Percy had grown used to a lack of dreams.
He didn't really know why they didn't happen anymore, but he liked to believe Alaska had something to do with it. Being that far from the gods, from their blood and their magic and their influence, he was just able to evade the usually horrific terrors that plagued him when he slept. Of course, that just meant that the flash backs he did have were most likely trauma induced, which was probably worse, but he digressed.
The dream he had that night... it was horrific.
He was at the top of a mountain, THE mountain, Hammer falls' mountain. The winds whipped across the peak as the snow bit at his exposed skin. He was alone, not a soul surrounding him. No Leo, no Annabeth, no Zoe. The wind started to pull at his body, as if it demanded that he give up, that he lay down and lose. He was cold, and tired, and had wounds he couldn't explain, and the wind had started to convince him to do what it said. Maelstrom sat in his hands, the cold silver blade shimmering in the moonlight.
The moon, it was massive, so massive it looked as if it were about to crash into the earth. It was close to the earth, too close. Close enough to touch. It glowed as something rose up in his line of sight, cresting over the peak of the mountain and blocking his view.
It was a wolf, and a giant one at that. Not giant as in great Dane giant. Giant as in it stood at least 20 feet tall. It's fur was a dull grey, rustling as it moved into view. It had chains wrapped around it's shoulders, snapped at certain links as if something, or someone, had attempted to imprison it. It's eyes, black and red orbs that dripped with malice bore into Percy's soul.
It sneered, and a voice invaded Percy's mind.
"I take it you're the being sent to kill me?"
Percy struggled to respond, to move, to even acknowledge the beast. His knees shook and his hands trembled from the cold. He could barely raise his eyes to meet the creature.
"How... disappointing." The beast said, as another figure came into view atop its back. This one was far away, too far for Percy to make out properly. What he could make out were outlines. Outlines of a body, outlines of a face, outlines of a crown with two horns sitting on the figures brow.
The next thing he made out was a laugh, a deep condescending laugh that rang out from the figure as the wolf turned to the moon. It sat on it's haunches, gazing at the giant rock in the sky, before it howled. The noise was unbearable, a droning, wailing sound that made Percy drop Maelstrom and cover his ears in pain.
As the wolf howled, the moon grew. It got bigger, and bigger, and bigger, swelling in size in the sky.
A few seconds went by before Percy realized in horror that he was wrong. It wasn't getting bigger.
It was getting closer.
Percy woke with a gasp, clutching his chest as he did. He sat up immediately, running his hand over his throat. He could still feel the frigid cold, still taste the mountain air...
Still hear the howl ringing in his ears.
He took deep breaths trying to calm himself, breathing in and out slowly to calm his heart. He glanced over at his clock, taking note of the time.
7:15 a.m.
He continued to breathe deeply, sucking air into his lungs, before a soft hand place itself on his chest and pushed him back onto the bed.
He landed on his pillow and felt his heart panic slightly as he turned to face her.
Zoe, in his bed. In his bed? She was in his bed.
The memories of last night came flooding back to him. He felt the colour leave his face. He lifted up the blanket to confirm and, yeah. She was in his bed.
And they were both naked.
He dropped the sheet and stared at the ceiling, thinking about what had just happened. Three days ago he'd been saving her from drowning in a lake. Three days ago she'd still just been his friend. Three days ago she'd have probably knocked him out if he'd even suggested this would happen. Now she was laying in his bed, her arm lazily draped across his chest, her head nestled into the crook of his neck as she breathed quiet breaths.
He didn't know what to do, or what to say, or if he should even do or say anything. Part of him wanted to hold her in his arms and press his face into her hair, whispering sweet things until she melted in his arms. Part of him wanted to drop on one knee that very instant and see if one of the nuts in Leo's tool belt fit her finger.
Part of him wanted round two.
He was pulled by his thoughts when she finally spoke, mumbling into his chest in a voice that sounded so sweet it made his cheeks flush red.
"You talk in your sleep."
He let a breath out of his nose, slinking his arm around her shoulder, "Do I still drool?"
"No, just talk," She said, pushing herself more onto his chest as she did. She turned her face up to him, resting her chin on his chest as she looked him in the eyes, giving him a sly smile, "You said my name twelve times."
He paled, then looked down at her with wide eyes, "Twelve times?"
She rested her cheek on his chest and pulled the covers up over her shoulders, "I counted."
He groaned and brought his free hand up to his face, rubbing the morning exhaustion out of his eyes, before dropping it next to him and relaxing his body.
"Why does this feel so good?"
She pushed her head closer to his chest, laying a hand on it as she did, "Five years, Percy. Five straight years of unaddressed, purposefully ignored sexual tension." She looked up at him with a very... notable look in her eye, "It's not surprising it felt that good."
He shook his head, "No, not that... well yes, actually, that too. That a lot." He looked down at her,
"I mean, this." He said, twirling a little circle over the two of them, "Why does this feel so good."
She took a deep breath and sat up, her soft olive skin glowing in the early morning sunlight. She ran her hand up her right arm as she turned over her shoulder to look at him.
"Do you think whoever brought us here, whoever chose us for this... do you think they knew this would happen?" She asked him, twirling her own finger over the two of them.
He opened his mouth to answer, but nothing came out. Whatever answer he had fizzled out in his brain as he really thought about it.
"I don't know." He answered honestly, his eyes taking on a tentative look, "But I'd like to believe I fell in love with you because I love you, not because some god decided it."
She smiled at him over her shoulder, before she turned to the door.
"Think they're awake yet?" She asked, pointing her chin at the door.
Percy glanced at it, "I don't think so. If I remember correctly Leo isn't a quiet morning person."
She smiled again, "Perfect."
She turned around, leaping onto him and pinning his arms to the bed. He fell back as she did, letting a twinge of fear creep into his eyes as she looked into him from her position, her eyelids lazily drooping over her eyes as she ran her tongue over her teeth. The situation wasn't really being helped by the fact that she was still very naked and giving him... quite the view from her position. He let out a nervous chuckle, realizing that she wasn't just doing it for show and that he actually couldn't move.
"Perfect?" He asked, trying (and failing) to not sound scared. She nodded.
"Perfect." She said, before leaning into his ear, "Because I want round two."
He felt a little lightning bolt shoot through his heart, and his body, and end up... well, somewhere Zoe could probably feel from her position on his lap. She pulled back with a sly smile.
"So I take it that's a yes?" She asked him. He was about to nod just about as hard as he could before a sound made his sweat turn cold.
knock knock knock
There was a second where they both turned to the door, staring at it from their position on the bed, probably having been so caught up in their moment that it didn't seem real, like if they'd just ignored it, that it wouldn't even exist.
The second set of knocks is what sprang them to their feet.
Percy rolled out of bed as Zoe rolled off of him, grabbing his boxers and tugging them on as he quickly tossed Zoe the flannel she'd had on the night before. She shot him a smile as he did before she reached into his closet, pulling out a pair of sweat shorts and a t-shirt and tossing them to him.
Three more knocks rang out.
"Just a second!" Percy called in a voice he tried to make sound calm. He slipped on the shirt and tried to get the shorts on as fast as he could as Zoe pulled on a pair of his sweatpants. He surged to the door, unlocking it and swinging it open as he tried his best to look as casual as possible.
It was Artemis, standing with her arms crossed and a squinting glare on her face.
"Perseus." She said, her tone just about as cold as ice.
He swallowed, his Adams apple bobbing up and down as he did. "Yes?" He squeaked out.
"We're all in your yard, in our tents when you're ready for us. The meeting is about to begin."
"You're already up?" Percy asked, again checking his clock to confirm the time.
"We've been up for an hour, Perseus." She said, before rolling her eyes slightly, "We decided to let you and Zoe sleep in a bit after your... busy night." She said, scowling as she said the words.
He paled, his breath hitching. "You heard us?" He asked her in a hushed whisper.
"No, but I had my suspicions, and you just confirmed them." She said as she turned to leave.
He felt his breath let out as she left, but it stopped when she spoke again.
"And Percy?" She said, calling to him over her shoulder from his hallway, "Cover your neck when you join us."
She left for his yard, leaving him with a confused look on his face as he walked over to his ensuite and flipped on the light. For fuck sakes, Zoe he thought to himself.
His neck was covered in hickeys.
She slinked into the bathroom after him, smiling into the mirror as she tucked herself under his arm, wrapping her arms around his chest.
"If you think that's bad, "She said with a smile, while looking at his reflection, "You should see your back."
He groaned, and hung his head. "I know. It hurts, a lot. Thanks for that." He said, wincing over the multiple fingernail marks in his back.
She grinned wickedly, before tilting his chin up to give him a kiss, a kiss that wiped any and all embarrassment from the encounter with Artemis from his mind.
"You're welcome." She said, turning to his closet, "Now let's find you a turtleneck."
They found one, buried deep in the confines of Percy's closet, it was there. It was light grey, and admittedly a little tight on him (not that Zoe could complain, or say anything with how much she was staring at the outline of his body under it) but it covered his neck, and that just had to do.
He pulled on a pair of black jeans and his good ol' boots before slipping on one of his "Hammer falls Police Department" baseball caps, deciding that a cowboy hat-turtleneck combo wasn't something the world was ready for.
Zoe didn't mind that decision at all, as she took the opportunity to plop his hat on her head instead, a smile spreading on her face as she did. Percy gave her a squinting look.
"You really like that, don't you?" He asked her. She shrugged.
"It's practical, it keeps me dry, and it fits with the town." She said, before blushing and looking down. "Plus you look cute in it."
He felt a blush spread across his own cheeks as he grabbed his leather bomber jacket off his hanger. He held it for a second, before he turned to her and held it out.
."Wanna complete the Percy look?" He asked her. She nodded with a smile and pulled it from his hands, slipping it over her shoulders. It was oversized on her, but she didn't seem to mind, zipping it up before she held out her hands.
"How do I look?" She asked, he looked her up and down.
"Like me." He said, raising his eyebrows, "like a hotter me."
She shook her head, "Not a chance, Jackson. This look completes you. I can only hope to imitate your style." She held her arms out to her sides, letting the jacket hang off her.
He let out a breath, and put his hands on his hips. "I cannot believe we are one of these kind of couples..."
"I know." She said with a sigh, dropping her arms to her sides, "Let's get out there before I puke."
He smiled as he led her out to his yard. They made their way over to the tents, through the rain that was (still) pouring down from the sky. Percy made sure to take note of the weather, as he assumed it would decide what he wore on the quest.
They stepped into the main tent together, taking in the setting and small crowd that was there already. There was a table set up, a short one with no seats that everyone had surrounded with the old map spread over it. Annabeth sat on the right side and gave Percy and Zoe both soft smiles as they entered, which Percy didn't hesitate to return.
Artemis was sat at the head of the table and was sharpening a knife when they entered, a gesture that nearly made Percy run back in the house and lock the doors. Leo was there doing... Leo things. Namely working on fixing a young hunters bow while the girl watched over his shoulder attentively. He looked up at the two as they entered and let out a groan.
"For fuck sakes, you guys are sharing clothes now?" He asked, "Me and Calypso have been married for years and we don't even do that, you dorks."
Percy felt his face heat up as he closed his eyes and let a breath out of his nose, mumbling out a "Shut up, Leo."
He felt a little better when he heard Annabeth snicker from the table.
He and Zoe took their own seats on the (surprisingly comfortable) floor and Artemis stopped sharpening the knife, only to drive it into the table, leaving it there as Leo watched with a face just about as pale as the Hispanic boy could make it.
"Let's begin." Artemis said, leaning over the map. "We've already had at least a minor discussion, but I want to plan this out. This is the first time in a long time a goddess or god has been directly involved in a quest and I intend to have as few deaths as possible."
The way she worded it made Zoe's hand grip Percy's a little tighter and he let his mind flash back to the last quest she'd been on, and how it had ended. He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze right back.
"As I've already explained," Artemis continued, "Me and my hunters will trace a path along the east face of the mountain." She said, "While you-"
"Why are we splitting up?" Leo cut her off suddenly, earning a glare that could break glass. He stopped talking, taking his hand off the hunters bow to slowly raise it into the air. Artemis sighed and rolled her eyes, nodding at him.
"Why are we splitting up?" He asked her, "If this quest is as dangerous as we think it is, why not have safety in numbers?" He asked.
"Because we aren't technically a part of your quest." Artemis replied, "Were the back up plan, in case..." She trailed off, but didn't need to explain. In case they all died, a bit blunt and not the best words to leave with a group about to go on a quest.
She shook her head. "Regardless, we'll meet you at the peak. That's where we'll find the great beast," She said, pulling her knife from the table, "...and drive our blade into his heart."
She stood up from the table, grabbing her bow and quiver as she did. "We'll leave through your yard, and hopefully meet you at the peak. Good luck, heroes. I hope you find your way safely."
The quest team stood up, turning to leave the tent along with the hunters who had been present. Percy was about to leave with them before Artemis' hand reached out and stopped him. Zoe turned, feeling him stop moving, and he gave her a nod and smile.
"I'll be out in a minute." He told her, she gave him a look.
"Not a second longer." She said, shooting him a slight glare. He grinned at her before the grin fell and he turned back into the tent. The goddess did not look pleased.
Percy cleared his throat, trying to stuff his nerves as Artemis stared him down. She had her knife in it's sheath at her waist, and it wasn't helping the situation.
"Percy." She said, "I'm the goddess of maidens." She began, drumming her hands along the wall of her tent, "So I think you know that I know when a woman is no longer a maiden."
Percy swallowed audibly, shifting uncomfortably on his feet. "If it's any consolation it was my first time too."
Why did I say that, he though to himself, regretting the words pretty immediately. He expected a slap or a punch or an instant smiting, but he instead got something pretty damn surprising. A laugh.
"I had some idea." She told him, shaking her head before letting out a smile. "She loves you. Very much."
"Yeah." He said, a smile spreading across his cheeks, "She really does."
"So I think it goes without saying..." Artemis said, stepping up close to his ear, "That if you ever hurt her, I'll cut you in ways that'll ensure last night's events never happen again."
Percy swallowed again, feeling his hands get clammy.
"Wouldn't dream of it." He said, she smiled, pulling away and heading for the exit.
"Good luck on your quest, Percy. I'll see you at the peak."
Percy showed up at his truck to find the rest of his quest team already there, decked out in their finest quest-attire. Leo had on the same outfit he had when he arrived, Annabeth had on a camp half blood hoodie over her regular outfit. Percy shook his head at them both.
"What in the hell am I looking at here?" He asked them. They turned to him with confused looks on their faces.
"What?" They both asked.
"What do you mean what?" He said, "You plan to climb a mountain in that?"
Zoe, who'd been seated in the passenger seat of Percy's truck, couldn't help but laugh at her boyfriends little display. Always looking out for everyone, to a hilarious degree.
Percy sighed and rolled his eyes at them both. "Leo, whatever, you're a pyrokinetic it's not like you get cold anyways, but Annabeth!" He said, as she gave him an incredulous look, "You're wearing one hoodie!"
She looked down at her choice of coat, before looking back up at him. "Well I was kind of expecting you to solve that." She said, putting her hands on her hips.
He opened his mouth to reply, but stopped, realizing she'd caught him. "Well... you're right." He grumbled, reaching into the bed of his truck and handing her a jacket. It was a beautiful, forest green rain jacket, lined with fleece and with the words "Hammer falls tourism" embroidered on the chest. She smiled as she took the coat, throwing it on over her hoodie. Leo sighed as she did, looking up at Percy.
"Got anything for me old buddy old friend old pal?" He asked him, Percy sighed.
"Yeah, actually, I do." He said, reaching into the truck bed. He pulled out a rather ornate looking hammer, with a squared head and leather wrapped mahogany grip. Leo smiled as he took the weapon, feeling it's weight in his hand.
"Oh, Leo likey." He said, slipping it into his toolbelts hammer loop, "Leo likey a lot."
"I'd guess as much." Percy said, "It's silver. I was told that's the most effective against... well, whatever we see up there." Leo nodded, grinning at the weapon as he climbed into the backseat of Percy's truck. Percy turned to Annabeth, who had her hands on her hips again.
"I'm hoping there's a weapon in there for me, too." She said, "Because I'm not sure my dagger is gonna kill whatever we meet up there."
He shot her a grin as he reached up into the truck bed. "Well actually," He said, pulling something out, "I've got just the thing."
He handed it to her and her eyes went wide. It was a dagger, silver and ornate, with a shoulder strap sheath. She pulled it out, letting it settle in her hand. It had a perfect weight, and even looked like her dagger. She smiled at him.
"Thank you Percy." She said, "This is..."
"About as close to the original as I could get." He said with a slight shrug, "Been a while since I felt the real thing."
She weaved the strap under her jacket and sheathed the dagger by her ribs. She looked up at him, a slight smile across her lips.
"Thank you Percy. For remembering, and... and getting this." She said. He smiled back at her.
"I never forgot, remember?"
Their little moment was interrupted by Leo tapping on the glass and rolling down the window.
"What are you guys waiting for? An invitation? We've got a world to save and you've got the keys, jackass, let's get moving."
Annabeth and Percy both mumbled out a "Shut up Leo" before they got into the truck.
It was a long ride to the west face of the mountain. Percy didn't really enjoy it, either. He'd never really been a mountain faring man, despite years of Freya trying to convince him to go on one of her many hikes with him, so having to stare at the tree line as he drove the road that bordered the town from the forest felt like seeing the electric chair as he walked to his execution.
He pulled up to a parking spot, what may be his last parking spot ever, and parked the car, hopping out as he and Zoe both grabbed their bags from the back seat. They were big, and cumbersome, and, as Percy looked at the height of the mountain, he was starting to regret packing them as much as he had.
That was of course until Leo spoke up.
"Need some help?" He asked, Percy turned to him, " Not as in me carrying it for you, but making the load a little less... well you'll see." He said, pulling a bead out from his pocket. He held out his hand and Flicked the bead at Percy's backpack. Nearly immediately, Percy felt the backpacks weight leave his shoulders as Leo reached out and caught the bead, rolling it in his hands as he did. It was celestial bronze, and shone slightly as Leo smiled at it.
"Matter condenser." he said, slipping the bead into Percy's pocket, "Hard as hell to make. Unless, of course, you have my wife's magic." He let out a deep sigh, "...gods, I miss her."
Percy plopped his hand on his friends shoulder. "You'll see her a again, I promise."
Leo smiled at that, before slicking the other bead at Zoe's backpack, with Zoe catching it herself and saying a gentle "Thank you" As she pocketed it.
They looked at the mountain, and the trees surrounding it. It felt so much... bigger, up close like this. The way the trees were angled and stretched out into the sky, it was petrifying. Percy internally scolded himself for thinking trees were scary. He pulled his coat over him, having taken back his bomber from Zoe and changed back into one of his classic white t-shirts. He didn't really want to or need to go up the mountain in a turtleneck.
They all kind of just stood there for a moment, watching as the rain dripped off the branches. They all seemed to let it sink in, what they were about to do. Percy clapped his hands together.
"Everyone ready?" He nervously asked. When no one answered he sighed, "Me neither."
"Great speech, Perce." Leo chortled, "You're filling me with inspiration."
"Shut up Leo." Percy muttered back. He was about to take his first step, towards the mountain, when a voice stopped him.
"Got room for one more?" Percy sighed as he recognized the booming voice of Thor behind him. He turned, spinning on his heels half expecting the thunder god to have a backpack of his own an a pair of Helly Hansen boots on his feet, but no, that wasn't what he saw at all. No, what he saw filled him with a lot of emotions. Anger, fear, worry, but most of all:
Panic.
Thor was standing there, dressed in his usual coveralls, with a slightly nervous looking Freya by his side.
She was dressed to the nines, as far as her mountain gear was concerned, which wasn't all too surprising considering how much of an avid hiker she was. She had a medium sized backpack on, leather hiking boots, tan cargo pants, and her own Hammer falls tourism jacket over her shoulders. A burgundy toque sat on her head and her blonde hair was tied into two dutch braids that stuck out from her hat.
She looked prepared, prepared for a hike.
Prepared for a quest.
Percy grit his teeth, squeezing his hands into fists as he glared at the thunder god, opening his mouth to hiss out a simple question.
"What the fuck do you think you're doing?"
To be fair, Freya didn't waste any time getting as comfortable as she could as quickly as she could with Leo and Annabeth. Leo... I mean hell, they may as well have been his friend for years after the 5 minutes they spoke together. She laughed at his jokes, was impressed by his inventions, and even thought he was a little charming. Annabeth was... a little different. Freya wasn't stupid, and she knew enough about Percy's past (from what he'd told her at least) that there was a very specific reason he never dated blondes.
She had a feeling that reason was standing right in front of her.
Still though, she did take note of how Annabeth and Zoe were getting along, chatting about everything from how effective and accurate Zoe's bow was to how dumb Percy could be sometimes. Freya got the feeling that, in the short time she'd been here, Annabeth had made at least some progress with Percy. Speaking of Percy, he was busy by his truck, talking with her dad.
She made a very thorough attempt not to eavesdrop on their conversation, but it was pretty hard when Percy was practically yelling and it was about her.
"What in the hell do you mean she has to come?" Percy demanded, jamming a finger at the god, "We've got four already, plus Artemis, plus her hunters. If we're so poorly prepared why don't you join us?" He demanded.
Thor breathed through his nose, his mood a mix of frustration, anger, and a little regret. "Because, Percy, this is Ragnarok. My involvement would only increase the chance of disaster on your quest. I will be meeting you at the peak, but on my own terms."
Percy threw his hand sup with an exasperated laugh. "What, was ruining Astrid's life not enough? How you have to try it with Freya too?" He shot out.
The gods eyes sparked, if only for a second, before he answered. "A child of Thor must be present on the quest. I knew you'd react this way, that's why I hid this. If you start this quest, and it's without Freya, you're as good as doomed."
Percy scoffed, turning to the group, taking note of how all four of them were talking, laughing even. They didn't seem scared, they seemed... ready. Even Freya.
"I take it you don't have any more surprises?" Percy asked, before turning back to the god.
Thor shook his head. "None, this is it."
Percy sighed, resting his hands on his belt line and looking at the ground, before looking back up at the god and taking a step forward.
"I want you to know something, something I know gods don't tend to think about. You're sending your daughter to her possible death. You're about ready to turn Erik into a widower and his children motherless. Are you prepared to live with that?"
The thunder god bore his eyes into Percy, a flash of a memory skipping past as he did. "I already live with it. Every single day."
Percy sighed, turning back to his group. "Freya, can you come over here for a second?"
She turned to him, eyes full of energy, and bounded over. He opened his door and pulled out his rifle. He ran his hands over it, feeling every detail as he grabbed a belt of bullets from the front seat. A belt of silver bullets, courtesy of Astrid.
He cocked the lever open, loading bullets as he spoke. "So you're coming?" He asked her.
She nodded, "From what I've been told you guys kinda need me. I don't think big sis is taking another hike any time soon."
He let out a small laugh, "No, I don't think she is." He replied, loading the final round and cocking the lever. He put the strap over her shoulder, bandolier style, and handed her the rifle.
"Still a crack shot, I'm guessing?" He asked her.
She shot him a grin and a cocked eyebrow, "Good enough to get first place at the Marksman's comp' 8 years in a row." She replied.
Percy turned away, grumbling out, "Yeah, sticking me with second place" As he did. He turned to the group and Leo raised his hand. Percy sighed.
"Yes Leo?"
"Can I get a gun?" He asked.
"No Leo." He replied as the boy took on a hurt look.
"Why not? Freya gets one!" He exclaimed. Percy gave him a look, before he turned back to his truck, reaching into it to grab an old water bottle.
"Yeah, here's why." He said, throwing the bottle into the water. Five shots rang out in quick succession as the bottle burst with water five times midair. Freya turned back to Leo, flip-cocking the rifle like the terminator as she did before resting the gun on her shoulder.
"You were saying?" Percy asked, Leo held up his hands.
"I was saying... thank the gods you're on our side." He said to Freya, who gave him a smile.
Percy turned back to the thunder god, giving him one last look. "You'll meet us at the top?"
Thor nodded. "I will, I promise."
Percy nodded, and turned back to the mountain, his eyes settling on an old path with a sign over it that read Gods peak - height: 1449 meters. Difficulty level: Expert.
He breathed air out of his nose as he led the group to the entrance. He turned back to them, seeing looks that made him feel safe, and made him feel confident. Looks of determination that he didn't want to admit he missed seeing. He turned back to the trail.
"Let's go."
They started forward on the path, but Percy was pretty immediately distracted by something. Something carved into the sigh post of the trail.
The Greek Omega symbol. Just like he'd seen in town days ago.
And it looked fresh.
The hike started out easy. Too easy. Way too painfully mind numbingly easy. Percy took the front of the group, leading everyone with Zoe right next to him. Freya, Annabeth, and Leo all hung back, quietly talking amongst each other about various things. Percy heard a couple words, Zeus' bolt, sea of monsters, killing Kronos, but he mostly focused ahead of him.
He at some point shot a glance over at Zoe, who had her bow strapped across her back and her knives at her sides, his cowboy hat still resting on her head. Percy smiled as he looked at her, and she glanced over at him with a smile of her own.
"What?" She asked, "checking me out?"
"Maybe I am." He said, facing back forward while raising his eyebrows. "That hat looks good on you, by the way." He said.
She let out a small laugh, "Yeah, well... truth be told," she said, running her hand along the brim, "You might not be getting it back."
He let his smile fall a bit, "I hope that's not you implying one of us isn't gonna make it."
She let out a breath, before looking at him again. "Maybe, but then again, we've both died before. Maybe we'll wake up on some new beach, brought there by some new gods together."
Percy let out a small whistle, "Any places you have in mind?"
She shrugged, "Japan maybe? It's always seemed like a nice place to visit. Plus I love fresh seafood."
He looked at her, a small smile spreading across his lips. "Y'know, if we ever figure out how to get you out of here, I could go for a vacation to Japan."
She looked at him, feeling her heart strings pull a bit at his words, "Really?"
He let out a deep breath, "I think I'd like to travel somewhere and not worry about any monsters or gods trying to kill me. Japan is a full ocean away from that."
She smiled to herself. "Then let's hope after this we can convince whatever God brought us here to let me leave."
He nodded, before sneaking his hand into hers. "I'll make sure of it."
They looked into each other's eyes, a little moment happening between the two of them, before Leo spoke up from the back.
"Do you guys hear that?"
Percy stopped as he spoke, and listened, and sure enough, he heard it. Something, out in the distance. A noise he didn't quite recognize, bit he could at least construe wasn't a normal forest noise. He turned back to the group, motioning with his hand for them to get low to the ground as they snuck up the trail.
The crested a small hill, moving over it into a small clearing of trees and finding... well, not what they expected. It was a cabin, a small thing, maybe 40 feet by 40 feet. It was low to the ground and as black as the night, with windows covered in fog and a craggly chimney sticking out of the roof, spouting smoke. The noise got louder as they got closer. It almost sounded like... like...
"Is that... Burzum?" Leo asked. Percy turned to him, their group a good 40 feet away from the cabin, hiding behind some grass.
"What the hell is Burzum?" Percy asked.
"It's a band." Leo replied, "A Norwegian black metal band. The Ares kids play it all the time, as loud as possible. They love the stuff." He answered, peeking up from the bushes.
Percy looked back at the cabin, before turning back to the group.
"Alright guys, what's the plan?" He asked. They looked at him incredulously.
"What do you mean?" Leo asked, "You're the leader."
Percy dropped his jaw and furrowed his brow, "Who the hell made me leader?"
"You always are." Leo said, looking at Annabeth, "Right?"
Annabeth shrugged, "He's right Percy, you're usually the one in charge."
Percy shook his head with a groan. "Okay, well, dictatorship officially over. We are now a voting democracy. Now who wants to visit the cabin?"
Zoe spoke up, pointing over at it. "She does."
Percy turned to the cabin and felt his heart drop as he watched Freya approach the cabin, he stood up, meaning to rush over to her, but she turned back to him with a grin, before knocking on the door.
"If that's you two in there, open up! It's Freya!"
The music stopped, the door opened, and two of the... well longest, not tallest, but longest people Percy had ever seen stepped out, both probably around 6' but just so... lanky. They were metal heads, that was obvious just from the look. They had long chestnut red hair and piercing blue eyes and black t-shirts with metal band logos on them. The one on the right had a black leather jacket with dozens of pins on it on, along with a pair of black jeans and some Chuck Taylors that looked ancient. The one on the left had a sleeveless red flannel shirt and sleeveless denim cut off vest with a pair of blue jeans and black leather boots on.
They were tall, and slim, and looked skinny as sticks. They were also very obviously twins. They looked at Freya, smiles spreading across their faces as they did.
"Freya, how are you sister?" Leather said, in a Nordic accent so thick it was almost comedic.
"We've missed you so." Flannel added, in an equally funny voice.
Freya shrugged, giving them a grin. "Been around, been working, on a quest now for dad."
She turned back to the group and held out her hands. "These are the people I'm questing with, guys. That's Leo, Annabeth, Zoe, and Percy." She said, pointing at each as she did. The twins nodded, giving matching mock bows as they did.
Percy raised his hand, "Uh, Freya?" He asked, she turned to him.
"Yes Percy?"
"Who are they?" He asked, pointing between the two of them.
She smiled and turned back to them. "I guess introduction time guys?" She asked them. They grinned, turning to Percy and the group.
"I am Magni." Leather said.
"And I am Modi." Flannel said.
Freya smiled, and held up her hands in their direction, as if showing them off the the small group. "Magni and Modi, godly sons of Thor."
The cabin was... well, if Percy could say one thing, It perfectly portrayed who these twins were: metal heads.
The interior was black, either painted or that was just the colour of the logs it was built with. It was pretty well furnished, too, with a tv in the corner and an ancient looking brown leather couch in front of it. The walls were completely covered in metal band posters. Percy saw everything in the walls: Burzum, mayhem, Metallica, cannibal corpse, Megadeth, anthrax. The walls were covered so much that some of the posters overlapped each other, almost resembling some kind of mosh pit wall paper.
That was nothing compared to the CDs. There were stacks of them, hundreds, if not thousands of albums in neatly stacked towers along the walls of the cabin. There were more than one CD player in the building, too, and Percy had to wonder if these two listened to more than one album at once.
They all took a seat at the dining room table and the twins brushed whatever crumbs there were off before they sat.
"So what's the quest?" The leather clad one, Magni asked.
"Yes. Don't tell us it's another frost giant hunt." The flannel one, Modi, added with a groan, "We're not too fond of those."
"No, worse." Freya said, laying her rifle on the table, "Ragnarok."
The twins froze, simultaneously looking at each other before looking at Freya in a move so twin-creepy it made Percy shudder. Seriously, the Stolls weren't even this bad, and one summer they made up their own language...
"The great beast..."Magni said in a low tone.
"...It stirs?" Modi added. Freya gave them a grim nod, and they both leaned back and groaned.
"Is dad here?" Magni asked.
"On the mountain?" Modi added.
"He's up near the peak." Freya confirmed, "Safe to assume you guys should avoid it for the time being."
Modi shook his head with a deep sigh, "We never go up there normally, but dad said we might have to..."
"And we rarely have to." Magni added.
"Can you two please stop doing that?" Leo said from the table, the twins turned to him.
"Doing what?" They asked simultaneously.
"That." Leo said, gesturing at them, "All the... twin things. You're freaking me out." Leo had practically plucked the words from Percy's head, and Percy let out a small smile.
The twins both rubbed their hands together nervously, again in perfect sync.
"Sorry about that." They said together. Leo let out a groan and got up from the table, wandering over to their CDs.
"Be careful!" Modi exclaimed.
"They're alphabetized!" Magni added. Leo groaned at their words and focused on the piles. Percy noticed Annabeth trying to stifle her laughter as Zoe rolled her eyes at the situation.
"Sorry." Percy said, looking at the twins, "You remind us of another pair of twins we know."
"Yeah, they aren't even this bad." Leo called from the CDs, "remember Stoll-glish?" Leo said, grumbling at the memory of the clicks and whistles the Stolls tried convincing everyone was a new language.
Percy shook his head with a laugh that Annabeth let out too as Freya turned back to the twins. "Did dad leave anything with you guys? Maybe a clue, or a map?"
They scratched their chins in a mirrored motion before snapping their fingers at the same time, looking at each other.
"The compass?" Magni asked.
"The compass." Modi confirmed.
Modi walked over to their cabinet, digging through it as Magni kept talking. "How have you guys been finding your way so far."
Percy shrugged. "The peak is up. We just kept going up."
Magni shook his head. "Unfortunately, that doesn't work here, right brother?" He called up to Modi.
Modi looked back from the cabinet as he pulled something out. "Correct. The mountain is magic, like us. If you don't take the right path, you'll never reach the top."
Magni nodded. "That's why you need this." He said, handing Freya a compass. It was a massive thing, big enough to fill her hand, with a smooth silver lid that popped open, showing an ornate needle dressed in Nordic symbols. The needle spun, before pointing straight toward the mountain. The twins smiled.
"Dad left it." Magni said, "Told us you'd need it."
"Told us it's show you the way." Modi added, "The way to the top."
Freya smiled at her brothers, pulling them into a big hug. "Thanks guys, I really mean it."
They smiled at her, "No worries." Magni said.
"Anything for you." Modi added.
Freya gave them another smile, before putting her hands in her hips. "And you two had better be coming to Christmas dinner this year." She said, before turning to Percy and Zoe, "You guys too."
Percy and Zoe both nodded their heads at the admittedly intimidating looking woman while the twins leaned forward on the table.
"Depends." Magni said in a comedic tone.
"Will there be grog?" Modi asked.
"And mutton?" Magni pressed.
Freya sighed. "Yes. There will be grog, and mutton, and stew, and venison." She pointed at Percy, "and he's gonna cook it."
Percy paled as the twins looked at him.
"Are you a proper chef?" Magni asked.
"Is your food... delicious?" Modi added.
Zoe leaned forward and wrapped her arm around Percy. "Good enough to convince me to date him for it."
Magni leaned back, looking at Modi with a hushed whisper.
"The hunter of Artemis bedded him for his cooking, he is surely blessed by Andhrímnir himself."
Zoe felt her cheeks flush at the twins choice of words and stood up as she did. "What did you just say?"
Freya's eyes widened as she gestured to the twins. "They meant nothing by it." She said with a laugh, before turning to the twins with a serious look on her face, "...right boys?"
They both gulped, and spoke together. "Right. Sorry miss."
Percy had probably the biggest shit eating grin on his face as he gently held Zoe's hand, she eased back into her seat with a huff.
Percy cleared his throat. "Anyways, not to rush but we do have a Ragnarok to prevent. Anything else you guys got for us?"
Magni nodded as Modi pulled something else out of the cabinet. A single arrow.
"This." The man said, handing it to Zoe with two hands, "Is for you."
She took the arrow in her hands, examining it. It was a simple thing, a wooden shaft with a feathered tail and an iron head. Looked to be about a thousand years old. Only odd thing about it was that, wrapped around the head, was a clump of mistletoe.
"What's this for?" She asked, "I've already got a quiver of silver arrows."
Magni and Modi looked at each other, before turning to Freya, who had a deeply concerned look on her face. They shared a silent conversation with their eyes before turning back to Zoe.
"It's for if you run into... him." Modi said.
"We can't say his name, it gives him power, but... you'll know him when you see him." Magni added, before gesturing at the arrow. "You needn't even let it fly. He'll know not to bother you if you have this."
Zoe looked at the arrow and shrugged, before slipping it into her quiver. "Anything else?"
"No, that's all." Magni said with a grin, "Unless you want any Cradle of Filth albums. We've got some spares."
"I told you not to buy off e-bay." Modi said, "They always send the wrong stuff."
"It was a bulk order, there's always doubles!" Magni shot back.
Freya took this as an opportunity to leave, getting everyone up from the table and motioning Leo over. "Time to go. Bye boys, see you on Christmas."
"See you Freya!" They said together, drawing another groan from Leo as they left the cabin.
Percy wouldn't lie, Freya was a natural leader.
Of course, part of that was because of the way she handled his rifle (terrifyingly), and also partly because she had a magic compass guiding them, but she was just so... good at it. Every time they got to a stream, she'd look at Percy at tell him to part it, with so much confidence he didn't feel like he had a choice. Every time they got to a cliff she made sure everyone was up safe before she climbed up after. Every time someone needed a break she made sure everyone rested properly, but kept time so they didn't sit too long.
It was almost like she was half God or something. Half God and an avid, avid hiker.
Percy couldn't help but think these things as he followed behind her, admittedly working harder than he'd like to admit to keep up with the woman. Annabeth at some point started walking next to him.
"So." She said, "Those twins were weird."
Percy smiled, "Remind you of someone? I saw you laugh when Leo brought up Stoll-glish."
Annabeth smiled, "I'll admit, it was pretty funny."
He smiled, looking ahead to Freya, who was being flanked by a very attentive Zoe. His smile fell a bit as a thought crossed his mind.
"I'm sorry." He said, earning a confused look from Annabeth.
"Why are you sorry?" She asked him.
"Because of what the twins said, about Zoe bedding me, or whatever." He said, running the back of his neck. "I wouldn't have wanted you to hear that."
Annabeth let out a small breath. "You know something Percy, I've learned quite a bit these last few days."
"You always learn things, smart people tend to do that." Percy replied, earning a soft punch in the shoulder.
"Shut up you jackass. But really," She said, looking at him, "I think I've figured some things out."
Percy took a deep breath, "I see."
"I think..." Annabeth said, picking her words carefully, "That I didn't miss dating you, Percy. I just missed you. I missed being your friend, being there for you, being a part of your life." She took a deep breath and faced ahead, "I missed us, not the relationship us, but us."
"Wise Girl and Seaweed Brain..." He said, "On one of our wacky suicide missions for crazy gods."
"Exactly." She said with a smile, "Plus, I'm not cruel, and I don't think Zoe is someone who would take heartbreak lightly."
Percy took a shuddering breath, "No, I don't think she would, plus Artemis threatened to castrate me if I screwed up."
Annabeth snorted out a laugh, "Seriously?"
"More or less..." He said, tugging at his jacket. She grinned, enjoying their little back and forth. Truth be told, it was nice just talking to him like this. Even about Zoe. She could tell he was happy, and even though that little part of her heart that he held was still beating, she knew damn well that these friendly little talks were satisfying it.
She was pulled from her thoughts as Freya and Zoe stopped at the crest of a hill. They motioned to the team, waving them over. Leo jogged up behind as Annabeth and Percy moved to the hill.
There was... well, a bunch of buildings. A logging outpost, by the looks of it. It was run down and battered, probably by years and years of neglect, with rust covered warehouses and rotting lumber buildings. A sign hung from the roof of one of the buildings, a hand written one that was partially torn.
STAY AWAY, BEWARE -
Before the rest of the sign was ripped off.
Percy squinted at the ancient smattering of buildings and noticed something, something tucked away in the back.
A gondola, an ancient looking one at that. A pit dropped in Percy's stomach as he saw it, a very very bad thought worked itself into his mind. He turned to Freya, who looked at him. She showed him the compass and it confirmed his fears.
It was pointing straight at the gondola.
Alright, I know I promised monsters, but hopefully the twins little twin-isms will hold you guys off for now. Next chapter though, boy howdy, just you wait...
On another note I've been checking out my stats and, sheeeit, 150 likes and 180-something follows? You sure know how to make a guy feel special.
Also, sorry for my wild and wacky upload schedule. I know I said something like one chapter a week, one chapter on the weekends, but this story is like crack for the little part of my mind that likes writing. Although on another note, I have started doing a skeleton draft run through of my next story. I'm about five chapters in and it's looking pretty okay to me. Don't hold your breath though, first godless land gets finished, then a new project.
Anyways, as always thank you for reading. Again, I read every review, multiple times. They really do keep me going and I'm always happy to see them. A lot of what you guys are saying keeps my poor thumbs working themselves to the bone writing this thing. That being said I never thought I'd hit triple digits in follows or likes, so that helps too. You guys keep reading and I'll keep posting, see you soon.
-Bronzeandsteel
Also, if you guys can, please drop your timezone and preferred upload time for chapters in the reviews. If I see a vocal majority saying "stop uploading at 3.a.m. eastern time" I'll roll it back or forward a bit.