Drawn swords – c. 1
A/N: AHOY ME HEARTIES. I'm pretty sure you're all aware of Viria's pirate!Percy / Annabeth / Leo's art. I'm well familiar with them since i'm the anon who suggested them. I started writing this fanfic long ago, but had a serious block, so I just wanted to know if it's even a good idea. I sent that anon message to Viria, but I never expected it to be so good SHE'LL ACTUALLY DRAW IT. OR THE ACTUAL MADNESS IT WILL CAUSE IN THE FANDOM. SORRY. So yeah, basically my idea gave Viria an idea which encouraged me to keep up with the story. So, I'm finally ready to post it, since I have a few chapters written and edited THOUGH I STILL NEED A BETA, PLEASE. One more thing - I'm not a native English speaker, so I might have a couple grammar mistakes (though I try my best), but I believe there are no spelling errors (thankfully). Anyway, if you notice any mistake - please let me know, so I can both fix it and learn. Reviews are more than welcome, crticism is a great thing but flames... not so much. Oh, one more thing - I posted this fanfic (which isn't my first, but the first one I publish) on my tumblr as well (sasslinsky, follow meh). Anyway, GRAB A BOTTLE OF RUM AND AVAST YE
Look, I never wanted to be a pirate. All I ever wanted was to make it to Triton Bay and meet my father. But hey, my first name is Percy, my last is Jackson and the middle one's 'nothing-ever-works-out-as-I-plan-it-to'. That's the first thing you should know about me – I'm a troubled kid. Oh, yeah. Troubles follow me wherever I go. It's not like I try my hardest to get in troubles, they just… happen to be there.
So my name is Percy Jackson, and the day my story begins in is the day before my 16th birthday, the day when I can finally go on my own adventure, leave the small village I live in – and make my way to Triton Bay, the big city by the sea. Everyone wants to make it in Triton Bay – and I mean everyone, from the rich merchants to the poor, homeless kids. My mom did too, which is how my story begins.
When my mom was a young woman, like many other women, she was matched to some old guy. He wasn't very nice or smart, but he could make sure she'll never live in poverty – or her old uncle, whom she grew up with after her parents died. But that old guy was pretty dumb, and my mom knew she's far better than him. So right before the wedding night, she left the old man's house, dressed as a male servant – and by stealing one of his horses, she rode all night long to Triton Bay. Yes, my mom is pretty much the coolest person I ever met. When she made it to Triton Bay, she looked for a job, and found it as an assistant to a tailor. Not only she helped him with sewing, she also helped taking care of his 6 kids and his sick wife. In return, she lived in his house, and he took care of her almost like she's his daughter.
My father was a tourist who came to Triton Bay. I don't know where he's originally from, but my mom always says it's a wonderful place in the heart of the ocean. I have no idea where exactly – I can only assume he's from Europe or something. Anyway, he stopped once by the tailor, since his clothes were worn out by the long journey. My mom wasn't present there, but when he came back the following day to take his clothes, she was there. And ever since, he returned every day. My mom always laughs when she tells me how he used to ruin his own clothes, so he'll have the excuse to come often. Day by day, he came. Once one of the buttons fell. The other day he tore his jacket sleeve. Another time he had to fix the hem. Every day, a new excuse.
It was only a matter of time until they got together, but they never married. Eventually, she got pregnant and right after I was born – he left. She had to leave the tailor as well – he loved her a lot, but my mom wasn't married, yet she had a baby. Even in Triton Bay, a city where nasty businesses take place, there's no place for a woman who has a baby and no husband, unless she has a one specific job. And so, my mom had to leave. She took me and some money the old tailor gave her, and finally settled in a nearby village. It takes half a day to get there if you're riding on a horse, 2 days by feet. She never tells me a lot about the beginning, but my memories from a very young age are mostly about other kids – and sometimes adults – picking on me. They all pointed at me, laughing at my 'easy' mom, and me. Their favorite nickname 'bastard', which was so common, people call me often 'bastard' rather than Percy. This was the time I learned a couple of good punches could either gain you respect or humiliate you. So I used my fists to gain my honor whenever someone tried to look down on me.
My mom promised me that once I turn 16, she'll let me go to Triton Bay. She promised me that there nobody will call me 'Bastard' anymore. I'll be able to write my own story. She could probably tell I'm going to find my father as well, though she kept telling me to keep my expectations realistic, since he was a tourist, nothing more. Even if he returned, Triton Bay is so big that it's nearly impossible to find someone, especially when you don't even know his name or what he look like. My mom never told me any of these.
A day before my 16th birthday, my mom finally opened up about Triton Bay's lifestyle – with a warning.
"Listen, Percy," she said, concern filling her warm brown eyes, "you have to understand, as much as Triton Bay is heavenly – it's also hell on earth. There will be many people who will help you, but also many who will try to harm and use you. You have to keep yourself focused, and don't trust anyone, unless they really gained your trust. And also, be careful of the monsters."
Wait, what?
"Eh, sure mom. I understand, mean people are like monsters. Don't worry, I'll take care."
"No, Percy. I mean it. Monsters. Are out there. And you have to make sure you defend yourself they can be just as bad as humans, if not worse." If it wasn't for her deadly serious face, I'd never believe her. But my mom is not one who makes this kind of twisted jokes, so I got a little worried.
"Mom, are you okay? You seem a little bit… off. Maybe you have fever," I said, reaching out to check her forehead. She smacked my hand away, and this time I knew she means it.
"Please, listen to me. I know it sounds ridiculous, but it's real. You haven't noticed them yet since we live in a well-protected village, but they'll be there in the city, and on the way as well. They're vicious, cruel and won't hesitate to kill you for their fun. Promise me; just promise me, you won't try to be the hero at any given time. If you have to, run away. But if you get caught and something bad happens, I won't be able to handle it." She touched my cheek, gently rubbing her thumb on my cheekbone. I didn't know what to do. I mean, monsters? We all heard the bedtime stories, sure, but for real?
"Mom… I just… I don't understand. What do you mean monsters?" I put my hand on top of hers, trying to memorize the feeling of her hand in mine, the radiating, warm feeling.
"I can't explain exactly. You'll know once you see one. Also, not everyone will be able to help you. Just because you'll be able to, doesn't mean everyone will see them. In fact, most people won't see them. If you meet someone who does – then he could be your ally, but also your greatest foe. Be cautious, okay? Promise me you'll trust only the right people. Promise me you'll take care of yourself. Promise me."
What could I do? I nodded, still trying to figure out what was going on. My mom stood up, leaving my face, clutching my hand in hers. With one last squeeze, she turned from me. That was when we heard the big boom from outside. The next things I remember are blurry.
I remember the monster outside my home. It was huge, and look like a creepy combo of a human and a bull – it had the legs and chest of a muscular man, and also human hands, but the head belonged to a very furious bull. I knew what it was. It's one of the monsters my mom spoke of. I didn't know what the people around me see, but whatever it was; it scared the hell out of them. That's when my mom grabbed my hand and started running, leading me in the narrow, dark streets.
"We have to get out of here," she yelled. 'I didn't expect them to find you so soon, it's not even your birthday yet!" she kept saying.
"Mom, what's going on?" I yelled, shocked.
"Doesn't matter right now, just keep running," was all she managed to say before we found ourselves facing the giant monster again. It was panting heavily, but its' eyes locked on mine, and I knew I might as well be dead at the moment, because it's going to kill me. My mom shoved me behind her back, spreading her arms, trying to keep the monster away.
"Percy, go," she told me quietly.
"Wait, what? Mom? What are you – "
"Just go. Leave. Take a horse and don't stop riding until you make it to Triton Bay."
"Forget it, I'm not leaving you," I yelled. I couldn't leave my mom behind. I just couldn't. She turned to me, her face filled with terror.
"Percy, you have to – " her sentence was cut when the monster grabbed her by the neck, lifting her. She tried to break free, but it just tightened its' grip, strangling her.
"Mom!" I cried, desperate. There was nothing worse I could imagine –my mom was dying in front of my eyes. I watched with horror when she mouthed 'go', before the bull-man grasped even tighter – and then she was gone. A flicker of golden light, and that's it. My mom was gone.
I couldn't move. The bull-man got closer, but I couldn't move my legs. Suddenly, the whole world seemed strange – like I'm seeing it from afar. My vision got blurry, and it took me a moment to realize I'm crying. I didn't know what do. My mom is gone, what the hell am I supposed to do now?
The bull-man dodged, but I remembered my mother's last words. I had to get to Triton Bay. So I grabbed the first thing I saw – a long, wooden stick, and prepared to battle.
All I knew is that I have to make it to Triton Bay.
That was the day before my 16th birthday. And that was the only thing I could think of when I jumped and stabbed the bull-man in his head with the stick, so deep it growled with pain before it vanished. No golden light, just grey dust swirling in the air.
That was the only thing I could think of when with the dawn of the next day I started riding to Triton Bay, the only thing keeping me focused is fulfilling my mom's last wish.
