AN: Hey guys, I hope you enjoyed the last chapter. Perseus and Zoë will get together, but just not yet. I hope you guys aren't too mad about the prophecy, but we'll see how it goes from here. Again, thanks so much for the support. I never thought I would get this much love and feedback, as when I first started writing this, I just thought it was a one off, but I've had other stories as well in the works, so thank you guys so much. Also, I know Thalia had some anger issues, and I know some people don't like that, but I think eventually on this quest, Thalia will warm up to both Perseus and Max, we'll see. Anyways, please enjoy!
Recap:
The Oracle's mouth opened, and green mist started to pour out.
Six shall go west to the goddess in chains,
One shall be lost in the land without rain,
The bane of Olympus shows the trail,
Campers and Hunters combined prevail,
The Titan's curse must one withstand,
And one shall perish by a parent's hand.
As soon as it ended, the green mist faded, and the Oracle sat down, and was as still as she was in the attic of the Big House.
Present:
Perseus helped Max and Grover bring the Oracle up to the attic.
"What do you think Chiron will do?" Max asked.
"He'll send a quest," Perseus said. "What else? Besides, you'll definitely be on it."
Max looked at his brother strangely. "What makes you think that?" Max asked.
Perseus rolled his eyes. "Why else would you volunteer? It's not like your future girlfriend is in mortal danger or anything," he said nonchalantly.
Eventually they heard a romping sound. "Chiron called the cabin leaders to talk about the prophecy," Thalia said angrily. It was easy to tell that she didn't like Perseus or Max. "Tell Max to get his butt downstairs," she said, turning away and romping down the stairs.
"Well, you heard the lady, let's go," Perseus said, turning to walk down the stairs.
"But you're not a cabin leader," Max protested.
Perseus gave his brother a smirk. "Since when do I do things people tell me to do?" Max smiled before following his brother downstairs.
The council was held around the ping pong table in the rec room. Zoë and Bianca took one side of the table representing the Hunters, while the cabin counselors sat around the end of the table and Dionysus and Chiron sat opposite Zoë and Bianca.
"This is pointless," Zoë grumbled. "We must save our goddess, the Hunters must leave immediately."
"And go where?" Chiron asked.
"West!" Bianca exclaimed. Perseus took in her appearance. She was much different from her original look, having her hair done into a single braid that rested on her shoulder. "You heard the prophecy, Six shall go west to the goddess in chains. We can get five Hunters and go."
"Yes, Artemis is being held hostage, we must go now!" Zoë exclaimed angrily.
"You're missing something, as usual," Thalia tutted. "Campers and Hunters combined prevail, we have to work together."
"I agree with Thalia," Perseus said, stepping out of the shadows and causing everyone to look at him. "While the Hunters are skilled, some campers have skill and power which will help you guys along the journey."
"We do not need thy help," Zoë said, looking at Perseus. Perseus could tell she was still angry at him, but he needed to explain. He knew he wouldn't be chosen to go on the quest, but when did he ever follow rules. Screw fate, he was going no matter what.
Perseus zoned out for a few moments, before hearing something about a winter solstice meeting, which piqued his interest.
"Artemis must be present at the meeting," Zoë said. "She has been very vocal on the council arguing for action against Kronos. If she is absent, the gods will do nothing and will lose another year of war preparation."
Oh joy, the gods doing nothing, what a surprise, Perseus thought.
"I agree with Zoë," Chiron said. "Artemis' presence at the solstice meeting is critical. We only have a week to find her and the monster she was hunting. Now we must decide who goes on the quest."
"Three and three," Perseus said simply.
Everyone turned to him. Perseus gestured to his brother, who knew what he was trying to say.
"We can send three Hunters and three campers. That way it's fair," Max said.
"Besides, you'll need all the help you can get," Perseus added. "Like I said earlier, you guys are skilled. However, the campers are better than you think."
"I would prefer to take all Hunters," Zoë grumbled.
"You'll be retracing Artemis' path," Chiron reminded her. "You will have to move quickly to keep on the trail of the monster Artemis was hunting. Too many Hunters will give away the scent."
"This monster, I have no idea what it could be," Zoë said thoughtfully. "I have been hunting with Artemis for many years, yet have no clue what it could be." She stole a glance at Perseus, seeing if he knew, but he shook his head in response, leaving Zoë a little annoyed. "Chiron?"
"I have a few ideas, none of them good," Chiron started. "Mr. D, you?"
Everyone looked at Mr. D, as he was the only god present. "Don't look at me, ancient monsters and titans are lame. Besides, I'm a young god, why would I know?"
Chiron sighed. "Well it could be Typhon, he's definitely a bane of Olympus, but if it was, we probably would have known. Keto maybe, but Poseidon would have let us know. I fear this monster could be more powerful and more elusive."
"That's some serious danger," Connor Stoll said. "It sounds like at least two of the six will die."
"One shall be lost in the land without rain," Beckendorf said. "If I were you, I'd stay out of the desert." The campers and Hunters murmured their agreements, and Perseus sighed. He was honestly getting bored. He knew they'd have to stay out of the desert, and the Titan's Curse was holding up the sky, but what he was worried about was being killed by a parent. He knew no camper or Hunter's parent would want to kill them except for Zoë. He didn't know of her relationship with her father, but he assumed it wasn't good. The thought of Atlas killing his own daughter made Perseus' blood boil, especially because it was Zoë.
Eventually, after a lot of bickering and arguing, it was decided the Zoë, Bianca, and Phoebe would go for the Hunters, and Thalia and Grover would go for the campers. However, they needed one more, and after the meeting, Zoë walked up to Perseus.
"Can you come on the quest with me?" Zoë asked sharply.
Perseus turned around, and gave a small smile. "I can't. I have something to do. However, take my brother. He is good with a sword, and his water powers are improving. Besides, he really likes Annabeth, and he'll do anything to find her, so at least he'll have motive."
Zoē nodded, and turned away. However, before she could get too far, Perseus called out to her. "Zoë!" He called, causing the Huntress to turn. "I did come looking for you, you just never saw me," he said somberly, before disappearing into mist and allowing Zoë to ponder what he had just said.
Perseus appeared next to Chiron. "Hello old friend," Perseus said, startling the centaur.
"Oh, it's just you. Hello Perseus," Chiron said kindly. "Is there something you need?"
Perseus sighed. "It's Max. I'm afraid he won't gel well with Thalia. They are too alike. I'm trying to teach him to be more calm, and he's getting there, but it is still too easy to get under his nerves. Would you talk to him about the quest?" he asked.
Chiron smiled. "Of course. What about you?"
"I've been giving him too many pep talks recently. I think he'd rather have you, and he might actually listen for once. Also, tell him to give his mother a call," Perseus mused, causing Chiron to chuckled and trot away to Cabin 3.
Perseus took his leave and vapor travelled to a familiar apartment in Manhattan, in which he heard laughing, which confused him. Perseus knocked on the door, and a few minutes later, Sally Jackson opened the door, and beckoned him inside.
"Hello Perseus, how are you and my son?" she asked.
"I'm fine, and so is Maximus. You might receive a call from him soon," Perseus said. "Who's the person over?"
Sally turned red. "He's a guy from my writing seminar."
Perseus wiggled his eyebrows, causing Sally to laugh. "Anyways, I have some news from camp. You'll probably hear it from Max too, but I'll let you know the basics, and he'll probably tell you the stuff that's important to him, not to the rest of the world," he said, causing Sally to snort.
Perseus stopped. "Wait, he knows about Max, right?"
Sally shook his head. "Not about the Greek stuff, but in general, yes," she said. "He didn't care, which was nice."
Suddenly, Perseus heard a voice. "Sally? Who's at the door?" Paul asked while coming around the corner and landing his eyes on Perseus.
"Hello, I'm Paul Blofis. You are?" he asked kindly.
"I'm Perseus. I'm Sally's son's brother, but we didn't meet until a few years ago. It's great to meet you," Perseus said. "Would you mind if I steal Sally for a few minutes, it's about her son."
Paul nodded. "Yeah, I'll just go back to the sofa. See you in a few minutes, Sally?" Paul asked.
Sally nodded before Paul walked away.
"So, what's happening?" Sally asked.
Perseus sighed. "I'm not going to say too much, but a goddess was kidnapped, and Maximus was chosen to go on the quest," he said, causing Sally to look at him nervously. "However, i will be joining the quest, whether the gods like it or not, and I will keep an eye on him," Perseus said, causing Sally to give him a hug.
"Thank you for looking out for Max," Sally said.
Perseus smiled. "I always will. However, he is getting more capable, and eventually he might be taking care of me," he said, causing Sally to crack a smile. They exchanged goodbyes, and he gave her a wave before heading out the door and vapor travelling away.
LINE BREAK
Perseus reappeared by the beach at Camp, and sat down on the beach for a few moments before heading back to the Hermes cabin to get some rest. While he was respected in camp, people didn't know who he really was, and he wanted to keep it that way. Hopefully Zoë wouldn't go blabbing, as while they weren't on the best of terms, he doubted Zoë would do that.
At around 5 in the morning, Perseus was jolted away by an invisible person. "Perseus, wake up," the voice whispered. "Meet me outside."
Perseus got up groggily and made his way outside the cabin. "What is it Maximus?"
"There's something by the beach, Blackjack told me, and I thought I'd bring you along," he said.
"Thanks," Perseus said sarcastically. "I feel loved. Let's go." Perseus followed Maximus and got on Blackjack on the beach, and had an interesting conversation with the pegasus.
"Hey Blackjack, thanks for taking care of my brother," he said.
Wait, you're boss' brother?" Blackjack asked. So you're big boss?
Perseus chuckled. "No, I'm just his brother. He's the boss. Also, never stop calling him boss. He'll hate it forever, but he'll never do anything because of his bond with you."
Sure thing, big boss, Blackjack neighed, causing Perseus to sigh.
"Let's go, brother," Maximus said. Perseus stayed on Blackjack, causing Max to cock his eyebrow.
"You can do this on your own. It isn't too difficult, I assume. Just call me if you really need me. You are more than capable," Perseus said with a smile. Max returned it and jumped into the sea.
Perseus waited for a little while, and was chilling out and meditating above the ocean when he heard Max come up from the water. Success boss? Blackjack asked.
"Yeah, I rescued some baby...I don't know," Max said. Perseus smiled.
"I knew you could do it, come on, let's get ready for your quest," Perseus said, getting ready to head back on Blackjack.
"I had a dream last night," Max blurted. Perseus looked at him, and gestured for him to go on. "Annabeth was being held by the General, and Luke was there too. They had caught Artemis, and they forced her to hold something, as Annabeth was about to die. The General was taunting them, but luckily they are both still alive," Max said.
Perseus looked away. He knew now that Artemis was holding up the sky, something she could not do forever. "Come on, you have to get back to camp and get ready," Perseus said, avoiding the conversation about Annabeth.
When they got back to camp, Perseus waited for Max to gather his things, and they headed towards Half-Blood Hill. When they got there, Perseus saw Thalia and Grover standing together, and Zoë, Bianca, and another Huntress standing next to each other. The other Huntress, who was well built and burly, scoffed. "I thought we were only going with one boy. I don't want another pig coming with us," she sneered.
Perseus narrowed his eyes and walked towards her. "Phoebe, is it? Daughter of Ares? You don't like me? I honestly couldn't care. Besides, aren't you on a quest to save your mistress? Honestly, you are dumber than you look, and that says something. You should be grateful that Max, Grover, and Thalia are even willing to come on a quest with you," he shot back.
Phoebe reached for her hunting knife and stabbed Perseus in his chest, which would have killed him due to him not wearing any armor. However, the knife just bounced off his skin. Perseus grabbed Phoebe's arm and swept her legs from underneath her, causing her to fall to the ground. Perseus knelt down beside her, putting her own knife to her throat.
"You would be wise to watch your step, girl. I assume your mistress told you who I was?" Perseus asked. Phoebe shook her head defiantly. Perseus smirked. "Well, to introduce myself, I am Perseus, son of Thetis and brother of Achilles." This caused Phoebe's eyes to widen. "You should know who I am, but I did not die in Troy. I killed Agamemnon, and defeated Apollo before helping the Trojan royal family escape. I have murdered countless of people who deserved it, and I am not opposed to adding another person to that list. I have killed more men than you probably have, and yes, most men are assholes, but not all of them. Just because I have a dick, doesn't mean I am one, and just because you don't, doesn't mean you aren't one." He threw the knife away and stood up.
He offered his hand to Phoebe, who looked at him with a shocked expression. "I apologize for my actions. I do respect the Hunters, however it was the easiest way to make things clear. I will do anything for Max and his friends, and that includes Annabeth. Now if you hurt them, or impose your stupid feminist bullshit, I will kill you. Don't underestimate them," He warned, before mist travelling away.
Maximus was standing next to Grover and Thalia, and after that exchange, Thalia looked at him weirdly. "What's Perseus to you?" she asked curiously.
Max sighed. "It's complicated. Honestly, I'm not sure if I can tell you," he said apologetically. "However, I think he'll tell you soon."
Before they went to the van, Maximus heard something in the wind behind him. "I'll see you soon, brother."
While the quest got underway, Perseus was wandering through camp when he saw Nico sulking by the campfire. Perseus walked over to him. "Hey Nico, what's got you down?"
Nico looked at the ancient demigod. "You were at Westover!" he exclaimed.
"Yes I was, my name is Perseus," Perseus said with a smile. "So, what's up?"
Nico looked down. "I'm afraid for my sister," he admitted.
"Bianca?" Perseus asked. Nico nodded.
"I'm afraid she won't survive the quest. She's still young, just twelve, and she's going on her first quest," Nico said sadly.
Perseus looked at Nico. "Can I tell you a secret?" he asked the young boy, who nodded eagerly.
"I'm going to sneak on the quest too," Perseus said, which caused Nico to perk up.
"Can you protect Bianca?" Nico asked. "Please? I'll do anything."
Perseus cracked a smile. "Of course I'll protect her. I promise," Perseus said, causing Nico to crack a smile and wrap the ancient demigod in a big hug.
"Thank you thank you thank you," Nico said quickly.
Perseus chuckled. "No problem Nico. I have to go and prepare, but I promise she'll come back to you."
Perseus turned into mist and vapor travelled away. "Cool," Nico said in awe.
LINE BREAK
Perseus reappeared in his penthouse in Manhattan. He didn't need to live luxuriously, but he needed the space for his demigod life. He gathered some weapons, which included his brother's sword, which he had started to use since he gave up Anaklusmos, and his hidden blades. He loved them, and while he didn't always use them, they were his favourite weapons besides his sword.
He grabbed his weapons and picked up a drachma. "O Iris, goddess of the Rainbow, please accept my offering," he said, tossing the drachma into his rainbow. "Show me Maximus Jackson."
The rainbow's image shifted, and Perseus saw his brother and the rest of the quest members in the van. He quickly looked at their surroundings, and saw that they were near the Washington monument. Perseus quickly swiped through the mist, ending the IM, and vapor travelled to the Washington monument.
He reappeared on the grass by the monument and spotted the van a few blocks away. He saw the questers enter the Smithsonian, but he also noticed a man in a long black coat enter the Museum of Natural History across the street, which appeared to be closed for an event.
Perseus entered the museum behind the man, and saw Luke, and the coated man, and saw a man in the shadows. "Well?" the man asked.
"They are here, General," the cloaked man said. "They are in the rocket museum."
"The Air and Space Museum, Thorn," Luke said.
Perseus watched as Thorn and Luke spoke to the General, Atlas, and informed him that the six questers were there. Atlas yelled at Thorn for his incompetence, causing Thorn to leave with his tail tucked between his legs.
Perseus watched as Luke and Atlas almost spoke like equals. Atlas mentioned a monster, and getting Thalia to lure it to them.
Perseus was about to leave, when he heard, "Do you have the teeth?" Atlas asked a guard.
"Yes General," the guard said nervously.
"Plant them," Atlas ordered.
The guard planted them and watered them with what Perseus assumed to be blood, causing the soil to bubble.
The dirt trembled. "Do you have the scent?" Atlas asked.
"Yes, my lord," a dracanae said, handing Atlas a silvery fabric that Perseus recognized to be part of the Hunter's uniform.
The skeletons erupted from the soil, and Perseus swore under his breath, recognizing the warriors. He knew they would recognize him sooner rather than later, and he vapor travelled near the dracanae with the scarf and killed it with his hidden blades. His face was hidden under his cloak as he killed another monster, but when he looked the skeletal warriors in the eyes, he knew he had to warn the questers. As a skeleton grabbed part of his cloak, he vapor travelled away.
When he reappeared outside the museum, he saw part of the cloak was missing. "Skatá," he swore. He would have them on his trail the rest of the quest. He ran into the museum and immediately saw a monster.
"Kitty!" A little kid shouted. Unfortunately, it wasn't a kitty. It was the Nemean Lion. The six questers were having trouble penetrating the lion's skin, and Perseus knew they were in trouble. He vapor travelled in front of the lion, his cloak still covering his face. The Nemean lion looked at him, and lunged, opening his maw to try and eat his head off. Perseus easily dodged, before vapor travelling a few feet away. He gave the lion a cheeky wave before the lion charged again. Instead of dodging, Perseus charged the lion, and cocked his wrists, unsheathing his hidden blades. When they met, Perseus dug his hands into the roof of the mouth of the lion, causing it to disintegrate, leaving a pelt in it's wake.
Five of the six questers were looking at the cloaked man in shock, while a certain son of Poseidon was smiling. The cloaked man took off his hood and revealed himself to be Perseus. "Hey guys, what did I miss?"
AN: Hey guys, I just wanted to say something about Perseus. Yes, he is powerful, like in Timeless Warrior, I just haven't really shown him using his powers and combat abilities that much, only with Ares and a little bit with Thalia. However, on this quest, he will be using his powers and skills much more, and will basically single-handedly carry the quest. So yeah, just wanted to point that out. Anyways, please let me know what you guys think. Thanks so much, and please review!