(Wow. So when I asked about implanting the gorgon eye in Percy, I didn't expect all these comments. Nor did I think that some readers would want Reika to get it.)
(So Reika is going to get the eye! For those who wanted Percy to get it, There is a surprise at the end of book 1. Not this chapter, but when he returns to camp half-blood.)
*Enjoy* = someone texting!
(Thanks to my beta reader Qwityboy!)
*Beeeeppp* I woke with a start, as a car honked driving down the road. I had been driving for the past couple of days and had just reached Tennessee, stopping in a small fast food place to catch some sleep.
Groaning a little, I stretched from my seat in the car. Yes, I slept in the car. After the little "Ares" incident, I wanted to reach California ASAP.
Now that I had stopped for a little bit, I opened the bracelet's Items tab and grabbed Medusa's eye. I had been thinking about it as I drove, and had come to the realization that it would be very helpful in a tight spot.
Holding it up to the light shining through the car windows I brought in to my eye. Naturally, I had no idea how to do this. But I was hoping by placing it near my eye would something. As soon as the eye came an inch from my own, I felt a blinding pain then blacked out.
I came to a few minutes later holding my head as I did so. I had a major headache. Taking a look in the car mirror, I checked for any changes. None. My eyes were exactly the same.
Sighing I started the car and prepared to leave. Checking my rear mirror, I froze as I saw Reika in the back with golden dust covering the back seats of the vehicle. Not bothering to turn the car off, I scrambled to the back of the car.
Reika was laying on her side with golden dust falling from her closed eye. Sensing me coming closer, she opened her shut eyes. Staring into my eyes was one molten orange and one glowing green eye with a mix of silver in it. Somehow, Reika had gotten Medusa's eye.
Raising my hand, and not wanting to scare her, I slowly started to rub her head. "Sorry girl, I don't know how this happened." I spoke in a relaxing, soft tone.
As I was getting her, a thought came to me. This was Medusa's eye... and I was not stone. Looking down at Reika I checked her character status.
[Name: Reika] Lv.39 Exp 14,731/27,500
[Age: 21] [Race: Hellhound] [Titles: Queen of the Hellhound] [Companion of Percy Jackson] [Currently not hidden in shadow]
[HP: 2,425/2,425]
[Mana: 1,420/1,420]
[Affinity - Shadows/Darkness]
[Stats]
Strength - 54
Vitality - 99
Dexterity - 92
Intelligence - 71
Wisdom - 41
Charisma - 0
Luck - 12
Stat Points - 0
[Skills]
Slash Lv-7 (21%)
Pounce Lv-4 (61%)
Skill Points - 0
[Special Abilities]
Shadow Manipulation Lv-54/100 (22%) Proficiency level (45%) + (35%) = (80%)
Shadow Travel Lv-3 (32%)
Special Ability Points -0
[Perks]
Stealth Lv-3 [Reika's movement is higher the level, the less noise made.]
Eye of the Gorgon Lv-1 [You can turn any being with less intelligence than you to stone] [Can be turned on or off with mana]
I stared at Reika for a moment after reading her stats. As soon as I think I'm catching up she levels and becomes out of reach yet again. While gaining more stats. That, and I had a suspicion she somehow learned how to use her stat points.
I left the back and got into the driver's seat. With Reika having 71 stat points in intelligence, she could turn most monsters to stone. This would be pretty helpful in the long run, and I had 81 in intelligence. So I was safe from being turned to stone for the moment.
As I pulled out of the parking lot, I saw a flash of fire and swerved the car back to where I was leaving. Was I ever getting out of here?
Glancing at the seat next to me I felt my eyes widen. There in the passenger seat was Hestia watching me with a mischievous smile on her face.
"Hey, Percy!" she said that smile still on her face.
"Hestia? what are you doing here?" I asked, as I calmed myself down. I stopped the car in the parking lot. "Not that I don't want you here!" I say in a rush.
Hestia laughed and said. "Percy, it's fine. I have been watching you, and remembered something you need for this quest."
"What do I need?" I ask curiously.
"There's a pearl in the Parthenon here in Tennessee. You need it to come out of the underworld." She replied opening my map and pointing to it. "Think of this as a quest from me."
I tensed for a moment as I heard that, then relaxed. Although Hestia was a goddess, I trusted her. Unlike Ares and his quest/trap and general untrustworthiness.
I didn't believe that this would be a trap, but if it turned out to be one, then I would like to think she would tell me.
"A warning, Percy." said Hestia, as she saw me coming out of my thoughts."There is a Hydra guarding this pearl. You must either find a way to kill it or sneak around it."
I raised an eyebrow at her. Why did she think I could kill one?
She rolled her eyes. "Percy, I have been watching you. You've done plenty of things I can't explain. Killing a Hydra isn't that hard to believe, compared to slaying Medusa, Gorgons, AND the Furies." she said while raising an eyebrow, with a slight smirk.
[Quest Alert!]
[Find the pearl in the Parthenon to escape the underworld!]
[Reward!]
You can escape the underworld once entering it!
25,000 Exp
Y/N
I looked away, finding the road very interesting. "Hmm.." I hummed accepting the quest.
Hestia sighed. "Look Percy, I know you won't tell me now, But I hope there is a point where you trust me enough to know the truth."
I turned to her and opened my mouth then closed it again. I stared at her for a few moments then nodded.
"After the quest is over." I said, my gaze hardening. Hestia was the only other person (or divine being) I trusted. Other than Reika.
"Very well, Percy," she said with a warm smile.
"So... do you think Hades really took the lightning bolt?" I ask her wanting a change in conversation.
"What do you think?" Said Hestia, with a slight head tilt giving away her curiosity.
I sat there with a comfortable silence as I thought over her words. What did I think? Did I really believe Hades took the bolt? All I had going for me at the moment was heading west and Chiron saying Hades was the most likely suspect.
"I don't know..." I said breaking the silence. "What I do know is that I still have to go the underworld. It's the only lead I have."
Hestia opened her mouth then stopped closing it again. Looking at me closely she reached over and touched my hand. "Amazing," she whispered.
"What is it?" I asked confused.
"All beings have a sort of energy in them that can be sensed. A minute ago I could feel your presence." She said in a lecture like a tone. "But now your energy or whatever you want to call it has disappeared. If you weren't in front of me I wouldn't be able to find you."
I stared at her shocked. Then I remembered the only passive skill I have, presence. I guess it leveled up enough to hide me from a god. I frowned, this might become a problem If I can't turn it off.
"Is there a way for you to find me?" I questioned. I enjoyed talking to Hestia. I wouldn't want to have to stop because of this skill.
Hestia appeared in thought for a few moments then smiled. She pulled out a black smartphone and handed it to me.
"I'll think of something later. For now, just calling or texting will work just fine." she said.
Taking the phone I opened it and saw the first number there was Hestia's. "Thanks." I told her, then I thought of something troubling.
"What about the other gods?" I asked her.
"It would only be a problem if you did it in front of them, as you did me." replied Hestia.
Sighing, I thought of the trouble this would bring if I couldn't fix this. Sure, I could contact Hestia with the phone. But If I ran into another god... Yeah, I did not want to deal with that time bomb.
Glancing at the clock, I was surprised at how late it was. We had been talking for the past couple of hours.
Seeing my reaction, Hestia chuckled. "I'll see you later Percy, come to me if you have any questions." Hestia gave a small wave and a smile, and then flamed away.
As soon as she was gone I opened the presence skill. I needed to fix this.
Presence Lv-7 (2%) [Passive]
Seriously last I checked it was level 2. Passive skills raise quickly. Clicking on it I checked the description.
[Hide your Presence from most beings. The higher the level the more hidden you are][Can be turned on or off with mana]
It can't be that easy. I thought. Shrugging my shoulders, I used the mana the same way I did for my element for my presence skill. I waited a few moments but didn't feel a change.
Sighing I turned the key in the ignition and started to drive. *Ping*, glancing over I read the text I had received.
To Percy:*Really Percy, I just left and now know where you are. What did you do? Actually, never mind. I'm not sure if I even want to know until after the quest*
To Percy:*I am going to enjoy watching you take on the Hydra!*
Smiling to myself I drove towards the Parthenon. And tried to think of a plan to take on a Hydra.
...
I sat in the car, as I watched the Parthenon be locked up for the day. I could have gone in earlier with the tour, but if there was a Hydra, I didn't want to know what it would look like to the mortals. A teenage kid fighting some sort of animal maybe?
Opening the door, I stepped out as I felt Reika enter my shadow. After getting that eye she had slept in the back the rest of the day.
I stopped walking as a thought occurred to me. Hestia had been in the car with Reika, and hadn't said a thing. Smiling a little, I realized that it was probably one of the things she wanted an explanation for after the quest.
It was a better reaction than others would have, that's for sure. I snorted as I thought of the hellhound I had killed when playing capture the flag. I was completely biased when it came to Reika.
I mean I kill hellhounds on sight while Reika. Well... let's just say if she started killing demigods, I would probably help remove the bodies.
Reaching the Parthenon doors, I attempted my fruitless endeavor of trying open them. This wasn't going as planned.
I heard a guttural laughter from my mind, and felt the shadows meld around me. Once the shadows disappeared, I saw I was standing in the amongst the shade inside the Parthenon.
"Seems your intelligence did more than give you more mana." I whispered as I activated my stealth skill and searched the building for the pearl.
Avoiding the janitors, I saw cleaning the building and the security guards. I found the pearl at the top of a massive Athena statue. It almost reached the building ceiling.
Sneaking over, I slowly, hidden in the shadows, sneaked up the statue. I sat down and rested as I reached the head of Athena. That was a long 10 feet climb.
Placing my feet under a part of the statue, I leaned my body over and grabbed the pearl from the crown adorning Athena's head. [Ding!] I waited a few moments and smiled. Maybe I could get out of here without awakening the Hydra.
Using my legs I lifted my body back onto the head of the statue. I sat there for a few minutes and looked at the pearl It was a green/blue color and was small enough to fit in my palm.
Hearing Reika growl, I turned around and froze coming face to face with the Hydra. It had five heads currently, which was odd since I thought it had nine, and it was staring blankly with bright yellow eyes, while acid-green drool dripping from its fangs.
Making as little movement as possible, I used my observe skill.
[Name: Hydra] Lv.99
[Age: Unknown] [Race: Hydra] [Titles: The Nine headed Monster]
[HP: 19,240/19,240]
[Mana: 1,360/1,360]
[Stats]
Strength - 700
Vitality - 740
Dexterity - 209
Intelligence - 68
Wisdom: - 511
Charisma: - 0
Luck: - 0
The blood drained from my face as I read the stats for the Hydra. I thought Medusa was hard. This Hydra was going to be even harder, if not impossible. Its strength alone could crush me in a single hit.
That, and its health shouldn't be so exaggerated. I can't kill this thing. What quest did I accept? Right as the thought crossed my mind, the Hydra started to breathe flames.
Jumping from the statue, I rolled as I hit the groundbreaking my fall slightly. Running towards the door, I hid behind some pillars. Wiping the sweat from my brow from the heat of the flames.
My thoughts races as I tried to come up with a way to defeat the Hydra. This was going to be impossible.
The Hydra broke through one of the pillars at my side breathing more fire in my direction. Panicking, I threw my hands out and watched in shock as a shield of ice appeared in front of me.
- 200 mana
WHAT. My eyes widened as I continued to watch at the fire pounded against the ice shield. Smiling a little, I raised my other hand and tried to make a weapon. Now that I knew the Hydra could not break the ice, I was a little more confident.
After a few moments, and a few cracks in my shield, I created a long sharp spear, that looked like an icicle. It was about 6 feet long and had a sharp point that would hopefully damage the Hydra.
Checking my mana count [Mana: 420/1,620] I turned to stare at the spear. Minus the shield this spear cost a thousand mana.
Swallowing I waited for the Hydra to stop spewing fire and dropped the shield as soon as it did. Pulling my arm back I threw the spear and watched as it flew in the air.
I smiled watching it soar at it's designated target, the monster's chest. - 1,000 damage, The Hydra screeched. While I stopped smiling as soon as I read the notification.
There was still 18,240 health left. Ducking behind another pillar, I barely managed to dodge the claws of the angry beast.
I heard a snort, and then Reika appeared from the shadows. When had she left?
Reika walked forward with her head up high and glared at the Hydra with her glowing green eye. At first, nothing happened other than the Hydra freezing in place. Then the Hydra started to turn to stone. [Ding!]
In a faraway place, Hestia watched in shock as Reika turned the Hydra to stone.
After a couple of seconds, the monster was completely stone. No more fire or claws of death rushing at me. Walking towards Reika I asked. "When did you learn how to use the eye?"
Somehow I don't know when Reika learned to laugh and gained an attitude. She started to laugh in her guttural voice and lifted her head while giving me a superior look.
That look practically screamed queen at me. "Alright, pretend I didn't ask," I said raising my hands in surrender.
I opened the bracelet and read the new windows.
[Quest Completed!]
[Find the pearl in the Parthenon to escape the underworld!]
[Reward!]
You can escape the underworld once entering it!
+ 25,000 Exp
...
You have leveled up!
+ 5 stat points
...
You have leveled up!
+ 5 stat points
I fell to the floor and started to laugh. I would have died if not for Reika. After a few minutes, I stood up and rubbed Reika's head. "What a good girl you are," I said to her. Reika huffed turned her head but leaned into my touch as I pulled my hand away.
It appears that raising her intelligence did wonders to her personality.
"let's get out of here." I said, as we left. I wondered for a moment if Reika got some of the Exp for the Hydra, but put it out of my mind as we entered the car. I had more pressing matters, preferably pressing my head into a pillow.
...
One week later, I parked by the sidewalk as I finally arrived at the address Hestia had given me. It wouldn't have taken so long, but I had gotten a little distracted talking with Hestia, who appeared almost every night in the passenger seat of the car to talk.
The first night after Reika had killed the Hydra, Hestia had appeared, which had been a welcome surprise. I was fully ignoring the fact that I may or may not like Hestia more than I should. Maybe I would think more on that after the quest... or maybe not.
Entering DOA Recording Studios I was surprised to see the line of people. This looked to be your everyday office if not for the lines of faded beings waiting for something.
Walking forward I ignored it all and headed to the front desk. Now I had spoken to Hestia about what to expect, and all she said on the matter was that I needed to be prepared to pay Charon. Then laughed when I told her what I planned to do.
Naturally, I had a suspicion on what I was going to be paying but as I reached the desk I started chanting in my mind that my suspicion won't come true.
Taking a deep breath I started. "Hey, I would like to travel to the underworld," I said with a hopefully charming smile.
Charon stared at me for a moment from behind his desk then continued with whatever he was doing.
I sighed and using my acting skill brought a few tears to my eyes. "Okay, okay. I know you need this right." I said dropping a large bag of 200 drachmae. Now I would truly never give this much, but by giving a bag this big Reika could use her shadow skill to get back all 200 drachmae.
Yes, this was why Hestia laughed. My plan was to gain passage into the underworld and cheat Charon at the same time.
Charon smiled as he saw the bag and heard the clink of coins. "Please," he said with a strange smile. "Come aboard."
Opening the elevator doors Charon stepped inside while counting the drachma in the bag. Walking into the elevator I clenched my fist as I heard Charon continue to count MY drachmae.
I followed him into a boat with him staring at the gold in the bag. Was the bag cursed or something. He could at least attempt to make conversation.
I left the boat as we reached a beach not touching the river Styx while glaring at Charon as he, without a single goodbye pushed off the beach.
With Charon barely in sight, I started the plan. "Now Reika," I ordered.
Somehow managing a grin Reika used her shadow manipulation had all 200 drachmae appear on the floor of the underworld.
Smiling I grabbed all the drachmae and put it into the backpack I got from Ares. I had grabbed it as an explanation for the drachmae.
I took a step forward and stumbled as I felt something odd happen. It felt as if the backpack had gained a lot of weight in a few seconds.
Shrugging it off my shoulders I checked my drachmae inside panicking slightly. It had been in the hands of Charon. Who knows if he could take back the money somehow.
I froze as I saw what I assumed to be Zeus's lightning bolt laying among the golden drachmae. How did it get in here?
I zipped up the bag and swung it on my shoulders in a hurry as I spotted in the corner of my eye Charon coming back on his boat. He so knows.
Running in the other direction I hid in the shadows after a few minutes, activating my presence and stealth skill. I was not going to get caught!
I hid for an unknown amount of time. Only breathing easier once I was sure the Charon was not looking for me.
Now I a little more relaxed I gazed at the... thing in my backpack. I was speechless finding the lightning bolt in my bag. Although finding it here does point the arrow to Ares. I sighed if it is Ares and I point that out. Well, I better be prepared for the rest of the camp to hate me too. (Ares cabin.)
Coming out of the shadows but not turning off my skills I thought on what to do. I could continue heading to Hades despite knowing he was not the thief. Or I could use the pearl and leave now with none the wiser.
As I thought over my choices a third choice appeared. A monster or some sort of skeleton appeared from a purple mist with a sword and shield and an iron helmet. following him came more skeletons.
Smiling I checked my time limit [115 hours]. I had the bolt, I had an escape route. All I had to do was crush the pearl and appear by the empire state building and head to Olympus to give Zeus the bolt.
Taking a step back in the shadows I used the observe skill on these skeletons. I might as well use my time to level up.
[Name: Skeleton] Lv.20
[Age: Unknown] [Race: Skeleton] [Titles: Undead]
[HP: 1,200/1,200]
[Mana: None]
[Stats]
Strength - 80
Vitality - 48
Dexterity - 70
Intelligence - 1
Wisdom: - 1
Charisma: - 0
Luck: - 5
Smirking I grabbed my throwing daggers. Three, four daggers and one would be down for the count. Walking slowly in the shadows I made my way to the side of the skeletons. Although these monsters had only one in the intelligence stat it didn't mean I could be careless.
Holding a dagger I pulled my arm back and threw it at the side of an unarmored skeleton's head.
-430 HP!
Frowning a little I threw the other two.
-430 HP!
-790 HP! Critical Strike!
+ 150 Exp
Hmm... I hummed. The Exp was pretty good, much better than hellhounds. For the next few minutes, I killed about a dozen skeletons collecting my knives as they collapsed into a pile of bones.
After I had finished I had gotten almost 2,000 Exp. Not bad but I wanted to gain more. For a split second I thought about using the pearl then shook my head and continued into the mist the skeletons had come out of.
...
I felt like screaming as I again came across a rock I had seen at least five times since I entered the mist. I had been walking for the past couple of hours searching for more skeletons. Sure I had come across one or two. But other than that, nothing.
Taking a step forward I threw my hands forward in frustration as I found the same rock for the sixth time. My ice element flew from my hand and smashed into the rock revealing a hole in the ground.
Happy to have finally seen something different I walked closer. Peeking inside I saw nothing but darkness.
I was preparing to throw one of my daggers and see how far it would reach when a hand made of bones appeared on the rock of the floor. A skeleton was climbing out of the hole. Smiling a little I hid in the mist watching as more and more skeletons came out.
After a few minutes, my smile started to shrink. They were still coming. I counted at least two dozen and more lifting themselves out of the hole.
Walking forward quickly I started kicking some of the skeletons back in. I heard their bodies slam into the rock and other skeletons. Ignoring the notifications for Exp I started to slash at the skeletons at the top already.
I felt warm blood flow down my arm, a sword cut from one of the skeletons. Spinning around I broke the legs of the skeleton causing it to fall to the floor. Grabbing two skeletons by the arms I threw them back into the hole.
After a few more minutes I managed to kill the skeletons that reached the top and was now kicking the ones attempting to climb up.
Checking the timer I saw that 2 hours had passed since I had started fighting. Closing my eyes I concentrated and thrust out my arms blasting the skeletons down with the ice element.
+ 150 Exp
+ 150 Exp
+ 150 Exp
+ 150 Exp
+ 52 more notifications
I was shocked. How many skeletons were there? Creating a large ball of ice slightly smaller than the hole. I threw it inside. I heard the ball scraping against the walls and the sound of bones being smashed.
+ 150 Exp
+ 150 Exp
+ 150 Exp
...
10 minutes later and the Exp notifications were finally coming to an end.
[Ding!], [Ding!]
+ 150 Exp
+ 150 Exp
+ 150 Exp
I shook my head chuckling slightly. How many skeletons had there really been down there? As a precaution, I made an Ice shielding covering the entrance to the skeleton's hole.
I grinned as I saw the notification. Counting the Exp I had all together gotten 31,000 Exp. Enough to level up twice.
You have leveled up!
+ 5 stat points
...
You have leveled up!
+ 5 stat points
Turning around I prepared to head back and see what else I could find then paused. I had gotten so caught up in finding skeletons that I could now not remember the way back.
I checked the clock and saw that I had [109 hours] left. Way too much time. Holding my hand out I closed my eyes and chose a random direction. Who knows maybe I would get lucky.
...
Three days later and all that had made me not take out the pearl and crush it was the fact that nothing was the same. Unlike before, I was not walking in circles. So with that in mind, I continued to walk through the mist, hoping for a change.
A few more hours later and I was done. I had wasted my time searching through the mist in the underworld. I mean really. How large was this place anyway?
Opening my items I grabbed the pearl. I had spoken to Hestia almost a week ago on how to use this. All I had to do was crush it under my foot. Tossing it on the ground I prepared to crush it.
Before I could the pearl started to roll away. Scrambling forward I tried to grab the pearl. That was my only way out of the underworld.
The pearl bounced once then continued to roll this time picking up more speed. Leaping forward I grabbed the pearl falling onto my side as I did so.
Bringing the pearl to my face I checked for any scratches or any other marks. I could feel my heart stop for a moment as I spotted a small crack going along one side of the pearl. This better still work, I thought to myself as I stood up.
I was about to use the pearl when I caught sight of something laying on the floor. It was a skeleton. Bringing out my dagger I prepared to fight then stopped. This body was different. For one, it wasn't moving.
Holding my hand out I touched it. And watched as the skeleton turned to dust, leaving behind a glowing book. Picking it up I used the observe skill.
[Raven]
[You may transform into a raven] - Cost 2,000 mana
[Learn]
Clicking yes I felt the knowledge settle in my mind.
[You have learned a new skill]
Transformation Lv-1 (0%) [Raven] - Cost 2,000 mana
I sighed as I stood up. This was an interesting skill, but with my mana count and current level. It would be a long time before I could use this skill. Unless I used my stat points of course.
Taking the pearl I placed it down on the floor. Crushing it under my feet while thinking of the empire state building.
There was a swirl of green/blue mist, then I felt as if I was falling. After a few moments, I appeared... in central park?
This was the place where I had first found the bracelet. Why was I here?
Hearing the sound of a loud engine, I hid in one of the trees, very glad that I had not turned off my prescense skill.
I froze in place as I saw Ares on his bike entering the park. Here was the god that had given me the backpack, which somehow housed the lightning bolt.
I sat there hidden in the tree not knowing what to do. I couldn't fight a god. I couldn't even see what stats they had.
After a few moments of watching Ares look through the park growling. I grabbed my phone and texted Hestia. Maybe she would have an idea?
To Hestia: *Hey Hestia, I need some help here!*
To Percy: *What do you need Percy?*
To Hestia:*So I have the lightning bolt. The only problem is the thief wasn't Hades.*
To Percy: *I'm glad you found it. Now my brother will stop this ridiculous war. Who took it?*
To Hestia: *Ares! Although I don't know how a god stole it*
To Percy: *I...see. That is... unexpected. And he most likely used a demigod to steal it. No god can take another's weapon of power.*
To Hestia: *That's interesting and all, but he's here in central park with me. He seems to be looking for something, which I hope isn't me.*
To Percy: * Don't fight him. I don't mean to insult you, and I have seen some of your fights. But Ares is a god! You'll be killed!*
To Hestia: *Don't worry, I have no plans on fighting him. I just want to reach Olympus and return this bolt already!*
To Percy: *Hmm... I am not sure how you can get out of there other than using your... strange ability to avoid my senses. But if you can, reach the empire state building and come to Olympus. I have a way to prove Ares is the thief.*
I was about to reply when I heard Ares start to yell. "I KNOW YOUR HERE DEMIGOD!"
To Hestia: *Ok*
Sending a quick reply I moved farther away from Ares. I would have loved to know how I was going to show up here in the first place. But I needed to leave.
Sliding the backpack on my shoulders I hid in the shadows of another tree. I heard the sound of Ares bike, then saw him riding towards me.
I was about to move when a thought occurred to me. He only moved when I did. How did he know?
Stepping off his bike Ares started walking around yelling for me to come out and hand over the bolt. Yet more proof he knew it was in the bag.
Staying put I turned to look at my bag. This was given to me by Ares. It wasn't so much of a stretch to think he did something to be able to find it. Using my bracelet hand I put the bag in with the rest of my items.
Ares' head snapped up and he spun around scanning over the area. It appears I was right. The bag did have something to do with him finding me. Although it looked as if he still somehow knew where the bag was.
I waited for the next few minutes. But Ares continued to look over the area. It was as if he was a robot, doing the same thing over and over again.
I couldn't believe it. One move to another tree and I would be spotted. I thought of asking Reika to teleport us. But with Ares on his bike over there, no matter how far Reika traveled he would always find them.
Reika growled in agreement at my train of thought... Since when could she read my mind? Shaking my head I pushed it to the back of my mind. I could think about that later, and why it never occurred to me.
Opening my status I looked for anything that might help and stopped as I saw my stat points. I scrolled quickly and looked at my transformation skill. I had 20 stat points. And 81 in intelligence already. Maybe...
I dumped all my free stat points in intelligence. I now had 101 in intelligence. And as for mana, I pulled that window up.
[Mana: 2,020/2,020] (Mana Regen 7 per min)
I barely had enough. Smiling now that I had a plan I prepared to use my new skill. [Ding!] Frowning in confusion I checked the notification.
[For having more than 100 stat points in intelligence, new perk gained]
Mana Accumulator Lv.1 [You love gaining mana, what you have is a meager amount compared to what you want!]
+ 10% to Intelligence
After reading the text I opened the mana window again.
[Mana: 2,220/2,220] (Mana Regen 7 per min)
I now had 200 hundred more mana than before. I stared at the bracelet for a split second then used the transformation skill. I couldn't be wasting any more time.
At first, I thought nothing happened. I mean I expected something painful or something. All the happened was the world was growing bigger... Oh. I shrunk.
Swinging my head around I saw my view had shifted. I was now seeing the branch I was on with more narrowed eyes.
Spreading my wings out I attempted to fly. It failed spectacularly. I jumped in the air and fell into the bushes below me. With both wings flailing about.
After a few minutes of my wings catching on almost everything, I left the bush. Turning my head much farther than I could as a human. I spotted Ares with my improved eyesight, walking towards his bike.
Taking a glance at my wings I thought on how to fly. Then face-palmed with my wing as I realized I knew how. The knowledge like with the skill books was already in my head.
Lifting my wings I beat them against the wind lifting myself into the air. As I soared higher I heard Ares turning on his bike and racing out of the park. I frowned, or at least I did in my mind. He might follow me all the way to Olympus.
Landing on the roof of an apartment complex. I looked at the windows. There I was a dark black raven with, I snorted. Purple eyes.
Looking at my legs, I saw no bracelet but, I remembered the mirror. I lifted my leg and bent my head to look at it. There it was, smaller than when I was human, but it still there.
Using my legs and beak, I bent my body and activated the bracelet. Using my beak I scrolled through to the item section and took the bag out. Almost inaudibly, I heard the door downstair slam and heavy footsteps. Ares, that was fast.
Going inside the bag I grabbed the lightning bolt and placed it in the bracelet. The drachma had vanished into the bracelet the moment I put the bag in it.
Hopping out of the bag I flew onto the ledge of the building. I wanted to see what Ares would do.
Ares broke the door off its hinges as he walked onto the roof. I would say he was a little more than angry.
Spotting the bag he rushed over. Picking it up he looked inside for a full minute. Then in a rage, he threw the bag against the side of the concrete building. Catching the bag on fire and cracking the concrete.
Thanks for the warning Hestia, I thought gratefully. It was all I could think of after seeing that scene.
Spreading my wings I pushed myself off the ground and headed for the empire state building. I only had a few hours left on the clock.
...
Reaching the top of the empire state building I turned back into a human. I rolled my shoulders feeling the stiffness in them. I had spent way too long as a bird.
Taking a look around I saw an elevator which I assume is the entrance to Olympus Hestia mentioned during one of our talks.
Walking forwards I pressed the button while stopping my presence skill and waited for it to open as I messaged Hestia.
To Hestia: *At the elevator*
To Percy: *Good, once inside press the button for the 300th floor.*
To Hestia: *Got it.*
Entering the elevator I did as she said and pressed the button for the 300th floor. I felt the elevator move for a minute, then there was a flash of white light.
I waited for a moment as the doors slid open and smiled as I saw what was in front of me. Yes, I could see Olympus and it looked amazing.
But what made me smile wasn't Olympus, but Hestia, who was waiting in front of the elevator, looking down at her phone with an impatient look on her face.
(For those wondering, I made the backpack only get the bolt when Percy entered the underworld. No, using the backpack as a sheath.)
(Now, writing this chapter for me was chaos. I didn't have a plan or idea really and just wrote. How was it?)
[The demigod System]
[Character Status]
[Name: Percy Jackson] Lv.30 Exp 5,426/17,000
[Age: 16] [Race: demigod] [Title: Monster Hunter] [Companion: Reika]
[HP: 1,750/1,750] (Health Regen: 7.4 per min)
[Stamina: 943/943] (Stamina Regen 13 per min)
[Mana: 2,220/2,220] (Mana Regen 7 per min)
[Affinity - Ice]
[Stats]
Strength - 60
Vitality - 59
Dexterity - 70
Intelligence - 111
Wisdom - 70
Charisma - 50
Luck - 100
Stat Points - 0
[Skills]
Transformation Lv-1 (10%) [Raven] - Cost 2,000 mana
Stealth Lv-1 (93%) + 20% stealth when in shadows
Acting Lv-2 (99%)
Lying Lv-2 (42%)
Presence Lv-8 (9%) [Passive]
Tracking Lv-4 (98%)
Dagger Advanced beginner Lv-3 (74%) [You deal 17% more damage when using daggers]
Knife throwing Lv-Max
Archery Lv-1 (0%)
Sword Novice Lv-1 (0%)
Eavesdrop Lv-1 (4%)
Observe Lv-9 (92%)
Running Lv-8 (91%)
Cooking Lv-5 (61%)
Languages: English Lv-Max, Latin Lv-2 (32%)
Skill Points - 1
[Special Abilities]
Ice Manipulation Lv-21/100 (65%) Proficiency level (25%)
Shadow Manipulation Lv-1 (0%) Proficiency level (0%) [Partially sealed]
[Light - Sealed]
[Darkness - Sealed]
[Void - Sealed]
Special Ability Points - 0
[Perks]
Knowledge Absorber Lv-1 [You can learn skills from books, the more advanced the book, the higher the skill you get is.] Can raise skill level by absorbing books for that skill.
Physical Endurance Lv-14 [You take 28% less damage from physical attacks]
Mental Resistance Lv. 2 [You are 20% more resistant to mental attacks]
Mana Accumulator Lv.1 [You love gaining mana, what you have is a meager amount compared to what you want!] + 10% to Intelligence
[Resistance]
Fire resistance Lv-4 [You are 40% resistant to fire]
Ice resistance Lv- [Unknown]
[Items]
Credit Card, 24 Celestial bronze knives, Healing Potion x2, Car keys,
[Item shop]
[Relationships]
Grover - 30/100
Chiron - 24/100
Reika - 99/100
Annabeth - -23/100
Clarisse - 11/100
[Romance]
Hestia 130/1,000
[Reputation]
God reputation 6%
demigod reputation -23% [You are disliked by most demigods]
Monster reputation 14% [Monsters are now slightly cautious in your presence. Does not include companions.]
Titan reputation 0%
Primordial reputation 0%
Money: $362,193
Drachma: 1,410
[The Q Files]
One of the many appeals and needs of fanfiction to make it good is a sense of empathy. Whenever someone writes, the should make the reader feel like the character, or you want to be LIKE the character. One of the many appeals of this fanfiction, is you can see Percy not as a badass, but as a person, who has his doubts. The author is incredibly good and making him feel mortal, especially with that last bit, about being scared to take on Ares.