Disclaimer: The title is from Gnarls Barkley's Crazy.
CHAPTER 11: You Really Think You're In Control? Well, I Think You're Crazy
"For today's Capture the Flag…settle down, campers… We have the Blue Team led by Cabin Six-Athena and has allied with Cabins Seven-Apollo and Eleven-Hermes. The Red Team is led by Cabin Five-Ares and is allied with Cabins Four-Demeter, Nine-Hephaestus, Ten-Aphrodite and Twelve-Dionysus. The Ares Cabin currently holds the laurels.
"The creek is the boundary line. The forest is fair game. Magic items are allowed. Killing and maiming, however, are not. Good luck. And may the best team win!"
That was a while ago. Now, on border patrol by the creek, a very irate demigoddess had her headphones on, a lousy attempt to quell the boredom and rising anger welling inside her. She had discarded the useless armour as soon as she reached her post. It will do nothing but hinder her. Her blessed hoodie was all she needed for protection. Her aura-sensing abilities saw her father's imprint on the clothing article, which explains its almost-invulnerability.
And that ladies and gentlemen is how narrating the exposition is done! Dropping the mic…
But seriously, I really am reaching my limits. Also, Annabeth standing ten feet away, invisible no less, wasn't helping matters much.
Her Yankee's invisibility cap was doing a swell job, really. The only reason I knew she was there were: instincts and her familiar aura. Her familiar grey and bronze aura was as familiar as Clarisse's scarlet and bronze one. (And the Stolls' cobalt blue with different color explosions- each one of them had a special color palette, though, I didn't really need it to know which is which. It's a surprise they haven't cornered me yet….) I don't need to even have my aura-sensors ON to know they're near.
But why am I angry at her? Simple, really….
The bitch set me up as bait! Yes, it is a smart idea. I am the distraction her allies need to get the flag. If the deadliest of the bunch went after me, Castellan has a chance to get the flag with the most challenging forces out of the way. So, I actually do get a bit of action, and- how my esteemed sperm donor so eloquently put it- fuck shit up.
Even though I have a pretty good relationship with the Ares and Aphrodite Cabins…. I don't think they appreciate me borrowing a couple of their…stuff. And hiding them in an only-reachable-to-moi underwater alcove. But they don't need to know that…. They probably think I burned it at the stake! No seriously they think I spilt some of Alabaster C. Torrington's more destructive potions…
Al's a real sweetheart, especially with his little siblings- he's the oldest child of Hecate, though he's only about fourteen/fifteen. He's also the most trained in witchcraft and Mist manipulation.
(Though, according to Annabeth, most demigods could learn to manipulate the Mist. "It's just a matter of determination and concentration. All demigods do that, anyway, on a subconscious level, innately. How do you think we hide our weapons from mortals when we go monster hunting? Some just think it is a normal and natural occurrence: 'Mortals aren't meant and don't need to see it, anyway'. The only difference is that the children of Hecate, and often the Big Three's children too, have a greater degree in controlling it. Though for children of Hecate, they grow up knowing how. The children of the Big Three, however, need to learn it, even if learning it comes a bit easier to them than most. It's like normal mist, it's in the air, and it's like the white version of shadows…".
She also began an interesting history lesson.
"The Mist is the condensed magical essence of our world taking an abstract form, our ability to bend reality. It also helps hiding us from mortal eyes after the fallout that happened in the Dark and Middle Ages.
Even though during the Renaissance Greek and Roman Classics and 'Mythology' made a fierce come back, hence the gods being the cradle of Western Civilization. But the comeback wasn't enough after the terrible and bloody events of the fallout. There are records saying it was probably worse than the Trojan War and the Witch Hunts.
Christian extremists went rabid over all polytheistic faiths, mythologies. The Celtic Mythology's mortal documentaries aren't clear if the 'great kings and queens of myth' are deities or not. The Celts are barely holding their grip to this world, instead of fading- even gods are terrified of passing beyond the Veil to the unknown. Their only anchor is the Pagans and Wiccans.
The Ancient Egyptians, though still thriving, had their temples vandalized and were raided thoroughly during the many conquests that Egypt has seen.
The Norse don't even have actual records of their own. The only records of them is through the countries that the Vikings had taken or been. That does not, however, mean they didn't leave their stuff behind when they retreated a bit after the Middle ages. They left quite a bit, though, for mortals to make their own speculations. Movies never get anything right.
And most eastern faiths were hardly ever meddled with, too far away.
The Native Americans were probably the luckiest of the North and Southern American civilizations and faiths. Gods know how bad the Mesoamericans took it, what with the Spanish Inquisition and all. But because they were the bloodiest pantheon of the bunch they not only survived the massacres of their followers, but fed off of them too. The Africans are still their in the nomadic tribes scattered here and there."
Apparently the Greek and Roman pantheon isn't the only one. I'm honestly not surprised though. I knew this world was a world where the monsters under the bed weren't figments of imagination. It's just that accepting a world of monsters is different from accepting a world of gods and monsters. That there are assholes out their responsible for the monsters and fucking up lives is a bit different and harder to wrap my head around...
It is an interesting topic. I know this demigoddess right here will be spending a bit more time in the Archives. I got off topic, again….)
Where was I… where was I…? Ah!
Al, the son of Hecate. He decided to take me under his cloak, or something like that. He was intrigued by my potential in water scrying and my talent in potion brewing. "If you stay still for a bit longer and learn patience, you might be an exceptional potioneer- a good disguise for many chemists and pharmacists and scientists in general in the mortal world. Scrying, too, needs patience. And your not half bad with the Mist, kitten. And are you even listening to me? Get the fuck down from the rafters!" Yes, Ally, I heard you. That was an interesting conversation, I was tied to a chair by his mojo to learn 'the fine art of cleaning a damn cauldron'. Fine art my ass, Alabastard.
Back to the game.
So, they- the Ares and Aphrodite kids- banded up against me, if the looks I got from them during the march to the forest was any clue. So not only do I have to look out Clarisse's spear Lamer- ah, pardon, Maimer- and the rest of her siblings' deadly weapons, but also Silena with her new-found affinity for the glowy bronze, jagged dual whips (She trains with two, but one is more practical for until she absolutely masters wielding both.) and Drew's skill and accuracy with her glowy bronze war fans. They were both terrifying.
And I am in no way downgrading the other Cabins' newfound affinities and prowess. Castellan is up for one hella ride afterall….
Anywho, back to the boring present and ignoring the ominous growl that echoed in the silence- though it was occasionally broken with a yell or two and weapons clashing every few minutes-, I was thoroughly enjoying the music coming from my wireless headphones.
Glowy metal phones? Perfecto. Especially discovering my phone was the only one that doesn't send 'yo, I'm a delicious midnight meal! You could have me with ketchup if you catch up!' flares in a fifty mile radius was the highlight of yesterday.
Then again, seeing a bunch of ancient-weapons-or-just-weapons-in-general-wielding demigods screaming like they caught their parents doing the Devil's Tango when I took it out is a very close second.
Aaaand, right on time. My waited for diversion arrived with whips cracking, fans slicing, spears crackling, and swords clashing with breastplates. And the eventual howl...
….Not very subtle.
I took out Ana- my sword, Anaklusmos/Riptide. That cute thing chose me as her wielder! The first in a couple centuries, she said. Ana can get very talkative if you open up your mind…- and exclaimed, "Finally! I thought you'd never come!"
"I hope we didn't disappoint," Silena said flippantly, her whips curled around her arms like pretty pieces of jewelry.
"Nope," I answered in a too sweet voice with a Cheshire grin. "I just hope we all have fun."
"Oh, we will," Clarisse answered with her own bloodthirsty smile. Mark and Sherman grunted in agreement behind her, their grins matching their sister's.
Drew was just sneering in glee and fanning her surprisingly void-of-make-up face- the violet lipstick and eyeliner count as shit compared to her norm. "Can we quit talking and get this over with?" She asked with a pout. "Isn't it enough she took my favorite pair of brown suede boots?"
"I thought your favorite pair of boots was the black one?" I was honestly curious.
"That was two days ago," She waved her hand dismissively, ignoring her sister's sigh and the war bitches' and my concerned-for-her-mental-health expressions.
"Anyway," I physically and mentally shook my head. And I put a sweet smile on. "But don't you think five-to-one odds are a bit… unfair?" I was dripping false innocence like no tomorrow.
They collectively snorted. "I'd be more worried about us, really."
"I know."
And, have I mentioned the glowy bronze whip and Silena's skill with it? It's a damn good thing she only chose to use one this time.
Well, it is pretty damn hard avoiding the barbed and jagged lashes while parrying two swords-one jagged, the other double-edged and both working together wickedly-, an electric spear- that bitch either wants to impale me with the serrated, glowy, bronze head running with red electricity(a new upgrade) or crushing my bones with the other business end slamming blindly when the head was deflected-, or perhaps the dual war fans- Drew's thin frame was helping lots in slashing and quickly getting out of the way for someone else to land a hit.
It was fun! And adrenaline? My gal's always there.
Jumping to avoid the whip from turning my calves to ground meat, I raised Ana to block Sherman's great sword, pushing him back just in time to block Mark's jagged one and limboed under Lamer and Drew's deadly fans and raised Kýma to block another jab.
It went on a bit like that, me being mostly on defense, but I would eventually get in some pretty serious hits here and there.
My cheek was bleeding from a lucky hit from a fan and my shoulders (cold-shoulder hoodie) were scrapped from all the rolling on broken debris from a hit missing and catching a boulder from the creek. My legs were as okay as the rest of me.
The mothertruckers now noticed that the hoodie was impenetrable and went for uncovered skin. And- well- my gladiator sandals, even though they reached my knees, were as good as zilch, some cords were already teared.
But! That in no way shape or form means that they were unscathed. Kýma and Ana were doing their jobs. And… I play dirty. So dust, rocks and grass weed flying here and there from time-to-time was a hella good distraction, even fatal in real life situations. Tripping them also wasn't out of the question. And slashing the leather straps of the armour and rendering them armourless? Not a problem. And… waddling demigods was a very amusing scene, including them trying to pull their pants back up still holding their swords, but waving them wildly in front of them.
And there was a-not-so-insignificant amount of blood and gashes on our persons. And you gotta give it to them for still going on. But…
Experience trumps brilliance. And I've been doing this shit for about half my life, give or take.
And they were tiring. Heavy breathing, sloppier blows, and staggering. The daughters of Aphrodite, although highly skilled, were virtually new to this type of exertion. (Probably the only exertion, besides Black Friday. Though judging by attitude, they seem to be living comfortable lives, so not even Black Friday. SMH….)
The children of Ares, however, had a bit more endurance and stamina due to these activities being an everyday routine, freetime activity and a homework of sorts.
Take the belles out then the brutes. Hehe.
I was able to disorient Drew with introducing her forehead to the back of Ana's hilt. (Kýma's other business end- the glowy-silver tail of the sea serpent- is for trepanation- drilling holes in heads….) Her fan's turned into thin daggers that appeared in her bun when they fell from her hands. Huh, interesting. She was on her ass, holding her head and moaning, before she was out when Sherman tripped over her, pulling his pants up and being off-balance 'cause of his armour hanging off one shoulder.
Silena almost got a lucky hit, but the whip curled around Ana, and I pulled. A bit harder than necessary. The daughter of Aphrodite came crashing as I repeated the same intro of Ana and the back of her head. She fell face-first into the dirt.
I jumped above her unconscious form and away from Mark's swing. Ana tangled with the jagged edge of Mark's sword. I twirled and and the back o' my athame's hilt(you know? the end with an eye-gouging, trepanating end?) met Mark's shoulder, the one holding the sword. He crumpled after I yanked it out, hard, dislocating the shoulder. Another intro with Ana to his head had him dazed. And with a concussion, too. Maybe
Sherman however was very angry. And that boy ain't no pansy with them great-swords. (...Okay, weird.) Long story short, I tripped him while avoiding Rissa's Lamer, he slipped in the mud, I kicked the sword out of mud-clad(hehe) hands, and Ana did the rest.
So, as much as Rissa is a bitch, she is ten times better(and bitchier) with a spear. I parried a jab and Kýma stabbed, but Clarisse bent out of the way. Ana was in a headlock with Lamer.
"Having fun I hope?" I ground out as I jumped over a swing from Lamer.
"Most I've had in awhile, Prissy," she grunted with a smirk, as she thrust Lamer against Kýma while avoiding Ana taking her head off.
"Good," I replied, kicking her in the chest. "'Cause this is probably the most I've had since burning a warehouse down on a couple of mafiosos, Rissa dearest."
She growled. Call me Prissy, I'll call you Rissa, fuck you very much.
Back and forth. Hit, parry, stab, jump, swerve, duck, kick, dodge, lunge, jab, thrust, parry, kick, and repeat. Oh, and don't forget: get scraped, scratched, and a little bit maimed.
Through all my entrepreneuring in this place, and training others (Clarisse asked ever so nicely one drunk night to help with the little munchkins. Or as she called them 'retarded impish dwarves'.), I never actually found time for my own training. The night-time, stealth races with Cabin Eleven in the forest don't really count as training. Or running with trees- uh, dryads.
Though sword lessons with Luke, the best swordsman in three hundred years, were a new experience.
As I said before, I'm pretty skilled with a sword. It's almost an innate trait. But before Ana, all the swords were either too light or too heavy, nothing even moderate enough to train with without getting frustrated of tripping and throwing the fucker away. Goldilocks would've been disappointed.
Mom prefers knives. Daggers, hunting knives, or throwing ones. She wielded them all with finesse. Guns are too loud for her liking.
I got the colt from two brothers who helped with one absurd, vengeful spirit. I'm sorry I violently poked you with Kýma while you were masturbating! Next time don't be a damn human trafficker. Sam and Dean Winchester were very amused and disturbed. But they were both hella good shots.
I'll probably value that disaring maneuver for the rest of my life. "Your opponents won't always be weaker or slower than you, kitten. With this you can end a spar fairly quickly and on your terms. Or atleast distract your opponent. At the same time it can cost you your life if you fucked it up with the wrong opponent or at the wrong time. Though, you're probably skilled enough for it, kitten." Let me just say how annoying his derogatory, cocky smirk was, or how satisfying it was when I disarmed him after a one time demo.
I won't mention our spars' tally. It is my first time training with a legit swordmaster.
Yet for my normal workout and training, I haven't gone on sometimes-daily-and-without-a-doubt-stupid-as-hell missions- either paid for, or just-for-fun, pissing off important, powerful people, or even the occasional hunt, monster or otherwise. Forcing me in everyday-sometimes-life-threatening-situations. And I don't want to start to slack off, even if my instinct are good, very good, my muscle memory probably even works when I am unconscious, and my innate skill with everything under the classification of 'Weapon'. That, though, does not mean I don't get a little training in.
The Hephaestus Cabin better finish up my automatons faster. The last time we met they decided that half a million bucks per robot is too much since each one of them will be making more than one or even two. Never expect anything less than wild from a Hephaestus descendant when you specifically ask them to go wild, cause they will. Ooh, and for now we decided on fifty grand per machine.
How do you explain to your family and friends that you have too many to count bank accounts and safes and property, including safe houses, scattered across Gaea under your name and aliases? You don't. At least not this soon. And it won't hurt them not to know.
Cabin Eleven was now working on papers for a loan for Al-Tajir. They want everything official. The Stolls, out of all the Cabin occupants probably, know how important having papers for a business is. I had no doubt that someday Al-Tajir would be a thriving trade under them.
Back on course…
Rissa knew how to use her strength to her advantage. And although I am stronger than an average demigod- you need the extra muscles for guns and swords- Clarisse has the upper hand in that forte.
My forte was speed and agility against her. That's why I was rolling between her spread legs out of her reach. 'Cause although she won't have a violent reaction as a male would've, getting hit between the legs hurt nonetheless.
"Stay. Fucking. Still. Prissy!" she growled, as she was parrying Kýma and Ana as I rolled out of the way before she could kick me in the chest.
"Hah!" I bit out. "Not a chance, Linda." I jumped a bit higher than normal and landed on a boulder.
"Who the fuck is Linda?" She was confused and caught off-guard for a moment. And that was all I needed.
I jumped off the boulder, Ana before me, striking Lamer out of Rissa's hand. I landed with a solid kick on her chest and used the momentum to flip backwards out of her reach. I watched as she was flung backwards. She tripped over Sherman and her head made friends with a rock.
Rissa was out…. I grinned stupidly. No one was maimed in the process, and I doubt a couple scratches and concussions would take away my desert privileges.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
I instinctively jumped backwards and crouched with a hiss, baring my teeth. I growled and blinked. I immediately narrowed my eyes at the six milky apparitions.
Unknown to me at the time, the game had ended. Luke caught the flag. And everyone left the forest and went to watch the the spar at the creek. They saw when Clarisse got
knocked out and the exact moment when a chill rushed through everyone. At least, that is what Michael said happened when he patched me up after the game.
Anywho, now…now things were going south pretty damn fast.
All my unconscious victims- Drew, Mark, Silena, Sherman and Clarisse- stood up as one, like one second they were down, the next they were sitting then standing. Vampire style. Not cool. So not cool. Nu-uh.
And their milky eyes weren't all that appealing as well. And oh, don't get me started on their high- way too high- pitched voices.
"Hiya, Perci!" They all screeched gleefully and in unison. But what made it even creepier than Edward Cullen himself was that they came out of my friends' mouths. With a very disturbing ear to ear grin, showing way too many teeth than probably healthy, considering the blood dripping from the too far stretch. "We missed you!" They giggled, or screeched however you see it.
You get the level of Creepy McCreepington Creeps going on?
"Oh, come on," I whined. Yeah, I whined. "Didn't I already kill you before? Like twice already?" It was not a fun hunt. At all. Just the relaxing feeling of them being gone was what I got out of it. It didn't help that the second time…they chose me as their suit…. I shuddered, violently.
My not-friends looked at each other, "Ooh, she remembers us too! You remembered us!" The stretched their unnatural grins a bit more.
"Shut the fuck up, Karen!" Those bitches were getting on my nerves, and the memories were fucking up my control. Or maybe it was the golden haze making a chilling ward around me that was sucking the life out of me?
"You're being mean again, Perci," they tsked, turning their heads from side to side together. "Master, doesn't like mean girlies." They growled. All…six…of…them.
Shit. I forgot Annie was inside the perimeter of grandpa dearest's wards. And knowing 'Karen' and her posse, them truckers ain't goin' down without no fight. Ah, hell. Not Annie too….
Fuck eidolons!
As soon as that thought left me, a bone shattering pain erupted from my ribs, because, well, a bone crushing punch is apparently bone shattering. Thank you so much, invisible not-Annie.
And just like that, a less-than-a-second pause fucked everything up.
Another godsdamn pain erupted from my thigh this time. A jagged coil harshly uncoiled...ouch.
A jagged sword got caught in my sandals and both were unraveled with the hacking at my now chopped up calves.
The the double-edged sword and fans had a great time shredding my short denims while I was thrown up in the air, the recoil of the two whips shredding through both femurs after the first blow ground my skin and muscles to chow.
And the cherry on top? Not-Clarisse thrusting damn Lamer and actually penetrating my hoodie and scraping my sternum. And that is not counting the more-fucking-deadly-red-electricity running through my bones.
And a good thing that armour was off…. Scorched skin is so not in this season.
Oh, and I was thrown into a cluster of broken boulders….
Fuck. I was too slow to act. I couldn't go for the killing. The damn eidolons would just find other bodies. And I am not killing my friends. Possessed or not. They didn't particularly have any qualms about that. And they were way too damn fast for me to have time for anything to be done. Ouch, a big fat Ouch.
The chocolate syrup to the sundae that is this situation? Annie's dagger in my gut.
And a loud and awful wail was heard, that I later realised came from me.
Uh, sorry to disappoint, but you are not the one a hair-width away from a leg AMPUTATION! Also, my shoulders got dislocated when I hit rock bottom. Hehe, owwww.
I think there was a lot of banging and shouting and screeching giggles and for the life of me(don't know how much that will last) I couldn't make anything out but a very disturbing static-screech sort of sound.
Ah…. Grandpa dearest! Hello to you to. I know I'm all pro family, but….. Can't say I blame father and my aunts and uncles for not visiting you in that very special retirement home of yours…. Fuck you, asshole.
I hope I'm wrong and that it's all pre-death hallucinations, but I swear I heard the disturbing static sound again. But then again, if it actually was him, I sure as hell am glad that I have some pretty solid mental defenses. 'Cause if that is how he sounds when he can't get in…. I might be a bit scared if he made it through.
But no worries! The last time something tried they kinda went poof!, so I'm optimistic.
Back to more pressing matters….
Fuck off Thanatos! Not again and not today. I glard, quite vehemently, might I add. The god of death looked very bored and shrugged, ruffling his pretty black wings. Literally. He has giant black wings with dark accents of blue, red and purple. He is almost as dark as his wings, and devilishly handsome. And he has a thing against shirts, apparently. Must be the wings. But you gotta admit those are some fiiiine black slacks.
"It won't be the first time," he replied in a velvety, smooth, quiet voice to my glare. "We really should stop meeting like this you know." He said matter of factly.
And…I am conversing with Death, and checking him out (won't be the first time really). And- I tried raising an eyebrow and smirking. Again, keyword: tried. I knew you talked!
"I never had a reason to." I looked at him incredulously, albeit as much as I could. "I can't read your mind, Percillia," he soothed. I gave him a questioning look. "I've been around you long enough" -and ain't that sad- "to know what your saying, without you saying anything.. And, no. You aren't predictable, don't worry….I just know you that good. What?….No!... What the...just," he sighed tiredly. I smirked. And sang a little merry song that went like this- I maaade De-eath looose his com-po-suuure! La la la la la laaa! I'm awesome. He looked a bit miffed. "You're about good to go. I hate to say I'll see you soon, but," he shrugged, helplessly this time. "Adieu."
Well…. Good news: I ain't dying today, bitches! Bad news: this fucking hurts like HELL!
So while my lovely, enlightening and pragmatic conversation with the one and only charismatic Death, I was healing.
So I did land in a pile of broken shards, but it was a pile of broken shards in the creek. Yeah, baby! I was patched up enough that I was able to breath with every breath literally killing me. You know? 'Cause Lamer was scraping my sternum and Annabeth's dagger in my gut. I had enough power to raise my hand and-
"FUCKING HELL!" I yelled- no, no, scratch that. I screeched out loud, as I yanked Rissa and Annie's babies out of me. "That. Fucking. Hurt!"
Remember that ruckus from before, hmm? Well, it ain't there no more. "What?!" I snapped at the gapping faces of everyone.
Sorry, but meeting Thano again isn't really something I do everyday. Weekly, monthly but not daily. Warning: face Death enough times and you might develop spontaneous bouts of bitchinnes, irritability, and snappiness. You have been warned.
I stood up shakily and pulled water up under my hoodie. Oh, thank fuck, that feels good.
Now where was I before almost dying? Hmm…. Ah, yes. Eidolons….
"Can't get rid of me that easily," I cooed at my eidolon-possesed-friends, as I pulled on my totally awesome, black, spiked huggie-hoop earrings( a bit punk? Yeah, but it's a bit hard wearing leather gloves all day on a hot Summer's day swim…). "Now I hope you remember just who the fuck I am," I growled at the end. Dramatic? Hell, yeah. Effective? Hell to the yeah, if the piss-stench was anything to go by.
And it was my turn now for a finale, eh.
As soon as the last word was out my mouth, my black, flaming-blue whip lashed out to my side and I pulled. My flamin leather gloves flaring up around and heating a bronze brand- a pentagram in a circle of fire, an anti-possession charm brand. I sizzling smell and sound came with an inhuman screech and Annie's own scream as the scorching brand came down on her invisible upper shoulder. A milky white apparition was visible without my spidey-senses, hence the gasps.
Before the bastard could escape, I shoved a the black- stygian iron, apparently- dagger through its heart cavity. According to Chiron, stygian iron sucks the life force of monsters so they can't reform, at least the minor ones. I don't know about you, but I don't want to deal with Karen and her posse ever again.
"Bye-bye," I said sweetly, as the idiot gave on last screech. I floated Annie on a glob of water a bit away from the upcoming fray, while trying to ease the pain from the now-tattoo on her shoulder. It hurts, I should know (waterproof foundation is very beneficial). Oh, and the secret's out, my esteemed sperm donor also had plans for Claiming me tonight. No harm done!
"Who's ne~ext?" I sang. I grinned when they all started trying to leave my friends but couldn't. "Tsk, tsk, tsk. That won't work. Your dear Master has some pretty good binding wards up," I said matter-of-factly.
They whimpered. "Poor, poor, bastards. Mama's going to take care of you…for good this time. Don't you worry 'bout a thing!" I giggled madly as I watched them banging on the wards, futilely.
I put a mad bloodthirsty grin on and thrust my hand out. They froze and and turned around together. I pulled my hand in then stopped. Blood-bending. Not cool? Well, fuck you.
Another thrust and water from the creek rushed and held them in place, ice chains around their necks and hands and torsos, their feet stuck in big blocks of ice.
"P-please! Don't do this!" They screeched rather pathetically if you ask me.
"Now why the hell would I do that?" Deadpan voices are very effective, and uninterested scowls too. I readjusted my grip on the whip and the black dagger held backwards in the same hand and the scorching brand in the other.
I whipped my hand out suddenly and pulled it back swiftly, shattering the ice with a thought, with not-Drew screeching. I jumped and landed on her back, the brand setting on her shoulder. Two voices screeched and a milky-shit came out of Drew's mouth. It screeched on last time from the dagger in its 'heart'.
Drew was dealt the same treatment as Annabeth.
"Hmm. Fifteen seconds. New record," I grinned at not-Mark. And ignored their struggling and muffled screams. Monsters' tendency for loud noises is astounding. Water-gags are a gods-send.
The flaming whip was wrapped around his torso. This time, I pulled myself towards him. As I ran beside Mark I branded his shoulder and Sherman beside him with my momentum. I quickly stabbed two eidolons in the 'heart' and sent the boys next to the un-possess-ified girlies.
Not-Silly's turn. I was seriously getting angry with the wailing and thrashing. Don't dish what you can't take.
She broke the ice on her hands, and waved the two glowy whips randomly around. You just had to bring both, Silly, didn't you?
I growled, jumping above the whipping…whips and throwing my own and binding her arms beside her. I piggy-backed her-stop fucking moving!-, and, somehow, managed to brand her shoulder, and killing the wraith.
Silena was floated to the other group where I could peripherally see a bunch of Apollo kids pacing on the other side of the invisible barrier.
"You're oddly silent, Karen," I tilted my head at the still form of Clarisse.
"Don't call me that," she growled.
"Why?" I tilted my head to the side.
"It's not my name!" She screeched.
"And, what," I began, as I cracked my whip and relished in her apprehension. "Makes you think I give a flying fuck?"
"Ahhhh!" Karen screeched, breaking all the chains Hulk-style.
"Come on, I just did those, Karen!"
She just growled-screeched, fell on her back?, and broke the ice around her feet, slamming it down on a rock where Clarisse hit her head in the first place.
"Seriously," I threw my hands up. Don't get me wrong, I'm still angry as fuck, but playing poker has its perks. Including all the money.
Giving the enemy the visage of overconfidence, bordering on stupidity and arrogance… is very reverse psycology. Works like a charm.
Karen/Clarisse put her hand out, and Lamer came rushing to his mistress' hand.
"Since when can she do that!" I exclaimed as her smug moment faded as a water tendril swiftly snatched it out of Karen's hands.
I cocooned her in water. "You never do know when to stop, do you hun?"
I stalked slowly towards her, more than happy to see the terror i her eyes. "You've been a mean girlie. And Perci doesn't like mean girlies," I threw her words back at her.
Seconds later Clarisse was beside the rest of them. I had learned a while ago how to reverse the healing effects of water to heal others.
I looked at Al. "How far are you with getting this down?"
"Almost," he bit out, without looking up from the green glowy runes he was drawing. A little further away and spread around the barrier, Lou Ellen and the other Hecate kids were doing the same.
I nodded. After all, a Titan's handiwork, no matter where or how the hell he is, is still strong. Rushing Alabaster would only force an unpleasant backlash….
I focused on healing the scrapes and scratches off the idiots who almost got me and themselves killed tonight. The other stuff I'll leave to the Apollo kids. If I didn't have the brand…. Dreams are very enlightening.
Remember the 'ominous growl' from earlier tonight?
I spun and growled back at the damned hellhound, which was staring at me with coal read eyes the size of a damn truck.
Fucking hell, can this girl get no rest?! Fuck you, aunties!
The damned-rottweiler seemed to get a lock on his target. Moi.
Hurghhh! I literally came out her to have some fun, and honestly? I am feeling so attacked right now.
It's not even one of Uncles Hades' batch. No, this one came right out of great-uncle Tartarus. Lovely.
We were circling the other. Torrero style. Or whatever.
When my friends were no longer behind me, I rushed the hound before it had time to even notice it. Ana quickly sprang out and seconds later…. Well, the rottweiler's giant head was impaled on my precious sword, as the body, still in shock, toppled to the side as many breaths were released.
The hound's body turned to sulfur, which I washed away. I threw the head into the water behind me. And shot the emerging hound before he had to fully materialize, with my modified colt. Make this quick, sperm donor. The head disappeared.
The scared faces of everyone turned even paler when a green glow spread across the clearing, dimming even the runes weakening the wards bit by bit.
I didn't have to look up. My father's trident was glowing proudly above my head. The water-not under my control this time- wrapped around me in an oddly comforting hug. I looked good as new when the water receded.
A teenie-tiny smile made its way to my terrifying stoik face. Damn water and its effect on me.
Everyone was kneeling, I realised with a raised eyebrow. The fuck did this happen?
"It is Determined" Chiron hollered over the crashing waves of the creek. Dad has no boundaries defying the laws of physics. "Poseidon. God of the Seas. The Earthshaker. The Stormbringer. Father of Horses. All hail, Percillia Jackson, daughter of the Sea God!"
"Hail!" Weapons were banged to breastplates.
The glow began to calm down. The sigh of relief got stuck in my throat.
No, no
Oh, no, see you walking 'round like it's a funeral
Not so serious, girl, why those feet cold?
We just getting started, don't you tiptoe
Tiptoe, ah~
'Oh, you've got to be kidding me.'
'Nope! I did promise you something embarrassing.'
'Get out of my head!'
'I'm not in your head, princess. We're actually conversing.'
'What the fuck I'm speaking fish?!'
'Well, not right this second you are. But you can.'
'Fuck you.'
'Your Mom already did that.'
I couldn't stop the incredulous snort that escaped, which then had me giggling then laughing as loud as a hyena.
Let's lose our minds and go fucking crazy
Ah ya ya ya ya
I keep on hoping we'll eat cake by the ocean~
Giant -and I mean giant, fifteen feet giant- water speakers erupted from the creek. A giant three tier water-shaped cake was floating between the blasting speakers. There were- are those dolphins?! Yeah- dolphins jumping in arches over the fucking cake. And adorable and small water sprites wiggling around it and doing the wave. There was also blue and green fireworks….
I don't know whether to cry or laugh. I did both. Yes, I managed,
'Listen, princess. Focus and don't interrupt me,' his serious voice got my attention fairly quickly. He had my attention, though I continued to dance with the sprites around me. 'Good. Since basically the entirety of Olympus was watching the game' -my eyes and smile twiched- 'and you fucking shit up. Good job, by the way. Any way. I trust know you know what's happening with your uncles and grandfather, which means you also know how that marks a big-ass target on your back, especially now that I Claimed you. Zeus might take it as me declaring war, or worse, me admitting that I stole his stupid bolt. And Hades already has Sally. You are now in more danger.' -I raised an eyebrow while singing aloud with the rest of the demigods who were thankful for something refreshing since the impromptu exorcism.- 'Yes, more. Suspicion is not certainty. Please, don't do something I would do….Though, by the package that just popped up...you already did. You are not helping yourself here! Just…just expect a quest soon. And please, I am begging you, stay safe….'
By the time he finished, the song was coming to an end.
I keep on hoping, we'll eat cake by the ocean, Uh~
Oh and for my epic finale? As the song ended, I threw Kýma straight ahead into the quivering wards.
They shattered like glass, as the water show behind me exploded into more fireworks. A green trident rising out of blue wave, f which horses came out off, surrounding the the giant glowing trident.
Wow….that man's affinity for dramatic entrances and exits is truly astounding.
Hello, and welcome to version 2.0... Fanfiction can be a *beep* some times...
Ant who, sorry for the wait, I had an AP exam, those are exhausting! And who knew you needed a picture ID? Everyone except me, apparently...
So, the story... About that 'impromptu history lesson that literally came out of nowhere...', I hope I got most of my real facts correct.
For Perci's bipolar mood changes, that was intentional. I'm basing it off Poseidon's rep in the mythos- cunning, vengeful, ruthless and pretty hecking powerful and not afraid to show it- and how he was portrayed in the books as laid-back and sarcastic. And above all, he is the sea; one second it's calm and sunny the next you are in the middle of a hurricane. Hopefully, I did a good job at it.
And a big thank you for you reviews and suggestions. I know I'll be using them. You can still give some if you want. Reviews are always welcome, except flames. I fight fire with a flamethrower, thank you very much.
What else... Ah. The anti-possession charm. Since I know as much about as the name suggests I made a couple thing up(or not, I'm still in season 2 of Supernatural. So...) It has to be burned into the skin to be effective not just a tattoo, hence the branding.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. I'll try to see if the story doesn't answer it I will in an A/N.
Ooh, ooh, Happy Ramadan to all you Muslims out there! (a bit late, sorry!)
Phew, that was one long A/N...
3anona out!