3rd Person's PoV
Slash.
That was the sound of the new Primordial god of Elements and Creation swinging his sword.
The mud head fell off the dummy's shoulders, before it could attack.
Slash. Slash.
The next one, made of pure solidified water had it's legs choped off, not allowing it to walk anymore.
Slash. Crack!
A third dummy, made of volcanic rocks got a sword stuck in its head and the sword stayed there, as the master of that sword moved around, analyzing his options and watching the field. When he got closer to the next one, a dummy made of thick and compact air, he lunged his sword right through the stomach of the dummy.
Wush!
Clap. Clap. Clap.
"Well done, son." The trainee heard the man he called 'Father' for the past 1,000 years came closer to him and a smirk appeared on his face. "Your strength has grown at a faster pace than I expected, while your dominance over the elements shows how much you have advanced..."
"Thanks, Father. I'm glad I could please you with my training." At this, the shadowy figure placed what appeared to be a hand on the shoulder of his son.
"Now, now, Perseus..." The voice was compassionate and friendly, "You know well enough that pleasing me wasn't one of the reasons why I chose you."
"I know, Father. It's just-" Perseus stopped for a second, before continuing. This argument was not uncommon between Perseus and his Father, but the son was running out of excuses to show his Father he was more than ready to assume the role of Commander and lead his troops against the enemy, no matter who it is, "It's just that I work better with a goal in mind."
"Whatever that goal is in your head, keep it up, son." The figure looked around at the mess of the field, before looking back at his son, who only could offer him a troublemaker smirk as a reply. "It is surely effective."
"Again, thank you, Father." Perseus bowed slightly at the man in front of him.
"Actually, congratulating you on your achievements is just a side and fortunate note on my visit tonight." He admitted. Perseus began to pay attention. It wasn't uncommon that his Father would appear once in awhile in this field, to train him and to teach him stuff about his newly (in its moment) acquired powers. Since fighting with his soldiers was an option that wasn't negotiable, Perseus had his Father undivided attention. "Word has arrived that it's time..." Perseus opened his eyes with hope and excitement. Oh, how he hated to break that look. "You must aid Camp Half-Blood and the Olympians." Percy in a split second if possible was already angered.
"What?! I'm not going back there, I won't return to help them!" Perseus exploded, and with fair reasons, "Father, send me to China, Russia... heck, even Brazil! But, do not send me back to Long Island!"
"Perseus, that's the task and an order, if you want to take the position of Commander of my army." Perseus stared at his Father, as if he was growing a second head. Which was not the case, "You're in no rush to do it now. They waited 1000 years, they can wait one more day." With that, he took it as cue to leave, leaving a pensive and still Perseus behind.
That didn't last very long. Perseus' first instinct was to run. So, he did exactly that. He ran with all of his strength left. He ran until he reached his sanctuary, a place only he could access. His Father's realm had a lot of unexplored places, where the troops never got to go, so he channeled his inner curious kid and he found this. It was behind a volcanic mountain, and was almost close to the edge of a cliff, there was a cave, with life and a lake.
His sanctuary.
He came here to meditate. To remember why he was here. Or, in cases like this, to shout his frustrations out. Once he shouted, he turned to his altar. Oh, no. He didn't venerated the Olympians or any other god. It was his altar to his girlfriend. Carved stones, paintings, even lemon scented flowers were careful looked after and adored just like diamonds.
"Oh, Annabeth..." Perseus knew it was not useful to speak alone, but it helped him to see clearly, "I really don't know what to do, I want to take over my Father's army, but... I don't wanna go back there. To... Earth." He glanced up at the flowers on the tree, moving as if they gave him an answer. Sometimes, Perseus liked to believe that Annabeth was with him, proving answers to his dilemmas, even when they were silly and meaningless. "I realize that they're not the same people, since some years have passed, but I guess- I guess I'm afraid." He confessed, in his solitude, "not afraid of them, but afraid to fail Father, and... and afraid to fail to you." He finished in a whisper. He realized how afraid he was in not finding the killers that he was making excuses. "You're the reason why I wanna go back... and, I'll fulfill my promise." Getting up, Perseus did one last act of remembrance of his girlfriend before leaving.
He then bent the ground, the air and the fire to his will. He began with the feet, following with the legs, hips, torso and arms. The Earth solidifying as the fore took place in what it suppose to be the hearth place, providing warmth. Finally, he bent the water to his will and used it as the hair, moving around and forming that particular and recognizable princess' curls, while the air provided that distinct aroma of lemons. In front of him, a clay Annabeth stood still.
"I love you, Annabeth. I always will... And- and I hope we see each other again someday." Perseus poured his feelings out before destroying his own creation. Going back to his Father, and his goal once again in his mind, the determination was visible to anyone to spare a glance at him.
"You decided to make it, after all." His Father's word weren't far behind as he entered their shared space.
"Your order, Father. I obey." Perseus replied, as an automaton.
"Son, it hurts me to think that all I want is a soldier," his Father expressed his feelings, which was very uncommon. "True, I want this menace eradicate. True, I trained you to be the best soldier you could be. But, I want you to want it too."
"Father, I know I have to earn your trust before I can face my target, but I also know that I have to gain training and experience off the field with these new powers before I could even consider going on my mission." Perseus explained, the emotion left out of his voice. He was a soldier and now, his mission was to neutralize the problem.
"If that's how you wanna see it, I cannot stop you, but I won't leave you thinking you have to earn my trust." He finished the conversation, handing his son the forgotten sword he left in the training field. Perseus grabbed it, a small smile appearing in his lips, "You'll appear down on the hill of Camp Half-Blood. You'll be able to walk through the entrance."
"Should they see my face?" Perseus asked curiously.
"Only the Olympians and Chiron will be able to recognize you, I don't see the harm in them knowing your identity." Perseus nodded, placing his sword where it belonged. "You'll show up alone. The army will stand at your command when you need it."
"Very well, Father." With a last nod, Perseus flashed away from his Father's presence. As he predicted, he showed up at the base of Half-Blood Hill. Stopping the urges of remembering the previous times he had their, he began walking up. Soon, he was standing at the entrance of Camp Half-Blood. Though he was expecting nothing to remain the same since he left, he understood that things could be the same.
But nothing prepared him for what he saw.
Instead of cabins, he saw ruins and just one palace surrounded the hearth, as if the hearth was a fire to be lit on winter days. The Big House remained the same, a little more neglected that he hoped for, but still standing. The arena was twice its original size, same as the infirmary. The vision of kids below showed teens and younger campers carrying spears and swords, with an insane and paranoid look in their faces proved to be too much for him he decided. Slowly he took a step inside.
Home, sweet home?
More like 'home, sweet change'.