A.N. Okay, now I know that last chapter was pretty damn short, but like I said, I came back after a long time, so take it easy on me okay? = )
CHAP. 9: A MUCH NEEDED COMPANION
Percy just stood there, astonished at what he had just heard from the Lord of the Sky. Were his ears defective? he wondered. But after looking around at the other gods, Percy realized he was in deep and utter crap. He found Ares the only one not looking dumbfounded but was instead glaring at Percy, like he found his prey. Percy realized the gods now faced another new threat, and this time, it was…Percy. He had the power to topple Olympus from the top of the world, taking the gods down with it. Percy couldn't believe this, but most of all, he needed to remind the gods of his promise.
"Uh, Lord Zeus? Are you sure about this? I mean, like, absolutely sure?" Percy asked nervously.
Zeus just sighed and nodded. "I have not sensed that power anywhere other than when I am near Titans. You, child, are pretty much a Titan, and a Titan of Time at that. You could be another pawn of Gaia, with the ability to destroy us and to be a spy, should you ever get manipulated."
Percy could not believe what he was hearing, after all he went through for them. "Lord and Uncle, have you forgotten my binding oath of fighting for Olympus until my last breath? But I can see that's not enough." Percy looked over to Apollo and tried to send him a message.
Apollo understood quickly as his eyes widened like saucers and he gasped. "Percy! Percy, no! You don't know what will happen! We can't—" he said, only to be interrupted when Percy raised his hand to silence him. "It's my choice, Lord Apollo. I have to do this," he replied.
The other gods were sitting there looking out of place and confused like crazy. It was Hermes that decided to speak up. "Percy, what are you and Apollo talking about? Hopefully it is not something risky is it?"
Apollo almost choked, while Percy just winked at the God of the Sun. He then turned to face most of the council, addressing the Lord of Olympus, who looked like someone just fell from the moon right to the middle of their council and throne room.
Percy smiled. "I'm choosing to make an oath. No, not an oath to the river Styx, as I am already bound to it and so the river won't mean anything to me or the promise I make. This oath is entirely different and I hope it doesn't worry you. Here goes, I guess. I, Perseus Jackson, bane of Kronos, Slayer of Hyperion, Trapper of Titan General Atlas, and Son of the Sea God, will swear by Ananke—"
The gods gasped as Poseidon palmed himself.
"—to fight for Olympus until my last breath and to protect it by all means necessary," Percy finished. He looked up at the sky, not knowing the effect of this oath, when the gods began gaping at him and pointing at his body. Percy looked down and found he was glowing a bright gold color. At last it faded, leaving Percy and the gods dumbfounded.
A pin drop could be heard, even at this height, with the godly winds blowing.
"It is done."
None would believe that a whisper that quiet could be emitted from the God of Theatre, but there it was. Percy couldn't understand this worry. Instead, he decided to cheer them up.
"Well, I'm off to pack my stuff! I mean, the trip about 5,000 miles should take some thinking."
With that, Percy turned and left the throne room. Just as he teleported, a hand grabbed him, but it was too late. Percy was already at his destination…with Styx by his side.
Before Styx could realize where she was, she slapped him. "Percy! What were you thinking? And why did you not tell me any of this? I mean—"
Styx looked around and realized she was in his cabin, the deserted cabin back at Camp Half-Blood. Percy remembered Tyson's new post as General and how he had his own place with his fellow Cyclopes by his side.
They were alone. Realizing this, they both blushed.
Percy started to realize how beautiful Styx really was. Her dark and silky hair and her vibrant and stunning blue eyes stand out, especially in her exquisite black silk dress. Percy shook himself out of his trance and seemed to wake Styx from hers. "Uh, what are you, uh, doing here?"
Styx seemed to get over being hypnotized and looked rather offended. "I happen to be pretty much your patron! You are not going anywhere without me! I am coming along," she said looking satisfied with herself. Percy sighed.
"Are you sure?" he asked. Styx rolled her eyes.
"I have nothing else to do, Percy. You know that, you've been to the river, you know what it's like not doing anything when you can be doing something. Come on, Percy! Let me come!" she protested. Then she smiled. "After all, you need someone to look after you."
Percy blushed again. Styx noticed and her cheeks flushed, although she hid it well.
Percy found himself in the middle of the throne room again. The gods were deciding transport. Then the doors burst open revealing Percy's best friend, Grover, in his travel attire hiding his magical features and his over packed backpack protruding from behind his head into the air.
Grover, panting with his hands on his knees, looked up at Percy with bright eyes. Percy understood at once and felt grateful. Once he was okay, Grover walked up to Percy and puled him into an embrace.
"I would never leave you to a quest unless I have to. It's like the three of us ag—" Grover stopped abruptly, looking at Percy's face at the mention of Annabeth. To his utter astonishment, Percy just smiled like he did to Athena.
"I've taken my time and got over it Grover. Don't worry about it," Percy assured him. Grover relaxed and nodded. "Anyway, I hope there's good enchiladas out there, G-man."
Grover grinned.
Once they were all reunited and before the gods, the council convened.
Zeus spoke first. "As we all know, Percy and Grover will be traveling to the Ancient Lands to the Temple of Ananke for information on the Seven. We cannot be the ones to choose as this is a Great Prophecy and it is in her control. Lady Styx wishes to accompany her champion and will serve as the third member of this quest. As to why this council is in session, these young heroes, and goddess, will be needing transport. I know what Percy prefers as many of you do, so I turn to Poseidon in hopes of gaining a naval transport."
Poseidon smiled. "Percy, Hephaestus and I have been working on a ship, which he feels is his late birthday gift to you."
Percy turned to Hephaestus and bowed. "Thank you Lord Hephaestus." The Lord of the Forge shook his head.
"Oh, it was nothing, Perseus. And no 'Lord'" he said. Percy smiled and retorted.
"Then no 'Perseus'" he said. Hephaestus chuckled and nodded. Once again, the focus turned to Poseidon.
"Now, Percy, you must lead the quest east on this ship and no matter what comes in your way, you will persevere!" The gods muttered their agreement.
Hermes frowned. "Wait, Percy has to gain entrance from the Pillars of Hercules, won't he? That brat will never give permission! He has been too cocky ever since you gave him godhood, Zeus."
Zeus frowned. "That is true, he will not give entrance that easy. Hera, my dear, what do you say? He is your champion after all," he said as he turned to his immortal wife. Hera was about to speak, but Percy had other ideas.
"No. Hercules will not be spared. I won't let it happen," he growled. The gods were shocked and confused. Hera spoke up. "Why won't you let him live?" she said with distaste.
Percy glanced at Artemis and was amazed to see tears in her eyes. She understood. "Because this man is the one who broke Zoe's heart, got her banished from her family, and threw away her love for him. He won't be spared and I hope Hades will see to it that once the hunters and I are through with him, there will be no other place for him except the Fields of Punishment," he scowled.
Hades as well as a few others were a little thrown off by Percy's fierceness. Artemis looked gratefully at him and silently thanked him. Percy bowed to the Goddess of the Hunt before turning to Zeus.
"I think we're all set now, we should get going. Chiron is waiting for us at Camp."
"Do you understand? Percy? Lady Styx? Grover?"
Chiron was briefing them in the Big House of what was likely to come in their travels. They decided to rest the night at camp and leave in the morning.
Percy rolled his eyes. "Yes, Chiron, we know. I think we are more than capable of handling ourselves out there, especially with a goddess by our side. Don't worry."
Chiron smiled as his eyes took on a little sadness. "Yes, child, but I hate to watch my best student go of into the dangers of Greece. I will see you at archery practice next week at 7?"
Percy rolled his eyes before saying, "What, so I can embarrass myself again? Yeah I'll be there. Anyways, any tips for the world we're entering?"
Chiron's face turned grave. "One. Just be sure to stay out of Rome. Don't ask questions!" he added when he saw the confused looks on the faces of Percy and Grover. Styx's face paled. Chiron glanced at her as an understanding passed between them. "You'll keep them away?" Chiron asked. Styx nodded.
Chiron looked satisfied. And with that, he waved them off to bed.
Percy looked back at Half-Blood Hill, where Chiron stood next to the pine tree, with his hand in the air. He turned and with a final glance at the strawberry fields, he started walking with Styx and Grover.
Styx glanced at Percy. "So where is the ship, Percy?"
"My dad said it was at the Ocean City docks. How ironic. Anyway, it's tied up to the dock and is ready for us when we get there."
Grover frowned. "But Percy, that's in Maryland. You think we can get there in time before afternoon?"
Percy smiled and smirked when Styx shared a glance of understanding. Why don't you hold on to your valuables and we'll worry about the rest. Styx, the only problem is, I've never done it more than 30 miles."
Styx smiled. "Remember your connection to the Styx, Percy. It will bring you power. I trust you," she said before blushing.
Percy felt his cheeks heat up, but steeled his nerves and said, "Grover, hold onto my arm. Styx?"
Styx nodded and reddened before holding his free arm. Fortunately, Percy didn't notice. Percy closed his eyes as their feet left the grassy ground and landed in a ground far more different.
They were standing in a marshy area in the middle of a clearing. Percy frowned for a second at a board near the edge of the clearing.
"I think we're in Seaford, Delaware. I didn't think we'd make it this far," he said before stumbling into their arms.
A leap this big will drain your powers, Percy. We cannot waste your power until we get to Ocean City. I guess we go on foot from here."
They got deeper into the city and took a few taxis, getting closer to the docks of Ocean City. Percy was using his built in GPS to sense the waters near the docks. He led them through Delaware before going into a dead end. Before they knew it, they found themselves trapped inside a circle of harpies. Percy knew these weren't any old Camp harpies. These were the real deal. He could tell by their longer claws and fangs and their scars showing off the street battles against other harpies. Although they've evidently fought each other, they appeared to have made a temporary alliance to catch them and impale them.
Percy quickly uncapped Riptide and swung an arc around them, getting the harpies to back away temporarily. The harpies hissed at them. There appeared to be a leader, the biggest, ugliest, and most dangerous hag in front of Percy. He thought about what qualities he didn't like in bullies. This thing ticked off all three.
"Son of the Sea God, you are wanted among the others. But first, we want a piece of you. Or maybe pieces if Tyche shines on us today. Get him!" the big harpy growled. The harpies lunged forward.
Percy made a wild and dangerous arc and vaporized about three of them. Grover got out his reed pipes and slowed some down, weeds growing from the asphalt and gripping the harpies. Styx swung around materialized black water and created a spear from the hardened liquid. She impaled a small harpy and swung it into another one, before slamming the butt of the spear into a harpy behind her. Percy finished it off and they all focused on Big & Ugly. Grover tried wrapping her with weeds, but it was too powerful and just swatted away the plants. Styx liquefied the spear and encased the harpy with water, before hardening the water again, rendering Big & Ugly helpless.
Percy moved towards the harpy and slamming the back of Riptide into its gut. "Who sent you?" he yelled. "Who told you we were wanted? Tell me!"
The harpy smiled gruesomely before Percy sliced it in half, enraged. Styx put a hand on his shoulder and calmed him down. She whispered softly in his ear, "We should go. Come on, Percy."
They reached the docks before sunset and had found their transport, a big but modern ship that is more than capable of traveling them to the shores of the Ancient Lands. On the side, there were big letters in Greek form. Percy knew they said 'Perseus'. He silently thanked Hephaestus and his father again.
Before long, Percy had used his magic word that varies for each ship and got the ship started. Like the Queen Anne's Revenge, he had chosen a random word, jumpstarting the ship. In that case, it was 'mizzenmast'. For this ship, however, it was 'shorescallop'. Grover and Styx were confused and maybe a little amused at the randomness, but accepted it.
Grover slept early and he told Percy he was done for the day and went below deck to his hammock.
Percy stayed at the front of the ship and leaned over the railing. He felt a hand on his shoulder and knew it was Styx.
"You came to tell me I was foolish for getting angry at a hopeless monster's concealment?" he asked sheepishly.
Styx smiled. "No, Percy. I came to talk to you about your reason for this quest. You seem to be wanting this more than anything and…you're tired of nonstop fighting aren't you?" she asked gently.
Percy sighed. "I…I just never had a chance to live in peace after the first time I found out I was a demigod. I mean, I don't want to live like a normal human, that's not what I mean. But…I guess what I'm saying is…I sort of want a break from all this continuous battle. I just want us all to enjoy some peace. And now that most of the gods think I can't do this, going to confront Ananke, thinking she is too powerful and that I might fall into danger. I just can't help thinking what if—"
Styx didn't wait for him to finish as her lips crashed onto his.
A.N. Another chapter done! Also: the exam month (this month) might be a little iffy, just saying. I hope you guys like this chapter.
More than 1,500 views in 2 days! That's what motivates me! And reviews (mostly reviews)!
Now I know there hasn't been much action so far, but I'm kinda saving it for the journey, the Ancient Lands, and also the actual Great Prophecy quest. For those of you who don't like Perstyx, then deal with it, because personally, I love it and think it's a great pairing.
Also, I know Styx has a husband….Might get interesting...Or not (don't know yet)
Another thing, the Roman side of this whole Percy Jackson story might be a little hard to write so again, bear with me.
Anyway, I hoped you like it and be sure to review!
