Chapter 10: shiatsu and a resurrection please

Miami beach Marina

Percy wished Cronus had told him why he needed to steal Artemis' stupid fucking hunting bow.

Right now he was wandering along the waterfront with the enormous thing slung across his back and hoping no one stopped him. Knowing his luck though some brownnoser or rookie cop would stop him for suspicious activity and then he'd be in trouble for carrying military grade hardware in a public place. That was if someone he knew didn't get to him first. So far he hadn't seen any indication that the Artemis was after him but he was sure she was hot on his trail by now. She would be out for blood big time too because of the ease with which he had lifted the bow from the arrogant Goddess' poorly guarded tent, right under the nose of all of the hunters. It had been a simple matter to locate them, when you knew them well enough to know what to look for and the signs to be aware of. He had shadowed the group for a couple of days whilst they were stalking prey, completely oblivious to the fact that they themselves were being followed. Then whilst the hunters were at dinner with their mistress he had quickly cut into the tent grabbed the enormous weapon from its plinth without the slightest risk of being spotted, then bolted again. As an added bonus the confusion and anger he had caused amongst the girls had been enough to make them lose the prey that they had been tracking. Which, Percy wasn't ashamed to admit, gave him some small pleasure. One in the eye for those 'holier than thou' bitches.

The reason he was nervous about having it with him right now was that Godly and demi-godly equipment usually changed shape to appear inconspicuous in the mortal world. Artemis' bow though had elected to take the form a massive white M95 sniper rifle and Percy had no idea why, though he wondered if the bow somehow knew it had been stolen and was doing its best to get him busted by mortal law enforcement. He'd bought a massive ski bag and stuffed the bow inside as best he could. It fit, barely, and just left the mortals to wonder why an 18 year old was wandering around the marina in the middle of summer with a pair of skis. He would have left it in the car out of sight but that would have been even riskier should the hunters catch up and locate it, especially seeing as Thalia was still unconscious in the back. Gods only knew what they would do to her if they found her with it and put two and two together. Of course there was the chance that a mortal thief might happen by and decide they want a new firearm and that would be embarrassing to say the least.

Which of course led to Percy's most immediate problem; transport. He needed to get his passengers off mainland USA and to Circe's isle in the sea of monsters as quickly as possible. Of course he could have gone to an airfield but there was only a small chance that Zeus wouldn't blast them out of the sky, even if his daughter were aboard. Artemis had probably already convinced him that his own daughter had become worse than Tartarus spawn. Therefore his only hope was water travel and even that depended on his father being reluctant to drown him before he could reach the sea of monsters and leave the God's domain. He needed to find something that would get them there safely and preferably quickly. With his power over marine vessels he would have preferred a sailing ship like the Queen Anne's revenge had been but with the situation the way it was it wouldn't have been fast enough and besides pirate ships are surprisingly difficult to come by in Miami.

Percy wandered the piers of the marina for at least an hour examining all the boats to see if any would be useful but he soon began to lose hope. Everything he saw was huge, luxurious and incredibly slow. The kind of things an oil baron or a minor member of the nobility might take for a weekend cruise. It soon started to grow dark and Percy was about to give up when a movement on one of the jetties caught his eye. An exiting yacht revealed a man in the light cast by the lights of another disgustingly luxurious looking boat. Percy discounted it and was turning to leave when the figure waved. Percy glanced around to see if the man was signalling a friend or a dock hand but there was no-one else around. Wary Percy slipped his hand into his pocket ready to defend himself against an ambush. If it was a mortal then he wouldn't hurt him anyway but if it was another demigod . . .well, he wasn't repeating the events of New York.

As Percy drew near the figure spoke calmly "Hello Percy" he said in a smooth quiet voice "I was wondering when we'd meet again. I've been watching your recent exploits with great interest." Percy recognised the voice and when he drew close enough he also recognised the attire under the figure's long winter coat; a perfectly laundered tuxedo.
"Prometheus?" Percy asked, incredulous.
"Yes, and I am pleased to say that this time I am on your side."
"That's reassuring. Last time you thought you picked the winning side you sided with Cronus and you know how that one turned out"
"Ah ahem, yes well a momentary lapse of judgment in that instance but this time I feel sure I chose right. Is it not true that Cronus is aiding you anyway?"
"Maybe" Percy said evasively but it was pointless to deny it. Clearly the Titan knew.
Prometheus stared at him a moment longer then shook himself as if clearing a disturbing train of thought he'd been having "Regardless I am only hear to offer you something. In truth I've been waiting here for nearly three months"
Three months! He's been waiting here since before I located Thalia! Percy thought.
"Indeed" Prometheus said as if responding to the unspoken statement "I foresaw that you would come here, and so I brought you some transportation" he gestured over his shoulder at the boat docked at the jetty.

Percy cast an eye over the vessel sceptically. It wasn't as big as some of the other vessels moored in the marina but it still looked slow and bulky.
I don't need sophistication, I need speed. He thought.
"Do not be misled by appearances" Prometheus warned "For this is vessel is in fact a rather excellent powerboat."
"This?" Percy scoffed.
"Yes" Prometheus agreed unperturbed by the mocking tone "a Hunton XRS43, as well appointed as it is fast. I must say if there is one thing the English can build it's a boat. I assure you that you and your passengers will arrive at the isle of the immortal sorceress with speed, style and comfort."
The Titan of forethought patted the ship's hull affectionately "consider it a gift. Though I suspect the previous owner may be slightly annoyed when he finds it missing from its mooring in Monaco."
"What?"
"Nothing"
Percy eyed the Titan wondering just how much his powers had revealed about his situation.

"If you know what I need then why didn't you bring something to help me with my other problem?"
Prometheus grimaced, "The girl's condition. Alas it was caused by a god and requires a godly power to undo. But that is why you are in possession of that rather remarkable weapon is it not? You know this already. Either that or you are most prudent." Percy rolled his eyes, Prometheus knew full well he wasn't prudent.
"Very funny" He grunted.
Prometheus cracked a small smile "You're welcome. But no at this time I cannot risk helping you further as none can yet know of my involvement. I must leave you now" he turned and began to walk away down the jetty. As he went he spoke over his shoulder "Farewell Percy Jackson. I shall watch what is to come with great interest" As he neared the end of the Jetty Percy thought for a moment that the Titan would fall into Miami bay but in true Titan dramatic fashion he walked right off the end of the jetty and kept going, turning transparent and vanishing as he went.
"Show off" he muttered and then turned his attention to the vessel before him; the Tempest.
Oh please! Percy thought, the name reminding him of Jason's ridiculous storm spirit horse.

He surveyed it critically; it was a sleek black thing that looked as if it had just rolled out of the dry dock. It was large too, nowhere near the size of some of the other ships but still big enough to look slow. There was no way this thing was a powerboat quick enough to get them into the sea of monsters in good order. There was every possibility that Prometheus was working with the Gods this time and that the ship contained an entire battalion of demigods ready to arrest or kill him the moment he came aboard. Despite that it was still the best chance he'd had all day.
"Screw it" he cursed. He glanced around briefly; checking for port authorities then pulled out Riptide and sprinted up the gangplank. He paused at the helm to take in the view across the bow. Not much except white and sails at the moment. Then he laid his hands upon the Helm and he immediately knew that Prometheus hadn't been joking about the ship's capabilities. There were two powerful engines in the ship with a couple hundred horsepower each, treated right that could get him up to about 66 knots.

He made his way below decks to find an incredibly expensive interior, all white leather, oak and bright lighting, like something a Bond villain would own. Prometheus really had everything nailed down, there were spare clothes both male and female, though whether or not they fit would remain to be seen, food and water, several Jerry cans of extra fuel to extend the boat's range and even for some reason a fully stocked drinks bar. Having satisfied himself that there were no nasty surprises lurking anywhere aboard he disembarked and returned to the Maserati in the car park.
"We have a ride" he said opening the door "there's a black luxury speedboat docked at jetty three, courtesy of our old friend Prometheus. We should get aboard before any mortals notice us, or anyone we know turns up." He Grabbed his backpack from the boot of the car, then came back and scooped up Thalia's unconscious body and began carrying her from the car park. As he passed a bin he paused to drop the car keys into it. It seemed a shame to just leave the Maserati in the extended stay but eventually it would be ticketed and towed and he couldn't take it with him.

He had no difficulty carrying Thalia aboard the tempest and laying her out on the ships water bed. She was so light and that, amongst many other things, was worrying Percy to death. She had only regained consciousness once or twice since leaving New York and even then it had been barley long enough to provide her with nutrients enough to keep her alive. He had talked to her then but he didn't think she had been aware of her surroundings, much less his presence or words to her. Even now when he laid a hand against her forehead her pale skin was slick with sweat and burned with a raging fever. Either the arrow that struck her had been poisoned or this was an infection that Thomas hadn't foreseen when Percy had convinced him to prevent her from bleeding to death. Both ways Percy hadn't had the time or expertise to figure it out, and she needed treatment soon.
All the more reason to get this tub under way he thought.

Returning to the upper deck Percy made his way back to the helm and cast his eye over the mass of buttons and gauges that he had no idea how to operate.
"One step at a time" he told himself "getting the thing started would be a good idea".
Then Percy realised that for all his foresight, Prometheus had forgotten one crucial thing; the boat's starter keys.
"Oh great" he grumbled "back to square one" then he realised something else; as usual he was being stupid. This was a ship just like any other, a bit more up to date than what he was used to interfacing with, but a ship none the less. He unslung his pack and dumped it in the captain's chair, ignoring all the ships controls, and crouched on the quarterdeck or whatever it was on a modern ship closing his eyes to concentrate. A minute elapsed, then two. Then Percy felt something. He felt his consciousness begin to wrap around the ship as it had with the Argo and the Queen Anne's revenge. Unlike those ships though, where he seemed to gain control almost instantly the Tempest seemed to resist him slipping like a bar of soap through wet fingers. He supposed that since his power over all things marine was a gift from a father whose prime had been at a time when triremes had been the most advanced thing on water; all the modern gizmos on this vessel were still confusing. It took a lot of effort to get a hold and even more to keep it. Eventually though he had access to the mental store of information he needed and could access the ship's functions.
"Engine ignition" he muttered.

Almost instantly the Tempest came alive beneath his fingers, the two massive engines roaring to life somewhere in the ship's hull. Relieved that his efforts had actually paid off he made himself more comfortable. He stood and walked to the foredeck, untying the mooring lines as he went, and sat down on the hard black surface.
"Back one quarter" he ordered and the screws spun into life slowly moving the ship away from the jetty. "Rudders to starboard, starboard engine to ahead quarter" the boat began to pull sharply to port. When he had the angle out of the marina he quickly ordered the ships engines to ahead full and rudders to stern, and the ship accelerated out of the marina. He had to stay above deck to guide the ship around several buoys and a super yacht but soon there was nothing but open water around him. Now he had the feel of the Tempest it was a simple matter to keep it on course at a reasonable speed. Satisfied that they weren't about to crash into anything they couldn't get through he went below deck.

He should have gone to bed but he knew he never would have been able to sleep. He needed to keep the boat on course and remain alert for any dangers in the water around them. That and he was paralytic that his father may at any moment decide he had entertained uncertainty long enough and decide to sink the ship. He would be fine but he was the only one who would be. These thoughts plagued him for a few hours until he decided that he couldn't stand it anymore. He needed to calm down or he was likely to run them aground on the islands they were now racing between on the way out into open Atlantic waters and, the Bermuda triangle. He decided to do something he never had before. He reached behind the bar and pulled out a crystal decanter containing an amber liquid, whiskey. Not long ago he never would have even considered something like this but he had heard from the Stolls, to whom the camps 'no alcohol rule' had never seemed to apply, that it helped you calm down. It calmed him down alright but only after burning its way down his throat and into his stomach. He resolved not to have another one. Percy didn't speak he just sat on the ships sofa listening to his own nautical compass and occasionally glancing with worry at Thalia. She was still motionless except for her fast shallow breathing so no change but no improvement either. Percy wasn't sure if that was good or bad.

A New York City hospital

Percy estimated that he was about fifty miles inside the Bermuda triangle before exhaustion got to him and he finally passed out. Even in a powerful boat like the Tempest they had barely made it past Charybdis. He wouldn't have tried after his last experience with the malevolent sentient whirlpool but he did have any expendable crew to offer to her sister like Clarisse had. Plus he'd experienced Scylla's attack before and he didn't fancy round two.

When he regained his senses he was in a long corridor in a sterile white building. On his side of the corridor was a line of steel chairs interspersed with low tables, on the other were doors all the way down to more doors at either end. Was he in an office block? He glanced around quickly for something that would give him an idea of where he was. On the table next to him were several leaflets, he picked one up and tried to read the header:
"Bellevue hospital" it read "ensuring your wellbeing since 1736".
Bellevue? Percy recognised the name. His fifth grade history teacher had suggested a visit to their psychiatric ward after he'd been stalked by a Dracena on the way to school. Mr Bolton had been willing to hear him out until he'd said that the woman following him had had scales and snake legs.
But why am I here now? Was the boat sunk? Was I fished out of the sea and brought here for treatment? No, that couldn't be right; they wouldn't have brought him all the way back to New York.

He glanced looked around at the sound of a door opening at the end of the hall, and was shocked to see someone he recognised in conversation with a doctor. As the pair came into earshot what the doctor was saying confirmed that he wasn't mistaken.
"I understand your concern Mr Blofis but there is no rushing this sort of thing"
"I know that doctor I just . . . I just want to hear my wife's voice again."
"Of course but she will only come to once she had recovered sufficiently. There is no speeding the process."
As the pair talked they kept walking towards Percy. He stood silent waiting to see if Paul would notice him. Apparently neither he nor the doctor did. They walked straight past him to a door further down the corridor, Percy followed.
"Just let me go in and check on her condition" the doctor said "Provided she is stable you may see her. Just take a seat and I shall only be a moment." She disappeared inside, Paul sat down on one of the chairs opposite and put his head in his hands. Percy moved quietly and sat down next to him.
"Percy" he said suddenly without looking up.
Percy jumped involuntarily "Yeah Paul? What's wrong are you here for mum?"
"Percy I don't know where you are or what you are doing but I hope you are taking revenge on whatever Titan, Giant or whoever caused this."
Percy realised that Paul wasn't actually talking to him.
"Paul no Titans did this it was Zeus" when he tried to reach out a hand to put on Paul's shoulder and comfort him it passed right through with a golden shimmer.
He was dreaming.

The doctor re-emerged "There's no change. You can go in and see her now"
"Thank you doctor" Paul said as he got up and went inside. Percy hesitated a moment, scared of what was inside, but followed after. Inside he found his mother laid on a hospital bed a life support machine nearby and a respirator on her face. She had a neck brace and nasty scars criss-crossed her face caused by the rubble in the collapsing flat. "Sally" Paul said shakily "I don't know if you can hear me but if you can. You can pull through you hear me? You're a strong woman, and I need you. So does Percy. I don't know where he's gone but he left to protect us from harm. If anything more were to happen to you I think he'd . . . I'd." his voice broke and he started crying. Percy was so distraught he had to turn away but what he saw behind him was even worse. Somehow the room had gotten longer and now had more beds in it, and they were occupied. Percy tried to walk past them but he couldn't stop himself from looking, and he wished he hadn't. He turned back again but his mother and Paul had disappeared.

In the nearest bed was Luke Castellan, the son of Hermes abandoned by his father, blood oozing from a wound under his arm and soaking the bed sheets. Next to him was Ethan Nakamura, the son of Nemesis whose mother had demanded far too high a price for the difference he had made. In the final bed was Thalia in exactly the same state as she had been when he'd left her on the boat. He sat next to her bed unable to handle anymore he put his hand on one of the bed rails then yanked back in pain. He looked at the palm of his left hand to see a long thin scar on it like he's slashed it with a knife, blood seeped from the wound and down his hand onto his fingertips.
"What in Tartarus?" he muttered. Then there was a change in ambience. The constant beeping of heart rate monitors was interrupted by a flat whine; the sound of someone's hart stopping. Percy looked a Thalia's monitor in alarm but it wasn't hers, it was Ethan's and Luke's. As he watched their bodies dissolved into gold dust and swirled around then flowed towards him taking on two distinct shapes before him; a spear and a bow. Instinctively he tried to take hold of them; as soon as his bloody fingertips touched them they solidified into solid gold objects. Then they dissipated again the gold dust swirling around Thalia lifting her off the bed and enfolding her like a cocoon.

Suddenly the gold cocoon vanished and she dropped back onto the bed. Shocked by what he had just witnessed but still wary Percy approached the bed.
"Thalia?" he asked quietly reaching out to touch her. Suddenly there was a sound like thunder and Thalia sat bolt upright in bed. Percy lurched back blinded by a flash of light. He blinked awake back aboard the Tempest.

"What was that? A dream? A vision?" he asked.
No. He answered himself mentally they were instructions, and now I know why I needed Artemis' bow.

Somewhere in the sea of monsters

After a few more hours of dreamless sleep Percy checked on Thalia again. She was still breathing but her ragged clothes were soaked in sweat, time was running out for her fast. Percy's internal GPS told him that they were only twenty minutes from the resort.
Maybe, maybe there's still time he thought I need her alive.
He made his way up on deck to see the island paradise in the distance. He stood watching as they drew nearer and more details came into focus. There were ruined buildings in places around the island and some structures he remembered but some still had scaffolding around them as though they were still under construction or repair. The place was clearly open though and the occupants had been busy because the collection of vehicles around the island had grown. Some of them Percy couldn't believe.
Is that an aircraft carrier?!
"Well there it is, Circe's Isle. Time to see if the lady herself is at home" he said "better get below decks. I'm not expecting a warm welcome".

He guided the boat into dock from the comfort of the ship's interior killed the engine and waited. No one appeared for several minutes and Percy began to get bored. He sat himself at the bar and poured himself another drink, lemonade this time, and sat casually on the bar stool watching the stairwell. At last after about fifteen minutes waiting he sensed someone come aboard.
A minute later a female voice, but not Circe, called out from above "Hello? Is there anyone aboard here?" Then a pair of high heeled shoes appeared on the stairwell, as they came down Percy could see they were worn by a girl younger than he was in the same stewardess style getup that Hilla had worn the first time he had come to the island. "Anybody here?" she asked again.
Percy slowly put the half empty glass down "I'm here" he said casually. The girl jumped so high she almost disappeared from view again. Then she descended fully, stepping into the cabin and composing herself. "Good morning sir welcome to C.C's luxury resort and spa my name is Marion. May I assume that this is your first time with us?"

"No" Percy said swirling the ice in his glass, already bored with the scripted bullshit "We're returning clients. Well I am."
"Y-you're a returning client" the girl stammered clearly caught off guard "but your male?"
Percy actually chuckled at the girls confusion "Yeah, I know you don't get a lot of repeat business amongst men but trust me C.C and I know each other quite well"
"I, I see"
"As a matter of fact I would like to talk to her immediately. My friend on the bed as you can see is in quite desperate need of medical attention."
Marion looked over at Thalia and at least seemed to understand that her condition was serious. "Right medical attention yes sir" then she looked around the rest of the ships interior and her eyes bugged "What about your . . ."
"That's all!" Percy yelled cutting her off.
Marion looked absolutely terrified "R-right well if you'd follow me I'll bring you to C.C and then we'll have someone attend to your friend."
Percy glanced around the cabin once more then nodded and followed after Marion.

This was the most crucial stage in the plan; there was no way in Tartarus that Circe was just going to talk to him. He was going to have to defend himself but he couldn't afford to wound her. If it came to it he didn't know if he'd have enough pull to intimidate her. He needed her for this to work. As they walked up the steps towards the main complex he took his pen out of his pocket, because he knew he was going to need it before he got the chance to negotiate. They rounded the corner to one of the scaffold areas and Percy could see a group of women apparently making repairs to the side of the main complex. They stopped and waited for them to finish what they were doing. As he watched three of them blasted green energy whilst a fourth gestured as though moulding it forming a glass window pane from nothing and fitting it perfectly into the window frame. Behind them stood a woman in a long black sleeveless dress with long hair who was clearly directing them; Circe.

"Please wait here" Marion requested nervously then turned and approached her mistress. Percy tried to look casual but he was tensed up ready to spring at a moment's notice. As it turned out his precaution was not unneeded. Marion whispered in her mistress's ear and the sorceress turned to face him.
"YOU!" she screamed her face contorting in a mixture of shock and rage. Before Percy could even speak Circe summoned a ball of purple energy and hurled it at him. He whipped out riptide and deflected it off the blade, it ricochet and hit the newly finished window shattering it like a brick had been hurled through it.
"Come on C.C" Percy joked walking forward casually unconcerned by the deadly fast ball the angry immortal had just sent his way. He could deflect them easily and if he didn't the mark of Achilles would protect him "is that any way to treat returning customers?" She hurled another purple sphere at him but he casually bounced that one away too.
Circe began to look nervous backing away slowly "Attend me ladies" she ordered. Her attendants turned and raised their arms, purple energy forming around their outstretched hands. In response Percy thrust out his own hand and swept it in front of the line of women. Water exploded out of the fountain next to them and washed them all sideways, extinguishing their magic and leaving them coughing and spluttering on the wet marble.
"How dare you soak my girls?" Circe shouted and shot another purple orb at him.
This time Percy jabbed the ball of energy out of the air but its power coursed along riptide's blade making it glow purple. Both he and Circe stared at it.
"Energy sword" he said "Cool" he swung the sword around and a bolt of Circe's own magic shot back at her. She only just had time to raise a ward for protection before it hit her, a good thing too because even though it didn't kill her she was blasted backward flying thirty feet before a marble column stopped her dead. Her aura flickered and died.

Percy approached his sword still levelled at her but she was clearly expended, no energy left to defend herself. She tried to get up but stumbled and fell back.
She raised a hand as if to defend against a strike across the face "Can't you just give me some peace?" She asked weakly "you already destroyed my home once. Those pirate abused and killed most of my girls." She sounded like she genuinely mourned their loss. "Why are you here?"
Percy raised his sword and she flinched but Percy had no intention of harming her instead he thrust riptide into the dirt at her feet.
"To make you an offer" he said putting out a hand to help her up. She looked incredulous but accepted his hand and he helped her gently to her feet.
"What kind of offer?" she asked suspiciously.
"One that comes with a back story you'll want to hear" he told her "And I suggest you listen as it could be very beneficial to both of us."

Well we're here at last. I think we may be about three quarters of the way through now and its already longer than SoaH 1. I thank you for being so patient. If you enjoyed this please feel free to write and review, and don't forget to check out my other project SHIFT. If it gets enough interest I might reactivate it.

Athena's wisdom to you.

-Athena'sPride95