Demi-God Twin Chapter 17: Second Attribute. (Arc 2: Hunter)

Arc 2: Hunter.

Chapter 17: Second Attribute.

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-Iphicles P.O.V-

The next morning, the rising sun spearing through the cracks in the hut does little to ease the weight in my chest. So much for Apollo being the god of good moods. Chiron you liar.

I get off the bed which is surprisingly comfortable for something made out of reeds and grab the wooden crutches by the side.

"And where you're getting off to, boy? Put the clutches down and have some grub."

The Healer, who introduced herself as Bubba grunts from the fire place.

"Here."

Selea, the young girl from yesterday trots over with a steaming bowl of...something.

"It's porridge."

Selea helpfully reveals the identity of the brown sludge that looks like shit. Nonetheless, I graciously accept the bowl and down it in one go. It burns my tongue but my hungry belly is full.

"Thank you."

I nod to Bubba and she waves me off. With Selea's help, I make it to the next room where I find Atalanta snoring over Master's chest.

He looks better than yesterday but only slightly. The full moon is in 3 days. Hopefully we get the Lunar Lotus before Chiron's situation worsens.

"Tell Bubba to keep changing his bandages." We can't risk an infection.

"Grandma won't like that. She says we're poor and having you here is making us even poorer." Selea shakes her head.

I reach into my shirt and drop two coins in her hand, stunning the young girl into silence.

I would give more but Anissa is the one who manages the funds. And she's not here.

But I'm not worried.

Knowing Chiron, he wouldn't leave her behind in Argos city. He'd have planned for her to meet us somewhere else in case going back to Argos wasn't an option.

The Royal insignia hungs heavy off my neck. He'd have accounted for everything. That's who my Master is.

I leave Atalanta behind to watch over Chiron and venture out into the village, limping on the makeshift crutches, each step a sharp reminder of Heracles’ brutal assault and my inferiority. For now.

The village is small and the people seem to mind their own business as no one bothers me, despite the occasional odd stare.

In no time I make it to the edge, where the village borders a large forest. The trees loom dense and silent, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves on the morning breeze.

I dissappear into it's depths, using the crutches to wade through the thicket until I find a somewhat open groove hours later and stop.

By now the sun is firmly above my head. I'm tired. My breaths come out harshly and my injuries start bleeding through the bandages. I'm dizzy and thirsty too. Not to mention at risk from the forest's dangers.

The reason I came all this way? I'm about to receive my second attribute. It has been 24 hours since I killed the Hydra after all. Any minute now.

As I wait, I deploy my wings to assess the damage.

Pain throbs in my ribs and shoulder, but I press onward and unfurl them. The right is slightly bent but the left one is a shattered mess.

"Come on..." I grit my teeth and attempt to flex, biting back a string of curses as I stagger in agony and lean on a tree for balance.

Bubba's grim words about Chiron echo in my mind. I can’t afford to be weak, not now.

"I need you guys at 100% or at least 60%. Right now, you're making me look bad..."

The world around me is a hell of torment as I practice maneuvering with my damaged wings, the bones and feathers creaking akin to shredding metal.

"Come on! Come on! Come o-"

Suddenly a strange warmth blooms in my chest, spreading through my limbs and wings. My scars itch, then burn.

Alarmed, I drop my crutches, tearing off the bandages as my breath catches.

My eyes widen, watching the wounds on my chest close themselves before my gaze.

Blood-red scars melt into smooth skin, and a translucent, snake-like sheen briefly coats my body before fading away.

[Mythical A-grade Prey ‘Laerdinian Hydra’ Processed. New Attribute Gained: Regeneration.]

The display blinks in my eyes and then disappears.

I can't believe it.

Regeneration. Enhanced healing right when I need it the most. Talk about a stroke of luck. I almost feel bad for killing the darn thing.

The sensation doesn’t stop there, in fact it gets worse. My ribs shift, snapping audibly as they mend. The flesh of my shin squirms visibly and tendons grow into the reattaching bone.

"Aarggghh!!"
Agony flares in my shoulders, forcing me to the ground. I clutch at it, letting out a throaty scream as my wing's metal bones realign with an audible crack and reset to their full shape and size.

It's excruciating, but beneath the pain, I feel familiar strength surging through me. The power to catch the wind and master the heavens.

I flex and they straighten out majestically, their range of motion restored, feathers gleaming under the sun.

The process ends as abruptly as it began. My body feels whole for the first time in days.

I press a hand to my chest, marveling at the renewed strength coursing through me. For the first time in days, confidence and hope flares in my heart.

It's starts out as a snort and then joyous laughter bubbles out of me. I'm carelessly laughing and crying at the same time without a care in the world.

I never realized how much the wings mean to me. The Mythical Predator system gave me hope when I had none but the wings were the proof that set me on a path to power.

Without them, I am simply Iphicles the banished prince. The second best. The mortal twin to the Demi-God Heracles.

With them I am Icarus, fearlessly flying straight into the sun, consequences be damned, Gods, Monsters and Demigods be damned. Unlike the real Icarus with wax wings, mine are made of Metal and a vengeful spirit. Heracles won the first two rounds, but on the third one I'll make him watch as I burn everything he betrayed me for, to the FUCKING ground.

I calm myself down, wipe away my tears of mixed emotions and get off the ground. This is no time to break down in the middle of a forest. Chiron is waiting for-

Out of nowhere, a thunderous explosion tears through the air, followed by a resounding boom that shakes the forest floor.

My head snaps toward the sound-coming from the direction of...

"The Village."

Adrenaline floods my veins and without hesitation, I sprint through the forest toward the disturbance.

With a powerful beat of my wings, I'm propelled over the treeline, soaring like Icarus, feeling like myself again.



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[Mythical Predator Attributes]

-Stymphalian Bird:- Bronze Wings (D Grade Monster attribute)
-Laerdinian Hydra:- Regeneration (A Grade Monster attribute )
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