Legacy of the Hearth Chapter 2
Hello! I must say, I was absolutely stunned at the reception this story received. Thank you all for your support XD. Really means a lot to me!
Disclaimer, this series of pjo belongs to Mr Riordan. If it was, I wouldn't be here writing this. Blah blah blah, and all that. Read on, hope you enjoy..
Just 15 minutes into the ride, Percy Jackson knew just how bad the situation was. He not only felt foul presences behind him, but he also eyed Grover, who was shaking uncontrollably throughout the trip. Grover however, had different thoughts. He knew Percy was a powerful demigod the day he stepped into Yancy academy, but he did not expect Percy's scent to be this strong. Even when Percy was still ignorant, he always had a scent which gave away his power and potential strength. Lines of worry creased his face as he thought about Chiron's possible conclusions as to why. Either Percy was a Child of the Big Three, or he was a firstborn of an especially powerful God. None of which that would have boded well for Percy. Firstly, the Oath that the Big Three swore, and secondly, the fact that there were very few Olympians who never had children. The Virgin Goddesses(minus Athena), and a few others.
"What's wrong, Grover? What are you, by the way?" Percy asked, snapping his friend of his dark thoughts.
"Satyr! Anyway, Mr Jackson, how far are we to camp?" Grover asked earnestly, currently immensely worried for their lives.
"Almost there. We just passed the 'Strawberries' sign." John replied, surprisingly calm considering the situation they were in. Truthfully, it was partly because John was guilty. Guilty of how he left Perseus alone when he needed his father most. Guilty of how he wallowed in his depression while Perseus faced the world alone. However, he shrugged off those thoughts, knowing that this was neither the time nor the place. Percy was in danger, and he had to be strong, just this once. For his son.
"Are we going to that summer camp?" Percy asked, remembering the business card Grover gave him.
"Yes. It is also the place where your mother personally requested me to send you." John replied, his voice breaking a little when he mentioned Percy's mother.
"To send me away, more like," Percy whispered bitterly, as he drew a sad smile from his father, who gently shook his head.
"To protect you, Percy. Your mother loves you very much. She left because she had to, to protect you. By now I think you know what you are. If people knew of your identity as your mother's son too soon, you would not have lived to see the next day," John explained with a soft smile, still happy that although away, Hestia did all she could to protect her son.
Finally figuring it out, Percy asked "Who is she, dad? Who is she?"
After a short pause, John finally said, "One day, Perseus. One day she will tell you her identity personally. She promised."
Suddenly, a black figure suddenly rushed beside the car, causing John to make a very sharp turn, causing him to nearly lose control. Then, all hell broke loose. Grover looked in horror as a terrible 'boom' sounded and the car flipped.
'No… Not another one… I can't fail… I can't…" Grover thought in despair as he lost consciousness. An image of Thalia then appeared in his mind, deepening his misery.
PERCY POV
Amongst the smouldering remains of the car, Percy managed to crawl out. The heat was terri- no scratch that… Not hot..? However, Percy swiftly shrugged these thoughts away as he looked for his father in the wreckage. He couldn't help but release a sigh of relief as his father pulled Grover out and turned to look at Percy with a look filled with pure relief. Percy could swear he heard a muttered 'Thank you'. Before he could ask about it though, he watched his father wield a look of horror before changing his face to one of weary resignation.
A terrible growl sounded as Percy slowly turned to see a… Cow.
"A cow," Percy said while his father face palmed before shouting for Percy to dodge as The Cow started to charge at Percy, seemingly pissed over that little ADHD spurred comment (Stop making that excuse, Perce).
"No Percy, that's Pasiphae's son. Looks like there are people, or gods who really, really want to kill you. Remember, Percy. He pinpoints your location by smell. He can't turn very well when he's bull charging you though… DUCK!" John shouted as Percy used his instincts to duck while the Minotaur smashed a hole into the tree, freaking Percy out.
Carrying Grover, Percy rushed up the hill while his father simply smiled and calmly walked down the hill, shocking Percy, who started shouting for his father.
"DAD! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!" Percy screamed in his horror.
"I am drawing away this cow here. Now go, Percy. And I'm sorry. Tell your mother I'm sorry," John started saying, while Percy could only look at the scene in disbelief.
"DAD DODGE!" Percy screamed desperately as the Minotaur charged at his father. But John was too slow… Just too slow…
A flash of golden light, as the Minotaur made contact. At this point, Percy saw red. Incredible heat burned around him as he looked at the Minotaur with fiery red and flaming eyes. Not that he knew about it. The Minotaur seemed to be more apprehensive as he observed Percy's new change in demeanour.
"You will pay." Percy growled.
Instinctively, Percy held out his hand towards the Minotaur and gathered as much energy as he could endure. While the Minotaur charged, Percy continued gathering energy in his right hand. His only thought only consisted of destroying the Minotaur to avenge his father. White hot flames danced around his hand as he prepared to strike it at the Minotaur. It was so close… So close. Then he let it loose in one swift movement.
The explosion was huge. Percy felt heavy, as he used too much energy when he let loose that blast of flames to destroy the Minotaur. Of the Minotaur, almost nothing remained. All that remained was a piece of charred horn. Suddenly, Percy felt hollow. He took revenge, and lost control, but for what? He could have put Grover in danger with that last strike. His flaming red eyes instantly died down as regret began to gnaw on him. He was also creeping into unconsciousness. The last thing he remembered was when he heard two voices.
"Di Immortales! What happened here? Chiron, both are out!" A female voice exclaimed. What sounded like a horse walking soon followed.
"Such power… No matter. They are hurt. Bring them to the big house, now!" A familiar voice started saying gravely.
Then Percy blacked out, but not before he heard a gentle feminine voice saying, "Sleep, my child. I'm sorry."
'Mother…?'
LINE BREAK
"What will happen at the Summer Solstice?" A blond girl asked, waking Percy up with a start.
"… What?" Percy asked, not sure what the girl was on about, before remembering Chiron's conversation with Grover. Before he could answer though, the girl started to ask more questions.
"What's going on? What was stolen?!" The girl asked, giving Percy the 'look', to which Percy growled.
"I. Have. No. Idea," Percy gritted out, startling the girl.
The girl seemed to contemplate this for a moment, but Percy was too tired to even bother, and fell asleep.
LINE BREAK
Chiron's POV
Looking at the damage that the boy caused, and his powers, Chiron grew concerned. The boy was powerful. Gods already had taken notice. Hell(Hades), Hades mistook Percy for a Child of the Big Three and sent his monsters after Percy, thinking that his brothers had broken the oath. However, Percy's command over fire had already disproved that. Remembering the Great Prophecy, Chiron involuntarily recited it in his mind, while his eyes started to widen.
A half-blood of the eldest gods…
The eldest gods… It can't be, can it? Chiron decided not to jump to conclusions to protect the boy. He would wait until Percy was claimed.
LINE BREAK
Percy POV
The sweet scent of strawberries filled Percy's nose as he finally came to. Seeing Grover, Percy broke into a sad smile, only for the Satyr to look away in shame.
"I-I thought you might want… This," Grover said sadly, as he held out a charred end of the Minotaur's horn, while Percy let out a resigned sigh. It hadn't been a dream.
"It's been two days. How much do you remember?" Grover asked, drawing a tired chuckle from Percy.
"I don't know… All I know, is that I got really, really pissed, and everything burned," Percy answered sombrely, before Grover mirthlessly laughed.
"Yeah, the damage costs were insane. But… I'm sorry… I'm the worst satyr…" Grover whispered as he started to slur.
Percy couldn't stand his friend in such shame. He immediately rose and hugged his friend, unknowingly exuding comforting warmth, which immediately calmed his friend down.
"It wasn't your fault. It was mine for bailing out on you. So stop hitting yourself for it," Percy spoke gently, as Grover nodded with a small smile.
"Ah! I forgot!" Grover exclaimed as he took out a flask and handed it to Percy, motioning him to drink it.
Percy downed the flask, before smiling at the taste. It tasted like sweet syrup. The sweet syrup which he usually drank while sitting by the fireplace in his house when there was a bad day. Instantly, he felt better, although the guilt did not leave. His father was gone after all. And it was partly his fault.
'Don't blame yourself, child. John left for you to live, Perseus. Live.' The voice sounded in his mind. It startled him however, when it started breaking when she spoke his father's name. As if she was crying.
Before he could dwell on his thoughts however, Grover's face lit up as if he remembered something before holding out a hand on Percy.
Setting the flask on the table, Grover said, "Let's go, Percy! Chiron and Mr D are waiting."
Percy couldn't be gladder to accept the hand. He was going to live after all.
'Thanks, Dad.'
LINE BREAK
Whoa. That was the only thing Percy thought about as he eyed Camp Half-Blood's view from where he was. Ancient Greek architecture filled the landscape, while the sea could be seen from the horizon. It was a beautiful sight. He was knocked out of his trance, however, when Grover nudged Percy and motioned him to the farmhouse porch, where 2 men could be seen on a card table, while the blond girl who took care of him earlier leaned on a pillar while staring at him. Percy grimaced. Could a stare be anymore piercing?
Then, he turned to see a small, porky man wearing a Hawaiian shirt looking directly at him. Grover said that he was Mr D, the camp director. Looking at the man, Percy noticed blood shot eyes, a pudgy look., and a godly presence. Percy's first impression of him was an old drunk. Then, it hit him. Mr D was Dionysus, God of Wine. Grover also introduced Percy to Annabeth, who was supposed to be a pretty experienced camper by the looks of it. Percy couldn't resist the smile though, when he saw Chiron.
"Hello Mr Brunner," Percy smiled pleasantly.
Chiron winked and gave Percy a seat, and motioned him to sit. Chiron then nodded to Mr D, who immediately groaned.
"Must I? Welcome to Camp… What was it? Ah, Half-Blood. Blah Blah Blah." Mr D drawled, causing Percy to raise an eyebrow. The old alcoholic clearly did not want to be here.
"I heard that. Annie Bell, you know what to do. Cabin 11, as usual," Mr D continued, drawing a brief annoyed look from Annabeth, before she finally sighed and nodded.
After giving Percy and his charred horn a glance, she merely said, "You drool when you sleep."
Still gaping, Percy turned to Chiron and sighed, "Well hello, Chiron."
Smiling pleasantly, Chiron spoke of how glad he was that Percy was alive (Percy shuddered), and explained that he made a personal house-call (As he called it) because Grover had smelled something special in me. Percy put a hand on his forehead and sighed. He was just too special. Something he didn't like. Because from what he understood, the more special you are, the sooner the monsters would find you, and would kill you.
"Do you know how to play pinochle?" Mr D suddenly asked Percy, who simply shrugged.
"No, Sir," Mr D corrected, staring at Percy.
"Yeah, Sir, Lord Dionysus, Whatever," Percy shrugged.
Dionysus was not impressed at the lack of respect the boy showed him. Eyes flashing, he showed the boy just an image of his true nature. Percy instantly shivered, and sighed at Mr D, before giving in to give the wine god his proper respect. Mr D then lost the game. Sighing, Mr D nodded at Grover, who started to sweat, before finally turning to Percy.
"Cabin Eleven, Percy Jackson. Mind your manners," Mr D said with finality before going up the farmhouse, followed closely by a miserable looking Grover.
"Don't worry about Mr D, Percy. He doesn't hate you, he just hates the job," Chiron said pleasantly before Percy gave a small glare.
"He's just being bitter, like a child," Percy muttered angrily, before Chiron gave him a warning look not to continue. Thunder started to sound, effectively shutting Percy up.
"He is a god Percy. Remember that," Chiron stated plainly, before lifting himself off the wheelchair, showing his full Centaur form.
"What a relief. I've been stuck in there for so long. Anyway, let's go meet the campers, Percy Jackson," Chiron said, holding out a hand.
Percy had never been so eager in his whole life. He took the hand, unaware of a little girl smiling at him from afar as she stoked the coals of a hearth.
OK finally. Anyway, I have edited some things from canon and changed some things, I hope you like it. Moreover, I did change a lot of interactions, which I also hope is to your liking. Also, I laid the groundwork for a lot of fatal flaws in this chapter. I wouldn't mind doing the canon fatal flaw, but what do you think? Comment on the reviews. Thank you so much for reading, Cheers!
PS. Oh, as to why Hestia interacts more, simply because he is her only child. And the fact that she has more time to burn. Heheh. Burn.
Alice in Chains – Them Bones
