Ch4
Magnus had long lost count on how long they have been traveling with Luke and Thalia and to be honest he was finding it harder and harder to get along with them. "Magnus did you use your sister's cap to steal food again?" Thalia yelled pointing to the large amount of food he had taken from a grocery store that was on the table.
"Well we need food don't we? Besides, the place was packed no one would notice," he retorted as Thalia glared at him. She really pisses me off . He didn't care for Thalia she was always mean to him and would beat him up when they fought and he did not like it one bit.
"Your sister was given a gift by a god and you use it for theft?" She yelled at him.
"Well there is a god of thieves isn't there?" He said sitting up glaring at the girl. The air get tense between them as the two glared at each other like wolves. Their faces were inches apart, and it took all of his will power to not slug her. He knew he couldn't win a fight against her yet, he had tried but always ended up beaten up.
"Hey calm down you two," Luke said coming from behind the grove of trees.
"Fine," Thalia said glaring one more time at him. "He got food for us," she said pointing to the food that Magnus had taken from the supermarket. "Ask him how he got it?"
Luke sighed, "Look lets just calm down and set up camp. We don't want any more monsters coming."
"Luke do you want to see the Legos I built?" Annabeth asked
Luke smiled at her, "How about we patrol together than you can show me?"
Annabeth smiled and nodded, "Ok!"
He rolled his eyes and groaned on the inside; at least she is happy and more importantly, we are safer in numbers. As much as he hated to admit it Luke and Thalia were more capable fighters than he is and were more capable of protecting Annabeth. He clenched his fists as he grabbed his hatchet and patrolled the area.
"Why does she even care about them so much," he mumbled to himself as he searched and patrolled his area. Maybe because they can actually protect her a snarky voice in his head said. He swung his ax in anger at a bush, it wasn't that he had anything against Luke and Thalia but outside of them being able to protect him and Annabeth he didn't care for them.
He looked at the setting sun as he continued to walk down and make his way back to camp. He looked at his arms which were still bruised from his training sessions with Luke and Thalia. Despite improving a bit they were both far superior fighters than he was, "Damn it all," he mumbled as he remembered the last beating Thalia gave him which Luke had to stop because she was going too far even for him.
But at least she is happy and more importantly safe. That is all that I care about he thought as he went back to their campsite. I'll just put up with them until we can find a better offer. He knew that they were making their way up north, well they were supposed to find this camp but Annabeth was so determined to follow Luke and camp with him much to his chagrin. He couldn't explain why exactly he did not like Thalia or Luke, perhaps it was jealous or perhaps it was because they were better fighters than him.
"Hey Magnus can you help with the food? Luke asked as Thalia and Annabeth practiced sword fighting.
He put down his weapon. "Sure I'll be right there." Luke smiled at him; the other blonde acted as their leader and even though they tried to get along something about him he didn't like, and it wasn't just how Annabeth treated him.
"Thanks for getting this stuff by the way. Its nice to eat things that are actually good for us," Luke said with a small laugh as he prepared the meat and vegetables Magnus had acquired for them.
"Well I am glad you appreciate my efforts."
Luke laughed, "Yeah sorry about Thalia she is very passionate about things."
"Yeah I could tell," he said as he helped set up the plates. She also doesn't complain when you steal food or supplies.
"Yeah but she means well. By the way Magnus you know you are getting stronger right?" Luke asked as he continued to watch the food.
"Really? I still get beaten up every day during practice."
Luke laughed, "True, but not every demigod is a fighter. You are improving though your sister is lucky to have you."
"Thanks," he mumbled.
"You are a good cousin," Luke said with a smile on his face. "Despite not being a good fighter you still put your life on the line and that is something commendable."
"Yeah well I'll protect her with my life," he said meeting Luke in the eye. Their eyes met and he didn't know what to make of it, Luke was sort of their leader and he was better at leading than he ever will be. Hell he is better at this demigod stuff than I am.
The four of them ate dinner with Luke telling them about various stories from Greek mythology and Annabeth staring at him like he was some amazing hero. Magnus ate his food in peace though he noticed Thalia was glaring at him more which he responded with his glare.
He helped clean the dishes and secure their food and other valuables before practicing combat with Luke. "Come on Magnus try finding my weak point," Luke said as he charged at him with his knife. Magnus tried to block the attacks and retaliate with his hatchet but Luke was quick and agile.
As he swung his hatchet Luke surprised him by grabbing a hold of his arm and pushing him to the ground. The air left his lungs and the next thing he knew Luke was pointing his knife at his throat.
"Come on you are improving. Lets practice again," Luke said with a crooked smile on his face.
Standing up on his own, he rejected Luke's hand and brushed the dirt off of him. "Oh I am not tired," he said with a smile.
Luke laughed, "That's the spirit come on." The two practiced fighting with their weapons for another hour or so before moving on to hand to hand combat.
In reality he hated doing it, I need to get stronger for her. I want to protect her he thought as he felt Luke knock him to the ground again.
"That was close but try again," Luke said.
Well the opportunity to hit this cocky bastard is a plus too. He got up and swung his fists at Luke, his fighting had improved a lot since he started practicing with Luke. Luke grabbed his fist but Magnus anticipated what he will do, he did a small jump and charged at him with his shoulder. He saw Luke's eyes widen in surprise as he came crashing down on him.
He felt a bit of satisfaction when he got up and he had to hide the fact that he was smiling. "Nice job Magnus," Luke said as he got up. "I told you that you were improving."
"Yeah it just came to me," he said with a smile.
"Well lets say we practice some more than," Luke said.
"Fine by me," he replied as he got ready for the next round. The two spared for another hour or so before deciding to call it a day.
"Nice job Magnus you are improving a lot," Luke said as they both headed to a nearby place to clean themselves off with baby wipes.
"Thanks," he muttered as he grabbed his container of wipes. They hadn't had a formal shower in a while and the few chances that they did find a place to bathe Thalia and Annabeth usually had priority.
That night he slept in his tent and fell asleep right away. He still dreamt of the wolves and their bright blue eyes. The screaming of his mother as she told him to run along with their eyes pursuing him in the dark baring their fangs at him with every intent to kill.
He woke up in a cold sweat again Mom I miss you the thought of his mom still brought tears to his eyes. He closed his eyes as he controlled his breathing as he looked up at the roof of his tent. His mom was gone, he didn't know who his dad was, and his uncle was far away. Annabeth is the only family I have; I don't even care if I find out who my dad is.
He had come to that conclusion already; in his mind, he grew up with his mom and in the short time he had spent with his uncle he felt like he had a father. "Uncle Frederick I will protect Annabeth," he whispered as he thought of Annabeth's smile. "I will always remember the kindness you showed to me. I will repay it somehow," he said as he closed his eyes and felt sleep come to him.
The next few days felt the same and blended together as the group slowly made their way north practicing how to fight and just trying to survive. Magnus continued to improve his fighting even if he still ended up getting his ass handed to him by Luke and Thalia.
All was going well until one day they were ambushed by a group of monsters who destroyed their camp and supplies. "Blondie watch out this is a real fight you know," Thalia snapped at him as she drove her spear into a monster.
"You don't have to tell me twice," he said as he blocked the claws of a large creature. He brought his hatchet down on it and caused it to roar. Crap this thing is tough.
He looked over and saw that Annabeth was with Luke who was doing his best to protect her. I will not allow them to harm her he thought as he felt the anger in him boil, it was as if all the anger and frustration in his life was reaching a boiling point. He let out a loud roar as he swung his hatched with all the force he had into the beast's head killing it in the process.
Turning he saw Annabeth who was slowly being encircled by a monster. His body moved on its own as he let out a loud war cry. He jumped at the monster and crashed into it with his shield knocking it to the ground. "Stay the hell away from her," he growled as he repeatedly bashed its brains out with his hatchet his body getting covered in blood and guts.
He then heard another roar and noticed that another beast had bitten his leg, he didn't even feel it. He brought his hatchet down on it repeatedly, his mind only preoccupied with killing the creature until it disappeared. When he was done he looked at Annabeth and Luke who were both in shock and staring at him.
"M-Magnus are you ok?" Annabeth asked
Looking down at himself he realized that he was covered in blood and cuts as he felt the energy drain from him he slowly began to lose consciousness, the last thing he remembered hearing was Annabeth and Luke calling his name.
When he awoke he realized that he was resting on a couch in a strange house. Where am I he wondered as he got up and winced at the pain his whole body felt exhausted he looked down and saw that he was shirtless and his left arm and left leg were bandaged. "Magnus!" Annabeth's yelled.
Annabeth ran to him and hugged him. "I am glad you are ok," she said her voice sounding as if she were close to tears.
"Thanks Annabeth where we and how long was I out?" He asked as he patted her back.
Annabeth looked at him with her sad teary eyes and it nearly broke his heart. "We are at Luke's mom's place. You and Thalia were so injured we had to come here for supplies. Thalia's leg was bad and your injuries were not as bad. But you didn't wake up, we thought something bad had happened," she said as she hugged him again her voice sobbing as tears fell from her face onto him.
"Thanks Annabeth I think I am well now," he said with his smile.
His cousin shot him a stern look, "Don't ever scare me like that again. I can't afford to lose you; you are the only family I care about now."
"I won't, I will keep you safe. You are like a sister to me; I don't have any other family left either."
Annabeth only nodded as she hugged him back, "I will protect you too. I am older after all," she said in a pouty tone.
Magnus laughed, "Of course. After all, we only have each other."
"Don't forget Luke and Thalia," Annabeth said with a smile. "They will always protect me."
"Yes of course," he said forcing a smile on his face and ignoring the figurative punch to the gut. Why does she care about them so much he thought bitterly as he tried his best to hide his feelings.
He was bedridden for the remainder of his time and didn't have a clue at what was happening. He did have burned cookies and punch but that was about it. He didn't know what was happening but he often heard his sister argue with Luke. "He isn't well please lets just stay here for a bit longer," he heard Annabeth plead.
"Fine!" Luke barked but I can't stand being here anymore. He then heard Luke storm out of the house while Thalia comforted Annabeth. He had never heard Luke talk like that to his sister or anyone and he would've punched the guy had he not been bedridden.
He tried to get information but Annabeth only said he had problems with his dad who apparently came and Luke had been staying away from the house as much as possible. He didn't want to be a burden so as soon as he felt rested he insisted on leaving assuring Annabeth that he was well.
Ever since then Luke was different, he acted like he had something to prove and always provoked fights and encounters with monsters. They got into more skirmishes because of his recklessness as Luke seemed to want to fight any monster that they came across. He and Thalia were the only ones remotely concerned about his behavior and it often led to fights between them.
His relationship with Luke got more and more strained once he found out that he purposefully brought Annabeth with him. Annabeth did not seem to mind and in fact loved this new side of Luke. When he brought up the fact that he was bringing Annabeth to these monster excursions they ended up fighting and much to his chagrin Annabeth took his side. Her standing up for Luke against him hurt more than Luke's fist, though Thalia did surprisingly took did not take Luke's side and tried to calm the situation in the end, his dislike of Luke grew while he was a little more sympathetic to Thalia.
The rest of their trip was relatively tense to say the least. They ran into the Hunters of Artemis and he had to be held down after the way they talked down to him and Luke while trying to recruit Annabeth and Thalia who thankfully rejected their offer of membership.
They eventually met a satyr named Grover Underwood who said he would lead them to the camp. Grover seemed like a nice guy and was really friendly. Grover was an excellent guide and he felt like he was the closest thing to a friend he had in a while.
Then Grover accidentally took the wrong path and brought them to the lair of a cyclops which tried to kill him and mimicked his mother's voice along with Annabeth's father. They managed to get away but soon were met with a pack of hellhounds barking at them along with creatures he learned were furies.
"Guys run to the perimeter they can't get you inside," Grover said, his body shaking
"Its me they want I'll buy you guys sometime," Thalia said holding her spear.
"We won't leave without you," Magnus said as he and Luke tried to encourage her.
"Don't worry I won't die yet," Thalia said giving him a smile. "Go protect Annabeth."
Magnus was surprised by the answer and nodded as he ran with Annabeth to the hill. As they approached the hill Luke and Grover were already on the other side Annabeth ran through but when he ran a strange force held him back, something deep inside of him was telling him to go the other way.
It wasn't so much as if he were being held back but it was like he was being pulled away from the barrier by an unseen force, he heard Luke and Annabeth call out to him as they pulled him inside him in. A shock through his body and strangely he felt as if he lost something important to him. A part of him that was an integral part of him, something he could not explain felt closed off as he fell to the ground on the other side.
"Magnus!" Annabeth cried as she wrapped her arms around him. He muttered her name as he passed out.