Ch.10 A Satyr, A Centaur and A Damn Fury
Percy observed Grover carefully for the first few weeks of the term. He wanted to know whether the satyr was trustworthy or not and if he was working for one of his uncles. You cannot be too careful these days. The satyr seemed to slowly integrate into his circle of friends and Percy suspected that a slight manipulation of Mist is assisting him in doing that. Percy realized very soon that Grover is only aware of Percy being a demigod. He had no idea about Piper and considered her to be just a beautiful stepsister of Percy. This happened because her aura masking is perfect unlike Percy's nowadays. Percy and Piper decided to keep this as such so that if everything go wrong, they have a trump card in their hands.
From observing Grover in his vapor form Percy learned a lot about the satyr. Grover liked to Iris message his girlfriend regularly and tell her about his progress with his new assignment. Percy felt guilty about listening to their private conversation but it was to ensure the safety of his loved ones. And Percy would move heaven and earth to ensure their safety. So Percy tried to tune out when it comes to the private chat between lovers but listened in when general information is mentioned. From his spying Percy found out that Grover was satyr protector that worked for camp half-blood. His greatest ambition was to get a searcher's license and spend his life looking for Pan, the lost god of wild. Grover had done only one assignment before and that was to escort Thalia Grace to the camp. But he failed in that since she was killed or turned in to the tree if you look it that way. But he managed to take the other to demigods to safety. If Grover manage to lead Percy to camp safely, Grover will get a searchers license. And Grover planned to gain Percy's trust and friendship before escorting him to camp at the end of the term because Grover believed it would make easy for Percy to deal with all the mythological stuff. Since Percy was not constantly assaulted with monsters Grover believed he had enough time to wait till the end of the term. So Grover also decided to keep Percy in the dark about his heritage since knowing about the mythological world would increase a demigod's aura and attract more monsters. Percy smiled at the prank that was being played on the poor ignorant satyr.
Percy after a long discussion with Piper decided to go to the camp as an ignorant newbie. They believed that this way everyone he had to fight would underestimate him that would give him an advantage. Since Grover was here they decided it was better to let Grover take them with him. Percy at first wanted Piper to wait one more year before going to camp but she was stubborn. So she allowed a slight amount of her aura to be leaked and let Grover identify her as a half-blood. Grover was more worried now that there is not one but two demigods as his responsibility. But since Piper's aura was faint he believed it was okay.
Percy with his water senses were able to sense when a fine mist for Iris message was created. So he always kept a lookout for them since Grover only used them for contacting anyone in the mythological world. Percy also always kept his senses on high alert since aura from both Percy and Piper combined with the Mist manipulation of Grover were attracting a lot of monster and he wanted to deal with them before they pose a threat to the mortals in his school. Either Piper or Percy kept Grover distracted when the other dealt with a monster. Piper also remembered to conceal her aura when she was at home since she really didn't want to attract any monsters there.
Percy also came to know that his aura confused Grover greatly. Unlike Piper's faint but steady aura Percy's aura was fluctuating from strong to week now and then. According to what Grover reported to the camp his aura sometimes looked like that of a Big three kid but sometimes it was so faint it seemed like the aura of a child of a minor deity. Percy also smelled like the sea to him. So Grover did the only thing he could in such a situation. He called Chiron and the immortal trainer of heroes agreed to come and observe Percy. Percy and Piper decided to be careful around the centaur lest he discover their secret.
****Scene Break****
The old centaur arrived at the school a week after Grover contacted him about Percy. As soon as he arrived near the school Percy sensed another immortal being in their vicinity and observed the conversation between the satyr and the centaur in his vapor form. Chiron was a middle-aged white centaur from the waist down with thinning brown hair, bushy eyebrows, intense brown eyes and a scruffy beard.
"Hello Grover. I am here to investigate the half-blood you mentioned."
"Thank you sir. I wouldn't have called you if it was natural but his aura keeps fluctuating and sometimes it has the strength of a big three kid."
"I will look into it. I am going to pose as a teacher in this school and I will observe him for some time."
"How will you enter the school sir?"
"I will use the Mist to make one of the teachers go on a long leave and convince the school board to take me instead. I will use my alter ego Mr. Brunner with the magical wheelchair hiding my horse half. I think I will be taking Latin or Greek that way I can add some mythology to the class and help the demigods learn more about the world they belong to."
"Sir, Percy has already taken Latin and Greek some time ago. He is actually fluent in both of them."
"That is troublesome. I must look into his Latin proficiency. What about history?"
"That would be okay I think."
Percy scowled in his vapor form. History was one of his favorite subject and he didn't want to waste the class by going through the mythological stuff he already knew.
"What about the other demigod?"
"Her aura is very faint but from her looks and skills her mother is Lady Aphrodite. She is also the step sister of Percy."
"Really? What a coincidence. We can pass more judgement on them after I observe them more. Now run along and keep a close eye on them. I have work to do."
Percy observed the interaction between the satyr and the centaur with trepidation. He understood that if he is not careful the centaur would find out about his secret training easily and that would cause a lot of problem for his father. Percy decided to use only eastern style fighting in front of him for the time being. But Percy clearly didn't like the idea of his favorite subject being hijacked by Chiron only so that the centaur could observe him. 'He just earned a hell lot of pranks this term.' Percy decided.
****Scene Break****
Chiron didn't know what to make of Percy Jackson. Unlike most half-bloods who usually get kicked out of every school they go Percy was a model student here. Chiron determined Percy's parenthood as soon as he saw the half-blood since Percy was an exact replica of Lord Poseidon. But that didn't explain the lack of monsters. As a child of big three Percy should have attracted a lot of monsters. He discounted his theory that Percy was aware of his heritage and trained after the demigod showed no recognition towards Chiron or the Mist manipulations he had done in the school. After observing the aura of the demigod he had determined that his natural aura is similar in strength to that of an unaware demigod but it is fluctuating due to the unrest in the domain of his father due to the fight. 'The lack of monsters must be due to Lord Poseidon sending one of his agents to eliminate monsters around his child. He is known to care for his children more than his brothers.' Chiron thought.
Perseus Jackson was an extremely smart child. He grasped everything that was taught in the class easily and never let the ADHD or dyslexia associated with demigod life hinder him. Chiron knew from other teachers that Percy had the typical demigod problems early in his life but something happened when the demigod was eight changed him. He overcame the ADHD and Dyslexia through some mortal exercises and helped the other demigod Piper Mclean do the same. 'May be I should learn this methods from Perseus and teach them to the future generation of Demigods.' He thought. He was also worried about the safety of the child if his suspicions about his parentage is correct. He knew in the light of the theft Lord Zeus blame Percy even though Luke was ousted as the thief. Lord Hades also would love to kill the child for being a son of his brother.
Chiron was also annoyed about all the pranks that was being played on him. 'It seems that the previous history teacher was well liked by the students and being his replacement turned their ire on me.' He thought. He also regretted mentioning to be an expert in mythology in the class. Now these students are asking about all the ridiculous fantasies the mortals invented about Greek mythology. He had to answer many ridiculous questions about Heracles and Jason and Achilles. He even had to answer questions about a ridiculous Disney move called little mermaid. 'I am going to strangle whoever concocted the story that Chiron was a satyr and lover of Heracles for putting that disgusting image into my mind.' He thought tiredly. He never suspected two innocent looking demigods for all the pranks played on him.
****Scene Break****
Percy and Piper was enjoying the new term. They both decided that a good bit of laugh is what needed to ease the tension about the theft and the fight between his father and uncle. Unfortunately for Chiron he managed to irritate Percy by replacing his favorite history teacher and took the blunt of Percy's pranks. Percy and Piper regularly used the Mist to make certain students ask ridiculous questions about mythology to Chiron. Since they used school bullies for these pranks they never felt guilty about using them. He really regretted not having a camera to take a photo of Chiron's face after a student asked that question about Satyr Chiron and Heracles. Percy also used vapor travel to enter Chiron's office when it was empty and laid down traps and miss place everything. Percy also did something that confused the hell out of Chiron. He answered half the questions in Greek names and the other half from Roman names. From what Percy heard from Chiron's grumblings he was still unsure whether Percy was a Greek or Roman Demigod. In the end Grover got confused about the names and asked him what is the deal with different names Percy innocently answered that after taking both Latin and Greek he unknowingly get the names mixed up. Both the satyr and the centaur bought that bullshit from a conversation Percy overheard in his vapor form.
Apart from the fun they had with Grover and Chiron, the demigods had some difficulties this term too. The constant Mist manipulation done both by the demigods for the prank and the centaur to keep his wheelchair illusion attracted a lot of monsters to the school. Percy always kept his senses extended and whenever a monster showed up the demigods dealt with it before it reached the school. They were careful to avoid the notice of the satyr and the centaur while doing so. Percy also had to deal with a number demigod dreams and in those dreams His father was fighting his uncle. It seemed Zeus is also blaming Hermes now. In his paranoid view Hermes is aiding Poseidon to usurp him. The gods Ares, Artemis and Athena were still searching for the missing lightning bolt. Percy assumed that if they fail in that task it will fall into his hands to recover the missing divine weapon. 'Most probably a quest will be issued with a prophecy and being the son of the accused I will have to find the stupid weapon as a peace offering from my father.' Percy thought grimly. Percy's mother informed him a week prior that the camp had contacted her told her that they were watching Percy. 'At least they had the decency to do that instead of kidnaping me.' Percy thought.
On another matter Percy and Grover became close in the past few months after Percy realized the fact that Grover is truly concerned for his wellbeing. But since Grover was keeping secrets Percy didn't feel bad about keeping his training with Piper a secret from the satyr. Percy and Piper wanted to keep their training as a secret between them even though the hunters were to some extend aware of it. Because of his frail nature and the cover as a disabled young man Grover was regularly targeted by the school bullies, which grated on Percy's nerves. But Percy protected him from the worst of it.
Even with all the trouble from the mythological world Percy and Piper were careful not to slack of their school work. They were the model students and they wanted to keep that title as long as they were in that school. They were also active in their respective clubs, Percy for the sports and Piper for the arts. In the swimming tournament Percy created a new record for the new age group he participated. But he saw Chiron frowning at his victory, apparently Chiron didn't approve of him using his godly power to win mortal competitions. But as long as his father didn't object Percy cared nothing for Chiron's objections.
Percy and Piper wanted to have an armor build for them using the metals they acquired from the monsters. But Bill advised them that they will outgrow the armor in a few years and it would be a waste of metals. They accepted his reasoning and decided to wait for commissioning an armor till they were fifteen or sixteen. For now they decided to use the standard leather armor the camp provided. So they decided to commission two vambraces each. Percy wanted one since he played assassins creed. But he made some difference on the design for convenience. Instead of the hidden blade like the game their vambraces housed throwing knives for Percy and her hunting knives for Piper. They used the rest of the metal for bribing the cyclops as usual. When the cyclops send them the finished product they were really happy with their new arm guards.
Just one month before the end of the term Percy and Piper felt the Mist being manipulated in a large scale around the school. Seeking out the source of this large scale Mist manipulation led Percy to the office of the history professor now held by the old centaur. Percy extended his senses and felt the presence of two immortal beings in the room. He slowly transformed into his vapor form and observed what was happening and found Chiron arguing with another human looking immortal.
"I still don't understand why you are here Alecto. What is your interest in those two half-bloods?" Chiron asked the other immortal.
"My master Hades wills it. I am interested in the ancestry of the male demigod." Alecto replied.
'So a servant of Hades named Alecto. Obviously it is one of the three furies. I will have to be very careful around her.' Percy decided.
"And what interest is that?"
"I will determine if he is a son of Poseidon and see if he is involved in the theft, then punish him accordingly." She replied with an evil smile. "I will take over as a Mathematics teacher and observe him from now on. The Mist has been manipulated to suit it and you will not hinder me if you know what is good for you and that camp of yours." With that warning she left the office. Chiron sat alone in silent contemplation.
'Great! A fury as an Algebra teacher. As if the subject hasn't been evil enough. Just my luck. I must inform Piper about the change and tell her to act casually or we will invoke suspicion from the fury.' Percy thought bitterly. He left the centaur alone in his office to go and warn Piper.
Percy was extra careful around the fury for the remainder of the term. He didn't want her to give him a detention and get him alone with her. So he acted as perfect as someone can be around the new Algebra teacher. The fury watched him like a hawk in every class and Percy was determined to be never alone with her. Even then sometimes problems come to you when you don't go to them. It happened during the school study trip to the museum. Percy had just annoyed Chiron by saying that a sculpture was the representation of Kronos eating Jupiter, Poseidon and Pluto. It was really getting under the skin of the old centaur if hid reprimand "Mr. Jackson either fix on Greek names or fix on Roman names. Please stop giving me a head ache by these mixed names." was to go by. It was during the lunch break that Percy gave a confirmation that he is indeed a son of Poseidon to the Fury posing as the Maths teacher. Percy was so stressed from all the demigod dreams and the presence of the fury that he lost control of his powers when Nancy a school bully picked on Grover. She got sprayed in the face by water from the water bottle she was holding. Mrs. Dodds appeared there at the exact moment and got the proof she needed. Even though Grover tried to shift the blame towards him the Fury wouldn't be placated.
"Now honey you will come with me." She told Percy.
Percy thought about it and decided that going with her and clearing his name was the best idea.
"Yes ma'am." He replied and followed her.
When they reached an unused room the fury turned and faced him.
"Now honey, we have some business to talk."
Percy decided coming clean was the best idea.
"Mrs. Dodds or should I say the Fury Alecto, I know that act confirmed that I am indeed a son of Poseidon. But I didn't steal the lightning bolt as you suspect. I already gave an oath on river Styx that cleared my name to Lady Artemis. If you want I can give you the same oath."
"So you know who I am. What about my master's Helm of Darkness Jackson?"
"Wait the helm is also stolen? Fine I swear on river Styx that I didn't steal neither the Lightning bolt nor the Helm of darkness." Thunder rumbled in the darkness confirming the oath.
"Luke Castellan son of Hermes was ousted as the lightning thief. Perhaps you should go after him and leave me alone."
"I will look into that. But your existence is an insult to my master and I will correct that now. It was very foolish of you to come with me when you clearly knew who I was demigod."
"Some call it foolishness, others call it confidence. If you do not leave peacefully I will send you to your master in the fastest way."
She smile and said. "Die honey" Then assumed her true form that looked like a large bat and lunged at him. Percy blocked her talons using his shield he brought out in a second.
"This is why I hate monsters. They are so unreasonable." He sighed.
"When you reach your master tell him that I will look for his Helm if he agree to leave me alone."
Percy was prepared for her next attack and slashed her clean through using riptide which he brought out. She exploded spraying dust all over him. Percy heard a gasp and turned to see a gawking Chiron.
"So you were aware of your heritage all this time. Then why did you kept it a secret all this time?"
"Yes Chiron I found out about my heritage a long time ago and yes I know who you and Grover are. As to why I acted like I didn't know anything, my father made me aware of the prophecy and the upcoming war. If my enemies think that I am a newbie they will underestimate my talents and it would be very helpful."
"And who is your enemy Perseus?"
"Don't worry Chiron. I am loyal to my father and believe me he is loyal to Olympus despite his quarrels with his brothers. His spats with Zeus is only to keep the King of gods from getting an even bigger head. Someone else orchestrated the theft of those divine weapons to create a war between the big three."
Chiron chuckled and said. "You are right Percy. But what are your future plans? Alecto will come back with a vengeance."
"I believe I will come with Grover to the camp. Piper wants to come too. We may have to look for those weapons in the near future."
"I guess you are right. If you retrieve them and return them to their respective masters, it will bring peace to Olympus."
"Good. I will come with Piper to the camp right after we finish our exams. Now manipulate the Mist to cover up the disappearance of Mrs. Dodds."
"Of course. And I will keep your secret. It will be helpful as long as you are on our side. Now I also believe that you are behind all those pranks and one more of them will see you get your ass handed to you by the trainer of olden heroes."
Chiron added the last part mixing a small amount of threat and joke before leaving the demigod sputtering.
"Come on that was fun." Percy called after the retreating form of Chiron.
**** Scene Break****
That evening Percy briefed Piper on the happenings and decided to inform Lady Artemis about the new development. Percy created a rainbow using his water powers and prayed to Iris. The face of Lady Artemis in her 12 year old form was visible after a few moments in the rainbow. She was sitting beside Zoe and they were discussing something
"Lady Artemis" The demigods acknowledged the goddess and bowed.
"Piper, Perseus why do you call me now?"
"We have new information about the theft my lady." Piper informed her.
"And what would that information be?"
"It seems your father was not the only one who lost their symbol of power, our uncle also lost his Helm of darkness that day." Percy answered the goddess.
"How did you come by that news boy?" Artemis asked curiously.
"I was attacked by the fury Alecto today. She demanded me to return her masters weapon. I cleared my name the same way I did with you but the fury was determined to attack me. In the end I was forced to dust her."
"She was always the most aggressive one of the three furies. Thank you for bringing me this information but I don't think it will be useful now. My father is going to order a quest for the campers soon. Then as a goddess I will have to stay away from the theft since it will be considered interfering on mortal quest if I continue my search."
"I will be going to the camp this summer. I think I will request to lead that quest. Since both my uncles lost their divine weapons it will point a lot of suspicion on my father. If I find and return them it will be the best peace offering. It may also earn me a favor from them and they might leave me alone and might not try to kill me for being a son of Poseidon."
"Your idea has its merits. Best of luck in your quest. Take Piper with you. There should be someone to keep your head straight in the task."
"I will. Thank you my lady."
With that they ended the conversation.
****Scene Break****
The rest of the term and the exams passed without any major incidents. Chiron left after he confirmed that Percy was going to the camp and Percy's favorite teacher was back as if nothing happened. Mrs. Dodds were also replaced by one Mrs. Kerr who is an equally evil Math teacher without any student noticing. The wonders of the Mist!
Percy and Piper prepared to leave for the camp as the term ended. On the day the school closed Grover appeared at their door step and invited them to the camp very nervously. Both sally and Tristan told Grover that they had explained everything to the half-bloods when the camp contacted them and they were ready to leave. Sally advised them to take the taxy of grey sisters since it will be a safe journey and kissed them goodbye. Tristan asked Percy to keep Piper safe and beet up any potential suitors. They agreed and Grover called the taxy using a drachma. After a stomach churning trip which Percy compared to the Knight bus in harry potter they reached Half-blood hill in record time. It was not Chiron or any demigods that greeted them when they got out of the taxy, it was the son of Pasiphae, the Minotaur. Seeing the legendary monster Percy said.
"He is faster than us. So we cannot out run him to the camp. Pipes you watch out for any other monster and protect Grover, I will deal with the beef head."
"OK Percy. Take care of yourself." She replied.
"Percy are you sure? That is no silly monster." Grover warned him nervously.
"Leave it to him Grover. Be calm and stay with me." Piper used some charm speak in her words and moved out of the way with Grover.
Percy took out Tsunami and yelled.
"Hey beef head, remember this blade? My brother Theseus used this to kill you."
His taunt worked and the Minotaur charged at him with an angry roar. It was like a bull fight Percy watched in TV. He waited till the bull reached him and sidestepped at the last moment. But Percy added a slash with Tsunami as he moved. The Minotaur tried to avoid the strike but it resulted in one of its horns getting chopped away by Percy's blade.
"You are dangerous in the closed space of the labyrinth. But on open ground it is easy to kill you ground beef."
Minotaur also seemed to understand its disadvantage and extended his hands to both sides making it unable for Percy to move sideways during his second charge. Percy Channeled his magic to his muscles to jump high and flipped over the charging bull and stabbed the Minotaur on its back during his way downwards. The Minotaur turned to dust and Percy landed on his feet gracefully.
"That ladies and gentlemen is how you kill Minotaur." Percy said with a small bow.
"Enough dramatics Percy. Let us get to the camp and shock them with our awesomeness." Piper said as she started walking towards the large Pine tree.
"Yeah let us do that."
With that they moved towards the Pine tree with a shocked and confused Grover on their tail.
AN:
Happy New Year everyone.
Thank you all for your support for my story. Keep on reading and reviewing