Disclaimer: I don't own PJO, only this prequel.
It's been a while, sorry about that, guys. I have no excuse, I'm just lazy. Here's the next chapter, read it and enjoy. And review!
XI
The sea's wrath
The chicken man didn't actually fly away, he half-clambered up a building while flapping his mottled wings, with Gwen hanging under his arm. Shards of glass and pieces of masonry rained on the street around Jason and Dakota. Gwen's sword fell and impaled itself on the sidewalk beside the dumbstruck heroes. The monster was more than half way up the building when Jason shook himself out of his initial shock.
"Come on," he told Dakota as he pulled Gwen's sword from the tarmac. "We gotta save Gwen."
Jason wished they flew up to the top of the building, or prayed to the gods to beam them up. You know, like awesome mythological heroes. Instead, they took the elevator.
In the foyer, they found a sullen-looking man behind the tall counter. They were in an office building, and they needed an excuse to get to the top.
"What do you kids want?" said the man.
For a second, Jason didn't know what to say. He was so focused on getting to the roof and saving Gwen that he had forgotten about coming up with a reasonable excuse. Luckily for him, Dakota stepped forward.
"We need to get to the top floor," he started. "To...um, to see my dad. Yeah, Mr...Jones."
Dakota's spear was once again behind his back, but Jason had both his and Gwen's sword in his hands. He lowered it and prayed the Mist hid its true nature.
"I know everybody who comes around here. How come I've never seen you before?"
Dakota came closer and leaned on the counter with an elbow.
"To tell you the truth, he doesn't really know I exist. So this is kind of a surprise."
The guy didn't look convinced.
"You don't want to stand in the way of a family reunion, do you?" Jason added.
The man sighed heavily. "Fine, just make it quick."
They rushed for the elevators and Jason pressed the button to call one. With a ding, the doors opened and they got in.
"Look, Dakota..." Jason started as they ascended.
"It's okay, Jason. I kinda lost it back there, didn't I? The fact is, I'm not used to taking orders from you. I mean, you've always been Jason, my friend. Not Jason, the ultra tough quest leader."
"I wouldn't say ultra tough. You were right, I should have let you buy that pocket knife."
"It's fine. I shouldn't have been such a whiny jerk about it. Just promise me you'll discuss things with us first."
Jason feel his spirits lift. "Sure I will, I mean look at what happened when I didn't. We lost our ride, Gwen's in danger-"
Dakota clapped him on the shoulder. "Don't be too hard on yourself. This is what monsters do. Let's just go out there and send that chicken winged freak back to Tartarus."
Dakota sounded confident, but he looked shaken and anxious. And eager to find Gwen.
With a ding, the elevator doors opened to the top floor. They ran up the final flight of stairs and busted open the door to the roof. They found Claudius perched on the very edge, with one arm outstretched over the edge, its claws around Gwen's neck. If he let go, Gwen would fall freely onto the street. Jason and Dakota ran toward them with weapons drawn, ready for the oncoming confrontation.
"So nice of you to join us," said Claudius.
"Let her go, Claudius," Jason shouted, his sword raised.
The chicken man grinned maliciously. "If you say so."
His clawed hand uncoiled around Gwen's neck and, with a scream, she fell.
"Gwen!"
Jason ran forward and jumped onto the ledge while Dakota engaged Claudius in combat. The chicken man drew his flaming sword and the duel began. Jason focused his full attention on Gwen. She was falling very quickly, her arms flailing madly. Jason dropped both swords and extended both hands toward Gwen, feeling an intense tug at the pit of his stomach. He felt the winds pick up around him, and he willed them to compress and solidify below Gwen. Suddenly, the girl stopped falling and was left floating in midair. Jason tugged his arms upward and Gwen rose in sync. When she was close enough, he grabbed her arm and pulled her to safety.
"Are you okay?" he asked her.
She looked a bit shaken, her eyes wide with shock.
"I'm fine," she said. "Now where's my sword? Let's go pluck this chicken's wings."
They picked up their respective swords and joined the fray. Claudius had Dakota cornered, the son of Bacchus desperately blocking the fiery blade with his spear tip. Using the spear's shaft to block would cleave it in half. Jason and Gwen attacked at the same time, Gwen stabbing at Claudius' back and Jason swinging Ivlivs in a narrow arc at one chicken wing. Claudius spread his wings suddenly and leaped into the air. He landed behind Jason and Gwen, a blinding smile etched on his face. The two heroes turned around and attacked once more. Jason swung at his side, but was blocked by the flaming blade. In one smooth movement, Claudius parried Gwen's jab at his ribs. He dragged the fiery weapon over his head and brought it down heavily on Gwen's head. She brought her sword up for a block just in time, but the blow proved too strong. Sparks flared as Gwen was forced backwards.
Dakota caught her before she could fall off the edge again. Jason was forced to face the monster alone for the time being. Why they were both taking so long to rejoin the fight was beyond him.
He swung his sword repeatedly, banging it against the flaming blade as Claudius parried and sidestepped his attacks. To give his friends room to join the fight, he brought Ivlivs in an upward arc, fully expecting to be blocked. As soon as Claudius parried, Jason twisted around and under his arm, coming out behind him. Before the chicken man could turn around, Gwen and Dakota charged him. Dakota jabbed upward with his spear while Gwen swung at his ribs. Surprisingly, he blocked them both and smacked Jason in the face with a wing before he could attack. Jason fell and rolled on the rough concrete. Clutching his nose, he rose to a low crouch, his sword held at arm's length. Dakota was repeatedly stabbing at Claudius while Gwen was dueling with both hands on her hilt. The monster was distracted, now was Jason's chance.
With a shout, he rose and swung Ivlivs in a deadly upward arc, slicing off Claudius' right wing. The monster screamed in agony and tried to turn and attack him, but Dakota landed a shoulder hit. Capitalizing on the chicken man's confusion and pain, Jason summoned a gust of wind that blew him off the edge. He ran to the edge to watch him flailing about with his remaining wing and arms as he fell rapidly. As he hit the sidewalk he exploded, golden dust scattering and spraying unsuspecting mortals who were passing by.
"I'm never eating chicken again," said Dakota. "At this rate I'll become a vegetarian." He looked at Jason warily. "Dude, are you okay?"
Jason hadn't realized, but he was exhausted.
"Yeah, ain't no thing but a-"
"Oh gods, please don't finish that line," Gwen said, smiling.
"What," said Jason as his friends walked back into the building.
"Just leave the jokes to the pros," said Dakota.
Luckily for them, Claudius had parked their chariot in front of the building. It was still in good shape, but the unicorn was a bit skittish so Gwen fed it a few carrots from her pack. It neighed in gratitude, its silver horn gleaming in the daylight. They got on the chariot, eager to leave Colorado City and any other chicken winged salesmen behind.
...
Jason had no idea how they ended up in Florida. One moment they were cruising along the Roman Roads somewhere in Colorado, then Jason had fallen asleep. He had dreamt, of course.
He was in a dingy, poorly lit cave with hanging stalactites. Two cyclopes sat before a roaring fire, grilling a suspicions looking lump of meat. One Cyclops, dressed in a ragged loincloth, tore a piece of meat and stuffed it in his mouth greedily.
"You gotta have some of this," he said with his mouth full.
His friend, a burly Cyclops with a bloodshot eye, only shook his head.
Loincloth swallowed loudly. "What, are you on a diet or something?"
"Oh no, my friend." Pinkeye rubbed his belly. "I'm saving up for the big showdown at the Roman camp. Word on the street is that Menoetius has busted out of the eternal slammer and is amassing his forces."
Loincloth groaned. "I'm a fan of all bad guys, but that guy's the worst. Always so angry-"
"You're missing the bigger picture here. The point is, once he's done with them, we'll have so much hero meat. More meat that I'll know what to do with, which is why I should pace myself."
Loincloth chuckled, and Jason woke up. The first thing he noticed was the throbbing headache echoing within his skull as he leaned heavily on the back of the chariot car seat. He felt dizzy and disoriented, like he had been forcefully woken from an unnatural sleep. The second thing he noticed was that it was morning. And that they were by the ocean. They were parked on a beach, with the sea surging chaotically beyond. As usual, the ocean seemed powerful, sinister, and angry. So angry. The third thing he noticed was that Gwen and Dakota were asleep. They looked completely out of it, and Dakota's mouth was hanging open. Jason hastily shook them awake, eager to find out what was going on.
"Ugh, where are we?" asked Dakota, clutching his head.
Gwen grabbed the map, her eyes blinking rapidly as she perused it.
"According to the map, we are about 19 miles from Miami."
"Miami, Florida? But how?"
"The Roads, they're magical. They don't obey the normal rules of space-time. If you knew how to use them, you could go anywhere in America within minutes. Or bring others..." He cursed, realization suddenly dawning on him. "It's a trap! Get out of the car."
He opened the car door and stepped hastily outside. The air smelled of salt and imminent danger.
"I don't understand," said Gwen, exiting the car and standing beside him. Her brown hair was whipping against her face from the sea breeze. Dakota came and stood beside her.
"We've been lured here." Jason remembered his augury. Stay away from the sea, or its wrath will consume you. Too late! "By Neptune."
"Wait, but..." Dakota started. "Can he do that?"
"Of course he can, he's a god. A Big Three god. Somehow he put us all to sleep and drew the chariot to the ocean."
Gwen's hand dropped to her side and grabbed Dakota's. Jason looked at them warily. They weren't even looking at each other, they were both focused on the sea. Why were they holding-oh! Jason suddenly felt uncomfortable, like he was intruding on their moment. It was as if that miniscule contact between them was all they needed to communicate, to comfort each other. Jason forced himself to ignore this and focus on the threat at hand.
"What do we do?" asked Gwen. "Do we run?"
"It's too late for that."
A large wave broke, and Jason flipped Ivlivs on reflex. The lance fell back on his hand, and his friends drew their weapons. The three of them stood facing the sea in battle formation with Gwen in the middle, waiting for something to happen. A few moments turned into several seconds, and Jason began to feel a little ridiculous. Maybe he was wrong.
The waves directly in front of them rose and churned, and a figure rose from the depths. It was a serious looking young man with black hair and a set jaw. He wore a coral blue breastplate with swirling patterns. He looked like a ordinary dude, until he rose fully. There were two identical fish tails where his legs were supposed to be, like he was some kind of mutant mermaid. He rode a miniature wave, his fish tails flapping softly as he surfed closer to them.
"That's Neptune?" asked Gwen. "He looks so...young."
"Yeah, where's the barnacle beard? And what's with the fish tails? He looks like mermaid Siamese twins."
The wave reached the beach and continued forward across the sand, never breaking.
"I am not Neptune," said the guy said. "I am Triton, son and heir of Lord Neptune, and I have come for you, son of Jupiter. The magic of your camp has kept you out of the reach of my father for all these years, but no more."
"So you're here to kill me," said Jason steely. "Why, because of the stupid Oath?"
"That, among other things. You see, when your father accused him of stealing the master bolt, Lord Neptune was deeply offended. He intends to punish Jupiter for his insolence by killing his only demigod son."
Jason's grip tightened on his lance. Fear crept upon him like a shadow. He had faced monsters of every kind, but never a god. Sure, Triton was a minor god, but he was still immortal.
"Well, did he steal it?" he asked, a little braver than he felt. "Better yet, did you?"
"You dare accuse me!"
"Neptune did try to overthrow Jupiter once. If you did, just fess up now. Jupiter might be lenient on you."
"I don't have time for this. Time to die!"
Triton began glowing, first gently then bright and red hot. Soon he was too bright to look at. Jason realized what he doing a moment before it was too late.
"Cover your eyes!" he told his friends.
He averted his eyes, one arm up to shadow his face. He had heard stories that if a god was close enough, then it didn't matter whether you were looking or not. The waves of pure energy were enough to vaporize anybody.
The brightness stopped suddenly, and Jason opened his eyes slowly. Next to him, Dakota and Gwen were clinging to each other tightly, Gwen's head buried in the curly haired boy's neck. Triton was still standing there, his face twisted in annoyance. The god inhaled in concentration, and started glowing again. This time he only got moderately bright before his translucence faded.
"What's this?" he demanded angrily. "Who is stopping me from killing you."
"Are we dead yet?" asked Dakota, taking an exploratory peek with one eye.
Gwen, now noticing their curious position, untangled her arms from around Dakota, clearing her throat sheepishly.
Triton tried vaporizing them again, but he only succeeded in making himself look like a ripe tomato. Suddenly he looked up at the sky and shook his fist at it.
"Why do you hold me back, Juno?" he shouted. "Why do you protect your husband's spawn?"
Juno's...saving my life? Jason thought in shock. He didn't know much about the Queen of Olympus, only that she hated all half-blood children of Jupiter. She always tried to kill them and make their lives miserable in the myths. She was the last person he expected to save him.
Triton looked back at him. "No matter. I'll just do this the old fashioned way."
A wicked looking trident appeared in his hands. It was grey, long and slender with sharp, blade-like outer edges.
"Guys, this is gonna be a tough one," Jason told his friends. "We're gonna need our shields."
He pressed the eagle icon on his bracelet, and the thin strip of plastic spiraled into a rectangular golden shield. His friends mimicked him, and formed ranks beside him.
Triton's wave surged forward, and the god attacked. He stabbed at Gwen, denting her shield and sending her flying backwards. She collided with the chariot car's front door and collapsed on the soft sand, glass raining on her head and back. Quicker than lightning, Triton swung his trident and knocked Dakota several yards sideways. Jason was left to face the god alone. Smiling, Triton thrust a hand forward, and the sea responded to his command. A gigantic wave rose and, before he could react, smashed into Jason.
He felt the wind get knocked out of him and his shield leave his grasp, but he couldn't do anything about it as he was submerged underwater. He clawed desperately at the soft sand, but the wave dragged him into the sea. Terror closed in around his chest as he swam for the surface. Saltwater stung his eyes and popped his ears. Triton dropped in next to him, his movement through the water quick and graceful. He swung his trident, aiming to cut off Jason's head. Jason barely got Ivlivs up to block the attack. The trident bashed against his javelin with so much force that it sent him flying out of the water. He was in the air for a few seconds before he fell heavily on the sand. He rolled a couple of times and lay face down, groaning.
He slowly got to his feet, using Ivlivs as a support staff. He reached for his shield just as Triton came surging forward on his wave. The god jabbed with his trident, and Jason met it with his shield. The strike jarred his arm and sent a jolt of pain through his shoulder. He retaliated with a jab as well, but Triton bashed Ivlivs from its trajectory with ease. The god struck twice, and Jason cowered behind his shield. The last attack caused him to take a few steps back.
Fortunately, Dakota and Gwen came to his aid. They formed ranks on either side of him, their trident formation forgotten. Triton looked annoyed that they were back, he was more interested in facing Jason alone. He swept his hand to the side, and the seawater followed his movement. It twisted and spun around him, formed a half water tornado. He thrust his hand forward, and a jet of water shot forward. It knocked Dakota off his feet with the force of a small truck.
Jason dashed forward to challenge the god. Triton surged forward and surfed his wave around him, bearing for Gwen. He came to a halt in front of her and thrust his hand upward. A jet of water uppercutted her vertically, and she fell with a loud thud. Another jet of water detached itself from the mini-hurricane at Triton's command and bore for Jason. Breathing heavily, Jason willed the winds into a pressurized blast to hold back the wave. The two elemental forces met in a Dragonball Z-esque clash. Jason struggled to sustain the air blast, but the effort was draining a lot of his energy. Dakota came running to challenge the god, but Triton redirected the water jet aimed at Jason to the son of Bacchus. Dakota braced himself for the impact. The water jet slammed into him, and Triton curled his outstretched hand into a fist. Immediately the water around Dakota froze, turning him into a demigod popsicle.
"Dakota!" Gwen screamed, rushing toward him.
The idea of freezing people seemed funny in cartoons, but in real life it was serious. Dakota had little time before his organs failed and he suffered from hypothermia. Jason forced his focus away from Dakota to save his own life. Triton turned the water hurricane into twisting water tentacles.
"Time to end this," Triton bellowed.
Jason looked around him. Dakota was frozen, possibly fighting his life. Gwen was out of action as well, trying to save Dakota's life. Jason was alone, drenched head to toe and exhausted, while his enemy wasn't even the slightest bit worn out. For the first time in a long while, Jason felt helpless.
A/N: To avoid confusion, Jason doesn't know Juno's his patron yet. He'll find out later on. I've decided to shorten this story. It was originally supposed to be twenty chapters, but now it will likely be fifteen or sixteen. I'm just so eager to reach the good parts, like when Luke fights with Ari...I'm getting ahead of myself now. So, Jason and friends will reach St. Louis within the next one or two chapters. Stay tuned!
