This is a great chapter, short but it sets things up really well and helps develop the magic system really, really well.
Aaron was a bit confused as to why he was in front of Persephone, in a lovely garden filled with his favorite flower, Sunflowers. The last thing he remembered was casting a spell to aid Medusa, and passing out because of it. "Oh, you must have summoned me, duh."
The Queen giggled. "Yes, my sweet, I summoned you. Not for anything bad but to explain something to you. Do you know how magic, pure magic, works?z I doubt you do, there is a great many holes in your education given how you were introduced into magic and the world of mythology. You see, when you use magic you use the Spark of will all things, even the dead, have, and connect to energy and channel it. Be it your life force or other things like the essence of nature, a spirit, a god or so on. After repeated use, the spark absorbs magic and becomes magical, a roaring mystical fire. Those born with magic or divine blood have a fire to start, you had the spark all living things had. Casting this spell, and so many others, you now have a fire going, a small flame but a fire that even the gods cannot disperse. You, my boy, have magic!"
Aaron gaped, tears at his eyes. "I have magic?"
"You are not just a channeler of outside magic, your very lifeforce is magical now. This also means that your body, mind and soul will change, affected by the magic you wield until you are beyond human. If you are a natural seer, this is how you will discover your powers. You, from this moment on, will be able to cast stronger spells, with and without preparations. You can now use spells without words, only minor ones so far, but you can do it. Your mind will become more flexible, so you can astral project more safely. You have evolved. If you are ever to become immortal, it will be because of this power inside you, growing. But be warned, magical life force or not, using too much will be fatal."
He nodded, bowing softly. "Thank you, my lady, and no I did not know this, it was not in my grimoire and so few in Camp practice magic."
"I figured that would be the case, so I wished to inform you while you were free of body, now go, my sweet and rush away with the knowledge that your efforts have born fruit."
And like that, Aaron woke up, smiling despite his headache, in the arms of Medusa this time. "You would not believe what I just learned." And so he told them, making Medusa smile and laugh...
It was only then that he realized he was looking at her, sans veil. A boarish face with snakes for hair, her skin green as algae. He jumped away, shocked, only for the woman to laugh some more. "My curse is not entirely gone, I heard the voice of my mother in my head, a goddess you know. She told me that I can now hold back the curse, for short bursts. It has, in fact, been weakened, a part of the magic binding it burned away... thank you, my boy, thank you."
He sighed, smiling. "I am glad, glad to have helped you so much. You deserve it, so much my friend." He hugged her.
"When will she be... not so..." Percy started, from behind them.
Aaron sighed, pulling away. "Not sure, maybe three more rituals? Now that my power has increased, I should be able to cast stronger spells to help her more. I think by this time next year, I should be able to entirely undo the magic. Maybe more."
Sally beamed at them. "It really feels good, to help someone so much... but Medusa, tell him the best part!"
"What?" He turned back to Medusa.
Medusa was beaming happily. "My mind has been healed, the aching loneliness that drove me to madness, it is a thing of the past. You healed the madness induced bt the curses of longevity! I am, in all ways, no longer a threat to others. That is the greatest gift of all, for me and the world."
And that was everything to Aaron, in ways he would never be able to express.
It was almost then that an idea came to his heart. "Hey, Medusa, how would you like to come to Camp?"
"""
On Olympus Athena raged, anger infusing every fiber of her being as she looked down at a smiling Medusa. Unable to feel the hatred and agony in the woman's essence, she knew the curse itself was unraveling in more ways than the boy realized. If one did not suffer, no curse could hold fast, the anchoring was in their despair. And yet, despite the travesty of her curse being broken by a mere mortal, damaged by trash, she could not strike him down. Persephone was beyond powerful, only a select few were stronger. The Original Six gods, Kronos, Rhea, and a few others were stronger but Athena was not on that list sadly. Her sister could not defeat her in combat, but mystically she could destroy her, she could devastate the world with the absence of spring, she could unleash an army of the Undead. Athena would stand no chance.
No, she had to deal with it, as much as she hated it.
She could only hope that the boy would help no one else she cursed, no other beings she had punished. One she could deal with, any more would be too much... her pride would only allow so much, could allow so much.
'Why are these humans, ones without fates, so troublesome? It was one such human that stole my statue after all...'
And so she sat, writhing in anger, knowing full well that she had no real power in this situation and likely never would.
:::
Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.
This was a joy to write.
Love, your Ninja Overlord,
Mika.