Ch.4

All rights belong to Riordan

That evening, Percy and Aurora were sitting on a log, waiting for it to become night so Percy could use his powers to get to Maine. "Your dad is laid back," Percy said, which caused Aurora to smile before replying, "Yeah, he is. He's been like that for as long as I can remember. If you don't mind me asking, what was being raised by Selene like?"

Percy looked thoughtful. "Firm. She was caring and loving but also knew when to put her foot down to discipline me when it was needed. She didn't want me to turn out like other heroes like Hercules who have massive egos and look down on those around them. For that, I am grateful."

Aurora smiled before nodding her head and looking up to see that the moon was out now. Standing up, she brushed her pants before turning to Percy. "Are you ready to go?" Percy also stood up and stretched before replying, "Race you to Maine, Sunshine." He smirked at her before stepping into a pocket of moonlight and glowing silver before vanishing. Aurora smiled before shaking her head and stepping into their fire, disappearing in a flash, just like her father did.

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The next morning would be a busy one, as Percy and Aurora would soon find out. For now, though, they had arrived close to each other in the forest around the school, which of course led them to argue about which one had arrived first once they met up.

"Nuh uh, I arrived first," Percy exclaimed while Aurora stomped her foot. "No, I arrived first!" "NUH UH" "AH HUH" They went back and forth for a few minutes until Percy finally gave in and sighed. "Fine, we'll call it a draw."

Aurora smiled brightly before nodding her head in agreement and bounding off to find the school. Percy just shook his head, thinking she's gonna be the death of me before following behind her.

Once they had found the school, they made a small campfire Aurora started using a lighter and her powers. After settling in, they sat on the ground leaning against a fallen tree. "What do you think we're gonna find tomorrow?" Aurora asked. "I'm not sure, but whoever or whatever it is, I hope they can lead us to where Mom is. She's been gone for too long, and if Helios can't even see her, then we know at the very least she was captured by someone who can hide themselves from even the titans." Aurora nodded her head in thought, trying to figure out who could have had that power.

Noticing Percy was clenching his fists and glaring at the fire at the thought of his mother being captured, Aurora took his hand in hers and rubbed it softly until he looked at her. "We'll find her. Wherever she is. Maybe these demigods Dad talked about will be able to help us. If not, we'll still hunt for her until we find and save her." Percy's expression softened before nodding his head and leaning back against the log again.

Closing his eyes, he relaxed until he felt himself slip into the realm of Morpheus. Aurora sat there before realizing she was still holding his hand. She tried letting go, but Percy's hand was not releasing hers. She attempted again before giving up. Blushing, she looked at the fire, her thoughts racing.

I know Dad said Percy would be my counterpart and greatest ally, but surely he didn't mean romantically as well, right? She could tell she was starting to develop feelings for him, but she didn't want to risk anything if he didn't feel the same way. So she pushed those thoughts aside before closing her eyes and shortly following Percy into Morpheus's realm.

In his golden temple far to the west, Helios sat on his throne made of gold and fire. Looking down at his daughter and adopted nephew, he smiled before thinking to himself, They'll find you, sis. They will succeed in saving Olympus. Helios broke out of his thoughts before looking up, noticing the moon was fading. He stood up and left the throne room, preparing to drive his chariot across the sky, as he's done for millennia.

Aurora, being the daughter of Helios, opened her eyes first at the crack of dawn. She smiled as she watched the sunrise, knowing her father was driving his chariot. Once she took in her surroundings, she realized she was using Percy's chest as a pillow. She panicked as she felt Percy stir and quickly pulled herself up off him as he opened his eyes.

He looked around before realizing he still had her hand in his, causing him to pale before quickly letting go and apologizing profusely. Aurora simply laughed and said, "It's fine. Don't worry about it." She then stood up and stretched, with Percy following suit. Once they had freshened up, they prepared for what they assumed would be a long day. Percy and Aurora quickly but quietly circled around the school while staying in the forest until they saw the front entrance.

"What are we looking for?" Aurora asked Percy, who was staring intently at the front. "I'm watching for anyone who might look like a demigod. This school is a boarding school, so if demigods are here, they probably wouldn't be students." Aurora looked confused before asking, "How do you know it's a boarding school?" Percy quietly laughed before pointing at a group of students, all wearing a similar uniform. Aurora looked to where he was pointing and laughed once she realized what he was referring to.

"Okay, fair enough. Maybe you have some brain in that seaweed-filled head after all." Percy playfully glared while Aurora stuck her tongue out at him in response. Percy rolled his eyes before turning back to the school and noticing another car pull up. Watching closely, he saw a blond-haired girl step out, followed by a black-haired girl in full leather and a boy with black hair.

"There they are. You would think they would come dressed like the other students to blend in but I guess they aren't that smart" Percy said before rolling his eyes and watching as they walked into the school. "Should we go in after them?" "Nah they are demigods they will for sure cause a ruckus and come running out. I'll give it an hour." Aurora laughed before shaking her head in amusement.

"Surely they wouldn't go out the front door considering their ride drove away. They have to have an escape plan or something." Aurora stated while looking at Percy. Percy thought for a few minutes before agreeing. "Yeah let's wrap around the back to see if they could potentially escape that way." Nodding her head Aurora followed behind Percy as they backtracked to the back of the school that was a cliff. Why a boarding school would have a cliff in their backyard Percy wouldn't be able to tell you as he was just as confused.

Percy and Aurora sat there watching for any movement outside the school before Percy checked his watch. Aurora looked at him amused. "Are we getting close to your hour guess?" Percy looked at his watch before counting down 10..9..8..7..6..5..4.3..2.1..

Right on cue, the back doors of the school burst open, and an older man dashed out, accompanied by two children whom Percy assumed were demigods, though they weren't the same ones he and Aurora had seen enter from the front. "See, I told you," Percy remarked, a hint of triumph in his voice. Aurora just rolled her eyes before muttering, "Show-off."

Percy refocused his attention on the older man, his body tensing up. Aurora noticed the change in Percy's demeanor and turned to see what was happening. As she observed the unfolding commotion, Percy's voice broke the silence, filled with disbelief. "A manticore," he breathed out, his eyes widening in alarm. Aurora mirrored his astonishment, her hand inching towards her bow. However, Percy stopped her before she could draw it, his gaze fixed on the other side of the forest.

"What's wrong, Percy?" Aurora inquired, her concern evident. "I'm not sure, but I sense something else in the forest," Percy replied, his confusion evident. "It feels like...wolves?" Before they could process this revelation, a hunting horn blared across the clearing, shattering the stillness of the moment.

The manticore turned towards the trees just as a silver arrow streaked through the air, piercing his shoulder with incredible speed. "Ah, damn you hunters! Interference is not allowed!" he bellowed towards the forest. Moments later, a group of girls emerged from the trees, clad in silver parkas and black pants, each wielding a silver bow with a hunting knife strapped to her leg. Wolves, the ones Percy had sensed earlier, flanked them on either side.

At the forefront stood a young girl, roughly Percy's age, her voice ringing out with anger yet firmness. "Not so. All wild creatures are permitted, and you are a wild creature," she declared. Aurora turned to Percy, questioning, "Are those Artemis's hunters?" "Yes, I believe so," he confirmed.

"AHH!" Aurora screamed as she fell to the ground, clutching her wounded arm. Percy swiftly slung his bow across his back and knelt beside her, gathering her up in his arms. "Are you okay?" he asked, concern evident in his voice. "Yeah, I'm okay, just in a bit of pain," Aurora replied, gritting her teeth against the discomfort. Percy nodded, his expression tense with worry, before turning to leave. However, their departure was halted by the authoritative voice of Lady Artemis.

"I am Lady Artemis. I can see you. Come out into the open or this next arrow goes in your head, boy," Artemis's voice rang out, commanding attention. Percy, with little choice, emerged from the trees, holding Aurora protectively in his arms. Artemis glared at the boy until she looked in his arms and her eyes widened once she realized what, or rather who she hit with her arrow. She rushed forward, her eyes darting between Percy and Aurora, before turning to address her hunters.

"AMELIA! BRING AMBROSIA AND BANDAGES!" Artemis commanded, her voice urgent. Percy's grip tightened protectively around Aurora as Artemis attempted to take her from his arms. Feeling torn, Percy hesitated, but eventually relented, stepping back to allow Amelia to attend to Aurora's wound. "Please set her down so I can take care of her wound," Amelia requested politely. Percy glanced down at Aurora, who gave him a shaky nod of reassurance. Reluctantly, Percy lowered her to the ground, stepping back to give Amelia room to work.

Artemis stepped away before calling Percy over. "Come here, boy. I need to speak with you." Percy grudgingly walked over before dropping into a bow and waited for her to speak. "Who are you, boy" she said sternly. Not picking up his head, Percy replied "My name is Percy Jackson, Lady Artemis." Artemis was about to question him more when she noticed the bow on his back. Recognizing it, she glared at him. "How do you have that bow boy?!" She asked angrily. "It was my mothers" Percy replied. Artemis froze before pulling him off the ground and looking at him closely before her eyes widened when she noticed his crescent moon irises and silver-streaked hair. "Your mother is Selene?" She asked softly, all hatred gone from her voice. Percy simply nodded his head in response." Why do your eyes have a sea-green hint to them then?" Percy looked around skeptically before turning back to Artemis. "Can you keep a secret Lady Artemis?" She looked surprised but nodded her head. "My birth father is Poseidon, but when I was 8 I was found wandering the forest alone by Selene and she adopted me."

Artemis stood there shocked, trying to register the fact her uncle had a child nobody knew about, but also was adopted by one of her closest friends. Breaking out of her thoughts she looked over at Aurora, who was back on her feet and chatting with Amelia. "Who is she then?" "Her name is Aurora, she is the adopted daughter of Helios." Artemis once again went into shock, realizing she had 2 demigods/demi-titans with her group. "What are you two doing here?" She asked, still trying to figure out why they were there. Percy replied sadly, "My mother is missing and my uncle told us to come here to find the demigods that would lead us to where she is." Artemis nodded her head before his words sunk in. "Selene is missing?!" Percy nodded his head. Artemis paled before looking up at the sky. "APOLLO!" She screamed.

Let me know what you guys think. Does it feel rushed, is Percy's and Aurora's connection moving too fast, anything helps for future chapters 3 ty