Percy had not had a demigod dream in some time.
He had honestly hoped they had gone away with what he had become as a demi-immortal. He had thought they did, in fact. His dreams of late had been pretty repetitive and vague, but last night felt way more real. There was no layer of disconnect between himself and his dream like there was in any other dream. He was there, in the room with the chair with the snake, just like he had been there to spy on Kronos and the Titans while he slept.
Percy knew what a demigod dream meant in the broadest sense. While he didn't understand how it happened, he knew what it would lead to. He now only had to wait for reality to catch up and come for him, and hopefully, the snake was less important than the one he knew of in the myths. If it was, though….
The son of Poseidon reached into his pocket and pulled out his familiar pen-sword.
Anaklusmos, a cursed blade by the words of Ares, was blessed into his hands by its creator, Zoe Nightshade, by her final breaths. By his hand, it had reaped its fair share. Every time the celestial bronze had tasted the air, it had been sheathed, quenched of its thirst for death.
His thumb traced over the Greek letters inscribed on the side of the pen. His brain auto-translated the characters, leaving him with the unexpected tide staring up at him.
He was going to have to uncap this blade soon. It was inevitable. If he was experiencing demigod dreams again. Now, he would only have to stop his hand from shaking and his heart from racing whenever that moment came.
Was it so hard for the Fates to bestow someone else with hardships?
But would he allow someone else to suffer if he could spare them?
Whatever Hekate had dragged him into, did she expect Percy to handle it? And whatever thing that had sat in that chair, declaring itself a lord, it wasn't ever going to be good for Percy's life.
Percy stood out of bed, rolling his neck and shoulders, hearing them pop and crack like a snare drum. Sluggishly, he made his way to his bathroom, where the cold stone floor of the castle awoke him more than any coffee could. Despite that, he would take Olive's coffee over the cold stone any day. The rich taste mixed with the sight of the rising sun…. He was going to miss it, seeing the golden rays dance across the morning dew that dripped from the leaves of his crop.
Perhaps he could find something similar here. It was a castle, after all, surrounded by mountains, trees, and a giant lake. There had to be somewhere worth watching the sunrise from.
Maybe Roger knew a spot?
Percy blinked, opening his eyes to the world and free from the clutches of Morpheus. He stood before the mirror, staring at the shadow of the man who once was while he brushed his teeth. The scar down the side of his face stood back.
"Mercy!"
Percy flinched away from the mirror. He only turned back, avoiding his own gaze, to spit the toothpaste out of his mouth and into the sink before quickly stepping out of the bathroom and towards the exit of his room.
Slowly, he trudged to his door, where he slipped on an outfit for the day, along with some socks and shoes to protect himself from the cold. He felt a weight settle on his being, stopping him from moving towards the door. The pen in his pocket, slowing him like an anchor.
This was all supposed to be a new start.
The troubled teen stood at the threshold of the door, his hand ghosting the metal of the knob. He turned his head over his shoulder, his eyes falling up where his wand lay forgotten.
He was supposed to be a wizard now, a new person. Wizards did not brandish fists and swords….
He eyed the length of palm wood on his desk. He could almost hear the siren within the wand calling to him, begging to be heard.
This is a new start.
The wand was lighter than the sword in his pocket.
Wand in hand, he opened the door, nearly colliding with Roger, who had one hand up to knock.
"Just the bloke I was on my way to wake," the teen smiled.
Percy gave him a forced smile, "Morning."
"Morning to you, too. Ready to eat? Breakfast at Hogwarts is some of the best. Just don't let my mom know I said that."
"I won't," Percy replied, taking the lead down the steps. He needed to find Hekate and talk with her, away from unindoctrinated ears.
"You sleep good? I know first nights can be rough in a new place," Roger asked before quickly adding on. "I mean, my family moved around a bunch when I was a kid. Never slept well the first week at a new home."
"It was fine." Percy shrugged, lying. "It was sleep."
"I bet you slept like a baby after beating all of us at exploding snap." The brown-haired boy grinned. "I don't buy it that you've never played before."
Percy shrugged again, "Beginners luck, I suppose."
"Aye, that's what we'll call it. Next time, we won't take it easy on you."
Percy knew it would not matter. His demigod reflexes were too ingrained into him for him not to win. He'd have to be intentionally sabotaging himself if a card ever popped in his hand.
The two boys exited the stairwell into the common room. Once more, Percy had to take the room in, but this time, it was glowing by the light of the morning sun that streamed in through the mosaic windows where baby blue curtains adored with various stars and constellations were pulled to the side to make way for Apollo's rays. Percy couldn't help but wonder if The Huntress could be found upon the delicate silk. His eyes drifted away from the windows to the amphitheater-like room. The fire was not burning. It wasn't even there. Instead, he was met by the familiar trickle of water as it fell from a fountain into a small pool. Various colored flowers grew from the base of the stone fountain.
While he didn't spy any dirt, he was sure that magic must have fed the plants enough nutrition to grow and blossom as they did. Perhaps he should learn how to do that for back home. It would allow him to grow something interesting throughout the cold winter months when the skies froze and the ground hardened.
"I'll be back in a minute." Roger broke Percy from his thoughts, stepping away. Percy nodded, watching him go for a moment before he let his eyes look across the room for Hekate.
Children, younger and older, littered about the room, forming small groups that slowly migrated out. Other groups lingered, their eyes casting back towards the stairs from which the rooms lay.
Hekate immediately met Percy's gaze as he closed the gap between the two, leaving behind the group of girls that had been at her side.
"Morning, Perseus." She smiled, pushing back her dark hair.
"We have a problem," Percy mumbled under his breath, his eyes casting to Roger, who was busy conversing with one of his friends from last night.
Hekate sighed, rolling her eyes and keeping the smile across her black-glossed lips, "Of course you do. You never stop. Wait for later. We are having fun today, and I'm not compromising."
The goddess made to turn away, but he quickly snatched her elbow, forcing her back to the conversation.
"No, this is serious."
Her eyes lingered on where his hand gripped her arm before she slowly raised her head, a brow raised.
"Was there a pea under your bed last night, Princess?" Hekate joked, a teasing smile dominating her face. Yet, he could see the restrained emotions bubbling in her eyes. "I am sure whatever you want to complain about is something you can fix yourself. You are a capable young man. Now," her smile fell away, "let go of me."
He gripped her arm tighter, even as she tried to pull away.
"So you two ready for brekkie?" Roger asked from the side.
Percy let go of her arm and gave Hekate a slight shake of his head.
Don't push me aside.
Hekate turned to Roger with a forced smile, "Lead the way, honey."
"Cate…." This is serious.
"Yes, Perseus?"
Percy glanced at Roger, who was awkwardly looking between the two.
"I had a dream."
Hekate hesitated, her face furrowing, concerned, and just as quickly, she plastered a smile over her face, "So did Martin Luther. Now hurry up, and let us get to breakfast. Classes don't start till Monday. You have two days to tell me all about your dream. Today, we are focusing on why we came here and not what we left behind." She turned and began walking away, offering her arm to Roger, who hesitated before meeting Hekate's eyes and quickly took it. "You can tell me all about it later, Percy. I swear, let's just be for now, like we planned."
Roger tossed him a sympathetic look over his shoulder with a shrug.
Percy sucked in air between gritted teeth and forced out a lengthy breath.
"Gods," he hissed under his breath. "The world would be better without you."
Percy followed after Hekate, and his hand fell into his pocket where Anaklusmos awaited. The pen warmed beneath his touch, begging to be set free, and he quickly let go.
Now wasn't the time. Hekate was not his enemy, as far as he knew.
Yet, it would be only a matter of time before the bronze cleaved once more.
Down the moving and ever-changing steps of the castle, Percy glared as he watched Hekate flirt with the teen.
Percy had no qualms saying he didn't like her.
She preached altruism and how she plans to help him just to turn around and push him away when he comes to her with a problem. She speaks of taking part in the world as passengers only to turn and bask in the addled minds of those succumbing to her divinity.
Did she even care about him like she wanted him to believe? Was this trip to help him, or was it for her? She swore on the Styx he wasn't a means to entertain her, but that isn't an ironclad swear for the gods….
The gods…. For the most part, they were problematic, to say the least.
Yet, Hekate, was she flawed as a being, or was her state of being the flaw?
He'd like to think it was just her, yet many of the other gods suffered the same sickness that ran through her veins and now grew in his.
Immortality.
Was he doomed to such a fate? Would he ascend and lose awareness of other's plights and care for only his own pleasures as she did? Would he be no better than the other gods?
He'd rather be the monster than the lost.
:P LINE BREAK d:
"Last night, this guy" – Roger pointed his thumb at Percy, who was sat beside him –"says he's never played exploding snap before. So, being the amazing person I am, I introduce him to it with my mates, and I don't just say this simply, but the kid wipes the floor with us. Not one card explodes in his hand. It was like he was born to win."
"Who would have thought that, Percy? Sounds like you have a new calling," Hekate added, giggling to Roger's commentary.
"How great." Percy rolled his eyes, pushing his focus back to his breakfast. Thankfully the British had enough talent not to make piss-poor eggs.
"So, what are your plans for today, Cate?" Roger asked.
Interested, Percy looked to her. After all, she would more than likely drag him along to whatever it was.
"I'm not really sure where to begin, actually. I had thought it would be the Black Lake, but something about it felt off when we came across it last night on the boats. But I'm going to find something fun all the same for Percy and me."
Roger nodded, chewing on his food.
"Probably the curse," he said, pointing his fork at her. "The lake, I mean."
"Oh?" She leaned forward. "I haven't heard of that before."
"Well, it's not called the Black Lake for nothing. Know what I'm saying?"
"Of course, but not at all."
"Right, so, while most people think it has to do with the lake's color, it actually has to do with the Black family way back before the lake even existed. You see, my mum is big into her history and stuff, right? She does a lot of magical archeology, and her dream project is actually about the town that sits at the depths of the lake. I can't remember her lectures on it perfectly, but it used to be a small place. Home to more than a few wizarding families. Importantly, the Blacks were the ruling family of the settlement. One day, for some reason or another, what was once a small town in the valley of the mountains became a lake. They say the blood of the Blacks caught in the flood stained the lake, turning it to the dark color it is now, cursing and corrupting anything that sinks beneath the surface."
"That is…." Hekate frowned, eyebrows scrunching as she looked down. "That is weird."
Roger shrugged. "It's magic. Atlantis disappeared overnight. A valley filling with water overnight feels much easier to accept than a supposedly advanced civilization that had mastered magics beyond the bounds of wizards today being lost forever with zero trace."
"Is the lake protected by any water spirits?" Percy asked. "You know, like the Lady of the Lake or something?"
Roger shrugged, "Don't think so. It's got mermaids, though. There's the giant squid and a few other notable fellas in there before you get down to the more nitty and gritty busy bees."
Percy frowned, "How did a giant squid get in there? If it is a lake, I assume it isn't saltwater."
Roger shrugged, "Magic is the easy answer. Sadly, I don't have the answer you probably wanted to know. I could owl my mum. She might have an idea."
"No. It's fine. It isn't that big of a concern anyways," Percy said before taking the last forkful of food from his plate.
"Aye. Offer stands."
"Thanks."
"Roger!" a teen sank down next to him.
Percy recognized him from last night. He had been one of the other boys playing the card game. He was, in fact, the one who ended up in second.
"Duncan." Roger slapped him on the shoulder, gripping the boy's collarbone and shaking him. Roger turned to Hekate, "Cate, meet Duncan Inglebee. One of the beaters for the Claws."
Hekate smiled, "Nice to meet you."
"You as well, Cate. I like that name." Duncan winked at her before turning to Roger and Percy. "And there's the champ from last night, mate. How are you feeling today? Up for some more fun?"
More fun? Percy hesitated. What do wizards find fun?
"I'm not sure," Percy replied.
"Not sure, eh? It's a good thing I've got you covered, then. Despite the teachers canceling the season for the tournament, I've already heard the Gryfs trying to throw together some casual matches for the day," Duncan explained. "It is open rosters for anyone to play. Roger, I already signed you up with me and Jason. I was going to talk to Cho next, but either she is still in bed or off in a broom closet with Ced."
"Broom closet, for sure. Saw her leave the common room before we came down," Roger provided. "Percy, have you ever played seeker?"
"What's that?"
"' What's that', he says. Do you hear this guy, Rog? Mate, you live under a rock back in the States? Didn't know snap and now quidditch."
"Take it easy on him. They joke about the American education system for a reason."
"True," Duncan conceded. "Either way, Percy, you want in? You could also probably be a chaser or even a beater if you want. I wouldn't mind swapping things up for some fun."
Percy frowned, "I don't think I should."
"Nonsense. You'll be fine if you can fly half as good as you played snap last night."
Percy shook his head, "No, like, I don't fly at all. It doesn't go well for me. I'll end up crashing and burning."
"Actually," Hekate budged in. "You can here, Percy."
"Uh, no, Cate. Are we forgetting that one guy we know?"
"I know exactly what you are worried about. It won't happen. It's like when you fly back home. Remember how your father made your ride? Similar thing here, but well, magical and me."
"I don't know what she means by that," Duncan cut in. "But, it sounds like you are in, to me."
Percy sighed. He had seen the sport of quidditch before at the World Cup, but back then, it was merely a distraction of the eyes as he didn't fully grasp what they were doing. Plus, he had been rather involved in his conversation with Victoria.
Although the game had seemed a bit like basketball or soccer but on a broom. And growing up in New York and camp, he had become really good at basketball.
He glanced at Hekate once more.
"He'll get back to you, gentleman," she answered for him. "He won't admit it, but he doesn't know how to fly on a broom, so I'll give him a quick lesson, and I'm sure he will be right as rain."
"Sounds good," Duncan said, slapping Roger's shoulder as he stood. "I'm off to find some others. The plan is to meet on the pitch after lunch. I'll see you guys later." He bade them a nod, his eyes lingering on Hekate before he turned away, further down the table.
Roger pushed his plate forward, "Sounds like we have a plan for the day. I'm off to pop by and say hello to some more people before the morning gets busy. I'll see you two at the pitch then. At least in the stands?"
"Of course," Hekate answered quickly. "We will see you later."
Roger nodded, "Cheers."
The two Greeks watched the teen wizard leave through the grand doors of the Great Hall before they turned to each other.
"I had hoped they would've left the season to be played out. Yet, I understand why they canceled it for the tournament," Hekate said, grabbing a grape from her plate and tossing it into her mouth.
Percy frowned. He recalled Hekate mentioning the tournament before. She had made some remarks in passing that he didn't care enough to listen to in full, but once more, it appeared in conversation. Maybe it would be best to know.
"The tournament, what was that again?"
"Triwizard Tournament. Weren't you listening last night after you were sorted?"
"Honestly? It went from the ordeal on the water to laying in bed for me last night. I didn't really listen to the singing hat and the grand speech."
"That grand speech was the opening announcement. That is important to know of."
"I have ADHD. If it doesn't interest me, it is in one ear and out the other."
Hekate nodded, conceding the point, "Right, well, listen this time, will you?"
"I'll try."
"The Triwizard tournament is happening this year. It is a big event that spans the year in full. A lot of production and organization on not just the staff but even the country itself as it is hosting schools from other regions as well. In short, balancing that with a school sports league isn't worth the effort, especially when the other two schools would likely be left out."
"Right, I understand that, but what actually is the tournament beyond a gauntlet of challenges? What's the big deal?"
"It is like the Olympics but for up-and-coming wizards. Previous winners were known to go on and become quite famous in their day. To win is a very prestigious award for a wizard or witch coming of age."
"Ok. Is this the part where you tell me you are forcing me to compete? Will throwing my hat back in the action make me feel better?"
"Didn't we go over this already?" Hekate groaned.
"Say we didn't. I have trust issues with immortals."
"I will not force you to compete at all, Perseus. I planned for it to be something for you to watch as a spectator, like the gladiatorial games of Rome. If you wish to compete, I won't stop you, but honestly, I doubt you would care to."
"I don't, so I don't want to be blindsided by you making me."
"Worry not. If you haven't noticed by now, Perseus. I have been trying to do what I can to make this the best it can be for you."
Percy couldn't stop the snort and eyebrow that rose.
"While it wasn't what I had planned for us today, let me teach you how to ride a broom so you can play quidditch with your new friends."
"They aren't my new friends," Percy mumbled, looking away.
Hekate let out a barking laugh and quickly wrangled herself in at Percy's glare, "Aww. Is wittle Perseus embarrassed to admit he has friends?"
"Piss off, Witch."
"No thanks." She stood. "Now, chop-chop. Let's have some fun now."
:P LINEBREAK d:
Percy really was stupid.
It's not that he really thought himself dumb or any such notion, but yet, here he was, standing beside Hekate, who had a wide grin on her face. She had just gotten done flying an example pattern on a broom and was now waiting for him to swing his leg over the piece of wood so he could fly himself.
"He's going to smite me," Percy insisted.
"Stop worrying. Just get on."
"I'm of the sea. I don't fly."
"The ocean evaporates into clouds all the time. Stop stalling."
"This is a broom, not a sea storm."
"It's just like a pegasus but less meat on the spine to cushion you."
"My gut is telling me this is wrong. My gut is never wrong."
"Such a baby. How did you save the world if you are too afraid to hover about the air?"
"Using a sword is vastly different than whatever you want to call this."
"You are leaving me with less and less chances to be nice about this."
"Why are you so insistent anyway?" Percy threw his hands up.
"So you can make more happy memories."
"What?"
"It's like I'm beating a dead horse over and over again. How often do I have to say this for you to believe me? I'm not trying to be evil or manipulate you into some nefarious plot. This is a vacation of healing. Now, you don't heal by staying in the blankets of comfort, so saddle up, horseboy. Don't make me ask again."
"Horse boy?" Percy frowned. He had heard worse. "This is more than blankets of comfort. This is me going into Thunderthigh's domain. The same one who has a hate boner for me."
Hekate sighed, "Fine. We'll do this the easy way then if it makes you feel better."
"The easy way?" he asked, watching Hekate saddle the broom.
"Get on."
"You are already on it."
She gave him a flat stare, "Don't be dumb. Use your brain, Perseus. Behind me."
"But what about him?"
"He cannot strike me down as well. You'll be safe with me, and then once you are over your fear. You will fly solo."
Percy stared at the spot behind her. It was just big enough for him to squeeze on before it went to the bristles of the broom. He glanced up to the goddess atop it already, who was watching him, waiting on him.
Would Zeus attempt to strike down Hekate if he was with her? Did Zeus even look to Europe anymore? She had mentioned that most of the gods didn't look back to Europe after they moved to the Heart of the West in America.
"You sure?" he asked, contemplating that it might actually be safe.
"Like riding a pegasus."
"Positive?"
"Percy," she said softly. "You have to trust me for all of this to work. This is just like the boat at the edge of the lake. A baby step to a leap later. I want to help you with your problems, not leave you to struggle."
But what of my dream? You don't care to listen and brushed me off even when I tried to bring it up again on the way here.
"Please, Percy."
You are double-sided for sure, Percy thought, meeting her eyes. Why do you treat me this way? What do you truly gain from helping me as you do? There is no way to know but to find out, is there?
Percy sighed and threw his leg over the bristles of the broom as he sat down on the thin wood. It was not as comfortable as a pegasus. It felt more like a bike seat, but somehow, it was an even skinnier seat. He also wished he had somewhere for his legs to saddle onto like he could with a horse of pegasus. Instead, he just had a stick to sit on and wherever he would put his hands….
"Hold on tight."
Percy frowned as he rushed to look for where he should place his hands. He was already practically straddling Hekate. It wasn't like he could hold onto the broom directly before him. Was he to reach around her?
"Hey, where am I supposed to hold onto?"
Hekate looked back at him and smiled.
It sent a chill down his spine, and his hands surged forward, wrapping around the goddess as the earth below became but a blur of green. The whipping winds tore into his eyes, forming water at the edges of them as he was forced to tuck his head down into the back of Hekate.
He clung to her like a lifeline as he peeked below them.
They had only been off the ground for moments, yet they were so far from the ground. This was no simple float and hover pattern like she had shown him. She had gone into the clouds, challenging Zeus's domain, to prove her claim.
He gripped her tighter.
They were so high in the sky that the castle of Hogwarts was a model figure beneath them, and the Black Lake was but a puddle.
He would never make it anywhere close to the ground before Zeus got the final laugh. Hekate was going to make him wind up dead. Of all the things in the world, he was going to die on a broom, flying into the heavens.
"You can stop gripping my breast so tightly, Perseus."
What….
Percy quickly moved his hands lower to her navel before ultimately switching to ghosting her sides.
"Sorry," he mumbled, cheeks burning hotter than ever, even more so than when he was inside a volcano. He could even feel his body start to sweat a bit at the rush of heat.
Gods…. She was going to think I was trying to grope her. Mom would beat me.
He swallowed the lump in his throat as he tried to lean away from Hekate.
"I don't mind, Perseus," she chuckled, leaning back into him as she brought the broom to a hover in the clouds. "If you think it would make you feel better, just let me know. I'm here for you."
Did she just…?
"What?" he stumbled out.
"This journey is to span a year, Perseus," she said while gently overlapping one of her hands with his own. "The goal is to make it a fun year, and I am not one to judge."
He stared at where her hand sat atop his, and he tried not to think about whether his hands were clammy or not, "I got that. I just… I don't know how to respond."
She laughed, leaning forward and away from him as she steadied herself on the broom, "Don't. I'd rather you not put your foot in your mouth. I might be too tempted to push you off the broom if you did." She winked at him over her shoulder.
"Right," Percy gulped, the heat lingering on his skin. Maybe it was because they were closer to the sun? Right? They were pretty high up, after all. And on top of that, the sky wasn't cracking open. Was she right? Was he genuinely safe on a broom? "Well, I don't think you were wrong."
"About?"
"We are flying with no thunderclouds, but I wouldn't say it is like a Pegasus. Maybe on a flying bicycle with how small the seating is."
"I have never ridden a bicycle before, and for assurance's sake, you have my blessings to use a broom and fly as you please. That will ensure protection over you from the King even when I am not on the broom with you."
She really meant it. It really was safe to fly on a broom then.
"T-thank you," he forced out between the frog in his throat.
"You are welcome, Perseus. I do hope you understand that I do not have ill intent for you despite not doing things that you agree with. We clash often, and I wish we did not. I merely wish to give you these small moments, these baby steps, as I have come to call them. I want to see you back to what you once were."
Back to what I once was…. Do you want the old Percy who could look himself in the mirror or the Percy who could stare down his enemy?
"I…."Percy frowned and turned his head to the side. The lump in his throat clogged his words, but he had to know.
"Yes, Perseus?"
He had to ask. He had to swallow his nerves. He had to know.
"Do you… do you…." He groaned, resting his head against her back. He couldn't.
"Never mind," he mumbled.
"I see…." She trailed off. "Shall I show you where the real fun is at on a broom, then? If you have no questions to ask."
"Sure," he mumbled, gently moving his hands to grab her waist.
"Hold on, then."
They nosedived.
Spiraling towards the earth below.
It was terrifying. It stole the worries of his mind.
It was exhilarating. It stole away the lump in his throat as he screamed as if he was a kid on a roller coaster.
It was a rush that he didn't know he needed it, a distraction from reality….
At that moment, he knew. He'd rather look like a witch from a fairy tale, riding around on a broom, than the thing that left the Pit.
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