Chapter Two

Doctor Perseus Jackson sighed. He sighed because he had been dealing with a group of first year university students who could not give him any either chemical or physical properties of the ocean for nearly three hours. He had agreed to give this lecture due to the fact that he had nothing else to do that day and now he was regretting it.

"Did any of you actually read the text book assigned for this course?" he asked. Several students shifted in their chairs while the others remained silent,

"No? Well then I'll tell you all right now, none of you will pass your first semester. Congratulations on being the first class in the entirety of this courses history to all fail." There were protests at that.

"I can't fail at this. My mom would kill me."

"Yeah right. They can't fail an entire class"

"What can I do?"

"This is not happening"

These were just a few of the comments he heard as the class continued to protests.

"So what I gather is that none of you actually want to fail, correct?" he told them when they finally quietened down. There was a murmuring of affirmation at that.

"Well then my advice to you would be to read your text book thoroughly as well as do your own independent research. Now, the main chemical constituent of seawater is salt (NaCl), a very simple chemical compound, that is found in the tissues of all living organisms. Why aren't you writing this down?"

There was a scramble for pens as the students rabidly began to scribble down what he was saying.

"Physical properties include: water is 800 times denser than the air we breathe. The further down you go, the heavier or denser the water on top of you is. Marine plant life can only really be found within the top 20-50 meters. Can anyone tell me why? Yes?" he pointed to a girl sitting in the second row,

"Um the light from the sun can only reach down a certain depth?" she answered uncertainty.

"Yes! Correct" he answered her with a small smile, "Maybe there is hope for you all yet" a couple of students chuckled at that. Perseus checked the time and found that the lecture was going to have to finish within the next five minutes.

"Alright guys and girls. Ideally you still have minutes left of the lecture but frankly there is not much else I can tell you without any background knowledge so leave" the students packed up chatting to each other while Perseus pick up his bag and slipped it over his shoulder before walking out the lecture hall.

Walking out to his car, he climbed in before setting off towards his home. Home being a large cabin in the middle of a couple of acres of land and forests. He had a garage a couple of miles from his property to better throw people of the scent. Booby traps were strategically placed throughout the forests as well as his pack of hellhounds. Perseus trekked the last few miles until he reached the cabin which had been his home for the last fifteen years.

He was different both in appearance and personality from who he was before he left. He had grown to a respectable height of 6'4 and was quite broad across the shoulders however somehow managed to remain quite slim at the same time. His body was quite literally packed with muscle, a clearly defined eight pack as well as hard muscle on both his legs and arms. His checks bones had grown a bit sharper and he had a bit of scruff on his face, not a full beard but some hair. His eyes remained the same blue-green color however they had become brighter, almost glowing. His pupil, when angry burst into green fire- thanks to Hestia's blessing. His black hair was short and spiky.

Perseus' personality was an almost complete contrast to what it once was. Gone was the happy, fun, outgoing personality; replaced with a cold, hard exterior. The interior wasn't much better. He was serious, almost obsessively so. He rarely cracked a smile, let alone a joke. He had no friends, rather acquaintances but only when necessary. If anyone from his previous like saw him, they probably won't recognize him. That reassured him. He had no wish to have anything to do with the Gods or demi-gods. Monsters were a necessity unfortunately since Alaska was filled with them.

The inside of his cabin was quite elegant. Simple but elegant. The walls were painted either white or cream. The floorboards in some rooms were wood however in others there was brown carpet. The furniture he actually had was of good quality and actually matched the décor. The Cabin was two storey's, not including the basement. The first floor held a large living area, a study, a bathroom, a dining room and kitchen; whilst the top floor held two bedrooms (both en suite) and a large gym. The basement had two rooms. The first was a massive training room. Weapons of all kinds hung on the wall whilst targets and automations were set up at one end. There were mats covering every inch of the ground. The second room could only be described as a survival room. Equipment to survive any environment, tinned food, more weapons, and a safe containing several thousand dollars was easily seen. Practically everything someone needed to live off in case something went bad.

(First Person)

I walked towards the kitchen and fixed a sandwich to eat, thankful that I was no longer surrounded by bored idiots. I know I know, they weren't that bad but still who goes to a lecture without at least skimming through the text book? That's like asking to fail. Still it was over now. I sighed as I thought about my life since I left. I could say that it had been the best time since I was a small kid. I really could not thank Chaos enough for what he had done for me. He visited me again once. It was after I had completed my PhD about seven years ago. He sneakily granted me partial immorality whilst I was sleeping. He came firstly during the day for an hour before popping back that night.

(FLASH BACK)

I was so tired yet ecstatic at the same time. I was done. Seven years and I had earned my PhD.

"Let me be first to say Congratulations Perseus" a voice spoke from behind me. I swirled round, pulling the gun from my waistband simultaneously. My eyes widened as I took in who it was. Quickly I put the weapon down and knelt,

"My lord Chaos"

"Rise Perseus. Though I appreciate the respect you show me, you are probably the last demi-god who should bow to me" I offered him a small smile as I stood up.

"Thanks"

"Now I must say I am impressed with what you have done with yourself. Two degrees and a PhD. That is impressive. And that is not including the numerous languages and skills you have developed." Chaos informed me. I shrugged slightly,

"I did what I could"

"And it is very impressive I must say" there was a pause

"Would you like to take a seat?" I offered. He just chuckled and shook his head.

"No thank you Perseus, I only came for a short visit. I have a gift for you" I shook my head,

"You really didn't lord Chaos, you have already given me too much" Chaos laughed loudly at that,

"Dear Perseus, I haven't given you even a quarter of what you deserve. Now if you don't want to disrespect me then you will accept what I give you" he told me sternly. Although I knew he was only saying that to get me to accept without an argument it still galled me to accept them.

"Very well my lord Chaos, I accept your gift graciously" I responded with a low bow just to make a dig back at him. He laughed again before snapping his fingers. Landing on the table in front of them was a belt filled with sheathed throwing knives as well as two hunting knives.

"Now these sheathes will always replenish no matter how many knives you throw" I looked at them in awe, running my fingers over them before taking out the two hunting knives. They were both made with the darkest black metal I have ever seen.

"Ahh, now these are special. I know you do not wield Riptide anymore since it was given to you by Poseidon therefore I had these made for you. Simply think of turning them into swords and they will turn into a pair of dual swords. To turn them back again just think of the knives. Now these are incredibly rare because of the metal. They are made from my personal metal, chaotic silver. It is the strongest metal in the universe and will work on both immortals and mortal alike."

I looked up at him then and whispered,

"Thank you" he smiled at me.

"You're very welcome Perseus. Now I will leave you alone to get acquainted with your new weapons. Never if you ever need help, call for me and I will come" he promised me. I quickly bowed before he left. I picked up the belt and for the first time in a long time I smiled a true smile.

(FLASH BACK ENDED)

I didn't realize that he had came back that night to grant me partial immorality until a year later when I noticed that I hadn't aged. A 'pop' sounded around the room and a piece of paper appeared on my kitchen counter. I read it:

Enjoy the long life

C.

That was when I realized what he had done. I shook my head in disbelief before lighting the note on fire. I then went about my life like nothing was different.

The only other difference that had occurred throughout the last fifteen years was the increase of control and power I had. Poseidon fixed my connection to the sea two years after he disowned me. I hated that man with a passion but I wasn't not going to take advantage of the majority of the power available to me. And so I practiced. And practiced. Until I got to the stage I was now. I now was able to create water out of the molecules in the air as well as from the plants. My control over storms was so great that I could now summon lightening as well as hail. Tornadoes and hurricanes were also within my capabilities something that I enjoyed creating immensely. The last thing I learned to do with my water abilities was the most dangerous ability of them all. I could control someone's blood. Literally. It freaked me out the first time I did that but then it got easier with time although I only use it on the rare occasions.

Creating earthquakes was also another highlight. I literally can set off volcanoes if I wanted to as I can shift the tectonic plates. I don't do that very often. There are a lot of volcanoes around here and I really don't want set them off and destroy Alaska. With Hestia's blessing I found that I am fireproof. I can create any kind of fire I want which personally I find great. I can also heal others using it just not myself which kinda appeals to me but not very useful since I'm never around many people. The best thing though is that I can summon any home cooked food on a limb. I now officially can never run out of food.

I know I sound super powerful don't I? That's because I kinda am. I mean I can literally control two of the biggest elements, however I know my limits, big as they am. They can tire me out if I'm not careful.

Anyway I figured I might as well go and greet my companions. Have I mentioned that I have a pack of hellhounds on my property? Ms. O'Leary had met a male hellhound whom I named Shadow about two years after coming here. Together they managed to have two litters so now I have a dozen hellhounds running round the area. Walking outside I sensed them out somewhere in the forests. I let loose a piercing whistle and waited. Ten seconds later all dozen hellhounds appeared out of the shadows. Ms. O'Leary and Shadow were the tallest at around seven foot tall. The others ranged from 5-6 foot. Clapping my hands I made twelve large steaks to appear before them all. They snapped them up with ease. Chuckling I ran my hands through Ms. O'Leary's fur,

"Hey girl, how is everything? All quiet?" she let out a woof. I knew that meant yes.

"Good." I settled down on the ground. The hellhounds all laid down as well, surrounding me. Protecting me. I may not like or love a lot of things any more but I sure as hell love these big fur balls.

I used Ms O'Leary as a pillow as I laid there. Closing my eyes I feel into a peaceful sleep. It seemed I only closed my eyes before several hellhounds began growling. My eyes snapped open and I was instantly alert.

"You hear something guys? Go!" I commanded them and they all took off fast. I stood up and stretched before going back inside quickly and arming up. My knife belt from Chaos, two sigs tucked into the waistband of my trousers and two more knives in my boots. I pulled on my long black coat before placing my bow and a quiver of arrows on my back. I lastly I picked up a semi-automatic machine gun before running back outside and tracking where my Hellhounds were. When I got there. Let me tell you, I was shocked at who I saw.

They had found me.

AN. Ohh cliff hanger lol. Thanks to everyone whos been reading, reviewing, following.