Chapter 3

Percy's Weapon is a Pen

"Why are you tagging along exactly?" I asked Grover who was eyeing every leaf in the forest as we passed by. " 'Cause I'm your protector." Grover replied looking rather pleased with himself. Percy snorted and I laughed. "Yeah sure Grover. And what exactly are you protecting us from?" Percy asked. I saw Grover shift uncomfortably and he fell silent as he followed behind us. Why was he hesitating? I mean, shouldn't this be the perfect time to prove us wrong? I heard Grover whisper something I couldn't catch. "Did you say something?" I asked. Grover sighed in frustration and said, "I'm protecting you from the Kindly Ones… Besides the carving in the school's museum was carved by the Oracle."

"Kindly Ones?"

"Oracle?" Percy and I asked simultaneously.

"Um… what are these 'Kindly Ones' and who is the 'Oracle'?" I asked.

Grover looked around before saying, "At least let us get to one of camp's covers before talking about this."

I glanced at Percy questioningly but he just shrugged. I guess I have to wait until I get to that resting place.

I would love to tell you that the mood became lighter as the road got easier but no such luck. I was cursing and swatting at leaves, branches and annoying insects as the vegetation got thicker. "Grover," I whined, "How much farther?" Grover laughed and said, "About 5 more minutes."

I growled and walked on. As I took the first step the sound echoed across the forest. I stepped again experimentally but there was no sound this time. I just shrugged but before I could take another step I heard loud padding of feet as though something was running. I didn't know for sure what it was but there is one thing I am sure of.

This something was big.

Grover paled and urged us on, "Come on! Move, move, move! Get moving, Perce! Annabeth! Come on!" I didn't need to be told twice since I was already running like my life depended on it, which it probably did. Percy was trying to get Grover to run but for some unknown reason Grover wanted to take his pants off. 'Oh man!' I thought. "Grover! This is no time to stop and piss!" but he had already taken off his pants. I was speechless because instead of feet I saw animal legs. Percy jumped back and shouted, "Whoa! You're half-donkey?" Grover glared at him, folded his pants & crutches before saying rather angrily, "I'm half-goat." He started to run and boy was he fast. He was fast, fast. As I was running I shouted, "Hey Grover! Aren't you supposed to be our protector? A protector is supposed to protect us! Not run ahead!" I was scared like hell as I tried not to trip over protruding roots and branches.

"Yeah. You're right." Grover said as he slowed down. He took out 3 things from his bag. He took out a wooden flute, a pen, and a glowing bronze dagger.

"I may be your protector but that doesn't mean you won't help me fight." He threw me the dagger which I caught by the handle. I grinned. This is so cool. He threw Percy the pen. I tried was trying not to laugh as Percy looked at Grover in disbelief. "This is a pen. THIS IS A PEN! How am I supposed to fight with a pen?" Percy asked.

"Click it."

Percy clicked the pen and gasped as it grew into a 4 feet-long glowing bronze sword.

I watched in awe. It had writings on it. Anaklusmos. "Riptide." Percy and I said. I smiled at my ability to understand ancient Greek. I heard a loud growl and I jumped in fright almost dropping my dagger. A large creature emerged from the shadows. "Hellhound!" Grover shouted. "Hell what?" I shouted as I sidestepped barely avoiding the hellhound's attack. I spun the dagger in my hand because it felt right.

I watched as it attacked Percy. I analyzed it's every move and then I figured out how to kill it. I attack the hound wounding its leg. I bellowed it pain. It staggered for a moment but that was enough. Grover played a tune that sounded strangely like "Kumbaya". Vines erupted from the ground beneath it and it pinned the creature down. It did not trap it for long though. The creature broke free and melted into the shadows. We scanned the area knowing the fight is far from over. "Grover, look out!" Percy shouted but he was too late. I was staring at Grover's wounded body and I saw Percy lunge at the creature preventing it from harming Grover more than it already did.

"I got you G-man." Percy whispered.

We back up against each other. I glanced to my right and saw the hellhound lunge just in time. I closed my eyes and pushed my dagger upward. I heard a whimper and a faint hissing sound. I looked up and I saw my dagger buried in the hellhound's throat. Percy's sword was pierced right at its stomach. The hellhound melted into a dark shadow on the forest floor and then slowly vanished.

"Grover, hey. G-man, you okay?" Percy said as he clicked his sword thus turning it back into a pen again. Grover groaned and said, "Yeah I'm fine. We have to get you out of here. Hellhounds are one of Underworld's most dangerous and strongest monsters and if they are after you it only means one thing. You are not safe here anymore." We helped Grover up to his feet and we tried returning the weapons. Grover shook his head, "You need those more than I do. It's made of Celestial bronze. Celestial means heavenly so it is the kind of bronze that can injure monsters."