Ch35

Magnus rested in his bed as he looked up at the ceiling. Well I hope they do well on their quest and that Annabeth doesn't treat Rachel badly. He had used an Iris Message to call Rachel as a heads up and after that immediately stayed in the cabin by himself since he didn't feel like getting up.

He didn't know what to feel, a part of him felt angry at his cousin for treating him and Percy badly while another part felt guilty for lying and keeping secrets from her. I mean I am doing it for her own safety though, and besides who is she to tell me not to keep secrets? I am pretty sure she has her own share of secrets from me and Percy.

He sighed as he sat up on his bed and got the back his father gave him from when he left Alfheim. He emptied to contents of the bag onto his bed and started looking at the various books. He looked at the copy of the Prose Edda he had received and decided to start flipping through it. I am starting to get the hang of reading this he thought as he heard the door to his cabin open.

He looked up and saw Chiron enter and close the door behind him. "Nice book," Chiron said pointing to the book in his hand.

Magnus looked away as he realized Chiron had just spoken to him in Old Norse, "Th-Thanks, you know Old Norse?" He asked in English.

Chiron smiled at him and laughed, "I know a lot of things Magnus. I knew a lot of Norse warriors back in the day," he said as he approached his bedside. "Sign language, a book on elf magic, and Swedish." He then looked up at him, "I take it your father is Frey lord of Alfheim?"

Well there is no reason to hide it from him. He only nodded, "Yeah I met him while I was gone," he said avoiding his gaze.

Chiron sighed, "I guessed something like that happened. I never met Frey personally but I met some of his children throughout history. Frey is usually associated with the Swedish monarch and is often associated with peace and fertility."

He only nodded, "Yeah, he seemed cool and laid back. I think he wants to hook up with Apollo though."

Chiron looked nervously outside as if waiting for the sky to rumble. "Yeah that doesn't surprise me but lets not get into the Olympian-Asgardian conflicts they were bloody, to say the least." He then looked at him with a serious expression. "Magnus while I do not condemn you for learning about your heritage but do that it is not a good idea to mix magic or Gods. The Christian God isn't the only jealous God out there and Olympus has accepted you it seems, do not give them a reason to question your loyalty; unlike the Christian God Olympians will take their anger out on you if they sense you are disloyal especially now of all times."

Magnus gulped as he felt Chiron's eyes on him, "I-I understand I just met my father that's all, I don't even know how to process it all," he said with a sigh.

Chiron gave him a sympathetic look and sighed, "I don't know what the Fates have in store for you but I am sure you will do great things. I do not believe it is a coincidence that you are in the Greek world but you should tread carefully."

"I know, I will try not to start some sort of pantheon war," he said trying not to sound sarcastic

"Good, just do what you can," Chiron said. "Now about your cousin," Magnus gripped his book and looked away. "I wouldn't take it personally she was devastated when you and Percy disappeared. You are the closest thing to family she has here you know and she knows that you and Percy have your own secrets and it hurts her."

"Yeah it hasn't been easy but I just don't know what to do now," he said as he sat his book down and let out a sigh.

"I know the burden is tough but do not worry I am sure things will work out in the future. I am sure you and Percy will make the right decision when it is given to you both," Chiron said as he looked out the window.

Thanks though I still don't know how or even if we should tell her he thought. Apart of him wanted to tell her, he didn't want to keep a secret this big from her. However, another part of him was telling him not to. It wasn't just that he didn't want her to get hurt but something deep inside of him was telling him not to share anything about his father and his heritage with Annabeth. It was a feeling like he had to keep two sides separate or that they would start fighting and something bad would really happen.

"Anyway Magnus if you wish to learn about Norse related things I do not mind teaching you," Chiron said looking at him. "I can help you with wielding Gram and even help you learn Norse if you wish."

Magnus felt his eyes widen, "Um sure that sounds good, it feels easy and natural to me. I mean I've been learning Old Norse for a while and I can read this book already," he said pointing to the book on his bed.

Chiron smiled, "Yes, Norse Demigods are usually wired to read Old Norse though they also were able to learn other languages since the Norse were hardwired to learn new things quickly. For example, you learned Greek really well despite not being a Greek demigod."

Magnus nodded, "Yeah though it was a little difficult at times, I am managing to learn it. Oh my father also helped awaken my own demigod powers, they aren't really offensive powers though."

"Don't worry Magnus even among the other half-bloods here not everyone specializes in combat. Frey is not a war deity like Athena but he is still really strong, I can try and teach you a little but the other campers must not know. It won't be difficult, many demigods from both the Norse and Greek pantheons usually have similar abilities."

Magnus nodded, "Yeah, my father said I should practice disarming people and stuff like that. He can also calm people and make plants grow."

Chiron nodded, "True, though do not be surprised if there are more powers. For example, I take it as a son of Frey the Swedish language should come to you since Frey is heavily associated with that country. Similar to how for children of Aphrodite learn French because it is the language of love."

He nodded, "Yeah my father said the same thing."

"Well lets find a quiet place then, we should prepare for the upcoming battle as soon as possible," Chiron said. "War is coming and we will need all the help we can get."

Magnus nodded and picked up Gram from his table and followed Chiron outside. He followed him to a secluded area. After making sure that the place was free from any prying eyes Chiron decided to start by practicing his abilities. Chiron drew a celestial bronze sword and he had to disarm it from his hand. "Come on Magnus focus on the blade and think of it falling out of my hand," Chiron said calmly.

"I'm trying to," he said as he took a deep breath and looked at the sword. He focused on the blade in Chiron's hand and pictured it falling to the ground. "Drop it!" He said, the blade in Chiron's hand appeared to shake a bit in the centaur's hand before falling to the ground.

"Not bad Magnus," Chiron said with a smile. "Lets keep practicing that a bit then we will work with your sword."

He nodded as Chiron picked up his blade and they continued to practice disarming for a bit longer. When he was done, Chiron brought in a practice dummy and had him practice with Gram. "Hold the blade tightly; remember Gram is a sword that slew the dragon Fafnir his power should not be taken lightly," Chiron said as he slashed at the dummy.

"Yeah kid if my true power is unleashed I can take out a dragon," Gram warned

"Thanks for the heads up," he said sarcastically as he slashed at the dummy. Chiron had him practice different types of strikes and slashes. Some of them were different from the ones he had already known but some were the same also. Chiron also had him work with some of the short swords that came with Gram, he was awful at throwing them but he remembered that he could also focus on their trajectory when he throws them.

"That's enough for today Magnus," Chiron said as it was approaching dinner time. "We will continue this tomorrow, remember to make sure the other campers don't find out about Gram. Only wield him in case of emergencies," he said.

Magnus nodded as he was busy catching his breath, "No problem, I usually use my ax or another sword." Man he really is an intense trainer.

"Yeah I know," Gram said sarcastically. "Like seriously dude I am a powerful sword you should use me more."

"Yeah and for that reason I only want to use you for serious fights," he said as he sheathed the sword. "Oh Chiron my dad said that he can also bring peace to people and calm them down, would you like me to try it on Chris Rodriguez?"

Chiron gave him a sad look and sighed, "I do not think it would be good, even I am having trouble with healing him. It would take the strength of a god to heal him. Thank you though for offering your help."

"No problem, I am not really good at doing it yet," he said as he followed Chiron to the dining hall. They passed by many grim faced campers who were nervous and anxious from all of the tension and preparation. This war is getting tougher on everyone by the day.

He quickly got his food and went to offer sacrifices before eating, "To Poseidon," he mumbled as he scrapped his food into the fire and watched it burn. Please keep Percy, Annabeth, and Grover safe. Athena please help your daughter forgive me and understand that I mean her no harm. Also, Lord Poseidon I hope my planned gift for Percy is ok with you.

When he finished his little prayer he sat down at the Poseidon table. Percy's birthday is coming up soon, hopefully all of my arrangements for his present fall into place he thought as he ate his food. He had asked his dad for a favor in getting a present for Percy's birthday, his dad said he will see what he can do so all he had to do now was wait and make sure everything was ok with Poseidon. I am pretty sure he will be cool with it; I know Percy will like what I am planning on giving him he thought as he ate his food and drank his soda.

He looked around the pavilion and sighed. It is getting emptier by the year and every day it is getting gloomier here. There were fewer campers than when he arrived and now those that were left looked grim as they all prepared for the upcoming battles that they would face. He noticed that even Clarisse looked grim as she ate her food and that Will Solace appeared slightly down. Wow even Will is down, things really are tense huh.

When he finished eating he put his dishes away before heading back to his cabin. However, on the way back he ran into Will Solace. "Hey Magnus how are you?" He said with probably the saddest smile he had ever seen on the son of Apollo's face.

"Hey Will I am good just preparing for the upcoming battle and everything," he said.

Will nodded, "Yeah things are very tense now, do you mind helping me a bit with Chris Rodriguez? You wont have to do much I just need a guy to help me with the supplies and stuff and the rest of my cabin is busy working on other things."

"Sure no problem," he said as he followed Will into the infirmary where Chris was at. Chris Rodriguez was laying on the bed and staring at the ceiling as if he just saw something terrifying.

"Poor guy," Will said as a sad look crossed his face. "Yeah he fought for Chronos put he doesn't deserve this," he said as he took out various items from a shelf.

"Yeah the labyrinth is a crazy place," Magnus said as he took the various items from Will. Will then proceeded to take Chris's temperature and other vital signs before feeding him some nectar.

He helped out by holding the equipment for Will and writing down the stuff he said. "So Annabeth and Percy, how do you think they will do?" Will asked.

"Good hopefully, they have a guide working with them so it should be fine," he said as Will fed Chris some broth and then some soup. Chris mumbled something incoherent as he started breathing heavily. "Shh it's alright Chris it's alright," Will said in a calm voice.

Will is really good at this, he really cares for all of his patients he thought as he watched Will finish taking care of Chris.

Suddenly, the door opened and Clarisse walked in, "Oh hey Clarisse," he said.

Clarisse, who had bags under her eyes nodded at him, "Hey Chase hey Will, she mumbled as she pulled up a chair and brought it to the end of the bed.

"Hey Clarisse," he said as he handed Will some equipment.

"Hey Clarisse he is eating a little and drinking a little," Will said trying to sound as hopeful as possible.

Clarisse nodded, "Thanks," she mumbled as she looked at Chris with a sad look in her eyes. She must really care for this guy he thought as he helped Will put away the supplies.

"I am done with my check up. Let me know if he needs anything," Will said with a sympathetic look on his face. Clarisse only nodded and thanked them as they left. "I hope he gets better but mental madness isn't exactly in Apollo's domain," Will said with a sigh as he looked up at the night sky.

"Don't worry you are doing everything you can," he said.

Will smiled at him with his bright smile, "Thanks Magnus, I am glad you are here the camp can use every spare hand."

Magnus felt his face redden, "Thanks, um its good to be here. I am sure Percy and Annabeth will return soon," he said avoiding looking into Will's bright eyes.

Will nodded, "Yeah I know they will. Oh have you been working out you look great," Will said as he checked him out.

"Oh um yeah its complicated," he said as Will smiled at him.

"Well get some rest Magnus you look tired," Will said. Magnus nodded and with that the two said good night to each other and Will gave him a quick hug before the two headed off to their respective cabins.

As soon as he returned to the cabin he cleaned up a bit and decided to go to bed early. After he took a long shower he read a bit more before going to bed. As soon as his head hit his pillow he felt his mind go to sleep.

He felt his mind drift and he soon realized he was in a Greek building in front of a throne with a familiar Goddess sitting in it. "Athena!" He said in surprise as he did a small bow.

"Hello Magnus," Athena said. "I see you are well."

"Um yes, um your daughter didn't want me to continue with her on the quest," he said avoiding her gaze.

Athena sighed. "Yes my daughter was distraught when she thought you and the Son of Poseidon had passed away." She gave him a sympathetic look though he knew that she was a goddess who was not swayed by emotion.

"She knows that me and Percy are hiding something," he said trying to sound as polite as possible.

Athena nodded, "Yes she is my daughter after all. She is observant of a lot of things, especially when it pertains to the people she cares about."

He nodded his head, "Yeah I know, but I wonder what I should do next. She was pretty mad at me and Percy."

Athena nodded, "Yes but she is angry at the son of Poseidon for some other things," she said with a small eye roll. "However, know that you swore on the Styx not to tell her and if she were to find out about your parentage there will be consequences and she could be placed in danger."

"I know, sometimes I feel like I want her to know and other times I don't know what to say to her," he said.

"Things will work out eventually; my daughter is tough." She said giving him a small smile.

"Yeah I know and stubborn," he said with a small laugh.

"Oh and I should warn you, your trip to your father's realm was not unnoticed," Athena said.

Magnus looked down and nodded, "I thought so, my dad picked me up when I was sent flying. He seemed cool, he wants to get in touch with Apollo."

Athena groaned and rolled her eyes, "Of course he does," she said before getting serious again. "Anyway, it appears someone was working with your father to get him to you."

"Working with my father but who?" He asked in surprise.

Athena sighed, "I have my suspicions but nothing concrete. Anyway, you should know that my father, Lord Zeus is not one to take treason lightly especially now."

"But I am loyal, I am not going to betray Olympus or anything," he said looking Athena in the eyes.

Athena smiled at him, "I know Magnus and if my father questions you, I will stand by you. However, make sure you don't do anything that would arouse suspicion."

"I won't," he said immediately

"Don't get me wrong by all means explore your culture and powers just make sure you be careful now get some rest the camp will soon face danger," Athena said with a small smile as he nodded and felt the dream end.

AN: So i debated on having Magnus heal Chris Rodriguez since he did heal Amir in the books. But I realized that even Chiron couldn't do it and it required Mr. D to heal him and since Magnus's powers are still awakening I decided against it.