(A/N)
I deeply apologize for the HUGE hiatus but I am back and have brought you a chapter I am very proud of. I hope you enjoy.
PG
(Annabeth POV)
I watched as Percy prayed on his knees, his hands cupped together in front of his face like a sideways bowl. I had only prayed to my mother once and it was during dinner so I kinda just talked aloud hoping she heard, but maybe his way is better? I might even get an actual response from my mom.
Tyson stood beside me his face stretched in a grin, a bit unsettling if you ask me but I guess he's happy he might get to see his dad. I looked out to the sound waiting for a sign that his father had heard, but there was nothing, no ripple in the water, no stilling of the far waves. Nothing at all.
I heard a growl and turned my attention to Percy who was radiating anger, his body literally beginning to glow gold and green. Tremors started then stopped and he breathed in deeply.
"Guess the gods just decided nope to me today," I heard Percy whisper. Then his eyes narrowed at the water and his eyes started glowing even brighter green. The water started to still, as though it was frozen in time and looking at Percy only deepened my anxiousness not to be his enemy ever.
His eyes were still a bright green, as around his body, the air wavered and distorted with the heat radiating off of him. Then he started walking forward stepping on the surface of the still water.
"You guys coming?" Percy asked his voice strained.
Hesitatingly putting a foot down on the water rewarded me with the sensation of solid ground. The water didn't ripple around my foot, it was literally like standing on cement. Tyson didn't hesitate and was already caught up to Percy, a smile plastered on his face still. Percy turned back and gave a small smile and waved his hand towards him. At that gesture, I started running across the solid yet warm water.
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"What happened back there?" I asked looking towards Percy and his glowing green eyes.
"My dad decided that I didn't need his help," He turned his gaze on the ship. "We need to hurry if we want to catch that ship, I can only slow it down for a little bit while also keeping the water solid."
What was Percy? Was he just a god in the body of a human, a true child of the god of the sea Poseidon? The fact that he was doing all of that with what amounts to a year and a half of training is amazing.
"Well, how are we going to board it?"
"I slowed it down and made the water solid. Do you honestly think I can't get us on that ship?"
I nodded along, I needed to clear my head and actually think, I am a daughter of Athena I can think my way through this small problem. He has a few ways to get us on the ship A) use a ladder, B) lift us using the water, C) have Tyson throw us up there and use his powers to lift only Tyson.
"Oops, sorry," I apologized allowing a sheepish expression to cover my face. He just smiled and kept walking.
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It was fifteen minutes later, with a few boosts in speed from Percy that we finally reached the boat. I am very happy to say that I had already guessed the way we were getting on the ship with him using option B.
"Now be quiet guys, we don't know who's on here," I whispered to Tyson in particular. He nodded his big eye full of curiosity.
The ship was smaller than I had initially expected but was still quite large, with hallways nearly 60 feet long. The architecture of the ship was great but it felt too empty and smelled like skunk.
"Percy! I can smell sulfur, which means there are monsters on the ship." I whispered fiercely at him. That damned god sending us on to this boat instead of just magiking us to the golden fleece. He nodded his head before opening room 234 and walking in. "What the hell are you doing? There are monsters we have to get ready to fight them!"
He continued nodding before walking towards the bed and collapsing, his head hitting off the side of the bed frame.
I rushed towards him, eyes wide with worry. 'I should have known he was tired, you can't stop a ship and solidify water without expending an outrageous amount of energy.' Tyson ran to him, his feet making a dull thump that made me wince.
"Ok, we'll be fine, he just needs a little bit of rest then we will go," I mumbled trying and failing to reassure myself. Pulling out my knife I shut the door and locked it, my hands trembling as I did.
I lay my back against the wall facing the door and closed my eyes trying to still my thundering heart. 'Badump badump BADUMP' The sound was everywhere letting the world know exactly where its prey hid from it. Then a sound came to match my own, a cracking of wood and a deep growl formed of an ungodly amount of hatred. It got louder filling my head alongside the crashing of my own heart. I squeezed my hilt tighter preparing for the first true fight I would have without Percy or Luk or Thalia. This was going to be my moment of reckoning.
Then the noise stopped before starting a hasty retreat and I breathed a single sigh that I hadn't realized was there. How did Thalia and Percy ever fight monsters? How did Luke walk into that garden and attempt such a dangerous quest? I was nearly dead from a heart attack and I hadn't even seen the monster.
It's because I don't have their power or skill, all I have is intelligence and an adolescent cyclops. That will have to do if we get attacked.
"Tyson, I need you to be ready if we get attacked, I'll try to help but I'm too weak to be much help," I started before looking towards the door, "I also need you to put that dresser in front of the door ok?"
Tyson nodded quickly before a grin stretched over his face and he went to pick up the dresser, a loud scraping noise happened before it was silenced as he lifted it fully off the ground and lay it in front of the door. It wouldn't stop them but it could give us the warning we need.
"Now, let's go to bed, ok Tyson?"
"I keep pretty lady sleep, brother mad if hurt!" Tyson exclaimed loudly.
"Tyson quiet please!", I exclaimed in a whisper.
He nodded and sat down in front of the door, watching as I climbed into the bed and lay down beside Percy.
"Goodnight Tyson," I whispered my heart slowing down as my eyelids got heavier.
"Goodnight pretty lady."
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'Boom'
I jolted out of bed, my eyes searching around the room in fear. My lungs expanding in my chest as I tried to calm down.
The room was dark with the only sign of life being Tyson who was standing in front of the dresser, which was now moved.
"Where is Percy?" I asked lowering my voice in slight anger.
"He go fight bad man, bad man is here," Tyson answered in his usual cheerful voice.
Who was the bad man? Maybe a god that came on the ship or maybe an ancient monster that hasn't been seen in years. There was only one way to find out and that was to find Percy.
"Let's go, Tyson!" I yelled starting towards the door with my dagger ready.
He smiled and started moving the dresser when another set of tremors caused him to fall, the dresser hitting my foot.
"Ahhh, fuck! Dammit, what the hell!" I started crying, my leg pulsing with pain. I looked at it to see that it was facing the wrong way without any conscious effort. The tibia or fibula was visibly cracked in half.
"Oh no Tyson did a bad!" Tyson started crying as well trying not to look at me. I gritted my teeth and ried to push the dresser off my leg which only caused me more pain.
"FUCK. Tyson please get it off!" I screamed at him. I didn't want to but it hurt so damn bad and it would seem that it cut me as well since there was blood pooling from under the dresser.
He closed his eye, with tears falling out and grabbed the dresser. I knew he meant well but he didn't lift straight up and in turn scrapped more of my leg.
"AHHH!" I cried out my vision gaining dark spots as the pain increased. "Straight up, Tyson straight up!"
He finally did it and stared at me with fear in his eyes but at that point, I didn't care. I crawled to my bag and pulled some ambrosia out, breaking a piece off and swallowing it, making sure my leg and foot were in the right direction so that they didn't heal wrong.
My foot had large patches of the skin torn off and as the ambrosia took effect it started laying back in the right spot but some of it was too high and left small scars all over my foot.
'BOOM' Another quake happened, sending me to my side as the ship rocked violently. Tyson grabbing the wall, breaking through it to get a good hold before he could fall.
"What the fuck are you fighting Percy?" I asked the tears drying up. "Let's go, Tyson, I need help standing for a little bit."
He picked me up bridal style and grabbed the bags as well before we headed out again, more quakes hitting before finally a minute later they stopped fully.
(Percy POV)
I woke up sweating my heart nearly breaking through my chest. I had seen them all again, the terror on their face as Hyperion crashed through them. The disappointment on Hestia's face as I bargained for Annabeth's afterlife. That was one of my bigger regrets, I had truly put her above everyone else. I had seen the crazed look on the monster of earth's face as she struck down everything in her path. The hopeful stare of Thalia as she told me not to do this alone. I was unworthy of her hope, it was me who had made it needed in the first place. The hateful glares of the three fates as they accused me of failure. It was horrid to see all of that and oddly made my head hurt.
"Brother, you awake," Tyson said happily from his place, in front of a dresser? Where were we, the last thing I remember is waiting for Hermes to come to me when I...Oh yeah, he went to Annabeth instead and we are on the damned Andromeda.
"What are you doing Tyson?"I asked.
"Protect pretty girl, you be happy!" He exclaimed.
"Shut...up Thalia," someone moaned quietly from behind me. Turning around showed me Annabeth with her arm over her eyes and a snarl on her face.
"I told you... I was smarter than you, aren't I...Luke?" She was talking in her sleep which was undoubtedly adorable.
I got off the bed slowly so I didn't wake her up before turning back to Tyson.
"There is a bad man on this ship and I think he knows we're here, so I need to go fight him. Will you keep her safe while I'm gone?" I asked staring into his eye.
"I protect pretty lady," Tyson said quietly.
I nodded before walking out of the room. Once I was down the hall I allowed that familiar rush of power surge through me. My senses seemed to expand nearly five-fold with me able to feel where everyone was on the ship. The corridor lit up from the light in my eyes. A golden hue overtaking nearly everything as warmth spread through me. I could see a transparent me walking through the door to the outside deck in multiple different ways. My headache was gone in nearly a second and my breathing eased immensely. Everything seemed clearer and I already had three plans on what I was going to do.
"This feels great," I sighed my power slowly calming. "I'm hungry for crab legs."
(Luke POV)
I was standing in the captains quarters, an empousai standing beside me once again trying to seduce me. I will admit that I have played with them once or twice but I knew how far I could go without them ripping my throat out. That, however, was not what was bothering me. The fact that three people had gotten on my ship after full on slowing it down is what worried me. I had sent a cyclops to check out what it was but he jumped overboard with a sword through his chest when he didn't attack them. It was disappointing that such measures had to be taken but evidently, a 'god' was here. I wanted to attack them immediately after but if it is a god then they may take offence so instead, I've made a feast for them.
"Luke dear, when is this 'god' going to come, I want to rip their throat out," The empousai, whom I believe is named Stacy, hissed from beside me. She wasn't that smart but she was evidently a very powerful empousai, born from the blood of Lamia and the sperm of Thanatos. With parents like that, it's no wonder so many monsters follow her. I have also noticed that her shifting ability is nearly on par with Aphrodite, but it never truly hid the bronze leg.
"You can try, but I will not be able to save you if you do attack," I said exasperated before my attention was drawn to the camera of hall two. It was steadily getting brighter there, a golden glow shining through the entire hall and blinding the camera and at that moment I knew the Cyclops had been correct. There was a god on my ship and he seemed pissed, so it was most likely an envoy from Poseidon's kingdom, coming to negotiate or destroy me.
"How did they find me, my Lord!" I screamed in my mind, fear tearing through my body.
"They did not find you boy, but you must be wary and send all you have at this foe. He is your death otherwise," The ancient and powerful voice of Kronos spoke in my mind.
It calmed me slightly to know that we could defeat this enemy we just needed to overpower them. I made my mind then and there.
"Stacy, gather your monsters and kill him, he is dangerous but he is no god," I growled glaring at the fading glow of hall two.
"Yess, my love," she spoke in my ear before clunking out of the room.
I was not done and I would not die to some god wannabe.
(Percy POV)
"Ah, seems they realized I'm coming."
I stopped and listened to the hissing and growling of monsters as they got closer. I pulled out riptide allowing its glow to overpower mine. I watched as nearly a hundred monsters raced to the clearing and as a giant crab broke the surface of the fountain in the centre.
"Hello there!" I yelled up to them doing my best impersonation of Obi-Wan Kenobi as I could. Which I thought was great since my sword glowed blue like his light saber. In the front of the gathering of monsters was an empousai, her body admittedly one of the best ones I had seen on a monster.
"You may not be a god in power but definitely one in looks," She said seductively, her hips swaying as she walked closer. Licking her lips, which were a vibrant red and then I felt the tell-tale sign of charmspeak. She was trying to win without fighting and she almost did.
I jerked back breaking the hold of her powers, my own rushing through me to meet it headlong. I glared before rushing at her, a Laestrygonian blocking my sword swing with a metal rod.
"Aww, I wanted to keep you but I guess we'll just have to kill you," she whined her lips forming a pout.
"Sorry for disappointing you but I like my free will," I shouted back as my sword tore through the body of the giant. He was quickly replaced by another who was also struck down. I was tearing through them like the paper they were. Then I decided to amp it up, my eyes glowing gold as heat spread over me, then flames erupted a mix of orange and gold.
I blasted forward, my rush causing a massive bang and the ship began rocking. My sword gone as I punched through most of my enemies. Sending a Laestrygonian into the wall of the hallways. The ship kept shaking as I launched enemies and blasted off the ground.
The entire deck was covered in scorch marks and dust. I could feel the flames diminishing, my skin red from the heat.
"Ah that was beautiful, do it again," The empousai yelled and I could feel myself calling on my flames before I stopped glaring at her.
"I am not your puppet!" I yelled the water reacting to my anger and slamming into the ship with loud booms.
"Oh I know, my puppet can't be stupid," She said with a toothy smile that made my heart speed up.
"What the fu-," I started before I was crushed by a giant and very angry crab. I crashed into the wall, landing in a pile of dust as the crab rushed me again.
My head was ringing and there were dark spots throughout my vision. Even with all the steam rising from my hot skin I felt cold, looking down showed the reason. There was blood draining from my leg where a large piece of wood stabbed through.
"Owww," I groaned trying to lift myself up. That was halted as the crab slammed into me. The wall broke behind us as the crab kept going, stabbing its leg through my left arm. I summoned water underneath it before freezing it into a blade and sending it through the bottom.
"Ahh, that was less fun than I thought it would be," I groaned summoning Hestia and Apollo's power. My body regenerating blood at nearly ten times the normal speed. All the wounds scabbed over then the scabs dwindled till only small scars were left behind.
"Wow, that was even cooler, but I have to kill you now," She rushed towards me pulling a small dagger from her side. She was already in front of me by the time I brought up riptide, my movements sluggish from all the fighting.
I twirled riptides hilt in my hand and slashed at her, the bronze smacking bronze as I hit her leg. Her dagger sliding through my skin as easy as it would butter. The blade smacking against my rib.
"Ahhh!" I yelled in pain before pushing some water from the ocean at her. It smacked into her sending her into the fountain. Her head made a loud crack as it broke the stone sides. I healed my side as well before summoning some water to slam her into the deck of the ship. I slowed my assault to see if she was dead when all of a sudden she flew out of the water with black feathered wings.
"What the fuck?" I whispered staring as the demon/angel flew into the sky.
"That hurt you bastard, but I suppose even you have flaws," she said her voice still smooth and lovely. "We just have to fix that and you'll be the perfect father."
Wait, what?
"Oh no, I am not going to have sex with you!" I yelled.
At that moment Annabeth and Tyson burst through the door. Annabeth was glaring at me her hand wrapped around her dagger.
"What. The. Actual. Fuck, Percy!" Annabeth yelled as Tyson jerked away. "Why would you have sex with her?"
"What?" I asked stupidly my head ringing from all the yelling.
"You heard me you bastard, were you planning on selling us out too?"
"Annabeth, look around, I obviously wasn't going to sell you out to the dead monsters."
"Oh sorry."
"Is that mean man?" Tyson asked pointing at the empousai.
"You fiend, I am the hidden goddess Omorfiá!" She exclaimed in glee.
"More like Pséftiki omorfiá," Annabeth yelled back.
"You dare!" She screeched before flying towards Annabeth dagger at the ready. Her dagger met Annabeth's halfway and right was she was going to pull back Tyson grabbed her and hugged her. I watched as he started whispering in her ear, her face going pale as she silently screamed. Tears ran down his face, his eye closed as he finally finished whispering and squeezed one last time turning her to dust.
He turned his head to his hands before he looked at me with a strained smile. One that couldn't reach his eye.
"I protect pretty lady," he choked out. "Brother happy?
I rushed forward and hugged him, my arms wrapped around him. I wanted to show him I wasn't afraid of him.
"Yes, Tyson I am so proud of you," I turned to Annabeth who was staring at Tyson in shock. "Let's go, I don't think we should stay on this ship."
"I saw a bunch of lifeboats on the side," Annabeth said turning in that direction and leading us.
(Tyson POV)
I didn't want to do it but brother had told me to protect pretty lady. So I grabbed what I could now see was actually a mean lady, not a mean man.
I grabbed her and wrapped my arms around her, I knew I was strong, brother had told me that much already. Even with that knowledge, I didn't know if I could kill her, I didn't want to. She was a pretty, mean lady and she was so scared when I grabbed her. I could feel it in the way she tensed up. I didn't want her to die without at least knowing why. She deserved a better death than me.
I was also dumb, pretty lady showed me that. It wasn't like she meant to but she did. I loved pretty lady, she was like my new sister. I was told to protect her and so I would, I may not be smart but I am strong. I don't think I'm strong enough.
"I so so sorry," I mumbled to the pretty, mean lady. Her body was turning blue, it was a beautiful colour but it didn't belong on her. I squeezed harder, I could feel something crack but I didn't want to think about it.
"Brother told me to protect pretty lady, I had to, I sorry, I started crying, the tears rolled down my fat cheeks. "I can't let you hurt sister."
She started making choking sounds, I didn't like it. It hurt to hear her, it hurt to squeeze her, it hurt to know I was the one who hurt pretty, mean lady.
"I didn't want to," I whisper one last time. She stopped struggling and instead leaned into me. I didn't want to but I had to, to be strong.
I did it. I squeezed hard, everything breaking into pieces like she was glass, then she became ash. She was drifting away, not like a mean lady but like the feathers that made her wings.
I didn't want to. I didn't want to, but I did. I was strong for sister. She needed me and brother would be proud of me, right?
"I protect pretty lady," I tried to explain. I don't want brother to hate me. I love brother more than anyone else. "Brother happy?"
I needed to know that he still loved me, I need to know I was strong again.
He ran at me, and for a moment I doubted him. Did he hate me? Was he going to kill me and show me that he didn't love my strength? I didn't know but I wouldn't fight, I love brother.
He hugged me. I thought maybe he planned to show me how beautiful ash lady felt. I was scared but he didn't hug tight, he hugged with love like he always does.
"Yes Tyson, I am so proud of you," Brother said, his voice nice and calming. I stopped listening, nothing mattered because brother was happy and sister was safe.
He grabbed my hand, pulling me along with them. I was tired and for once I felt weak. I was happy she made me weak, I couldn't wait to see her again.
(Luke POV)
Why? Why did he win? Why was she and everyone else gone? I was right, I was the hero of this story and yet he kept winning. That damned monster stole my closest ally. I hate them all.
"It was your father. He was the one who sent them to your ship."
I could feel my righteous anger flare up. He had tricked even Annabeth into following Olympus' corrupted ways.
"My lord, I need power," I growled out. "I can never lose like this again. I will protect these monsters next time."
"I see. I will send another army to Florida. I expect you to get them, then get the Fleece. Only then will you have your power."
"Yes, my Lord."
(Omorfiá POV)
I remember my birth. It was confusing to watch as Thanatos raped Lamia. I still do not know what led to this but I was glad for it. If this had not happened then I would not exist.
I had lived for thousands of years, watched the world go by as I feasted on over eager men. I waited as the world shifted and the gods moved. I moved with them, only because of Minerva. She was a boundary god and would always set a boundary for us then make sure we came. I tried to stay away once and she sent a demigod son of Zeus for me.
I then spent years in Tartarus before he took pity and released me. I was so happy. It was a new time with lights blocking out the sky and smoke clogging up the universe.
I later learned that the god Pan had disappeared. He was the only god that treated monsters fairly. He allowed us freedom until we gave a reason to be stopped. I searched for over 70 years before I learned of a prophecy. It was about a child that would either destroy or save Olympus. I wanted to find them, to protect them as they went on their way. I was trying to find the exact specifications for the chosen one. That was unfruitful in every respect. Then I heard of a child of Hermes who was gathering monsters. I knew he had to be the one. A child of the gods who cared for monsters meant that he was probably against Olympus. If I could keep him alive maybe we would no longer be so hated.
"My name is Luke," A boy with sandy blond hair and blue eyes said. He was handsome but I couldn't help the chill that went through me at his look. I would later regret my decision to help him.
We were travelling on a ship, I think it was called Princess Andromeda. I thought it would be easy, then a god showed up. I thought he was at first at least. He walked out of that door shining like a star, his green eyes bright emeralds and his hair like a black hole on his head. He gave off the most power I had ever felt, but Luke said he wasn't a god and he always somehow knew everything. He even knew my real name at one point before he decided I should be called Stacy.
I thought maybe his looks are what made him 'godly' but then he decided to burn. He turned into a start and supernovae all over the ship. Only me and the crab survived. I was scared but I couldn't let him see. Then he nearly died from the crab and I held hope that Luke was still the chosen one.
I tried so hard to kill him. Then he slammed me with water, so much water. I taunted him when I escaped, I had hoped to make him lustful, make him happy. I could feel that he was going to be the true chosen one.
Then he happened. A presence so much greater than even Thanatos appeared in me. It was as though time had decided to stop and I woke up in the arms of a sobbing cyclops.
He whispered to me, his hug killing me slowly. I choked, I wanted to know what I had done to make him go this far. Then he told me. I appreciated the despair in his voice, but it hurt as well. I leaned back into him, I wanted him to be happy. I needed him to stay with his godly brother.
I saw him as I started my final breath. He wasn't looking in horror. No, he was sad, he cared for the cyclops. I had found the real chosen one and I would try harder to protect him next time because he would make us safe again. I would finally be accepted by people and it was these three that would do it.
I don't think he felt it, but I sent some of my shifting power to the sad cyclops. It would be a long time before I come back but I can help while I'm gone. A squeeze later and I closed my eyes, a deep relieving sigh escaping my lips.
'I'll be back good boy' I thought my vision fading with the arms of my killer the last thing I saw.
(A/N)
I hope that the chapter was as hard-hitting for you as it was for me. Also, everyone who has reviewed, followed or favourited thank you so much for the love. Anyone who is reading this for the first time or just a reader who doesn't have an account to favourite, thank you as well. My next chapter should be tomorrow.
Hope you enjoyed this chapter and until next time my children.
PG