Chapter V
More question that answers.
"Terra is a land of opportunity! Filled with gullible and power-hungry idiots who are desperate enough to buy a small ounce of 'real' power.".
A black market dealer from Chamon: Captured in Canada selling illegal cursed artifacts to terrans who were turned into gold.
Upon returning to Yancy Academy, Heron's suspicions began to mount upon coming from the hospital. It had been almost a week since Mrs. Dodd's transformation into a demonic bat, and no one had acknowledged the female teacher's turn-harping existence. It's as if someone decided to erase all memory of the algebra teacher from the entire academy.
Percy was ready to approach each student and inquire if they knew Mrs. Dodd, but Heron stopped him right then and there to ensure he didn't appear stupid or nuts. So instead, Heron convinces Percy to brake into the Yancy Academy records room. Thankfully, Heron had last been in the records department when he initially arrived at the academy. It took him a while, but Heron would eventually discover Mrs. Dodd's personal file, proving that she actually existed and worked at Yancy Academy.
Following the event, Percy searched for explanations as to why he possessed super strength and where he learned to fight like that. But Heron merely assured his friend that he'd explain everything when the time was right; however, the fight with the harpy really shook Percy, making it harder for him to study for the test.
To be better safe than sorry, though, Heron called the incident into the Terra Chamber. In response, the Lord Commander sent a couple of Tempests to the museum to confirm what he had said was true. Now Heron is waiting for a reply from the Lord-commander.
Any way, right now the two were in Percy's and Grover's dorm rooms, trying their best to study for the upcoming Latin exam. Grover had gone for a walk, so Heron summoned his axe and started to clean it. Percy, meanwhile, was learning and revising for Latin.
"Ahhh, this is impossible," Percy groaned as he threw his guide to the Greek mythology textbook against the wall. "I'm reading and reading, but it's just not sticking."
"Keep trying, Percy. You'll get it. I mean, we have dyslexia; it's always going to be harder for us than it would be for others."
"Easy for you to say; you never had dyslexia in the first place."
Heron snorted and continued to clean his axe. "I do have dyslexia; the only reason that I read so well is because my dad taught me to read ancient Greek to get over it."
Percy rolled his eyes before picking up his textbook off the ground.
"How am I supposed to remember the difference between Chiron and Charon? It's exactly the same."
"Actually, one has an "A" in it and the other has an "I" in it. An easier way to remember was that one Chiron trained heroes and Charon is the underworld's gatekeeper," Heron replied, glancing up from his favorite book.
Percy stared at him before saying, "Are you always this wordy?"
Heron's eyes fluttered. "No, I am not." He then removed his book from his hand and stood up from his chair. "Why don't you approach Mr. Brunner for assistance? I'm sure he's still in his office, and because you're one of his favorite students, I'm sure he'll offer you some advice."
Percy thought about it for a second; it couldn't hurt to try, and Mr. Brunner would always try to help him in the past months before saying, "I think you're right. So let's go."
So Heron and Percy climbed the stairs of Yancy Academy to where their Latin teacher's offices were located; they saw all of them were dim and dark except for one.
When they came closer, they noticed that Mr. Brunner's office still had a light on, and he felt some energy within. Percy was ready to step in when they heard two voices. Mr. Brunner's voice was immediately recognizable, but the other sound belonged to Grover, which was startling.
"-worried about Percy and Heron," Grover said, surprising both Heron and Percy. Usually, it was the other way around.
"They shouldn't be alone this summer," Grover was saying. "I mean, a fury in the school! Now that we know for sure, and they know too-"
"We would only make matters worse by rushing them," cautioned. "We need Percy to mature, and Heron is very mysterious. There is something about him that is different from the rest."
This made Heron's eyes narrow. A fury? Are they talking about the harpy? Why did they call it a fury? The first thing that came to mind is the minor southern god deity from Mallus Secundes; however, there is another deity. Why did they lie and say that she didn't exist when he and Percy fought and killed it in the museum?
"But they may not have time. The summer solstice deadline: "
"Will have to be resolved without Percy, Grover. Let him enjoy his ignorance while he still can. We'll also keep Heron out of this too."
"Sir, they saw her..."
"Their imagination," Mr. Brunner brushed off. "This mist over the students and staff will be enough to convince them both of that."
Mist? What mist?
"But they have been asking questions. I don't know how much longer I can lie to them." Responded with a nervous Grover.
"You have to, Grover. I know it's difficult, and they have both become your friends during your time here, but it will be safer."
"Sir, I... I can't fail in my duties again." Grover's voice was choked with emotion. "You know what that would mean."
"You haven't failed, Grover," Mr. Brunner said kindly. "I should have seen her for what she was. Now let's just worry about keeping the boys alive."
"Creak!"
Brunner stopped talking when suddenly Percy, who was so focused on the conversation, accidentally let his hand slip on the handle, causing it to creak through the hallway.
"Damn it, Percy," muttered Heron. He quickly grabbed Percy and ran to their dorm room silently before bringing the two of them into a nearby, dark, empty corridor. Taking a short glimpse around the corner, Heron's eyes widened as the light cast a familiar shadow—a shadow of an upper human body attached to a horse.
"Nothing," said Mr. Brunner. "I thought I heard someone in the hall. Blast these nerves; I haven't been on an even keel since the winter solstice."
"Mine too," Grover said, "but I could have sworn..."
"You may return to your dormitory," Mr. Brunner told him. "And don't assume this turn of events gives you a reprieve from the final examination."
Grover groaned, "Ugh. Not another test."
The lights went out in Mr. Brunner's office, and as the two walked, a strange clopping sound echoed throughout the hall.
A moment later, Percy and Heron arrived at their dorm room, quickly going back to what they were doing. When Grover entered the room, he saw Percy studying for the exams and Heron listening to his iPod while reading his favorite fantasy novel.
"Hey guys." Grover said, walking in and heading over to his bed as he put his crutches down on the floor beside the bed.
"Hello Grover."
"Hey there, G-man."
Grover raised a single eyebrow at the relaxed way Heron is acting right now. "Are you always this polite, Heron?" he asked.
"It was ingrained into me by my dad."
"Oh."
As Percy and Grover had a conversation about enchiladas, Heron eyed Grover suspiciously. Heron didn't understand why Grover was talking to Mr. Brunner about him and Percy. It was as if the two were collaborating on something that involved both of them, but neither he nor Percy knew anything about it. Were they in some kind of danger?
If so, then what? What happens on the winter solstice? Is Mr. Brunner planning something? How was a centaur able to hide himself for so long? Is he dangerous? Is Brunner like the creature that attacked Percy at the museum? Heron realized that, from now on, he might need to keep a close check on the two.
The next day, Heron and Percy were in class for a three-hour Latin exam. THREE. SIGMAR'S. FUCKING. HOURS. The test itself was far more difficult than Heron had anticipated, but he was fortunate that his father had taught him Latin. Percy, on the other hand, was not so fortunate. Heron saw that some words on the paper continued to swim across the page for him, becoming increasingly jumbled by the minute, but in the end, his father would teach him ancient Greek, which would assist him with his dyslexia. Heron could only imagine what his friend Percy was feeling, since he could see Percy was growing irritated.
In the end, as always, Heron did a lot better than his friend Percy Jackson.
When Mr. Brunner called them up, though, Heron was slightly worried that he may have found out that they were there last night listening to the conversation but silently sighed in relief when he just wanted to give them the results of the exams.
"Percy," he said. "Don't be discouraged about leaving Yancy. Its ... it's for the best."
"Okay, sir." Percy mumbled
"I mean-," Mr. Brunner said, wheeling his chair back and forth, like he wasn't sure what to say. "This isn't the right place for you. It was only a matter of time."
"Right," Percy
"No, no," Mr. Brunner said. "Oh, confound it all. What I'm trying to say is that you're not normal, Percy. That's nothing to be-"
"Thanks," Percy blurted out. "Thanks a lot, sir, for reminding me." Percy then picked up his backpack and stormed out of the classroom.
"Perhaps I was a little too hard on him," said Brunner aloud.
"That's an understatement, and you know it. Even though I know you want the best for Percy, nothing you do will be enough because he is the only poor student in this school. His dyslexia made the situation even more difficult since he couldn't" Heron remarked.
The fourteen-year-old's words cut through the Latin teacher like a sword through meat, and Heron judged the centaur in disguise by looking at his face very carefully. And surprisingly. The regret in his teacher's eyes was real.
"Well, how about you, Mr. Hammer? Will you be staying?" Brunner asked.
"Nah, I'll be keeping Percy company for awhile. It might be a little boring, but it's better to keep company."
Brunner smiled at Heron and said, "It's good to know he has a friend like you."
Heron smirked and waved goodbye before he walked out of the hallway to catch up to Percy.
Heron sat on the bus with Percy and Grover as it made its way to the bus terminal, with many of the other students from Yancy Academy on board. Heron was going to stay a few days with Percy until he returned to his dad.
Surprisingly, Grover was also on the bus bound for New York. Unlike Percy, who disregarded it as a coincidence, Heron was suspicious of the teenager with the beard. Grover continued looking uneasily down the aisle at the other passengers during the bus trip. He seemed to be expecting something to spring out and devour him.
"You just going to leave without saying goodbye to your best friend?" Grover said.
"Sorry... I've moved schools so much, I'm kind of used to leaving unannounced," said Percy before adding.
"So, looking for furies?"
Heron almost smacked his forehead at the stupidity of the question. Does this idiot have any common sense of keeping his mouth shut until they were—I don't know—in a more secluded area? But it looks like the cat is out of the bag.
Grover nearly leaped out of his seat and gave Percy a heart attack-like expression before stammering to answer his surprise inquiry.
"Wha-what do you mean?" Grover asked.
"We overheard your conversation last night," Heron said.
Grover's eyes twitched, looking at Percy, who nodded his head. "How much did you hear?"
"Not much, thanks to Percy here."
"Hey!"
"'What's this solstice deadline, and why does it involve me and Percy?" said Heron.
"It was nothing. I was just telling you that maybe you two were overstressed or something, because there was no such person as Mrs. Dodds, and..."
"Grover, you're a really, really bad liar," Percy pointed out. Whenever you lie, your ears go bright pink, just like they are now."
From his shirt pocket, Grover fished out a crubby business card. "Just take these, okay? In case you need me this summer."
The card was in fancy script, which was murder on Heron's and Percy's dyslexic eyes, but they finally made out something like:
Grover Underwood
Keeper
Half-Blood Hill
Long Island, New York
(800) 009-0009
"You work part-time?" asked Heron with a raised eyebrow.
"Grover, what exactly are you trying to protect us from?" Percy said.
Grover was about to answer, but suddenly froze as his eyes suddenly caught sight of something terrifying.
The three women seemed old in the eyes; their skeleton arms stuck out from bleached cotton clothing, their silver hair held up in white bandannas, and their pale faces wrinkled like fruit leather. The three elderly women appeared to be knitting the biggest cotton sock Heron had ever seen, but to the untrained eye, it looked like normal socks. Heron, though, could perceive the ancient magic they emitted, and he could swear they were staring at Percy and nothing else.
"Percy, tell me those old ladies aren't starting at you." Grover muttered under his breath as a look of terror appeared on his face.
"Yeah. Weird, huh?" Percy said it in a disbelieving tone. "You think those socks would fit me?"
"Not if your foot is a size hundred, or if you love having it glow in the dark." Heron commented, getting a chuckle from Percy.
"Not funny. You do not want to wear those socks." Grover stated firmly, but what caught both of them off-guard was when one of the old ladies cut the string. It was then that Grover went into full-blown panic mode. "She snipped the string! Did you see that?! She snipped the string!"
"What's the big deal? You don't think they'll come over here, do you?" Percy asked.
Heron narrowed his eyes at the three old women, and they all gazed at him at the same moment, making him uncomfortable. Their eyes felt hollow. It seemed as if they were watching over his fate. Judging from Grover's reaction, it was a very
"Sixth grade. Always sixth grade." Grover murmured as he started to back away from them. "Wait here, okay? I'm going to buy a ticket and ride into the city with you two. Just wait here."
Once Grover was gone to buy his ticket, Percy gripped Heron's arm.
"We have to go. I have to get home and see my mom, and Grover's freaking me out," Percy said.
"Are you sure about that? Grover is one of our friends after all." Heron said he was trying to persuade Percy to reconsider.
"Yes, I know it's wrong, but I don't want Grover to see where I live. Alright. In addition to all the strange things that have happened with Mrs. Dodd and those odd three old ladies, I just want to go straight home. If you want to wait for Grover, fine, but I'm leaving. With or without you."
Percy then went to the nearest bus heading to New York and, without looking back, bordered on it.
Damn it Heron thought, taking a quick glance at where Grover was buying his ticket, when Heron made a split second decision with Percy.
After a few hours on the bus, they finally arrived on Manhattan's upper East Side at a rundown apartment. Hookers and junkies were hanging out in front of the building.
Heron had only been here a few times before, and that was during Christmas. That year, he spent the holidays with Percy, Sally, and Gabe, who ruined the fun by having a temper tantrum and breaking Heron's arm. Gabe claims that it was an accident. Gabe blamed Percy for Heron's injured arm, but his father was unconvinced.
It's not like he spends it with his family too; it's just that he wants to make sure Percy doesn't feel lonely with Gabe here. But nonetheless, Sally was very welcoming toward Heron. And whenever she wrote to Percy, she would ask how Heron was and if he was feeling okay.
Furthermore, Sigmar not only knew Gabe was lying, but he also found out about Gabe's mistreatment of Sally. It took all of Sally's pleas to convince Sigmar not to kill the man. That didn't mean he got off easy; however, Sigmar admitted him to the hospital for six months with severe injuries. To prevent Percy's mother from paying Gabe's bill, Sigmar also paid it himself, sending a subtle but unmistakable warning that the next time he affects his son or Sally, the punishment will be worse.
The duo walked inside the apartment complex and made their way up the stairs, lugging their bags behind them. Once they got to Gabe's apartment, they went to the front door, and Percy opened it with his key. They were treated to a pretty stomach-churning sight.
There was Gabe sitting down on his chair, who looked like he had put on a ton of weight with his thin, receding hair and bulging belly busting out of his greasy, dirty shirt that hadn't been cleaned for weeks.
"He looks like a fat walrus, but more ugly," Heron whispered to Percy, who was trying to keep it in.
Gabe was in the living room, playing poker with his buddies. The television was blaring with ESPN, yet no one was actually watching it since Gabe and his buddies were more focused on playing their card game. Chips and beer cans were strewn all over the carpet; the place looked like it had not been cleaned for ages.
When they entered the living room, Gabe looked up from the cards in his hands and scowled slightly.
"So your back and that snotty friend are with you too."
"Nice to meet you too; how are the legs?" Heron said.
"Shut it, you annoying brat."
"Make me fat, basterd, or have you forgotten to walk on your own two feet?" Heron rebutted.
Gabe stood up from his chair, his eyes burning in rage. Ready to tear the fourteen-year-old a new one while Heron cracked his knuckles, as he too was ready to teach Gabe a lesson in humility no matter the consequences, but Percy quickly put a stop to it.
"Is my mom here?" Percy asked, trying to quickly defuse the situation. He knew Heron was still angry at him for breaking his arm and could kick Gabe ass all the way to San Francisco. Hell, he could kill him with
"She's still working," Gabe said, sitting back down in his seat.
"You got any cash?"
"He just got home, and you're asking him for cash."
"I wasn't talking to you, freaky eyes. You got any cash?" Gabe said it again towards Percy.
"No, I don't have any." Percy spat, but Gabe didn't look like he believed him.
"You took a bus from the bus station," Gabe said. "You probably paid with a twenty. You got six, seven bucks in change. Somebody expects to live under this roof; he ought to carry his own weight. Am I right, Eddie?"
"Come on, Gabe," Eddie complained. "The kid just got here."
"Am I right?" Gabe repeated it, but this time more firmly.
Eddie glared at Gabe, but one glimp at Heron, who secretly signaled to grumble and reluctantly agreed.
Heron glared at the walrus of the man, his mismatched eyes flickering to his godly eyes. The rage of dealing with people like him made Heron wish that he could end this miserable excuse of a stepdad before he closed his eyes and took a deep and calming breath.
"Fine," Percy said. He dug a wad of dollars out of his pocket and threw the money on the table, and it fluttered towards Gabe. "I hope you lose."
The two boys then turned their backs to the table and headed towards Percy's room. They heard Gabe tell him not to act so snooty and called them brain boys, obviously taking a jab at the two for both being dyslexic and having ADHD. They could also hear Gabe's friends passing wind and small chuckles.
When they got to Percy's room, or it was Percy's room, magazines and stale beer littered around as they put the bags down.
"I didn't think it was possible, but he became a bigger asshole."
"Tell me about it," Percy said, sitting down at the edge of the bed. "My mom deserves so much better."
"You're not the only one," said Heron, nodding. Sally Jackson was such a kind woman. Heron has no idea how she ended up with that overweight skank.
If it was up to him or his father, they would generously take both Percy and his mother out of this disgusting place so they could live on his and his father's private estate. To sweeten the deal, he also offered a great location for Percy's mother's candy business to flourish if she accepted.
"Percy, are you here?"
Sally Jackson's voice rang out before she appeared in the doorway of the room.
"Sweetheart!" Sally said before enveloped him in a big hug. "I left work just as soon as they'd let me. I couldn't wait to see you."
"Hey, mom."
"Look how you've grown since Christmas! Oh, I miss out on so much."
"And it's a pleasure to see you too, Heron," she said, hugging him too. Heron returned it.
"It is great to see you, Mrs. Jackson," Heron said.
"Sorry about your room..." Sally Jackson apologized: "Your stepfather wanted a place where he could read his car magazines."
"He needs a whole room? Couldn't he do that in a chair?" said Percy.
"He would if he didn't break it from his damn wight from eating all that bean dip," said Heron.
It was then that, if the universe wanted to prove his point, Gabe's voice shouted across the hallway, yelling, "SALLY! BEAN DIP!"
"I stand corrected."
"Nevermind that. I've got a surprise for you—we're going to the beach!" Sally looked into Percy's eyes, which jumped in excitement as she continued, "I rented our usual place for three whole nights."
"Really?! When do we leave?"
"The minute I get changed, Heron, will you be joining us?"
"I would appreciate it, Mrs. Jackson, and I can also pay for myself."
"Are you sure?" asked Sally Jackson.
"I'm sure."
It was then that Gabe appeared in the doorway and growled, "BEAN DIP! Aren't you listening?"
Heron gave the fat man a frigid gaze that would make the northern wastes appear warm in contrast. "You have two legs, don't you? If you want it so bad, get it yourself." Heron said, resisting the urge to not strangle the man with his bare hands.
"Shut it, punk. I work too hard, and I don't need some strangers coming here telling me what to do."
"This stray exceeds expectations. Gabe. Working hard does not imply wasting the day's limited sunshine playing cards with Percy's money, reclining on your huge ass with a collection of slothful goons you regard as "friends.". I'm astonished you're alive given one of your "friends" is connected to the local mafia down the street."
"Why you little-"
"Don't worry, dear. I'll make it while Percy packs for our trip." Sally cut Gabe off, trying to diffuse the situation like her son did a few minutes ago.
"Right. Your trip. I want your kids to know that my car will come back in the same condition it left. Not one scratch."
"I'm twelve. It's not like I'll be driving the thing."
Heron then added, "Damn right. We don't even have our driver's license yet."
Gabe was unconvinced when the older man got in the twelve-year-old's face, allowing Percy to smell the odor of his beer-soaked breath. "Not. One. Scratch."
Keeping his composure in the face of Gabe's breath, Percy answered bluntly. "Sure thing, Gabe. It's the least I can do."
"That's more like it. A man commands respect in his own home." Gabe said it smugly. "The fellas will be here for another poker game in five, Sally, and that dip better be on the table."
"Yes, dear," Sally complied reluctantly.
Once Gabe was out of the room and earshot, Heron turned to Sally Jackson. "You know my dad's offer is still open." Heron offered, "He would gladly give you a new place to stay and a location for your candy store. Also, he would gladly file charges against Gabe so that scumbag might languish in a prison cell for the rest of his miserable life."
"Thank you for the offer, Heron, but I'm sad that I have to again decline. It's not that I don't want to, but..."
Heron sighed "Okay then, but if you change your mind, just give them a call."
"Thank you." Sally replied, smiling.
Noticing how her son's Sally sat down next to Percy "Chin up, sweet heart. In a few hours, we'll be oceanside, and all our headaches will be gone," she said, trying to comfort her son.
Heron felt a little envy as he saw Percy and his mother together, wondering what it was like to be in his own mother's arms during his birth. Was it warm? Was it loving? Heron did not know. Yes, he received hugs from his dad and friends, but not from a mother figure. Like Percy, who grew up without a father figure in his life. The only difference was that Heron's father is a god fighting in a war for the soul of mankind, while his mother is a mortal trying to get by in a harsh world. Except one.
That is their love for their child—trying to shield them from the harsh truths of the world around them, but eventually failing to do so.
Demonstrating how fortunate and unfortunate they were to have such caring parents to protect them during the most difficult moments.
As for Gabe, though, it was time for that man to get what was coming to him.
Once out of sight of both his friend and his mother, Heron pulled out his phone and made a few calls.
An hour later, Percy's mother finished preparing Gabe's bean dish; she then changed into proper clothing and got Percy ready to leave. Heron assisted the two in placing their bags into the car and carrying them down the steps. After the trio entered Gabe's vehicle, Sally departed in the direction of Montauk.
Heron, on the other hand, smiled broadly and toothily. To Percy's inquiries about why he was beaming, Heron said, "It appears that you and your mother will be living with me and my dad for a few days." Percy and Sally were confused by the reaction.
It wasn't until an hour later, after they had departed, that the police arrived at Gabe's apartment with a warrant for his arrest on allegations of child abuse and many instances of assault. Several significant witnesses are then introduced. Eddie, a buddy and poker player, was among the first to testify against Gabe. It was more than enough evidence to keep Gabe in prison for a very, very long time. All thanks to a single anonymous phone call.
Okay chapter 5 is done and next will be chapter 6.
IvanFabulous: In my opinion mythological Hades never did *Anything* to deserve his bad rep. Sure he kidnapped Persephone, but it was in a time when kidnapping your future wife wasn't frowned upon as it is today. And by all accounts, their relationship was remarkably functional. He asked Zeus to stop Asclepius from resurrecting the dead, but its not his fault that Zeus interpreted that as "set the guy on fire." He helped Orpheus reunite with his wife, and Hey, its not his fault that the kid did the one thing he warned him not to do.
By all accounts, Hades is a really nice guy who loves his wife, keeps his promises, and does his job. Also, there's evidence that Cerberus means "spotted," so this enormous dork also named his three-headed hellhound "Spot. You've got to love this guy.
In his entire run as Lord of the underworld, Hades has only messed up two people-and believe me they deserve it. And their names are Theseus and Pirithous and their crime. Trying to to kidnap Persephone. Hades's wife.
Guest: Heron is the son of Sigmar and Hestia. So yes, that would make a full fledged god, but his father wanted him to earn his godhood through his actions like Sigmar did when he was still mortal creating the Empire. Unfortunately Heron is not going to found any empire but he will not only protect it but fight in major battles on Mallus Secundas against the laundry list enemies that would make the greek monsters and titans look like ants in comparison.
Any way this Zode ghosting out.