Guys, since the first three chapters of the story are long chaps, this chapter won't be as long as them.

Hope you like it.

PLEASE READ THE IMPORTANT AUTHOR'S NOTE AT THE BOTTOM.

No one's POV

The man and Cyclops stared at the Iris Message as Percy Jackson disappeared. He tried teleporting for the first time. The demigods all gasped and started murmuring amongst themselves.

"Well. I guess Percy noticed the few extra battle skills I gave him.", said Salix as he swiped through the Iris Message. The image slowly faded until it was gone completely, leaving him and Jerry alone in the cave.

"Do you think he'll question you about it?", Jerry asked. His one eye looked at Salix expectedly.

"I think so. After all, who can do moves like that?", Salix replied. He chuckled then smoothed his hair.

He remembered the times when his hair was still jet black, not having gray. The times when he was still young. The times when his parents were still alive.

His mind relived the memory of his mother and father. The best parents a child could ask for. Unfortunately for Salix, he discovered this when they were dead. When they were alive, he has treated them wrongly. But now that they're gone, he is willing to do ANYTHING just to get them back.

The pain of wanting to tell them many things but won't be able to still lives in Salix's heart. Ever since their passing, Salix's life has been miserable. But he doesn't show his misery to others. He's always cheerful and carefree when others are around him. But when they're not around, he sulks and broods. Sometimes, he cries.

Only Jerry and a few other people know about his sadness. His pain. But only Jerry has seen him cry.

Memories came flooding back to him as he pictured his mother and father in his mind.

*Flashback*

"I love you honey.", his mother told him, looking at him affectionately.

"Whatever.", Salix grumbled.

He was going up the stairs to go to his room when his mother said,

"I love you.". Salix knew that she was expecting him to say "I love you too mom."

But instead "Yeah. I heard what you said.", he replied coldly. He didn't even look at her.

Then he got in his room and slammed the door.

*End of flashback*

And that wasn't the only time he treated them like that. There were times when he would yell at them or even curse them in public. But they have loved him until the end.

When he was young, even with other people, Salix wasn't well liked. It was because of his attitude. He treated almost everyone like crap. He ony changed his ways when he was old.

He could not imagine that he was once this grumpy kid that almost almost everyone disliked. Now, he's very kind, caring, and affectionate and people tend to like him.

He's back in the past only to fix things. He knows that when he returns to the future, nothing will have changed. He only came to this time o prepare those who would have an impact on his life.

Salix did his best not to cry. But he was unable to stop the one tear that fell to the ground.

Salix straightened himself and snapped his fingers. The water in his eyes disappeared.

Jerry noticed this. "Are you okay Salix?". Jerry has always looked out for him. He had known Jerry since chidhood. He was one of the very few individuals that Salix respected when he was young. It was because Jerry understood him really well.

"I'm fine.", he replied. But it didn't seem like it. His voice was cracking and it looked like he's about to break down and cry. Jerry studied him closely and knew he was lying. But he dropped the subject.

"Coffee.", Salix said, talking to no one. But as a cup of coffee appeared beside Salix's feet, Jerry realized he just used the cave's magic.

Salix sipped on the coffee and gulped it down in less than a minute. He threw the empty cup at the wall beside him. Once it hit, instead of shattering to pieces, it exploded like a snowball when you throw it at something solid.

"Until now, I find the magic of this place impressive.", Jerry said. He scratched the back of his head then stretched his neck.

"Yes well, the one who cast the spell did collapse.", Salix replied. "So, if it took that much energy, the spell must be good."

Jerry yawned and stretched his arm, neck and fingers. "Salix, can I take a nap.", he said. "I'm so sleepy". Then he yawned again.

"Sure.", Salix replied, smiling. "You don't have to ask permission from me to sleep.", he added.

"Thanks.", Jerry said. "Bed.", he added. A comfortable bed appeared beside them. It's pillows were properly plumped. It's blanket and sheets were spread neatly.

The bed's matress was sky blue-Jerry's favorite color, the pillows were cerulean. The blanket had a design of two swords crossed together.

Jerry gave a sigh of relief then jumped to the bed. The moment he landed, he laid down and closed his eyes. It wasn't long after that he fell asleep and started snoring. Salix gave a smile. But soon felt weary and tired.

"Sofa.", he said, his voice echoing throughout the entire cave. A green, comfortable sofa appeared beside the bed that Jerry is sleeping on. Salix trudged to the sofa and collapsed on it.

He didn't want to sleep. Because he knew that he will dream about old memories. Memories about his parents.

He did his best to stay asleep. He occasionally asks for coffee. He asked for a TV. He watched a horror movie. It was called "The Grudge" but it didn't help in keeping him awake.

He was able to drink 5 cups of coffee. But he was still sleepy. It didn't occur to him that he hasn't slept for 2 days. But he can't be blamed. Everytime he slumbers, nightmares haunt him.

He has been tormented by his own memories.

Sometimes he would wake in the middle of the night in a cold sweat.

He then asked for a music player and several speakers. He inserted a heavy metal CD in the music player. He wasn't a fan of heavy metal music. But it's a good way to keep someone awake. Then he plugged it to the speakers. Just as he was about to hit play, Jerry snored and stirred in his sleep.

Salix asked for earmuffs and then he put them on Jerry's ears.

Then he hit play on the music player. A wave of noise erupted from the speakers that rattled Salix's eardrums. But he made sure that it wouldn't be too loud. He didn't want to lose his hearing.

Jerry stirred and turned in his sleep, murmuring and groaning. But he did not wake up. Jerry was always a heavy sleeper.

Salix sat once again on the sofa. But alas! The loud music can't keep him awake.

His eyes slowly started to close. Thankfully, a voice rang out.

"Salix! Salix!"

He turned and faced Percy who was breathing hard in exhaustion. As if he just ran a thousand miles. His eyebrows were lined with sweat. And Percy's green eyes had a look of fear and anticipation in them. He saw Percy's eyes because Percy didn't have the hood on.

His voice can barely be heard because of the loud, blasting music.

Salix shot up and turned off the music. AFTER READING, PLEASE READ THE AUTHOR'S NOTE AT THE BOTTOM. IT'S IMPORTANT.

"Anything you need Percy.", Salix asked, straightening himself.

"All I need is some answers.", Percy replied.

Salix sighed. "First things first, where are you right now?"

"I'm still at Camp Half-Blood. I have a hidden spot in the woods."

"Good. But be sure no one but you know that spot."

"I'll make sure of it.", Percy replied. "Now you tell me what I want to know."

Salix scratched his chin, considering it. "Fine.", he said, giving in to Percy's request.

"Okay.", Percy said. He evened his breathing and swallowed. "How was I able to do those things in the battle?"

"I forgot to tell you this before.", Salix started. "I have also improved your fighting skills."

"Wha-What?". Percy shook his head and blinked a number of times before looking Salix straight in his green eyes.

"You are now faster, stronger and your reflexes will be godlike.". Salix smiled. "I also see that you tried teleporting for the first time."

"Yeah.", Percy said. "You were right. I almost fainted."

"The more you use it the more experienced you will be.", Salix said. "That means that if you keep using it, you'll become less tired."

"Well then, I should do it more often.", Percy joked.

"Sure. But don't do it repeatedly.", Salix replied. "Perhaps do it twice a week."

"Oh. Uh, okay."

"You should also drink plenty of water after everytime you teleport.", Salix said.

"Sure. I mean I can just wet myself and then my strength will return." Percy replied. "That what I did earlier. And it helped. But I'm still exhausted."

"It's more than that. You should drink to avoid dehydration."

"Fine."

"Good."

Just as Salix was about to swipe through the message, Percy stopped him.

"Wait, wait!"

"What now?"

"One more question."

Salix paused. "Fine.", he replied. "Shoot."

"Are you a demigod?"

Salix just shook his head and chuckled. "Not exactly.", he said, snickering. "But you'll know what I am soon enough.". Then he resumed his serious face. His wise, green eyes showed a hint of sadness and misery.

"What do you mea-". Percy didn't have the chance to finish. Salix has already waved his hand through the message. Then he heaved a sigh and sat on the green chair.

He stroked his jet black hair, which had streaks of gray, then laid his head down on the sofa's headrest.

"Salix?", someone asked.

Salix lifted his head and looked at Jerry who was sitting up on the bed.

"What?"

"Did you tell Percy yet.", Jerry asked. "You know, about the truth.", he added. AFTER READING, PLEASE READ THE AUTHOR'S NOTE AT THE BOTTOM. IT'S IMPORTANT.

Salix sighed and gazed at the ground then at his old ring. He fingered the jewel of his ring. The jewel was a red ruby and the ring's body was smooth, black iron. Salix didn't even remember parting from the ring. It belonged to his father and it was in his father's will that the ring will go to Salix.

He has treasured the ring ever since.

"Soon.", he told Jerry. "Percy will know the truth. Soon."

Jerry yawned then laid back and fell back to sleep.

Salix felt so tired.

After about 5 minutes, his eyes closed and he fell into a deep slumber.

As he slept through the night, memories of his childhood haunted him.

How was that?

Anyways, this is important.

The one/s who can guess the answer to this question get to choose how many chapters this story will have. It will be from 11-15 chapters. The maximum could increase but that depends.

And the question is...Do you think Percy and Salix are related? If yes, how are they related?

Just include your answer in your review.

I will announce who the winner/s are at the next chapter.

Remember that the winner/s get to choose how many chapters this story will have. It will be from 11-15 chapters. The maximum could increase but that depends.

So please review.

Peace!

I'm out

-E.B.