WOOOOOO! A NEW STORY! Ok, ok, don't kill me. I know I should be working on Storm and Stone, but whatever. I'll post a chapter for that tomorrow. Anyway, don't own PJO, or HoO, or any of Rick Riordan's works. Chapters will get longer, but for now, 4000 words should be alright. Without further ado, enjoy!
ANNABETH
Annabeth noticed subtle changes in Percy after the Titan War. His once vibrant green eyes seemed to hold shadows, and an air of unpredictability clung to him. At camp, whispers followed him, and the other campers began to cast wary glances his way. Unexplainable incidents occurred whenever Percy was near, and unease settled among the demigods.
One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Annabeth found Percy alone at the shoreline. The waves crashed against the rocks, mirroring the turmoil within Percy's gaze. She approached cautiously, sensing an unspoken weight on his shoulders.
One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Annabeth found Percy alone at the shoreline. The waves crashed against the rocks, mirroring the turmoil within Percy's gaze. She approached cautiously, sensing an unspoken weight on his shoulders.
"Percy, are you okay?" Annabeth asked, concern etching her voice. Percy hesitated, his gaze momentarily locking with hers, revealing a mixture of guilt and something darker.
"I don't know, Annabeth. Something's happening to me," he confessed, his voice heavy with uncertainty.
As they talked, Annabeth noticed subtle changes. Uncontrolled waves lapped against the shore, responding to Percy's fluctuating emotions. A gust of wind tousled his hair, seemingly at his command. Yet, Percy remained oblivious to these manifestations, his focus on the conversation.
"I just feel scared. I know that we've beat Kronos, and I know that I should be happy that I didn't die like I was supposed to, but something feels off."
Truthfully, Annabeth had no idea what Percy was talking about. But she nodded along anyway.
As the days passed, Annabeth's unease grew. She continued to observe Percy, noticing the subtle shifts in the environment around him. During campfire gatherings, Percy's laughter just didn't seem the same, and the twinkle in his eyes wasn't there anymore. It became clear to Annabeth that Percy was going through something.
She decided to confide in Chiron about her worries about her boyfriend. Chiron listened attentively, his expression grave as he considered the implications. "Annabeth, Percy has just gone through a war which he was at the centre of. He has lost friends and comrades. Give him some time."
Chiron was like a father to her, so if he thought it was a good idea to leave Percy alone, she would do so, if not only for his sake.
LINE BREAK
The revelation of Percy's ability to control blood came unexpectedly during an encounter with a monster. Annabeth and Percy found themselves facing a huge hellhound, a creature that seemed impervious to their usual tactics. As the battle intensified, Percy's frustration and desperation grew, triggering an unforeseen manifestation of his darker powers.
In a moment of crisis, as the monster lunged toward Annabeth, Percy instinctively extended his hand, and to Annabeth's astonishment, the creature froze mid-attack. Its movements became sluggish, and the air was filled with an eerie stillness. Annabeth, momentarily bewildered, watched as Percy exerted an unseen force on the blood within the monster, manipulating it as if it were an extension of his own will.
It howled in pain before it dissolved into golden dust.
The realisation dawned on Annabeth that Percy's abilities had taken a disturbing turn. He had just controlled blood. She took a step back.
Percy, panting heavily and visibly drained by the exertion of his newfound powers, met Annabeth's gaze. There was a shared understanding between them, an unspoken acknowledgment of the thin line they were walking on.
As the adrenaline subsided, Annabeth confronted Percy about what she had witnessed. "How is that even possible?" she questioned, a blend of fear and morbid curiosity in her eyes. They both knew what she was talking about.
Percy, looking somber, struggled to find the right words. "I don't know, Annabeth. These powers... they're getting stronger, and I don't know if I can always control them." He stared at his hands. "I don't like this."
"Controlling blood? Is that what you've become?" She questioned.
Percy, exhausted and grappling with his own internal turmoil, met her gaze with a weariness that mirrored her own. "I didn't ask for this, Annabeth. It just... happened. I'm still the same person."
"But you're not, Percy! What if you lose control? What if you become a danger to everyone here?" Annabeth's words spilled out, her fear transforming into anger. The gravity of the situation was sinking in, and she couldn't simply brush it aside.
"I'm trying, Annabeth. Do you think I wanted this?" Percy replied, frustration lacing his voice.
"Trying isn't good enough! You just controlled blood Percy! Some things… some things aren't meant to be controlled."
"Then why can I control them? Was I meant to just let you die?"
Annabeth took a step back, keeping her eyes on her boyfriend. "I- I need some space Percy."
Percy watched her go.
LINE BREAK
Annabeth, burdened by her fear and concern for Percy, made the difficult decision to share the unsettling events with the camp. As the news spread, whispers and rumours followed Percy wherever he went. The once welcoming smiles from fellow campers turned into hesitant glances, and a palpable tension hung in the air.
As she watched Percy wander around in solitude, he received devastating news that added another layer of grief to his already sad life. A message, delivered by a somber Chiron, revealed that his mother, Sally, and stepfather, Paul, had tragically passed away.
The weight of the news hit Percy like a tidal wave, and the world seemed to blur as the gravity of the loss settled upon him. The pillars of stability and love in his life had crumbled, leaving him ironically adrift in a sea of sorrow.
In his solitude, Percy grappled with conflicting emotions - the guilt over the argument with Annabeth, the fear of his growing powers, and now, the overwhelming grief over the loss of his parents. The shadows within him deepened, and the Annabeth's words echoed in his mind, adding extra hurt to the pain that gripped his heart.
Percy became acutely aware of the growing fear and unease among his peers. Campers who had once admired him for his bravery now regarded him with suspicion. The newfound abilities that had emerged during the battle became a source of anxiety for those who had witnessed or heard about them.
Walking through camp, Percy felt the weight of the gazes upon him. Conversations hushed as he passed by, and friendships that had once felt unbreakable now seemed fragile.
Annabeth, torn between her desire to protect Percy and the responsibility to ensure the safety of the camp, watched helplessly as the rift widened. She attempted to ease tensions, explaining that Percy was still the hero who had fought bravely in countless battles, but the shadow of uncertainty lingered.
Some campers, unable to see the image of the powerful god they had revered within the lonely boy that was Percy, distanced themselves. He was a demigod. No matter how much he had done, he was still mortal.
Others voiced their concerns openly, questioning whether Percy could be trusted. The once united camp now grappled with division and mistrust.
Percy, feeling the weight of both his powers and the camp's growing fear, withdrew further. He trained alone, avoiding eye contact, and retreated into solitude. The sense of isolation deepened, and the camp that had once been his refuge now felt like a place of judgment and suspicion.
The argument between Percy and Annabeth came to a head one evening, the tension that had been simmering beneath the surface finally boiling over. They found themselves alone in the quiet outskirts of camp, shadows dancing around them as the moon cast a glow.
Annabeth, her frustration and worry reaching a breaking point, confronted Percy. "We can't keep pretending everything's fine, Percy. The camp is scared, and you're isolating yourself. We need to address this."
Percy, wearied by the judgment and the weight of his own powers, retorted, "What do you want me to do, Annabeth? I never asked for these abilities, and now everyone's treating me like I'm some kind of monster."
Annabeth's expression hardened. "I told them because I thought it would help. Maybe if they understand, they won't be so afraid."
Percy shook his head, frustration etched on his face. "But all it did was make things worse. Now I'm not just dealing with my own problems; I'm dealing with the entire camp's fear."
Annabeth, torn between her duty to the camp and her loyalty to Percy, implored, "We can work together to find a solution. But you can't keep shutting everyone out."
Percy, feeling the weight of the argument, snapped, "What solution, Annabeth? I don't even understand what's happening to me. How am I supposed to reassure the camp when I can't even reassure myself?"
The argument intensified, the emotions swirling between them like a storm. Accusations were hurled, and the seemingly unbreakable bond between Percy and Annabeth seemed to splinter with each harsh word.
"Is this what you've become, Percy? A threat to everyone around you?" she spat, her eyes filled with a mixture of anger and hurt. "You're a danger, a ticking time bomb. Maybe the camp is right to be scared."
Percy, stung by Annabeth's words, retaliated. "I never asked for this, Annabeth! I'm still the same person. If you can't see that, then maybe you don't know me as well as you think."
The argument intensified, and hurtful words were exchanged in the heat of the moment. Annabeth, unable to contain her fears and doubts, hurled accusations at Percy, questioning his control and the potential threat he posed to those he cared about.
"You're a liability, Percy! Maybe it's better if you just... leave!" she exclaimed, regret flashing across her face as the words hung in the air.
Percy, wounded by Annabeth's harsh words, looked at her with a mixture of disbelief and pain. The person he had confided in, the one he had always turned to in times of trouble, had now become a source of hurt.
"Fine."
Whether it was her hubris, or her fear of Percy, Annabeth felt her legs glued to the floor.
She watched him go.
LINE BREAK
PERCY
As Percy walked across Long Island, he sighed, the weight of his internal struggles evident in the heaviness of his breath. What could he do about the powers that seemed to spiral beyond his control?
He sat on a grassy meadow, and closed his eyes. He was tired. So tired…
"Perseus!" A harsh voice shattered the tranquility, cutting through the weariness that enveloped him.
He saw a woman, dressed in a green dress with vines draped across her body. "Demeter?" He frowned.
"No child. I am Ceres."
Percy chuckled. "Good joke. Roman gods, what's next, freaking Egyptians?"
Ceres, unfazed by Percy's skepticism, regarded him with a patient expression. "I understand the incredulity, Perseus. The lines between pantheons may blur, but I am indeed Ceres, goddess of agriculture, and I have been watching over you."
"Y'know what, I'll just ignore the fact that you're a roman goddess, because that is far from the craziest thing that's ever happened to me. But what do you mean 'watching over me'? Are you a stalker?"
Ceres chuckled softly. "Not a stalker, Perseus. Rather, a guardian. Your struggles, the darkness within you, resonate with the delicate balance of nature. I am here to guide and protect you on the treacherous path that lies ahead. I do want to know, why you are not in that camp anymore."
He sighed. " I don't know who I am anymore," Percy confessed, his voice carrying the weight of the burdens he had been carrying. "These powers, the darkness within me, it's tearing me apart. And the camp... they're scared of what I might become."
Ceres listened with a nurturing presence, her eyes reflecting a deep understanding.
As Percy spoke, the grove seemed to respond to his emotions. The flowers bloomed with vibrant colours, and a gentle breeze carried the scent of earth and growth. Ceres, with a compassionate gaze, encouraged him to delve deeper into his feelings.
"I never wanted to hurt anyone," Percy continued, his voice trembling with emotion. "I just want to protect the people I care about. But now, I'm not sure if I can control these powers. I don't want to be a danger to the ones I love."
Ceres, her presence a soothing balm, replied, "The path you walk is challenging, Percy, but it is also filled with the potential for growth and transformation. Your powers are a reflection of the intricate balance that exists within the natural world. Trust in the connection between the sea and the earth that flows through you."
In the quiet exchange, Percy felt a sense of acceptance and understanding that went beyond the judgments of the camp. He spoke of his fears, hopes, and the profound loss of his parents, finding solace in the guidance of Ceres.
As Percy poured out his heart, Ceres listened with a motherly understanding that went beyond the struggles of a demigod. It reminded him of another goddess, a goddess among mortals. His mother.
She wrapped him wordlessly in a hug. He found it strangely comforting.
Percy leaned back, eyeing Ceres cautiously. "So, what? You're adopting me now?" He joked.
"Yes." She said, not a hint of a joke in her voice.
"Um, I appreciate the gesture, I really do, but I have a mother." His gaze darkened. "I had a mother."
Ceres nodded, her eyes reflecting a deep understanding of Percy's pain. "Your mother was a remarkable woman, and her spirit will always be a part of you. I can see why my brother chose her. My intention is not to replace."
Before Percy could respond, Ceres pouted. "Please?" The goddess's plea held a soft sincerity.
Percy, touched by the genuine plea in Ceres' eyes, felt a shift in the dynamics of their interaction. The goddess of harvest, one of the eldest children of Kronos and Rhea now appeared vulnerable, her desire for companionship and connection laid bare. It was a reminder that even gods, in their immortal existence, sought family.
He sighed, a mixture of reluctance and happiness playing on his face. "Alright, alright. But on one condition: no overprotective mom moments. I've had my fair share of those. And call me Percy."
Ceres' expression softened into a grateful smile. "Agreed, Percy. No overprotective mom moments. For now."
He felt a hand on his shoulder. Percy felt a rush of power. "That is my blessing. You will have the powers that my children will have, and understand Latin now. You are a Roman."
Percy gazed at Ceres, his newfound mother, with a mix of curiosity and wariness. The goddess reached out, presenting him with a celestial bronze scythe. Its blade shimmered with an otherworldly darkness, and the hilt was adorned with intricate engravings reminiscent of both darkness and tranquility.
"This," Ceres declared, "is Messor Mortis. A weapon of balance made with imperial gold, forged from the essence of stygian ice, blessed by none other than yours truly."
Messor Mortis. Harvester of Death, Percy thought.
Percy accepted the scythe, feeling its weight and power in his hands. The gold seemed to respond to his touch, the dark aura around it resonating with the conflicting forces within him.
"Imperial gold?" He asked. "What's that?"
"It is a godly metal, much like celestial bronze. However, combined with the stygian ice, it can suck the soul out of mortals."
"The sea and the earth, intertwined," Ceres continued.. "Just as your powers are. Messor Mortis is a conduit for that connection. It can be a force of life or death, depending on how you wield it."
Percy eyed the dark blade, a reflection of his inner struggles. "What do you want me to do with it?"
Ceres smiled, a blend of maternal warmth and divine wisdom. "I believe you will need it soon enough. Your troubles are far from over."
As Percy gripped the scythe, he felt a surge of power and purpose. Messor Mortis, a weapon born from the gods, resonated with his essence.
The grass seemed to acknowledge the scythe, the flowers swaying in a dance.
"Remember, Percy Jackson, the choices you make will shape the destiny of not just yourself, but the very world you strive to protect," Ceres spoke with a solemn tone.
With Messor Mortis in hand, Percy stood, the weight of the scythe now a symbol of his newfound responsibility. The path ahead was uncertain, but with the dark blade as his guide, Percy felt a renewed sense of purpose.
LINE BREAK
ANNABETH
Annabeth stood by the shoreline, the sound of the waves echoing the turmoil within her. Percy's departure had left an emptiness in the camp, but it was the the fact that he had left her that haunted her the most.
As she watched the sunset, memories of their argument replayed in her mind like an unending loop.
She couldn't shake the weight of her own words. The harsh accusations she hurled at Percy during that heated exchange continued to haunt her, each word carving a deeper wound in her heart. Percy, the person she loved most, had walked away, and she was left alone to grapple with the consequences of her actions.
The camp, once a sanctuary, now felt like a lonely place. The whispers and glances from her fellow demigods served as a constant reminder of the divide she had unintentionally caused. As a daughter of Athena, Annabeth prided herself on her strategic mind, but this time, her emotions had gotten the best of her.
She wandered through camp, feeling the weight of the gazes upon her. Friends who once confided in her now kept a cautious distance, uncertain of how to navigate the tension that lingered in Percy's absence. The unease she had hoped to dispel by sharing Percy's struggles had only intensified.
Was this how Percy felt? She might never know.
Alone in her cabin, Annabeth replayed the events in her mind, questioning every word she had said to Percy. The fear that had driven her to reveal his powers now seemed like a hasty decision. She had hoped that transparency would bring understanding, but all she achieved was pushing Percy away.
"Maybe I should have given him more time," she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible in the empty room. "Maybe I should have trusted that he'd find a way to overcome it, just like he always does."
She sighed. She didn't deserve Percy. All she did was push him away.
The memories of Percy's laughter and the warmth in his eyes haunted her. The Percy she knew was a hero, someone who faced insurmountable odds with a brave smile. But in her fear for his safety and the safety of the camp, she had lost sight of the person behind the powers.
As the days passed, Annabeth took on the responsibility of keeping the camp together, a task that felt increasingly difficult. She tried to ease tensions, explaining Percy's side of the story to those willing to listen. However, the division persisted, and the once-unified camp now seemed fractured.
She couldn't escape the guilt that gnawed at her, the awareness that her actions had contributed to the isolation Percy must have been be feeling. The realisation that she had become a source of hurt for him weighed heavily on her shoulders.
One evening, while sitting alone in the Athena cabin, Annabeth received a visitor. Chiron who had always been a guiding figure, entered with a somber expression. His presence was both comforting and a stark reminder of the consequences of her choices.
"Annabeth, I understand the fear that drove you to reveal Percy's struggles. But we must also acknowledge the unintended consequences," Chiron spoke with a measured tone, his gaze filled with understanding.
Annabeth nodded, her eyes betraying her true emotions. "I never meant for things to turn out like this."
Chiron sighed, taking a seat across from her. "Fear can cloud our judgment, even the judgment of the wisest among us. Percy is a resilient young man, but he needs time to come to terms with these changes. Pushing him away may not have been the solution."
A heavy silence settled in the room, the weight of the situation pressing down on Annabeth. She couldn't shake the feeling that she had failed Percy, that her actions had driven a wedge between them that might be irreparable.
"Give him space, Annabeth. And in the meantime, try to mend the bonds that have frayed within the camp. Unity is our strength, and we cannot afford to let fear divide us," Chiron advised, his words resonating with both wisdom and compassion.
The following days became a delicate dance for Annabeth. She attempted to bridge the gaps within the camp, to reassure her fellow demigods that Percy, despite his powers, was still the hero they had all relied on.
Yet, the tension lingered, and the unease seemed woven into the camp life.
One night, unable to sleep, Annabeth found herself at the shoreline where Percy had confided in her about his fears. The waves, once a source of solace, now mirrored the turbulence within her. She gazed out into the darkness, her thoughts consumed by Percy and the choices that had led them to this point.
A rustle in the shadows caught her attention, and she turned to find her mother standing at the edge of the shoreline. Her presence sent a jolt through her.
"Mother," she whispered, uncertainty lacing her voice.
She approached slowly, his gaze meeting hers.. The distance between them felt impossibly long.
"Annabeth," Athena began evenly, his voice carrying the weight of the days they had spent apart. "I needed to talk to you."
Annabeth swallowed hard, the lump in her throat making it difficult to respond. She nodded, encouraging her to continue.
"Your hubris has blinded you," She explained, his eyes searching hers for understanding. "I understand that you are grieving, although I do not understand why you would grieve for a son of Poseidon. But you must hear this."
Athena continued. "Pride has always been a sore point for me and my children. But-"
She was cut off as her face morphed into a different one. Similar, yet more bitter, more vengeful.
"Mother?" She said tentatively.
"Look what they did to me," Athena, or rather her look-alike, boomed. "They turned me into a minor goddess!"
"I dont-"
"Even now, they give offerings to Bellona! Why not me?" She wailed. "And your supposed lover has become one of them. Take the mark, and restore my honour. Lest you cease to become my daughter."
The goddess tossed a coin, and Annabeth caught it. "Mother, who is-."
Athena screamed again, pain and bitterness in her eyes. "FIND IT! FOLLOW THE MARK! DO WHAT YOUR SIBLINGS COULD NOT!"
And the goddess was gone, as well as any thoughts of having a peaceful conversation with her mother.
The camp, the whispers, the unease – it all seemed distant in that moment. Annabeth was alone. As she walked back to camp, she had learnt only one thing.
Her mother was bat-shit crazy.
BOOM! CHAPTER OVER! Ok, don't come after me, I know that Ceres adopting Percy (At least in that way) is unbelievable.
Any pairing suggestions? No Annabeth, and DEFINITELY no Artemis. Leaning towards Reyna, but if you guys REALLY want someone specific, I'll try. Anyway, hope you enjoyed. Review, criticise, give suggestions. Over and out!