Chapter 3
As Percy's mind sank into darkness, his ideas and thoughts became less clear, dissolving into nothingness. He tried to grasp anything real to him, something to hang onto in his mind but only the face of an unknown blond girl came to him. She faded, like everything does, and when she disappeared, he was transported away from the sea and from his own memories.
He appeared in another room, where the coolness of the ocean was replaced by the unbearable heat one feels when sitting too close to a roaring fire. Percy looked around and saw that he was standing on the edge of a raised platform. All around him there were rocky walls that went up at an angle, like a pyramid would if you stood at its centre, but instead of ending in a vertex, the walls ended in a circle, a crater through which he could see clear blue skies. Lava flowed freely down these walls, over the boulders and rocks that were dispersed around him and through the rocky formations that projected from the side walls. There was a river of lava that traversed the floor and made a circle around the platform where Percy now stood. He realized he was standing in the heart of a volcano and that the heat might just kill him.
In the centre of the platform there was a giant, at least fifty feet tall. He had a large beard that occasionally caught fire, a metal eye and a mismatched metal leg, but was very well built, with powerful muscles in his arms and shoulders. He stood over a forge that was so large it could have been an aircraft carrier turned upside down. He held a huge, double headed hammer and he was using it fashion a sword. Every time the hammer struck the blade, sparks shot everywhere with an earsplitting noise, the ground trembled enough to rattle Percy's bones, and light swiveled through the air twisting and turning over the blacksmith's head before it flowed into the blade and was absorbed by it.
Percy watched the weapon, fascinated. He could tell that it was perfectly balanced and that it was the most powerful sword he would ever see. It glowed with blue light, and the carvings on its side which made an intricate and flowing design, were bursting with green and white light. He couldn't tell what metal the blade was made of but he knew the alloy would never fail, not if a mountain was thrown on it. There was energy all around the blade and the power it emanated could be felt all around the volcano, making Percy feel strong yet wary.
An eagle swooped down from the edge of the crater and flew towards the giant. It approached the blacksmith and transformed into another man, who stood proud and demanding before the craftsman. The arrival was a tall man, with a long white beard and deep blue eyes that seemed to see right through you. He was muscled and strong but he also had an aggressive and violent feel to him, like someone whose duties will never let him reach calm and peace.
"Father" said the forger. "You're early".
"There is no time to waste my son" replied the man. "The situation becomes worse by the second. Is it ready?" he asked, a dangerous and greedy look coming over his face.
"Yes" answered the blacksmith. "It is done. Much of my power has gone into it and I will have to rest for long before I can recover, but it is done. Every god of Olympus has put some of their power, craft and skill into its making and it holds our combined strength. I will never be able to make a weapon like this again".
"Thank you" answered the father. "I know this task took much from you but this sword will deliver a swift victory over those that threaten us. We will not need to resort to demigods or mortals, I will handle this myself.
"Perhaps" replied the son, "I do not wish to question your judgment father but I believe our enemies may be defeated without this blade, if we trust our children. The blade has great power but it also carries great danger. It holds the spirit and power of every Olympian and so only one that is true of heart and who truly represents us all will be able to wield it. A single thought of personal gain, of mistrust or doubt for another god will render the sword useless. It may fail you when you most need it".
"It will not" was the swift answer. "I wish for the survival and victory of Olympus over anything else. The sword will see this. I will not fail".
"Very well, father" replied the younger man. "Then take the sword. Just one more word of caution. The limits the sword imposes on us will not apply to everyone. Loyalty and truthfulness will only be expected from the gods and our descendants. If our enemies take it from you, my lord, they will be able to wield the sword themselves, or transfer its powers into their own weapons. Should that happen, Olympus will fall. Use it wisely".
The elder man looked at his son, and Percy could tell he would not heed his son's warning. There was too much pride in his eyes and desire for the power the sword could offer. Without a word, he turned into a golden eagle and flew outside the crater into the clear sky, fading from view.
When his father left, the blacksmith fell over with a huge crash and slept on the floor of the volcano. The rumble of the giant's fall took him by surprise and he lost his balance and fell. He closed his eyes and put his hands out to stop the fall but it never came. The temperature went down and he was suddenly wet again. He woke up to Jamie's voice screaming, "Wake up you idiot! I need you now!".