Beginning of a Journey
Percy locked blades with Lelantos, trying to push the Titan, without any results. The Titan calmly looked at his student before pushing harder, causing the son of Poseidon to fall on his rear before pointing his sword to the demigod jugular.
"Yield," Lelantos called, causing the demigod to drop his sword, indicating he lose the duel.
"Why you never go easy on me?" Percy pouted, making the Titan of Hunt and Air to laugh before ruffling the boy's hair.
"Because if I did, you will not learn anything," he stated, causing the boy's pout (which he find adorable) becoming bigger.
Percy then stands up before grabbing his sword and place a pen cap on it, turning the sword back to its pen form. He then walked toward his teacher, who made a 'follow me' gesture before walking toward the kitchen, followed by the young demigod.
As the Titan prepare dinner for the both of them, his mind wander as he remembers the progress his current charge had displayed. The learning speed his student shown beyond Lelantos own expectation.
Percy shown amazing progress that its borderline terrifying. He is a sword prodigy, able to learn advanced technique in just a year where it took swordmasters years to even able to use, not to mention his mastery of his demigodly power, which he seems to master to deadly degree. His hand-to-hand combat and mastery of other weapon should not be dismissed either, his ability to fight barehand or with other weapon make him absolutely versatile. Except for his archery. His
archery is absolutely horrid. Enough said.
He poured the stew he made for both of them in the bowls he placed, one bowl bigger than its counterpart. He put both bowls on the table before Percy took the bigger bowl and began eating. (The kid is blackhole through and through)
He then thought when Percy told him that he planned to learn meditation. While he surprised that the hyperactive child would actually suggest something like that, he agreed to the boy demand. That escalated thing surpassing his expectation.
Meditation allowed the young demigod to control his impulse and ADHD and Lelantos thought that will be the extant of it. Instead, Percy by accident discover energy that surrounded everything, including the gods themselves. (What is this! Star Wars?!)
Not only that, Percy figured how to use the energy to basically increase his strength, speed and body durability to a new level. Like the boy isn't strong enough. His capabilities and power already beyond many demigods of old, heck even Lelantos thought Heracles was weaker than Percy.
Not to mention, with the ability to manipulate the energy, Percy able to control his power even better and deadlier. He can create water balls that shoot like bullets and that just a basic technique. His ability to control earth, wind and lightning also deepen, him being able to control it at similar proficiency to his ability to control water.
The boost in the young son of Poseidon abilities push him to the top of Graeco-Roman mythological being, in par with several powerful minor gods, such as Hecate and Nemesis. The fact that he still a 7-years old child make it his growth even more terrifying. He can't imagine how stro –
"Uncle L, why didn't you eat yet?" the sudden question broke the Titan out of his musing, making him look at the little demigod.
"Oh, sorry little one. I just thinking of something." Lelantos replied, not wanting his ward to worry.
"Ok," says Percy, before quickly going back to inhale his stew. Lelantos shook his head at the boy antics before he began to eat his stew. The silence atmosphere went for a while before the son of Poseidon began to open his mouth.
"Lelantos, can I ask you a question?" Percy asked, seemingly nervous about something. The Titan raised his brows, before motioning him to continue.
"Well, I want to go out from here, it's not like I hate this place or anything, it just I want to travel you know," he trailed on, mumbling about something unheard by the Titan.
Lelantos shake his head, understanding where the little boy thought going. He tired of just staying at this place training. He wanted to travel, to see the world. For any other child, leaving home might be the last thing they want to do, but for someone like Percy or demigods in general, leaving home at a young age is inevitable.
In a way, he knew he need to allow the boy to leave at some point. He just didn't think it will be this soon. If it was any other demigods, he can say that they are too young and not strong and prepare enough to face the monster out there. Not Percy. Percy strong enough that he can fight an army and win without a single scratch.
He sighed. Percy might be 7 years old but his skills are better than many demigods twice his age. It just the thought of sending someone that like a nephew to him to face monster pain the Titan of the hunt. However, he knew this need to happen. Besides, the kid strong enough to protect himself.
"Hey," Lelantos spoke, stopping the son of Poseidon from whisper-muttering. "I get what you saying Percy, you want to see things, travel freely. Normally I won't let someone your age go, but you different. You strong enough to face any monster out there. Even if you face an opponent that too much for you, you can always run away,"
Percy listening to Lelantos words, nods his head before finishing his bowl and moving to sink to wash it. 'Huh he must be out of it. He usually has a second serving' the Titan thought.
He watched the young demigod move towards his room, probably to think about his decision more thoroughly. Or train his power. Probably the later. It helps calm his head or so Percy told him.
Inside his room, Percy thought more about his choices. The more he thought about it, the more certain he is to travel. His strength, both physical and demigodly power are more than enough to beat strong monsters like cyclops, hellhounds and empousai.
He shook his head. Better not be too confident of his own strength less he dies because of it. He then created some water ball before spinning it around his hand. While he has raw power, he wishes to better his control. Power will come with age after all.
He sighed and will the water balls to disperse into vapour. He should sleep. The life changing decision can be thought about tomorrow.
*
Percy woke up, his head still remembering yesterday conversation. He hopes that Lelantos allow him to travel, if not he might have to stay here for another year or two. He had spent 2 years training, its time for him to fight for real.
He walked into the living room, planning to convince Lelantos he is ready when he saw Poseidon, sitting on the couch with Lelantos beside him. He was about to ask something when Poseidon spoke
"Percy, Lelantos told me that you want to travel around the country, and I agree with your decision. Your strength is more than strong enough to protect yourself and you already proven your power to your teacher" his father told him, elating the young demigod that his father supported his decision.
"However," his excitement cut by this cursed word. "I can't allow you to go running around the country killing monster," his mood dropped even more "Without giving you a gift for your seventh birthday and congratulation gift for surviving your training with Lelantos." and his mood climbed to the point he has a goofy smile on his face.
By then, Poseidon produced two boxes, Lelantos doing the same thing. "Happy birthday Perseus. Now open your present," his father said, making the boy to look at the 4 boxes in front of him. His head hurting thinking which one he should open first.
He decided to trust his instinct, the thing that help him survive the training the most, and pick the smallest box that his father gifts him. He opened the box, finding a pen inside. He wonders what the pen does before he remembered something, his eyes widen by the process and flick the cap, a three-foot sword similar to Riptide, though heavier compared to Riptide.
"This sword name is Kymatismós or in English," Poseidon said before interrupted by his eager son "Wave Breaker." Percy said, awe in his voice. Poseidon chuckle at his boy reaction.
"Yes, Wave Breaker. It is heavier than Riptide though the length is the same. Its strength lies in its weight, allowing you to injure or bash heavily armoured opponent." Poseidon explained, his son eyes widen as he thought of ways to use the weapon. His thought was cut short by a fake cough.
"Well, you probably thinking of ways to use it in a fight," 'is Lelantos secretly a mind reader', Percy thought "no, I'm not a mind reader" 'that's what a mind reader would say' "if you wandering how I know what you thinking, it because it shown on your face."
"You can use the sword more defensively compared to Riptide. The spine of Wave Breaker is heavier and more protected compare to Riptide, meaning that any strike at the flat side of the blade will not affect you that much during a fight" Lelantos says, explaining the technique best for using the weapon while Percy took it all with complete concentration.
"You should look at your other present," Poseidon interject, causing his son to be free of his thought and starting to open the other presents.
The next box to be open happen to be the bigger box that Poseidon hold. He opened it because it's the closest box, not because it was his father's gift, not at all.
Inside it he found a bat, but knowing that magic is in play, he toyed with it before finding the handle can be move and twist it, turning the bat into something similar to a bo staff. He looks at it with contemplation and touch it, marvelling the material that made the weapon.
"So, a staff? Not that I'm complaining but it didn't seem like a weapon demigod usually used." Percy exclaimed.
"Well, it is a staff if you wish it to be one" Poseidon says. Receiving a pointed look from his son he sighed and explain. "Your control over your power will help change the staff into a weapon of your choosing. If you want a spear, you can just control the water and freeze it. If you want a hammer, you can impale it into the earth and turn it into a hammer. The only limit is your skill, control and imagination."
Percy nodded, before looking at the staff and willing the water to form a spear blade and freeze it. The result is a bit shoddy but for his first time making it, the result is rather good. He already thought of what kind of weapon he wanted to make with the staff. Halberds, naginata, trident or many other polearms from all over the world.
His musing was disturbed by a loud 'Ahem'. "This going to be theme isn't it. Well, open the other presents first, both of them, so we can tell you the details without you going to Imagination Land." Lelantos exclaimed, his tone a mixed of annoyance and mirth.
Doing as his teacher told him to, he opened both presents first before inspecting it. In the first box is a keychain the shape of a crossbow while the second one contained a cloak. He fiddled with the keychain, turning into a full-sized crossbow, though he didn't see any arrows.
"The crossbow is to help you fight distant opponent or enemies with ranged weapon. If you wandering about the ammo, it meant for you to use your own creation, arrow made of ice or earth. Meanwhile, the cloak is for you to literally become invisible to opponent, allowing you to stay hidden from your enemy." The lengthy explanation the Titan of Hunt gave did not hamper the 7 years-old excitement.
"So, what do you think about your gift?" Poseidon asked, hopping his son like the gifts. Its rather hard to give present to demigods, not because they really want a specific gift (except for the acknowledgment from their godly parent) it is hard to know whether to give gift that help their survival or gift that they like.
"I don't like it, (Poseidon's heart broke hearing this statement, Lelantos suffer the same thing) I love it (Poseidon and Lelantos heart repair themselves and burn in delight)," Percy said with a huge smile plastered on his face. (This smile almost sent the 2 divines to Tartarus, it's that lethal)
"If you want, you can go to the training room to get use to your new weapon," Lelantos suggest to the son of Poseidon, the suggestion so the demigod can have some kind of test run with the gift, the main reason is to let him and Poseidon recover from the 'ambush' the kid done to them.
Percy, eager to train with his gifts, run toward the training room in top speed. When he arrives in the room, he transformed every weapon he has including Riptide. He then placed them on the weapon shelf he created and place his weapon on it. He pondered for a while before taking the 2 swords and started practicing with them, doing simple slashes and thrust.
While he practicing duels wielding, the god and Titan due walked into the practice session after their 'recovery time'. Watching the boy train cause the 2 being to feel both sorrow and pride. Sorrow in that the young boy will be force to use his learnt skills soon, pride that the boy grows strong enough that he can face monsters and survive the encounter.
While training with both swords, the task being harder than originally thought, mostly because he never duels wield before, he noticed that the 2 swords were made of different materials. Call it his ADHD talking, but clearly the Wave Breaker and Riptide have different colours, Riptide being bronze and Wave Breaker being silver.
"Dad, Lelantos, why does Wave Breaker and Riptide have different colour?" Percy asked, causing the two divine to break out of their musing and look at the boy.
Poseidon was the one who answered the question. "It's because they both made out of different materials. Riptide made out of Celestial Bronze and Wave Breaker made out of Atlantean Silver. Atlantean Silver is denser and heavier compared to Celestial Bronze, hence the decision to made it into a more defensive blade."
"The same with the staff. It is made of Atlantean Silver while the crossbow is made out of an enchanted wood and Celestial Bronze."
Percy nodded at the explanation before a sudden thought struck him.
"What about the name of the staff and crossbow? What's their name?" he asked, never hearing the name of the two gifts.
This time Lelantos answered him." It because we don't name them. Riptide and Wave Breaker were given name because they already have one. The staff and crossbow were recently made so they don't have a name yet."
He then poked the demigod chest. "It is your job and responsibility to name them. Those two are your weapon, give them a good name alright."
Percy nodded again. He looked back at the staff and crossbow, several ideas going through his head before two decided two stuck in his head. He held the staff and uttered" Depth Change" and place it before doing the same with the crossbow "Wind Strike".
Poseidon and Lelantos nodded at the name, agreeing with the boy, that the name he choose was excellent for the two weapons. Poseidon placed his hand on top of his son head, making the boy look at him in surprise.
"You should train with your new weapon, try to get a feel on how to wield them. After you done training, you should prepare to move out. Get some clothing, supplies, stuff like that for your journey. You can leave in a week so prepare yourselves, alright Perseus." Poseidon instructed his son, looking at his face and found nothing but excitement and eagerness to begin his adventure.
Percy nodded, understanding the reasoning of delaying his journey. Better to have some modicum of preparation then blindly going out with no clues. He decided to focus on his training, preparation can be made during the night.
*
Percy looked at the house, his backpack on his shoulder while Poseidon and Lelantos standing in front of it, face full of pride as the little boy they train will soon begin his journey. Percy let out a deep breath, some melancholy in his eyes, as he ready to leave the place he called home for the past two years.
He shook his head. The memories of the place will be hold dearly. Now began his journey as a demigod. Waving at the two divines, he then steps forward, his training days over. It's time to step into world full of danger and excitement. He can't wait to see what he will face.