Alex acts his age
Disclaimer: Percy Jackson belongs to Rick Riordain. I've also read Titans curse, and am thus introducing some new elements to the story.
Sometimes, you just lie down and wonder. Wonder about the world. Sometimes you do. That's pretty much all I don when I'm not be chased, hunted, barbequed, mutilated, or tax audited. Stupid plan with Kronos backfired. Anyway, it sometimes comes to a point when you read a book that features an Alternative universe with the way your life could've gone, to make you realise just how fucked up your life is. And for some stupid reason, I get the feeling that in both universes Annabeth still has feelings for Luke. Stupid universes. Back to my life!
"Psst Percy." said Alex shaking me. "Wake up!" I sat up groggily. Suddenly Alex threw at least seven buckets of water over me. I felt energised and pissed.
"Alex, what was that for?" I asked, now feeling like I was awake for the past hour.
" You need to wake up." said Alex grimly. "It's time for me to help you train." What? Train with Alex? That sounds like trying to train in vain. I mean, sure Alex was strong and had fire stuff, but I'm pretty sure I'm a better swordsman. He doesn't really have a fighting style. Mostly he just slashes until his enemies stop moving.
"Are you sure about this? Should I train with Annabeth or Thalia like I usually do?" I asked.
"Not today." said Alex, his picking up his own pace. I noticed most of the other campers, definitely all the ones who specialised in swords had woken up. Man, I wish Alex gave me time to put on a new shirt. Or shower. Or maybe we could play god of war 2 again. Huh. he's still pissed that we couldn't just free him. And that the graphics guy couldn't capture the essence that is the pleasure of Alex's presence. No, I don't know if he's still in my mind, but you can't be too sure.
" Is there any reason for this strange urge you have to train me? Any more sinister plots to destroy humanity I should know about?" I asked.
"Percy, we have a year and a half left before the prophecy becomes fulfilled." He looked me straight tin the eyes. "I don't intent for your life to be nothing more than a prophecy and some useless gratitude from ungrateful idiots. I don't want you to just end with that prophecy. I want you to live afterwards." said Alex, and he looked agitated. Thin trails of fire were licking his arms and all the cabins seemed to be shaking from the foundations upwards.
"Okay." I said. "Someone is a tad on the agitated side." Understatement, I know. But, that is what gives undeniable strength to my argument. I don't know what my argument is yet, but when I do, it will be really strong.
Alex didn't answer, instead leading me into the centre of the camp. He flicked his hand and the campers who were coming into our personal space backed off. Most of them went and sat on the edges. What did Alex want them here for? I hope it involves Fritos.
" From this day forward you training is going to be considerably harder.' said Alex. " Kronos' merry band of monsters and traitors are getting ready to attack something, and we want all of you to be ready. Be assured that Hades and Oranos will do everything we can to delay them, but eventually the fight will come to you. In that fight, we won't be able to interfere unless one of them decides to challenge us. And believe me. None of them are that brave. Or as stupid as we are." Alex eyed me. He looked older at the moment. Stress was getting to him. Alex was acting his age. Alex was turning back into Prometheus.
Mr. D came forward. "Yeah. Now, are you going to beat Percy up yet or is there no light at this tunnel of perpetual misery?" Beat me up? Yeah, that's a nice way to insure I save them the ungrateful bastards.
"I got the ambrosia squares!" said Grover joyfully, and then he saw me. "Uh, you know I love you right Percy?" he asked. Damn. Even the G man had turned against me.
"Percy, I'm not going to beat you up." said Alex. "I'm going to fight you in an even fight. Neither of us will use our powers. We have enough ambrosia to ensure neither of us have to hold back." Oh crap.
"Uh, okay, as much as I love fighting immortal warriors may I ask if there is a reason for this?" I asked with a sense of resignation. I already know what Alex would say.
" Because these campers need to see what they're up against. I'm not worried about them fighting monsters. They've done that plenty of times. I'm worried about them being forced to fight the traitors, their old friends and brothers and sisters. But mostly you Percy. You've faced Luke enough times to know that you don't stand a chance against him in one on one combat." Alex sighed. "Besides, both of us are out of practice."
Several of the Ares campers looked at with a sort of respect. Their cabin and all of their belongings had been incredibly repaired, and they thought it was just a joke. But they obviously remembered him when he was in their cabin. Clarisse mouthed something lie "you're so gonna get it." at me. I drew out Riptide and legenthend Timmy. Man, that should not be taken of context.
"You seem really sure that you're going to win." I said, sounding a bit braver than I felt. I really didn't know who would win. I'm may be more skilled, look better and have a dashing and oh so graceful style, but, what was I on about again?
"That's the spirit Percy. Pessimism only lowers your chances. The only time you should use pessimism is when convincing other to run away." said Alex, tossing off his jacket, and taking out his own black sword.
"Bring it own Flame Boy." I said, giving a half grin. This was the kind of training Alex wanted me to be put through. I'm not going to be attacked by stick dummies, and I'm not going to fight a war in controlled circumstances. The only thing that bothers me about this is that Alex is pretty much pulling a Dumbledore, with all this greater good crap. I would actually enjoy a bit of titanly competition, but not with everyone watching.
"You're going down Corral Chin." said Alex, grinning and throwing his hair back for good measure. Hah. He flipped his hair. The bastard.
"Hello All." said Chiron, happily trotting into the arena. "I wish you all enjoy the first annual titan Half blood face off! In this corner, the Dark Fire of all life, the fire that lives in all peoples hearts, the embodiment of hell, the dashingly good looking lord of Fire, civilization and ridicule, the original prankster, Lord Prometheus! Also known to some of you as Alex Hemmingfield. And in the other corner, Percy Jackson!" Fuck. Alex got more cheers than me. And titles.
"Boo! You suck!" yelled someone from the Ares cabin and threw me with a cd. " And please bleed all over that fucking Justin Timberlake Cd!" Huh. I see they still haven't forgiven me for that. Oh well.
"Percy!" yelled Thalia. "Remember Alex's weakness!" Of course! I should give him a good kick in the liver!
Okay. Time to see who would win in a fair fight. Me, or the only warrior who survived two full scale god revolutions. In times like these, it's better not to think, but to simply attack the bastard. Alex fought with his sword in his right hand, and his left hand armoured in some kind of glove. He was grinning. I raised my swords He, with a single jump landed in front of me and slashed down. I caught his sword on Timmy and slashed at his side with riptide. But he jumped back wards, and I started to feel my adrenalin building. I slashed forwards, forcing Riptide down, Timmy up, and then and then pulled my arms up, meaning the not even I was sure where the sword points would connect. Alex deflected Riptide with his sword and swerved as I brought Timmy down, almost grazing his shoulder. His sword suddenly flashed, and a thin trickle of blood went down my left arm.
"First blood to me." he said grinning. Fuck. The blood missed the JT cd. Not that was bloody unfortunate., I know, not witty, but I can only divert so much of my mental brilliance to narration, I have to concentrate on the fight too.
I shook my head and jumped. Really hard. I bring both swords on straight on Alex, whose sword shivered when he blocked, but didn't move. "Come on Percy." he said, grinning, like he was really enjoying himself. "If I wanted you to fly, I would've given you wings."
"Less talking, more losing." I said, swirling Riptide at his arm, but stopping at the last minute and giving a solid thrust with Timmy, while still swirling Riptide. Alex parried Riptide, but I managed to grazed his arm, but the leather held firm. He had leather elbow pads on his left arm Dammit. We continued fighting like this for about ten minutes, and let me tell you, if you really want a work out, try fighting someone who has more than thirty thousand years of sword fighting experience. After a while it wasn't skill that was keeping me in there. Skill stops helping you when your opponent starts moving too fast for you to think.
It think we pretty much fought like that for about a half our with me bruising Alex but I still hadn't drawn any blood. Alex got to more cuts in on my ribs and another one on my right leg. But I was getting tired. I don't know how Alex felt but he stopped taunting me a while ago. Both of us stopped everything else and just fought. Finally it was beginning too end.
In the movies, sword fights end with one of the guys pulling off some amazing moves. That's stupid. Me and Alex's fight like just about any other fight. Messily. I was concentrating when I noticed something. There was a gap in Alex's defence. He always raised his right arm after just before he thrusted. And when he raised it this time I slashed as quick as I could into the opening. A thin trail of blood formed on Alex stomach. But he knew I was going to do that because he didn't thrust. He grabbed Timmy with his other arm and my reach was too far. He forced the sword back and a massive gash formed on my chest, and I fell backwards.
I heard a scream that was probably Annabeth. I felt like my entire body was split open. "Well that ruined the shirt." I said, trying to not black out.
Alex stood over me. "I win." he said, popping an ambrosia square into my mouth. "But you fought well. And I think we gave these guys enough of a scare to insure they don't slack off."
I looked up at him blearily. "Enough to convince them to fight they're former friends?" I asked. "We're not soldiers. Not really. We're just tools for the gods."
Alex nodded and popped another ambrosia square in my mouth.Ohh! Melony! " Yeah, but I'm not a god am I? Neither of us are, although we both look divine." Damn straight. Well, It seems like a good fight was all Alex needed. But I'd really prefer it if he didn't use a method of stress relief that required my chest to be sliced open. Ah, that stings.
"What's the difference?" I asked. "Between you and gods?"
" Well, for one thing we're called titans." said Alex, but he seemed distant. "Anyway, you should get that cut checked out. See you at the lava wall." Alex left and another ambrosia square was popped into my mouth. I saw Annabeth leaning over me, looking like she was trying really hard not to throw up.
"Percy, you're" she began, but I cut her off.
"Yeah, I know .This shirt is ruined." I said. Stupid Alex. He could at least show some consideration while mortally wounding me.
"You need us to get you to water right?" said Thalia, who seemed it bit less disturbed by the blood that was no calmly dripping from my chest. Annabeth made a retching noise.
"What?" I said irritably. "It's just a flesh wound."
"I can see that." said Thalia darkly and Annabeth ran to the bathrooms.
"Poor girl." I said. "Probably worried that I will be scarred for life." Yeah. I may loose my drop dead and come back to life for a second look hotness, but I will always have me seemingly inexhaustible charisma.
"Okay." said Thalia, and picked me up. Hmm. This is, unmasculine. It bothered me sometimes, just who strong Thalia was. She would probably fit in perfectly with a bunch of deadly immortal huntresses or something. "I see the blood loss is causing you delusions."
"You can say that as many times as you want." I said, the edges of my vision fading slightly. Oh, wait, that was Thalia's hair falling in my face. "But you still want me."
"Yes, Percy." said Thalia, grinning as we stood over the river. " Have fun healing." she said, and tossed me bodily into the water. I instantly felt better, felt the wounds start to get patched up. I lay there for a while, wondering about something I just realised. Alex's blood was red. Not gold. It was different than the god's blood.
"Hello Percy." came a voice from the bank. Hades stood there, looking over the water.
"Hello." I said, stepping out of the water. Have you ever wanted to ask someone something, but the person you have to ask, is well intimidating? Now, imagine that, times a thousand. That's about how it feels when you ask Hades anything. "Uh, Lord, Hades, may I ask you something?"
"Why are you acting so formal?" asked Hades, still staring calmly ahead. "You're usually a lot calmer."
"It's about the Titans and Gods." I said. "Lord Hades, what is the difference between the two?" I stood really still, hoping that if he becomes really angry his hand of death will be al jittery and miss me.
Hades stood low and calm, his expression didn't change, but I suddenly felt scared. I mean unnaturally scared. It took all my self control to not run away. "There's only one thing."
"Does it have something to do with humans?" I asked, remembering something Alex had told me long ago, how it was changing him.
"Mortals?" asked Hades. "No, Percy. Alex invented mortals. He pretty much designed humanity. It was something far older that sets us apart."
"But, wasn't Alex's mom a human?" I asked, trying to desperately insert some uncommon sense into sense. It must be noted that in these kinds of situations, uncommon sense works a lot better than common sense.
Hades smiled. "Yes, but those humans were the work of Gaia. They were very different from even ancient humans. It was your friend Prometheus who changed all that. He gave humans complex emotions. But mostly he did something that was partially responsible for his being chained to a rock. Gaia made humans in the image of gods. Her first humans were intended to be servants and play things for the gods. Alex, Alex made humans to function like gods." he stood very still.
Function like gods? I can't think that we do that. "That can't be right, how would he." I began.
"Some still question the wisdom of it." said Hades. "And don't take it so literally. You're hollowing the point. What Alex did was give humans intelligence." He paused. "All those apes you dig up as proof of evolution were his first attempts."
"But." I began, desperately recalling some of what my science teachers tried to force on me. "But that stretches over hundreds of thousands of years." I said weakly. "I'm not sure Alex can do something that feels good over such a time."
Hades smiled. "Percy, I don't think you understand. That was pretty much all he could do. Kronos didn't trust him, and the rest of the titans, like Atlas and Hyperion, spent all their time fighting and destroying and living in gluttony." Hades shifted his gaze. " And back then, Alex was the deadly lord of fire known as Prometheus. You would not recognise him." Hades smiled suddenly, as if something had just occurred to him. "But we are getting off topic. If you truly want to know the difference between titans and gods, I suggest you ask Alex. And remember this. Oranos was the king of the titans. That doesn't mean he was a titan himself." I went back to my training, now being coached by Clarisse, who was trying to see how many sit ups and push ups it was physically possible for me too do. But I seriously need to talk to Alex.
That night, all of the campers, who were pretty much wiped out were eating at our banquet place thing. There were no speeches for some reason and both Hades and Mr.D were gone. Alex sat next to me.
"It wasn't my choice that we should fight in front of everyone." said Alex, helping himself to some pizza. "Mr. D insisted. Claimed it would be good for everyone. Raise everyone's morale." He seemed distracted, like he was not really listening to what he was saying.
I looked at him. He looked back. "So, you invented humanity?" I asked. "Invented is a strange word for it." I said. Damn right. It was more like he perfected some weird art.
"Yeah." said Alex. "Hard to believe. But I was bored. I needed something to do." he said, trying to get his old humour into it, but he was failing.
"Was it difficult?" I asked not sure weather I could ask about the gods/titans thing.
"Yeah.' he said. "But it's a good thing I'm a genius. Give me any mathematical problem and I'll do it, no problem."
"Uh, okay." I said. "What 4.23 times 2.78756?"
"Nine." said Alex, going back to his pizza.
"I'm pretty sure that's wrong." I said.
"I said I would do it. I didn't say I would do it right." said Alex.
"Okay." I gathered up my courage. Thank the god of your choice you'll probably never have talk to someone about something that's probably been a touchy subject for the past seven millennia. "So , just what is the difference between the gods and the titans?" I asked.
'What makes you think there is a difference?" asked Alex. "It could just be a different name for the same thing."
I smiled. "Then why is your blood red?"
Alex paused and he looked at me, and as the fire spread, I realised something. Fire was part of Alex's true divine form. He always referred to himself as the fire anyway, but if he loses his temper, then I don't want to know how fast I will disintegrate. "Percy, we are called the titans because Oranos cursed us all. After Kronos killed him, he cursed us. After Kronos cut off his, well after Kronos started to kill us, he cursed us. He said we lost the right to be called gods, and we were now the straining gods, the titans." He took a deep breath. "And to this day, not even he is sure what it means."
Author Notes: Yay!Another chapter. I initially thought this would be a short one, but it short of grew. I read The titans curse and a whole bunch of Mythology, and my plot is slightly altered but still about the same. Anyway, in the next chapter, Alex reveals more about his past and Hades faces the only thing he ever feared.