Chapter 30
"Percy get down." Jason screamed.
Percy trusting the son of Jupiter immediately dropped as a golden lance went sailing just where his head had been taking down a Hyperborean giant. Percy nodded at the boy as he rose back to his feet, and twirled the spear of Hektor around cutting an empousa that had come too close to comfort.
They were in Yosemite National Park hunting down this monster warband that was reported to be nearly two hundred and fifty monsters strong. It was so humid that afternoon it felt almost hard to breathe, but as Percy ducked under another giant's club he summoned nearby water and changed the liquid to ice and speared the massive beast from behind making it dissolve instantly to golden dust.
Bianca suddenly appeared next to him, "No signs of Cacus yet Percy."
"Of course there isn't." Percy said grumbling.
They had received a distress signal from a former legionnaire who had become a park ranger here at Yosemite. He told Percy and Cassie in his distress letter that the son of Vulcan was causing mayhem on the offside of the mountains. There apparently weren't tons of tourists, but if the fire crossed the boundary a lot of innocent people could die. Needless to say the Guard took to the assignment with enthusiasm.
It had been a little less than five months since Percy's ascension to Praetor. It was early May now, and they had been scouring Mount Diablo overtime hoping to find the entrance to the Labyrinth. This was a much needed break.
"Bianca look out."
Percy tackled the girl as a massive fireball hit the ground where she had been standing. Percy was on top of her shielding the girl looking for the threat quickly when he spotted a giant with fire in his hands. He looked down and Bianca's cheeks were colored, and he quickly realized their position was rather compromising. He stuttered trying to come up with words, but she grinned at him, "Percy thanks for saving my life and all, but next time take me to dinner first."
He laughed as he shot to his feet pulling her up with him quickly as they turned to face the giant. The guard was scattered for the most part trying to thin out the numbers of the warband, and Jason had pulled away after capping the hyperborean just a moment ago. It would be up to Percy and Bianca to handle this one.
They scattered as another ball of fire shot in their direction, and having dodged this one Percy shouted, "I'll distract him?"
She nodded in assent and immediately disappeared in the shadows. Quickly Percy doused the burning area around him with water from the nearby river, and even swallowed a third fireball with the remainder of the water, as he began to surge towards the giant. This was a small giant in comparison standing at about only ten feet tall, but this was one ugly dude. Curly orange hair with orange freckles along with super pale skin. He was like a ginger giant. His face seemed to be stuck in a permanent pout, and an upturned nose. He wore a red velvet housecoat that he kept open. His chest was covered with armor, but his legs were covered by boxers with valentine patterns on them. Overall he looked like one wild giant.
As Percy deflected more and more fireballs the giant began to realize he was about to get smoked out and turned to look like he was going to run, but before he could a black blur fell from the trees above him, and ran two swords all the way down his body making him erupt in a golden blur of dust. Bianca stood heaving for breath grinning at Percy, "I think this monster warband is toast. No leader left now. I think you owe me a coke when we get home!"
Percy had to admire Bianca at this moment. This could've been a long chase where Percy likely would've had to follow him through half the national park before he came across a sufficient water source to drown him. He would've never outpaced the giant after all to fight him in weapon to weapon combat yet Bianca made it all too easy. The girl had grown into a hell of a warrior from the time he met her. There was even talk among the group that Michael wanted her to be Primus Pilus when he retired. The two had a weird relationship, and Percy had wondered more than once if it was romantic in nature. Michael may have been four years older than Bianca, but the girl had really matured over the last few months. She had a very athletic build, and had grown a few inches making her around five foot seven. Her confidence showed in her eyes as well at all times. It was clear to most that Bianca knew she was a damn good fighter, and a powerful demigod. It didn't help that she had just turned fifteen, and Reyna who was a year older wasn't nearly as...naturally developed as Bianca had become. The girl was gorgeous, Percy could admit. Long brown hair, confident brown eyes, she was going to be quite the catch to whoever won her heart.
"I think I can manage a coke. We should gather the team back together. We will pick off straggling monsters, but this warband is over. Jason killed the big hyperborean so like you said there is no leadership left."
She nodded, holding out her fist towards Percy as she surveyed the low ground around them scouting the other members of the guard. The son of Neptune chuckled as he tapped his fist against hers, and the two jogged off.
Gathering the team only took about an hour, and when they found Michael and Dylan they all shared a grin to find that they had followed Percy's orders to a T. A captured demigod was blind folded, and gagged to a tree. He looked older than most of the normal captures they had dealt with which made his conscience feel a little better about what might happen next, "What do we know so far?"
Larry chuckled, "He knows us by reputation. Claims to be a son of Iris."
Percy clapped his hands, "Oh goody a Greek. We haven't caught one of those since, Reyna do you remember?"
Reyna flashed him a questioning look, but he just winked at her and she understood, "Oh yes the son of Hermes. That was the boy Michael gouged the eyes out of and then he bled out before we could get the information we needed. That was unfortunate."
Everyone immediately seemed to catch on, and the gagged up demigod started wailing in panic as Michael's deep voice said, "Ah yes that was unfortunate."
Everyone seemed to be on the same page when Percy made eye contact with everyone and he bent down next to the demigod, "Alright kid I am going to remove your gag if you scream you will regret it. Nod your head if you understand.
The boy immediately started nodding his head up and down, and Percy removed the gag, "Please I will tell you anything. Just please don't kill me."
Percy grinned at this, "Calm down there. If you know us by reputation then tell us what you've heard?"
The boy shuddered violently, "You are led by a man named Percy Jackson. The demigods among us have referred to him as Titan's Bane after defeating the General."
Bianca chuckled, "They know you by name Captain."
Percy grinned at her and pulled a knife from his belt slamming into the tree above the terrified demigod's head, "What else have you heard?"
"We have heard that the leader drowns his enemies of even Godly level power. That they have a man so large he beats them to death with his bare hands. We have heard their leader has assembled a child of each of the big three. A girl who could summon the dead, and disappear in thin air. A daughter of Hades. Also a son of Zeus who can light the world up with lightning, and bring devastation to our armies. Another girl who can strike fear into the bravest of our soldiers and monsters." The man whimpered.
Percy recognized the description of Michael, Bianca, Jason, and Reyna with a slight grin. Dylan laughed, "Congratulations there friend you are now face to face with every person you spoke of."
Percy immediately agreed, "He's right. My name is Pery Jackson and I am the leader of this little party, and I want you to start by telling me your name."
The boy's face became paler if possible at the mention of Percy's name. He hoped that meant his reputation proceeded him. The guard was not famous for their mercy after all, "My name is Steven Walker. I am the son of Iris."
Jason asked, "You one of Camp Half Bloods people?"
"I was."
Percy asked coldly, "Why did you leave?"
"It wasn't fair there. My mother is the goddess of Rainbows, and provides service to demigods and gods alike delivering messages, but she doesn't have a cabin in that camp. She isn't honored on Olympus. Instead we are all just stuffed in the Hermes cabin, and are told to be quiet and do as we are told."
Percy and Dylan exchanged looks. This wasn't the first Greek or Roman son or daughter of a minor god they had come across. It was clear to the two that didn't have super popular parents on Olympus that the Greeks really needed to solve this problem before they had an internal civil war on top of fighting the Titans. They would need to contact Thalia about this later.
Jason asked the boy, "Do you really think the Titans will be better? You do realize this is coming from the same group of immortals that ate their children right?"
The boy shook his head, "It's a different world and Lord Kronos is going to rule it. He is going to enslave Olympus, and reward all those that stood with him. You are all fools to stand with Olympus."
Percy pulled the knife out of the tree and ripped the blindfold off of the boy and positioned the blade less than a foot from the boy's eye, "The only fool I see is one tied to a tree who is going to give us every answer, and every detail he knows about the Titan's army, cause, and goals. If you don't...well maybe we will have another unfortunate eye accident. I am afraid my group has quite the temper."
The boy cowered, and looked like he was going to lose his cool, or maybe wet himself, "I already told you I would tell you everything I know!"
Percy nodded, patting the boy on the cheek, "That's a good boy. Now where is the Titan army?"
"It's in the Labyrinth. We are trying to find a way to attack both camps. The army is very spread out right now trying to find the Daedalus workshop. He is supposed to have a way to navigate the maze." The boy said, trying to get the words out as fast as possible.
"Says, who?" Jason asked.
"I don't know it's just the word that passed through the ranks."
"What are y'all doing here in Yosemite?" Summer asked from the back of the group.
The boy shook his head, "We weren't supposed to be here. Our leader fell out of the exit in the Labyrinth and we all followed. We couldn't get back up to it though because it was by a cliff. We lost a good number of our forces, and have been trying to find another entrance back into the maze."
Hank the son of Vulcan grunted, "It's good to know the Titan army doesn't know their head from their asses down there then."
Murmurs of assent from the group followed while Percy asked, "We have been hunting a son of Hercules. Your best chance of getting out of this alive is telling me exactly where I can find him."
The boy's eyes widened in fear. Percy wasn't sure if it was his threat or if he knew something, "I have only heard stories of the guy. Lord Kronos seeks to reward him for leading so many out of the Roman camp. He gave the leader all the information on your camp. They know all your weak points."
"Who is this leader?" Reyna asked.
The boy didn't answer so Percy asked, "It's Luke isn't it? The son of Hermes? He was the leader in the cabin of misfits and rejects in the Greek World, and that's how he got to most of you, am I right?"
The boy glared at Percy, but nodded, "It's not as simple as that anymore. They are trying to decide now between the two who will host the Titan Lord."
Percy stared at the boy in surprise. This might be the first good intelligence they had gotten in months, "Host the Titan Lord?"
The boy nodded frantically, clearly realizing he now had valuable information, "Let me go and I will tell you everything."
Percy stood and looked at Jason who nodded, "It's on the table if the information is good."
"Swear it on the River Styx." The boy begged.
Jason immediately asked, "Why the hell would we do that?"
The boy looked up to Jason desperately, "If you don't know about the Titan Lords host then you are blind. I am dead if I give you this information either way I just want to live a little longer. I have to right some wrongs. You swear to let me go, and I will give you the information. Otherwise I might as well take my chances at the judgment tables."
Bianca spat fiercely, "You will get no relief there if you don't give us the info. Heir to the Underworld at your service."
The boy paled and his eyes flashed to everyone in the group, "Please. You don't know what it's like to be tempted by the Titan Lord. You don't know what it's like to be no one."
Percy shook his head, "You're wrong, and that's why we are different from you, and your kind. It's also the reason we are going to win. Now tell us about this host of Kronos business."
The boy sobbed, but began to talk, "The Titan Lord's immortal form is too powerful to just form a body. It needs a mortal host as it assembles the rest of its strength. It needs something to tie it to the world until it reaches its true form. It will be so powerful mortals will burn up in its presence. Much more powerful than the gods themselves. The Roman son of Hercules and the Greek son of Hermes are the two forerunners for the host. Once the Titan Lord has a host he will be near unstoppable."
Stunned silence followed his words. Jason asked the question, "How long do we have?"
The boy shook his head, "Weeks if you're lucky."
Michael then asked, "What about this entrance to the Labyrinth. We hear there is one close to the Roman camp. Any ideas?"
The boy shook his head, "All I know is that it's on the side of a mountain near the peak."
Everyone tensed at this, but nothing else was said. They were all looking to Percy to pass judgment, but Percy looked to Bianca, "What are his chances at the judges table?"
Bianca shrugged, "If the information is good I will put a message to my father to be lenient. Maybe he avoids the fields of punishment."
"And if it's not?" Percy asked.
"I will have the furies throw him into Tartarus, and see how he fairs." Bianca said with a wicked grin.
Percy looked to the boy, "I am going to let you go. Is there any more information that you have for us?"
The boy looked incredibly relieved, and shook his head, "No nothing."
Percy nodded and then punched him in the face, "We come across you a second time. I will make what is going to happen to you in the fields of punishment look like child's play. You are fighting for a side that has killed my friends, and people I thought of as family. When we let you go you better run, because if you ever stop one side or the other is going to catch you. Spend the next century looking over your shoulder son of Iris, because if we meet again we will kill you. Now run."
With a swipe of his knife he cut the rope. The group of eleven demigods made room for the boy as he looked at each of them as if he were trying to memorize faces before he started running in the direction of the woods. Tripping and falling along the way Percy said one word as he watched him get further away, "Summer."
The girl nodded and drew an arrow for her bow, and pulled back the string, "At your command Praetor."
"It's a long shot even for you. If it hits him then it was the fates will. Fire." Percy said coldly.
Summer released the arrow and all eyes were on it as it soared through the air, and missed the boy by mere inches hitting a tree he was running past. Summer blinked twice, and then put away her bow, "Lucky guy."
Michael whistled, "I'll say. You never miss."
She grinned at him, "You flatter me."
Percy rolled his eyes, "You two get a room. Let's start hiking back. Our pegasi shouldn't be too far down the mountain. With luck we will make it back to Camp before it gets completely dark."
The group nodded assent, and began walking back towards the hiking trails that would lead back to civilization. Jason and Bianca were walking shoulder to shoulder with him when Jason asked, "What do you think about this Titan Host thing?"
Percy sighed, shaking his head, "It's Luke. It has to be. Kyle Logan is a talentless, cowardly sack of minotaur shit. Luke however has survived a blade to the back courtesy of Bianca, and you threw him off a mountain. I guess if I get my shot at him I better take his damn head off."
Bianca nodded her agreement, "It does seem like this Luke guy keeps popping up. Kyle may have bathed in the River Styx, but he has been bested by Percy in single combat multiple times. The fact that he was beaten even with the curse of Achillies says he isn't worthy to be the Host of Saturn if you ask me. Jason you should contact Thalia and tell her about the boy we captured. The Greeks need to know in case he tries to show back up at their camp pleading for mercy."
"When we get back tonight I will send her an Iris message. I will also ask about your brother to see if she's heard anything." Jason said easily.
"Thank you Jason. I think my brother has been in the Underworld a lot. I have sensed his presence a few times, but everytime I try to get close he vanishes." Bianca said clearly frustrated.
"Have you found out if there is any truth to...my father, and-"
"Nothing yet. My father has been avoiding me, which makes me suspicious of it, but I don't know anything for sure yet." Bianca interrupted honestly.
Jason just nodded his head mumbling, "Well I hope it's not true."
"You and me both." Bianca responded.
The silence became heavy from there, and they made it to the pegasi within a few hours of walking. Percy was greeted by Blackjack in the usual manner, "Boss you need a handsome horse to get you home?"
Percy smiled at his friend, and jumped on his back preparing for a long journey back home .
(A/N) I believe this was the final chapter before we enter the story arc of the Labyrinth. That will take place over about 4-6 chapters, and we will of course finally begin to see this PercyXBianca romance evolve. Keep in mind that Percy is already 15 at this point unlike in Book 4 this takes place a little further down the timeline. His sixteenth birthday is in 3 months at this point, so we are coming to an end to this story. I did that mostly because the assault on Mount Othrys will only last a few chapters at most. Unlike the Last Olympian where the fighting took place over maybe fifteen chapters. I imagine there are probably 10-12 chapters left so let's hang tough, and I will see you guys on the 22nd with a new update. Cheers.
