Chapter 32 : Hermes , The god of Travels
As the sun began its descent towards the horizon, casting long shadows across the camp, Percy Jackson felt an overwhelming need to clear his head. The weight of the quest, the uncertainty of their journey into the Sea of Monsters, and the recent conversations with Deno and Annabeth all swirled in his mind like a storm.
He needed space, a place where he could think, breathe, and let the ocean's steady rhythm soothe his troubled thoughts.He found himself walking towards the beach, the cool evening breeze tugging at his clothes, the sand shifting under his feet.
The sky was a brilliant tapestry of oranges and purples, the colors deepening as the sun dipped lower, but Percy barely noticed. His thoughts were miles away, tangled in the labyrinth of decisions and dangers that lay ahead.As he reached the water's edge, Percy paused, staring out at the vast, endless sea. The waves lapped gently against the shore, their rhythmic pulse both calming and relentless. He had always felt a connection to the ocean, a pull that resonated deep within his soul. But tonight, even the ocean's embrace felt distant, as though it too was keeping secrets from him.
He closed his eyes, letting the sound of the waves fill his ears, trying to lose himself in the simple, timeless movement of the water. But just as he began to relax, a presence made itself known beside him—a figure he hadn't heard approach.Percy opened his eyes to find Hermes standing next to him, dressed in his usual courier attire: a pair of winged sandals, a simple tunic, and a cap tilted slightly to one side.
The god of travelers and thieves had a warm, enigmatic smile on his face, but there was a seriousness in his eyes that Percy hadn't seen before.
"Evening, Percy," Hermes greeted, his voice carrying a mix of lightness and gravity. "Beautiful night, isn't it?"
Percy nodded, though his mind was still racing. "Yeah… it is. What brings you here?"
Hermes looked out at the ocean, his expression thoughtful. "Sometimes, when the world feels heavy, it helps to take a walk by the sea. It's a place where the past, present, and future all seem to blend together. Where you can hear the whispers of things yet to come."
Percy wasn't sure how to respond. He had seen the gods intervene before, but Hermes' sudden appearance felt different, more personal."Are you here to give me advice, or…?"
Hermes chuckled softly. "Maybe a bit of both. You're facing a difficult choice, Percy, one that will shape not just your future, but the future of those around you. It's natural to have doubts, to wonder if you're doing the right thing."
Percy sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "I don't know if I am. There's so much at stake, and I'm not even sure we can succeed. The Sea of Monsters… it's more dangerous than anything we've ever faced."
Hermes nodded, his gaze still fixed on the horizon. "True, but every great journey comes with great risk. And sometimes, the hardest part is not the journey itself, but the decision to take it. You may feel like the odds are against you, but remember, Percy, it's not always about the odds. It's about making the best out of whatever situation you find yourself in."
Percy frowned, thinking about the implications of Hermes' words. "Even if the situation seems hopeless?"
"Especially then," Hermes replied, turning to face him. "A wrong may have been committed, but if the doer makes the best out of it, if they strive to right that wrong, everything may end well. It's not about the mistakes you've made, Percy. It's about how you choose to move forward."
Percy felt a flicker of hope stir within him. He had made mistakes, and he had doubts, but maybe… just maybe, there was a way to make things right.Hermes reached into his tunic and pulled out three yellow duffel bags, placing them at Percy's feet.
"Consider these a gift for your journey. They're filled with necessities—ambrosia, drachmas, mortal money, clothes. And something extra, just in case you need it." He handed Percy a small bottle of vitamins and a thermos.
Percy took the items, feeling a sense of gratitude. "Thank you… for everything."
Hermes smiled, his expression softening. "I know you'll do well, Percy. Just trust in yourself and in those around you."
With a wave of his hand, he summoned Annabeth and Tyson, who appeared a short distance away, their expressions puzzled as they took in their surroundings.
"Percy?" Annabeth called, her voice tinged with concern as she approached. "What's going on?"
Percy turned to face her and Tyson, a calmness settling over him as he explained his encounter with Hermes. "Hermes was here. He… he gave us supplies, and some advice."
Tyson's eyes widened in awe. "The messenger god?"
"Yeah," Percy replied, handing them each a duffel bag. "He thinks we can do this."
Annabeth took her bag, her expression thoughtful as she processed what Percy had told her. "We have to try. For Grover, for the camp… for all of us."
Before they could discuss their next steps further, a rustling sound in the nearby bushes caught their attention. The harpies were coming, their screeches piercing the night air."We need to move, now!" Percy urged, grabbing his own bag and leading the way towards the water.
They ran towards the shore, the harpies in pursuit, their claws flashing in the moonlight. But just as the creatures closed in, a sudden surge of power rippled through the water. The surface of the ocean shimmered, and from its depths, three magnificent hippocampi emerged, their manes of seaweed gleaming as they galloped across the waves.The hippocampi whinnied, their voices carrying an otherworldly melody as they approached the shore. Percy felt a rush of relief—his father, Poseidon, had sent them help.
"Get on!" Percy shouted, urging Annabeth and Tyson onto the back of the nearest hippocampus.With a final glance at the harpies, Percy climbed onto his own hippocampus, and together, the trio rode out into the open sea, the hippocampi gliding effortlessly over the waves.
The moonlit ocean stretched out before them, vast and mysterious, but Percy felt a renewed sense of determination. They were headed for the Princess Andromeda, the first stop on their journey, and he was ready for whatever lay ahead.As the coastline faded into the distance, the hippocampi slowed, eventually coming to a stop near a massive cruise ship.
The Princess Andromeda loomed above them, its sleek, dark silhouette cutting through the night.
"This is it," Percy said, dismounting from his hippocampus and helping Annabeth and Tyson do the same.
"The ship Hermes mentioned."They climbed up the side of the ship, using the anchor chain as a makeshift ladder. When they finally reached the deck, the ship seemed eerily quiet. No crew, no passengers, just an unsettling stillness that made the hairs on the back of Percy's neck stand on end.
"This place gives me the creeps," Annabeth whispered, her eyes scanning the empty corridors.
"Stay close," Percy advised, leading the way as they explored the ship. The halls were dimly lit, the only sound the faint hum of the ship's engines. Every room they passed was empty, the beds made, the furniture undisturbed, as if the occupants had simply vanished into thin air.After what felt like hours of searching, they each found an empty room and decided to settle in for the night.
The uncertainty of their situation weighed heavily on Percy, but he knew they needed rest if they were going to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
Meanwhile, back at Camp Half-Blood, the atmosphere was tense. Word had spread quickly about Percy, Annabeth, and Tyson's sudden disappearance, and the campers were on edge.
Amy was one of the first to notice their absence. She had been with Deno, training in the library, when she overheard some of the other campers talking. Her heart raced as she realized what had happened—Percy and the others were gone, likely on a dangerous quest.Without hesitation, she sought out Deno, who was deep in concentration, his mind focused on honing his skills.
"Deno," Amy called, her voice urgent as she approached him. "Something's wrong. Percy, Annabeth, and Tyson… they've disappeared.
"Deno looked up from his work, his eyes narrowing as he took in Amy's words. "Disappeared? Where did they go?"
Amy shook her head, her worry evident. "No one knows for sure, but I have a feeling they went on some kind of quest. We need to find out where they are, and fast."
Deno frowned, his mind already racing through possibilities. "If they've gone on a quest, they could be anywhere. But… I might be able to track them down."
He quickly gathered his materials, preparing a navigation spell. The air around him crackled with energy as he began to weave the magic, his hands moving with practiced precision. Amy watched in awe as Deno's focus intensified, his eyes closed as he muttered an incantation under his breath.
After several tense moments, Deno's eyes snapped open, his expression one of grim determination. "I've found them. They're on a ship… the Princess Andromeda, somewhere in the Atlantic."
"Can you get us there?" Amy asked, her heart pounding.
Deno shook his head. "Not directly. The Princess Andromeda is in the Bermuda Triangle—also known as the Sea of Monsters. The magic there is more potent than electromagnetic waves. It disrupts high-level magic and would explode any non-god attempting powerful spells there. I could guide you close, but beyond that, it's too dangerous."
Amy nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "We have to find another way, then."
Deno agreed, his mind already working through alternatives. "Let's prepare. We'll need all our resources to help them when the time comes."