Letting go doesn't mean that you don't care about someone anymore. It's just realising that the only person you really have control over is yourself.
"My name is Vivienne Monroe. I am nineteen. My hobbies are drawing, eating and sleeping-"
"Sounds a lot like Percy," Reyna snickered, interrupting a now frowning Thalia. The huntress looked up from her paper, shooting Reyna a glare.
"Honestly, this prophecy is hard enough as it is," she snapped. "Are you going to help or not?" Reyna leaned back, a thoughtful expression crossing her features.
"Thalia, you forced Vivienne to write a page about her, when you're missing the main point. The oracle said Vivienne will find the key herself."
"No it didn't," Thalia corrected, her voice edged with frustration. "It said she has the key, nothing about who'll find it." Reyna shrugged.
"Well I've put my faith in Vivienne, and I'd advise you to do the same. She'll figure it out soon enough." The huntress grumbled, muttering something about dealing with the annoying prophecy later, but nevertheless crumpled up the paper, shoving it into one of her back pockets.
They'd been on the road for a few hours now, and twilight was approaching. When Phoebe had noticed an open burger shop, she asked (forced) Reyna to pull over so they could all get something to eat. Vivienne had immediately agreed, her stomach rumbling. Apparently the hunters were used to not eating for hours at a time, a feat Vivienne wasn't fond of. She stared at her nearly finished burger, wishing it would regrow or something so that she could eat it again. Unfortunately, she wasn't a god like Leo, though it did make her wonder if gods could create food like that.
"Staring at that burger isn't gonna make it grow back," Thalia chuckled, wiping her hands on a tissue and downing her glass of water. "Just finish it off so we can get out of here." Phoebe chuckled lightly.
"Let the girl enjoy her food in peace, Thalia," she chided. "Here." The huntress slid her plate of golden, crispy chips across the table towards Vivienne. "You can eat mine if you'd like. I ordered too much anyway."
"Like usual," Thalia smirked, while Phoebe just rolled her eyes. Vivienne nodded thankfully, taking a couple and devouring them.
"Thank you," she mumbled, her mouth full. "Wow, these taste really good."
"I know," Phoebe nodded. "Honestly, I wish I could make room for them, but it's just not happening." Vivienne nodded. She was surprised by how small a hunter's appetite was. Already, she'd almost eaten double the amount Phoebe had, and was still ready for more.
As Vivienne continued munching on her chips, Phoebe and Reyna exchanged glances.
"We should probably head back to the car and join Atalanta," Reyna suggested, pushing her empty plate slightly. Phoebe nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, she's driving the next leg as well, so it's best for us to give her some pre-driving tips. With a collective farewell nod to Thalia and Vivienne, Phoebe and Reyna rose from their seats and headed out of the restaurant, their steps echoing against the tiled floor. Vivienne found herself inhaling the chips with surprising gusto, lost in the savoury flavours. She honestly didn't know how such a small, closed off restaurant had made them so deliciously.
When she finally looked up, she noticed Thalia's amused smile directed her way.
"Why the grin?" Vivienne asked, a chip perched between her fingers. Thalia leaned back in her chair, her expression fond.
"It's just the way you're attacking those chips," she replied with a soft chuckle, her voice carrying a hint of reminiscence.
"Attacking?" Vivienne echoed. She blinked, then shrugged. "Well, when you're hungry…" Thalia's smile widened, and it seemed to carry stories of its own.
"It's more than just being hungry. It's the way you're digging in, the same way someone I knew used to."
"Let me guess, Percy Jackson?" Thalia looked at her in an almost wistful way.
"Percy Jackson," she agreed, slowly nodding her head. "The way he used to eat, with that mix of enthusiasm and urgency, like every bite might be his last."
"Sounds intense," Vivienne remarked, half amused and half intrigued.
"Oh it was. Me, Annabeth and Grover would constantly tease him about it, but he never cared. As Percy would say, 'there's no point in eating fast, when you can eat slow.'" Vivienne snorted.
"That doesn't make sense?"
"Ah, but it's Percy," Thalia grinned. "It didn't need to make sense. All he needed to do was say something, and people would be quoting it for the next century." The air seemed to now carry a sombre weight, a reminder of the missing god who had left an indelible mark on their world.
"Percy Jackson," Vivienne echoed softly. "I know we're going on a quest to see him, but what was he actually like before… before he left?" Thalia's eyes softened, a hint of sadness shadowing her features. She leaned forward, as if drawing strength from the memories she was about to share.
"Percy... he was something else. You know, you hear tales of heroes and think they're exaggerated, but Percy was the real deal. The kind of person you couldn't help but admire."
Vivienne's curiosity deepened, and she listened intently as Thalia spoke.
"He had a heart of gold. He was kind, genuinely caring about everyone around him. I remember when we went on the quest to save Lady Artemis all those years ago, when Percy stood ready to face an army of zombie-skeleton monsters all by himself, just so the rest of us could escape." Vivienne sighed with a mix of emotions.
"And more," Thalia continued. "Percy would always see the best in people, even when they didn't see it in themselves. It was partly because of this and his trust in others that allowed us to win the Second Titan War. After Nico accidentally got Percy locked up, he still trusted Nico to convince Lord Hades to join in the war, something that helped us isolate the Titan Lord near the end of the battle." She leaned in, captivated by the stories.
"He sounds incredible."
"He was," Thalia affirmed, her voice mixed with pride and sorrow. "And powerful…" she sighed. Vivienne frowned.
"Why do you sound so miserable saying that?" she asked. "Surely him being powerful was a good thing?"
"Percy…" Thalia began. "He never wanted power. When he accepted godhood, his only request was to not have any powerful domains, but of course, the Fates had other ideas. Most people would've been overjoyed if they got Percy's domains, but not him. A part of me feels like towards the end of his time with us, he started to resent himself… for what he became."
"And what did he become?" Vivienne urged. "Why did he leave five hundred years ago? Come on, tell me."
Thalia's expression shifted, a mixture of regret and hesitation clouding her features. She sighed, her gaze dropping to the table.
"I've said too much already. Some things are better left... unsaid, buried beneath the layers of time."
Vivienne's eyes widened, her curiosity piqued even more.
"Thalia, please. I want to understand." Thalia's lips tightened, and she pushed her empty plate aside, her fingers tracing the rim.
"I can't, Vivienne. Some stories... they're too personal, too painful. And I won't tarnish Percy's memory by revealing things neither he, nor Artemis would want shared." Vivienne's brows furrowed, torn between her desire to know and her respect for Thalia's boundaries. She sighed, leaning back in her chair.
"I understand, Thalia." The huntress's gaze softened, and she offered a faint smile, though it was tinged with sadness.
"Thank you for understanding." Pushing her chair back, Thalia stood up and gestured to her empty plate.
"I'm going to head out and wait for you in the car. Take your time and meet us when you're done."
As Thalia walked away, Vivienne was left alone with her thoughts, the weight of Percy's unspoken struggles lingering in the air. She traced the rim of her own plate, lost in the reflections of what it meant to bear the mantle of a hero. The restaurant's sounds seemed distant, almost dreamlike, as she contemplated the complexities of Percy's journey, his humanity, and the burdens he had carried. She burned to know the true story behind him. What were his domains? Why did he leave? And most importantly, where was he? Keys, she muttered to herself. How useless of a prophecy.
Tucking in her chair, Vivienne wiped her hands with the restaurant's provided wipes, her thoughts still lingering on the conversation with Thalia. With a sigh, she pushed herself up, ready to leave and join Thalia in the car. She made her way towards the exit, lost in her own musings.
Just as she was about to step outside, a gentle hand touched her arm, stopping her in her tracks. She turned, her brows furrowing in surprise, to find a waitress standing beside her, wearing a polite but slightly concerned smile.
"Excuse me, miss," the waitress began, her voice soft and apologetic. "I'm sorry to stop you, but it seems you forgot to settle your bill." Vivienne's eyes widened in realisation, a flush of embarrassment creeping up her cheeks.
"Oh, I'm so sorry," she stammered. "I completely forgot." The waitress offered a reassuring smile.
"It happens to the best of us. Can I please have your table number? I'll check the bill for you." Vivienne quickly provided her table number, feeling her cheeks grow warmer with each passing second. She watched as the waitress checked her tablet and then looked up, her expression somewhat surprised.
"The total comes to $150," the waitress stated. Vivienne's eyes widened, her heart skipping a beat.
"I'm sorry, could you repeat that?" The waitress repeated the amount, her tone polite and patient.
"$150." Vivienne's jaw almost dropped. She had expected the bill to be reasonable, given what she had ordered, but this amount was far beyond her anticipation. Her mind raced as she mentally calculated the costs of her meal, trying to make sense of the number.
"Are you sure?" she finally managed to ask, her voice a mix of disbelief and shock. "We only ordered chips and fried chicken?" The waitress nodded, still wearing a patient smile. "Yes, miss. That's the total. Evidently someone also ordered several boxes to take-away. Twenty-seven to be exact." Her cheeks hot, she fumbled around in her pockets for her debit card.
One thing for certain, she was gonna destroy Thalia when she got out of here.
"And, dinner is served." Percy carefully gave his sister a beautiful, freshly cut steak, straight from the cow. He'd learned the hard way that living in isolation also meant preparing and cooking his own food. Of course, he could summon it, but Hecate might sense something and send half of Olympus to his island, something he really didn't want. He loved the Olympians; they were like family to him, but there was a reason he left all those years ago, and it certainly wasn't to be found again.
"Brother, my, my, these look fine!" His sister was clearly overjoyed, immediately digging into her food with her hands. Of course, Percy wrinkled his nose.
"At least use a knife and fork," he mumbled, sitting down opposite her, seasoning his steak before taking a bite. It was delicious, of course it was, Percy made it, but even with his sister, the meal felt lonely.
Percy's house alone was a testament to his years of solitude. Built with rough-hewn timbers from the dense forest that bordered the flat plains of the island, it possessed a rugged charm that reflected both Percy's resourcefulness and the harsh reality of his chosen lifestyle. The exterior bore the marks of weathering, the salty sea breeze having left its faint traces on the timber walls.
The design was simple, yet functional. Large windows that he'd spent a long time figuring out how to make, dotted the walls, allowing generous streams of sunlight to filter into the interior. As the sun dipped lower on the horizon, the warm hues painted the living space in a comforting amber glow. Upon entering the house, the rustic ambiance continued. Downsaits, he only had one, circular main room, with a small toilet boxed into the side. The main room served multiple purposes: it was Percy's dining area, his study, and his living room all in one. Bookshelves fashioned from driftwood lined one wall, holding a collection of tomes that covered subjects from Greek mythology to mist manipulation (a gift from Hecate.) A worn but comfortable armchair was tucked into a corner, its fabric patched here and there but still inviting. Against another wall stood a sturdy wooden table, laden with handmade tools, scraps of parchment, and notes scribbled in Percy's distinctive, messy handwriting. This was where he tinkered and created, cobbling together the necessities of his life: fishing traps, makeshift devices to harness the island's energy, and even a water filtration system that relied on cleverly repurposed materials… Okay, and perhaps a bit of Poseidon power as well.
"Percy," his sister sighed, offering a small smile. "I've seen that look in your eyes, I know what it means." He sighed, choosing to ignore her and focus on his steal. Somehow, even though it had been five minutes, Percy was barely a quarter into his steak, while his sister had nearly finished.
"Brother," she pressed. "You can choose to ignore me all you want, but it doesn't change the fact that this isn't your home-"
"This IS my home!" Percy said, raising his voice. When he noticed, he took a deep breath, collecting himself. "I've lived her most of my life, and I plan to continue living here for as long as-"
"As long as what!?" she snapped. "You don't belong here! Get up, get out, and move on!" He chuckled lightly to himself, almost as if it were all an inside joke.
"You've known me for how long, sister? Four hundred years, give or take?" She nodded slowly. "Then you know that I'm not leaving, not until I right a wrong, and we both know that isn't happening." His sister let out a heavy sigh, her initial frustration giving way to a more subdued demeanour. She leaned back in her chair and looked at him, her gaze softened by a mix of concern and understanding. After a moment of silence, she spoke in a gentle tone, "Percy, I know this place has been your sanctuary, your refuge from everything that's happened. But it's also kept you isolated, cut off from the world and the people who care about you." He clenched his jaw, his frustration still simmering beneath the surface. He didn't want to admit that his sister had a point, that his stubborn determination to stay on the island had likely cost him more than he realised, but there was so much more to the story. He wasn't here for himself, no, he despised this island just as much. Rather, he was here for the benefit of other people, something no one seemed to understand.
"She misses you, you know?" his sister continued, her voice almost a whisper. "You could've left to save her, you could've left to save Olympus, you could've left to save yourself. It doesn't change the fact that with every passing minute, she yearns to see you again." Percy squeezed his eyes shut, a torrent of emotions flooding his mind. Memories of his love - her fierce determination, her radiant smile, the way she challenged him, loved him - rushed back, more vivid than ever. He could feel her absence like an ache in his chest, a constant reminder of the choice he had made.
"I don't want to talk about her," he muttered, his voice strained. Opening his eyes, he looked out the window, fixating on the now-moonlit landscape beyond. The waves whispered against the shore, as if carrying secrets he was unwilling to confront. His sister respected his silence, recognizing the pain he was feeling. She let the moment stretch, allowing him to grapple with his emotions. Finally, she spoke again, her voice carrying a gentle reassurance.
"Percy, I just want you to be happy. I want you to find peace, and we both know it's not gonna happen here." He turned his gaze back to her, his eyes reflecting a mixture of turmoil and longing.
"You don't understand," he said, his voice softer now. "I made a promise to her, a promise to protect her from the dangers that come with my world. Tell me now, sister, how can I keep that promise if I go back?" His sister reached across the table, placing her hand over his. Although not one for physical affection, her touch was warm and comforting, a silent gesture of support.
"I understand more than you think," she said. "Remember I'm your sister, but also remember, sometimes the greatest act of love is to let someone back into your life, even if it means facing the challenges together." Percy held his sister's gaze for a moment, the weight of her words sinking in. Then, with a heavy sigh, he withdrew his hand and stood up from the table. "I need some air," he murmured, walking toward the door. As he stepped outside into the cool night, he couldn't escape the internal battle that raged within him, the conflict between his love for… for her… and his unwavering determination to shield her from the dangers he knew all too well.
His sister followed him, her footsteps barely audible against the soft grass. She joined him, her presence a quite reassurance as he gazed upon the moonlit waves.
"I suppose I haven't been entirely honest with you," she began, her voice carrying a tinge of solemnity. "A quest has been issued by the Oracle to find you. It turns out that 'Seeker' prophecy wasn't such a myth as you thought. The girl is called Vivienne, a daughter of Hephaestus, and she's coming with four others to try and find you." He sighed.
"And why are you telling me this? Don't you want them to come and find me? So they can bring me back to the gods, despite it being against my wishes?" His sister met his gaze with a steady look.
"Because you're my brother, Percy. And despite your desire for isolation, you deserve to know. You've disconnected yourself so much from the outside world, from the people who care about you. It's time to face what's coming, and this way, at least you can be prepared." He sighed, his frustration apparent.
"I don't want them to come here. There's a reason no one knows where I live. I've managed fine on my own all these years." Her lips curved into a teasing smile, a lightness amidst the seriousness.
"What are you going to do about it, then?" Percy looked at her, his brow furrowing.
"What can I do?" There was a thoughtful silence before she spoke again.
"Send her a message." Percy frowned.
"Message? If I send an IMessage, Olympus knows where I am in ten seconds." Her response was a playful slap on the back of his head.
"Not that, but a different type of message. A type that gods use all the time, one that's virtually untraceable. He frowned, his reluctance evident.
"You mean through her dreams? That's... I've never done that before." She snickered.
"Well, there's a first time for everything you know. Now goodnight brother, I'll be in the guest room if you need me." She turned around and left, leaving Percy alone in the moonlight, retracing the events that had led to his isolation.
It was time for him to do something he'd never done before. Of course, Hypnos would never tell the Olympian's, but the task still both excited and scared him. This would be his first ever communication with the outside world, though it'd be very short.
It was time for Percy to communicate through the voice of dreams.
So, we're seeing some more of Percy (and his sister, though no one has guessed correctly who she is.) The next chapter will have another flashback, along with some more drama in the quest! Hope you enjoy, and please do read and review, and of course, happy August 18th : )