Demigods on the Loose

Chapter 6: Preparing for the Quest

So, I honestly don't know how many chapters this story will have. Plus, I'm also not sure about the length of each chapter. Let's just say I like to wing it. Anyway, enjoy!

Link absolutely hated it. He hated being stuck in bed with an injury. Well, in this case, countless injuries. Link was starting to wonder why he always got injured in battles. Why couldn't he just be injury-free for once? His sister, Nancy, was learning how to wield a sword into combat, so she would be prepared for the journey. Link was worried that someone would accidentally hurt her. Then again, he could be a little over-protective of his sister sometimes. But, that was just because he never knew the love of a sibling, until he had found Nancy. He was just afraid that if he lost her, he would never be able to live it down.

Link figured that it wouldn't hurt to go see if his sister was making any progress in her training. First, he made sure that no one was watching, before he hoisted his still sore body out of the porch bench. He caught his breath and winced, as his body screamed in protest. He managed to stand up and limp to the railing for support.

"So far, so good."

Moving his hands cautiously along the railing, he took a tentative step forward, only for his legs to buckle underneath him. Gripping the railing in pain, he carefully stood back up, hoping that no one had heard him fall. Unfortunately, someone did.

"What do you think you're doing?" a sarcastic sounding voice asked.

Link slowly turned his head to see a pudgy man, with a tropical shirt and shorts and with black ruffled hair.

"No, don't say anything. I can tell that you're one of those stubborn brats who doesn't want anything standing in his way. Well, look here, buddy. Just because you were so brave and heroic taking on that hellhound, don't think that you're superior to everyone, like Johnson does."

"Isn't his last name Jackson?"

"Jackson, Johnson, whatever. The point is, he thinks that he's someone that people should bow down to all the time. Mark my words, you'll turn out to be just the same. Don't think that I'm going to be in awe over you, just because your mother is Hylia."

After the strange man had left, Link wondered what his problem was. He didn't see anything wrong with Percy. However, he didn't exactly know him that well. Link knew for certain that he would never expect people to worship him. He wasn't the type to want attention, and he certainly wouldn't try to gain it. He only was a hero because he wanted to help people in need, not because he wanted fame and fortune, like everyone else. He would prove him wrong, he would see.

Meanwhile, Link still had to find his sister. Figuring that the man wasn't going to tell on him, he slowly got back on his feet and started to limp toward the steps. When he heard the clang of swords, he knew where to go. The clanging was coming from an arena, which seemed to be where everyone trained. In it, he spotted his sister going up against Percy, sweat trickling down her face. He couldn't believe how graceful his sister was in combat. She naturally moved her arms to block the beginner blows aimed at her. Link couldn't be more proud of his sister. Soon enough, she might be as good as he was.

Percy had aimed a downward strike at Nancy's head, but she had dodged it with ease. Link was amazed at how she instinctively knew how to dodge each of the blows launched at her.

"You know, if you're going to be this stubborn on this journey, I suppose I will have to expect you at my gates any day now."

Link turned around to see a pale man with greasy, black hair. Link thought that he recognized Nico's characteristics in the strange man's features.

"I suppose that, since you're a mortal from another world, I should introduce myself. I am Hades, Lord of the Underworld. I believe that you would know me as Nico's father. Even though I appreciate how you never give up, I don't appreciate the fact that you would put your life in danger just to meet your goals. In fact, if I were you, I would actually rest so that I would be prepared for the journey ahead. Your sister, Nancy, I believe, is already preparing herself for her task ahead. And, even though I would love to have you lead my undead army one of these days, now would not be a good time. The world needs you, Link, and, if you really want to help, I suggest you get back to resting. Besides, I don't think your sister would really appreciate you watching her when you could be recovering."

And with that, he disappeared. Link figured that he did have a point. However, Link hated being stuck in bed when he could be doing stuff. On the other hand, if he was going to save the world, like Hades said, then he supposed that he probably should be getting back. Limping back to the bench, he gently hoisted himself onto it, holding back a groan.

"Man, I got to say, you really looked determined there, before my uncle came along."

Link turned to the speaker, who was a girl with short, black hair and electric-blue eyes. She had a black T-shirt and tattered jeans, with a black jacket.

"Pardon me, I'm Thalia, daughter of Zeus. I'm Nico and Percy's cousin. I'm the leader of the Hunters, a group of girls who have sworn to remain single, since their founder is Artemis. However, I don't really mind hanging around boys. Besides, you're new, and I heard that you're the one to fulfill a prophecy about twenty years old."

That's when Percy and Nancy came around the corner, both sweating bullets in the hot, June sun.

"I have to say, Nancy, you're pretty good with the sword, for a newbie."

"Thanks. I guess it just comes naturally for me. By the way, Link, I'm glad you changed your mind about coming down to see how I was doing."

Link was shocked. How did Nancy know what he was going to do? Did she spot him? Or did she just know him too well to guess wrong?

"You guessed right. I saw him trying to get down to the arena. I spotted him to be confronted by Dionysus, but he only turned around once Hades came to talk to him."

"You're saying that HADES convinced him to go back? Then again, Nico said that his dad could be pretty convincing at times," Percy chuckled.

Link knew he was in for it when his sister came to chew him out.

"Link, I appreciate you trying to see how I was doing, but you're acting super over-protective of me. I can take care of myself. You don't have to watch me all the time. I'm not a little girl, you know. Besides, you should be resting, not trying to get all the way to the arena. If anything, you'll just make yourself worse than you are already."

"Your girlfriend?" Thalia asked.

Link and Nancy stared at each other, disgust plain in their eyes. Thalia quickly realized the awkward situation that she had just made.

"Oh, my bad. Brother and sister, then?"

Nancy and Link nodded, relief flooding their faces. That was EXTREMELY AWKWARD.

OOXO

Well, the ending part was awkward. We all have been in one or another at one point of our lives. Hope you liked and please review!