Chapter 9: Percy and Aelin, Together Again
I might get a s*** ton of hate for this...
Side pairings (as of this chapter): Dorian/Manon, Chaol/Sorscha, Sam/Elide?
The Master Assassins got to work by making Percy a ring for Aelin. In order to understand their relationship, they asked Chaos to show them a few parts of their history together (Piper seemed a little too excited for her own good, though).
Meanwhile, Percy was in the Jackdaw Ultima, training his ass off.
He didn't wear his assassin armor. Instead, the only thing he wore was a set of track pants, exposing his well-built body, which was covered in scars, and on his back was a tattoo of a blood red wolf's head. On his right shoulder was a red tattoo of the standard Assassin insignia. He noted what Luke said, which sort of came out a little wrong for him at first, but they were right.
Underneath that cool and tough exterior, Percy was depressed for having to leave the girl who mended his broken heart. He never left his office unless there was a mission for him because it gave him time to think about her in private.
It was time he won her back, in front of everyone: her parents, Dorian, Chaol, Nehemia, Sorscha, every single person who will be watching the tournament. He will blow their minds. He will prove to all of them that he is worthy for Aelin.
And so he trained relentlessly.
Hitting a sandbag gave him a chance to think about everything.
Right, left, right. He remembered seeing her for the first time in her glory, with her majestic blonde hair, and bright sky blue eyes ringed with gold.
Dropkick to kip up. He remembered their first kiss: warm and chaste, like fire and water combining to form a steaming hot sensation throughout their senses.
Right low kick, left middle kick, and flying roundhouse kick. He remembered finding that book, finding out Aelin's true identity, and still sticking by her afterwards.
Left, right, left. He remembered saving her, along with their friends, from the Valg.
The Valg...the bastards who gave Percy one of the most horrifying experiences of his life.
In a rage, he punched the sandbag so hard it flew to the floor.
'Aelin...my love...we will be together again...I promise.'
Meanwhile, the others were still discussing the ring. Lord Chaos hasn't shown up yet.
"Gold with orange and green engravings on it?" Jason asked.
"Or just blue engravings?" Luke suggested.
Thalia just groaned as they kept giving their opinions, and it was making her worried, since if Percy doesn't have a ring to give to Aelin in about three or four hours, he'll be in a state of depression for the rest of his life.
It was at that point that Lord Chaos had arrived with a TV.
"Alright, time to see their history together. Well, some of it anyway." he said.
Scene 1: Percy and Aelin's first talk...
"Wow. The first thing you ask a girl who loves candy is chocolate." Piper remarked.
"Queen Aelin had adopted a different name?" Bianca wondered.
"Yes. She adopted the name 'Celaena Sardothien' for the sake of her...mentor." Lord Chaos explained.
Scene 2: Yulemas masquerade ball...
"Okay, wolf-like outfit for Percy, dragon dress for Queen Aelin..." Thalia noticed.
"We could put those in..." Calypso thought.
Scene 3: Make out session after ball and the truth revealed...
Jason had Piper gagged with a piece of cloth and put in a straightjacket to prevent her from losing it out of excitement.
"Okay, that's cute..." the son of Jupiter said.
"Wow, what he said to her was a little too harsh." Luke spoke.
Scene 4: Make out session after run...
"Tops are off." the son of Hermes groaned.
Piper looked like she was about to burst from the straightjacket and cloth on her mouth.
"At least Percy didn't go as far as getting Queen Aelin pregnant." Calypso remarked.
Scene 5: Attack in Wendlyn...
"Blue fire, red light. That could work!" Zoe thought out loud.
Meanwhile...
Percy had already knocked down six sandbags to the floor, and he didn't stop there, even if there was already a puddle of sweat under him. He then moved to the VR arena, and spawned a holographic ninja to fight.
The ninja charged first, swinging its ninjato at Percy's legs, who jumped quickly and gave it a knee to the face before grabbing its face and twisting it so quickly it was already over.
Was Percy satisfied? Obviously not.
He went to work on his swordplay with Riptide 2.0.
This went on...and on...and on...
A few hours later, in the docking bay...
"Hey, Percy!" Thalia called from in front of the Jackdaw Ultima, holding the blue box containing the finally finished ring.
The landing ramp opened, so she decided to walk in.
There, she saw the Mentor, snoring on his couch while his muscled and slightly tattooed body was covered in sweat. There was also a trail of sweat coming from the armory/training room. Meanwhile, Fleetfoot was asleep near the bedroom door.
Sighing, the gothic skyspawn just chucked the box at Percy's head, waking him up as it landed on the table.
"Thalia...what the hell?" he groaned.
"Ring's finished!" she announced as if she suddenly got a tiny dose of laughing gas. He got up and opened the box slowly.
"Okay, let's see what we...got...HOLY CRAP THIS IS AWESOME!"
The ring was straight up pleasing to the eye. It was a solid gold ring engraved with blue and red with a shining purple gem on it. In between the gem are the symbols of a red wolf and a blue dragon. The words "Eternal Love" were carved around the ring.
He smiled. Now, he finally got his chance to be with Aelin again.
The next day...
Aelin has never been more nervous in her life. Today was the day she was going to be engaged to someone. For too long, she had kept Percy a secret to (almost) everyone. So far, one of the only few people she told about Percy was her old rival, personal stylist, and close friend: a shifter named Lysandra.
She was still sitting in her bath, still too nervous to even come out. Deep down, she missed the demigod greatly, and hoped that one day, they would be together. Sadly, unless he does show up, that won't happen.
'Will Percy even show up?' she thought.
Her first love, Sam Cortland, had also returned from the dead, but chose not to pursue her anymore, and eventually settled with the half-witch Lady of New Perranth, Elide Lochan (which she only found out about when Percy had already left New Terrasen). It was because she (accidentally) revealed who Percy was to him.
He said to her,
"If he belives you're that special to him, then the least you could do is wait for him. Sorry, Aelin, but I won't be in the tournament. Elide probably never told you during meetings that we've been seeing each other. So...yeah...I'm sorry."
Aelin didn't mind. Things change. And if Percy wants her again, then the least she could do is wait.
"Aelin, you've been in the bath for like an hour already! Come on!" Lysandra shouted from outside the bathroom door.
But of course, some people can't.
Lysandra started helping Aelin put on her dress. It was black and white in color, with gray images of the Eye of Elena on the stomach and back areas. She also put on matching shoes and a bunch of make up on her. Of course, the Queen of New Terrasen had to look great on her big day.
"Remind me again, who was that guy they used to call 'The Man from Another World'?" Lysandra asked.
"Perseus Jackson." Aelin answered. "His friends call him 'Percy'."
"You think he'll show up and get you back?"
"I hope so."
The sounds of trumpets were heard throughout the arena built near the New Orynth palace. It was a large circular arena with rows of spectators everywhere. There were also box-like stands for VIP's and nobles.
Sitting in one box were Dorian, Manon, Sam, and Elide.
The King of New Adarlan and his future wife looked great. Dorian was in a sleeveless blue tunic with the symbol of a black wyvern in flight on the center, and a plain white shirt with long sleeves underneath the tunic. He also wore bright yellow trousers, boots, and a short red cape. A sword hung on his brown belt as well.
Because Manon never owned dresses, she wore some raven black light armor and her favorite red hooded cloak (Even up until this day, Dorian never understood why she liked that cloak). Her sword, Wind Cleaver, was strapped on her own belt.
Sam and Elide wore a dark green formal outfit and a silver dress, respectively.
Inside another box were Nehemia (in a yellow dress), Prince Rowan Whitethorn of New Wendlyn, Lyria, his (recently revived) mate, and Brullo.
Anyway, sitting in the most elegant box were Aelin, Rhoe, Evalin, Chaol, Sorscha, Lysandra, and all but the Queen wore green and silver clothing.
Everyone else sat on the stands or even the stairs. It was a big day, after all.
Standing up from his seat was Rhoe Galathynius, and he looked cheery as f***.
"Citizens of New Terrasen, and our most honored guests, the tournament to decide my daughter's husband begins...NOW!"
A bell sounded, signalling the beginning of the tournament.
An hour later...
"Percy, wake up!" Thalia screamed into the Mentor's ear. After celebrating the creation of the ring, he dozed off. How? She had no f***ing clue.
"Wha...what now, Thals?" he groaned as he got out of his bed.
"THE TOURNAMENT IS TODAY, YOU IDIOT!"
His eyes widened as he rushed out of his bedroom, put on his assassin armor, put the ring box in his pockets, and start up theJackdaw Ultima's engine.
"Time to fly!"
The ship blasted into space, while Thalia and Fleetfoot were totally unprepared for the sudden take off.
"The Jackdaw Ultima took off just now!" Piper announced.
"Why?" Jason asked.
"THE TOURNAMENT IS TODAY, YOU IDIOTS!"
And so every single Master Assassin took off on their ships, which resemble the Jackdaw Ultima, to New Terrasen.
Meanwhile...
Aelin couldn't help but sigh as Aedion won another round.
"Wow. He's kicking ass out there." Lysandra admitted.
"Like always..."
"He's undefeated. What else would you expect?" Chaol told them.
The two ladies ignored him. As the tournament continued, Aelin noticed something faint coming from the sky.
It looked like a flying person.
Before she could wonder about it, Aelin was interrupted by the roaring cheers of the crowd.
"What happened?" she asked.
"Aedion won the tournament..." Lysandra replied.
"Wait...what?!"
The former assassin managed to make herself unheard by everyone else. She suddenly heard a faint voice of a familiar man screaming:
"Am I too late?!"
"Oh no..." Aelin groaned.
"What's wrong?" Sorscha asked.
The queen of New Terrasen knew what was going to happen next...
Something suddenly landed in the arena as a cloud of dust exploded in a small blast radius. The crowd looked on in shock.
"Oh no..." Chaol groaned. "Positions!"
New Terrasen soldiers drew their pistols and shields and formed a circular perimeter around the smoke as Chaol jumped down and drew his own weapon.
"Show yourself!" he ordered.
"Now, now, Chaol. Is that how you treat an old friend?" the voice boomed.
When the dust cleared, out came Percy, mask and robes on, weapons sheathed, and his hoverbike grounded. No one recognized him.
"Hey! You're the guy who saved the queen!" Chaol shouted. "And how do you know my name?"
Well...sort of...
"Ain't it obvious?" the assassin replied, unmasking himself.
Chaol's jaw dropped, Sorscha, Dorian, and Nehemia looked on in shock, Aelin looked like she was about to facepalm, and everyone else was confused.
"Who is that?" Rowan asked the Ellywe Princess.
"Perseus Jackson..."
"People of New Terrasen, and your honored guests, I come in peace!" Percy announced, holding up his hands like he was surrendering with a cocky grin glued on his face. Chaol sighed and ordered the guards to lower their pistols.
"State your business!" Rhoe ordered.
"I've come for your daughter's hand in marriage, Lord Rhoe."
"Well, the only thing you've done to her is ruin her big day!"
"Father, it's okay." Aelin spoke, standing up from her seat, much to everyone's shock. "I've known him. And...we were lovers."
"Why didn't you tell us?" Evalin questioned her daughter.
She couldn't come up with an answer of her own, sadly.
Scratch that. She did.
"I'm sorry, Mother, but I was worried at how you and Father would react."
"Hmm...well, Rhoe, if what our daughter says is true, then we might as well give him a chance."
He looked at Evalin, then Aelin, and then Percy. The guards and Chaol all dispersed.
"I suppose. But, given the fact that you are late for the tournament, this is your challenge: You must face all of Aelin's suitors in combat at the same time, but General Aedion Ashryver, this tournament's winner, is your final challenge."
Everyone gasped.
"Is Lord Rhoe crazy?!" Manon questioned. "Dorian, tell me this is a joke!"
"Manon, does it look like he's joking?!" the king of New Adarlan retaliated.
"Calm down, you two." Sam groaned.
"I do not like where this is going..." Rowan muttered.
"Does he stand a chance against so many people at once?" Lyria asked.
"I hope so." Nehemia replied.
Percy's grin was still on his face.
"I'm not one to back away from an honest challenge. Let's do it!" he announced.
Everyone gasped again.
"Percy, I just want to ask." Chaol started. "How will you do that, when the only thing you have is a cane? Swords only."
The assassin didn't mind, so he pulled out his cane, and activated the sword sheathed in it. The crossguard folded up and he pulled out Riptide 2.0.
People were looking at Percy's sword in awe. Its chilling gray blade looked like it has been through numerous battles and lived with no scratches. He planted his blade on the ground and dropped his cane. The assassin drew his kukri and gun and dropped them as well. He even stripped himself of his armor, mask, and hidden blades. Percy then picked up his sword, wearing nothing but his white robes.
Meanwhile, the Master Assassins have all arrived as well.
"Damn Fish Boy. Why'd he drop the rest of his gear on the ground?" Zoe wondered.
"Is that how he's trying to prove he's trustworthy?" Luke asked.
"I wonder. If he wins and marries Queen Aelin, should we move here?" Jason asked as well.
Everyone nodded.
In less than a few minutes, the crowd calmed down.
It was one intergalactic assassin and former Hero of Olympus vs an entire assortment of nobles and generals with swords.
Seems fair? Nope.
"Ready, fight!" Rhoe announced and the crowd went nuts, again.
Every single one of Percy's opponents charged at him.
"Numbers don't win battles..."
And in a minute, they were all defeated by the intergalactic assassin, shocking the crowd.
"What the hell just happened?" Dorian asked, flabbergasted by Percy's display of power and skill.
"He just blew past all of them without even trying..." Elide said, also looking extremely shocked.
"What kind of warrior is he?" Rowan wondered.
"Kid's gotten a lot better..." Brullo remarked.
"He's no warrior." a voice spoke.
They, along with Nehemia and Lyria, turned to the source of the noise: Thalia.
"Percy's lineage comes directly from shadowy assassins who worked for centuries promoting freedom and individuality." she explained.
"That just happened." Sorscha gaped.
"He fights like a demon." Evalin agreed with the former nurse.
"Okay then...onto the final round!" Rhoe announced.
Aelin couldn't speak. She was in a state of pure shock and awe.
"You're a fine warrior." Aedion remarked as he approached the assassin, sword in hand.
"Many thanks. Now...shall we?" Percy replied, smirking as he twirled Riptide 2.0.
And the crowd roared louder than ever when their respective swords clanged into each other.
Aedion was a fine warrior himself, but Percy had the sword fighting knowledge of his many ancestors and other assassins. Every slash the general made, he parried and dodged with ease. So far, the assassin didn't even make any counter attacks whatsoever.
'It appears that Percy is making Aedion too comfortable with attacking so he can lower his guard severly.' Aelin thought. 'Either that, or he's just toying with him.'
Unfortunately for the general, the duel didn't last long. The assassin swept Aedion off his feet, swatted away his sword, and pointed Riptide 2.0 at him.
"Do you yield?"
"I yield."
Percy helps him up as the crowd goes wild.
Aelin wasn't surprised, so she gave a sly smile and clapped as well. She also began to leave the box to meet Percy.
The assassin turned to meet his finally future-bride-to-be walking towards him.
"Hey, Sky Eyes." he greeted, smiling and raising his hand.
But she just slapped him right across his face when she was close enough,
then grabbed his face and smashed their lips against each other.
And that was the best kiss they've ever done together. Even the crowd's cheers wasn't enough to take them out of their moment together.
Perseus Jackson and Aelin Galathynius,
together again, at last.