Chapter 8: The window

-o-

"Don't forget your defense."

"Feel the position of your feet."

"Take every opportunity to attack."

Those were some of Percy's prompts as he trained me to use a sword. It had already been 3 days since the hunters' funeral and in those days I had trained to strengthen myself, such as improving my skill with the bow and sword, increasing my resistance and working with Athena's relatives to find out more about the whereabouts of the missing girls.

As I have more of a mortal part than a demigod, I do not have the great resistance and strength that the rest of everyone in the camp, so I had to try harder to even not die in the first 5 minutes of the mission without receiving Deus Ex Machina type help. Even if I woke up sore every morning after training the day before, I didn't complain and just continued with my routine; the good thing was that Grover had introduced me to some guys from the Demeter cabin who had given me a type of ointment that helped me with muscle pain.

With one last thrust, my sword collided with Percy's blade, who deftly repelled it and sent it flying out of my hand.

"Point for me," he declared with heavy breathing. "You almost got me for a moment. Not bad."

"Enough to face another pack of werewolves?"

"Perhaps, but the real challenge is not facing a monster, but a human opponent. They think and act the same way as you, so they are more dangerous. "

"Like the one who has the hunters imprisoned?"

"It could be, if the crazy king thing applies to a person."

"If I have to face him, I will if it means releasing them."

"Isn't it rather that you will do it for Thalia?"

Suddenly I felt my face start to burn and it wasn't from the exercise, "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Come on, you don't have to hide it from me," Percy grabbed my neck with his arm. "I have seen it in others and felt the same for years about Annabeth, although your case may be more complicated."

"Because of the oath of no boys for immortal life? Yes, I know and understand that I may not survive this summer. That is why it stays between us. She has had enough with finding her group and I don't want her to have to deal with this. "

"You have my word. We have yet to see how the sacrifice part of the prophecy plays out," Percy thought out loud. "Maybe there is a way to prevent you from dying if you take the same remedy that Leo did during the war against Gaia, but that means having to go to Greece and I don't think that can be done now. We could also consult with Apollo when the solstice meeting is over, although I don't know if it will end soon."

"It's okay, Percy. Like my mom says: if something happens, it's for the best."

I was thoughtful after saying that. I hadn't spoken to my mom or texted her since the night before I got to camp. If I had died when I was escaping from the werewolves, what would have happened to her? The reason for my death would be hidden in a made up story? As much as I understood that this would be to protect her from the dangerous world that I had entered, it did not feel good to hide it.

"Are you ok?" Percy asked me, pulling me out of my thoughts.

"Yeah, all right. One more round?"

"You don't get tired of me kicking your butt."

I couldn't let those thoughts stop me. I would help Thalia get back the huntress, regardless of whether my death was prophesied or not. I had to get stronger for it. I had to get stronger for her.

"Whenever you want."

Even if she didn't feel the same for me.

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After a shower and a good breakfast, Percy, Annabeth, Thalia and I headed towards the grove once we gave the usual tribute to the giant ants and climbed on top of Anthony.

"Well, who will go for the new verses?" I asked before realizing they were all touching their noses. Dam it.

"I think you have to go for it, as the previous one was possibly intended for you to be continued," Thalia informed me as Percy and Annabeth secured the same rope from before around my waist.

"You know the procedure," the blonde reminded me, tightening the knot. "One pull, you got it. Two, nothing happens after 5 minutes..."

"Several desperate pulls: get me out of here," Percy finished.

"Noted." I took a deep breath and looked at the trees. "Wish me luck."

"Good luck," Thalia said quietly.

I slowly ventured myself until I was once again among the trees, whose leaves began to cover me to the point that I stopped seeing the sky. Silence reigned with my steps on the barely audible lawn.

I stopped once that I could no longer see others and I spoke:

"Hi, it's me again. I came to see if you have anything new for what follows. What should we do to get the hunters back?"

The silence remained the same for a few moments until a breeze began to blow through the branches, from which its wind chimes began to sound at the same time that in my head I heard a voice:

If finding the lost hunters is what you want,

the inventor's legacy you have to follow.

To the place where the mad king rests you will be drawn.

When the choice is asked, a sacrifice has to be made with sorrow.

This time 4 lines of prophecy with a death charge in them. The mad king who had imprisoned Thalia's group would make an appearance, and I finally...

I put that thought off for later and pulled out the soup twice and started walking back with the boys.

"How did it go?" Percy asked me.

I repeated the lines to them as if they had been etched in my mind.

"Then apparently we will already know who this crazy king is," I commented, taking off the rope.

"Yeah but it also means that you-"

"I will do my part to set the Hunters free. I promised you that I would help you however I could," I interrupted Thalia, who looked distressed by the line that someone would have to sacrifice to get out of a difficult situation. "But I don't understand that thing about the inventor's legacy."

"I know what that means," Annabeth answered with certainty. "Daedalus's labyrinth. It can take you anywhere, but it also becomes very dangerous since its behavior becomes very erratic. It can lead you to an alley in the city..."

"... or inside an active volcano. Good memories. Right, Annabeth?"

"Yes, we thought you were dead and we had a funeral when you appeared out of nowhere."

"Also our first kiss."

My relative's face flushed at the memory of her and she gave her boyfriend a smack on her shoulder, who just laughed. For a moment I imagined myself in her place, doing the same to make Thalia blush, or maybe the other way around. But that image felt bitter knowing that it could not become true if the last line was fulfilled. Still I couldn't help but smile a little.

"Well, we know where to go. If the four of us go, everything will be fine."

My comment seemed to make everyone uncomfortable, as if those words were taboo.

"In quests, 3 people are best. 4 is a sign of bad luck and always ends in disaster," Thalia replied, to which Percy and Annabeth nodded. "It would be best if it were the two of us. I don't want anyone else to die because of me."

"Are you sure?" Annabeth was concerned for her friend.

"Yes, I'll make sure the hunters return safely."

"And I'll make sure she does," I promised next to her.

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From what Percy has told me, Daedalus's labyrinth is an extremely dangerous place whose behavior cannot be predicted, to the point that you could end up in the middle of a highway if the walls are in a bad mood. That is why we decided several hours to be well equipped for any eventuality, such as armor, weapons (both having a bow along with a sword for me while Thalia went with her spear), first aid kit (although we were still not sure if my mortal part could survive the effects of nectar) and other tools. We would most likely end up somewhere in or around New York, but we would leave nothing to luck.

We were already finishing equipping ourselves when Percy arrived, along with Leo.

"Hey, good that I caught up with you. Percy told me what you're off to save the hunters. It's dangerous to go alone. Take this," he handed me what appeared to be a brown plastic bracelet.

"What is it?" I asked looking closely at the object.

"It's a tracker. I've been working on it for several weeks to give it to Calypso in case he needed help. Just press hard on the hammer image and I'll know where you guys will be. When you find the hunters, call me and I'll go get you out of wherever they are."

"But they will go through the Labyrinth," Annabeth objected. "Will it have a sufficient range if we don't know where they will go?"

"That is why I will mount Festus as soon as you have left and I will be flying around the city until you call me."

"But will Festus be able to carry nearly two dozen hunters plus the two of us?"

"No te preocupes, dear Grace. I installed a basket in him with enough space to bring everyone back to camp, as well as motivating him with a bucket of high-quality Tabasco sauce. Sorry, Jack. I had to stop building your weapon to get everything ready before you guys leave."

"Okay, no problem. Maybe when I get back we can work on it," I forced a smile. I could feel the look Thalia was giving me, knowing that I would most likely not be returning to the camp; something that Leo apparently ignored.

"The good thing is that we already have our 3rd member, so it must be a good omen," Percy was optimistic.

"The Sun is going to set down," Thalia observed the sky, slowly turning into a shade of orange. "Apollo's automatic chariot is about to be gone and my lady's will appear soon, so we can use the night to hide. If all goes well, we'll all be together by the time they finish their solstice meeting."

"Fine, then we better hurry," I agreed.

"Guys, be careful and come back okay," Percy gave us a weak smile, but I could tell he was worried.

Annabeth, for her part, hugged Thalia first for a few seconds before doing the same to me. However, she said something in my ear.

"It doesn't matter if you manage to save them or not, but please come back. If that failed, we'll see what to do."

"I will do what i can."

After saying those words, we left for what would be the last mission that I would go with Thalia.

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Even if my watch said we had been walking for 15 minutes, time passed quickly in the maze as we avoided traps like bottomless pits, spears popping up from anywhere, and a sales meeting for a timeshare in Albania. The walls kept changing from time to time and there were times when it seemed that we were in other parts of the world while listening to a murmur of people speaking in other languages.

I could see that Thalia was feeling somewhat impatient for what awaited us at the end of our journey in that place, and she understood that feeling, since possibly that would be my last day in the world of the living.

"Everything's fine?" she asked me out of the blue. "Isn't my jacket too hot to be wearing over your hoodie?"

Oh yeah. Since my essence seemed to be odorless to most monsters so far, Thalia would ask me to wear her leather jacket over my black hoodie. It was difficult for my mind to stay focused while I could smell her body scent when wearing her garment, and it didn't help that she wore a black Ramones T-shirt that fit snugly against her body, revealing that being hunting helped her stay in good shape.

"Yeah, don't worry. It should have reeked my essence by the time we get there. I should be patented as Eau de Jack: Essence of Legacy."

"With that name, I say it would be a bestseller on Amazon."

"Don't tell me the demigods make sales there."

"No, the Amazons."

I stopped in my tracks, "Wait what?"

"Why do you think it's called Amazon? It's their cover for their supposed world domination by making everyone dependent on the service."

I remembered how much I had ordered using the debit card to which my father deposited my allowance, "Well, you can say that they are on the right track."

"You can say they are like a version of the hunters of Artemis who worship the gods of war, such as Ares, Athena or Belladonna, plus they can be with men..."

For a moment I imagined what it would be like if Thalia had been an Amazon. Maybe then I would have had a chance.

"... as well as enslaving them."

Better not.

"Wait. Isn't Jeff Bezos supposed to be the one who runs Amazon?"

"Like I said, they are with men and enslave them."

It took me a few seconds to process those words, but when I did, it all made sense. This world of demigods is really interesting.

Between what we were talking about, I hadn't realized that our path had changed, now what seemed like a worker's area of a store. The hallway looked like it hadn't been used in a long time, with abandoned boxes and empty shelves on either side. We passed what appeared to be a window that loomed above shoppers, revealing several aisles with shelves of food, cleaning, and other products, along with customers manning their carts.

We were about to move on when I took one last look at the window and my gaze fell on a figure in front of the dairy area. She was a slim older woman with brown hair and hazel eyes, which seemed stern but in the end you saw kindness from her when you got to know her better. My legs refused to move, since she was the person I had longed to see so much.

"Jack, are you okay?" Thalia called me worried.

"It's her," my voice cracked. "God, I've missed seeing her."

"Who?"

"My mother!" I exclaimed, pointing to the figure who was looking for the Manchego cheese of the brand that she liked because it took less time to melt.

Thalia looked at her through the glass and looked at me with a kind smile, "You look a lot like her."

I could still remember the last time I had seen her in person. The last hug before I go to New York. The scent the last time she wrapped me in her arms. The pain of her words the last time she said that she loved me. And now, on what was to be the last day of my life, I could see her once more, but a glass separated us.

My hand instinctively moved to my pocket for my phone, regardless of whether there was a signal in that living maze. My grip was awkward, so the device plummeted to the ground before Thalia caught it.

"We have time," she told me softly. "Do it."

I nodded and took a deep breath as I unlocked my phone and dialed my mom's number. The dial tone rang several times in my ear, begging me to look at the vibrating phone in her purse. She seemed not to notice until she took a package of ham and was placing it in the cart when it slipped and fell on her purse. It was then that she noticed the call; to which she smiled and then I heard her voice in my ear.

"Hi, dear."

I felt a great warmth when I heard her, "Hi, Mom. How are you?"

"Good, I came to the supermarket to buy some things for dinner. How's the camp going?"

"I could tell you so many things. Things you wouldn't believe I did. People here are the coolest and have been kind to me."

"That sounds great. Tell me, have you found someone special?" she asked playfully.

"Moooom…,"I was silent for a few seconds, glancing at Thalia, who was smiling next to me, to which I whispered, "Maybe."

"Hehehe, you have to tell me that later. But, if you want my advice, I can tell you this: jump into it. That worked for your dad and here you are with your sisters."

"Maybe I will." I looked back at Thalia, "I'll put you on speaker. I want to introduce you to a friend."

Thalia seemed surprised at my words as she pressed the speaker button.

"Mom, this is Thalia. Thalia, say Hello."

I was about to become an interpreter when my friend started speaking in perfect Spanish, "Hi, Mrs. Ávarez. My name is Thalia Grace and I'm friends with Jack at camp."

"Hello Thalia. I am María. I appreciate how much you have taken care of my son and I apologize for the mess he makes."

"Don't worry. At first he didn't know how to use a bow, but now he has improved and he has also taken care of us. He's become someone who I can trust plenty and someone on whom I can trust my life. He's also helped me with some stuff I've been struggling with. "

"Glad to hear about that. My son has always been quiet and somewhat introverted, but hearing that he has made friends and had a good time makes me feel like a burden being lifted from my shoulders. Thank you for taking care of him and I hope I can see you two the next week I'm there."

"Wait ... next week?" I asked, surprised.

"Well, it was going to be a surprise, but what the heck. I spoke with your dad and I will go with your sisters to visit you as you couldn't come."

"I... I'm glad to hear it. I really want to see you."

"Me too, sweetheart."

"Jack, I'll be over there with some things. Mrs. Alvarez, it was a pleasure meeting you. I hope you have a good trip," Thalia said goodbye before taking a few steps away, so I deactivated the speaker.

"She sounds like she's a good girl. Tell me, is she the one you fixed your eye on?"

I felt my face turn red, so I turned so Thalia wouldn't see me and answered quietly, "Yes."

"Well, what are you waiting for? Go for it."

"I don't know. There are several things that complicate it, but I'll do what I can."

"Well, it all depends on you."

"Hey, mom. I wanted to tell you... I've missed you so much. I know that everything that happened has been difficult for everyone in different ways, but I want to tell you that I'm fine and don't worry about me... and I also wanted to tell you that I love you. "

"Jacobo, everything okay? Is something wrong?"

"It's just... I've missed you so much."

"My baby, I've missed you too. I just want to go see you and hold you tight."

"Me too, Mom. Me too."

"I already took a lot of time from you and your friend must be waiting for you," she could be wiping her eyes. "I hope to see you soon."

"Me too, Mom. I love you."

"I love you too, baby. Have a lot of fun and I look forward to many stories from you. I also hope to meet that girl Thalia."

"I hope so. I'll be waiting for you here. Good bye."

I ended the call and stared as she looked up with a smile and, for a second, she turned to where I was. I wasn't sure if she could see me out the window, but she just took the cart from her and kept walking down the hall until she got lost in a corner.

As if the very presence of her had motivated me to stay on my feet, I fell to my knees to the ground and lost my grip on my phone, not being able to hold off the feeling that was gnawing at me inside. The hallway floor blurred as my eyes filled with tears and I began to sob like a little child. Then I felt someone hug me, which only prompted me to let it all out.

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"How do you feel?" Thalia asked, sitting next to me looking out the window; which still showed the same supermarket aisle with people going here and there with their carts.

"Honestly, I feel better than I've been in years, like I'm suddenly feeling light. Thalia, thank you."

"You spent a whole night listening to my afflictions and crying. It's the least I could do."

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"But you don't have to answer that you don't want to."

"Just spit it out."

"What happened to your mom? You never told me about her."

Thalia was silent with a face that seemed pained at the memory of her.

"Nevermind-"

"Her name was Beryl. During the 80s she was an actress who somehow managed to get Zeus to notice her, resulting in my birth. I don't remember much of my early years but she was always careless and also annoyed that my father had He had to go back to Olympus instead of staying with her, so she took more refuge in alcohol and then ruined her career.

"Somehow he managed to get his attention again, now in his Roman form, Jupiter. Jason was born from that relationship. He stayed with us longer and Mom's attitude improved: he read us stories, learned to cook, played with us. For a while it felt like we were a real family. "

"But..."

"But then Jupiter had to leave again, perhaps tired of their demands to take her to Olympus, make her immortal, or make her eternally beautiful. The monster attacks started and she said Hera was jealous and wanted to take Jason away. Then one day she suddenly said we were going on a picnic. I thought she wanted to change for the better and we were all excited. She was carrying Jason while she showed him the trees and the birds that flew by when she asked me to go get the basket that was in the car. When I got back, she was crying and Jason was nowhere to be found and I thought she had killed him or abandoned him somewhere. I looked everywhere for him until she dragged me back."

"And it was then that Jason was claimed by the Roman demigods."

"Something like that. It was like an agreement with Hera for the monsters to stop attacking us. When I had a chance, I called the police, who questioned her for a while until they decided that she didn't know anything and released her. From then on it was just arguments until I couldn't take it anymore and ran away from home. "

"And you haven't heard from her since?"

"Two years before I stopped being a tree, there was an accident. She was drinking, so she derailed and invaded the opposite lane. That's it."

"I'm so sorry."

"You don't have to. The truth is that I no longer hold any grudge or anything like that from her to her. I just hope I've found peace wherever she is."

I felt a knot inside me. I felt guilty, since, while I had a happy childhood with a good family, Thalia had lost her mother to madness and believed that she had murdered her brother, which caused her to run away from home and wander alone. . However, despite all this, she was there, being the leader of the huntresses of Artemis on a mission to save them. She was what I would have wanted to be before: strong, determined and brave.

"Well that was my story," she exclaimed, standing up and stretching. "Not a very good one, but it's not over yet, so there are still more pages to write."

"Next chapter: The Great Rescue of the Hunters."

"Yeah," she responded cheerfully, offering her hand to help me up. "I think we've already made enough time for nightfall and Leo must be getting impatient by now."

"Then let's not keep him waiting."

We resume our way through the maze. I don't know if it was a coincidence that we passed through that window or if it sensed that it would be my last day of life, but I was grateful for the fact that it allowed me to give my mother one last goodbye.