Sorry for not updating earlier, had a bit of writer's block. For anyone following SoS, it's getting an update soon, (I hope), I just have to get through a plethora of math exams. Pray for me :(
Anyways, love yall!
CHAPTER 4: MAN VS MYTH
Percy watched Hecate's head snap back, feeling more satisfied than he had in a long time.
He stood in the stillness of the night, his fist throbbing where it had connected with Hecate's jaw. He wasn't sure what he had expected - a flash of divine fury, a shout, anything to suggest that he had made an impact. But Hecate just tilted her head, her expression unreadable, almost bored.
Although she wasn't completely unaffected. A thin trickle of blood slid down Hecate's lip. She wiped it away slowly, almost deliberately, with the back of her hand. "Mortal rage is always so predictable," she mused softly, her voice calm, almost mocking. "But gratifying, in its own way."
Percy's chest heaved with adrenaline. He clenched his fists tighter, ready for whatever came next. He wasn't sure what he had expected - a fiery explosion of magic, a curse thrown his way, maybe even an army of empousa. But Hecate just stood there, as if she had all the time in the world.
"I gave you a chance," Percy said, his voice low, still thick with anger. "I played by your rules. You stripped me of my powers, said I needed to learn who I am without them." His gaze hardened. "Well, I've learned. And I'm done."
Hecate tilted her head, as if considering his words. "You think you've learned something, have you?" Her tone remained light, almost amused. "You are still so young, Perseus. So very mortal."
Percy took a step forward, refusing to be intimidated by the goddess's indifference. "I've fought gods and monsters. I've faced things that should've killed me a hundred times over. And yeah, I'm young, but I've killed things older - and more powerful, than you."
"You've always been impulsive," she said, rubbing her jaw lightly as if his punch had been nothing more than a playful tap. "But courage and recklessness are not the same thing."
Percy's chest heaved as he caught his breath. His body still felt weak, as if something vital had been drained from him in an instant. The powers he had once relied on, the control over the sea, the strength of Poseidon's blood - it was all gone. For the first time since discovering his demigod heritage, Percy felt completely human.
"Congratulations," Hecate said with a dry smile. "You've passed your first test. Now let's see how you fare as a complete mortal."
Percy staggered back, trying to steady himself. "You didn't have to take my powers. You could have just helped."
Hecate's dark eyes glimmered with something between amusement and contempt. "Help? You misunderstand me, Percy. I'm not here to coddle you. I'm here to make you stronger, to force you to confront the truth of who you are. And without the crutch of your powers, we'll see how much of a hero remains."
Percy grit his teeth, feeling an unfamiliar sense of vulnerability creep over him. Without his powers, he wasn't sure who he was anymore. Could he even fight? Could he protect anyone? Or was he just another mortal, as fragile as those now dead?
"You didn't answer my question," Percy said, his voice raw. "What now?"
Hecate's smile faded into something colder, more calculating. "Now, you walk the path of mortality. You must confront the enemies that hunt you, find those who seek you, and uncover the truth of the war that is brewing. But you will do it without the gods' blessings."
Percy blinked, feeling the weight of her words settle like a stone in his chest. "And if I fail?"
"Then you die," Hecate replied simply. "But at least you will die as a man."
Percy swallowed hard. For the first time, he understood what Hecate meant. He had always relied on his powers, always trusted in the gifts Poseidon had given him. Now, stripped of everything that had made him special, he was just a boy again. A boy with too many enemies and not enough allies.
But despite the fear that gnawed at him, there was something freeing about it, too. He wasn't Percy Jackson, son of Poseidon, hero of Olympus anymore. He was just… Percy. And maybe, just maybe, that was enough.
"So where do I start?" he asked, his voice quieter but more resolved.
"You will go to Alaska." Hecate raised an eyebrow, seemingly impressed by his acceptance. "You start by surviving, Percy. And I suggest you move quickly. The huntress won't wait forever."
Percy tensed at the mention of Artemis. Of course. She was still out there, still hunting him like prey. Without his powers, he wasn't just at a disadvantage - he was vulnerable. His heart raced, and he felt the chill of fear, but he wasn't about to back down.
"Go," Hecate said, her voice echoing in the silence around them. "The next step is yours to take. You must learn to fight like a mortal, to survive like one, or you will not last the night."
The wind whipped at his face, the sea now a stranger to him, no longer answering his call.
He took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. He was mortal now. He had no powers, no gifts, nothing to protect him but his own wit and skill.
The weight of mortality settled on him like a heavy cloak. Every decision from now on would be life or death. He would have to relearn everything he had ever known - how to fight, how to survive, how to think like someone who wasn't invincible.
But deep down, Percy knew one thing for certain: he wasn't going to give up. He had faced death before, and he wasn't afraid of it now. If he had to start from scratch, then so be it.
"I guess it's just you and me," Percy muttered to himself, looking at his reflection in the water. The boy staring back at him wasn't a hero, wasn't a legend. He was just a kid trying to stay alive.
And for now, that would have to be enough.
"Have you thought about how I'm going to go to Alaska?"
Hecate smirked and waved her hand. "You'll see."
Before Percy could respond, the goddess vanished into the shadows, leaving him alone on the shore.
Except he wasn't on the shore.
Looking around, Percy saw snow, ice, and nature.
He was in Alaska.
Percy was sure the Fates were looking down at him, and if they were, they were sure as Hades laughing.
LINE BREAK
Percy shivered as the biting cold of Alaska cut through him like a knife. Snow blanketed the ground beneath his feet, and the towering trees offered little shelter from the harsh winds. His breath came in ragged puffs, the weight of mortality pressing down on him like never before. No powers, no protection. Just Percy Jackson, alone in the frozen wilderness.
His luck couldn't get any worse.
Don't tempt fate, said a small voice in the back of his head. But at this point, fate was tempting him.
The howl of distant wolves echoed through the forest, and Percy's heart quickened. Not Artemis, he hoped, but regular wolves didn't sound much better. He pushed forward, stumbling through the snow, the chill biting at his skin. Every step was a reminder of how much he had lost - and how much he still had to fight for.
But one thing was certain: he wasn't going to die here. Not today.
He had come too far, lost too much, to give up now.
Alaska would have to wait its turn to break Percy Jackson.
Just as the cold became unbearable and his vision blurred from exhaustion, he spotted something ahead. A flicker of movement. Percy's instincts kicked in, and he dropped into a crouch, eyeing the figures emerging from the trees.
Two people, bundled up in thick furs, were making their way toward him. The taller one, broad-shouldered and carrying a spear, moved with a warrior's grace. Beside him, a girl with wild, curly hair and a fierce glint in her eyes scanned the area.
"Who's there?" Percy called out. His hand instinctively reached for Riptide, but he had no powers to back him up. Just his wits, his training, and his sword.
The taller figure paused, and then, to Percy's surprise, called out, "We're not here to fight. Are you Percy Jackson?"
Percy's guard remained up. How did they know his name? His mind raced, trying to piece together what was going on. "Who wants to know?"
The girl stepped forward, her golden eyes narrowing as if she were studying him. "I'm Hazel. This is Frank. We were sent to find you."
Percy straightened, though the exhaustion weighed heavily on his shoulders. "Sent by who?"
Hey, it was a valid question. When someone was sent to find Percy, it was either they wanted to kill him, wanted to take something from him, or wanted to send him on a quest. Or all three.
So forgive him for being a bit cautious.
"A nympth," Frank answered. "We're on a quest, except, we're sort of lost. We've been tracking you for days."
Percy's confusion deepened. "Quest? Where are you meant to be?"
Frank scratched the back of his neck, clearly embarrassed. "Well... that's the thing. We don't actually know. We're supposed to free Thanatos, the god of death. He's chained somewhere in Alaska, but we've been going off clues from a nymph."
Hazel nodded, her golden eyes troubled. "The nymph told us we needed to find you, that you'd help us. But now that we've found you, it seems like you're in just as much trouble as we are."
Percy stared at them, his mind racing. Thanatos, the god of death, chained up in Alaska? That was what Hestia had said, right?
"So, you're telling me you've been wandering through Alaska with nothing but a vague sense of direction, trying to free the god of death?" Percy asked, raising an eyebrow.
Frank and Hazel exchanged a glance before nodding sheepishly.
"Hey, we know where we're meant to be," said Frank. "But there's a river spirit, who doesn't really want to let us pass."
"That sounds… fun," Percy muttered, remembering the countless times he had been on quests that made no sense until they were halfway through. "Well, great news," Percy said, standing up and stretching his sore limbs. "I'm powerless and stuck here too, but if Thanatos is chained somewhere in Alaska, then it sounds like we're all heading in the same direction."
"Wait," Hazel said, her brow furrowing. "You're… powerless?"
"Long story," Percy sighed, rubbing his temples. "A goddess decided I needed to learn a lesson. But that doesn't mean I'm sitting this out. We've got to free Thanatos, or things are going to get a whole lot worse."
Frank looked hesitant. "I don't know… without powers, how are you supposed to fight? The monsters we've been facing - they're getting stronger. We barely made it this far."
Percy gave them a grim smile. "Don't worry. I might not have my powers, but I've been doing this long enough to know how to handle a fight. And besides, we're not going to let a little thing like that stop us, right?"
Hazel smiled, though her worry was still evident. "We've made it this far together. We can do this. We just have to figure out where Thanatos is and how to get to him before things get worse."
"Exactly," Percy agreed, feeling a surge of determination despite the odds stacked against them. "So, where do we start?"
Frank cleared his throat, pulling a tattered piece of parchment from his pack. "The nymph said something about following the river north until we reach the mountains. Somewhere near there, we'll find an entrance to where Thanatos is being held."
Percy was still not entirely sure he could trust these strangers. But the cold was biting deeper into him, and he was in no condition to turn down help. "Fine. Lead the way."
As they walked, Percy fell into step with Frank and Hazel, the snow crunching beneath their feet. The questions swirling in his head wouldn't stop. "So, you're both demigods?"
"Yeah," Frank replied, keeping his eyes on the path ahead. "Son of Mars."
"Daughter of Pluto," Hazel added with a small smile. "We're part of the legion."
Percy frowned. "The Roman gods?"
Hazel nodded. "They're different from the Greek ones you're probably used to, but they're still dangerous."
Percy shook his head in disbelief. "Pluto.. this just keeps getting weirder."
"You have no idea," Frank muttered, casting a wary glance around as if expecting trouble at any moment.
The trek was silent for a few minutes as they pushed through the snow, the landscape barren and icy. The cold still gnawed at Percy's bones, but having Frank and Hazel there made it bearable. He could tell they knew their way around these lands, moving with ease despite the freezing conditions.
"So," Frank said, "what's the deal with you losing your powers?"
Percy stared into the flames. "Hecate. Or Trivia, for you guys. She said I needed to fight like a mortal... to learn who I really am. No powers, no special abilities. Just me."
Hazel frowned, sitting across from him. "That's... harsh."
"Yeah, well," Percy shrugged, "gods aren't exactly known for their kindness."
Frank nodded in agreement. "You can say that again."
Percy let out a heavy sigh, the reality of his situation sinking in once more. "So, now I'm here, stuck in Alaska. And I have no idea what I'm supposed to do."
Hazel leaned forward, her golden eyes serious. "We'll help you, Percy. We can do this."
Frank crossed his arms, his face determined. "Reyna trusted us to find you. That means something. We'll figure out a way to survive this."
For the first time since arriving in Alaska, Percy felt a glimmer of hope. He wasn't alone anymore. He had allies, and together, they might just stand a chance against the forces that were closing in.
"Alright," Percy said, standing up straighter. "Let's figure out a plan."
Then it hit him.
Pluto.
Pluto.
Hazel was a daughter of Pluto.
The prophecy rang in his ears. A half-blood of the eldest gods…
"Oh no." Percy muttered. "That is bad. Like, world-ending bad."
Hazel and Frank exchanged a worried glance at Percy's sudden shift in demeanor. Hazel's golden eyes flickered with concern. "What do you mean 'world-ending bad?'"
Percy paced, his thoughts racing. A half-blood of the eldest gods… That prophecy had already come and gone with him, right? But what if it wasn't about him at all?
"You're the daughter of Pluto," Percy said, his voice tight. "That makes you one of the Big Three's kids - just like me. Which means, the prophecies… the danger. It might not just be about me."
Frank's face paled. "You're talking about the Great Prophecy? That already happened, didn't it? Reyna told us it was about you."
This Reyna character knew a lot, Percy thought…
He nodded, though doubt clouded his eyes. "I thought so too. But what if… what if it's still happening? The thing about prophecies - they're tricky. They don't always happen the way you think."
Hazel's expression turned serious. "So you're saying I might be a part of this?"
Percy sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I don't know, Hazel. But if Thanatos is trapped, and we've got a child of the Underworld on our side… it feels connected."
Frank rubbed his temples. "So what do we do? If we're dealing with more than just Thanatos being captured, this could be bigger than we thought."
"We stick to the plan," Percy said firmly. "Free Thanatos. Figure out what's really going on, and keep each other alive. If the prophecy is still in motion… we'll deal with it when the time comes."
Hazel clenched her fists. "If this prophecy involves me, we'll find a way to beat it."
Frank gave a determined nod. "We're in this together. No matter what."
Beating fate… it sounded too familiar.
He felt a renewed sense of resolve, the heaviness of the situation somehow easier to bear with Frank and Hazel by his side. Prophecies or not, they had a mission to complete. And maybe, just maybe, they could stop the chaos from getting worse.
"Alright," Frank said, his voice steadying. "Let's get moving. The sooner we free Thanatos, the sooner we'll get answers. And hopefully, stop this world-ending disaster before it begins."
Percy agreed, feeling a surge of determination despite the odds stacked against them. "So, where do we start?"
Frank cleared his throat, pulling a tattered piece of parchment from his pack. "The nymph said something about following the river north until we reach the mountains. Somewhere near there, we'll find an entrance to where Thanatos is being held."
Percy nodded, trying to shake off the lingering doubt. "Then we head north. Let's go find the god of death."
THE IRON HUNT
It turns out that river spirits get pretty territorial, fast.
The river ahead roared as icy waters surged past jagged rocks, its fury a contrast to the eerie stillness of the Alaskan wilderness. Percy, Hazel, and Frank stood at its edge.
According to Frank's map, this was the river they were meant to follow - north, toward the glacier where Thanatos was imprisoned. But something was wrong. Percy could sense it, a low hum of power that prickled at his skin.
"Something's off," Frank muttered, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the river.
Hazel, who had been eyeing the swirling waters with suspicion, nodded. "I can feel it too. Like there's something alive in there. Watching us."
"River spirits," Percy said, gripping his spear a little tighter.
Hazel knelt down, brushing her hand through the snow at the riverbank, her golden eyes glowing faintly. "Maybe I can talk to them. Get them to let us pass."
Before anyone could react, the river itself churned, and a shape began to rise from the water. A figure made entirely of ice and flowing water emerged, her form shifting as she stepped onto land. Her eyes glowed a piercing blue, and her voice was cold as the wind whipping through the trees.
"You trespass in my domain," the spirit hissed, her gaze locking onto Percy. "You carry the scent of gods."
Percy stepped forward, trying to keep his voice calm. "We don't mean any harm. We're just passing through."
The spirit's icy laugh echoed through the air. "Passing through? This land belongs to the waters, and no mortal or god crosses without my permission."
Hazel stood up, her hands raised in a peaceful gesture. "We're not here to fight. We're on a quest to free Thanatos. The sooner we finish, the sooner we'll be out of your waters."
The river spirit's eyes flicked to Hazel, her expression darkening. "Thanatos? The god of death? Why should I allow mortals to meddle in the affairs of the gods?"
Frank gripped his spear tighter. "Because if we don't, everything in this world is going to fall apart."
The river spirit paused, her eyes flicking between them, considering. "Many have come through here seeking passage, and many have fallen. You will be no different."
Percy could feel the tension building. He was powerless, his usual abilities stripped away. But she didn't know that.
They were completely at her mercy. The naiad could kill them with a flick of her wrist - but Percy didn't care.
He hated losing. Since he had been twelve, he had defied gods, fought titans, went up against impossible odds and won.
He was not going to die to some dumb naiad after all he had been through.
Percy clenched his fists, his frustration bubbling to the surface. He'd faced monsters that would make a river spirit look like a joke. And now, here he was, powerless, freezing, and at the mercy of some haughty naiad.
"Listen," Percy said angrily, "I've fought gods stronger than you. I've survived monsters you can't even imagine. If you think a little river current is going to stop us, you're wrong."
The naiad's eyes flashed dangerously, the water around her rippling in response to her anger. "You dare challenge me, mortal? I could-"
"I dare. You're a river spirit, right? All the creatures in your river, ask them - is it a good idea to fight Percy Jackson?"
The naiad's form wavered, her icy blue eyes narrowing. The river around her churned, the water rising with her fury. "You think you can defy me, mortal? You have no powers. No protection. You are nothing in my domain."
Percy stepped forward, his fists still clenched. His heart pounded, but he refused to back down. He had learned one thing from years of facing gods, monsters, and impossible odds - bluffing worked when you sold it hard enough.
"I might not have powers right now," Percy said, his voice steady, "but I'm still Percy Jackson. You think a little river's going to scare me?"
Frank and Hazel stood silently behind him, watching the confrontation with wide eyes. Frank looked ready to step in, but Percy shot him a look. He needed this moment to work.
"You may control this river," Percy continued, stepping even closer, "but I've controlled the ocean. I created a hurricane even Hyperion, the Lord of Light, couldn't withstand. I was to blame for the largest volcanic eruption in American history. You think your river can handle that? You think you can handle me?"
The naiad's face twisted with rage, the water around her surging even higher, splashing against the banks. But beneath her fury, Percy saw hesitation. Her form flickered, and for a brief moment, he thought he saw fear in her eyes.
"Ask them," Percy repeated, unyielding. "Ask the creatures of the river. They'll tell you who I am."
The naiad glared at him, her anger obvious. But something in Percy's voice, in the way he held himself despite his vulnerability, gave her pause. The water that had been thrashing moments before began to still, the waves calming as she considered his words.
"You are no ordinary mortal," the river spirit said quietly, her eyes studying him. "You speak boldly for one so powerless, but you are not wrong, Percy Jackson. The river knows of your deeds, and the creatures within whisper your name. You've tamed the seas… though you are now without that strength."
"I am without that strength," Percy admitted, uncapping Riptide with a flick of his finger, "but I'm not powerless."
She almost flinched at the sight of the cursed blade. "You are… unusually good at survival."
Percy didn't relax. Not yet. "If you realise that, you're smarter than most. Let us pass, and you won't regret it. Otherwise…" His eyes flashed, and for a moment, the old Percy was back, the son of Poseidon, the Titan-Killer, daring anyone to challenge him.
"You speak with arrogance," the naiad said, her voice quieter but still sharp. "And there is truth in your words. But here, you are no more than a mortal." Her eyes flickered with disdain. "Without your powers, you are nothing."
Percy didn't flinch. "Maybe. But I've beaten worse with less." He took another step forward, his defiance cutting through the cold. "Ares underestimated me. He lost. Iapetus underestimated me, and he's rotting in Tartarus. Atlas underestimated me, and if you go to Othrys, you can still hear him shouting under the sky. You could just blast us right now, but do you really want to try?"
They locked eyes. Son of the sea versus a river spirit, mortal versus immortal, man versus myth.
The river spirit looked away first.
"Very well," she said, her voice resigned. "You may cross, but do not think that the river will forget. It will remember your arrogance, mortal." The naiad's form solidified, her eyes narrowing once more, but this time not in anger. She crossed her arms, her face unreadable. "But if you fail, the river will claim you."
Percy nodded. "Deal."
The naiad's form dissolved into the water, and the river ahead of them began to calm, though its dangerous undercurrents still lurked just beneath the surface.
Hazel stepped forward, her golden eyes wide. "I can't believe that worked."
Frank shook his head in disbelief. "You just... talked down a naiad."
Percy gave a small grin, though his heart was still pounding. "Bluffing. It works every time." Then, turning serious, he added, "Now let's cross before she changes her mind."
As they approached the river, Percy felt the cold water lapping at his feet. He still had no powers, but for the first time since arriving in Alaska, he didn't feel entirely powerless.
"Well," Frank said, steeling himself, "we've survived worse, right?"
Percy couldn't shake the feeling that the naiad's warning was more than just words.
The river would remember. But so would he.
Without another word, they plunged into the freezing, raging waters.
Chapter's a bit on the shorter side, but that's ok. Percy will get his powers back... eventually. ooh, Frank and Hazel are involved, Thanatos is captured, and Hazel might just be a contender for the prophecy.
And Percy's in Alaska, so that's fun.
AND YES PERCY WILL GET HIS POWERS BACK EVENTUALLY!
Review responses.
L'Oracle de Delphe: Merci beaucoup, mon ami ! Grover est peut-être mort, mais je ne peux pas trop en dire, haha.
The ultimate deity: Hey, Percy wasn't gonna take the disrespect.
Godisideas: I really appreciate your thoughts! Percy will eventually get his powers back, I promise. Thanks again!
A Plump Hutt: I actually will probably do a lemon. But that's much much later in the story. And Percy will get his powers back!
TheReaderOfTheOlympians: Yessir!
eyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy: Thank you! No seriously, I say this to every reviewer, but THANK YOUUUUUU!
Rollsroys1234: I love your reviews!
ItsChesca: Dude. Dude. This review made me like, stay up at night. Thank you so much my guy (or gal, or whatever you identify as). Percy sass is my jam, but so are cliffhangers, so... yeah.
jjjjjjjj: There's a reason, trust me.
sadPuffy: Glad you liked it.
Slayer: The other pantheons have gone through their respective apocalypses - Ragnarok, and Apophis. It will be explained more later though.
Robotdocter: Ah, my favourite reviewer! Glad you like The Iron Hunt aswell, trust me, it's not too bleak from here on out. Much love!
That's about it. You guys seem to love this, so enough reviews and I'll upload another chap within the week.
Love you all!
