Percy woke up early again. He rolled himself out of bed and looked at his clothes. He had been so tired from the long day before that he had gone to bed in his shirt and combat leggings. He simply shrugged and got up to get his things together. He grabbed his backpack from under his bed and put a water bottle, a demigod emergency pack, and extra clothes. He found his watch and his sunglasses on top of his chest. He quickly put them on and felt surprisingly alert and refreshed after putting his watch on. Must have some godly powers, he thought.
He went into the bathroom to brush his teeth and comb his hair before he went over to Luke's bunk. Luke was sleeping in what Percy could only assume was the most uncomfortable position ever. Luke's face was squashed into his pillow while his butt was held high up in the air. It was a perfect downward dog yoga position. Percy smirked before he started poking Luke in the face.
"One mer sercernd merm," mumbled Luke. Percy couldn't help himself and he let out a laugh, before he quickly covered his mouth so he wouldn't wake the others. When he finally got himself under control he shoved Luke's butt. Luke jumped up startled.
"Percy!" he hissed. His hair was in all directions and Percy could see a small trace of drool coming out of his mouth. "What the hell was that for?" Percy held up a finger to his mouth before he tapped on his watch. Luke seemed to get the idea and quickly got up and got his things together.
Deciding it would be better to wait for Luke outside, Percy slung his backpack on, put his shoes on, and walked outside to sit on the porch of the Hermes cabin. The sun was just beginning to come out from behind the trees, casting the camp in an ethereal glow. Percy closed his eyes and soaked in the familiar warmth of the sun. Dawn and dusk were his favorite times of the day. It was when the sun and moon were equal in power. Percy opened up his eyes quickly. What was it that Chiron said? Gabriel is the god of balance? It made complete sense then that Percy loved this time of day. He already knew that he had an extraordinary sense of balance and agility, but he never realized that everything in his life would be affected by that.
Percy looked down at his watch once again. It was 5:50. He was supposed to meet Clarisse, Argus, and Chiron by the tree at 6:15 sharp. Deciding that there was no hope in waiting for Luke, he ran to the dining area to grab a quick bite to eat before heading over to the meeting place. When Percy stood above the offering fire, he thought of who to offer up his food to. He knew now that he was, or at least used to be, a god. He shrugged and scraped some of his eggs into the fire. For Gabriel. Instantly, Percy felt completely renewed. The eggs did not even seem appetizing anymore. He felt as if he was floating on air. I really am Gabriel! Percy smiled to himself. However, he knew that he was still a demigod and needed his nutrition. So he sat down at the Hermes table and began to eat.
At 6:10 he got up and walked the five minutes to the tree. The others, except for Luke were already there. Clarisse was busy going over some documents and plans with Argus, probably about what they were planning on doing. Chiron trotted over to him.
"Are you ready for your first quest?" he asked. Percy just smiled.
"I feel ready for anything actually. I feel amazing this morning." At Chiron's questioning look, Percy just mouthed later and held up his watch. Chiron understood immediately and gave Percy a knowing smile.
"Prissy, where's Luke?" said Clarisse as she looked up from the first time from her plans. Percy gave her a playful scowl.
"He's-ri."
"Right here!" yelled Luke, cutting Percy off. The group gave the panting son of Hermes an amused look. "Perce! You were supposed to wait for me!" Percy shrugged.
"Not my fault you get ready like a woman." Everyone laughed as Luke's face fell comically. Even Clarisse laughed at the joke, giving Percy a fist bump. Luke, though, smiled quickly and lunged for Percy putting him in a head lock. Percy laughed and elbowed Luke in the chest. Clarisse had to hold her sides from laughing so hard at Luke who was now moaning on the ground. "Oh get up. You look stupid." Luke glared at Percy for the second insult but he got up anyways.
"You'll get what's coming to ya, Golden boy." Percy rolled his eyes.
"Well if you ladies are done flirting," said Clarisse. She was rewarded by dark glares from both boys. "Let's get going. Argus is going to drive us to drive us south towards Baltimore where we will take a ship to the Bermuda Triangle. Save your questions, you can ask when we get in the van." Luke and Percy both had questions but wisely held off.
After everyone shook hands with Chiron they started walking down the hill to where Argus's van was parked. Percy felt a glimmer of nostalgia. The last time he had been here had been when his mom had dropped him off. He still did not know what happened to his teacher that had attacked him or what became of the loud roar he had heard that one day. He knew his mom was alright, she sent him letters frequently. He made a mental note to ask his mother about how she had become pregnant with him and who his father was.
The second the doors to the van shut, Clarisse was bombarded with questions from the two boys.
"Shut up!" she yelled. "One at a time! I can't answer every question all at once!"
"Why are we going to the Bermuda Triangle?" asked Luke. Percy nodded, he wanted to know the same thing.
"Well after you girls went to bed last night Chiron and I stayed up planning this quest. We came across some journals that hinted that the Golden Fleece was located somewhere in the Bermuda Triangle." Luke's mouth widened but he nodded. Percy was just confused.
"What the hell is a gold fleece?" The other two demigods just looked at him.
"The Golden Fleece belonged to Chrysomallus, the golden winged ram. Phrixus had escaped along with his sister on Chrysomallus since their stepmother had tried to kill them. Then Phrixus sacrificed Chrysomallus to Poseidon and hung the Golden Fleece on a tree that was sacred to my father. The fleece was guarded by a dragon, but somehow a giant cyclops stole it and took it to his island. We think that his island is somewhere in the Bermuda Triangle." Percy nodded at Clarisse's explanation.
"But why would it be in the Bermuda Triangle?" Clarisse just rolled her eyes.
"'Cause the Bermuda Triangle is also known as the Sea of Monsters to us demigods." Percy's eyes widened. He had heard about the Sea of Monsters. Those that ventured there never returned.
Hours went by and they eventually made to Baltimore. Argus told them goodbye and drove back to camp. The three demigods looked around trying to find where they could go unseen to embark for the Sea of Monsters. Clarisse lead them towards the coast when they heard a loud roar. Percy flinched. It was the same roar that he had heard the day he was dropped off at camp. Clarisse pulled out her spear and readied herself. Luke also pulled out his own sword and looked around. Percy just stood there staring. Training in camp was one thing, but preparing to fight a real breathing monster was different.
Clarisse noticed Percy's hesitation and whacked him on the shoulder with the butt of her spear. Percy shook out of his daze and nodded his thanks. He turned the dial of his watch and his familiar sword sprang to life. Just as Percy readied himself, an enormous beast emerged from the trees back from where they had come. The beast was tall and stood on its hind legs. It was covered in hair and had two large horns on the top of its head. The minotaur, thought Percy. Oh shit. The minotaur focused its eyes on the three demigods and tilted its head up and roared.
Percy's left arm twinged from where his watch was. He looked down and saw a light glow coming from it. He tapped the watch with a finger and a shield of the same color as his sword sprang to life.
"Wicked shield, Perce!" said Luke. Even Clarisse had to admit that the shield was incredible. Percy smirked and turned to face the minotaur. The beast lowered its head like a bull and charged at top speed towards the demigods. Clarisse and Luke jumped to the side but Percy stood rooted in place.
"Percy!" shouted the two. Percy ignored them and ran at the minotaur. Just as its horns were about to impale him, Percy swung his shield hard to defend himself. He heard a loud crack, like a tree trunk being ripped off its trunk. Wasting no time he twisted his body and brought down his sword with as much power as he could muster. With one stroke the minotaur's head rolled clear off its body. Percy expected himself and his sword to be covered in blood but instead of seeing red there was only dust. Then the minotaur faded out of existence. Percy just stared at the spot.
"What the hell just happened?" he asked the two wide-eyed demigods. Clarisse shook her head to clear her mind and walked towards him.
"You just killed the minotaur that's what!" Percy knew that, that wasn't what he was asking about.
"I know that," he said. "I meant why did it just disappear?"
"When you kill a monster it dissolves into dust and returns to Tartarus. Then it reforms after many years and returns to the world to try and kill again," said Luke, finally coming out of is shock.
"Well that sucks. Does that mean that this is the same minotaur that Theseus killed in the Labyrinth?" Clarisse nodded smiling. Percy shivered at the bloodthirsty smile.
"Yep. And that's only the beginning. Get ready Prissy. We are going to be hunting down many more powerful and dangerous monsters." Percy just frowned but shrugged. It didn't really matter. He knew that as a demigod that this would be his responsibility and he wasn't going to back down from the challenge. "Come on. We have a long ways to go and we haven't even found a ship yet." Luke followed Clarisse but Percy noticed something on the ground. He returned his sword and shield back to his watch and looked down.
The loud crack he had heard was the minotaur's horn being broken off and there it was laying in the grass. Percy picked it up and put it in his backpack as a memento of the first monster he had killed. Noticing he was being left behind he rushed to catch up.
The demigods finally made it to the coast but unfortunately there were no ships in sight. Clarisse slammed her spear into the ground cursing in ancient Greek. Luke just sat down and began fiddling with his sword. Percy was about to join Luke when a flash before them startled them. All three jumped to their feet. Clarisse's spear was fixed on the spot as were Luke's and Percy's swords. When the light faded away, a figure stood on the beach in front of them. Clarisse's eyes grew big and she immediately dropped down to her knee in a bow. Luke seemed to understand who it was too and followed her lead. Deciding he did not want to be left out, Percy bowed as well.
"Well done you three," came the voice. It was deep and burly. "You took care of that beast quickly and efficiently." Clarisse looked up and smiled, standing back up. Luke stood up as well and so did Percy.
"It wasn't us, father. It was all Percy." Clarisse seemed pained in admitting that she hadn't been the one to kill the monster. Father, realized Percy. Clarisse had said father. This man must be Ares, the god of war. Percy's eyes widened in realization.
"Ah then well done, punk. You did well. At least for a demigod. Tell me, who is your godly parent?" Percy finally found his voice.
"I do not know, my Lord." Ares frowned and looked into Percy's eyes. He seemed to recognize something about Percy but could not put his finger on it.
"Hmm. Very well then. Now for the reason why I am here. You three need a way to reach the Sea of Monsters. I will give you a ship, but do not tell anyone. Zeus does not take kindly to gods interfering with their kid's lives." Ares turned around and snapped his fingers. Instantly there was a rather large ship in the water. Percy looked closely and could just make out the words CSS Birmingham on the hull of the ship before his dyslexia became too much to bear. The demigods thanked Ares profusely before he flashed away. The demigods boarded the ship and were surprised to see another figure was waiting for them.
"Ah Luke, I have been waiting for you." Luke frowned a little before bowing hesitantly.
"Father," he said. It came out more as a grumble than anything else. Hermes frowned while the two other demigods bowed as well.
"I know you do not trust me, son, but I cannot be there for you or your siblings as much as I want. Zeus is too powerful to go against." Luke frowned again but sighed and nodded.
"I understand. I am glad to see you, though." Hermes brightened up immensely and the demigods stood back up. "So what brings you here?" Hermes smirked and pulled out a small container.
"This here holds the power of the winds. Be careful and don't open it all at once because the power that this container holds is too great. If you open it just a little at a time it will help you guys get to the Sea of Monsters." The demigods thanked Hermes for his help and averted their eyes as he flashed away. Percy gave his two friends a sad smile.
"You two are lucky. I wish I knew who my father was." Luke clasped him on the shoulder and even Clarisse managed a sad smile.
"Don't worry, bro. You and me are brothers from now on. You stay in the Hermes cabin for as long as you like." Percy smiled at Luke, full of thanks.
"Gross, get a room." Percy and Luke both punched Clarisse in the arm making her laugh. They decided to explore the ship to get acquainted with it. Below deck, was a large room with three beds and a small kitchen already stocked. The demigods smiled and unpacked their things. Clarisse decided that she would get some rest since she hadn't slept at all since the day before. It took all of Percy's will power to prevent Luke from drawing on her face with a sharpie.
"I'm starved. I'm going to get something to eat. Want anything, Perce?" asked Luke. Percy shook his head.
"No thanks. I'm going to go look around." Luke shrugged and went to the kitchen and began to engorge himself. Percy had no idea how he could eat so much and yet stay fit and healthy. Percy felt like getting some alone time. When he had lived with his mother it had been nice getting his own room and having time to himself. He loved the Hermes cabin, but being surrounded by so many people all the time took a lot out of him. Percy walked back up to the top deck and walked towards the port side. It was only around 11 in the morning but seeing as how they had already done quite a bit it felt as though it was late at night. The sun was shining brightly overhead, the light reflecting across the water.
Off in the distance, Percy could see that a storm was brewing. It was just their luck. They had made great time so far, but now they were going to be delayed. Percy heard wood creaking behind him and turned to see Luke making his way towards him.
"What's up Perce?" Luke joined him resting his forearms on the rail of the ship.
"Just watching. There's a storm brewing. We won't be able to sail today. We should probably get some rest or just go over our plans." Luke squinted off towards the edge of his line of sight.
"I don't see anything. How do you know that there's a storm brewing?" Percy shrugged, his eyes never leaving the ocean.
"I don't know. Just feel it I guess." Luke gave him a funny look.
"Are you sure you're not a son of Poseidon? You have sea green eyes and can feel a storm brewing off in the distance." Percy laughed, though it sounded a bit hollow.
"I'm sure. I know I'm not a son of Poseidon. I can't breathe underwater remember?" Luke frowned but nodded. "We should get below deck. We don't want to get caught out here." Together the boys went back below deck. Luke gave Percy another funny look. "What?" asked Percy, tired of the weird looks.
"How old are you, Perce? You act like your my age but I know you're not." Percy just smiled.
"I'm eleven," he said. Luke just shook his head.
"Eleven and already more mature than almost anybody at camp. I'm so disappointed." Percy just grinned at him. They walked back into the room they were staying in and were shocked to find Clarisse missing. They looked at each other and shrugged.
"Maybe she went to the bathroom," said Luke. Percy went over to the kitchen to eat. Clarisse came back into the room from a side room.
"Bathroom," she said at their looks. She sat down at the table with Percy and pulled out a roll of paper. She unrolled it and Percy noticed the intricate patterns of a map. Suddenly a loud bang was heard from outside. Clarisse jumped but Percy just shook his head.
"It's just a storm," he said. She calmed down and returned to her studying.
"Tomorrow will be a long day," she said. "According to the map we should be passing through some pretty dangerous areas of the ocean. Maybe if we don't offer something to Poseidon he will grant us safe passage."
"How long will it take to make it to the Sea of Monsters?" asked Luke.
"If we use the gift your dad gave us then we can make it there tomorrow afternoon at the earliest." Another bang sounded overhead. "Well it definitely looks like we won't be going anywhere today," said Clarisse. Luke gave Percy a pointed look. Percy smiled into his cup.
The next morning the demigods woke up bright and early. The storm had raged on for most of the night so none of them really got any sleep. All of them went up top and Clarisse, as the leader of the quest, took control of the ship. Soon they were speeding away towards Florida. Percy and Luke kept themselves busy by sparring and doing some chores to make sure the ship was in perfect shape.
They continued to sail for several hours before they saw an island in the distance.
"Look!" cried out Percy, pointing, Clarisse and Luke looked to see what he was talking about but they saw nothing.
"What are you talking about, Perce? There's nothing there." Percy rubbed his eyes and sure enough the island was still there. He looked up at where Apollo was doing his solar duties. Must be getting sun stroke, he thought.
"I'm just going to go get something to drink." The others seemed to think this was a good idea. Percy went below deck and poured himself some fresh water from the barrel in the kitchen. Then he heard a shout from up above.
"Prissy, get your ass up here!" Percy rolled his eyes but went back up nonetheless.
"What?" he asked Clarisse when he came up. She just pointed a shaking hand out over the water. Percy turned and what he saw turned his blood cold.
A/N: One last chapter tonight. Hope you guys love the story so far. Keep coming with the reviews. It's awesome knowing people love my story. Thanks for reading and keep on reviewing.