Ch21
Magnus again had another one of his dreams, but this time he was in a forest covered in snow. These are really getting old he thought as he looked around.
"Well I see you got the sword and armor traitor," said the familiar voice that echoed throughout the area.
"Who are you anyway?" He asked. Laughter filled the area and a figure appeared in front of him. The figure took the form of a male around his age with blonde hair. His eyes had a sinister look to them and his face looked horribly scared. He wore a Boston Red Socks jersey and everything about him sent shivers down his spine.
"I am just your friendly neighborhood trickster," The man said with a wide grin. "I was hoping that you and that muscle headed daughter of Thor would duke it out," he sighed and looked as if his birthday had just gotten canceled. "Oh the chaos that would have happened if you and the son of Poseidon died at her hands; it would have been the best practical joke ever," he said before laughing like a maniac.
Magnus stared at the man in shock, he looked very much like a blonde Joker from Batman. "You are crazy," he said, it was literally all he could think about saying.
"Oh crazy am I? How about you? You keep on trying to fit in with the Greeks but they probably will kick you out if they find out who you really are," the man said with a smile.
"I know who I am and the camp is my home," Magnus said glaring at the man. "You know nothing about me anyway."
The man looked at him with a grin. "Nothing eh? At least I know my place, you abandon your heritage and live with the Greeks and you aren't one of them," he said in a malicious tone.
"I decide where I belong," He said ignoring the knot in his stomach as the man laughed.
"You may have assimilated and your soul is no longer tied to Valhalla or Hel but that still doesn't change the fact that you don't belong with the Greeks," The man said with a sneer. "And don't think you will be able to stay with them forever, who knows Asgard may request that you return to them."
"I decide where I belong," he said defiantly. "Not you or anyone else and anyone who tries to hurt my friends will get hurt in return," he threatened.
The man sighed, "Well that's your decision but still the chaos that will happen between Olympus and Asgard over you is something even I wish I could have done."
"Asgard?" He said, he heard that name before. It might have been in a book or comic he read, isn't that like the Olympus of Norse mythology? He mentioned Thor too, isn't he a Norse God?
The man laughed at him, "Don't think that the Greeks are the only gods out there. The name is Loki by the way kid, best watch out for the chaos that comes for you being with the Greeks is something I will very much enjoy. Don't think the Olympians didn't notice your friend's standoff with Thor's daughter. Here is some advice when the children of different pantheons collide wars can occur. The friction that came from your friend and Thor's daughter was more than enough to get their attention. No go run off on your little quest, don't die now the drama that Asgard and Olympus will face will be so much fun to watch. I only wish that my kids could have done something as fun as this," he said before doing a mock bow and disappearing.
Magnus called out to the man but the dream soon disappeared as he felt himself wake up. As he opened his eyes he realized a few things; one Percy was asleep on his shoulder, two his head was on Percy's head, three Percy had covered them both in the coat he got from the lion, and four Thalia Grace was staring at them with a smirk on her face. Magnus looked at her and Percy again and felt his face redden.
"What do you want?" He asked sitting up quickly causing Percy to wake up as well.
"Hey what time is it?" Percy asked as he stretched the two exchanged a look and Magnus watched as if friend's face turned red in embarrassment. The two looked away in embarrassment while Thalia laughed.
"You two look so cute when you are sleeping together," she said with a chuckle. "Don't mind me I just wanted to get away from Zoe, nice coat by the way Percy."
"Thanks Magnus looked a bit cold and he was shaking so I decided to share the coat as a blanket since it was warm," Percy said as they both sat up in their seat. "So um what have you been up to?"
Thalia sighed, "Oh just putting up with Zoe. I swear she gets on my nerves a lot but this quest is important."
"You don't get along with her much do you?" Percy asked.
Thalia shook her head, "No, they tried to recruit me and Annabeth when we were younger."
Magnus gripped his hands at the memory of the hunters and how they tried to recruit Annabeth. He felt Percy's eyes on him as he only nodded, "Yeah I remember that," he muttered as the memory of his first encounter with the hunters flashed through his eyes.
He noticed Percy look away and turn back to Thalia, "What made you want to stay?"
Thalia smiled at him, "Luke, we were really close back in the day."
Percy nodded, "He must have been important to you guys."
Not to me he thought though he figured it was a good idea not to say it out loud, right now he needed all of the friends he could get.
"Yeah he was, to most of us at least," Thalia said giving him a look. Magnus just rolled his eyes as she continued to talk. "Oh Magnus I noticed that Zoe dislikes you so much is there a reason?"
He shrugged, "Haven't got a clue, I thought it was because I am a guy."
"Yeah I thought so too but I think it might be more," Thalia sighed. "Well I could care less but between the two of you I prefer you."
"Thanks I prefer you over her too," he said causing her to laugh. Well I can't believe I am actually getting along with her. I think I am starting to see her as a friend.
"Well I'm going to walk around the train. You two rest now we should be getting to the destination soon I think," Thalia said as she got out of the car leaving him and Percy inside alone.
"Hey Magnus so did Annabeth want to join the hunters?" Percy asked him in a careful tone and avoiding his gaze.
Magnus sighed, "It happened so long ago dude so I don't remember well. She was really for it at first but ended up not wanting it after finding out she found out she would have to leave me and Luke."
Percy nodded and avoided his gaze, "Ah ok, do you think she would have joined without you both there?"
Magnus looked away, "I don't know," he said softly.
"Sorry, I was just curious," Percy said apologetically.
"Its alright," he said as he made sure that no one was around them. "Oh I had another dream," he said as he explained the dream he had.
When he was done Percy looked at him as if he were deep in thought. "Thor and Loki, they are gods right?"
He nodded, "Yeah they are Norse deities," he had read some books and comics on Norse deities though he never studied them intensively. "What if," he said softly again making sure no one was around. "What if my father was a Norse God," he said softly looking at Percy.
The air around them felt tense almost as if there were a bomb that was about to blow up between them. "Magnus," Percy said looking him in the eye. Magnus looked into his friend's eyes and saw a fierce determination and an unwavering affection in them. "Magnus you are my friend and I don't care if you are a Norse demigod or a Greek one, I will stand by you no matter what."
"Thanks man," Magnus said as he felt his face flush again. "I'm just confused about it all," he said with a sigh. Honestly, his world felt like it was upside down and Percy was the only one keeping him sane. His cousin was kidnapped and apparently he isn't a Greek demigod and there are other Gods besides the Olympians. Seriously whats next Egyptian and Hindu Gods? Man this quest keeps on getting more complicated
Percy patted his back, "Don't worry man ultimately you decide what you want to do with your life, not the gods."
"True," He said with a sigh. "Oh lets just keep this between us for now." He then double-checked to make sure no one else was around, "In the dream, the guy Loki said Olympus noticed when you and that Gorilla girl nearly fought."
Percy sighed, "Well if they know they know. Don't worry I'll ask my dad to stand up for you if they try to do anything. Besides, maybe they will see it as just a coincidence."
I doubt that he thought. "Maybe but lets just focus on saving Annabeth now and think about this later." Percy nodded and the two went back to sleep until they were woken up by Thalia.
"Hey guys the train stopped lets get off while we can," She said quickly.
Both of them did not need to be told twice, they grabbed their stuff and got off the train and found that they were in some small town in New Mexico. The place was deserted and cold as they walked down the main street.
"Look a café," Grover said pointing to some coffee shop. "I'll get us some coffee and snacks," he said as he ran into the shop.
Magnus nodded as he stayed behind with Percy who bought some toy rat he bought and with Bianca who stood awkwardly in front of them. "So how do you like the hunters?" He asked
Bianca smiled at him, "I like it a lot, its pretty fun," she said with a smile.
"Well Zoe seems to trust you," Percy said as Grover came back with some coffee and pastries.
This is probably the crapiest coffee I have ever had he thought as he set his cup down while Bianca talked about her life with the hunters and her brother. Thalia and Zoe also returned and he noticed that Zoe would occasionally glare at him as if he were about to go berserk and kill somebody.
"Oh Bianca do you miss your brother?" Percy asked as he also appeared to force himself to drink the coffee
Bianca looked away and sighed, "I will but I know he is safer in camp."
Magnus was about to say something when a warm breeze past by him. It smelled of fresh air and wildflowers, of a landscape untouched by human hands. It also sounded like a voice as if it were warning them of something. "Grover look your cup," Percy said. Magnus looked and saw that the small bird patterns on their cups peeled off and flew away in a flock of birds while Percy's rubber rat turned alive and ran off.
Grover then let out a moan and passed out. "Grover!" He said as he and Percy got him up. "He is knocked out," he said as they both pulled him up.
Thalia drew her spear, "We have to get out of here." Magnus nodded and helped Percy carry Grover as they all made it to the edge of town.
However, as they made it to the trees and off the road they were attacked by skeletons. "Magnus Percy take care of Grover we got this," Thalia said as she shot lighting at one of the skeletons knocking it to the ground.
They both watched as Thalia, and Zoe fired at the skeletons and did their best to move forward. Bianca attacked to though he noticed that they seemed to avoid her and when she told them to stop they stopped.
More and More skeletons were arriving by the minute and he was getting worried when he heard a loud squeal. They all turned around and saw probably the largest pig he had ever seen plow through the skeletons.
"It's a gift," Grover muttered as he woke up and stood on his own two feet. "It is a gift from the wild."
"I think it wants to kill us," he said as they got out of the way from the boar's charge.
"That's our ticket out of here we must get on its back somehow," Grover said as he played a melody on his pipes making it calm down.
"Ok but how do we do that," Thalia snapped
"Run and jump on its back I guess?" Percy said.
Well its not like we have any better options he thought as he watched the hoards of skeletons. They decided to book it and run. They ran as the large boar charged around, sometimes at them until they made it to a large hill.
"Are we seriously jumping on that," Thalia said in a tone he had never heard her use.
"Well I see no other option; are you scared of heights or something?" He asked as soon as he saw her face flush he immediately felt bad. "Oh sorry, but you know your dad is the lord of the sky."
"Not a word Chase you either Percy," Thalia snapped as Zoe and Bianca ran up to them.
"Alright everybody on three," Percy said as the boar approached them. "One, Two, Three!" They all jumped and managed to land the boar, Magnus was behind Percy who was holding Thalia tightly as Grover materialized and apple to steer the boar.
"Alright everyone hang on tight," Grover said as he tried to control the boar. Riding the boar was probably the most uncomfortable ride he had ever experienced. He grabbed onto Percy the entire time while resisting the urge to vomit.
Foolish creatures a voice said in his head.
Excuse me? he asked.
Wait you can understand me? The boar said in his head
Magnus looked at the boar who turned its head slightly to him and he swore that it was looking at him. Yeah I think so
Well if you ask nicely I guess I can take you all to your destination. How are you able to do this? The boar asked.
I don't know honestly this is all freaking me out he told the boar. So can you um please take us far away?
The boar sighed, Fine but don't piss me off or you all will be thrown off. You know you remind me much of the northern lord, I usually don't take orders from him though
Deal he said as they road the boar. Who is the northern lord? He asked but the boar ignored him and Percy shook his shoulder.
"Magnus are you ok?" Percy asked. "You look like you are going to fall off."
He turned to see Percy and the others staring at him, Zoe's eyes were narrowed on him while Thalia's eyes were shut. "Um yeah I'm fine just not used to this."
He didn't know how long the boar ride was but it was long and arduous and when it was finally done he and everyone else eagerly got off and did their best to find a comfortable place to set up camp for the night.
"Never again," Percy said as he set up his sleeping back next to his.
"Yeah definitely not again," He said with a sigh as he looked up at the sky and saw the stars. Mom would like this place a lot he thought. The open wilderness under a bright starry night was something his mother would've loved. He felt at peace here too almost as if all of his worries were miles away while he rested underneath the starry sky.
He was about to ask him another question when suddenly a large car pulled up. They all grabbed their weapons and stared at the car. What now, hopefully it is Apollo he thought but as luck would have it was not Apollo.
They looked at the limo and watched as Ares came out. "Ares," Percy growled at him.
The war god glanced at them, "At ease, this is a peaceful meeting," he said as he snapped his fingers and their weapons fell to the ground.
"Ares what do you want," Thalia growled.
"Oh don't worry my lady doesn't want to meet you lot," he said with a cocky smirk. "She wants to meet you two," he said pointing at him and Percy.
"We will not leave them with you," Zoe said.
"Relax we wont hurt them why don't you get some tacos or something," Ares said as he pointed to a taco stand and snapped his fingers. The taco stand suddenly appeared open as if it were in the middle of the day.
He quickly exchanged a quick glance with Percy who nodded at him. He nodded back and Percy looked to Thalia and Zoe, "Don't worry we can do this," he said trying to sound as confident as possible.
Thalia and Zoe reluctantly nodded and reluctantly took Grover and Bianca to get tacos.
"That's the spirit boys," Aries said. "Now mind your manners the lady isn't forgiving of rudeness."
They both nodded and entered the car and their mouths both dropped at the sight of the woman in front of them. She was probably the hottest woman he had ever seen; he couldn't even describe her in words. She looked like every supermodel and movie star he had crushed on in life wrapped into one.
"Welcome Percy Jackson and Magnus Chase. I am Aphrodite," She said with a bright smile. "Do you mind holding these mirrors please," she said handing each of them a mirror. They both nodded and complied he looked at Percy and he could tell that he also was at a loss to form words. Aphrodite adjusted her makeup a bit and smiled at the mirrors. "There thank you boys."
"Now do you know why you both are here?" She said with a bright smile that made his heart rate go crazy.
He tried to open his mouth but no words would come out. "Um to save Artemis?" Percy managed to say.
"Yeah that," he said not wanting to be made a fool.
Aphrodite laughed a cute laugh that made them both blush. "Oh not that, why yes she is important but something else."
"Um to save my cousin Annabeth," He said trying to not sound like a mumbling idiot.
"There we go," She said smiling at him causing his face to redden some more.
"Yeah Annabeth is in trouble we have to save her," Percy said. "I have these dreams about her."
"Awe you have dreams about her that is so cute," Aphrodite said with a giggle.
"That's not what I meant," Percy said, his face turning red and avoiding both of their gazes.
"This is probably the most interesting love story I have seen; it is so romantic," Aphrodite said with a sigh. "Helping the one your heart loves with her cousin in toe who is also their best friend. You know you both are so close, I can feel the strong feelings between you just like Achilles and Patroclus or any of the other great friendships of the old days," she said giving them a smile. "The bond between two friends in my eyes is almost as equal to true love." Both he and Percy gave her a blank look; they knew who Achilles and Patroclus were but not so much outside of Achilles going on a rampage being Patroclus got killed. But Magnus felt his face redden more and he and Percy avoided looking at each other.
"Anyways you both should follow your hearts love conquers all," Aphrodite said with a sigh before turning to him. "Especially you, I can tell that you may not be a Greek demigod despite being raised as one but I know that your heart will guide you to the right place."
Magnus and Percy froze, for a second he felt his heart stop as he thought that she would punish or vaporize him on the spot. "Oh don't worry silly I've had many lovers of different cultures; by all means, stay where your heart lies. You are always welcome to hang out with my children," she said with a sympathetic smile.
"Th-Thanks," he managed to stay as he avoided her stare. Oh gods she knows who else knows? I have a very bad feeling about this.
"Awe you are so bashful; I remember all the lovers I had from the north," she said in a reminiscent tone. "They were strong and passionate; and the love making was something else. My daughter Anna Porphyrogenita of Byzantium married one of the Sons of the North, a man named Vladimir the love between them was rocky at first but they got along in the end," she said with a sigh. "Me and Freya are actually good friends, she invited me to Valhalla a few times, boy were those parties something else," she sighed as he and Percy exchanged a nervous look.
"Anyway you both are so cute, I hope my children break the hearts of people like you," she said with a smile. "Now get going on your quest and be careful in my husband's junkyard he is a little overprotective about his stuff,": she warned.
They both mumbled their thanks and got out of the car and were greeted by Aries, "You both are lucky punks for them letting you both live. Especially you son of the north," Aries said pointing at him. Magnus only glared at him not knowing what to say. "Zeus was not happy when he found out that one of our campers was a Norseman and that you both nearly go into a fight with one of their children. Athena calmed him down but he still is not in a good mood. Not that I care though, personally I would like to go another round with Thor just like the old days," he said with a smirk as he gripped his fist. "I suggest keeping your head down, you both are probably are breaking a bunch of ancient laws as it is. But hey apparently your deaths will probably cause another war now get lost," he said as he snapped his fingers causing him and the limo to disappear.
"So they know about me huh," he sighed looking at the ground. He felt his body shake, he didn't know why but he felt as if there were a large target on his back that just grew larger.
He felt Percy's hand on his shoulder, "Forget about what he said, if anyone tries to hurt you or kick you out I will stand by you," he said with a determined look in his eyes. "My dad will also stand by you; remember you are a member of the Poseidon Cabin."
Magnus smiled back at him, "Thanks man hopefully everything works out in the end." His mind felt as if it were spinning and he honestly felt like vomiting. He felt his body shake as if he were about to fall down from exhaustion.
"Don't worry it will," Percy said with a nod. Magnus smiled at him as Percy pulled him in for a hug. He was taken by surprise but returned the hug. Thanks Percy you really are my best friend.
AN: So Magnus is learning the truth. For the record for this story, Zoe and the Gods know about other pantheons but don't talk about them under oath of the styx to their children. Similiar to how they swear on the Styx to not talk about the Romans and Camp Jupiter.
Also, Zeus never paid attention to Magnus so he didn't know he was a Norse demigod. The only reason he is upset is because Percy and Gunilla almost fought which would have led to problems for both pantheons. Also, since Magnus is in the Poseidon cabin he can't help but feel suspicious. He probably wouldn't care under any other circumstances.
Loki will play a minor role here and there just causing mischief and problems.
Yeah and here we have another chapter of Percy and Magnus's growing bromance. Their friendship will grow in this story as well. I kind of want to base their friendship after the friendships in Greek mythology, which does have a some good friendships. And no I still have no plans to ship them both together, As of now Magnus's relationships will mostly be platonic for this story.