Ch39

Magnus stared at the Valkyrie in front of him. She wore armor and a green hijab, turns out she was Muslim too, "So nice to meet you," he said awkwardly.

"Yes I am Samirah and I have been assigned to protect and train you," she said. The girl's eyes were that of a person who had been through a lot in life, he could tell she took her job seriously.

Blitz and Hearth sat next to him on the park bench, "Yeah kid she is going to be training you and protecting you. Don't worry Valkyries are tough and Ms. Samirah here knows her stuff."

"Well I um hope to learn a lot from you," he said.

Samirah nodded, her gaze calm. "I will protect you and fulfill my obligations."

A Muslim Valkyrie I guess things are always changing. He thought much of God with a capital G but whatever worked for her was her business.

"Oh we also got you this," Blitz said as he handed him a cellphone. "Its enchanted by your aunt so that it won't attract monsters."

"Um thanks," he said as he took the phone and looked over it. Well I don't know many people who have phones but still it is cool.

"No problem keep it in case someone needs to get in touch with you," Blitz said.

He nodded, "Thanks, Oh I've been thinking of my dad's offer. I don't mind learning more about the Norse world so long as my friends don't get hurt."

It wasn't easy but he figured it wouldn't hurt to learn more about the Norse world especially if anything from that world came and tried to hurt someone he cared about.

He couldn't help but smile as Blitz and Hearth exchanged a look surprised look. Hearth looked shocked and even a bit pleased as Samirah remained silent. Blitz smiled at him, "Sounds great. If you want we can help you find a place, your dad doesn't mind paying."

"Um sure I don't mind just make to find one in this area," he said looking around Manhattan's streets. It wasn't far from Percy's place and it was near some nice shops too.

"No problem. I hope we can work well together," Blitz said as Hearth and Samirah nodded.

"Me too," he said. "I want to get stronger my friends and defend everyone close to me." Whether that be with Gram or this Berserk form I don't care so long as I help them I'm fine."

Blitz chuckled. "Berserkers aren't easy to control and it takes a while to train them but we'll make sure you survive."

He drew Gram and looked at his reflection in the blade. "I'm counting on that, this upcoming summer won't be easy."

I'll make sure we all survive this. He thought of Percy and Annabeth as he looked at his reflection in the sword. Anything for them.

"Hey Magnus how are you? Can you hear us both?" Annabeth asked as she sat next to her father in his house.

"Yeah I can thanks for calling," Magnus said through the phone. Annabeth sighed, her cousin had decided to get an emergency phone just in case and while she tried to argue against it he was determined to have it.

It had been lonely without him but she was slowly building the bridge with her father and her step family and she was glad that Magnus was happy with his life in New York. Even if he is with Percy a lot.

She kept telling herself to not get jealous but it bugged her to no end that Percy was closer to him than her.

"Hey Magnus I hope you are well," her dad said through the speakerphone.

"Hey Uncle Frederick thanks for calling I am well," Magnus said through the other side.

"That's good to hear. I know you have been busy but I hope you have a good birthday this weekend," her dad said through the phone.

"Thanks I plan on spending it with some friends," Magnus said through the phone. "We will hang out on the beach or something."

"Wow sounds nice I hope you have a good time. Will you be hanging out with Percy?" Her father asked.

"Yeah and our other friend Rachel," Magnus said through the phone.

Calm down just take a deep breath she told herself as her blood boiled. . It was no surprise to her that Magnus and Percy had been hanging out a lot more lately, what annoyed her was that Rachel was spending a lot of time with both of them. She looked away at the phone as she clenched her fist. Its not that I mind Magnus and Percy having a life outside of camp. But seriously whey her? They include her in everything it seems.

The last time Magnus came to visit he showed them a bunch of pictures of him with Percy and Rachel, much to her chagrin. The thought of Percy and Magnus at a beach with Rachel made her blood boil. Apparently, Magnus was taking ASL classes at school and for whatever reason Percy and Rachel were learning it too. It wasn't that she was mad that he had a hobby but still why was he so attached to Rachel?

"How have you been Annabeth?" Magnus asked through the phone.

"Um good I uh have been busy," she said quickly trying to think of anything to say. Her father looked at her as if thinking something was wrong but she showed no emotion on her face. "I've just been nervous with all the stuff about the war you know." Unlike you and Percy the rest of the camp has been fighting to keep our world safe she thought bitterly. She knew it wasn't fair to say that but the idea of her and the other campers risking their lives to stop Kronos while her cousin and Percy had a nice vacation with Rachel made her want to kick something.

"That's good," Magnus said. "I hope you stay safe."

"You stay safe too Magnus," her father said. "I hope you enjoy your birthday let us know if you need anything."

"Alright thank you Uncle Frederick," Magnus said as they all exchanged final pleasantries before Magnus hung up.

"Well I am glad your cousin is doing well," her father said with a sigh.

"Yeah me too," she mumbled as she got up. "I have to do something," she said as she got up.

"Is something wrong Annabeth?" Her father asked with concern.

"No I'm just tired," she said with a sigh. She knew she shouldn't lie but she just wanted to be by herself for a bit.

Her father nodded at her as she headed to her room. She closed the door and immediately sat down on her bed and let out a sigh. Why am I even so worked up? I mean so he is spending his birthday with Percy and Rachel.

Yet no matter how hard she tried to say she was ok with it her anger got worse. I mean if Percy just sees me as a friend I don't care. In fact, if he prefers being with Magnus and that mortal fine, I don't care.

She pulled her pillow close to her and let out a small scream into it. The memory of the kiss she had with Percy ran through her head. He never brought it up, he must really not think of me as anyone special she thought bitterly. Yeah it was a heat of the moment thing and a part of her did it to one up Magnus but still the fact that Percy said nothing of it and swept it aside hurt her.

He will be 16 soon she thought bitterly. All of the mixed feelings she had for Percy swam inside of her as she realized that the Great Prophecy was approaching them fast.

She then rested on her back as she looked up at the ceiling. Magnus you and I have come a long way huh? It was true, while they still looked out for each other she felt as if they were growing apart much more. He is apparently living alone too. Supposedly Chiron and her dad helped him find a place but she could tell that something was off since the apartment she went to looked pretty nice. She hadn't been to it but Magnus sent her pictures and it looked cool but something about it seemed off. Are we really growing apart? Looking back she guessed it began when Percy came and they started being friends during the quest to save her. Not that she was upset that her cousin had a friend but she kind of had a crush on Percy and felt that Magnus was sort of a wedge between her and Percy.

"He really does look like Kurt Cobain," she said with a sigh. The last time she saw her cousin he had nice long hair and she noticed that he was growing a lot. While he was still on the lean side he gained a bit of muscle and was pretty attractive, a fact that a lot of girls at camp were starting to notice. I mean any girl would be lucky to have him but still he is hiding something and it isn't a girl.

She knew it had to do with his sword Gram. She looked into the story and saw that it was wielded by a warrior named Sigurd who slew the dragon Fafnir. But that story is a Norse one, why on earth would a Norse sword be in Magnus's hand. It all just didn't make sense, where would he even get a weapon like that? Did Chiron give it to him? She thought of the idea but honestly did not know but it wasn't a far off idea. Chiron has trained a lot of heroes maybe he acquired it somehow, but Sigurd was a hero from Norse mythology. No matter how many times she tried to come to an answer it was as if her mind could not figure it out.

She shook her head and felt her mind fall asleep. She felt her consciousness drift to sleep and soon found herself in a room with her mom of all people. "Mom what are you doing here?" She asked in surprise.

Her mom Athena was sitting in a chair and dressed in traditional Greek armor. "Hello Annabeth I came to discuss something with you quickly," she said in a calm voice.

"What is it?" She asked curiously.

Her mother looked at her with her calm eyes. "I know you are worried about your cousin Magnus but believe me there are things that he and Percy are not allowed to speak about."

Annabeth felt her eyes widen, "Wh-What do you mean?" She felt her heart race, did her mom know about her efforts to dig into Magnus's past? Did she know as well?

Her mother only stared at her, her eyes not revealing anything. "Your cousin and the son of Poseidon have sworn an oath not to speak about certain things pertaining to him. I have also sworn to not say anything to my children."

Annabeth avoided her mother's gaze as she tried to not feel angry. So everyone knows but me huh, the thought made her clench her fist as she avoided her mother's gaze.

"I know you must be angry but know it is for the best. Your father took enough risks taking your cousin in as it is. There are things best not mentioned to others," Her mother said calmly. "Now I believe you have a war to prepare for."

"Wait!" She said but before she knew it she was sitting in her bed. She was breathing heavily as she looked around. She slammed her fist into the side of her bed as she looked up at the ceiling. "Magnus what on earth are you hiding from me," she mumbled. For once in her life she did not have the answer.