A/N:
Thank You everyone for the kind reviews! It really means a lot to me to see that the work is being seen and liked.
Special Thanks to Previous Yesse! loved your idea of having Chaos disguise as a demigod, I didn't even think about doing something like that but that's the plan for the story from now on. I think once the lightning thief part is over I would introduce her as a demigod and she would reveal herself later.
This chapter sticks a little closer to canon than I had intended mostly because I wasn't sure of what the readers wanted when I wrote it, I'd try to go more AU from the next chapter.
Also the sea of monsters part is going to be almost completely AU. (i.e. a different quest for Percy, I may make him join the quest for the fleece when his own quest is done.)
Chapter Eight: Leap of Faith
Percy woke up in an abandoned building, the roof was smashed in and shafts of light seeped in through the holes in the ceiling, he sat up and the memories of the previous day came rushing back to him... he had faced a metal bull and overexerted himself in that process, well at least he was still alive...
It had been a close call, they were lucky to be near a river when the bull came, he did not believe that he would have been able to take on the automation out otherwise.
He looked around to see Annabeth and Grover were still fast asleep, Annabeth was on a torn-down and dusty couch while Grover was laying against a wall and snoring.
Percy stood up and looked around, he saw that the river wasn't that far away from them, his friends must have brought him here when he fell unconscious.
Deciding to walk around and relax a bit, he exited the building and made his way towards the river, he had just begun walking when he felt like he was being watched... he looked around but no one was there, he looked at the river again and his eyes widened at what he saw.
There she was, the lady in red, she was sitting by the river and watching him, her hair was flowing in the morning breeze and sunlight reflected beautifully from her ethereal skin, Percy felt his breath hitch as her beautiful eyes locked with his own, they were the most disarmingly beautiful pair of eyes he had ever seen, like always, it felt as if they could see right through his soul. His legs started feeling wobbly and he felt his panic rise, he didn't want to fall and make himself look like a fool before the pretty lady, her lips stretched into a smile before she broke into a giggle... it was as if she had read his mind, Percy's face flushed deeply at that thought, could she really have read his thoughts? he didn't feel like he would mind even if she did...
"Percy... Percy? where are you?" he heard Annabeth call.
The lady in Red was gone, he sighed in disappointment and half-heartedly returned to the broken and desolate building, "Annabeth! I am here." he called back.
"Oh there you are... how are you feeling today?" she asked with concern.
"I am fine... just a little tired." he sighed, the bull had truly done a number on him.
"Yeah... you put in quite a show yesterday," she admitted.
"Haha... yeah, but it absolutely exhausted me," he confessed.
"Of course it did, you tore a several-ton heavy metallic bull -made by the god of the forge- like it was nothing. Of course, you feel tired," she said.
"Yeah... I didn't intend for the attack to be that... drastic... I only wanted to drown the bull but... at that moment... all that power was too intoxicating..." he explained, and it was true; the rush of Power made Percy lose control.
"I bet we would have had a better time fighting whatever monster waited for us in the snack bar," she said cheekily.
Percy chuckled, "Yeah, should have definitely gone for the snack bar, serves me well for not listening to a daughter of Athena" he joked.
"Come on, I'll wake Grover now, we should get going soon," Annabeth said.
"Wait! I lost my trident somewhere!" Percy recalled, "I can't go on without the trident, I need to get it back fro-" he was rudely interrupted when, said trident, magically appeared in his hand.
Percy looked at the trident and whispered, "well that's rather handy."
"You trident can teleport?" Annabeth asked with awe.
"It does look like that," Percy said before he willed it to shrink into his palm, the trident obeyed and next moment he was holding a mini trident which he safely pocketed.
"I need to get me one of those," Annabeth said longingly.
A few hours later...
The three of them had managed to buy train tickets for Denver without running into any monsters on the way, this was a big achievement in itself because so far their track record in this area had been very bad.
That was how they found themselves seated on a train with nothing interesting to do... for two whole days... they killed their time by sharing their life stories.
Percy got to know that Annabeth had a tough relationship with her mortal family, especially her stepmother who despised her. This lead Annabeth to run away from home and that was how she ended up in the camp.
Percy felt like there was more to the story but he chose not to press; he also got to learn a lot about Grover; he was on a mission to find the god of nature, Pan. Percy hoped that his friend would, one day find his god.
Percy shared some of his own stories too. Of course, he made sure to edit his father out of all of them; no one could know that he broke the ancient laws to meet him. He told them about his mother, how she brought him up on greek stories, how they ran around on the sandy beaches, how she dyed all his food blue...
"Your mother sounds like a great person..." Annabeth had commented.
"she is the best!" Percy said proudly.
On the second day of their journey, the train stopped for a three-hour layover in St. Louis, and on Annabeth's insistence, the three made their way to ride to the top of St. Louis Gateway Arch, turns out Annabeth was in love with its architecture and wanted to an architect herself.
On the elevator going up they met a fat lady, with a chihuahua who was growling and barking at them, thankfully once they reached the top it stopped barking.
They spent about 40 minutes on the top of the arch before finally deciding to return to the train as they couldn't afford to miss it and ruin the entire quest and with it, plunge the western civilization into a civil war between all-powerful Gods.
Annabeth and Grover had to go down on the first elevator while Percy was forced to wait for the next one.
That's when things started going south, the fat lady and her unpleasant chihuahua reappeared out of nowhere and they both started behaving strangely.
The fat lady was staring at him with a weird expression while her dog was growling and barking at him non-stop, this went on for a good couple of minutes and Percy decided to intervene.
"Is there anything wrong with my face?" Percy finally snapped. What was the deal with them?
"No," the woman answered, "but there soon would be," she said ominously.
Percy backed away cautiously, "Who are you? what do you want from me?" he had really hoped to have a monster-free journey but it didn't look like that was possible anymore.
"I am Echidna! the mother of all monsters and my son here is no chihuahua, he is Chimera!" she announced proudly.
"I have the worst luck in the entire damn world." Percy cursed as he found himself in the presence of two legendary villains of the Greek world. Percy searched his memory for more information about these monsters and his face got paler and paler the more he recalled.
"I agree with you boy because you are not leaving here alive," she snarled and her dog started growing until in its place stood a full-grown Chimera. 'Not Good' Percy thought.
Percy uncapped the Riptide and glared at her, he was terrified but he couldn't let her know that "I am going to send your overgrown dog to Tartarus." he growled.
"Get him, son!" Echidna screamed and the Chimera lashed at him. Percy jumped back and slashed his sword but Chimera was too fast; its poisonous tail was making it even harder for Percy to fight him.
He jabbed the beast with his sword but nothing happened; the beast was too strong for him. He kept dodging the various deadly parts of the beast but he was starting to get tired; he was still exhausted from the previous day's fight and he felt like his muscles would give in any second.
Percy ducked under the snake tail as it lunged towards him, immediately he was forced to roll over as the Chimera's horns impaled the spot where he lay just a second ago.
He jumped away from the Chimera who roared at him and attacked again.
Percy bashed his sword against the beast's thick skull but instead of backing away the Chimera opened its mighty mouth, 'Didn't the chimera breath fire in the stor- SHHHIT!' Percy thought and jumped away from the beast just as a column of fire erupted from it, the fire burned off a large hole in the floor and started spreading.
The fire was starting to get bigger and bigger whe Percy heard a kid shriek in fear, "Oh no you don't!" Percy growled and thrust his hand forward, a stream of water erupted from his palm and drowsed the flames. 'I can do this too?' Percy thought absentmindedly.
"You cannot win this fight boy! you will die today, and so will these filthy mortals!" Echidna screamed.
He looked around nervously, the mortals were cowering in fear as he and Chimera battled, he couldn't let them get hurt, their survival depended on him, he needed water: a lot of it, that was the only way he could defeat Chimera.
There was no other way, he looked down the hole, he could see the river far below, but the height was too much! he would be jumping to his death.
"Oh is the son of Poseidon too afraid to jump into the water?" Echidna taunted.
"What's wrong boy? do you not have faith in the gods?" she sneered.
Percy stood up and stared into her eyes defiantly, 'You have to save these people' he heard himself say.
"Oh, I have faith in the gods." Percy answered, "But that doesn't matter, what matters is that I have faith in myself." he took in a deep breath and said, "I believe that I would have the strength to go to any lengths to save the innocents... even if the cost of doing so in my own life." the last part was no louder than a whisper.
Before Echidna could say anything, Percy lunged towards the Chimera, with inhuman strength he impaled his sword into its furry mane and pulled the beast with him, together they fell through the gaping hole in the floor, Echidna screamed in fury as her son and Percy plunged towards their deaths.
Percy felt the air rush against his skin as he fell, he could see the river getting closer and closer... was this where his story ends? was he ready to die? but he still had so many things left to do... he had to save the world, he had to tell his friends how much they meant to him, he had to tell his mom and dad how much he loved them...
No... this couldn't be the end, he had to survive, he owed it to them he owed it to the world, he couldn't do go down without a fight. Percy pushed the sword deeper into the beast and used his arms to throw himself away from Chimera, he called his divine powers to his aid, the pull in his gut intensified...
It was a spectacular sight, as the boy fell, tendrils of water rose from the river and rushed towards the heavens to meet him, just before he could hit the surface, the tendrils wrapped around his ankles and wrists before engulfing him into a womb made up of water, the womb splashed into the river harmlessly.
He looked around as the womb disappeared, he was inside the Mississippi, trash littered the bed of the river and the entire environment had a foul stench to it, being there made Percy feel sick, this was not how the river was supposed to be.
Percy noticed that his clothes were dry and... and he was... breathing? was that a son of Poseidon thing too? it looked like that.
"Perseus" he heard a loud rumbling voice, the voice sounded familiar... it sounded like his own father?
"Who is it?" Percy called, surprised that he was able to speak underwater, "Dad... is that you?"
"Indeed my son... this is your father... I have been watching your every step Percy... and I am really proud of you, what you did just now was very selfless and brave..." It felt like the entire river rumbled.
"Thanks, Dad! It really means a lot, but why are you here? this river is too foul for your presence." Percy complained.
"I am here to guide you In your quest my son, the ancient laws forbid me from directly interfering, but I'll be dammed if I let you face death at every corner while I sit on a throne and do Nothing!" he said.
"But dad you don't have to! Just knowing that you are watching is enough for me to keep fighting..."
"But that isn't enough for me son... you will understand what I mean when you become a father yourself, there is nothing worse than seeing your son so close to death and being powerless to help him..." he said.
"What about the ancient laws though? won't there be consequences?"
"I cannot say, Percy... to tell the truth, I don't care much of those laws anymore because there is no punishment worse than losing a child... and I refuse to lose you" the river roared.
"Nothing is going to happen to me, dad..." Percy sighed.
"Says the person who jumped off a 200 meters tall archway with not a not a single flicker of hesitation showing up on his face..." His father pointed out.
"I had to save those people..." Percy justified.
"I know Percy... it is your selflessness and courage that makes you a true hero, I cannot ask you to run away from danger because those are not the values your mother and I raised you on... that Is why I am here to help you son... I am here to tell you that before you leave for the underworld, you must go to Santa Monica, this is all I can tell you for now..."
"Santa Monica? but why?" Percy frowned.
"It will all make sense later Perseus, now go! your friends are looking for you, and remember, no one can know it was I who directly guided you."
"Very well father, thank you and... don't tell mom about what happened today... I don't want her to worry unnecessarily" Percy said.
"Your mother deserves to know the truth Percy... but If this is what you wish then I would not reveal this her yet... however, you must promise... promise to tell her everything once your quest is over."
"I promise... goodbye dad and... see you in a few days," Percy said and propelled himself out of the river, he trusted his father completely, if he thought he should go to Santa Monica then there must be a good reason behind it.
Percy shot out of the river and landed on the beach, he noticed that he was still dry, which was good.
"Now where are Annabeth and Grover?" he asked himself, turns out he didn't have to look for too long as he spotted his friends running towards him.
"Percy! thank the gods you are ok! what happened up there?" Annabeth cried.
"Yeah man, you gave us quite a scare, I thought you were a goner for sure but then the water jumps up and saves you, was that Lord Poseidon?" Grover asked.
"Nah that was me, but I am sure that he would have done something to save me if I didn't come up with a way myself," Percy confessed and it was true, the water womb was his own doing.
"Your hydrokinesis is getting more and more refined," Annabeth observed, "You don't even look tired this time"
"Yeah I noticed that too... anyways let's get back to the train, too many police officers here, we don't want them asking questions that we can't answe, I'll tell you what happened up there on the way..."
"Yeah, come on" Grover agreed and lead the way.
Soon they boarded the train and after a few moments of waiting the train started and they left St. Louis behind.
One day later...
They had seven days left until the summer solstice when the train reached Denver, the three friends decided to stop at a restaurant for a quick bite before moving forward with their Quest.
They were enjoying a refreshing meal in a local diner when a rumble shook the whole building, a mean-looking motorcycle pulled up outside the establishment...
All conversation in the diner ceased. The motorcycle's headlight was glaring red. Its gas tank had flames painted on it, and a shotgun holster was riveted to either side, complete with shotguns.
The occupants cowered in fear as a tall muscular man entered the diner and headed straight for the three friends, he was dressed in a red muscle shirt, black jeans, and a black leather duster.
He pulled the chair opposite Percy and sat down facing him, Percy noticed his features for the first time, you could call him handsome but he had a sort of evil look behind it, his face was scarred in many places and he wore wraparound shades that obscured his eyes.
As soon as he sat down Percy felt uncontrollable rage start bubbling up in his chest, he frowned at the unexplainable rage and tried to control it. It didn't feel natural, he had no reason to be angry.
"Oh... you are trying to resist it... that's new... huh... well surprised to see me here... cousin?" the man asked with a cruel grin.
"Cousin?" Percy asked, his mind went into overdrive, a mean-looking man, his presence causes uncontrollable anger, calls him cousin, looks familiar... "Lord Ares?" he called out.
The man frowned, "Are you sure you are the son of the old Seaweed and not Athena?" he asked, "Besides I don't like being called 'Lord'... you see, I am not like the other Olympians... my head is not full of myself... yet... and that's why I am here to ask you... yes you three little mortals, for help." he said.
"Help?" Percy frowned, "How can we possibly help a god?" he asked.
"It's simple really, you go to a waterpark and retrieve my shield from there, that's it I promise," he said.
Percy felt his anger rise again but he managed to control it, "Um... while I am honored by this opportunity and I mean no disrespect... but we are already on a quest ordered by your um... the Olympian council." he said carefully.
"I am aware of that" Ares said in an uninterested manner, "That is why I am willing to help you in return for your services, I am feeling generous today so I will provide you with a ride... out of here..."
"Not to sound ungrateful, but we already have more than enough money to get a ride without your help," Percy said.
"Are you trying to negotiate with a God boy?!" Ares spat.
"Oh no, not at all, I would just hate to see a gift from the god of war be wasted," Percy said.
"FINE! just do the damn job and I will give you another gift," he growled.
"A gift that would come in handy when you go visit my uncle down below," he added with a smirk.
"Thank you... erm... where was this waterpark again?" Percy asked.
One hour later...
And that was how the three found themselves standing in an abandoned waterpark over 'The thrill of love' water tunnel.
"So who is going in?" Grover asked looking around nervously, it was clear he wasn't about to volunteer.
"I am not going in, sure it looks simple but why would Ares send us to get it then, something is off," Annabeth said.
"Neither am I.," Percy said.
"So what are we going to do then? someone has to get the shield." Grover said.
"Oh, I'll still get the shield, just not how you think I would...," Percy said mysteriously.
"Wh-" he started when he was stopped by a rumbling noise coming from the tunnel.
Annabeth and Grover peeked below to see a column of water lifting the boat upwards, halfway through the climb something went wrong and some sort of trap was triggered, luckily it didn't affect the boat in any way and Percy was able to snatch the shield and a scarf from the boat before it fell back into the tunnel.
"There we go!" he said holding the two items in his hands, this was too easy, why didn't Ares get it himself?
Percy felt the scarf messing with his head and thrust it into Annabeth's hands, "What the heck is that, I am not touching it again." he said shaking his head.
"Aphrodite's scarf" Annabeth recognized, "You know, it's probably for the best that you stay away from it," she said stuffing the scarf into her pocket.
"Let's go return the shield then," Grover said excitedly.
One hour later...
They found the God of War waiting for them in the parking lot of the diner.
Percy stepped forward and handed the shield over to the god.
"That was quick," Ares observed and swung the shield over his shoulder.
"Nice work mortals, I am impressed, doesn't happen very often." He said.
"Thank you, Lord Ares." Annabeth bowed.
"What did I tell you about the 'Lord' business?" he warned.
"Um... sorry... Ares?" Annabeth said.
He nodded, "Yes that's much better." he said.
"Anyways... you did your job and now it's only fair that I give you your promised reward," Ares said and reached into his pocket before pulling a whistle out and handing it over to Annabeth.
"What is that?" Percy asked curiously.
Ares grinned crookedly, "It's a little something to calm ol' Death Breath's pet dog when you run into him."
Annabeth's eyes widened in, "The Cerberus?!" she asked.
Ares nodded smugly, "I won this from Hermes, thought he could out-gamble me in poker! HaH! as if... I tell you, kids, there isn't any god in Olympus who can gamble better than me."
"What about lady Tyche though?" Percy asked curiously, surely the goddess of chance would be a hell of a poker player.
Ares frowned darkly, "she has no honor kids... shows no mercy... even I am not that ruthless... lost my city... lowly cheater... should have banned her" he rambled.
"Anyways... I have more important things to do than waste my time on little mortal like you, here take these bags as a tip for early delivery and get out of my sight." the god said and dismissed them, the three picked up their bags and made their way out of the diner area.
"Now what?" Grover asked.
"Now... we get a ride to Santa Monica," Percy said.
"Santa Monica? why?" Annabeth asked.
"I don't know... but my father wants me to go there." He said.
"You met Lord Poseidon?" Grover asked in awe.
"Nah... when I fell into the Mississippi I heard one of his messengers call me, she said that he wants me to go to Santa Monica before we leave for the underworld." Percy made up a lie.
"How does everyone know where we are going?" Annabeth asked.
"I don't know... the question I am asking myself is 'does Hades know that too?'" Percy said.
His friends paled at the implications of his idea, "We can only hope that he does not." Annabeth whispered.
"Come on guys... let's get a bus now... I am tired." Percy whispered sleepily.
A couple of hours later the three friends were comfortably seated at the back of a bus headed directly for Santa Monica, they could only hope that this bus journey would go better than their previous one.
A/N: Thank you for reading!
The next chapter will be uploaded shortly, I don't feel satisfied with this one and would try my best to make the next one more enjoyable and exciting.
Also, I would like to apologize for any spelling mistakes or grammar blunders that you may find, I am trying my best to minimize them but there's only so much I can do because of my busy schedule, I will try to proofread more thoroughly in the future but no promises as of now.
Finally a reminder to everyone reading that 'disguised-as a-demigod-Chaos' will be introduced very soon.