Percy's POV: (Time Skip: Four Years)

The forest was limitless, wet, and thriving. Its canopy was overshadowed by hazel, beech, and pine, and occasional openings in their crowns allowed plenty of light through when the sun shown for vibrant mushrooms to control the brittle leaves on the ground below. Bundled branches clung to every tree, and a hodgepodge of flowers, which were found in the most quiet places, looked almost out of place in the otherwise unvarying forest floor. A mishmash of wild sounds, predominantly those of foraging animals, brightened up the forest, and almost completely muffled the occasional sounds of large animals in the distance. If they were animals. The time of year just so happens to be close to the summer. I think...

I woke up like I would any other day, at the crack of dawn in a random tree. If it wasn't a tree then it was at the bottom of some source of water. Anyway, I woke up and decided to hunt some breakfast, usually a few squirrels and rabbits with any herbs or plants that were accessible. With the traps I laid out the night before. I was usually pretty successful, but there have been times where I didn't catch anything. I'm not perfect. Luckily today was a good haul, three squirrels and four rabbits as well as a variety of edible plants.

So I took them back to my makeshift camp and decided to cook them up. I would like to believe I have become a good cook over the past few years, but I don't have anyone to share my meals with so I'm not really sure. Taking my haul of meat and plants, I skewered them onto a few sticks to form a delicious shish kabob, it seems like it is the only thing I can do without any utensils, but I don't complain. I do however sacrifice portions of my meals to the gods I see fit. Minor or not. It's the little things that make someone's day.

After eating my portion and sacrificing the other to the gods, I stomp out the fire and make my way to gods know where. Maybe. Training as I go. Shooting my one arrow at random targets with the occasional ice dagger throw. Speaking of my accuracy, I have increased so much I am beginning to get scared that I'll never miss even with my bow and arrow. If I wasn't shooting I would be practicing my sword skills to their absolute pinnacle. Just train, train, train. Not a single monster I have came across stood a chance. Oh how the mighty have fallen to a sarcastic child!

I don't like to brag, makes me feel all weird inside, but I do tell the truth. And the truth is I'm good, like really good. The worst thing I came across was a twenty foot long drakon that had a nasty case of acid spitting and paralysis of looked directly into the eyes. I didn't want to check the second part so I avoided looking at his eyes. But man, his scales were incredibly tough. Sprained my wrist while giving it a good whack on the head. After fighting it for an hour I finally managed to kill by drowning. Most people would call that cheating, but I didn't care when he almost snipped me in half!

Geez, and recently it has been getting a lot worse. My scent attracts monsters wherever I go from what seems like miles upon miles in all directions.

Walking slowly I remembered the last time I talked to my family and friends. It just so happens to be a couple of weeks ago. My moms and bestfriend, plus everyone else, were so thrilled to hear from me that they nearly broke our connection with the Iris message trying to hug me. Who knew doing a couple favors for her could go such a long way? Anyway I told them everything that happened and didn't leave any details out. Like the time a hydra nearly melted me into a puddle, falling over the edge of cliff because a chimera was being a bit moody, and the time I accidently fell into a cyclops lair as they ate.

Still don't know how I'm still alive... huh.

And if I wasn't talking to them I would try and send letters to Piper. I don't actually know if she got any of them is the thing. Additionally, I only got to hand out with her twice since the first time I met her. The first time, we spent the entire day by the beach just doing whatever and surfing. I can't even begin saying how much fun it really is. The second time was cut short by a monster. Stupid hound nearly took my hand off as I was reaching for steak. Mmmm... steak... I killed it quickly and ran away after making sure that was the only one. I hoped that they would follow me and leave her the hades alone.

I feel really terrible about it. Since then I haven't heard so much as a peep from her... I miss her... I always apologized in my letters and told her what I could. Still...

In the forest the sky vanishes almost completely, only a few fragments of blue remain- like scattered pieces of an impossible jigsaw puzzle. The air is rich with the fragrance of leaves and loam, damp too. Even so many hours after the rains have passed, the soil remains wet, slowly releasing its heady fog. Outside is the noon daylight, the powerful rays of early summer, but in here everything is cool and the colors have the softness of that time just before twilight. The only movement is the occasional bird, startling in a trees or a squirrel dashing up a nearby trunk. The sound of running water in the brook has the same hypnotic quality as music, I want to stop just to drink in the sound. The huckleberries are mostly red, tart but with just the right amount of sweetness. I take in all the air my lungs will hold and expel it slowly. These hikes in the forest are like a trip out of my normal monster run life, a visit to somewhere the measuring of time is done only by the rising and setting of the sun. I really love it.

'Percy!'

'Damn it Khione! How many times do I have to tell you to not yell in my head!?

'Shut it! Zeus's Master Bolt has been stolen!' The weather has been a little too thunder-stormy as of late. So that's why.

'Ok? What does that have to do with me? They think I'm dead.'

'Percy Listen! Zeus has demanded that someone bring him his bolt! And ever since your little run in with the bow trotting virgins they think Poseidon sired another child and are putting the blame on him!'

'What?! Why!? How stupid is that old goat!? I barely did anything! I should smack him right on his smug face for his paranoia! You know what! I'm gonna do it!' The facial expressions I made would cause normal people to turn their heads. I definitely look like a maniac. Good thing there is no one out here in the middle of nowhere.

"Look who's yelling now.' Khione mumbled. 'But you can't.'

'Why not!?' I whined, probably like a child... I am a child!

'Because you idiot! Do you have any idea how suspicious the whole thing would look if you waltz in with the bolt? Given that you're supposed to be dead?'

'Well then how am I supposed help? Answer me that smarty pants.'

'Go to Camp-Half-blood. If you do this in good faith to help Zeus then maybe it could work. There you'll get a prophecy from the oracle and either stop the bloodshed of millions of people because Zeus was mad or cause millions of people to lose their lives because you were too selfish to help your dad. No pressure.' Half-blood sounds kinda racist.

'You have such a lovely way with words. You know that?'

'Yep!' Great. Just great.

'B-but I've been running all across America for the past four years. I don't know where I am! I don't even know how I'm suppose to get to camp! Or how to act around all those demigods! I'm only twelve years old for gods sake!'

'Yea, a twelve year old that can control water, met a few gods and goddesses, with the capability of killing mythical beasts and hiding from the Olympians for twelve years. Because that's a normal twelve year old.' She's got good point. 'Percy it is time to come out of the closet and blow the gods away.' Never mind.

'That sounds gay! I'm not gay! What's the matter with you?!'

'No need to blow that out of proportion.'

'I'm not! It is definitely in proportion!'

'Calm down would you? You're not too far away from camp anyway. Like maayybe a hundred miles east of you.' Changing the subject like that. Damn you. 'Now get going, I don't want to hear any more complaints from you young man.' She just cut off the damn connection! Next time I see her I'm gonna-

"MOOOOO!" That sound resonated through the woods as thundering footsteps echoed. Shaking the earth as it came closer. A storm was brewing.

"Oh for the love of gods! Now what!" With no warning the thing smashed into a tree and knocked the entire thing over. In between the fallen leaves, an ugly freak appeared. A monster with the head of a bull and the body of a man that has fur from about the belly-button on up and naked except for a pair of bright white Fruit of the Loom underwear below. The unholy beast wielded a huge axe with blades in the shape of the Greek letter omega. Which means that I'm dealing with the Minotaur. And it isn't even noon! Smirking a little, I shouted, "Come and get me ya Llama turd!" That did it, the beasty thing roared and charged at my voice. I giggled as rain began to slowly fall from the skies. It feels like a blessing.

Khione wants me to blow the gods away? I think I figured out the best way to leave a first impression. Sprinting east, I began making my getaway. Weaving dangerously in and out of trees and branches, half blinded by the glare of sunlight peeking it's way through the clouds and canopy with splatters of rain providing the way. The way the light and water fought for dominance in the sky felt like I was a spectacle to be watched. The rain fought harder transforming the pitter patter to an onslaught of bullet sized rain drops thundering onto my face, eyes darting over the never ending sheet of water, giving me the energy to stay in front of that cow. I continued my evasive movements, invigorated for the the umpteenth time.

I wish I could say the adrenaline lasted, but I am only human. Well mostly. Either way, I can start to feel my muscles begin to stiffen. I should be getting close now. I slid under a fallen branch feeling the mud caking my thighs and side before kicking up and jumping down a hill. The wind whistled past my ears and seeing through the wet blanket I made out a simple black paved trail cutting through the forest. How lovely, a road. I landed and rolled... Why is the sun getting so close to my face? I shrieked jumping as the realization hit me. My body hit landed a solid hit on something very solid causing my voice to get caught up in my throat. My bones and muscles and joints and organs felt like they were being crumbled and smashed into a tiny box. My lungs contracted with such force that I was afraid they would fold into themselves. My torso and head smashed up against something with a little more give, the cracking sound honestly could have been anything at this point. My vision danced with spotty coverage as I the rest of me floated very carefully through the air. Oh yes... very carefully... not at all like a tomahawk.

It was softer than I expected, the ground I mean. And I got a lovely view of the world in those few seconds. The ground how weird sparkles in them and the sky is darker than I remember, but clashed with bright flashes that tickled my retina. It was surreal, it should hurt, I should be wailing, but the only thing I feel as I rolled to a stop was numb. Without looking I know there is blood seeping from skin that merely seconds ago was smooth. I don't move - anything to delay the part where I take in what I look like now. Torn and dirty skin, reddened, weeping blood. Should I laugh?

I faintly make out squealing behind me and the sharp sound reverberated in my skull past the ringing, causing me to tilt my head and look. Bright red danced with white as the thing swerved as the back tumbled into a ditch, flipping the entire thing over, smashing to a stop that caused my heart to drop. I don't think it's designed to that. Past the rain, there, I saw hands flailing.

"People are in that!?" I seethed in disbelief through my teeth and foggy mind, completely forgetting that I am numb to the world. I groaned and lazily rolled onto my stomach and forced my hands under me, asking the water to help me out here. Damn it you moron! I could sense my lifeline doing its work, but I couldn't actually feel any part of me mending back together. Oh... the adrenaline is coming back.

I huffed and puffed as I begged my legs to get under me in order to move. It a second to process that I was moving and that the red sheen was, in fact, coming from me. I watched my feet take steps across the glossy asphalt, my bloody feet next to the shined, scrapped, wrecked metal littered across the road before reaching a divot between the road and the forest beyond. Oh look a sign. I shook the thought out of my head as I got closer to the wreckage. Limping my way to the driver's side of the car, I looked through the shattered window to find two bodies...

A tall man with curly brown hair, and a wispy beard somehow managed to keep the cap on his head from falling off. With baggy pants and sneakers. There was blood dripping from his mouth and his arm was clearly broken. Probably has some other things broken as well. I Reached for his neck, placing two fingers down and found a shallow pulse. Good. The other person seemed much better off, with a few too many cuts and bruises, but nothing too serious, I hope. She had wavy brown hair and wore a plain blue blouse with torn jeans and tennis-shoes- "MOOOO!"

My eyes widened as I turned my head, seeing the mongrel across the road at the top of the hill sniffing the air. Axe in hand. "Must...top...tree..." The wispy bearded man mumbled as he was fading between consciousness and a coma. I don't have a clue what he was talking about, but I must save them and get to the top of the hill. Oh look a massive pine tree.

Further down the road, beyond the curve, I heard the unmistakable sound of dogs. Hellish dogs. Oh, yea, that makes sense. It's not like this day could get- nope, not even gonna think that because I know exactly what will happen if I do. Damn jinxes.

Thank the gods that the Minotaur is practically blind or this would be hard. Well, harder. Trying the doors, I soon find that they all were jammed shut. Glancing back, the Minotaur was getting closer. Picking away at the distance between us as the hounds' howling drew even closer. I'm getting an odd sense of deja vu here...

Getting back to the passenger, I take out a simple dagger and cut the seatbelt catching her as limp form. My back ached from the odd angle, but I push it down as I risk dragging her through the window, no doubt giving her another cut or a few. I drop her off at a tree a few feet away and get to the driver. The rain truly is a blessing as I feel myself slowly getting better. It didn't hide the pain, but I can make do. All the while the Minotaur is already at the bottom, at the edge of the road. Damn! Slashing at the seatbelt, the man falls forward-"HOONNKKKK!" Alerting that smelly alpaca directly to us. The smelly mongrel charged, digging in his hooves with each step, leaving me no time to think.

On instinct and adrenaline alone, I drag the man out of the car tossing him aside and rolling away just as the inbreed man cow shot passed us and slammed himself into the wreckage. Dismantling the car even more so than it already was... Good to know that a hit from him is like the hit I got from the metal beast.

Jumping on my feet before he has time to recover, I rush over to the man and plopped his body on my shoulder before moving to the girl. Damn, he smells like a wet goat. I reached her as the cowman roared his primal roar and slammed his axe into the wreck, furious that he missed. Placing my arms under her knees and arms, I lifted her up and walked up the hill, not bothering to even glance back at the monster still throwing a hissy fit and smashing the car to pieces. Well, more pieces.

"M-monster!" The plopped body on my shoulders shouted pointing to my left, finally waking up from his daze. Only to fall right back to sleep and alert axe face to my position about half way up the hill... and show me the six or so pairs of red glowing eyes charging. Oh perfect.

"ROAAARRRR!" The beast let loose so loud that my ears rung and the two deadweights stirred in their unconscious state. An unfamiliar sound of bells sprung up in the distance. Why can't anything ever go according to plan? My legs were in agonizing pain and my body was slowly giving up on itself. I made it another quarter of the way up, but he was faster. Reaching me in no time and zoomed past my left side, his horn grazing my arm. Yet, sharp enough to cut me good. He continued on his path, impaling a horn right into the trunk of a tree. I would have laughed, but now was definitely not the time. The dogs were nearly on top of us too. Lovely

With the two bodies still being carried by yours truly, past the massive gremlin, I sprinted with what little energy I had left towards the top, subconsciously fearing the nipping at my heels though I know they aren't as close. His roar of absolute rage filled the hillside and beyond. I heard him dislodge himself from his situation and rush forward again... This time with the hounds keeping pace with him.

Only this time I was already at the top and set the two carefully down by a massive pine tree and faced the beasts head on with two a frozen blade in my hand. I heard shouts coming from below, in the valley and the continuous ringing of bells. But I didn't bother with that, I only looked at the overgrown heifer and his seven wiener dog companions.

Rushing down the hill, I ignored the shouts of pain storming my body and pushed forward. A child, half cow, and ole beasties meeting somewhere in the middle. The cow carrying his axe with his head bowed and charging with intent to kill while the dogs salivated at the smell of blood. I held my sword in hand and stared down the steroid filled cow with a manic grin.

There was absolute stillness. No air stirred the grass or leaves. No clouds drifted in the sea of grey above. No water dripped or flowed. Not a sound could be heard either close at hand or in the far off distance. Even my own breath seemed to die as soon as it left my mouth. It was an eerie sort of tranquility, so instead of being soothed my senses became heightened. I felt like the predator even though I was the one being hunted. It was as if the world were encased in a cocoon, a bubble, and there was no way out. I stood head to head with one of the most recognizable monsters in all of Greek mythology.

Time resumed and I jumped over him gliding my sword down in his back, slicing him up, knocking him completely off balance and crashing face first into the ground. I however landed just as ungracefully and rolled down the hill, slamming into a tree with my back knocking the air out of my lungs with blood mixed saliva. Looking up in a haze, everything was blurred. I made the Minotaur and some silhouettes lined up at the top of the hill.

However, I didn't get the chance to dwell as a fearsome set of jaws dove for my neck. I ducked, grabbing the the silver arrow on my waist and shoved it up through the chest drowning in monster dust. Sweet only six more...

I rolled behind the tree and started to expertly climb, feeling a nip at my foot as I did. This time a real one. I got safely up the tree, however there was a problem, the cow recovered much quicker than I anticipated and it faced me with a hungry look in his eye. At this point the dogs hardly matter.

It charged.

I held my breath as it brought down his horns and rolled right into my haven. The entire tree shuttered and creaked as gravity took over, sending the wooden home back towards the ground from where it came. I held on until the last second before jumping off to the side hearing the yelp of at least one dog being crushed. There are no friends with monsters, that much is obvious.

My knee buckled as I landed yet I just barely managed to hold up my sword blocking a set of claws. How rude of them to go for my face like that. I kicked one of them with my legs before letting go of the strength in my hand causing the Hellhound to tilt forward and lose her balance. I pressed the advantage and sliced at her neck sending another one away. Feeling the ground beneath me shake, I knew what was coming behind me. I stomped one of my feet causing only the slightest of shakes through the ground, but enough for the Minotaur to trip up a little and swing far left, slicing another hound.

The overly-muscled abomination blindly grabbed a tail and begin swinging it wildly all around. I would've felt sorry for the thing, if it weren't for nearly being bitten by the thing. The Minotaur tossed the beast at me, but I jumped over the low ball and flinched as I heard the ugly crunch of bones snapping, definitely killing it. Okay, now I do feel a bit bad.

The last two Hellhounds froze and... fled? Huh, I didn't know they had a conscious.

My stupor was cut short as I barely dodged the two sided axe. I stepped on the handle, jumping up to knee the monster in the face and slice his fugly eye. He roared and swung with his free hand. Hoof? The breeze from the swung sent a child down my back and remembered, yea, the dude has some serious power in his jacked body. I sprung boarded off his hands narrowly missing his two horns and landing on his shoulders.

I laughed, letting my sword melt and disappear as I grabbed the pointy tusks. Must be sensitive because he went wild, roaring and jumping around like a bucking bronco or a crazed bull which... ironic. He swung wildly from side to side and began running all over the hill, shoulder checking trees and mounds alike. I think he forgot he had hands because not k=once de he use them to toss me off. I laughed like a maniac ignoring the tense shocks my body pulsed with that came with every jump and bump. Yea, I had enough.

He charged up the hill with his head down and I figured now is my chance. I stood on his shoulder grabbing his left horn before jump way off to the side letting my momentum carry me. The sensation was close to swing off of a branch, but this branch was moving... and connected to a hulking mass of muscle could tear a tree trunk in half. His head twisted changing his center of gravity, he tripped over his own legs, hooves? and smashed into the ground sliding a dozen feet before stopping. My breathe was heavy and it felt like my lungs were in my throat, but I didn't stop. I grabbed the the exposed horn and dug my heels in wrenching the horn from his head. *Snap!* The bone or whatever broke, causing him to scream his head off into the dirt where his head was buried. That didn't deter me from taking the sharp end and shoving it deep into the back of his neck, piercing those bones, and slicing their way into his throat. That's what you get. Go home big guy...

I cackled, letting my body crumple onto the ground. The raining soaking my body unable to fight off the exhaustion setting into my bones. Damn today has been a very long day. I hope those kids are alright.

Blood keeps dripping to the mud beneath me, hundreds of drops like a crimson rain of death. Yea, I can't say today has been all that fun. My head swam for a second, the world tilting slightly, knowing that my body wants to take that brake now. Who knew getting hit by a machine would be so bad? I definitely didn't. Oh, that sensation, I've felt it before. Have my eyelids always felt this heavy?

I will not fall asleep… Over my dead body. Heh. Feeling a nudge on my shoulder, my hand shot up and grasped it. "Wow! Calm down, I'm here to help." Somebody said, but I was too tuckered out to make out who it was. My head bowed down from over exerting myself. I don't think my skin feel all that sticky and weird.

"No. Go and help the others first, I'll be fine." I waved whoever it was off, trying to keep the world in front of me from spinning.

"You're pretty far from fine-"

"I said go and help them. Or so help me gods I will castrate you where you stand!" Making my point I grabbed the broken hallow husk and swung it around. I could make out the sound of whoever it was rushing off. That sound was replaced however with the sound of hooves smacking away at the ground. Nearing my location. "Great. Now what?" If I have to fight another cow today, I'm gonna be pissed.

"We need to get you inside the barrier. It isn't safe out here." He said. Definitely a he. He sounded wise, but man is he dumb.

I chuckled a little, "Really? It felt like sunshine and rainbows to me." This guy or whatever grabbed me by my hand and lifted my off the ground and placed my on a horse. Weird, horses usually talk to me whenever I'm near them, in my head. "What about the other two?"

"You must really care about your friends a lot to put yourself in that much danger for them. Even to the point of being unable to stand."

"Friends? I have never met them before in my life." I couldn't tell if he was shocked, startled, or what, but he kept silent for the rest of the ride. Which took no more than a few minutes. The scent of strawberries filled my nose and it relaxed me. It made me close my eyes and just take it in.

As soon as we stopped, I was picked off the horse and carried inside someplace. Gods I hope it isn't a hospital. What kind of hospital deliveries patients by horse? That's just awesome. Ow my ribs. Next thing I know, I'm being placed gently on a bed and I open my eyes. Yep, definitely an infirmary. Beds lined up side by side and the others were laying unconscious already being looked after. "Where am I?" I asked no one in particular. Just eyeing the place.

"You're in the infirmary."

"No I meant, am I at Camp Half-blood?" Again with the silence, I guess I'm in the right place.

"How did you know?" How does anybody know of a safe place for demigods?

I shrugged, hiding a flinch, "Can I talk to the man in charge of this place? Please, it's urgent."

"Somebody get Chiron in here now! He needs to know what's going on and get me nectar and ambrosia!" The teenager ordered and as soon as he was finished two boys left the room. The first one came back quickly and had squares in a bag plus a canister. He put the stuff down and I reached for them taking a little piece and a drink. It tastes like... I miss home. I felt my body begin to mend, but it would take a little to actually be back to a hundred percent.

Entering the room next was an old man in a wheelchair and a girl by his side. She had the audacity to stare me down all the way to my bed. "Yes?" The old guy asked.

"I'm sorry if I come off rude, but are you Chiron? How'd you lose the half of you that's a horse?" Chiron held a perplexed face while the others tried to suppress their snickers, not expecting that to come flying out if my mouth.

"I am." It must be awkward sitting in that wheelchair. "And who might you be my boy?"

I smiled and opened my mouth "My name is Percy and I'm a son of Poseidon." Among other relations. "Pleased to make your acquaintance." I said finishing with a mock bow through my pain filled body. Every one stood there mouth agape.