Chapter 11
Percy glanced at the tinted windows of the all black cab that had appeared. He was hesitant to even knock because he wasn't sure if this was what Luke had planned for him due to his vague instructions.
Just as he was about to reach for the handle, the front window rolled down ever so slowly. Percy watched in anticipation until the driver of the car was revealed.
It was a man dressed in all black with a hat and a pair of dark glasses that completely covered his face. He had his hands on the wheel as he turned to the boy.
"Are you the demigod?" He asked in a monotone voice. Percy wasn't sure if he was entirely human.
The boy nodded, and the driver merely pointed backwards. Percy took the gesture and opened the back door of the car, sliding into the back seat.
Just like the outside, the car had an all black interior which Percy thought would look somewhat suspicious, but decided that if they reached the city then not many people would care.
That was when it donned on him that he had no idea where they were going. The driver didn't wait for Percy to say a word, immediately stepping on the gas and driving off towards the city.
Percy watched the man with caution, wondering if he could completely trust him. Was this some kind of set up from Luke. He became especially wary when he swore he saw a forked tongue flicker out the mans mouth.
He decided to trust the driver, at least for now. Half of the reason was because he started to notice the city coming closer.
It had only been a week and some days, yet the boy still felt weirdly nostalgic towards the feeling. Life at camp hadn't been too bad, but the thought of staying there forever didn't sound great to the demigod.
The car continued its path, and before the sun had raised fully they had reached the city. Percy did his best to keep an eye on the driver, but it became harder and harder as his head started to nod.
He was usually pretty good at controlling himself, but he found that it was nearly impossible as he eventually fell asleep to his annoyance.
-Line Break-
Percy slowly woke up as he felt the car start to slow down. He glanced outside to see that the sun was much higher up then before, and that he was in a part of New York that he didn't recognize.
The driver came to a stop in front of a shop that had a interesting exterior.
"Mountain Peak Pawn Shop." Read the sign. The building was nearly falling apart, the sign itself hanging by a hinge.
Why had Luke sent him here?
The driver turned back to face the boy. "This is your destination." He said stoically.
"Now is the time for your payment."
Percy hesitated for a second before he reached into his bag. He remembered Luked had gave him not only mortal money but drachmas as well. He decided they would be a better currency for the moment.
Grabbing a handful, he offered it over to the man.
"This should be enough." He said, though he wasn't entirely sure.
The man tensed up slightly. "My kind of people do not use that kind of currency." He said with a dark undertone. Percy raised a brow.
"Would you prefer mortal money?" He asked.
"No.
The only acceptable currency are souls."
Percy said nothing, surprised and even more on edge than before.
The man didn't wait for Percy to respond as he turned back to his wheel and started the car back up. Without a word he drove off, turning into an alley along the side of the building.
Percy raised a brow. He didn't know what the man was doing, but he kept his hand on his chain.
After coming to a stop, the man turned around to face Percy once more. Without a word, he reared his hand back, and Percy's eyes widened in shock.
Previously the man had had normal black gloves on, but now his hands had transformed into demonic looking appendages topped with slicked nails that were least a foot long.
Without a word the man jutted his hand forward, and Percy was barely able to duck down as he completely sliced through the top of the passenger seat, narrowly missing the boys head.
Percy looked up to see the man yet again preparing for an attack. Not wanting to fight in such a small area, Percy kicked open the door of the car and rolled out.
He was just in time as a moment later the man had completely torn up the seat where Percy was previously at. Percy got up and took a few steps back as he summoned his sword forward.
He watched as the man slowly got out of the cab, shutting the door behind him. He walked around to the front of the car and held his knifelike hands to his side.
"You must not know demigod, but we cacodaemons do not act like normal 'monsters'." He started. "Seeing as how you don't have any souls to compensate for your ride, I'll have to settle with taking your own."
Percy shifted slightly. Cacodaemons, huh? He had heard about them, they were evil spirits who liked to cause havoc. He didn't think he'd see something so evil this soon.
Before Percy could get into his attack, the man raised his hand. As he did so, three figures appeared from seemingly the shadows.
Percy flinched when he saw them.
They were three blob like beings made of what looked like torn up flesh.
Each one had a single eye near the top of their head with short and stubby arms with relatively sharp claws as well.
They were honestly disgusting to look at, but Percy hardened his senses as he rushed forward.
He didn't have the time to be doing this, especially after falling asleep for so long.
Percy wasted no time, and as soon as he was in striking distance he slashed upwards for the first demon.
Surprising him, the monster was able to dodge with unexpected speed. It rolled around to the side before lunging forward with its claws outstretched.
Without many options, Percy ducked downward and let the beast fly clear over his head.
The demon crashed into the floor, and Percy wasted no time in standing back up and plunging his sword down, making the beats explode in a grey cloud of dust.
He breathed out slightly before he took a step back.
His first kill with this sword, or with any normal weapon to be honest. He clutched down and raised his sword once more.
He glanced warily at the man in black who made no move to join the battle, letting the red blobs fight instead.
The boy racked his brain, wondering what exactly what he should do. He could probably take on both the smaller demons even if they attacked at the same time, but the man in the back made him worry.
He didn't have time to think of a plan as the two monsters screeched out and rushed forward.
Percy scowled as he sidestepped the first attack before slashing his blade. The first demon ducked underneath it as the second one rushed forward. Percy grunted as he tried to dodge the attack, but couldn't stop it from cutting two sizable gashes in his stomach.
The boy gnashed his teeth before he kicked his foot, launching the little demon onto the wall.
He looked down at his wound to see it was seemingly burning, probably due to some underworld magic or whatever.
He glowered at the two monsters before stepping forward once more. He swung the flat of his blade and clobbered the first demon, sending him flying into his teammate.
The two struggled to recover as they narrowly dodged the demigods next attack. Percy was preparing to end them both when he caught something in the corner of his eye.
He turned around just in time to see a black object coming directly for his neck. Without time to think, Percy squatted down to the floor as the object traveled over his face, swiping away a tuft of his hair.
Without a thought Percy swung the hilt of his blade forward, catching the man in black in his stomach.
The man was hit back a couple of steps before he recovered.
Percy turned to check on the other cacodaemons, and saw they were both ready to attack.
"I'm surprised a demigod's reflexes are that potent. Your soul may be more worth the trouble." He said in an emotionless voice.
Instead of replying, Percy surprised the man by rushing towards the two smaller demons. Caught off guard, there was nothing they could do as Percy swiftly sliced the closest one in half.
Percy prepared to kill the second, but mid swing his blade was stopped. Percy squinted his eyes before lifting his gaze.
He looked up to see his sword suspended over his head with several long pointed nails around his weapon.
"That's enough toying around." Said the figure sinisterly. The man jutted forward his off hand, threatening to pierce the kid with all 5 of his fingers.
Percy looked frantic as he narrowly dodged the attack, the side of his shirt being ripping the the process.
Percy yanked his sword out of the monsters grip before he jabbed forward.
The man took a step back from to avoid the attack.
Percy lowered his sword to his side, and turned around. He looked at the small cacodaemon hovering behind him with a menacing gaze.
The demons started to falter when he met the boy's eyes.
The monster attempted to run away, but didn't get the chance as Percy gripped its squishy body in his palm.
The boy reared back his hand and hurled the monster forward. The creature flew and landed directly in the mans chest.
"HMPH." He said as the air was knocked out his lungs. Percy wasted no times in stepping forward and jabbing yet again.
This time the attack hit, cutting clean through the first demon, and lodging the tip of the blade through the man in blacks stomach.
The demon exploded into dust, and the man clutched his chest as he back off, only after he threw both his hands forward, slicing up Percy's forearm.
Percy's first instinct was to retaliate, but he didn't move too hastily.
The man coughed up a dark liquid, yet said no words, instead only running forward.
Percy met his stride and the two exchanged blows with one another, each hit making a clanging noise.
Percy found that the man relied more on speed then skill, but it seemed to be working. Percy was vaguely aware of the fact that his arm was leaking heavily.
The boy decided to end things quickly, pushing off the man to gain space. With a large lunge, Percy raised his sword above his head.
With all his power, Percy swung downwards.
The man raised both his hands to deflect the attack. Instead of repelling the sword, the demons nails crumbled under the pressure and shattered into pieces.
The man was knocked down to the floor as he was left defenseless. Percy glared down at him with his sword ready.
He didn't give him a chance to plea as he slashed forward, sending the mans head flying. It rolled off before disappearing in a cloud of dust.
Percy was breathing hard, struggling to catch his breath. He was wondering what to to with his cut when the air in front of him shimmered.
A portal like image appeared. In the middle were the words "Call from Luke Castellan, enter drachma to accept."
Percy raised a brow.
Castellan, he laughed slightly to himself as he reached into his pouch. Not knowing what to do, he simply threw h the coin into the image, making it shimmer once more.
In the portal shortly appeared the scarred face of Luke.
"Hey there Percy. How you enjoying the outside world." He said with a knowing smile.
Percy scoffed. "Not so much better than camp, to be honest with you."
Luke chuckled before his eyes hovered down. He spotted Percy's arm.
"I'm guessing you fought the cacodaemon already then?" He asked. "Might wanna get that checked out."
Percy glowered. "You could've warned me before that I needed a soul."
Luke shrugged. "I must've forgot. But anyways, that's not why I called you. There's been a change in plans." He said.
"What?"
"I know you were supposed to stop your brothers quest and all, but it seems like there's been a change in plans. Those three are moving faster than I had expected, so if you want to stop him you'll need to get on the move."
Percy looked at him questioningly. "How exactly do you want me to do that then, Luke?"
"Well isn't it obvious? You'll need to aboard the hell train." He said. "After getting a ticket first, of course." The look on the boys face made him incredibly cautious.
"What the hell is the hell train?" He asked.
Luke smirked. "Details aren't important right now. All you need to do is head into that pawn shop and get a ticket." He said. Percy was about to object when there was a low growl from behind.
"Oh, I forgot to mention that cacodaemons travel in packs. Good luck Percy!" He said as the image started to shimmer.
As it did so, Percy saw a multitude of eyes appear from the darkness of the alley. A moment later a few more demons appeared, though there were multiple more still lurking.
Percy scowled before he turned his weapon back into its necklace form. Once it was safely on he grabbed the bottom of his cloak and ripped of a piece. After wrapping it around his wound, he turned tail and ran off before any of the monsters could attack.
He didn't look back, but he heard the demon swipe away at him. He silently cursed Luke. It seemed like because of him, things were about a lot more serious.