A/N: Thanks a LOT for the amount of support guys. Another 732 hits on the first day so I really appreciate it! I spent a lot of time rewriting this chapter because I got so lost on what I was doing lol. That's what happens when I take a two month hiatus from writing… SIGH, more on that on the bottom A/N, but FINALLY here is the chapter lmao.
Also I'm 10 more followers from 100! I plan to do something once I hit it, no idea what yet tho.
Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians, however I own my OC Sofia.
Chapter 9: Reunion
Base of Mount Orthys
Afternoon
"Perseus?" Zoe said surprised.
Percy glanced at the girl for one second and jumped backward cautiously, eyeing her sword which she had lowered.
Zoe dropped her sword holding her hands up in surrender not wanting to fight but desiring to know what the hell was going on.
Before Zoe could speak Percy twisted his ring, his gladius now by his side causing Zoe to have a look of shock on her face, she reached for her sword but was stopped as Percy held his blade in front of her hilt, stopping her from grabbing it.
"Who are you?" Percy interrogated slowly not recognizing the person in front of him.
"Percy? It's me Zoe."
"Zoe? I don't recall any Zoe's from the legion."
"The legion?" Zoe asked confused, almost slapping herself as she realized he meant the Roman Legion.
"Percy's acting very strange… I should be dead right now and yet he doesn't even recognize who I am. Maybe he has amnesia?" Zoe speculated to herself.
"Yes, the Roman legion, and judging from your reaction you have no idea what I'm talking about do you?" Percy replied.
"I know what the legion is." Zoe responded a little annoyed.
Percy raised his eyebrow at her statement. "So, I'm guessing you're a demigod that's not part of the legion then?"
Zoe nodded her head as she revealed her lineage. "My full name is Zoe Nightshade, daughter of Atlas and former lieutenant of Artemis."
Percy's eyes widened, not believing what she said at first. "Those are some bold claims am I just supposed to believe your word?"
"Sigh this is frustrating…" Zoe thought, glancing at her hand, closing and opening it a few times. "It's great I'm alive, but it seems Percy doesn't remember who I am."
Zoe turned her attention back to Percy. "Is my appearance not enough to justify my claims?"
Percy sheathed his sword and stared into Zoe's eyes for a moment his form relaxing.
"I did initially think you resembled Atlas in some way, and your sword being silver is synonymous with Diana's hunters. You could be some imposter still; silver swords aren't that hard to come by."
"Sigh, I guess I have some explaining to do, I hope it doesn't seem to out of scope for him to believe." Zoe reasoned.
"That's the thing it's hard for me to remember, technically I shouldn't even be alive right now." Zoe confessed.
"What? Why?" Percy asked in disbelief.
"I died years ago, on this very same mountain, killed by my father actually. I was hoping maybe you would know the reason I've been resurrected."
"I don't. My memory isn't really in its best state right now…" Percy replied, mentally rolling his eyes at his words.
"That's a huge understatement." Percy thought.
Percy crossed his arms, eyeing Zoe for a few seconds trying to see if he could recall anything familiar about her.
"How do you know that you had died?" Percy asked, noticing Zoe turn away slightly. Clearly, it was something still vivid in her mind that she didn't feel comfortable discussing.
"My very last memory was my Lady's crying face as she watched me die." Zoe said bitterly.
"Jeez, I didn't mean for you to get all emo on me." Percy replied without thinking.
Zoe gave Percy a hard look, immediately causing him to flinch away from her stare.
"Well at least even with his memories gone, he still has that Percy-level humor." she mused to herself.
"Sorry, that was uncalled for." Percy said sheepishly, pondering for a few minutes.
The only sound heard for a while was the breeze in the air and Percy's footsteps on the leaves as he paced in a circle trying to recall anything about the girl in front of him.
"Have you thought of anything?" Zoe asked.
"Sigh, nothing so far." Percy said, looking at the sun's position in the sky. "We should find lodging, it's getting dark."
"Where to then? The legion is far from here isn't it?" Zoe said.
Percy nodded. "The sea is probably our best bet, the legion needs to know what happened on Mount Orthys."
Line break
With Sofia, Frank, and Hazel
"So, what's the plan?" Frank asked, eyeing the pier from their table at a local coffee shop.
"It's only a hunch, but I think I know how to find out where Percy is." Sofia revealed, her hands crossed, covering her mouth in a thinking position.
"Okay, we're listening." Hazel said leaning back in her chair, as Frank voiced his own agreement.
"Percy…" Sofia started, instantly noticing the mood drop a bit. "When we were here he had a dispute with one of the hobos living on the pier."
"That sounds… odd but go on." Hazel said her head tilted a little in confusion
"He had a scuffle with a hobo, and I overheard one of the other hobos call him 'Ol Nate'. That wasn't the important part though, the important part was how he talked to Percy."
"Whoa, whoa, Nate? As in, N A T E?" Frank asked mouthing out each letter to Sofia who nodded her head in agreement before continuing.
"He was talking to Percy like he'd met him before, and with omniscience."
"Omniscience? So, your saying Percy was talking to a hobo who said he knew everything?" Frank questioned, bewildered at that weird prospect.
"I guess school means nothing if you can be homeless and know everything…" Frank concluded jokingly.
"Yes, he said it with such conviction, like he knew Percy from before. We also know Percy had been suffering from amnesia. He's most likely somebody from Percy's past before he came to the legion."
"Nate, Nate, Nate..." Hazel said aloud, a pseudo lightbulb appearing above her head. "You don't mean...?"
Sofia nodded once more. "I had a hunch that he was Nereus, but it never occurred to me until I thought about what he said. His confidence, his perceived omniscience, his possible connection to Percy's past. It flows together to well for it to be just a coincidence."
"Nereus? You mean the Old Man of the sea from Greek mythology, right?" Frank asked.
"Yes, the fabled all-knowing man, said to know things even seers, and oracles don't know." Sofia recalled. "It is said if immobilized he will answer any question of your choosing."
"So, your saying we capture him and he tells us where Percy is." Frank deduced. "If he knows everything though shouldn't he know exactly what we are going to do?"
"That's the theory behind it..." Sofia trailed off. "From history, I remember that he supposedly knows everything, but he shouldn't be able to know what happens to everybody, past, present, or future. He might as well be Chaos at that point."
"That sounds about right." Hazel agreed with Frank nodding his head.
"To answer your earlier question Frank, this is what we will do..." Sofia began, with the other two demigods leaning forward in anticipation of the daughter of Minerva's plan.
Line break
With Percy and Zoe
Forest at the base of Mount Orthys
"Percy, I never asked, but how did we end up here at the base of Mount Orthys?" Zoe asked trying to break the awkward atmosphere. They had been trekking nearly ten minutes eastward to the bay, but nothing had really been said. Zoe wasn't particularly close with Percy even when he knew her, and now it's basically two strangers who just met each other.
Percy who was walking next to Zoe sighed before explaining.
"We were given a quest outside the realm of the Gods."
"Up North?" Zoe asked intrigued.
"Yeah, Alaska. Thanatos had been captured so it stopped Terra's army from being killed, it was essential that we free him at all costs no matter how dangerous it was."
"How much stronger has he gotten? Being allowed to go to Alaska is dangerous even for skilled demigods…" Zoe thought to herself.
"I know the Gods aren't allowed to interfere much, but they couldn't actually help at all could they?"
Percy nodded. "There weren't many options, but we decided to head by sea and it worked out for the most part."
"And then?" Zoe said stepping over a branch.
"We were ambushed by Oceanus. We were foolish to think Terra wasn't waiting, and I was captured." Percy summarized clenching his fists, hitting it hard against the nearest tree.
"There was nothing I could do except get my friends to shore. I fought Oceanus, against my father's discretion on the water, and by the time he arrived I was already on Mount Orthys."
"But you escaped, didn't you? How did you escape from the throne room of the titans?" Zoe inquired. "You should be dead right now."
Percy stopped for a moment causing Zoe to also halt her movements as Percy turned to her.
"I was lucky… Terra… she wanted me alive. Their plan was to have me replace Atlas to hold the sky. And it almost worked if it wasn't for Ouranos. He ended up helping me escape and here we are now."
"A primordial helped you escape?" Zoe wondered shocked. "I thought Ouranos' very essence was scattered?"
"Yeah, I thought about that as well for a while. How was he still able to talk to me and even help me escape. The only conclusion I could come up with is that it had something to do with the prophecy."
"Right. A prophecy that was revealed that lead up to the quest, right?" Zoe assumed.
Percy crossed his arms in response. "Exactly."
"Son of the seas do not fear the sky.
Through him you will gain an old ally.
War, Wisdom, and Wealth will face death,
A truth be revealed that one will confess."
Percy recalled. "I know now for sure the first line pertains to Ouranos. But I think the second line… it's you right?"
Zoe nodded surprised at how analytical Percy was.
"Jeez in the past he would usually rely on Annabeth for everything." Zoe mused her eyes narrowing. "I wonder what she's thinking right now. They seemed pretty close back then."
"I had a hunch that you lost your memories when you didn't recognize who I was. We were on a quest a few years ago on this very some mountain and probably in the very same room that you faced Atlas. Artemis was forced to hold the sky after being captured and we had to fight Atlas to free her."
"Just us?" Percy asked staring at Zoe.
"There were others, but the important part is that we freed Artemis, but I died in the process. To my father, Atlas." Zoe finished hoping he wouldn't ask more about the "others".
"Oh, I'm sorry." Percy said putting his hand up in apology.
"I didn't mean to bring back those memories."
"It's fine the past is the past."
"Yeah…" Percy trailed off.
"The past is the past…" Percy thought to himself.
They began walking again aiming toward the sea, so they wouldn't have to cross the Golden Gate Bridge. It was less awkward now that the ice had been broken.
"Did it hurt when you knew you were dying?" Percy said softly.
Zoe let the question sink it for a few seconds. "It did, not as much as my Lady watch me die, but it hurt nonetheless. It was scary knowing that you were going to die. It's hard to believe I'm even here right now." Zoe confessed touching her arm.
"You want to see Artemis and your sisters, again don't you?" Percy asked, purposely using Artemis' Greek name.
"I do, I'm not even a hunter right now I think." Zoe stated, noticing Percy's use of Artemis' Greek form.
"Was I really Greek before Zoe?" Percy suddenly asked. "Back when I wasn't in the legion?"
"Why do you ask?" Zoe replied, curious at too what brought it up.
"Just tell me. I'll explain why some other time."
"You were. Lady Artemis always said that you were the first Son of Poseidon in a while. The big three made sure of that because of the Great Prophecy."
"Great Prophecy…?" Percy thought angrily. "How much do I not know because of Minerva? And it looks like Prometheus was right about my father."
"Well, well, well, it likes look me and sonny here got lost in the woods." a voice said from in front of the pair, causing both to tense up.
"This is bad. Did the titans send out a search for me?" Percy assumed glancing at Zoe.
Zoe read Percy's eyes knowing that he did not want to fight right now. It was too risky and there were too many unknowns.
The pair slowly began backing away, but after a few feet were confused as they no longer heard the voice nor sensed their presence.
Suddenly, a figure emerged from the bushes to the pair's left as both demigods retreated a few yards to face the new threat.
"You know, it's really hard to get rid of your scent, demigods when you both smell so good."
Percy examined the monster in front of him closely. It was a woman who was quite fat but looked off. And it was extremely apparent why she did.
She wore a denim dress that nobody in this century would be caught wearing especially with someone as big as her. But what garnered his attention was the slitted eyes and forked tongue she had while speaking.
Oh, and the chihuahua that was on a leash barking at him and Zoe.
"Echidna." Zoe spat out.
She grinned in response showing her teeth. "The one and only. Sick'em sonny."
And with that phrase, the tiny chihuahua transformed into one of the deadliest creatures in history.
The Chimera.
"Shit." Percy cursed drawing his gladius.
With Sofia, Frank, and Hazel on the Docks
Late Afternoon
"Hey ol' Nate!" A hobo yelled at Nereus who was laying down on the pier glancing out at the ocean.
"What is it?" Nereus asked back grumpily.
"A lass here wants to talk to you."
"A lass you say? What she look like?"
"How about you come see for yourself." Sofia stated her arms crossed glaring at Nereus as she got tired of waiting and approached the man on the pier.
Nereus turned a lazy eye onto Sofia, giving his beard a few scratches while doing so.
"You look familiar... are you related to any of my nieces by any chance?" He drawled out.
"Hah! You wish you had nieces Nate!" Another hobo called out.
"Yeh, and if you had any they'd be butt ugly like you."
"Shut up ye bunch of lowlifes!" Nereus yelled causing all the hobos to laugh aloud.
However, Sofia wasn't amused and crossed her arms pointedly.
"If your niece is related to Minerva then there is a chance I'd be related to her." Sofia said subtly trying to see if Nereus would pick up what she was saying.
Nereus narrowed his eyes for a split second as the hobos who had heard her retorted a response.
"Me Nervuh? Is that the name of the lass' mother? Hardly sounds like a name if you ask meh."
"Who cares? Is she as pretty as the lass though?" A hobo jested resulting in the rest of them to laugh and catcall.
"Leave us for a bit lads, lemme talk to the lass for a bit." Nereus said, a more serious look on his face.
"Didn't know you like em young Nate, but if she gives you trouble like the other fella, give us a hollar.
The hobos grumpily all stood up and left with a few laughing at the last comment, leaving Nereus and Sofia alone on the dock.
"Drop the act, I know who you are already." Sofia stated.
Nereus smirked.
"It seems you're a smart one, daughter of Minerva."
Sofia shifted her feet at the mention of her mother.
"And trust me when I say I don't throw that around lightly. It looks like your different from Athena's typical offspring though. They are usually full of themselves, thinking that they know everything."
Sofia said nothing, just observing Nereus as he walked to the end of the pier and raised his arms in an arc around him.
"I will warn you once. Tell your friends to come out, it is futile to try and capture me now, I already knew what your plan was."
The daughter of Minerva's eyes narrowed, not surprised at his words.
"I have no idea what you are talking about."
He faced Sofia with his arms still an arc, and in an instant, the water rose to ridiculous heights as the waves stood in place and dwarfed Sofia, Nereus, and the dock with its shadow.
Sofia gritted her teeth and unconsciously took a step back. She turned her head behind her for a second wondering what the mortals were seeing behind her. And all she saw were the hobos from earlier, along with the civilians near the coffee shop and pier on the ground unconscious.
"Don't play dumb with me girl. Like I said last time, I know everything." Nereus said, his voice much colder, lowering his arms and allowing the water to rest.
"I should've known he had this kind of power. Manipulating the mist, controlling water, all attributes of the old man of the sea. He is a God after all." Sofia thought angry at herself for underestimating him.
"I won't ask again, daughter of Minerva." Nereus reminded.
Sofia sighed in defeat, raising her right arm above her head and closing her fist so it was easily visible.
A seagull that was observing the two from above quickly landed on Sofia's left reverting back into Frank, while Hazel emerged from within Sofia's shadow.
"Ah yes... you three from earlier, it seems the sea brat's son is missing though." Nereus mused.
"So, you knew what we were planning after all..." Hazel said aloud, her hand on the pommel of her spatha.
"Why of course!" Nereus exclaimed, "You all knew what I was capable of, yet you still decided to try it."
"There were no other options." Frank muttered.
"I was surprised actually." The old man of the sea retorted ignoring Frank's comment. "That none of you moved to help your comrade when she needed aid."
Sofia's eyes narrowed at his statement.
"There would have been no point." Hazel said.
"I could have easily drowned her." Nereus said confidently.
"You could drown us right now." Frank replied.
Nereus ignored Frank's comment, turning his sea green eyes onto Sofia.
"His eyes were yellow earlier. They must change color based on how he's feeling." Sofia guessed.
"So, what now daughter of Minerva?"
The pier was silent for a few seconds as the two demigods on either side of Sofia glanced at their quest leader waiting for a response.
"This is a little risky, but we'll see if it works." Sofia thought.
"You bluff very well for a God."
"Hah?" Nereus asked incredulously. "What are you talking about girl?"
"Don't think I haven't noticed. There are some things that you don't know aren't there?"
Nereus on the outside wore a neutral expression on his face but Sofia noticed his eyes flicker for a moment.
"Are you daft girl?" Nereus asked raising his voice.
"You were surprised earlier yet you claimed to know everything." Sofia stated. She herself knew this would be a risk. Not knowing how much power the God held and questioning whether the three of them could come out alive were all things in Sofia's mind. But finding out where their missing quest member was, is well worth the risk.
Nonetheless, Sofia gripped her pommel tightly, awaiting Nereus' response.
"While you may be different than her usual offspring. You still have the same flaw as them." Nereus spat out.
"Severely disrespectful."
That final line was like an alarm ringing in both Frank and Hazel's heads as they quickly drew their weapons and moved to step forward in front of Sofia.
"Sofia!" Hazel yelled.
Sofia held her arm out signaling both to stop. The situation looked bad, but she knew that she had to keep pressing.
"You know Perseus from, before don't you? It's no surprise from how you are acting, that you don't know he lost his memories."
Her statement was met by silence for a few seconds and then Sofia mentally sighed in relief, noticing the change of expression in Nereus' face, which turned from a brief look of surprise to his normal lazy grunt.
"Tch, it makes sense why the brat didn't remember me then."
This caused Hazel and Frank to withdraw their weapons, as Sofia herself let out a sigh of relief. Sofia watched as Nereus paced a few steps on the edge of the pier, analyzing her intently.
"You are far sharper than any demigod I've met, to pick up on something like that." Nereus said.
The daughter of Minerva was about to respond until Frank decided to interrupt.
"Is it true that you can see farther into the future than any seer or oracle?" Frank questioned.
It was a good question in hindsight, but to Sofia, she knew Nereus wasn't going to respond. He didn't need to after all.
"Like I would tell you three that." Nereus spat out.
"The brat did, in fact, capture me before, it's the reason I was so wary when you three came back here again. I could tell you wanted to do the same, capture me for answers."
"So, he did know Percy from before." Hazel thought.
"I don't particularly care for whoever wins the war, it doesn't affect me in anyway." Nereus said.
"You don't care the Titans want to raze the world, being able to do whatever they want?" Frank asked angrily.
"Hah." Nereus said suddenly, laughing almost evilly as he leaned back exposing his gut.
"You all know so little, such one-sided opinions about things you know nothing about. But that isn't a surprise to me."
Sofia narrowed her eyes, surprised at what he said and wondering what he meant. His statement was very broad, it could've meant anything.
"I'm not particularly fond of violence, but I respect the knowledge you have given me. It's a surprise to even me something like that happened, so I'll give you one chance."
"A chance...?" Sofia repeated.
Nereus nodded. "Yes, one chance. Answer me this riddle and I will answer one question of your choosing. Only the daughter of Minerva may answer."
The three demigods gathered together. "Your going to do it right?" Frank asked their quest leader.
Sofia nodded. "It's imperative we know where Percy is. I won't let this chance slip away."
Hazel glanced back at the pier noticing that Nereus was just watching them with a grin on his face.
"He's planning something Sofia, just look at the expression on his face. Me and Frank trust you, but just be careful how you respond okay?" Hazel said.
Sofia said nothing more as she took a few steps forward to approach Nereus.
"I'm ready."
Nereus smiled and began his riddle. "I lie, I cheat, I steal. But I can also nurture, love, give. What am I?"
"Hmmm Is there only one right answer? That's a really broad question." Hazel thought as she glanced at Sofia and saw that she was staring right at Nereus.
"A villain? A raccoon? A thief?" Frank guessed in his head. "It looks like Sofia has an answer already though."
"Well?" Nereus asked grinning triumphantly.
Nereus saw Sofia mutter her answer, but due to the distance was only able to tell she said something by Frank and Hazel's reactions.
"I'm sorry I didn't hear that." Nereus said beaming.
"A mother. The answer is a mother." Sofia spat out glaring at the sea god.
Nereus laughed as he spread his arms, his disgusting beard and face only accentuating the ridiculousness of his pose.
"Sofia!" Hazel yelled but was too late.
In a split-second, Sofia had drawn her gladius and in a few strides, had her blade at Nereus' neck who had halted his laughter but still had that shit-eating grin on his face.
"Such a rash decision, but your answer was correct." Nereus stated as his grin instantly turned into a warning look, with him retreating onto the surface of the water. He stood atop it like it was nothing.
"You dare attack a God?"
"You know nothing about me."
"Wrong. I know everything about you. It doesn't matter if you like it or not."
Sofia gave Nereus a death stare, which absolutely had no effect on him whatsoever. If anything, his warning look turned back into that grin which only got wider as Sofia conceded sheathing her gladius. She knew her actions were rash and that they already got what they came for. But to her, he had no right to pry into her life, into her relationship with Minerva.
Hazel put a hand on Sofia's shoulder, pulling back their quest leader as she visibly heard her take a deep breath trying to calm herself down.
"Where is he then?" Sofia asked her voice sharp but not as aggressive.
"Oh, you mean Perseus? What a waste of a question." Nereus said.
Once Nereus revealed Percy's location he sank into the water without even a goodbye, just as the sky was beginning to turn dark.
"Let's go, we know where Percy is now there is no more time to waste." Sofia ordered to the other two but was stopped as Hazel gripped her shoulder a bit harder.
"Sofia are you sure you're alright?" Hazel asked concerned.
"I'm fine, just a little ticked off."
"He knows about your relationship between you and Minerva huh?" Frank asked.
"Yeah, I'm surprised he knew about that." Sofia took a short pause as she exhaled and looked at Frank and Hazel.
"I know it doesn't look like it, but I'm really sensitive about Minerva." Sofia said looking away.
"He thinks he knows who I am because of that personal matter…"
Sofia momentarily raised her voice, almost shouting.
"He doesn't know SHIT about me."
Frank and Hazel visibly flinched seeing a whole new side of Sofia that they hadn't seen before.
"Sofia, it doesn't seem like your alright… you know he was just trying to make you angry right?" Hazel asked.
"Yes… I knew that was his goal, but still…" Sofia gritted out.
She took multiple deep breaths, as Hazel and Frank let her empty her anger before she spoke to them again.
"I almost cost us where Percy was right there… We would've had to fight a God if I had attacked…" Sofia said remorsefully.
"I'm sorry."
"It's fine, none of that happened though did it?" Frank said softly. "It ended up working out in the end."
Sofia shifted her feet finally looking back at the pair.
"I know we haven't known each other long, but thank you guys not just for this, but for Alaska as well."
"Thank you for placing your trust in me."
Frank and Hazel looked at each other and smiled at Sofia.
"No problem."
"We couldn't have done it without you." Hazel praised.
"We're not done yet. We need to return to the legion as soon as possible with Percy." Sofia urged, as the duo nodded their heads.
"Can Arion still take us Hazel?"
"Yup, just a few bars of gold and he'll be up in a jiffy." Hazel said.
"Good, we need to go fast."
With Percy and Zoe
Dusk
Echidna grinned dangerously, showing off her forked tongue as she let go of the chimera's leash as it eyed both the demigods slowly.
"Zoe, she doesn't seem allied with Terra, there would have been a lot more threats if they were trying to recapture me." Percy whispered quickly, keeping an eye on the monster in front of them.
It was an intimidating sight, seeing the monster stalk them slowly. It looked terrifying in the books, but in person, it exuded an aura that basically said "Run."
The chimera had three heads that moved independently on their own. One with a lion head with fangs as sharp as a blade, two a dragon's head on its back that breathed fire, and three a snake's head as a tail that bared its poisonous fangs.
Overall, it was a monster that combined the deadliness and intelligence of three all in one.
Zoe nodded and quickly thought about materializing her bow to attack with range, but then realized nothing happened.
"Move Zoe!" Percy yelled, shoving Zoe to the side and after regripping his hilt parried both of the chimera's claws as it pounced on Zoe's previous spot.
"This is bad, I forgot I'm no longer a hunter... I need to be more cautious from now on since we don't have any range." Zoe thought as she drew her silver sword.
She observed the chimera wasn't attacking rapidly but was attacking periodically on Percy trying to guess and predict his movements.
"That will leave Echidna open for attack." Zoe surmised as she made to rush toward the Echidna, but then instinctively halted as a torrent of fire blocked her path with the chimera now turning its attention toward Zoe as it sensed her intent.
Percy slashed downwards, trying to injure the chimera with its back turned, but it was too quick as it merely caught his blade with its claws and jumped back so it was now in between the demigods and the Echidna once again.
"Sonny would never allow me to get hurt foolish demigods." Echidna said laughing haughtily, causing her fat body to jiggle slightly.
"That's kinda disturbing..." Percy quipped, as Zoe smacked Percy's leg with her off-hand.
"This isn't the time for jokes." Zoe warned as she watched the chimera who only growled as its eyes darted back between the two of them. "Any ideas?"
Percy nodded. "There's two of us and only-"
"Oh no, no, no. I can't have you talking during our little party. Sick em Sonny." Echidna ordered.
Almost immediately the chimera breathed a torrent of fire straight at the duo forcing Percy to dodge left and Zoe to dodge right separating the two of them. However, from those few words, Zoe got the gist of what Percy was trying to say from her years of fighting experience.
"Use our numbers to overpower the enemy." Zoe deduced as she watched for Percy to make his attack. "Bellerophon only had himself, I'm not alone in this."
Percy sprinted forward his sword held across his body in case the chimera decided to focus its attacks on him. The chimera hesitated as it knew that attacking Percy would immediately open its back to Zoe. He didn't have invulnerable skin like the Nemean Lion after all. The hesitation was exactly what Zoe was waiting for, as she also dashed forward slashing her sword in an arc along with Percy on the opposing side.
The extra distance from not moving gave the chimera enough time for it to catch Percy's blade on its claws launching him back as Percy hit a tree with a large thud and it quickly turned its head moments after spewing another torrent of fire at Zoe as maneuvered to the side lest she become charred meat.
The chimera advanced on her, knowing that Percy would be slow to recover its Lion head bearing its fangs at her and the snake tail hissed dangerously.
Zoe backed up trying to bait the chimera into using its tail as defense. She sidestepped to the right to gain some more space and right on cue the chimera extended its tail, the snake's fangs bared ready to inject its deadly poison into her. Zoe was able to dodge just barely moving her head out of the way as she brought her sword up in a horizontal slash, not beheading the snake tail but clipping it on its long neck as it hissed loudly in pain.
The chimera loudly roared its full attention now on the daughter of Atlas that had injured it, not frightening Zoe, but caused her to inhale sharply in anticipation of its next move.
Percy who had silently snuck up behind a tree, rushed right as the chimera was going to pounce on Zoe. The chimera paused right as its legs were tensed tilting it's dragon head to send more fire at Percy, who sidestepped but kept running at the chimera.
Percy glanced at his right side noticing that the tip of his gladius was left in the tunnel of fire and when the fire ended the tip of his sword glowed a faint orange. Deciding to go with his gut feeling, he feinted to the left, toward the direction of where the snakehead was leaning and attacked the chimera's right side. And in this same instant, Zoe knew that this was a golden opportunity.
Both Percy and Zoe slashed at the chimera's opposing sides resulting in it to howl in pain as its frontal left leg and back right leg were both slashed by the demigods' respective swords. The chimera spun breathing fire as it did so, causing a pseudo-circle of fire to push the demigods back. Both were forced to dive to the ground to avoid the fire from incinerating them.
The instant Percy and Zoe took dives toward the ground, the chimera moved with inhuman speed as it sprang immediately onto Zoe's downed form, pressing all four of its paws onto each of her limbs as she lay spread eagle on the floor defenseless.
Zoe tried to rotate her right wrist but was only met with the chimera pressing one of it's sharpened claws into her hand as she screamed in pain causing her to let go of her sword which the chimera batted away as it took its paw off her for a brief moment.
"Fuck!" Zoe thought instantly as she rotated her head to come face with the chimera's snarling mouth ready to tear her apart as it dug its rear claws into her legs preventing her from escaping. She bit the inside of her mouth to muffle her body's screams of pain as she turned her head to the side.
Echidna who had appeared from the fading smoke of the circle of fire grinned very much evilly as she stared at Zoe who was vulnerable on the ground.
"It's such a shame that such a beautiful girl is about to be torn apart. Are there any last words?" Echidna asked darkly.
Silence was the answer as even in this position Zoe's pride refused to let her beg for her life.
"I'm gonna have to take one out of Sofia's book to get out of this." Percy decided as he cocked his arm back. "We can't die here, not when we're this far."
Percy appeared from the fading smoke, and in less than a second flicked his wrist sending his gladius spinning straight toward Echidna. The chimera was forced to jump in front of Echidna and using its dexterity was able to raise one of its non-injured paws to knock Percy's gladius off trajectory.
"Damn it!" Echidna screeched, not even caring that the chimera just saved her life. "Kill next time sonny, no more hesitating!"
Percy stood in front of Zoe, twisting his ring as his gladius reappeared once again.
"Are you alright?" Percy asked, not even turning his head away from the chimera.
"I'm fine, he only dug his claws into my wrist, she probably wanted me to beg for my life..." Zoe thought angrily as she sat up looking around for her sword. She immediately tried to get up, but realized that her legs had streams of blood, as the chimera had prevented her from moving moments before.
"Percy..." Zoe called out, causing his head to turn, his eyes narrowing as he saw her legs.
"SICK EM SONNY!" Echidna yelled out, the chimera instantly twisting its body its dragon head spewing another cylinder of flames at the duo.
"Shit! I hope this works." Percy thought as he glanced at his gladius for a split second, readying the blade.
As the fire inched its way closer and closer to the duo, Zoe grimaced as she tried to move her legs again to no avail.
Percy spun his sword and immediately an intense sizzling sound was heard as fire collided with imperial gold. And just as Percy expected the entire torrent of fire was absorbed into his sword, it glowed a bright orange as it did so.
Zoe let out a sigh of relief. "I don't know how he does it, but I can't stay here, all I'm doing is slowing him down."
The chimera growled angrily at its attack being completely nullified, and right as it was about to pounce on Percy, it yelped in pain as it received a barrage of arrows from the sky.
Percy lowered his guard glancing up into the night sky and saw what seemed to be a normal brown horse almost looking like Santa as it glowed almost ethereally in the moonlight. It hit the ground with a large thud and beelined straight for him.
"Looks like the cavalry has arrived." Percy stated grinning as he saw Sofia, Frank and Hazel atop the horse. They dismounted and stood side-by-side next to Percy all three of them eyeing the chimera as they simultaneously drew their weapons.
"By the Gods, is that really the chimera?" Frank asked aloud, eliciting a sharp response from Zoe.
"What other damn monster looks like that?" She snapped as she hissed in pain.
The chimera who had finished biting off all the stray arrows on its body, growled as it looked at the now four demigods who observed the beast cautiously.
"Oh my, I didn't expect there to be this many..." Echidna said regretfully for a moment her smile turning wide once again.
"More for us then."
"Talk later." Sofia said loudly enough for everyone to hear as they each turned their heads toward her. "Deal with the chimera first."
Sofia took point as Frank transformed into a bear and ran alongside her and Hazel moved to the right, preparing to flank the chimera.
"There wasn't time earlier but here." Percy said tossing a piece of ambrosia to Zoe.
Zoe caught it gratefully, still trying to process what had happened in the last few minutes.
"Did... did he just transform into a bear?" Zoe asked in shock as she quickly ate the ambrosia.
"Oh, Frank? Yeah, he kind of does that."
Zoe opened her mouth to ask another question, but Percy held his hand up.
"We'll have time later right now we need everyone for this."
Zoe nodded and watched as Percy dashed off, her eyes scanning the forest floor for her weapon.
With superior numbers, the three demigods who engaged the chimera first were able to keep it from attacking forcing it on defense, as they attacked from three different sides.
"Hold it still Frank!" Sofia yelled, dodging a swipe from one of the chimera's paws.
Frank growled loudly grabbing the chimera under its lion-like neck and sank his claws into it. The chimera's lion head instantly latched onto Frank, not letting him go as its snake tail moved quickly to sink its fangs into Frank while both were still. This was exactly what Sofia was waiting for, as Hazel was busy dodging the fire to keep its dragon-head busy, she aimed an accurate slash cleanly chopping the snake head off with her blade.
"Immobilize it." Sofia ordered, as both she and Hazel retreated at the same time, watching as Frank bear-hugged the chimera who had now begun yelping in pain and slammed it into the ground making sure to throw it dragon-head first, so it could only breath fire straight into the Earth.
Percy who had arrived a few steps behind Frank, stabbed the chimera straight through its open lion mouth with a quick thrust, its moans of pain immediately disappearing as it exploded into golden dust leaving the echidna alone.
"NOOO! MY SONNY!" She yelled, causing the four demigods to turn toward her direction.
"Eep!" was the only sound the Echidna made as she began fleeing in the complete opposite direction of where the demigods were facing.
She did not get very far with her size, looking like she had a broken leg as she hobbled away. Before the reunited quest members could make a move, Zoe had flanked the echidna on its left, her sword in her right hand as she easily caught up to the monster and with a hunter's grace and not even a scream she became a pile of golden dust on the forest floor.
Hazel who now stood next to Frank, had transformed out of bear form and embraced Percy along with Frank giving him a three-man group hug.
"Percy, thank gods..." Hazel whispered out.
"I can't believe your alive." Frank wondered aloud in amusement squeezing Percy harder.
"Yeah, I'm pretty lucky. But I missed you guys." Percy said, his voice full of emotion as he hugged the two of them back.
After a few minutes they broke the hug as Percy scratched his head, Sofia giving him an incredulous look.
"Not even a second after we find you and your fighting the chimera of all monsters?"
"I mean it wasn't like I wanted to fight it…" Percy said sheepishly.
Sofia visibly sighed giving Percy a rare smile. "At least your alive, my perfect record of losing no quest members remains intact."
Percy raised his eyebrow at Sofia's attempt at a joke. "Am I dreaming, the famed Sofia making a joke of all things?"
Sofia lashed out with her left leg, missing Percy's shin by an inch. "Why do you call me famed anyways?"
"That's how I was introduced to you at camp, everybody made you seem like a celebrity."
Sofia rolled her eyes, as she placed a hand on her hips. "I'm glad your alive Percy, I think we all are happy about that."
"Yeah we can't be losing our only Son of Neptune can we?" Frank said.
"I'm sure Reyna will be glad to hear about this." Hazel added.
The three demigods shared a chuckle, and with a slight ruffling of leaves Sofia turned her head toward the sound and watched as Zoe approached them. She gave off a very princessy vibe to Sofia, and with her tall height and beautiful hair and figure made her seem slightly haughty to the daughter of Minerva.
"So, Percy care to explain who this is?" Sofia asked looking only at Zoe as she asked that question.
"Oh, right this is-"
"I can introduce myself." Zoe interrupted telling Percy with her eyes to shut up.
Zoe held her hand out for Sofia to shake.
"I'm Zoe, daughter of Atlas and former lieutenant of the hunt."
Sofia only stared at her hand as Frank and Hazel nervously watched from next to Percy.
"Oh boy…" Percy thought as he watched the exchange.
"Sofia. Daughter of Minerva."
"What? Not gonna shake my hand?"
"I'd prefer not."
A/N
My thought process right after when finals ended. Okay! I'm gonna write so much I'll blow my readers away with its sheer quality of content! Annnnnnnnd it didn't happen LOL. I ended up working full-time through my winter break, distracted by anime, distracted by games, distracted by basketball, distracted by watching paint dry on the wall… So to all the readers that are still here I'M SO SORRY AHHHH, really I really am, I won't even be mad if you flame me because of all these long breaks. It was legit I write 1k words, writers block, write again after a week break, more writers block, asndaisondsndosadjiosajdoisj. And finally I finished it. FINALLY. I legit started this chapter on like January 1st and it took me like a damn month to actually write it all jesus Christ. BUT as I said before, I ain't giving up on this story because I know that there is AT LEAST one of you that still reads this thing and I LOVE YOU FOR THAT (or multiple people that's great too :D). School started for me and I'm taking four engineering classes… but I will try and get another chap out within two weeks.
Tell me what you like so far, hate it, love it, want more details, less fighting?, etc. I wanna hear it all.
Thanks for being so patient guys. Cya next time. Sorry for the long A/N .