Ch. 9

''What did you say again Perseus? That the Kampê was easy to track?''

Perseus sighed and turned around to face Zoe who was looking at him with a raised eyebrow. They had been searching for three days now, trekking through the dense forests surrounding the Amazons' homeland. The search for Kampê was turning out to be rather difficult. They had yet to find any sign of the monster, aside from some fallen over trees where the Kampê had supposedly landed at some time. Artemis had left last morning to see if she could find it, leaving the rest to search the forests. The fact that it had begun snowing again only made everything ten times worse.

''It should be: a monster so big and powerful as Kampê should leave signs of its presence everywhere,'' Perseus said.

''Then why isn't it?''

Perseus shrugged. ''I don't know. We'll just have to keep searching.''

He turned around and started to walk again.

''That won't work, Perseus,'' Zoe said.

Perseus turned his head around.

''We have been searching for three days now and still haven't found a clear clue.''

''What else are we supposed to do?'' Perseus asked exasperated. ''We can't track its scent, we can't feel its aura. We can't do anything except for searching for some physical evidence of the monster.''

''We clearly can't find the stupid monster, and just walking pointlessly through these forests isn't going to help!''

Perseus glared back at Zoe. ''Well, what do you suggest then, miss know-it-all.''

Zoe began to raise her voice but someone interrupted.

''Let's wait for Lady Artemis to come back,'' Selene said trying to ease the tension. ''She probably will have found something.''

Perseus glared at Zoe for a moment longer. ''You're right, Selene. Let's wait for her,'' Perseus eventually said after turning way from Zoe.

Nearby they had found a spot in under some big trees that shielded them from the snow. Perseus dropped his sack to the ground and lay down with his head on it. He closed his eyes and sighed deeply in frustration. This was proving to be an infuriating task. Finding Kampê was supposed to be the easy task. If this was already so hard, Perseus wondered what fighting the Kampê was going to be like. If his dreams from the past night held any truth to them, not well.

''What's on your mind?''

Perseus opened his eyes and looked up at Selene who was staring at him.

Perseus straightened up. ''Oh, nothing.''

Selene sat down next to him. ''Really? Didn't seem you were just thinking about 'nothing'.''

Perseus chuckled ironically and stared ahead of him. ''Well, I was thinking about the fact that if we can't even find the Kampê, fighting it is going to be basically suicide.''

''I'm not too worried.''

Perseus looked over at Selene to see if she meant that sarcastically. ''You really aren't, aren't you?''

Selene shook her head. ''On one side we have us: the best Hunter of Artemis, the Queen of the Amazons, her daughter and someone who knows everything about monsters and how to kill them, something he can do really well, and let's not forget: a goddess. On the other side we have an old, dusty monster who happened to steal some belt.''

Perseus laughed, now genuinely, at Selene's explanation before answering. ''That 'old, dusty monster' is one of the most powerful ones and the belt she managed to steal also happens to be one of the most powerful artifacts in the entire world.''

Selene smiled back at him. ''Have a little faith, Perseus.''

''I'll try.''

They fell into a comfortable silence for a moment.

''Don't you ever feel burdened by your responsibilities?''

''Becoming the Queen of the Amazons some day?'' Selene asked.

Perseus nodded.

''Sometimes,'' Selene said as she looked at the ground thoughtfully. ''I try not to worry about it too much, as it's still a long time away.''

She then looked up at Perseus, smiling suggestively. "Right now, I have other things that I'm thinking about.''

Perseus chuckled while rubbing the back of his head with his hand. ''Guess you're right, I shouldn't worry too much. I just hope we found Kampê.''

''Really, we will sooner or later Perseus.''

Perseus stared at her eyes. Those eyes that seemed to draw him in. In them Perseus could see a promise of happiness, something he longed for. Before Perseus knew it he was slowly leaning in towards her. Perseus dully noted that she was doing the same. Just another few inches; Perseus could smell her perfume now. It smelled like jasmine...

''Perseus! Are you there?''

Both Selene and Perseus pulled back quickly and looked around to see where the sound had come from. Perseus recognized the voice: it was Zoe's.

''Perseus, Artemis is back.''

''So, what's up?'' Perseus asked as they rejoined the rest of the group, which included Artemis again. ''Did you find anything useful?''

''I'm afraid not. The Kampê has somehow entirely rid herself of its scent, even to the point where I can't track it,'' Artemis explained shortly. ''The only thing I found was this.''

Artemis grabbed a small vial with a strange green liquid in it. ''Blood of the monster.''

Perseus put his face in his hands and sighed. ''That's not enough. This is bad. Really bad.''

Hippolyta nodded. ''Perseus is right. If we don't find the belt soon, we are all doomed.''

Zoe frowned. ''The Kampê can fly, right? So, maybe it has flown away somewhere far away where we can't track it anymore.''

Hippolyta shook his head. ''No, I'm certain it's still here somewhere. The belt is protected by enchantments, so that not everyone can just wear it. Of course Kampê is powerful enough to steal it, but it will have taken a lot of her strength to do that. She probably had to rest for a few days.''

''Hippolyta is right,'' Artemis said. ''That's why we don't have a lot of time anymore.''

''So what do we do?'' Zoe asked. ''We can't find a trace of the monster no matter what we try.''

''That's true, all normal methods have failed,'' Artemis agreed. ''That why we have to try some unorthodox ones.''

She looked at Perseus. ''Perseus, although I hate to admit it, you know more about monsters and tracking them than anyone. You have to know a way we can find Kampê.''

Everyone looked at Perseus who slowly bit his lip in thought. ''How desperate are we?''

''We have about one day until Kampê will wake up and fly away with the belt, dooming us all,'' Artemis remarked.

''I do know a way,'' Perseus said. ''It will be pretty dangerous though, especially for me.''

Selene shrugged ''We have to try something.''

''Well, I could brew a potion that could lead us directly to where Kampê is hiding,'' Perseus slowly explained.

''Really?'' Selene asked. ''Why haven't you done it already?''

''I haven't done that because this potion has some major drawbacks,'' Perseus answered. ''Firstly, it has some... weird side effects on me, such as but not limited to weird behavior, brutal honesty and maybe the occasional insanity attack. Secondly, I will probably pass out for a moment once we find Kampê, because of all the energy the potion saps from me.''

Zoe shrugged. ''Doesn't sound too bad.''

''Yeah, and it wouldn't be if it wasn't for the last drawback: if Kampê wakes up while we are tracking her, she will know that we are coming,'' Perseus said. ''Then she will wait for us, and we'll become the hunted.''

It was silent for a moment.

''Is there really nothing else we can do?'' Selene asked.

Perseus shook his head. ''I wish there was.''

''Then we have no other choice,'' Hippolyta said. ''Perseus, make the potion.''

Perseus nodded slowly. ''Right, this'll take some time.''

''That looks disgusting, Perseus.''

''Yeah, Zoe, thanks for pointing out the obvious.'' Perseus said.

All were standing around looking at the small flask in which Perseus had mixed the blood of the Kampê with several ingredients from his supplies. The liquid was still a deep green though and indeed didn't look very appealing. It slowly swirled around, almost menacingly.

Perseus sighed deeply as he stared at the vile liquid. ''Be glad you won't have to drink this.'' He looked up again at everyone standing around him. ''You know what to do: follow me without question even if I might seem... weird, and as soon as we get there, put me behind a rock or something where I'll be safe once I pass out.''

Everyone nodded and looked at Perseus expectantly.

''Well, here we go,'' Perseus said hesitatingly. ''Cheers.'' He put the vial to his mouth and consumed the liquid in one swig.

Perseus gulped for a second. Then his eyes rolled to the back of his head and he collapsed to the ground.

Selene dropped down at his side. She lightly shook him around. ''Perseus, are you alright.''

Perseus suddenly opened his eyes. ''I am... I am... hot.''

Selene stared at him confused. ''You are what? Perseus, it is snowing right now.''

Perseus jumped up. ''Hold your mouth, woman. I am hot!'' He threw off his mantle. ''Haha, much better.''

Perseus slowly looked around the group. ''Now, what do you want from me, you filthy peasants.''

The other four quest members looked at each other in confusion. ''Filthy peasants?'' Zoe slowly repeated.

Perseus suddenly laughed. ''Haha, just kidding, I know what you want from me!''

Selene raised her eyebrow at him. ''You do?''

Perseus nodded vigorously. ''We are on a quest to defeat the mighty monster Kampê. I will lead you to the beast.''

''And how will you do that?'' Artemis asked.

''Have no worry fellow adventurers, for I will lead you to Kampê!'' Perseus sniffed loudly. ''I can smell the beast! And boy, does it smell.''

Perseus turned around towards a random direction. ''Follow me!'' he shouted. Perseus set off without waiting for response in a rapid pace.

''Should we really follow him?'' Zoe said, stating the obvious question that was lingering in everyone's mind.

Artemis sighed. ''I don't think we have a choice. The way Perseus is acting must be the side effects he was talking about. Right now, he's our only hope to finding Kampê.''

''Then let's follow Perseus, before he disappears,'' Selene said.

Zoe shrugged. ''She's right. Let's follow him.''

Soon everyone had caught up with Perseus, who had slowed down to normal walking tempo and seemed a bit more normal.

Selene went ahead to walk next to him, while the rest followed close behind. ''Are you normal again, Perseus?''

Perseus shrugged. ''Think so.''

''So how do you know where we are going?''

''I don't know,'' Perseus said. ''I am going where I smell Kampê.''

He then looked thoughtful for a second. ''I can also smell your perfume; it smells very nice, like jasmine. I really like the smell of jasmine. The last time I smelled it was when we were about to kiss.''

''Perseus,'' Selene mumbled, her cheeks beginning to color red. She looked back at the rest to see if they had heard it; judging by their stares, definitely

Perseus continued though. ''I wish we had kissed, because I really like you. It's a shame that Zoe interrupted us. Although if I'm being entirely honest I felt kind of conflicted because really deep inside me I secretly also kind of like A...''

''Okay, Perseus, I think it's time to stop talking,'' Selene said loudly over what Perseus was about to say.

Perseus shrugged. ''You're right I guess.''

He then suddenly came to a halt and sniffed the air around him. He turned his head left. ''That way to the mighty beast!'' Perseus rushed off again.

Selene stopped walking and stared at Perseus, her cheeks still a little red.

''We are going to have to talk about that soon, Selene.''

Selene stared at her mother who passed by as she followed Perseus and sighed: damn Perseus and his stupid potion.

Hours passed by as Perseus kept walking, seemingly in random directions. As the day passed by it slowly started becoming darker and darker as the night approached. The group kept walking in a relentless tempo though, despite the fact that it had the snowfall had started to increase. By now they were so far away from the land of the Amazons that even Selene and her mother didn't recognize the environment. And they had still yet to find Kampê.

''Perseus, I'm beginning to think you...''

''Shhh,'' Perseus suddenly whispered, interrupting Artemis. ''We have found the monster.'' They were standing on a hill, overlooking a small valley. There wasn't any sign of a monster though: just trees, mountains and hills covered in snow.

''I don't see anything Perseus,'' Artemis said.

''Because it is hiding."

Artemis frowned. ''Where?''

''There is a cave in the valley; the Kampê resides there.''

''I see a cave down there,'' Zoe remarked. ''I think that is the place Perseus means.''

Perseus nodded and yawned. ''I feel... tired. I think I'm going to take a nap.''

Perseus yawned one last time before he collapsed into Artemis' arms. ''Great,'' she mumbled.

''What should we do?'' Zoe asked.

''We'll leave Perseus here and go to the cave,'' Artemis said. ''We may have finally found Kampê.''

Artemis dropped Perseus down to the ground rather unceremoniously and walked over to the cave, her bow now in her hand. The rest followed close behind, all with their weapons drawn and in case of the Amazons shield ready. As they neared the cave it suddenly stopped snowing, the trees stopped rustling, the wind stopped. In the passing of a second the whole world was suddenly silent, as if it was holding its breath.

''Something is off,'' Zoe whispered.

They continued anyway, despite the eerie silence. Soon they were standing in front of the cave's entrance.

Artemis stopped there and looked back to the others. ''Our priority is to get the belt of Kampê first; we are not in the best position to fight it, so we will try to avoid a confrontation before we get the belt. If we have to fight it though, prepare for the battle of your lifetime.''

Selene, Hippolyta and Zoe nodded.

''Remember,'' Artemis said as she turned back around to the cave, ''Don't look at the monster for too long: because no matter how fearless you are, Kampê will paralyze you where you stand.''

Artemis was the first to enter the cave, followed by Hippolyta, Zoe and Selene in that order. They were walking through a huge tunnel that could definitely fit Kampê. As they went further into the cave a sort of pressure could be felt, that was increasing every step they took. Mere minutes that felt like hours passed by as they went deeper into the cave. The pressure now seemed to completely engulf them they came to a turn in the tunnel.

''It's here,'' Artemis said, her voice barely audible. ''Wait on my signal.''

Artemis stuck up one finger, two fingers, three...

They all rounded the corner and prepared to face Kampê... But there was nothing. Not even a slight sign that Kampê had even been here. Just a big, empty cave.

Artemis lowered her bow. ''We're too late.''

Perseus woke up feeling very weird, and cold. The wind and snowfall certainly didn't make that any better. He slowly opened his eyes and was surprised when he saw a small valley stretching out in front of them. From where he was lying he almost had eagle like vision on the whole area. Perseus couldn't remember how he had got here. Then suddenly he remembered: the potion! Perseus tried moving his arms to stand up, but for some reason he couldn't. In fact, he couldn't move anything. Perseus sighed inwardly. Stupid potion.

As he lay down looking at the sky Perseus mind started to wander back to a few hours earlier. When he had almost kissed Selene. Perseus hadn't known what had gotten into him, into them. They barely knew each other for a week and they had almost kissed already. Then again, Perseus did feel an undeniable pull towards her that she no doubt felt too. Maybe it was his hormones or instinct acting up. He was, after all, almost an adult now. Most men of his age were already starting to marry and settle down by now, while he was chasing some creature from myths with some immortal girls and a goddess.

Perseus sighed. His life sure wasn't normal.

Perseus brooded for some more time, having nothing else to when he finally saw some movement by the cave. Perseus was relieved when he saw Artemis, Selene, Hippolyta and Zoe coming out of the cave. That must mean that they had defeated Kampê. Perseus now only hoped they didn't forget him.

Then all of the sudden Perseus felt that the wind stopped blowing. The snow also stopped falling. Some sort of primal fear started to creep up Perseus' spine. He saw the rest of the quest members grab their weapons in alarm. Perseus tried to look around. He could slightly move his neck now that the effects of the potion were starting to wear off.

Perseus suddenly felt a single gust of wind: he looked in that direction. What Perseus saw would have paralyzed him, if he wasn't paralyzed from the potion already. Kampê had woken up before they got there.

Kampê had a human head, but with snakes for hair. Half of her body was like a centaur, but with reptilian skin and a dragon half, with gigantic claws. She had huge dark reptilian wings, and a huge scorpion tail. At the point where her halves met, her skin bubbled and morphed, occasionally producing heads that constantly changed shape into the heads of all sorts of creatures. Perseus could also see above all those heads she was wearing the belt of the Amazons. In her hands were two scimitars that were constantly engulfed with a weird green whisp. Perseus had seen her already in his dreams, and yet it wasn't anything like seeing it with his own eyes. Perseus felt absolutely terrified.

The others had spotted Kampê as well. They scrambled away as Kampê dived towards them. With a massive amount of force the Kampê landed sending shock waves that even Perseus could feel. Artemis and Zoe quickly jumped out of the way as one of Kampê's swords was swung at them. On the other side of the beast Hippolyta and Selene were trying to attack Kampê. The monster defended itself though with its other sword and Selene and Hippolyta were forced to go on the defensive.

While Kampê was busy fighting the two Amazons she didn't notice Zoe and Artemis who came at her from her backside. A ferocious volley of arrows hit Kampê in the back as Artemis and Zoe shot arrow after arrow. Kampê screamed out in pain in a language Perseus couldn't understand. She lashed out with both swords forcing everyone fighting Kampê to jump out of the way once again.

Artemis and Zoe though kept up their volleys of arrows, which was clearly beginning to have effect: foul green blood started to seep out of the many wounds on Kampê's body, weakening and slowing her. Kampê was still relentless in her attacks though as she shifted her focus to Zoe and Artemis. She lashed out with one of her swords in a wild slash towards Artemis. She had already pulled out a silver sword though and with strength that only a goddess possesed she blocked the strike and even pushed it back, stunning Kampê. Artemis took her chance and she ran forward with her sword pointing at the Kampê's hart. Kampê however recovered just in time and barely blocked the strike aimed for her hart. With one of her claws she swatted away Artemis, who flew away from the force of the impact.

Kampê smirked, but too soon, as from behind her someone whistled. She turned around and was greeted with a Amazonian spear in the shoulder, which had been thrown by Hippolyta. Kampê dropped one of her swords and clutched the shaft of the spear, which was embedded deep into the creature's shoulder. The monster fell to one knee, heavily breathing. As Kampê's guard was down for a moment Selene charged forward. She ducked under a reckless strike from Kampê who was trying to defend herself with one hand while the other still clutched her wounded shoulder. Selene thrust her spear with one firm shove into the throat of Kampê. The monster's eyes widened for a second before closing. With one might smack Kampê fell to the ground.

From the top of the hill Perseus slowly sighed in relief and loocked back up to the sky. They had done it. They had defeated Kampê. Now, if he could just move his limbs he could join up with the rest and... Suddenly out of the corner of his eye he saw a bright flash. Perseus closed his eyelids to shield them from it. As he opened his eyes he looked back towards the rest. Kampê was standing there, seemingly with no injury. She pulled out the spear, hissing as it slowly came out. Perseus saw the belt of the Amazons glow brightly. He cursed: this was about to get really bad.

Perseus tried to move again but it was like his limbs were tied down to massive weights. He looked back at Kampê. The monster was fighting with a newfound strength. The other four tried everything they could to stop Kampê but with the help of the belt of the Amazons it was too much for them. Their weapons were useless as Kampê seemed to shrug off every hit. Perseus was left to helplessly watch the battle from on top of the hill.

Zoe, Artemis, Hippolyta and Selene were slowly being driven back towards where Perseus was lying. Perseus saw Kampê swung her deadly sword towards Selene. Hippolyta jumped in front of her though, batting away the strike with her shield. What she didn't expect though was Kampê's tail. Hippolyta was thrown away and lay still on the ground.

''Mother!'' Selene shouted. She ran and dropped down next to her.

Perseus slowly felt the strength in his arms and legs coming back to him. He pushed his upper body up with his arms and started to stand up. This small amount of movement already made Perseus pant. He looked over the edge of the hill.

Perseus observed Kampê leaving the two Amazons behind as she advanced on Artemis and Zoe. Artemis wasn't waiting though and ran with her sword ready at the monster again. She jumped over one low strike from Kampê and dodged a swipe from its tail. With one graceful jump Artemis gained height and thrusted her sword into the shoulder of Kampê, where she had already been hit. Kampê screamed her terrible scream again. Artemis landed on the ground again, but she wasn't ready for the kick that Kampê gave her. With a thud she fell to the ground. Kampê muttered happily in her strange language and slowly and menacingly raised her sword...

Perseus felt his body flood with adrenaline while he saw Kampê raising her sword. With all of the strength he had left Perseus pushed himself up.

''This may be the stupidest thing I have ever done,'' flashed through Perseus' head as he grabbed Riptide in one hand and a dagger in his other and jumped off of the hill.

While he fell Perseus readied his dagger and with all of the power that his adrenaline was giving him he thrust his dagger into Kampê's already weakend shoulder. As gravity pulled him down Perseus felt his shoulder dislocate as he came to a sudden halt because of his firm hold on the dagger. In a reflex he let the dagger go and fell to the ground. Kampê screamed once again in agony as Perseus had hit what seemed to be her only weakness right now.

''Selene, get Kampê's sword!'' Perseus shouted as he pushed himself up with his functioning arm. He almost bit his tongue off in pain as he snapped his shoulder back to where it belonged.

Perseus slowly walked over to Kampê, who in her pain was oblivious to the world around her. Perseus grabbed Riptide with both hands and raised it. With one mighty strike he severed the belt of the Amazons. It fell to the ground and stopped glowing. Perseus fell back down as his burst of energy left him. He looked on as Selene stuck Kampê's own sword deeply into the monster's weak spot, after which she let it loose. Perseus could see the poision of the sword slowly spreading through Kampê. The heads on her belt also began screaming in agony as Kampê shriveled away by her own poison, which eventually also destroyed the sword itself.

Perseus breathed in and out for a few seconds. They had really done it. Perseus felt his shoulder throb in pain. That was probably going to hurt for quite a while. Perseus stood up and walking over to what remained of Kampê: a pile of dust and one of her swords. The rest did the same and soon they were all standing silence, staring at the remains of Kampê.

''I have the feeling that I missed a lot,'' Perseus said breaking the silence.

''You sure did, Perseus,'' Hippolyta said first looking at him and after at Selene with a raised eyebrow.

''Things such as?''

''Let's head back home,'' Selene came in between, just slightly blushing.

Zoe nodded. ''What should we do with that?'' she said pointing at the sword.

''We will leave it here,'' Artemis said turning away from it. ''It is far too dangerous and powerful for us to keep. Once the sword realizes its owner is gone it will fade too.''

Hippolyta agreed. ''Let's go then.''

Everyone turned away from the remains of Kampê and started walking towards the land of Amazons. Perseus was about to start to walk too when he heard whispers coming from behind him. Perseus looked behind him. No one was there. Perseus looked down at the sword of Kampê that was lying on the ground. As he looked at it he felt the whispers get louder.

''Perseus? Are you coming?'' Perseus vaguely heard Selene shout.

''Yeah, just a second,'' Perseus said his eyes transfixed on the sword that was lying on the ground.

Perseus approached the sword and crouched down, all while the whispers got increasingly louder. Perseus reached out with his hand and picked up the sword. The whispers stopped; Perseus suddenly felt an incredible amount of energy and power rush through his entire system. He slowly felt the pain in his shoulder lessen before it disappeared entirely. Perseus looked at the sword in wonder.

''Perseus! We have to go now!''

''Yeah, I'm coming!'' Perseus shouted back.

He grabbed a piece of cloth from his sack and put it around Kampê's sword before putting it in his sack. Perseus then stood up and turned around to follow the others.

Author's Note: So, this is the end of the Amazons arc. Next chapter will be the start of another arc as the confrontation with Echidna gets ever closer. I'll of course try to update as soon as possible. Also thanks for the reviews, I appreciate it. X