Chapter 74 - Full Circle

Theoric woke up the next day alone, the two women seem to have ditched him in the middle of the night.

He felt conflicted, on one hand, he was glad that the cold woman was gone, she really s.u.c.k.e.d the life out of him just being near her. On the other hand, she had that next door girl, fun neighbor/village girl feel if she wasn't filled with such loathing towards men.

He was also saddened he never got to meet the sleeping babe who was his type.

Giving another sigh, he stood up and headed back to look for a waterfall he heard them pass by the other day. He enjoyed watching the flow of the water as it cascaded down, reminding him of simpler times, the noise also had a calming effect that allowed him to relax.

...................................................

Meanwhile, Io and Annabeth were still making their way south.

Annabeth at this time was also feeling conflicted- "It doesn't feel right to just leave the man who saved us."

Io snorted- "Never trust men Anna, of all the things you know and learn this is by far the most important, I don't want to see you end up like me. Only thanks to your mother's help, was I able to escape from Zeus's grasp and find my way to you. I promised to help protect and guide you and I intend to do that the best way I know how."

When Io first found her all those years ago, it was some of the best times of Annabeth's young life, finding a mother figure, and then sister after she grew up to be the same age that Io was stuck at. It was nice also for Io that Annabeth wouldn't grow older anytime soon due to her demigod body, she fears to interact with people that will eventually grow old and leave her behind.

The good times didn't last though as they had to rush to escape after having their location compromised after a monster passed by and picked up Annabeth's scent.

Leaving with nothing but some rags and a dagger, they left ill-prepared and under-geared, traveling as fast as they could south towards Athens after much arguing with each other. Annabeth won the argument and choose to visit the city that was built for her mother goddess, in hopes of finally meeting her.

Traveling was risky though, due to her scent being spread over a wider distance, allowing magical monsters to more easily track her down.

Annabeth could only give up the conversation when Io started talking about her promise- "I know, I know, okay, I trust you, all I'm saying is it feels wrong, he did save us according to your own words."

Io felt like she should have left that part out, now it was likely she would never hear the end of it.

They continued to move in the unusually quiet forest, Io and Annabeth were on high alert having experienced this more than once as they came to a stop to listen.

Io whispered- "Get your daggers ready just in case, I don't think it's a cyclops this time."

Annabeth at any other time would retort how obvious that was but knew the seriousness of the situation. All sorts of magical beasts were attracted to the Olympian blood in her whether for revenge or for a source of substance to help empower themselves or both.

It was to bad for her that she didn't develop any powers besides a better physique and intellect compared to a regular mortal.

Io was also not gifted in any way, she was just a regular mortal until the day she was snatched by Zeus and used by him. After being in such close proximity to the gods, longer then most mortals, she did end up with small benefits, but nothing grand enough to put her on Annabeth's level who was an actual demigod, though she was cursed never to age by Zeus.

Annabeth clutched her dagger tightly ready to draw at a moment's notice as they strained their ears to listen for the smallest sound out of place.

Their heads jerked right when they heard a branch snap

___________________________________________

Theoric meanwhile was n.a.k.e.d, enjoying himself under the waterfall, letting it wash over him. The pounding of the falling water soothing his scalp like a nice massage.

His gear was placed just offshore under a barrier he erected around it as he took the time to relax.

It wasn't long before it came to an abrupt end as he peaked his head out of the falls, listening to the noises heading his way from both sides.

From the south, he could hear the screams of girls and from the north the toppling of trees.

"Anna! Slow down! You're better than this!"

Walking out from under the falls his n.a.k.e.d form was revealed to Annabeth as she burst through the underbrush. She immediately froze upon seeing Theoric in all his glory, only snapping out of it when she heard Io yelling again.

Io- "Anna! Don't go too far!" she yelled once she lost sight of her, knowing she had no way to keep up with Anna if she continued to run at full speed.

Anna hearing her call, paled as she recalled what she was running from, rushing into the ankle-deep water without a care, choosing to hide behind Theoric hoping he would take care of it.

Theoric's eyebrow rose seeing her action, wondering what had her so frightened as Io came bursting through the brush next

Io paused briefly seeing the nude form in front of her before her attention shifted back to Annabeth.

Io- "Anna! You have to get over this fear." she started to berate as she ran over to check on her.

Without glancing up at Theoric she offhandedly said as she passed- "Could you put some clothes on after you take care of that."

Theoric amused by the situation as Io passed to check on Anna who was cowering behind him, asked- "Take care of what?"