Hey everyone,
Drum roll please! The winner of the poll for whom Percy should be paired with is... ARTEMIS! I should have seen that coming from a mile away. Either way, I'd like to warn all of you readers that should this stand, the amount of romance in the stories will be considerably less, considering I will be following the PJO and HoO plots quite closely, though with much different twists. Yes, I will enter the modern era. Depending on the response from reviewers, I will decide whether I put up a poll to make sure Artemis is the winner with the final three contestants or put up a poll regarding the girls that Percy will have quite a lot of romantic moments, though not too cheesy, in the actual story rather than him disappearing. I'm sorry, but the gods don't interfere on quests and Percy will be on a lot of those.
Choose. Do you want lots of Percyx_ moments in the story or are you okay with just presuming he is with her, some intimate moments fluttered in the background? Choose, choose, choose.
With best regards,
SharkAttack719
Chapter 13
The Dangers of Ausonia and Thrinacia
It wasn't long before Medea and Jason arrived back at the Argo with news regarding Circe and what had happened in that palace of hers.
It would be an understatement to say they were shocked to hear what Peleus had discovered from Thetis. Sure they had been dubious to that news at first, but after Peleus swore to the River Styx that Thetis had come to him to warn him, they reluctance to believe him dissipated like a spray of water into vapor.
Percy wondered if Hera or Athena had anything to do with that, but it was the least of his concerns. His main concern at the moment was to worry about what the second danger was.
It wasn't to say Charybdis and Scylla wasn't worrying, but Peleus said Thetis would help them. Hopefully the nymph would keep her word. Thankful to Hera, Jason spent the rest of the day trying to figure out what the second danger could possibly be. Medea, Atalanta, Theseus, Periclymenus, Peleus, Ancaeus and Percy helped him. Meanwhile, the others would row. Surely using physical strength couldn't be as tiring as using mental strength.
"My mind is going to blow up," Jason groaned. He paced around the dining room where the large group of men and women were circled around the head table. "We've been trying all day, yet we still can't find an answer."
"We need to get Orpheus here," Theseus said confidently. "Why you haven't brought him in...I don't know. If this last challenge involves him, why not bring him in?"
"Because we already know what he is good at," said the son of Aeson. He stopped at the head chair and put a fist on the table. He punched down and splintered the wood. "He is good at music and was taught by Apollo. It must involve music. Surely, Percy must have told you that."
"Yes, but to consult the actual man is better than sitting here moaning about not being able to figure it out," he argued. "I think that we should get his opinion don't you think?"
"Theseus does have a point," Atalanta said tiredly. "Jason, you can't believe that going through everything that we know to figure out why Chiron wanted Orpheus to come on this quest. I think it is best that we getting the son of Calliope's opinion."
"Do you agree with everything Theseus says nowadays?" Jason asked, evidently frustrated.
"No, but I see the sense that he has in his words," countered the young woman. "What he says does, in fact, make sense. Why try to figure it out ourselves when we can get the opinion of the one who will get us through? Come on, Jason. We have been on the seas for almost two years. Summer will be arriving sometime in the near future."
Jason breathed deeply and looked to Medea. The daughter of Aeëtes nodded, a serious expression on her face. Then he bit his lip before turning to Percy. "Go get Orpheus."
Percy stood up, obeying Jason's orders, and heading upstairs. Normally, he hated responding to orders, but in certain situations he would listen to others. He had done so many times in this quest. The only one who could order Percy around without his hesitation was Chiron.
Percy walked up to the top deck and looked around. They could see the Ausonian coast, but other than that, to the other sides was all ocean, normal ocean. Percy could feel that the ocean went on for a while, much longer than he would have thought. Then again, Ausonia was larger than Greece. He wondered if in the future the Greeks would spread to Ausonia. He knew Corinthians were trying to get to Thrinacia to settle there. He figured Ausonia would be a better bet, though.
"Orpheus!" Percy called. "Are you here?"
A man two rows down the port side of the bireme raised his head. "Hey, Percy. What do you want with me?"
"Jason," the son of Poseidon said gesturing with his head to the stairs. Then he looked out at the rowers, who were working fairly hard, sweat pouring down most of their faces. "And... even though Jason didn't order you to... everyone take a break. Just keep the sails flapping. As long as we keep moving. If we don't, start rowing again."
Orpheus stood up from his spot and gave the young boy a small grin. Percy followed Orpheus downstairs as the elated sailors stood up from their seats stretching out.
"So... what a long quest this has been, eh?" Orpheus said trying to spark a conversation. "Two years almost. I can't believe it, but it has felt like we've been on this quest for forever yet barely at all. Do you get what I am saying?"
"Yes," replied Percy. "Some parts of the quest have gone by quickly, the more exciting parts. Waiting for Jason to come to his senses on Lemnos and for the Boreads to return from chasing the harpies were pretty bad times, though I am pretty sure we all found ways to keep ourselves amused. I think the worst was up north. Not even Calaïs and Zetes were happy... and their father is the North Wind for the gods' sake!"
Orpheus nodded recalling to the depressing events from before. "I can agree with you there, Percy." He shook his head as if to clear it of bad thoughts. Then he asked, "Where are they? Jason and the others, I mean."
"Dining room," was the short reply.
"All right," Orpheus comprehended. "That means we go this way."
Orpheus and Percy went down one more flight of stairs before emerging on the very bottom deck of the bireme. They walked to the right, the dining room on the "east" side. Percy had forgotten to mention that when the ship was built, the bow was considered north, the stern the south, port the west, and starboard the east. Even though the boat wasn't always travelling with the bow facing north, Argus said that sailors and shipwrights had to believe that their ships were their own living things. Percy remembered the stories of the god Hephaestus creating automatons, machines that lived. It must have been lonely.
When they emerged in front of the sullen crowd, Jason immediately stood up and walked over to Orpheus. The others looked up from their spots around the head table.
"Orpheus," Jason said shaking the other man's hand. "It is been a long journey."
"That it has."
Jason sighed somberly. "But we face two more dangers. Two more dangers along the coast of Ausonia before we are home free to Greece. One of them apparently involves you."
Orpheus raised an eyebrow. "It does?"
"Chiron told Percy and I that we would need you on this quest for a certain moment," Jason explained. "Since we are pretty certain that has not happened yet, we assume that one of these dangers approaching involves you. It may not be true, but we believe that it has to be. After this, it is our last stretch to home. After two years at long last we will reach Iolcus."
Percy wondered if the others were thinking the same thing. Recently, he'd thought of a horrible probability. Since Zeus had previously sent them north, away from Greece, this time Percy hypothesized that Zeus might send them south this time, toward Libya. Ancaeus had definitely thought of that first, though.
"You are probably right, my lord," Orpheus said. "What shall we do?"
"We have been discussing all day, Orpheus, but we cannot come to a conclusion because there are disagreements between us."
"My argument is reasonable," Theseus interrupted. "Consulting Orpheus is better than what you had planned. I apologize for interrupting, but I wanted to make sure you have that drilled in your head, son of Aeson."
"We believe that it may have something to do with music, though there are no legends regarding this side of the world that even Circe knows," Jason continued, ignoring Theseus completely. "Medea and I consulted her if there would be any challenges ahead. She said two. We didn't think they would be treacherous. One of them already is. Do you have any idea what music lies upon this side of the world?"
Orpheus put his "thinking-face" on, scrunching up his nose and pressing his lips together so tight they were almost white. "There is nothing that I recall. Apollo did tell me ancient legends though. There is this old myth he once told me about something to do with horrifying creatures. They were supposedly in the far west, near the edge of the world. Considering there is only ocean further west, I believe this might be it."
"An old myth with horrifying creatures," remarked Percy. "What new news!" The tone of sarcasm was clearly evident.
"Apollo told me that these creatures are not like the others, that they do not attack with ferociousness, but rather grace and eloquentness." Orpheus scratched his chin where stubble had grown. "I think they were called the Sirens. They were supposed to be creatures with the upper body of a woman and the lower body of a bird. They had feathers and were enchanting."
"Enchanting?" questioned Periclymenus. "I hardly believe their lower half being that of a bird's is 'enchanting.'"
"Not their appearances, their voices." Orpheus' eyes suddenly lit up. "I remember it clearly now. Apollo told me this when I was five. The Sirens are quite few in numbers, but they all carry harps. They were bird-women, as birds are considered to have sweet singing voices. They were not that appealing through physical appearances, but Apollo said that for extra measures, considering it is mostly men who sail, they always stay nude to show their... uh... breasts to seduce. Their main way to enchant, however, is by singing. They all have harps and their enchanting music will make the will of the most powerful demigod in existence crumble. Even the gods have trouble with their music, though the Sirens do not try to eat them."
"These Sirens could enchant Heracles?" asked Jason disbelievingly.
Orpheus nodded grimly, now realizing the true fear of what was happening.
Jason called for Theseus and Orpheus to speak with him regarding where the map said they were and where the myth's location should have been. The others moved toward them, ready to see if the warning should be spread to the men above deck. All of them did that... except for Percy.
He frowned when he thought he heard something humming. He turned around to see what had happened, but nothing was there. This only made him more curious as to what was happening. Something caught his attention, though. It was a framed piece of writing on the wall. It said something about the journal of Bellerophon, but the words did not catch his attention. The way the framed work was shaking side to side, as if shivering. That's when he realized the boat was vibrating... and it wasn't because of the water.
"Jason! Orpheus!" shouted the frightened son of Poseidon. "We need to get above deck."
Jason eyed him warily "Is that your opinion on whether we should—"
"We need to get above deck now!"
"What are you talking about, Percy?" Theseus said. His eyes shone with curiosity. "Why do we need to get above deck now?"
"I think—I think we're approaching the land of the Sirens," Percy said. He looked extremely frightened and his face was pale.
Then something seemed to snap in Orpheus and immediately a wonderful song filled the ears of all of those in the dining room. Orpheus, playing the harp, was playing a song that sounded like spring, where the flowers were blooming and everything was opening up beautifully. Each of the men and women inside the dining room were temporarily stunned, all staring at Orpheus.
When the young musician walked carefully up the stairs, they all followed, moving like an army, one by one marching in the path of Orpheus' music.
Then, soon enough, they found themselves above deck, every man and woman aboard the Argo listening enchantedly to Orpheus' music. The ones who had been in the dining room were finally free from the inability to speak. They sang with him, though they weren't even close to match his wondrous music. Percy was the closest.
Orpheus kept his concentration up, sweat beading his forehead. Then Percy watched as a murky-watered coast appeared before them, haze misting a clear view of the shoreline. But he could see the outlines of the Sirens. Somewhere in the back of his mind, his head was vibrating, the Sirens' songs trying to pry at his will.
But Orpheus' music echoed off the caverns and cliffs that had begun to rise. His music was far too loud and too wonderful to ignore.
Orpheus continued playing music until the mist and haze was far behind them, far in the distance. Many eyes turned from the disappearing land of the Sirens to the musician who had stopped to take a break. Then, for the second time in two days, cheering erupted aboard the Argo.
The sailors of the Argo, the Argonauts, lifted Orpheus up on their shoulders and chanted his name over and over again, much like they had Percy's the morning of the day previous.
Percy couldn't help but smile at the gratitude the young man was showing. After all, not everyone would go down in history as the savior of the Argonauts from the Sirens. Orpheus would, though. Everyone would learn his name soon. He deserved to be cheered on, for without his help, the Argonauts would surely have perished.
"Thank you, Chiron," Percy muttered, a grin touching his face. "You did it."
Peleus paced the deck worryingly, his footsteps abnormally loud.
The sea around the Argo was beginning to get a little rough, the waves and water churning, smacking the boat in the direction of the current. It was slowing their progress, but Percy knew one thing for sure: they were nearing Scylla and Charybdis.
It was probably why Peleus looked so worried, although it was puzzling as to why he was extremely stressed out when others were merely scared. The boy had always wondered what had gotten to Peleus when he spoke with Thetis. It couldn't have been that bad... or good. Talking to a god wasn't that special. Even when Percy talked with his own father, the shock had settled in quickly. He had gotten accustomed to the presence of the godly figure quite quickly.
Maybe it was just because he was his father. He was sure Heracles felt the same way to his father, how easy it was to be around the King of Olympus. The only thing was that he wasn't sure if the son of Zeus had ever met his father... or even cared. Zeus was terribly known for not caring much for his demigod children but rather the actual women themselves that he had partnered with.
"Percy! Percy!"
The shouts finally registered in his ears and he turned around to see Atalanta and Theseus waving at him. They looked as though they were urging him to follow them, to come below deck with them.
He sighed and made his way to the other two, walking down the steps until he met their grim gazes.
"You feel that change in the Argo's sailing patterns, don't you?" asked Theseus, a hint of panic in his voice. "We're nearing Scylla and Charybdis."
"Well, if you know, why are you asking me?" replied the young boy.
"Theseus was actually just wondering... Thetis could use a helping hand," Atalanta said. "Maybe gaining the favor of another immortal will be good for us. Try to help Thetis when we get closer to the whirlpool. With what Peleus is going on right now I assume that the plan is to sail closer to Charybdis so that we don't have to risk any Argonauts?"
"I think so," Percy replied.
"Well, it sounds good to me, as long as we don't die," Theseus said. "If we do, I promise that I will find Peleus and strangle him in the Underworld."
"Yeah, yeah..." Percy trailed off, creating a bit of an awkward silence. Then he noticed something he hadn't really taken into account before. "Why do you two spend so much time around each other? Almost everywhere I go you two seem to be side-by-side, like you're..." He went wide-eyed. "You're not... are you?"
Theseus looked a little pained and turned away slightly. Atalanta grimaced before shaking her head honestly. "I'm sorry, Percy, but it wouldn't make much sense to you. When you get older, you will realize that love is more complicated than it seems."
Normally, Percy would have prodded more, poking into what she had meant by that, but the way Theseus looked after he'd brought that up made him second-guess himself. He had a feeling that would be a very, very stupid choice. Instead, he settled with an, "Okay."
To his surprise, Atalanta kissed him on the cheek. It was a totally sisterly kiss.
"Good luck, Percy," she said before leading a dejected-looking Theseus to his room.
Percy hadn't seen that face on Theseus since the last person died on this quest. How he had gotten to that mood puzzled Percy. He was fine just a second ago, but as soon as Percy mentioned something to do with him and Atalanta spending a lot of time together, all traces of happiness had left him. What had happened between them? Did they have some sort of argument? Why did Atalanta feel sorry for him? Percy had a bad feeling that it related to something about rejection.
It must have been harsh if he looked that bad. But then why would Atalanta be helping him if she had rejected him so harshly. It didn't add up.
Percy had always figured that his father wasn't the craftiest, wisest or most intelligent of the gods and goddesses, so he assumed that his hyperactive brain came from his mother's side. Wherever she had come from, Percy had to find out. He made a vow to find out the truth behind the history of his mortal bloodline. It puzzled him as to why he could sometimes overcomplicate things through problem-solving.
He shook the thoughts out of his head as he made his way back above deck. There, Periclymenus and Peleus were staring out at the ocean waters, the former trying to calm the latter down.
"It'll be all right, Peleus," Periclymenus said in a soothing tone. "What's got you riled up anyway?"
"Nothing," Peleus said a little quickly.
Periclymenus raised an eyebrow. "You sure about that?"
"Yes."
"All right, I believe you."
Percy walked up to the two men and gave them both smiles. "Hello, Periclymenus—Peleus. It think we're about to sum up a very long journey up in unfriendly territory. A long time, almost half a year."
"Yes, a long journey. There's no need to repeat ourselves."
Percy nodded and stared out at the rocky waves that were smashing at the boat, white foam hissing atop the dark, grey waters. They looked plenty unfriendly to Percy, though it was probably because they were near a monster. Out further west, he could see glittering green water, so beautiful that it was hard to believe it led to the end of the world.
"Scylla and Charybdis approach soon, I can feel it," Peleus said looking straight forward, dead ahead. "This is the second hole in the map. It has been over a day after the land of the Sirens. I hope this doesn't go awry."
"Don't worry." Periclymenus patted him on the shoulder. "As long as Thetis comes, we should be fine."
"Oh I hope Thetis does help," he replied almost longingly.
Periclymenus turned to Percy and raised an eyebrow. A smirk tugged at the young man's lips. Then he turned back to Peleus. "Yes, I'm sure Thetis will arrive. She did tell you something, didn't she?"
"Yes..." the man nodded with a slightly vacant expression on his face. Then he realized what he'd said and turned to Periclymenus. "I mean... uh... tell me what?"
"You're lost in thought, Peleus. Come on, just spit it out."
Peleus sighed and leaned against the gunwales as he sat down. "Fine, if you want to know so badly, here's what Thetis told me. She said there were rumors flying around of a prophecy that said something about a great warrior, and that Poseidon and Zeus, who had been approaching her previously, suddenly stopped. She said she's not sure, but there is some talk about a marriage between me and Thetis."
Periclymenus' eyes nearly fell out of his head. "What?"
"I feel angry because I think it has something to do with a great warrior that neither god wants to have in fear of the other killing him," he said. "I think they are just picking out some random mortal warrior to marry her. But at the same time... Thetis is very beautiful."
"You're clear-sighted?" Percy asked.
Peleus nodded.
"Wow... didn't know that."
"There are many things you can still learn, young Percy." Peleus winked at him just before the Argo suddenly lurched to one side. As they were sitting freely on the deck, they were thrown at the gunwales, Peleus nearly falling into the ocean.
Percy managed to grab him before he could be left behind and with Periclymenus' help, he was back onboard the ship clutching his chest. He was breathing in short, rapid breaths that clearly indicated he was nearly frightened to death from the sudden lurching and almost falling into the ocean.
"What is that?" Periclymenus asked, his eyes wide with fear.
Percy turned to see what he was looking at and nearly peed his pants. In the far distance, a giant cliff stood, seemingly harmless. But by the giant waves that were sent pounding at the Argo's hull signified one thing.
"Scylla and Charybdis," Peleus muttered. His eyes shone with as much if not more fear than Periclymenus'. Hades, even Percy was freaked out.
He saw the swamping waves as they rocked like crazy. He watched as the storm in the distance suddenly stopped, and for a split second, nothing happened except for the advances of the Argo. Then a loud wail resonated off the water and a huge wall of water erupted from where the storm was, crashing down and sending shockwaves through the water's surface. The calm of the sea, the split second it had stopped, finally reached them. None of the crew were anxious to endure what was coming next.
"Hit the deck!" Periclymenus yelled as all Argonauts above deck jumped out of their seats and braced themselves.
The water sloshed over the gunwales of the Argo and doused every single Argonaut on deck. Most sputtered as the water had entered their mouths and noses. Percy didn't mind, though. Water was his friend... usually. This time it hardly seemed like the loud, churning waters of Charybdis would be friendly towards him.
"Thetis will appear soon," muttered Peleus as if trying to convince himself of that. "She will appear soon."
Percy turned to Periclymenus. "Get everybody below deck. I'll keep the boat moving. I can withstand the water."
"You sure, Percy?" the grandson of Poseidon asked. "You can always use a helping hand."
"No, I'll keep the boat moving. Just get everyone below deck."
Soon, Periclymenus had begun herding everybody down below the main deck, many watching Percy with curious and worried looks. He was grateful that people cared for his safety, but water was his home turf. He would be able to survive without much harm done to him. That's when he heard the roaring of the whirlpool.
Before, it had just been a static background noise. But as the ship approaching, beginning to listen to Percy's command, the roaring of the whirlpool got louder. Charybdis sounded angry, really angry.
He tried focusing on the lighter things, like how he was controlling the ship on pure command.
The sails listened to his every word, his every wish. They caught the wind perfectly. The oars rowed on their own in a magical way, pushing through the water. The more energy Percy had, the faster the oars would row. His energy was slowly draining. He could only hope for Thetis' intervention.
Theseus and Atalanta had wanted him to help Thetis in calming the waters so that the Argo to get through. He, too late, realized his mistake with sending the rowers under. If they hadn't gone down, he might have been able to help calm the waters whilst the ship continued sailing on at a cruising speed. Now that they were under... he could only do one or the other.
There is another possibility you know, Perseus, a woman's voice spoke in his head.
He was suddenly drawn to the water on the starboard side of the Argo. He looked over the edge and saw water nymphs wave at Percy. The leader at the head was truly magnificent, her brown hair waving as she swam along. This was definitely Thetis.
Push the boat along with the waves, she said. Control your inner power. The water is within you, haven't you noticed?
He stared at the nymph as she winked at him before disappearing below the depths with her sisters, cousins and friends to calm the ocean around Charybdis. Percy noticed that they were at a great distance away from Scylla. He was grateful, not wanting to become the dinner for a monstrous menace with hundreds of necks.
The only problem was that he now had to cross the path of Charybdis' whirlpool.
Percy's fear nearly took over when the Argo reached the edge of the whirlpool, but then the water suddenly calmed. The nymphs were at work.
Charybdis roared angrily and sucked in at an even faster pace, causing the continuation of the whirlpool. Then, the Argo shuddered and started moving faster than ever. They had entered the whirlpool.
"Come on, Thetis," Percy muttered, trying his best to control the seas.
The main problem he was having was that Charybdis was much too noisy and loud to be able to concentrate. She was riling up such a fuss that he could barely think clearly about something in his head. Percy wondered if babies were like this. He'd heard stories of babies being annoying as Hades.
The whirlpool was slowing down though, a magical force struggling to push it away. Percy knew that he and the nymphs were beginning to get a control of the seas around Charybdis. He could feel the shuddering of the boat, the struggling of the waves. He tried his best to shoot the Argo out of the whirlpool but he couldn't.
Then the sea calmed. Percy braced himself for what was to follow.
Charybdis exploded with such ferocity, Percy nearly fell on his back from the outcry of the monster... just the outcry.
Giant waves came crashing down, lifting the Argo up on giant walls of water before slamming down back to the surface.
Now, son of Poseidon! Now!
On pure instinct and by a gut feeling, Percy summoned a wave that sent the Argo shooting forward. A sudden gale hit the sails that wasn't there before. With a shock, Percy realized he'd created a miniature squall.
Since that was not enough to completely freeze him from shock, Thetis suddenly shimmered into appearance right next to him. Graciously helping him sit down. She smiled at him, as if she were looking at a son of hers or something. Her words were simple and blunt: "Tell Peleus I'll be waiting. It is finalized."
"Wait, what?"
"Goodbye, son of Poseidon." And with that awkward and short encounter, she disappeared into the sunlight.
Percy looked up into the sky and was shocked to see Helios up in the sky. They hadn't seen him since Circe's island, Aeaea. It was nice to be able to see the sunlight again. He sighed before the recent events came crashing down on him like a brick wall. He grinned and lay down on the deck, a smile touching his face once again.
"We did it!" Percy cried. "We did it!"
He crawled his way over to the helm and grabbed the conch shell. He blew three blasts, and although that was not a part of the conch shell system, he made it up as they had no alarm for "everything is clear and safe."
He continued blowing the three blasts until the Argonauts slowly filed out of the lower decks, shielding their eyes from the glaring sunlight.
Percy smiled at all those around him, just in a positive mood. "We made it! We're almost home! Not much longer."
"Almost home," agreed Orpheus wistfully.
It almost seemed like a perfect picture ending, the scene unraveling around them with the Argo in the sunlight, the beams of light bouncing off of the ocean. But the Fates had more in store for them. The picture perfect end was much more beautiful and romantic than this.
For now, though, Percy accepted this and passed out on the deck from lack of sleep and exhaustion.
Hey everyone,
Only a three day hiatus, I think. What a break, huh? (Note the sarcasm.)
Hope you enjoy this chapter.
I apologize for any grammatical errors in the chapter above and if any historical facts are actually wrong. I have spent my time looking through different websites, and even a couple of books, but the story that will continue may have incorrect historical info. Still, I believe it just adds to the effect.
With best regards,
SharkAttack719