Chapter 3: Preparations and the New World
"Lady Nyx, What is happening? It looks like the Minotaur, but this seems taller and more human than the monster I have slain multiple times." Said Percy.
The giant figure leered at Percy before giving a short statement. "Not…Bull…of…Minos! I…Asterios…Mn!" he huffed through his masked nostrils.
"S-S-Sorry." Percy stuttered at not wanting to enrage the so called…Berserker Servant?
"Well done, Percy Jackson. You have done your first magical summon! Now the group is gathered to begin your journey." Nyx announced happily.
"Excuse me, Lady Nyx. We are still confused at what is going on. I have never seen a summon like this before. And we are still not aware of this new prophecy or the new realm that you mentioned earlier." Hestia spoke calmly.
"Oh fine! You see, Percy needs more power to take down Olympus and their allies. For that, with the help of a wandering prankster, the Fates decree that Percy takes part in a tournament that occurs in this other realm I spoke of once every 60 years. The realm is very much like our world, except the gods and monsters are not hidden by Mist, they are cut off from the human world that they live in what is called the Reverse Side of the World.
A redundant name, honestly. Anyhow, it is the innermost sea of the planet that carries the soul of the World. Unfortunately, the gods have lost their physical forms and are only observing and not to directly interfere which was a stupid idea. Their Gaea has gone through a separate persona complex creating two main powers that preside on the fate of their world. Alaya, the collective unconsciousness of Men that is the Counter Force to all threats to humanity. Her other half is more into nature and the wildlife like Pan, but very antagonistic against mortals.
The mortals that have been granted the gift of magic, or Magecraft as they have devolved it to, are the mages. They wish to acquire all knowledge on Magic by reaching the Root, or the Akasha Records. Think like my daughters' weave tapestries. However, Akasha is hidden deep in the Reverse Side of the World, where no mortal can enter or dwell without suffering death or worse.
So to get around this problem, those shady paranoid mortals created a sacrificial ritual that could open a path to the Root. This is the Holy Grail War. What this entails is that seven chosen masters by the artifact that creates that connection to Akasha, called the Holy Grail, summon Heroes and important figures of various myths and legends to fight in fashion of the gladiators to obtain possession of the Grail.
The mages, being fools that they are, covet the prize for themselves. So now all summoners fight one another using their summoned Servants until one Master and Servant is left. However, there have been no winners for the past three tournaments. You are to 'win' this Fourth Holy Grail War by competing with their world's version of the child of the daughter of Helios and Hecate." Nyx explained.
"Okay. But what does this have to do with this new prophecy you are not telling us?" Percy asked.
"It is as follows. Olympians endure another era, Make mistakes for prolonging their reign. For casting out Hearth and Hero to Hate, The Rulers and their followers have sealed their Fate. For when Sea, Serpent, Bull, and Betrayed win the Grail, The enemies of Mount Olympus will Prevail. This prophecy is more straight forward to understand now that Hearth, Hero and Sea, Serpent, and Bull are now together. I think you should get to know your Servant better Percy. Hestia, be a dear and have Percy and Asterios have a shared vision about each other's pasts so that they can better understand each other to prepare for their future fights." Nyx tells the fallen goddess innocently.
"Wait! What about the Betrayed?" Percy asked before Hestia touched his and his Servant's mask as they stumble onto the couch with Mrs. O'Leary standing watch over them.
Now Hestia, Medusa, and Nyx were the ones left to talk while Percy and Asterios have their shared-vision. Hestia noticed that Nyx stared intently at Backbiter before handing it back to Percy. Medusa noticed it too.
"This world seems dangerous if these mages sound like how our monsters appear human before they kill the demigods and any who stand in their way. Especially if what you describe pertains that these summoned Servants may be heroes not just from our Greek and Roman myths. You think Percy can get strong enough to face these things?" Medusa wondered.
"I believe he will have greater chances of success with Asterios and the both of you backing him up. It is the dangers within his blade that may prove difficult." Said Nyx.
"So I did sense something amiss when I felt a sinister aura coming from my father's weapon as it slayed monsters and titans when we traversed through Tartarus. What is it?" Hestia knew that Nyx may know what it is.
"Hephaestus and the others may have thought that Percy could handle a weapon made to kill mortals and immortals. But they forgot that by bringing a weapon of the King of Titans into the Pit where his essence was scattered all over, the blade would in a sense start gathering the pieces." Nyx told her.
Hestia eyes grew wide at realizing what that meant. It was Medusa that voiced her conclusion. "Are you saying that Kronos' spirit may have recollected enough of itself into Backbiter that Kronos may return by possessing Percy?"
"Yes. But he still does not have enough of his spirit to possess Percy right now. But Percy would be powerless to stop Kronos from taking his body in the future and try to conquer both that world and ours. However, I have faith and 'hope' that Percy will unlock the strength and power deep within him that he will triumph. Show to him that his fatal flaw is not misplaced on the both of you and your allies. Betrayal will only strengthen the Titan's grasp. In fact, you can show your undying loyalty to Percy first Medusa by getting your curse fixed." Said Nyx.
Medusa lit up at Nyx knowing how to break her petrifying curse. "What do I need to do to remove my curse so that I can stay by Percy's and Hestia's sides?"
Nyx shakes her head before sharing with Medusa. "I said 'fix' your curse, not 'remove' it completely. Your power to turn monsters and mortals to stone with a glance is greatly ingrained to your very being, Medusa. However, the oaths you made to Styx and the Hearth has weakened Athena's power over you. In order to have complete control over your petrifying gaze without having to cover your beautiful eyes when out in public, you must offer him… a kiss!"
Hestia face faulted at that while Medusa blushed crimson at the thought of kissing Percy. Though Hestia has gotten closer to Percy, she had yet to get her first kiss on the lips. Now the addition to their family may steal that from her!
"Hold on! I should be the one to kiss him first since I too wish to show my love and loyalty to my hero!" Hestia declared as she went over to Percy's unconscious body.
Her lips nearly touched his until she was coiled in Medusa's tail that dragged her back. "Nu, uh, uh Fiesty Hesti. I may have been wooed by Poseidon, but he never gave me true kiss. Let me give my first kiss to my true love and then you can have your first kiss!"
Medusa grunted in pain as Hestia used her fire abilities to burn her scales. The two stared at each other as sparks flashed between them. Not realizing that Nyx was back in her chair eating her jellybeans like they were popcorn and Percy was waking up.
Percy felt sorry for seeing the story of the Minotaur from his point of view. Made him wonder when the one he killed in his world snapped and gave up his humanity to kill any mortal or demigod. He returned to the waking world to see Hestia and Medusa about to fight before he could talk to Asterios like he wanted to.
"Hey! What are two doing?" Percy's outburst caused them to halt and look at Percy with surprise, awkwardness and then shame.
"They are deciding which one of them gets the chance to have their 'first' kiss with you." Nyx told Percy in a tattle-tale like tone.
Percy looks at the two in confusion as Hestia pouts at Nyx's blabbing. Medusa hides her face by looking sideways with her snake hair covering her for several seconds. Then she faces Percy again to share her feelings.
"Nyx was sharing that to help me fix my curse, I must kiss you. But Hestia wants to have your first kiss. But it's your call. Which of the two of us gets to receive your first kiss?" Medusa put Percy on the spot.
Percy was perplexed at having to decide which girl. He usually was only, at first, interested in Annabeth. Not realizing at how others liked his looks and personality.
Berserker woke up as he petted Mrs. O'Leary who did not mind the towering being's touch. Percy saw this and raised a finger to let them know that he needed a minute. Nyx was so enjoying this drama unfold and waited to see what Percy would do next.
To the surprise of the females in the room, Percy pulls out Backbiter as he summons its sword form to cut away at the Man-bull's chains and ball-weights. Asterios lifts his mask to reveal his human face with black eyes and red pupils. His head tilts as he moans a sound of confusion at why Percy did this.
"I know what it is like to be cast aside for something that is beyond our control. I too have felt the weight of giving into my anger and fears. But still the love of my mother and true friends kept me going so I could overcome two Great Prophecies. I want you to experience that too, Asterios." Percy says.
"…Why…break…chains?" Berserker asks.
"I did that to show you that you are no longer bound to your jerk of a stepfather, Minos. I met my version of the ghost of that king who manipulated my friend Nico if you saw that, but he lost, and my friend became the new King of Ghosts. YOU get to decide on who you wish to be. With the help of me, Hestia, Medusa, and your parents' legacies." Asterios smiles at Percy's kind words before the demigod turns to the Lady of the Night.
"Lady Nyx, I may not be well versed in remembering all Greek lore, but where did the Minoan Bull come from? My father was said to have created the Cretan Bull, but how come I do not have the ability to understand cows like with Bessie?" Percy asks Nyx as he recalls the Ophiotaurus.
"The legend speaks that Poseidon was the one that created the Marathonian Bull for King Minos. But in truth, Poseidon merely grabbed that bull from the stalls of another pantheon that failed to reproduce the livestock of those divine cows." Nyx shares.
"Do you know which pantheon?"
"Hm… Maybe. Only Asterios can discover that for himself. But I can tell you that the divinity of that cow was similar to Pasiphae's god-father, Helios. But the next question is, what are you going to do with those broken ball and chains?" the primordial of the night wondered.
Percy takes both heavy objects and drags them to Nyx's feet before answering. "I offer these to you Lady Nyx. Once we win the Grail war and obtain the power needed to dispose of Zeus and his lot, Lady Styx will have them imprisoned in her river for a millennium. However, Annabeth has accepted the rank of godhood along with Jason Grace. For that, they can be your prisoners to keep trapped in your mansion while being forced to clean it until you say otherwise. But also add that Annabeth has something to cover her mouth so she won't use her cunning voice."
Nyx eyes flash bright as she claps her hands in joy at the thought of having a new godling be her personal Cinderella maid that will not get her 'happily ever after'. She accepts them as they disappear into her shadows. She offers to reward Percy for the gift, but he declines. So instead she goes over to Berserker's weapons to upgrade them. Now Asterios wields large labrys axe made of Celestial Bronze/Imperial Gold that can take on its double-bladed axe form or split into two single-blade axes with long poles with the head of bull on both ends of the polearms.(A/N: Think the Assassin's Creed Odyssey Minotaur Labrys that can turn into two hatchet versions of that legendary weapon.)
Asterios grunted in acceptance to his new weapons. Now that Asterios and Percy have come to accept each other, Percy redirects his situation with Hestia and Medusa. He goes to talk with Hestia first.
"Hestia, you have been a great companion and teacher. I would not have made it this far in life without your caring and wise counsel to help me and my friends. I know we have gotten closer since our fall to Tartarus, but I am not ready to give you my first kiss yet." Hestia wilted at seeing that Percy was still not ready to move on from Annabeth.
"But know that when I am ready our kiss will still be my 'first' kiss with a goddess, so you will have your first kiss with me." Percy's answer had Hestia beam with joy that her first kiss will still be his first no matter what. She could now accept Medusa getting the kiss to break her curse.
After giving Hestia a hug, Percy walks over to Medusa as her snakes hiss quietly in anticipation. "Medusa, you were the first kindest monster I had met before my cyclops brother Tyson. Even though you were going to turn me stone to keep me safe from Olympus' schemes. But that is in the past, and now Nyx is saying that I can keep my promise to you by fixing your curse so you can see with your eyes again without hurting everyone that looks at you directly. I just want to know that you truly care for me and Hestia, and that I can trust you completely."
Medusa nods her head as she says, "I will do anything to prove that my loyalty to you is genuine and your loyalty to me is not misplaced."
Percy accepts this as he comes very close to her face as her snake hair hisses but do not show their fangs to him. To everyone's surprise, Percy goes to unbuckle the eye cover which frightens Medusa and Hestia. The goddess is prevented from interfering by Nyx's touch as she silently tells her to watch and see.
"If this kiss will break your continuous eye captivating, I want to see your true eyes. Trust me." Percy comforts Medusa.
Those two words have Medusa let go of Percy's arms and lets Percy remove her blindfold. Medusa's face was pristine and beautiful as her eyelids slowly rose. Revealing two pupils that were a shining violet that looked like two pearls that shimmered under clear bay waters. Medusa was captivated by Percy's sea-green eyes as he moved close to have their lips touching.
The curse appeared to be taking an effect as his legs turned to stone as it climbed up his body. But when Percy and Medusa added more feeling in this exchange of emotions a blue light enveloped them. Causing the stone to vanish which made Medusa tear up as she closed her eyes and enveloped herself into Percy's bronze skinned arms. Percy closed his eyes in relief as he felt the happiness Medusa shared in their kiss. He opened his again to be surprised when Medusa's snake nest changed from reptilian green into a vibrant violet hair that flowed down to her ankles.
Ending the kiss, Medusa was a little overwhelmed by Percy's kiss that did not realize her change to her body that looked more human. Nyx got out her hand mirror to show Medusa the results of fixing the curse. The gorgon was amazed at how longs it's been since she could see herself without looking ashamed and disgusted.
"Well done, Percy. Now your girls can better blend in. The other world does not have the Mist, so I have this little sack to help Asterios blend in when you do not want him hiding in his spirit form. Also you can use this to pull a ninja vanish should the case arise." Nyx hands him a sack wrapped on a string that he could wear as a necklace.
"Thank you again, Lady Nyx. But one thing I still don't understand. How do we get to this other world?" Percy asked after wrapping the moleskin around his neck.
"That's easy. My mansion is near the heart of Tartarus, where the veils between worlds is thinner. Your summoning of Berserker was possible due to the little crack in the fabric of our reality that is in this room. To widen the crack to that world, you only need to use Backbiter. Though I advise making a 'stronger' connection to your blade before you open any more doorways to other realms. Now get going! I need to prepare another family photo without any demigod interruptions!" Nyx gives a shooing motion with her hands.
Percy pulled out Backbiter once again as he gave a swiping slash that caused a bigger tear for all to see as he walked on through with Hestia, Medusa, Asterios, and Mrs. O'Leary following behind. As soon as all of them crossed over, Nyx waved her hand as the portal was sealed off once again. Looking to her other guest who watched from the shadows.
"You are asking a lot from that boy, Zelretch. With all that Percy has gone through to end up in another war where anything could happen. Especially with Kronos hitchhiking as well." Nyx told the Wizard Marshall of the universe Percy and the others just entered.
"I am certain that the boy can make it through this. He has endured being in Tartarus after several adventures. The Fourth Grail War should be a walk in the park. Also, it's so that those unfortunate souls get their happy endings instead of the usual disasters. I'm certain that seaweed head can flow through it all." The Dead Apostle smirked at that last part before he disappeared back to his office within the Clock Tower without anyone noticing.
Scene Change
At the end of the portal the group found themselves in an abandoned building. Wanting to see what the outside looked like, he and his Servant walked on over to the doors while Hestia and Medusa inspected their soon to be first base. When Percy and Asterios went outside they were amazed at what they saw.
Percy had always seen the stars out when he was in Camp Half-Blood but never in the polluted air of Manhattan. Seeing the beautiful night sky above the Japanese city was beyond impressive more than the busy streets of Las Vegas. Asterios couldn't get enough of it since being in the labyrinth for most of his life.
Not knowing that this pair of Master and Servant would bring about great changes to both worlds.
Apologies for the delay. I had to write the first chapters of this story since I was in a mood that focused on Percy Jackson and the Minotaur Legend. I found it odd that Percy could not understand Bessie since she was a sea creature in 'The Titan's Curse', but it made me come up with a theory on where the Legendary Bull of Crete might have come from. Perhaps the divine cows of Egypt that were under Ra or Hathor's domain...Or perhaps the cows of Mesopotamia that may or may not be children of the Bull of Heaven. You be the judge.
Anywho, this story took a lot of research and study to create this idea so I hope When the time comes I can get the scene right where Percy and Asterios are introduced to the Fate/Zero characters, except Caster who will be the Matou's Servant and have a distant relation to Asterios. For now I must work on getting over this writer's block for my other stories.
Stay Healthy, Hydrated, and Safe!
