Rhysrhi – You're going to see a lot of pain and struggle on Percy's part. Be prepared. J
A: Ginny say Tom emerging from the diary just as she collapsed in the Chamber.Sherlock Harry Winchester and ShadeofDeath746 are right again.
And yes, Percy's conflicting choices are going to lead to something very intense. This story's going kind of slow, but my aim isn't to just churn out a plot. I love adding the little details to the narrative. I've been waiting since Pumki to write this fic. Power holds a lot of character change and story formation.
Listening to – Castle by Halsey
Monday, Oct. 8,
Hogwarts, 3:30 p.m.
Classes were over for the day and though Harry's sleep schedule required him to rest from four to eight, he was too jittery to even think about napping.
He and Ron stood below the Divination classroom, watching the fourth years pile out as the final bell rang. The Hufflepuff and Gryffindor students stared at the pair curiously but no one stopped to ask. Harry thought he saw one of them wink at him, but he didn't really connect it till the group dissipated and Colin poked his head out from the ceiling door.
"Come on." He said, blond hair covering half his face. He retreated as Harry ascended the steps.
Make this quick and simple. No problem.
DJ and Colin stood next to the seats while Trelawney stood up and gestured Harry to one of the tea tables. Ron hung back with the boys and Harry took his seat opposite her.
Trelawney's olive green eyes were magnified behind her thick glasses. They seemed even more invasive than usual.
"Harry, you had a question for me." She said. She spoke like she was about to start singing.
Harry nodded. "Yes. I just… I wanted to ask if you were my patron."
He had no idea how to go about this. The Oracle had been very persuasive and Harry knew he had to find 'her', but he prayed it wouldn't be too difficult or dangerous.
"Are you afraid?" She seemed to smile even without moving her mouth.
Not of you. "No, professor. I just have to get my answer."
She raised her head, examining his face. Her eyes slid upwards to look at his scar through his long bangs. He fought the urge to adjust his hair.
"It's receding." She murmured.
He waited. Then she looked towards the door over his shoulder and called out, "Come in."
Ron, DJ and Colin nearly jumped when the door opened and Hermione, Ginny and Luna climbed up the stairs. Hermione had a neutral expression like she couldn't believe she was in the Divination classroom after two years of avoiding Trelawney. Ginny and Luna were panting having run from Muggle Studies.
Trelawney immediately turned towards Harry. "Have you told them everything?"
He shook his head. Harry knew that one day he'd have to explain everything he knew. About Rachel, Voldemort's past, his horcruxes and the like. But his head was still spinning with the newly loaded information that Hermione had dumped on his a few days ago.
Apparently, Lily Evans (or Lillian as Luna's mother had known her,) had been a Seer; an undocumented Seer with strong visions. And Luna had said that the ability could be inherited. Harry wondered if any of his dreams had ever been prophetic, but he knew, the moment he'd found out about Lily, that he'd have to ask Rachel.
He was sure Rachel was the more sensitive sibling to psychic powers than him. But the idea of her being his patron had sounded ridiculous. Harry found himself praying that it was Trelawney.
"Secrets rarely stay where they are hidden." Trelawney said. She looked over her glasses, directing the full strength of her eyes at him. It was nowhere near to the sharp, piercing, all-knowing gaze of the Oracle.
Then she sat back with a sigh and answered, "I am, in all probability, not your patron."
Harry just gawked at the straight forward answer which he hadn't expected in a thousand years. There was a snort from behind him. Someone was giggling. He snapped his mouth shut and nodded, face heating up.
"But..." She continued and they fell silent again. "I'd be careful if I were you. Who sent you?"
It took Harry a while to gather his words. "A... someone... who has the Inner Eye."
Trelawney's face was filled with renewed energy. "Oh is it? That's wonderful. But I must warn you. Sometimes, we Seers are directed by greater powers. Are you sure of the source of your question?"
Harry frowned. The Oracle had asked him, but who directed her? Apollo? Some higher being? Who was higher than the gods?
Trelawney leaned forwards. "Someone is seeking you out, Harry. If you do not know who your patron is, it is for your safety. Can you trust the Seer who sent you here?"
From far away, her words echoed to his rapidly moving consciousness. Was the Oracle not to be trusted? Who was searching for him? Patron, by definition, was meant to be on his side.
Harry sat back, stunned. Was this a trap?
Monday, Oct. 8,
Manhattan, 5:07 p.m.
"And turn to the left." Coach Monroe called. Rachel exhaled, feeling the coiled tension almost absent from her body. She rolled to the left, blinked her eyes open and watched the large open soccer field with its mostly empty stadium and freshly cut grass. White paint over the metal benches was nearly as strong as the green of the grounds and her fingers danced over the sharp blades.
"Alright, girls. Hit the shower!" Munroe said, blowing on her whistle, and the newly formed soccer team for the school sat up after their first day of practice. It had been a tough two hours of warm up and then drills. They ended it with mild stretching exercises that required the players to lie down and concentrate on their breathing.
Rachel had been ecstatic when the results for the try outs had been posted up in the sports room. Her name was near the top. She'd spend the weekend in a happy daze, even though Harry and DJ hadn't been able to visit her.
With problems occurring in the wizarding world (not the least that someone was killed, and the village had been attacked, per se), Sirius had grounded Harry and made DJ swear to not leave the castle. Rachel was worried, but they'd reassured her that the castle was still safe.
Back to her life, she was on cloud nine… well, eight.
There had been no word from Percy yet. It had been a week and she knew that the demigods at camp were getting worried. She wasn't sure how she exactly knew that, but it felt obvious to her.
Still, she had made it on the team! That was good news!
Rachel sighed, feeling the stress take over again. She was tired. She knew that she'd sleep well later, but until then…
"Ooh! Rachel, don't look but Hal and Jesse are heading over!" Another newly recruited team member, Isi Nuka giggled. She raised an eyebrow and winked, while Rachel looked over to find the boys in football gear, walking towards her. Hal gave her a nervous smile and an awkward wave.
"He's totally crushing on you, you know that?" Isi whispered in excitement.
"He's like, two years older than me!" Rachel hissed, walking with her towards their bags.
"One year. He's birthday's in November. Chill! He's a sweetie, not like Don or the others."
Rachel knew Hal was sweet. He was polite and funny and never intruded like many others when he'd seen her sketch book. He had manners which were practically unheard of from a teenage boy as Rachel had found out.
He was like Percy had been before he gave priority to camp and the end of the world and stuff.
She was probably being mean, but…
"Hi, Rach!" Hal greeted her, his voice a little high. Jesse coughed and shot her a grin. "Hey, Rachel. Hi Isi, saw you doing push-ups pretty mean."
"Thanks, Jay. Did you see my new jersey? It's over there."
Jesse followed Isi away from them. Rachel caught the sight of a few other girls looking over towards Hal and her.
"So… Hal." Rachel said, looking up at him. She hadn't found him particularly appealing, but if she wanted to have a nice first date, there was no one else better.
"I've… sorta… wanted to ask you since Homecoming… but –"
He hadn't even finished his stuttering sentence when someone yelled from all the way across the field, "RACHEL!"
Immediately, she spun on the spot to gape at a half hazard Percy running over to her from the gates. He was rugged and worn like he'd had a stupidly incredible growth spurt, because he seemed taller than before. He seemed in desperate need of sleep. But he wasn't hurt and bruised and she couldn't help but scan every inch of him, from his muddy converses and torn denim, to his dirty hoodie and messy hair.
"Oh my god! Percy!" She threw her arms around his neck when he reached her and he barely caught her, not even stumbling back. She squeezed him tightly, feeling a giant weight lift from her chest, a weight she'd been denying for days.
Percy squeezed her back but only for a moment. It was almost enough, but then he held her by her forearms, firmly pulling her away to look her. His eyes seemed to burn into hers with an intensity that couldn't be human, and he whispered, "Rachel, listen to me. I need you to call Annabeth."
That name broke the heady feeling she'd been in. It snapped her out of her wishes and Rachel clenched her jaw, her smile disappearing into thinned lips.
"Why?"
"It's important! Rachel, please! Nico isn't here. He –"
"He's at camp, I think."
"Then I need you to call Annabeth, tell her to bring Nico with her to Central Park. I'll be waiting for them."
"Why Central –"
"That's where Grover is!" Percy's voice sounded close to screaming at her. His eyes were wild and powerful, swaying her to his words. Her heart stuttered when his voice broke.
"You found him?!" She exclaimed.
"Yes! I think so. I hope so. Rachel, call them now!" Percy was yelling. He was also leaving her. He was running away, sprinting towards the end of the ground, growing smaller. She watched as he took one sudden leap and propelled himself over the eight foot wall and onto the other side.
Dimly, she heard Bolt calling her, telling her to phone Annabeth. She could also see Hal standing stunned at her side. She reached into her bag to get her cell, feeling like she was sinking into the ground softly, silently, unnoticed.
Percy took a cab because he was already out of breath. His stomach ached with hunger and his throat was parched. But he needed to find Grover first. Then they could gorge on all the cheese enchiladas they could find.
Central Park, Tom had said. It made sense to Percy after the explanation. Grover had argued with the Council and had left camp in a huff. He took help from the dryads, travelling from tree to tree, sort of like what Harry could do, dropping off at where he was now heading.
Percy knew Tom was telling the truth because of what had happened to the park. Weeks ago, there had even been a news article on it. The park had gone silent. The article had been about the low bird population in the park. Tom had deduced that something had spooked them away. Percy had directed his thoughts towards the park, reaching out through the mind link until one of the metaphorical strings vibrated in response.
Grover was in Central Park. Something had happened in there. The place was a huge section of greenery in the middle of the city. He was too weak for Tom to search him out. He needed Annabeth and Nico.
They were going to find him. Percy got out of the cab, and spoke to the driver. "I paid you. Go on."
He ran before the driver could process the words. There were not as many crowds as a Monday evening usually had, but it didn't bother Percy. He ran done the stone steps and reached the fountain, drinking some of its water to renew himself. The taste was terrible, but he continued, jogging towards the trees.
His heart was beating wildly. I'm here, G-Man. Where are you? Send me another signal.
Grover was quiet. His mind was blank and Percy let out a strained cry, trying to squash down the burning disappointment.
"You said he'd be here." He told Tom. "Where is he? Find him! Find him now!"
"Percy." Tom stood in front of him. His eyes were narrowed and his hands hung motionless by his sides. "There's something watching you."
Percy swallowed, hand immediately going for Riptide. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up.
Then, there was a rush of air and the shadow of the trees beside him shimmered. Percy stepped back, already knowing who it was. Nico and Annabeth materialised from the darkness. They were holding hands, blinking to adjust themselves to the warm surroundings. Annabeth's head snapped towards him.
Percy let out a rush of air. The tension that pulled him down lessened and he sighed, grinning at her. She'd fix this. She'd find him even if Tom couldn't. Percy pulled her towards him, wrapping his hands around her, sinking into her skin and hair, pulse relaxing.
"Percy!" Nico called and Percy looked up, smiling.
"Hey."
"Hey?" Annabeth pushed at his chest. Her eyes burned into his. "Hey? That's all you gotta say?"
She was angry?
"I..." He couldn't even come up with an excuse before she grabbed his t-shirt and yanked him in again, pressing her lips to his. He groaned, kissing her immediately. She wasn't furious, she'd been worried. Annabeth's grip on him didn't give and he didn't want to be apart. The long distance thing was not helpful. He should stay with her at camp. Yeah, that sounded right, then he could kiss her anytime –
"Guys!" Nico yelled. They pulled apart, breathing hard. Nico's face was flushed, looking away from them. "You said you found Grover! Is that what you were doing the whole week?"
Annabeth looked up at Percy. He had a few inches on her now. He couldn't stop smiling. "Yeah. Yeah! That's where... I had a dream about it, so I left. I know, I'm sorry for not telling anyone –"
"That was so dangerous." Annabeth said, frowning. His orange camp t-shirt was still curled in her fists. "Going alone like that was reckless. Was it that urgent?"
"Yes." He lied. "I had to, Wise Girl. I need to find Grover. Something happened to him, the Titan army got to him and I'm going to get him back. I nearly reached Florida when I ran into the Erymanthian Boar again and that's when it hit me. Pan had once said that the spirit of the wild has to pass onto us, but what if he meant that literally?"
Nico's eyes widened. Annabeth took a step back. "You mean our guess was close? That Grover is actually the next Lord of the Wild? Is that why they took him?"
"I think so." Percy said, making it up as he went. "It's this whole park, Annabeth. It's silent. None of the trees' spirits are responding. I saw the same thing in a wildlife refuge. The dryads weren't there. It's like they're stuck in their own trees."
"Someone's messing with the wild." Nico wondered.
"Something like that." A fourth voice said. All three demigods turned to see a woman with captivating eyes. She wore a bright red frock with white leggings but her smile was the most beautiful feature.
Percy and Annabeth stared at her, speechless because while it was far too easy to keep looking at her, there was something in the air that pricked at him. It was Nico who took out his sword first. The deadly black blade of his sword snapped them out of the trance. The woman glared at the Stygian Iron and Percy saw her eyes flicker red. She wasn't human. The Empousa hissed, angry at her glamour fading.
"Immune?" She hissed. Her hair rose up as though the wild curls had turned into snakes. She reminded Percy of Medusa, except he watched as her eyes went into slits and she hissed at them.
There was answering growls all around them. Several demons that emerged from the forest. They had sickly yellow scale like skin with horns protruding from their back, head and hands. The monsters stood at least eight feet tall, about a dozen of them forming a circle around the trio.
Annabeth stepped closer to Percy and turned, placing them back to back. Nico raised his sword, backing towards the couple. They were surrounded.
"I should introduce myself. My name is Delia. Excuse the company, please, we were expecting someone else." The Empousa simpered. "Someone... less divine, you could say."
The hairs on the back of his neck stood up. Percy felt the bracelet tingle for a second.
"I was really looking forwards to meeting..." She heaved a sorrowful sigh. "No matter, we can change our plans. Flexible office timings make it all worth the while."
"I doubt the pay's any good." Annabeth snapped.
Delia giggled, a dainty pitch. "Four figure gold, darling. Doesn't get any better than that."
Her body shifted back to human form trying to get his guard down again, but he was prepared now. Percy shifted his gaze back to the towering demons. The more he stared, the more features seemed to show. Their horns looked like bones sticking outside their skin. Their eyes were a glow of orange and red and their low growls filled the air. The park sounded completely empty of any other kind of life.
"Omikron." Annabeth whispered. It was the name of one of camp's battle formations. He knew what to do.
Percy dropped to one knee, letting Nico place a foot on his back. Annabeth grabbed Nico's arm and with sudden momentum, pulled him just as he leaped upwards. Speed was important. Nico twisted and threw his sword. It flew to slice off the heads of two of the monsters.
The demons roared as the ones who were hit turned to sulphur. They rushed forwards, but Percy had already taken his dagger out, rolling once to swipe at the closest monster's legs. Riptide was swung around his back and he took out a third demon. He landed roughly, scraping the skin on his knuckles but got up again.
Nico and Annabeth fought together. She'd tutored him many times and they worked well enough, moving in tandem. Nico used the shadows and was able to sink at least four of the demons before he could retrieve his sword. Annabeth used her dagger to great effect. She shielded him, moving with adexterity that the demons didn't possess. Nico reached his blade and then she dove to the left, all three demigods separating and reaching behind the monsters, who were too tall to react suddenly.
Percy sucked in a breath just as a huge arm, nearly as thick as his torso, slammed right in front of him. It was impossible to engage in a hand to hand combat with the monsters. He was right when he assumed bones to be embedded on their body.
Percy brought Riptide in front of him to drive it into the demon's throat. The blade chopped several hard bones before sinking into the tough flesh. As the monster dissolved, he felt shorter claws pierce the skin below his neck. Percy choked.
Leave them, she whispered. Her voice was melodic and his mind went dizzy from her sweet breath. He could feel her lips touching his ear and his grip on his sword and dagger weakened. He watched dimly as Annabeth and Nico faced five of the demons on their own.
Come with me, she hissed. Percy wanted to obey. He was about to turn when the locket on his chest, nearly forgotten in the heat of the battle, grew hot.
Tom stood there, eyes burning an angry red. He glared at the Empousa and said, "Kill her, Percy. Now."
His mind cleared. He squeezed his eyes shut before opening them. He saw Annabeth and Nico and held Riptide tight again. Percy reached back, sinking his dagger into the empousa's side. As she shrieked in anger and pain, her claws slipped from his skin and Percy turned swiftly, sending his sword through the top half of her body.
Annabeth slashed at one of the demon's knee and as it fell towards her, she slit its throat before, darting to the side to avoid another attack. Nico took down another one but he was tiring quickly. He'd used too much of his power and Percy stepped in to stab one of the monsters' back. He twisted his sword, holding tight as it shrieked and roared.
Suddenly the monster tugged its weight ahead and Percy yelped as he was hauled forwards. Riptide was in its gut, but it was still standing. It turned around and Percy barely saw the meaty arm fly towards him, backhanding him away.
He felt sharp pain hit him below his shoulder. The demon's bones punctured into his body at several points. He felt it break both his collarbones. He wasn't sure if he was screaming. He couldn't breathe. Something was flooding his lungs and it wasn't air or even water.
He was floating. It seemed like underwater, but the colour was so bright, he wanted to flinch away from it. White light seared his eyelids and he curled up into a ball trying to shield his face. It wasn't working. The brightness was sharp like physical pain.
A recruitment...
Percy's ears pricked. He could hear voices.
... vital to the cause... permission...mortal magic...
He felt dread like a physical pressure in his system. Percy raised his head but the light was hot now, burning his skin.
...right choice...
Percy recalled that voice. It was Kronos, speaking through Luke's body, possessing it.
...do it...myself...
The brightness receded and the pain disappeared. Percy's head sunk into a pillow. The bed was tangible. He could get the scent of cookies, bacon and strawberries. Pine was faint but it was there.
His eyes snapped open. He was in the Infirmary at Camp Half-Blood. Kayla Knowles was looking at him in surprise.
"Jackson! Hey, we thought you'd be out for the entire day."
Percy gripped the sheets. "What... happened?"
"Well, di Angelo brought you here. There was an extra set of bones sticking out of your chest. Luckily, they weren't yours, but you did bleed a lot. There were scars all around your neck too, but they looked a few days old."
She gave him a doubtful look. "Where'd you been?"
He could still feel the locket on his chest. So they hadn't been able to see it. Percy sat up, gingerly touching his chest through the new shirt. His upper chest felt a little sensitive, but it didn't hurt.
"I need to talk to Chiron." He whispered, more to himself. Then he looked up at her. "Where's Annabeth? And Nico?"
"They're fine. They got you here, said something about the Titan army recruiting people onto their side." Kayla gave a faint shudder. She shook her head then. "Chiron's not here, by the way. He went with Argus to investigate the forestry disturbances. Annabeth said Central Park had gone silent."
"It's not just silent." Percy swung his legs to get out bed. "I have to talk to the counsellors."
"Most of them are in the Big Hous –"
"Perfect."
He tried to run but winced at the exhaustion that had crept into his bones. He walked as brisk as possible and came upon a small crowd on the porch. Kayla was right behind him, telling him to take it slow, but he knew this couldn't wait.
"Perce!" Adam from Cabin 9 called in surprise, raising his hand for a fist bump. Percy obliged as the others turned and the conversation stopped.
Annabeth gave an exasperated huff. "You're supposed to be resting, Seaweed Brain!"
Nevertheless, she walked forwards and pecked his lips, holding his hand tight. Someone catcalled at them but Clarisse spoke silencing everyone.
"Jackson!" She barked. "Is it true? The Titans want to recruit Harry?"
Percy told them his vague half sense dream. Will Solace and the Stoll brothers spoke up at the same time, but Charles Beckendorf shushed them.
"Damn it!" Chris Rodriguez said quietly. "That's the last thing we need. I doubt we can fight wizards. They have wands and magic, they can just strike us long range."
"Harry'd never go over to their side!" Nico argued, shocked anyone could think badly of him.
"He's not talking about Harry." Silena Beauregard muttered. "Any wizard could be a problem. You said there was that incident in Rome with demigods and wizards and monsters. Could it have been them? Were they trying to take Harry?"
"No." Percy let out a shaky breath, leaning into Annabeth's side for comfort. "That... They're different. I could tell."
"I hope so. Because if the rumours of Ajax the Lesser are true –" Stanley said. He was standing next to Nico and Harley, trailing off uncertainly.
Percy had the clear memory of getting hit by an arrow point blank. His body seemed to seize up. Annabeth immediately wrapped a hand around his waist.
"We can't be sure though. I don't believe Harry will join them, but the same can't be said for the other witches and wizards. There are a lot of them and most don't know about us. If the Crooked One can get to them, manipulate their thoughts and make them think their doing the right thing, we're all in serious trouble." She said. Her words made Percy swallow.
"Can we get Harry to... I don't know... get people to not join with the Titans... like, just to stay in their school castle thingy?" Connor asked, worried.
"That would include him having to reveal everything about us to them." Will pointed out. "Are we ready for that?"
"Would that be so bad?" Harley asked. Had that question been put forward by anyone else, there would have been a snappy retort, but Silena and Nico replied at the same time.
"We can't be sure, Harley."
"Sweetie, it's still risky..."
Percy closed his eyes and frowned. "We can't let the army get to any of them. They're a population in the low millions, but most of them are immune to the Mist. They're already in a war, so tensions are high. We need to find a way to contact a majority of them and discuss the situation."
"Discuss what?" Kayla asked, eyes wide. " 'Hi, we're demigods. There's a slight possibility that a Titan army may come knocking, don't open your door?'"
"Pretty sure they'll freak out over us, much less the gods and titans." Will nodded.
"Then we introduce ourselves first." Travis suggested. Everyone stared at him. "Guys, it's not nice, but we have to make do. Like, we can hold a meeting, invite some of Harry's friends and have a tea thing. Brits do that, right?"
"Tea and chips." Nico confirmed. Harley chuckled.
"Can we even afford something like that?" Clarisse asked. "It'd be a big risk, exposing ourselves."
"They'd be exposed too." Percy said.
"Yes... but try to think how it would go. Where would we meet? Who's gonna go for this thing? It can't be too many of us, that could scare them off. It could make them react. And too many of them can make us react. How the Hades are we supposed to make this diplomatic?"
"We could meet in the Atlantic Ocean. It's midway."
"Shut up, Stoll."
"Actually, mid way would be in the Bermuda Triangle. That's so cool."
"No, it wouldn't." Percy sighed. "Look, we can get a few of Harry and DJ's friends to meet with some of us. Just a handful. That's a start."
"Sounds slow. What if the titans are already recruiting?" Adam said.
"Then we can't wait." Annabeth declared. "We have to start planning this now. To make it as peaceful as possible and to start including more people till we reached a tip over limit."
They stayed quiet, wondering the implications of exposing their world. It was mind bending. Percy felt the locket twitch but stamped down the urge to look up. He was sure Tom was standing there, watching them.
Hal had quit it and said a vague and sudden goodbye before walking away, legs moving at a brisk pace. Rachel's shoulders slumped. If she could, she would have blamed Percy for everything. But he was a world away scouring the lands for his friend till he'd had to come back. It wasn't his fault. And yet, as she called his girlfriend, Annabeth, to inform her of the development, Rachel felt incredibly diminished to a supporting role that barely got enough screen time.
She was a minor character in her own story.
She kicked at the grass, making her way from the grounds to the entrance. Allan was due to pick her up. But before she could leave the lawn, she heard her name in its entirety.
"Rachel Elizabeth Dare…"
The words were slow and measured. Rachel froze, feet sticking to the grass, eyes losing focus. The world seemed to tilt and shimmer as though there was a veil pulled between her and everything else. She felt detached from everything as she slowly turned and spotted Luke Castellan seated on one of the low benches at the edge of the field.
But it wasn't Luke. His mortal body seemed to glow with an earthly power. Rachel felt her voice die and her muscles atrophied. Bolt was there, silent as well. They were in the presence of a Titan. And not just any Titan, but the king.
She couldn't move her body. To her horror, her legs walked towards him, carrying her unwillingly and making her sit on the bench beside Kronos.
Her fingers were trembling. Rachel's eyes were focused on the scar that looked like it could split open and bleed ichor at any given moment. Kronos smiled. Luke's face stretched as he turned his entire body towards her to face her properly.
"Relax." He told her. She could hear the immortal's tone through the demigod's voice. It was horrific. She wanted to run away but she was stuck in her cage of flesh.
"I won't hurt you, Dare. I just want a conversation. Please, calm down."
The use of the word 'Please' did nothing to placate her fear, but at his words, there was a slow soothing wave of relief that surrounded her and Rachel exhaled, not even having realized that she hadn't been breathing.
She watched as the air shimmered with whatever magic he had used to make her relax. The colours of purple and silver fused like electric charges, almost invisible, but she caught them surrounding Luke's body.
"You're very good." Kronos said. He seemed pleased. "Luke had made a mistake not asking you to lead him to Daedalus. He would have gained precious time."
Rachel couldn't respond. She still couldn't look him in the eye. The last time she'd seen him, she'd thrown her brush at him to give Percy a quick second to escape. Kronos seemed to know where her thoughts were and he chuckled. She cringed.
"That was quite brave of you. You're very insightful. Reckless as well, but then again, what teen isn't? But enough chit chat, I'd like to delve into the matter."
Luke, no, Kronos leaned forward and Rachel's spine froze again. She could see the smile still adorning his face, but she couldn't look up any higher than his nose.
"I'd like your help, Rachel."
No. She panicked. No, please don't.
"It's nothing much. I'm not asking you to wear armour and wield a sword." He shook his head as though it was a crazy thought. "No, I'm just interested in your abilities."
Abilities?
"Your clear sightedness is one of the best senses a mortal has had in centuries, I'm willing to bet." Kronos said, still not looking away. Rachel's entire frame was under pain from the force of his gaze.
"Not to mention, your intuitiveness. That is definitely rare. You're a gem of your generation, Rachel. Personally, I don't know what you're doing here, stuck with all the other mortals like you're one of them."
He exhaled, his lips rising on one side in a show of sympathy. "I know of your visions."
The words shocked her back into movement. Her eyes flickered upwards and she caught sight of molten gold light that seemed to shine through his irises. The Titan was looking right at her. She swallowed, her throat going dry.
She suddenly felt Bolt's familiar weight settled on the back of her neck, her fur radiating warmth. Kronos moved away, sitting up straight, eyes glittering at the sight of her puppy.
Don't look at her. Rachel wanted to say, but she couldn't. Her bravery was gone. She was alone, defenseless in front of the most powerful being in present time. She was sure that if she made one wrong move, he'd vaporize her.
Kronos seemed to read her thoughts. He raised an eyebrow, a very human, regular gesture. It threw her off balance.
"Your power is wasted here, Rachel. You have so much ability to tip the scales of war if used correctly. I can show you how to wield your magic."
There was something in his tone that made her forget her fear for a second.
"I… I don't have magic." She whispered.
Kronos looked at her, incredulous. "Who told you that? Of course you have magic!"
Rachel thought about her hospital visit and the certificate that declared her a Squib. She thought of her daydreams of being a witch, buried under sardonic humour. She thought of Harry and DJ, on the other side of the ocean attending a school for magic while she stayed in Manhattan. She thought of Percy and Annabeth and Nico, demigods under their own power while she was relegated to her mundane life.
She hadn't realized how excluded she had been before now.
"You have an incredible potential." Kronos continued. He seemed less frightening. Rachel swallowed again.
"Potential for what?"
Kronos smiled again and looked down at her bags. She hadn't bothered to change even though she was bathed in sweat. He sports bag was next to her school satchel and she knew what he wanted. Wordlessly, she reached down and opened it, drawing out her sketch book. It was one of her rough notes which she carried everywhere she went.
She offered it to him, not even sure if she was doing it willingly. Her survival instinct told her to obey his words without question.
He flipped through the pages taking note of any detailed works. Many of them were random doodles with no real pattern or character. They weren't pretty or 'good', but she did them when she was bored or in need of inspiration.
He stopped at the latest sketch. Rachel flinched when the page was laid out in between them. Kronos looked very curious.
It was a large outline of Camp Half Blood. She had drawn the Big House and the forest line, along with the tops of a few of the cabins. There was barely any real detail, but the most eye catching thing about it was the flames she had drawn over the buildings and on the ground.
"Tell me what you saw." He said, his voice so soft, it felt like silk. Rachel clenched her hands on the bench.
"It was burnt to the ground." She whispered. "Everything was gone."
"And?" He asked.
He knew it. He knew what she'd seen. Rachel felt her eardrums cave from air pressure. The noises from the road had reduced.
"I saw a mummy… her… its eyes were glowing… they were green… she was looking at me…"
She shut her eyes and bit her tongue. He couldn't know. She shouldn't tell him. He was Percy's nemesis, the bad guy. She waited, for an onslaught for what felt like an eternity.
"I doubt Percy even cares about you at this point. He has a lot of work, not least of which is looking out for his friends."
Kronos shut her book and Rachel felt the kick of his words. Was she not Percy's friend?
She took her book and hugged it, waiting for him to speak.
Leave, leave, leave.
He looked at her. "Whoever told you that you didn't have magic should be taught a lesson. I could show you exactly what you can do, Rachel. You have an ability that's rare even for our world. It should not be denied. The greatest crime here is to treat you like a commoner. I think you're a queen."
"Queen." Rachel repeated. "ἄνασσα."
Kronos looked impressed. "Yes. You know your Greek. Or rather… you know your destiny."
His words made her shiver. She wasn't sure whether she was afraid or excited.
He grinned at her. Then he reached into his pocket. Luke wore a regular shirt un-tucked over denim. It was a good look for him.
"Hold out your hand, Rachel." He told her as he drew something small and silver. It looked like a bracelet, delicate and beautiful. Rachel felt drawn to it.
She lifted her arm and he clipped the chain around her wrist. It dangled, its lone charm hanging in plain view. Rachel saw a design carved on it. It was a staff with a curved sword at its end. She couldn't recall the name.
"When you decide to embrace your power, just squeeze it tight. It's your choice if you want to be somebody, Rachel. No one can take that away from you."
Kronos gave her a small nod like a Victorian gentleman and rose from the bench. Rachel was so caught by the beauty of the silver bracelet that she hadn't realized when he'd left.
Bolt shuddered as she leaped onto her lap. The puppy sniffed at the ornament. "A scythe, Rachel. That's his symbol. He wants you in his army."
Would you look at that? Hee hee. Stay tuned, everyone!
Q: When did canon!Rachel realise that she was Oracle host material?
Cabba.