We have news on the PJO front! If you haven't heard already, which I'm sure you have, Disney+ will be making a series on Percy Jackson, that will be nothing like the films! Sadly though, I doubt we will be seeing anything about it this year what with the current state of the world. But still, this is progress, hopefully, we will see something about it early next year.
You might have noticed the change in rating, it will raise once more back to M. This is temporary for now, it was not getting a lot of views in its current state under M and after reviewing the ratings, what I currently have comes under T.
I in no way own the rights to the Percy Jackson franchise or The sword of Truth franchise, I am writing this for fun and in no way intend any harm to either franchise!
Chapter Nineteen
Percy laid on his back as he stared up towards the thatched roof, sheltering them from the rain that continued to thunder down around them. He was frustrated that they still had yet to come up with a decision, his head turning to Annabeth as she caught up on some reading. It baffled him how she could be reading at a time like this, a mission, granted it had just begun, they required assistance and still, she continued to read.
His eyes caught sight of the bow Zoe had let him keep, eying the few arrows he had left, those that hadn't fallen from him during their recent trip through the Pass. He sat up in his bed, twisting his neck ever so slightly to relieve the pain he'd gained from lying awkwardly for so long.
"What do you think they'd say if I were to use their targets?" Percy wondered, looking towards his companion. Her grey eyes looked up to his, a glint sparkled, as a small smile crept across her lips.
"I am not sure, they would likely yell at you in the language of Forage." Annabeth mused. "I might come to watch, it could prove an interesting tale of events."
Annabeth placed the small leather bookmark in between the pages, closing the book with a dull thud. She pushed herself off of the bed, slipping the boots on once more, as he plucked the bow and arrows from beside the bed. He turned to her by the door, stepping out into the drizzling rain, the warmth gained from their room lost in an instant. His eyes caught Zoe's across the cooking fire, surrounded by her most trusted Hunters.
"Lieutenant, Percy wishes to know if he may use your targets," Annabeth spoke, the two stopping in front of her table. Zoe sighed as she rolled her eyes, nodding once in answer, her eyes casting over the papers laid out before her once more. He thanked her as he stepped towards the back of the small village, ignoring the murmurs and disgusted looks thrown his way.
He calmed his breathing for a moment as he stopped at the line, made from a split poplar tree. Percy produced an arrow from the small quiver, noting the sharpened point once more. He already knew that these arrows were meant for humans, expected it, as he'd took them from one of the Quad he'd killed back in Picarion. What he didn't realise was that these were also Hunter's arrows, the points razor-sharp and silver. The trees swayed violently in the thunderstorm around them, sensing Annabeth watching, a few Hunters also, keen to see him fail.
He called the target to him like he did most days back home, the first target seemingly in front of him. He released the string, watching the arrow fly, satisfied with himself as he heard the tip pierce the hide the other end of the clearing, around twenty meters from him. He flexed his fingertips, feeling rusty as the arrow landed in the upper right corner. He ignored the mocking snickers behind him, the sound drowning out in the thunderclaps.
"Good job, thou managed to hit the training target for beginners," A voice spoke behind him. He turned to look, spotting Zoe, a smug smile on her face. She nodded to Phoebe, her bow in hand beside her, watching as she took aim towards the next target, continuing, "Phoebe is the best archer we have, beside myself. How about a challenge?" She grinned. Percy frowned slightly as he looked to Annabeth for translation, a faint smile on her pink lips.
"She is mocking you," Annabeth began.
"I gathered that from the smug expression," Percy interrupted, rolling his eyes.
"She wishes to know if you are up for a challenge, yourself against her best Hunter, Phoebe?" He nodded once, suppressing the smile growing on his face. Phoebe fired with no word or warning, the arrow narrowly missing his nose, feeling the breeze caress his face. The arrow landed with a thud in the next target, around thirty meters away, just off of the centre. Normally, Percy was not one for gloating, he hated turning into Triton at times. He snorted quietly, quickly freeing an arrow from his quiver and bow in a swift motion, one might miss if they blinked.
The arrow landed beside Phoebe's, slightly to the right, the feather fletchings falling to the muddy floor below. He turned, raising his eyebrow, waiting for the next to fly loose from Phoebe. She squinted towards him, feeling the irritation bubbling inside of her at his display.
"Maybe he's not much of a lost cause, after all," Phoebe commented, her statement directed to Zoe. She hummed in irritants, shooting a glare towards her right-hand woman.
"Next target," Zoe ordered, the arrow flying loose into the next target, fifty meters out. They all watched as it sunk into the middle of the target, Percy firing his not long after, landing parallel to hers in the centre. "Alright, Perseus," Zoe spat, "If you think you are matched with the skills of a Hunter, let us see if thou can hit the furthest target, one that only myself and my advisors have hit."
Zoe took the bow from Phoebe, the mass crowd of Hunters gathered around them to watch. He watched as Phoebe wandered out toward the final target, retrieving her spent arrows along the way, moving the fifty-meter target out stopped around one hundred meters, feeling the smug aura emanating from Zoe beside him. She fired not long after Phoebe had returned, her silver outfit caked in mud slightly, her every step kicking the copious slick surface around her.
The arrow sunk into the centre of the hide, the Hunters around them cheering as Percy assessed the range and wind speed. He took aim once more, feeling the pull of the target around him, a rushing sensation pulling the target in front of him. He released his breath, the arrow fleeing the string in unison. A soft crack echoed around the woods, as collective gasps resounded around them. He could sense the stunned aura from Annabeth and Zoe, watching in disbelief as the arrow split hers in two, replacing hers with his in the centre.
"Well, I cannot say I expected that," Annabeth mumbled, her grey orbs, mimicking the colour of the clouds above, turning to his. He smiled broadly, feeling smug himself for a change. "I do not think they are happy," Annabeth giggled lightly. He turned to see Zoe and her advisors storming off, unpleasant sounding words bouncing off of the trees around them.
"Not very nice language," Percy smiled, stunning Annabeth.
"How do you know what they said?"
"I didn't, I can understand body language," He laughed.
"Well I am not translating, that is for sure," Annabeth laughed. The two watched as a few younger members of the Hunters came over to him, babbling in their language he did not know. He looked to her for help, a small laugh releasing at her translation.
"They wish for you to teach them to shoot like that," Annabeth laughed. He nodded and took to arms once more, beginning his teachings.
Luke awoke in his garden, a groan escaping his lips as he looked around. He stood from where he was, noting the charred remains of the sacrifice he'd used to gain entry into the Underworld, feeling irked his plan had failed. He brushed his white robes down, freeing them of gripping specks of mud and sorcerers sand, storming towards the door. He did not know how long he was asleep for, his irritation flaring from the reason behind his slumber.
"Ethan!" Luke barked, the eye-patched man peering from behind a pillar.
"Lord Castellan, what is it?" Ethan wondered, the clatter of his gauntlet thumping his chest in salute. They stepped through towering marble arches, gleaming in the lamplight, the sun streaming through the towering glass ceiling.
"Send out another Quad this instant, they made it through the Pass. I want them stopped and killed, now!" Luke scowled, ignoring the orders yelled from his right-hand man, the clattering of heavy boots marching through the stone columns away from them.
"Lord Castellan, we... We heard odd sounds coming from the garden." Ethan stuttered. "It sounded like... Talking," Luke paused in his strides, his white robes swaying around his ankles as he stopped.
"Talking?"
"Yes sir. It... It did not sound like you, they were talking-"
"There were two?" Luke frowned, feeling weary.
"Yes. They said they were Kronos, your father." Ethan hesitated, unwanting to say who else was present.
"And who was it my father was talking with?" Luke drawled, impatience shining through.
"He said he was Perseus. My Lord, what does this mean, what happened?" Luke held his finger up, silencing the man.
"This is most interesting," Luke smiled, "Delay that order, for now at least. The Seeker may prove useful." Luke continued walking, his footfalls bouncing off the stone bricks that slowly crept into the decor of the colossal building, descending the steps towards the dungeon. "I shall be with my pet if I am needed," Luke grinned, listening to the metal clunking fall further from his earshot.
Bianca grew tired of listening to the Princess. She received several beatings from her for talking with her sister, the kinder of the two siblings. She wasn't all too happy to see her with the Wizard, Malcolm, either. She stared into the mirror, failing to ignore the Princesses smug smile, as she examined her growing bruises.
"Come on, wake up," Kelli snapped, elbowing her in the gut. She held back her retort, fighting off the groan of pain, as she produced the next necklace. Today, Kelli wore a white silk dress, one that showed a generous view of her not so large breasts. The corset helped to push them out, attracting the male gaze in an instant. Bianca no longer wanted to do anything with jewellery, the pain of being Kelli's actual slave would surface too often.
Kelli had two fittings that day, this being the first to meet her next suitor, one that will be gone by noon, his 'kingdom' being too small. The other would be for her wedding dress fitting, the Princess being placed on a strict diet to maintain her correct size. Unfortunately, she would be present for that too, never having a moment free besides suitor times.
Why could I not have been Tammi's playmate? She thought bitterly, I would not complain of being her servant. The final necklace was put in place, the one she yet again chose, Kelli, taking all the credit for herself. She left Bianca alone to clean up the mess, something she was thankful for. Her eyes were drawn to the box atop the pedestal, the sapphires pulsing and humming quietly with repressed power. A knock brought her from her thoughts, the sound of the heavy doors closing behind her.
She turned to see Tammi, a smile lighting her face in an instant.
"You poor thing, why do you let her treat you so?" She frowned. Tammi sat, kicking her heels beneath herself, shocking Bianca at the sight. "Do not ask, I have been on my feet for days now, chasing away suitors of my own. I do not know why mother insists on me finding one, I plan on ruling this kingdom, make it a better place for all."
"I feel you're going to be here a while," Bianca smiled, Tammi humming in agreement.
"Tell me, was this my doing?" Tammi frowned, her icy-blue eyes scanning Bianca's bruised face.
"I do not think Kelli likes us together, I think she feels we are plotting against her," Bianca smirked. Tammi laughed, shaking her head.
"I do not think that girl has the brain cells to comprehend that thought process." The two laughed as Bianca continued to clean, organising the rings and necklaces accordingly.
"You are not to blame for this, don't worry, not fully at least. I am afraid this was from my time with the Wizard." Bianca explained.
"Wizard Malcolm did this to you?" Tammi frowned, Bianca, feeling the Princesses anger flare.
"No-no," She quickly explained, "We were talking was all. About... Stuff and I fear the Princess saw us." Tammi hummed in thought, eying the young service maid, the way her eyes glazed over as she reminisced, circling a lock of her black shoulder-length hair with her finger.
"You like him don't you," She teased. Bianca's face flushed, feeling her skin heat in embarrassment.
"I... I do not," Bianca tried sounding mortified, a joyful giggle erupting from the Princess.
"Yes, you do," Tammi began, watching as she placed the final tray inside the drawers, "So, tell me. What were you talking about?" Tammi pushed. Bianca's eyes caught the sight of the box once more, feeling Tammi's eyes on her back.
Should I tell her? Tammi, of all people, would understand, surely? Bianca thought.
"We discussed current events in the world," Bianca began cautiously. "He told me about the world outside of the city walls, the events transpiring across Mount Olympus."
"About Lucas?" Tammi wondered. Bianca nodded as she sighed, pushing on the draw, feeling it glide smoothly back into place. "Why did you discuss that?"
"I was curious. Malcolm believes Luke is not in good nature, he does not mean well. He says he is after that- The box of Primordial." Bianca held her breath, waiting for the backlash that never came. Tammi remained quiet for a moment as Bianca turned, searching her blue eyes.
"Yes. I have heard rumours of such," Tammi spoke after a while, a sigh leaving her lips. "What is it he wants to be done?"
"He wants to take the box, get it as far away from here as possible, to a man called the Seeker?" Tammi's eyes widened in surprise, nodding for her to continue, "He would replace the box with an exact replica, one that would fool Luke once he arrived to collect his prize."
"So they are true, the rumours. A new Seeker has been named," Tammi mumbled. "And what is your role in all of this?" Tammi frowned.
"To get him in and out with the box, so he can escape before Luke arrives. Please do not tell anyone I told you of this," Bianca panicked, fearing their oddly found friendship to be over.
"Do not fear," Tammi smiled calmingly, "I shall help too, nothing good would become of this land if that man gained the power he sought."
Percy laughed as he rubbed the callouses formed on his fingertips, losing himself in teaching the willing few archery. They found his carefree nature a breath of fresh air, much to the annoyance of the elder teachers. The rain had ceased overhead, the ground still thick with mud along the ground of the target range. He was surprised to see that those he taught wanted to learn more, even during lunch. They sat around him, Annabeth still beside him with a knowing smile affixed her lips.
"I think they like you," Annabeth teased.
Percy smiled as he nodded, his eyes glancing to Zoe's across the away, a menacing scowl that could kill sent his way. He shrugged sheepishly, unable to escape from those he'd taught. He had successfully taught a small handful to split arrows, even helped those achieve their hits on targets that struggled with the further few. Annabeth had helped translate, using Annabeth's arms to guide the Hunter's to the correct ark and pull.
"Do you think they will help us?" Percy wondered.
"If they were, I don't think so now. You have just shown Hunter's how to fire a bow." She laughed.
"No, technically you did," Percy laughed, trying his luck, "You were my translator and helper." He was interrupted by the slam of a bow in front of him, startling him. He looked up into the eyes of Zoe, scowling down to him as she spoke.
"We will call for the meeting with our Ancestors, just so we can get thou as far from us as soon as possible." Zoe spat. Percy nodded in gratitude, feeling a rising bubble of laughter within as he fought to restrain it.
"Thank you, we appreciate your help and all you have done for us thus far," Percy nodded, listening to the translation. Zoe hummed as she turned, heading towards the longest building, three other Hunters in tow. Each wore a wolves pelt, the head of which hung menacingly over theirs. The grey pelt looked damp, as if those wearing it were stood in the showers not too long ago, likely watching his display earlier.
"Who are they?" Percy wondered, looking to Annabeth from the corner of his eye.
"Likely the retired Hunters, the ones that commune with the Ancestors. They, themselves, will be the host if the stories I have heard are correct." Annabeth replied.
The two finished their food, going back to chatting with the gathered Hunters around him, feel no hostility from them like he had before he arrived. He admittedly was showing off a touch when Phoebe and Zoe challenged him. All he wanted to do was peacefully shoot arrows, he did not want to contest against their best, then show them up in front of the others. He was tempted to show off further, shoot his arrow not long after she'd fired, knocking hers off course, following his first with another towards the target.
He'd achieved it before, doing so many times with his own arrow, but he felt like leaving them with some dignity. They did need their help after all. Percy yawned as he asked Annabeth to excuse him, retiring to their temporary room. He felt drained from the events of the day, feeling his movements grow sluggish. He could hear footsteps following him, the sound of soft clattering as boots trod on the wood beneath them. He sensed it to be Annabeth, finding it odd how he could tell.
He'd grown used to her scent, finding it odd that he could pick her out of a crowd of other Hunters, different scents of spiced meats and sweet fruits, the smell of his sweat from the morning. His sense of smell had always been impeccable, recalling back to the times growing up, able to pick out the scent of blueberry pancakes. He could remember the smell cooking over the open flame of their home's kitchen, his mother stood beside it, knowingly waking him from his usual deep slumber.
He stepped through to the room, removing his boots by the door, after wiping them clean. He looked to Annabeth as she placed herself on her bed once more, pulling free her book once more. He pulled a towel free from his pack, one that was relatively small and was rolled up tightly towards the bottom.
"I'm going to have a quick wash, would you like me to save some water for you?" Percy wondered. She looked up from her book briefly, nodding before delving into the pages once more. He peered over her shoulder, looking to the pages below, surprised to read the words written down. His face heated as he turned once more, no longer interested in asking her what the book was. She keeps a level head when reading something like that, especially around others. Percy thought.
He entered the backroom, lowering the pelt that hung as a divider from the two rooms. He was surprised to see a rudimentary plumbing system, having seen one in the councillors manor his brothers shared. The wooden pipes were a collection of hollowed-out trunks, small enough to channel rainwater from somewhere outside. The water ran through a filtration system, warm to the touch as it trickled into the wooden tub in the corner. He waited for the water to rise as he removed his shirt, placing it in a small washbasin, scrubbing it clean. He hung it to dry beside the doorway, exiting through the door as he waited for the tub to fill.
He ignored the blatant stares Annabeth sent his way, as he stepped over to his pack once more. He pulled free a fresh shirt, one to wear after his bath, along with a bar of soap and a cutthroat razor. He tested the stubble on his face, unintentionally giving Annabeth a show as his back rippled with every movement he made. He sat on the edge of his bed, the wood creaking as it shifted under his weight, thankful Annabeth was otherwise engaged to notice his bone charm necklace. He pocketed it swiftly, pulling free the journal from many years in the past, the one he'd recovered from Ebonara.
He re-read the things he already knew once more, scouring over the pages carefully, in case he missed anything previously. After a while, he stood, excusing himself as he entered the washroom. He removed the rest of his clothes, along with the bandage around his injured leg, which looked to be healing nicely with the added help of the Ambrosia plant. He sank into the warm water, questioning whether or not the tub was enchanted. He spent some time soaking before scrubbing himself, ridding himself of the dirt and grime of the days prior. Using the small mirror with the razor, he removed the growing hairs from his face with expert precision.
He returned from the washroom not long after shaving, having rid his face of any clinging hairs with the water. He drained the water within, surprised to see it go elsewhere, much like the councillors manor once more. He didn't know where it went, feeling drained as his fingertips ached from shooting half of the day, something he'd not indulged in, in a few years. He was dried, finishing off with his hair, the clean shirt on him as he stepped into the room, much to the disappointment of Annabeth.
She'd hoped he would at least wait to place the fresh shirt on once more, ashamed to admit she'd like to see him shirtless more often. The thoughts swirling through her mind were ones a Confessor would never dream of voicing out loud, for they were not allowed to have someone they truly cared for. Their powers destroyed the person they once were, essentially making them an obedient slave, one who was fueled by an overpowering sense of love for the one who commands them.
A cold bath was in order, entering the washroom herself, the water changing to her needs. She had been here often before, not this specific camp itself, but others like it. She often stayed with the Hunters in her travels, always with open arms, welcoming a strong powerful woman into their community. She stripped from her woodland garb, sliding the black leggings down her legs, stepping into the lukewarm water, a slight-shocked gasp leaving her lips.
Percy laid down on his bed once more, after redressing the wound and applying more Ambrosia. His eyes closed temporarily, seemingly only for a few minutes, recuperating the lost energy spent that morning and afternoon. He still did not understand what had happened in his dream, finding himself with Luke, talking to the disembodied voice of Kronos. He dreaded what it all meant, meaning to ask Chiron about it all when he found them. Percy hoped he and Grover were fine, hoped the Ossein was taking good care of them.
Hopefully, she would relay the message he told her, telling Grover to return to his brother's. Hopefully, Chiron made it through the Pass safely. He could feel the magic of the sword, pulsing in its sheath at the end of his bed. The magic, although feeding off of the wielder's anger, almost seemed like it was comforting him, telling him that all would be well. He found comfort in the sword, startled by the noise he heard in the washroom.
"Annabeth? You alright?" Percy frowned, hearing a tiny squeak from within. He heard the rush of water, the sound of her stepping out from the tub, looking to the pelt hanging as a divider. He saw the bottom of her legs through the gap, the enchanted silver light dancing on her surprisingly tanned wet calves. She clung to the pelt, worrying her lip as she looked to him, covering herself from his gaze.
"I appear to have forgotten my towel from my pack, can you retrieve it for me please?" She blushed.
He nodded numbly as he stood, retrieving her pack from beside her bed. He held the pack out to her at arm's length, trying his hardest to avert his gaze, stop himself from seeing something and ruining the growing friendship the two had. She rifled around the pack momentarily, before producing what she was after, smiling gratefully to him as she lowered the pelt once more, turning and wrapping herself with the white cotton towel. He was ashamed to admit he saw her curves as the pelt swayed lightly as it fell, giving him the need for another bath, cold this time.
He cleared his throat as he turned, placing the pack beside her bed once more. He stepped out into the cold once more, thankful for the feeling as he looked up to the grey sky. The sun was barely visible in the sky, dipping on the horizon. Time to talk with the Hunters Ancestors was approaching fast. He hoped his translator would be ready when the time came.
She stepped back into the room, her woodland garb drying alongside his shirt in the washroom, wearing only her black leggings and black corset. He averted his gaze, unwanting to succumb to the whim of her appearance. He wondered if she were doing this on purpose, wanting something more to happen. He pushed the thought from his mind in an instant, watching as she quickly pulled on a long white cotton nightshirt over top.
He admitted to himself that he was greatly attracted to her, could see the same in her eyes when he caught her looking. He did not wish to push her, reminding himself that he was her first friend in a long time it seemed, if not ever.
"The Hunters will call for us soon," Annabeth commented, sliding on her boots.
"Yes, the sun is almost down," Percy noted, stepping over to his bed once more. "Have you been here before? With the Hunters I mean?" She nodded as she looked up to him, sitting on the edge of her bed as she slipped on her second boot.
"I have. Not with this group, however, with others elsewhere. There are many branches of the Hunters around Osmia, smaller colonies than this, though. This colony is the largest, where all of the others elsewhere originate. Phoebe will soon become a leader of her own, after passing a trial elsewhere, alongside Zoe."
"You seem to know a lot about their culture," Percy noted, their eyes on one another.
"I studied them as I grew up. I found them fascinating, a band of all-female warriors. I wanted to join when I grew old enough, back when I was a child." Annabeth reminisced, a sad gleam in her eye.
"Why didn't you?" Percy frowned, feeling oddly relieved.
"My duties lie with what I am," Annabeth sighed.
"Mother Confessor, Seeker. The gathering is ready." A voice called from outside.
"Thank you, Naomi," Annabeth responded.
"How do you know who that was?" Percy wondered, standing. He picked up the scabbard from the end of his bed, tying the belt around his waist.
"Because I asked," Annabeth smiled, "How did you know what I said?" Annabeth frowned, fearing he was learning their language quicker than she expected.
"I have gotten used to hearing Zoe and Phoebe in their tongue, I did not hear it this time, was all." Percy shook his head dismissively. He held his hand out for her to leave first, following after her, unaware of the breath of relief she took. She did not want him to learn her secret, not yet at least.