Author's Note:
The filler is dead, long live the filler! Yep, next chapter, we are heading straight back into serious plot stuff. I for one can't wait. Writing it is probably going to be harder than the filler mind you... but eh.
Wrote all this in the space of a few hours. I have not, done that in a while.
You know the drill, if there's something you want answered, something you want to know, all you have to do is ask. As long as the answer doesn't entail any spoilers or it isn't overly personal, I will do my best to get back to you.
So then, on with the story...
Chapter 21
Half a Revelation
Dragged from behind the bush, Percy laid on his back against his own wishes. Which a few moments before, consisted of I hope Thalia doesn't see me, and had very quickly turned into I hope Thalia doesn't kill me.
That was one down then.
Her heavy and painful boot pressed down onto his chest, and Thalia did this kind of quietly furious yelling straight into Percy's face.
"What, do you think you're doing?" Her voice was downright venomous. "Spying on me? Or on Nico? You better have some answers... fast."
"Ah, yeah, sorry about this, didn't... mean to intrude," Percy wheezed. "I just, saw someone... going to the forest. Real early, on a... schedule. I got curious is all, didn't know... anything about, top-secret demigod, son of Hades training."
Nico spoke nervously from the side lines. "Uhh... he's not going to tell anyone... right Thalia?"
She looked expectantly at Percy. And pressed her foot down a little harder.
"Oh, sure, no problem. Your secret is safe with me. My lips are sealed. I'll take it to my grave."
"Can you guess what'll happen if you don't?" Thalia said with kind of aggressive sarcasm.
"Uhhh... yes...I'm gonna go with yes."
Thalia lifted her foot from Percy's chest, who in turn gasped and nearly hyperventilated, as if he'd been close to drowning.
After Percy pulled himself to his feet, he turned to Nico. "Look... considering I know your secret... and you didn't want anyone knowing, which is...understandable. How about I tell you mine?"
Nico's eyes widened. "You have a secret!?"
"Ah, yeah, you could say that. Look, you know how... this is a Camp for demigods to train, and everything like that?"
"Yeah, sure."
"Well... thing is... I'm not a demigod."
Nico blinked. "Really?" He turned to Thalia. "Did you know about this?"
"Yeah. Me, Annabeth and Grover are the only other ones who know. Well, you're sister too, but she's not... not a Camper."
"So, that means... even though you're like, four years older... I could kick your butt!"
"Whoa whoa, just because... no, I guess you could."
"...Awesome. Your secrets safe with me too... I guess."
Percy shivered from Nico's tone.
Evil I say, pure evil.
Thalia crossed her arms. "Now, unless you plan on hanging around..."
"Oh, right, sorry. Uh, but before I go... you're a Zeus kid? How can you train a Hades kid?"
"Nico described to me the first time he accidentally used his powers. What it felt like. The feeling it brought... it sounded pretty similar to when I call lightning, so I figured I might be able to help him out."
"Ah, right then. OH... one last thing..."
She sighed. "Yeah, and what would that be?"
"Thalia... has anyone ever told you... you are, terrifying."
March 3rd
Chiron trotted on by, instructing the demigods who needed to be instructed, and handing out advice to those who needed advice.
It wasn't that Percy had decided to join in on one of the horse-man's archery lessons. It's just that one of his practise sessions happened to coincide with theirs. Spring was just around the corner, not too long after, Summer.
While Percy was glad of the change in weather, as he'd been cold for far too long, he also knew that meant the majority of Camp's population would be returning soon.
The demigods already here had pretty much grown to accept him, if by 'accept', you meant 'ignore and not care about'. Which was, truth be told, perfectly fine with Percy. He actually kind of preferred it this way.
Probably a preference left over from his street days. A desire to not be noticed. To fly under the radar. And that possibility would fly out the window with becoming Oracle. Who knew, maybe that was a good thing?
Percy loosed another arrow down the range. Whirling through the air, it imbedded itself just two rings out from a bullseye.
He had hit bullseyes before, but only on occasion, not consistently. And considering that was one of the major thing about archery, consista-
"Humph. Truth be told my boy," Chiron said from behind him, "I did not peg you for the archery type."
Percy turned to the mentor. "Yeah, neither did I."
He smiled. "Well I am happy to be proven wrong in situations like these. Just a note, but you don't want to hold your shot drawn for too long. If your strength wanes, your arm will get shaky, and so will your aim. Try drawing back the shot just a smidgin further."
He trotted on down range, checking on the other practicing Campers.
Percy turned back down the range. He drew and arrow, readied himself, steadied his breathing, drew back the string...
And released.
March 23rd
As the spear rushed forward... so did Percy, flicking I̱miséli̱nos from his right to left hand and sidestepping all at the same time. In this case, Percy usually would've sidestepped and retreated. As it was, the jab that accompanied his risky move nearly caught Thalia off-guard. But, well... it was Thalia.
She swept the back-end of her spear into the path of Percy's knife, flicking aside as she crashed her foot into his leg.
Percy took a step back, flicking the knife into his dominant hand.
"Not bad, you almost-"
Percy took advantage of the situation. The situation being that she was talking. Was it fighting dirty? Kinda. Did he care in the slightest?
Not really.
He rushed in for the wide uppercut and Thalia dodged to the side, immediately ceasing the words she hadn't gotten time to speak. Pursuing his advantage, Percy kept up the attack as fast as he could, swiping, jabbing, swinging, doing his best to not present an opportunity. He carried his momentum from one strike into the next, using as little energy as possible.
For a few glorious moments, he had Thalia on the defensive, and he was the one pushing the offense.
But, well... it was Thalia.
When Percy stepped a little too far into a thrust, Thalia stepped aside and cracked the length of her spear against his wrist, the immediate pain causing Percy to drop I̱miséli̱nos.
She went for a hit straight to his head but Percy ducked and spun backwards. He nearly threw himself off his own feet, but was still standing.
Thalia rushed forward, sweeping the spear to behind his knee, throwing him off balance, sending herself behind him and sending him in front of her.
Next thing Percy knew, Thalia was behind him, holding the shaft of her spear against his neck.
Well, shit.
Thalia released Percy. "Not above a bit of dirty tactics I-"
Percy made was last ditch effort for a surprise attack.
Then Percy was lying with his face in the dirt.
Thalia nudged him onto his back, looking down on him, the corner of her mouth twitching into a smile. "We done Percy? Or you feel like another few rounds?"
"Ahh... haa... no."
She reached down, offering him a hand. Percy took it, but...
"AHHH! Hey! That was uncalled for!"
Thalia seemed bewildered. "Uhh, what was uncalled for?"
Percy dragged himself to his feet instead. "You shocked me and you know you did."
Thalia stared at him. "...Uh... no... no I didn't."
Percy blinked. She looked like she was telling the truth. "Really... but... it felt like..."
"Ah, it was probably just static. I don't feel that sort of thing."
Percy didn't say anything, but he could've sworn it was stronger than simple static.
Whatever it was made his heart skip a beat.
"Okay, Percy. First of all, your defence is abysmal."
"Obviously."
"But, you have improved quite a bit on your offence. You're at your best when you attack quickly, and without warning."
"Feels nice to be kind of good at something for once."
"At the moment I'd say... your best trait... identifying opportunities. You just need some work on carrying them out."
Percy took it in. "Hey, Thalia... be honest... do think... do think I'll be ready in time? For the end of the year?"
She hesitated for a moment. "... I... you'll be, passable. Honestly, your archery seems to be improving faster than your knife work. But... you'll get there eventually, I guess is what I'm saying."
Nothing for a few seconds. "Okay Percy I've gotta run." She gave him a quick half-hug, and was gone like the wind.
Percy watched her go. "...see ya then... I guess."
Percy walked away, frowning, happy, confused and sad all at the same time.
April 17th
Percy wandered about Camp another one of his days off. By this time Camp life had become nearly second nature. Living on the streets, everyday a struggle for survival... nothing more than semi-distant memories.
Something which he was glad for and a little sad about too. Percy was all for putting those days behind him. But he was... afraid. Afraid of getting too lax, too comfortable. He almost preferred keeping a pinch of his old paranoia around.
It had helped him survive after all.
And who's to say he won't need it again sometime soon?
And there was something... else... something inside him that ensured he was going to stick with this whole ordeal through to the end. He'd been feeling itfor a while. He had no idea what it was, but he felt as if he was on the cusp of realisation. As if whatever it was that terrified, excited, exhilarated and confused him so, was about bring itself into the light and make itself suddenly obvious to him.
Argh... there's no use thinking about it... you're just going to get yourself frustrated.
Percy saw a group of training demigods in the arena. He'd already seen pretty much everything Camp had to offer (except most of the forest, but...), and he didn't have anywhere to be at the moment...
Ahh screw it. I'm going in.
He slowly approached the training session. He got a few odd glances coming his way, but otherwise they carried on as normal.
Percy heard a voice yell out from somewhere in the crowd. "Alright then, who's next!?"
Without thinking Percy raised his hand and yelled back, "I am."
A spilt formed in the crowd, and through it Percy saw...
Oh you have got to be kidding me...
"Well well, looks like newbie is feeling confident," Clarisse half-yelled. "Come on over then."
As Percy walked through the split in the small crowd, they moved in and closed the gap behind him.
Stupid Percy, stupid stupid stupid...
Clarisse drew out a spear for her weapon of choice. The tip looked incredibly sharp and shiny, like its owner took good care of it. And, it also crackled with electricity.
So, it'll be like fighting Thalia?
Clarisse was smiling maliciously, and the glint in her eye said I'm going to enjoy wiping the floor, ceiling and walls with you.
Well, maybe Thalia is more intelligent.
Percy drew I̱miséli̱nos and got into stance.
"Ha! Using that little letter opener!?"
Percy ignored her.
Evidently she didn't like being ignored.
She charged.
(Line Breaker)
Percy was left very feeling bruised, a little cut up, and out of breath. Even though he wasn't training with Thalia, he was reacquainted with the ground anyway.
But then again, he hadn't been so bad. Clarisse was left with a few cuts along her arm, one on her cheek, a slightly bruised hand, two handfuls of dirt in her face, and a heavily dented ego. At least he hoped so.
Despite the pain it brought him, Percy started laughing.
And Clarisse liked that even less than being ignored.
"What?" She started yelling. "What!?"
She kicked him in the sides.
Percy stopped laughing.
"Arghh!"
Give it... a few more months Percy, and you might just... stand a chance.
May 26th
"PERCY!"
"ARGHH! Holy... Th-Thals... what... are you doing!?"
Exactly what had just transpired? Well, Percy had just been sleeping, and Thalia needed him to not be sleeping. Yelling in his ear was the most obvious solution it seemed.
"I tried shaking you gently and regular talking, but it didn't work. What do you expect me to do?"
"How about not waking me up before six?"
"It's half-past ten."
Percy looked out the window. "Huh... that's first time I've overslept in two years."
"Yeah, that's great, but it's not why I woke you. We need you downstairs."
She went to leave the room, but Percy called out to her.
"Whoa, hold on. What's happening exactly?"
She turned back just outside his door. "We've got another quest group to organise. And you're my second member."