick him with his fire leg.

Guildirt just shook his head. He caught Leo's leg with one hand calmly and threw him up to the ceiling, then Leo dropped down on the floor, ending the 'fight'.

Many new campers even me were shocked while the older started laughing. "Leo never change. He always believe he can beat Guildirt." and they started chatting about that.

"Chiron. Can I stay in the oracle's cave tonight?" Guildirt asked.

"Go on Guildirt, this is your home." Chiron said.

He smirked and started walking straight to the wall in front of him. Everyone looked at him confused until the two rocky hands came out from the ground and destroyed the wall, making a hole for him to pass through. Everyone was surprised by his action

"Oh, Leo come with me." Guildirt said without turning back. "I have got something for you in this journey."

Leo suddenly shot up form the crater. I thought he was already knocked out. "I, I sir." And ran straight to the wall like Guildirt, he mimicked him as punching through the wall, created another hole.

Those two are impossible. Though, I had to admit Guildirt was a nice and easygoing guy. Nico walked next to me and crossed his arms.

"Those two have a really good relationship." I said.

"Yeah" Nico agreed. "Guildirt saved Leo when he was young. Ten years ago I think. Guildirt has taken liking Leo since then. They are like father and son. Both with the same crazy personality."

Artemis walked next to me. "This is good. If Guildirt returned, which means he'd probably help us to fight. He will be a great help for us in this war."

"Yeah," I looked at the two holes on the wall "I hope so."

Time passes

I couldn't sleep that night so I went out for a walk. As I was walking on the beach, I spotted Guildirt was standing there watching the moon in the distance. I slowly approached him.

"Guildirt?" I started.

"Hey kid, why are you still here?"

"I have a name you know." I scowled crossing my arms.

I hated when people treat me like a child. Im already 18.

"I just like calling you 'kid' like that Perseus Jackson."

I was stunned. "H-how..."

"Oh, I know everything about you. My friends are the Fates you know. I've heard a lot about you, but haven't got any private time to talk."

We just stood there in silence. Finally, I decided to start.

"so...you're the strongest demigod?" I asked awkwardly. That was obvious. Just I didn't have anything to talk with him. We just met.

"Can I ask you something?" He said.

"Sure"

"What do you think about obtaining great powers?" He asked.

I turned to the sea. "To be honest" I said. "With me you're not the strongest. You're great, but someone will be greater. No one is perfect. Even if you obtain great power, but you disrespect and mistreat the others around you. You're just a jerk, not the great. With me, having great power isn't important. As long as you feel happy and know how to help the weak. That is called the great."

Guildirt nodded at me. "A young man like you can say something like that. This's why demigods brought you to become their leader."

"It was just something came in my mind." I said turning to him. "I still have a lot of things to learn."

"So if you can become a god again. Would you agree?" Guildirt asked.

"I...uh...I don't know. Actually, I've never thought about that." I stuttered.

"Do you know why I didn't chose to become a god?" Guildirt said.

I shook my head in response.

"Like you just said. If the greats mistreat the others. They are just nothing. The Olympians are like that. You see, they disregarded the minor gods for many years. They never aware of it. Have you seen the fire in unclaimed demigods' eyes Perseus?"

"Well until now you said. I've actually noticed some."

"You see. They are all children of minor gods. The Major mistreat them. Their children can't even have a place in this camp. Even when they fight for the gods. But inside, they hate them. It's just a matter of time until that bomb explode."

I didn't say anything. I felt bad for the demigods and their minor god parents. Guildirt was right. They bomb will explode soon. A war will happen between demigods and gods. It just time hasn't come yet.

"Oh why did I have to tell you this?." Guildirt said changing the dull silent moment. "How are you and Artemis?"

"I-uh-I..." I couldn't form a sentence. Guildirt knew everything about me and I didn't know a little bit about him. Sure, I knew he was the strongest demigod, he single battled Typhon, he has taken on legendary quests. But that was just what I heard from the others.

"Don't worry" Guildirt patted my shoulder. "I have to admit that you're actually something. You are the only one that can make my lil sis falls for you. Good job mate."

I smiled at him. He was so kind. I thought someone with great power would be cocky as hell. But Guildirt was completely opposite.

"Here take this." Guildirt handed me a small book.

I took it and admired it. It was just an old blue book. The cover just had only few words 'Empathy of Soulmates'. Nothing seemed to be special other than that.

"Since you have gained some of my respect. I'll give you this great power."

"Power?" I raised my eyebrows

"Have you heard of the empathy of soulmates Perseus?"

"Um...no" I responded.

"How about Power of Love?" Guildirt smirked at me.

"I've actually experienced it. I actually defeated Kronos by using that." I said.

"Power of Love is just a name you and Artemis put for it." Guildirt chuckled. "The truth behind is. Power of Love is part of the Empathy of soulmates. Empathy of soulmates requires a couple. The two must have a true feeling between them, a true love. To obtain Empathy of soulmates, the couple must practice to know the other, like become part of the other. Since I've known about the story of you two. I believe your love is real. Because if it's fake, you both will die from learning it."

"Why did you pass this to me?" I asked him.

"Trust me. You will need this in the war. Empathy of soulmates divided into two types. Power and weapons. With power, it trains the couple to understand the other partner, therefore combine both of their powers together, creating an ultimate power within the couple's body. Once you two have achieved the power type, you will move to weapon type. The weapons type is actually a sword fighting techniques, using the couple fighting at the same time. It's called Dual sword of linked soul. This sword fighting technique have ten levels. Once you two come to the last. You both can sure defeat anything." Guildirt explained.

"How did you find this book?"

"My wife and me put all the experiences we gained in this book." He told me. "Sadly, we never had a chance to try it. Because your story just similar to mine. I want to pass this down to you."

"Thanks Guildirt." I said. "For doing this. I won't disappoint you."

"I'm not doing for your good Perseus. I'm doing it for everyone." Guildirt yawned. "Remember Perseus. I've seen your Fate. Your future will be tough and painful, but it will bright at the end. To obtain something, you have to sacrifice something. That's the equivalent exchange. Make the right choice and do it well."

Just that, Guildirt started walking away and finally disappeared behind the trees. I held the book close. Thanks, Guildirt. For everything.