As Clarisse stumbled into Camp, bloody, buried, and panting, Thalia knew something was wrong. She didn't know the daughter of Ares very well. From what she could gather from offhanded comments from Percy, Clarisse was the stereotypical tough girl who wouldn't take shit from anyone. But, she was the one who officially led the quest to get the Fleece, so Thalia would always owe her a debt of gratitude.
Clarisse was hauling a demigod Thalia didn't recognize toward camp piggy-back style. He babbled incessantly about string and monsters. Between that and the vacant look in his eyes, it was clear he wasn't well in the head. Despite their unfamiliarity, Thalia winced, her own memories of her time on the Mountain threatening to roar back with a vengeance. Spending time with Percy was a comfort. The shattered pieces of her mind were beginning to mend, although she feared that cracks would remain regardless of how much time passed.
Shooting one last look at the now shredded straw dummy in front of her, Thalia hurried from the training pits. Her labored breathing slowed her down, and she cursed. Despite her recent improvement in her conditioning, she still felt fatigued and unrefined. Her spear was finally feeling familiar once again, and her small electric shocks seemed to work on everyone except Percy. She had made it most of the way up the hill when Clarisse called out to her.
"Get Chiron," she yelled, staggering towards the Big House. Her torn pant legs flapped open with every uneasy step she took.
Thalia nodded as she reversed course. She could have sworn Clarisse was whispering softly to the boy on her shoulders. If the boy noticed, he didn't let on, mumbled words about mazes, strings, and monsters continuing to spill past his lips.
She sprinted down the hill, for the first time cursing the fact that she didn't see any Ares kids milling about. Or anyone, really, who she could send back to help Clarisse while she got the adults.
She raced up the porch steps and barreled into the Big House, stumbling through the door to interrupt what seemed like a deep conversation between Percy and Chiron. Percy immediately tensed before bolting to her side.
"What's wrong, Thals?" Percy's hands brushed over her, checking her over like she was the one in danger. She hardly heard the rest of what he said over the sound of her heart racing in her ears. She had the faintest thought that they'd need to reschedule their sparring match.
She gave Percy a reassuring nod when she caught his worried look. Finally her breathing calmed enough to get words out.
"Yeah, I'm fine." She glanced at Chiron, willing her voice to steady. "It's Clarisse. I don't know what's wrong, but she's got a dude with her who sounds like he's gone crazy. She's not doing too well either."
Several emotions, including panic, flashed across the immortal centaurs face before he could compose himself. She felt Percy tense beside her, his strained expression matching how she felt. It was unsettling to catch a glimpse of Chiron's true emotions, calm and collected as he always was.
"Take me to them," Chiron instructed. "Quickly, there is much that we need to learn."
Thalia nodded as Percy stood and pulled her from the flood. Before he released her hand, he gave her another reassuring squeeze.
"They're out by my tree," she managed to say.
As she raced with Chiron and Percy out to Clarisse, a pit formed in Thalia's stomach. Something felt vaguely familiar and altogether wrong, although she didn't quite know what or why. She had seen Percy and Chiron exchange a look earlier, like they both knew something she didn't. Hurt pinched her heart, but she tried to push it away. It was fine, good even, for Percy to talk to Chiron about things. She just hoped that Percy wouldn't start seeing her like a fragile snow globe, ready to shatter at the slightest touch.
Clarisse and the boy hadn't made it more than a few feet inside of the border before Clarisse's legs had apparently given out. The boy was lying on his back, brown eyes open and unseeing. Clarisse had scooted back against the pine tree, her eyebrows furrowed as her chest heaved. Her lips were moving, but no sound was coming out.
Chiron scooped the boy up in his arms, his face pinched in concentration. Deep sadness washed over his face, again making Thalia feel like Chiron knew something the rest of them didn't.
"Bring Clarisse," he said. "I will be in the infirmary." With a flick of his tail, he turned and trotted down the hill. Percy and Thalia were left to help Clarisse, who hadn't even acknowledged that Chiron had been there. Percy walked over and crouched next to her.
"Hey," he said, his voice uncharacteristically soft. "Can you walk? Or should I douse you with toilet water again?"
Thalia held back a snort at the mention of the toilet incident. Percy had told her all about it, and she would've given nearly anything to see it for herself. But Percy's face held nothing but concern. He wasn't trying to push her buttons, just gauge where Clarisse was at mentally.
Thankfully, Clarisse scowled slightly. "Punk," she murmured.
Slowly, she turned and kneeled, using the tree for support as she pulled herself to her feet. Her legs shook, but she didn't go down. In an instant, Percy was next to her, draping her arm over his shoulder for support. Thalia went to her other side, allowing Clarisse to use her to balance if needed.
Percy's jaw was set, eyes far away as they trudged slowly down the hill. Thalia knew that he had recognized the boy who was with Clarisse. A strange look had briefly crossed his face when they'd gotten to them, and Thalia gathered that they didn't get along particularly well.
They both startled when Clarisse broke the silence at the bottom of the hill.
"The air was alive," Clarisse said, her voice so soft, Thalia nearly thought she'd imagined it. "Like, it was trying to burrow into me. Crawling inside me." She shook. "Like ants in my skin."
Thalia shuddered at the mental image. It sounded remarkably similar to what Percy had shared; that horrific scratching beneath the skin. The kind of thing that could drive you mad.
Percy shared a weighted look with her. Clarisse stumbled and he broke their gaze, concern back in full force as he shifted to take more of her weight.
"I get it," Percy said softly. "Let's get you to Chiron."
Clarisse nodded, but pulled herself from both of them as they reached the dirt road. "I can walk on my own."
Percy threw his hands up in surrender as she pushed ahead of them, allowing her to stagger the rest of the way to the infirmary. Neither he nor Thalia left her side.
Thalia shot him a concerned look when she started mumbling again, the words slowly becoming more incoherent until only one word left her cracked lips, again and again: "Chris."
Laying on a white bed in the infirmary, the usual fire that burned in Clarisse's eyes began to return. Chiron finished fussing over Chris, who was now sedated and resting peacefully on the adjacent bed. He turned toward her and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. From their place at the open doorway, Thalia could see the sad understanding written so starkly across his face.
"My dear, I know it is fresh, and I apologize that I am asking this of you. But please, tell me everything you learned." He took a heavy breath. "For what it is worth, I wish I didn't have to send you into that horrid place."
Clarisse waved off Chiron. "It's fine," she said gruffly. "Someone had to do it." She glanced over at Chris. "Besides, he'd be dead otherwise, so it wasn't all for nothing."
She took a deep breath, her hands trembling slightly as she laced them together.
"Your concerns were confirmed, Chiron," she said. Her gaze slowly drifted to where Percy and Thalia stood, her eyes seeing, but not observing. "Luke wants to use the Labyrinth to invade camp."
Chiron smiled tersely, but he did not look surprised. Something rumbled quietly, and then the room was shaking softly, just enough for Thalia to feel it. She glanced to Percy, who looked downright murderous.
The edges of his body flickered black and red, so subtle she might have thought she imagined it. His fists were clenched, along with his jaw, so tightly that she was afraid his teeth might crack. Even doing everything he could to keep his emotions in check, the room still shook, medicine and supplies rattling in cupboards and on tables.
Chiron cast him a concerned look, and Thalia grabbed his arm, squeezing, and praying it would be enough to help calm his barely contained rage.
He relaxed at her touch, but only barely. "I'll kill that fucker before he gets the chance," he muttered under his breath. Saying those words was enough to stop the little tremors from shaking the room, but not enough to squash the green energy that seemed to buzz in his eyes.
Like green flames, Thalia thought. She had rarely seen that look, and would nearly describe it as frightening, but when he turned his gaze to hers, it morphed into something else.
His eyes shone with a different kind of light, like she was the only thing that mattered to him.
Deep within her, she knew he would kill for her. He had said as much, even when she was obstinate about Luke. I'd still do it, you know. His promise, given after her first apology about Westover, infuriated her at the time. She didn't need him looking out for her. She could do it herself, just like always.
Then, the Mountain happened, and he came on his own to rescue her. She had bared the worst parts of her soul to him, all of her sins, and all he did was hold her and call her an angel. Instead of the repulsion she was expecting, she felt him tense on her behalf, and a security blanket was wrapped around her, allowing her some space to regain what was lost as she shattered.
Percy's anger was much different than Luke's. By comparison, Percy's fury was righteous and warm, as though it was a fire meant to incinerate all those who threatened the bricks of the hearth. His eyes blazed, but his gentle arm, which had now moved around her, was comforting and soft, reduced to the soft simmer that made her insides melt. She could do anything with him, and the light in his eyes that she could observe when he would let himself relax meant that Thalia could see the seed of hope burgeoning within him as well.
Shaking herself out of the swirl of thoughts, she gently rubbed his arm. She smiled at him.
"It's okay. I'll help you kill that fucker, too," she whispered. Maybe Luke could be redeemed. Some small part of her hoped for it, despite everything. But whether or not Hades decided to forgive him was another question. All she could do was support Percy in the extradition process.
She was suddenly aware of Chiron staring at them, his eyes alert but not alarmed. As the last rumbles of the earthquake subsided, he turned back to Clarisse, urging her to continue. The daughter of Ares took a deep breath, steeling herself.
"Nothing makes any sense," she said. "You'll be walking in a direction, down a tunnel, and then turn around the way you came and immediately become lost. The air…it's alive, and it wants to siphon out your very life." She picked at her skin absentmindedly. "Sometimes it felt like there were hundreds of fingernails pricking my skin, like they were trying to take it from me."
She pointed over to the demigod on the adjacent bed. "I found an exit over in New Mexico, and that's where I found Chris. I think he was in there a lot longer than me, but I…" her voice trembled slightly as she took a deep breath, "...but I couldn't just leave him. I made my way back as soon as I could."
Chiron sighed sadly as Clarisse finished her story about the maze with living air. He turned and nodded to Percy. The color drained from his face, but he nodded back in unspoken agreement. His rage was gone, replaced with something that looked a lot like anxiety.
"So, what are our options?" Thalia asked, her words slicing through the thick tension in the room. "It's obvious that Luke's plans for the maze are confirmed." She pointed at Chris, "And he clearly knows something. Can't Mr. D fix him up so he can tell us what he knows?"
Chiron sighed again, suddenly looking a century older than before.
"My dear Thalia. Unfortunately, I do not think it is that simple. But I do believe that it is time I explain what I can. As I'm sure you've already surmised, like the rest of the Greek mythos, the Labyrinth is alive and thriving in our modern day. The animating force remains another mystery, as do its capabilities, but for lack of a better term, it acts as a second skin, living and growing beneath the surface, buried between the Underworld and the normal one."
He continued. "As Percy has shared with you, and Clarisse has confirmed, time and distance have no meaning within its walls. Even godly magic is greatly reduced, acting as a natural grate against the free-flowing divine energy." He looked towards Percy, then Clarisse. "In many ways, it is like the Sea of Monsters, but instead of the magical boosting capabilities found within most mythical places, the Labyrinth can read your mind and snuff out everything you think you know. That makes it far more dangerous than any singular god, or Titan, for that matter. Gods can kill you, torture you, and punish you however they see fit, but the Labyrinth will do its best to siphon your very soul."
Thalia shivered and unconsciously slid towards Percy. Twice now, her soul had tried to flee her. The first time, Hades' Furies wanted to expedite her journey to the Underworld. That had landed her as a tree for far longer than she would have liked. The second was after her time holding the sky.
Luke's voice slithered into her mind uninvited. It's all your fault, you know. None of this would have happened if you just joined me. You're the monster you fear you are.
Percy wrapped his arm around her and squeezed, anchoring her.
"It's okay if you need a minute," Percy whispered in her ear. "I get it. I'll go with you."
Thalia stubbornly shook her head. "It's okay," she whispered back. "We need to learn everything we can. Besides, the Labyrinth is going to be important. Your dreams usually are."
He gave her one final squeeze and averted his eyes, although she could have sworn that his cheeks were a slight shade of pink. "Yeah," he said, his steely voice not matching his blush. "I know, I just…want you to be okay."
"I will be," Thalia said with a sigh. "Eventually."
Chiron cleared his throat and Percy dropped his arm, both of their attention once again fixed on the centaur. He once again looked at Clarisse. "How much time do you think we have until they figure it out?"
Clarisse shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know, but I think Chris was one of the first scout teams." She looked over at him, her eyes soft. "He's been babbling about string," she said, her voice catching. "That tells me they're looking for Ariadne's string in the center. Considering how awful that place is. I'd give them at least six months before they make any progress."
Chiron relaxed slightly. "Thank you, my dear. If legend is to be believed, the string will be found at Daedalus' workshop," Percy flinched at this, "right at the heart of the maze. Whether or not it even still exists is another matter, but I see no reason to suppose that it has been lost. At the very least, our enemies are operating under the assumption that it is real. I, for one, believe they are probably right."
Thalia regarded Percy, now stiff next to her. Considering what he said about the creepy old man, she wondered if he was making the connection. Before she could ask, Chiron spoke again.
"I received a prophecy many years ago that I feel could be useful to share now." He looked around, as if afraid of being overheard. "The lines were:
The Titan Lord rises, his prison unbound
Fueled by betrayal, he soon shall be crowned
The madness, the maze, the Old One's reign
Shall overrule the awful stain
Of a time that shall soon be passed
The throne of Olympus, a broken mast."
Chiron looked wary, like reciting the prophecy had taken all his energy. Thalia's heart sank as she took the prophecy at its face. Did that mean that it was inevitable that Luke would win? Her hands began tingling, tiny sparks flickering from her palms.
Images of Luke's head on a stake began to weave its way into her fantasies, his corpse looking just like her mother. Yes, that was exactly what he deserved. Fried, beaten, and forced to pay for his crimes. It nearly disgusted her that she wasn't put off by the horrific images she conjured, but not quite. She would make Luke fluent in the language of pain and sing the epic of suffering.
Percy, however, looked pleased.
"Thank you, Chiron," he turned towards Thalia. His green eyes bore into her soul as if he knew exactly who she had just been thinking about. "We'll do everything we can to make things right. Besides, don't you always say that prophecies don't really make any sense?"
Chiron murmured the affirmative, but Thalia didn't really hear him. Percy's fiery gaze told her that he was entertaining the same thoughts she had been. A shot of something that felt very much like attraction ran through her. Knowing that he'd help her maim Luke, even if he did try to spare her the horror of the act, felt satisfying. Besides, it had been a while since she had seen him swing his sword…
Chiron gave another nod to Clarisse. "Thank you, my dear." He looked over at Chris. "And don't worry, I'll make sure that nothing happens to him. At least until he wakes up and can explain everything."
Clarisse relaxed at that, giving Chris one more longing look as she settled in. Thalia could only assume they had some sort of history, even before Chris turned up in the desert.
Chiron nodded to Percy and Thalia and made for the door. Percy wrapped his arm around Thalia's waist and turned to walk her out. The soft, seemingly innocuous action gave her butterflies, her emotions whirling.
Her hands twitched. She needed to do something. Volatility was more her speed, not this soft, emotional stuff.
"Spar with me," she said, fierce enough that Percy flinched. Manually, she calmed her tone, trying to keep the itching out of her voice. "Please."
Percy smiled at the little sparks shooting from her palms. He pulled Riptide, capped in pen form, from his pocket and flashed her a smirk.
"Race you to the Arena!"
He took off, and Thalia raced after him, smiling to herself at his pace. He wasn't going his fastest, but just slow enough for her to catch up.
Electrical currents snaked beneath her skin as she stood with Percy in the sand pit. Casually, she watched Percy uncap Riptide and swing it around. He did it effortlessly, as though it were a part of him. The muscles in his arms rippled with every motion as he mimed slicing the dummy in half. She quickly turned from him, pretending to examine her spear as she tried to swallow down the torrent of thoughts and sensations that had crept up on her.
She turned, grip tightening on her spear as she methodically practiced her feints and jabs. She would never be as quick as Percy, and she was 0-1 in their official spars. Granted, his one victory had been because he used his dubious shadow powers. But Thalia maintained that it would've ended in a draw. She liked her match-up, after all. Electrification worked extremely well in water.
She winced as Luke's voice crept through her mind. You're holding it too tight. Shame, then rage flowed through her. She pushed the words aside and created a nice little electrified field around the tip of her spear. She drove it straight into the dummy in front of her, allowing the lightning to shatter on impact. The scent of burning cloth and straw permeated the arena. As she imagined the dummy was Luke, she increased the voltage, allowing it to catch fire before wrenching her spear free. Chiron probably wouldn't be happy she'd rage burned yet another dummy, but it was worth it to pretend that had been Luke she'd just flambeed.
Cold suddenly shocked her from head to foot, and she sputtered, wiping water from her face. Someone snickered behind her and she whirled to find Percy, smirking, just a few feet away.
"Careful," he teased. "Didn't realize you were such a fire hazard."
She grumbled, shaking the water from her hair as she shot another tendril of electricity at him. He sidestepped it easily, still smirking.
"Dry me off," Thalia demanded. "Or you're getting fried."
Percy placed his hand on his chin like a philosopher, as if he were contemplating the idea.
"You know, that actually doesn't sound so bad. Sounds kinda toasty."
Thalia shot another wicked glare at him and he relented. A flick of his hand and her clothes dried in an instant.
"You ready?" He grinned at her, a playful gleam in his eye. "Powers or no powers?"
Thalia didn't have to think about it. Her skin was itching, buzzing; she needed to let it out.
"Powers," she said, circling him. "Besides, if I'm such a fire hazard, I have you to keep things from burning down. You're like my own personal firefighter."
"You better not light the forest on fire just to backstab me," Percy said with a chuckle, matching her movements.
Thalia feigned offense. "Me? I would do no such thing."
"Then let's begin." Percy settled into his stance.
Thalia hauled Aegis up her arm and flashed it directly at Percy. He didn't flinch, but instead eyed her warily.
Irritation bubbled as he watched her find her footing. She tried to feel grateful that he was letting her settle before they started, but the bigger part of her just wanted him to go all out. Needed it.
"Scared?" She taunted. Percy's smirk was her only response. Her frustration boiled over, and she took two quick steps in his direction.
Percy's gaze narrowed, and she tensed as he cocked his head. He'd win every fight in close quarters. A sword was far more practical than a spear in that sense. He probably thought she was planning something. Good, she thought.
She willed energy from her body, down through her spear, until the tip was crackling with electricity. She flashed Aegis once again, and when Percy flinched, she struck.
Despite being out of practice, she could read him well; knew where he was tensing and how he would react. She went right for his sword hand. She was a breath too slow, and Percy deflected, reacting before she could make contact with his body.
Riptide clashed with her spear, throwing her momentum off, but his eyes narrowed at the contact.
"You missed." He said quietly, stepping back and circling again. She turned her head, confused.
"You should've put enough energy into that to numb my hand. Knowing you, that's exactly what you'd do. But you didn't," his hand flexed, the veins prominent against his skin, "so you missed."
Thalia groaned, shaking her head as she tried to brush it off. How could she have miscalculated the voltage? She willed more power into her spear, allowing it to vibrate in the air. It practically sang with all the energy it held now.
Percy's face twisted with a mischievous grin. Thalia knew her shield trick wouldn't work again. He looked completely at ease now. She could've sworn his hands were glowing a soft red- wait!
Percy lunged, faking her out and then retreating. Thalia kept up with him while the wheels turned in her mind. One of the mornings she'd awoke before he did, she'd sent him playful little shocks in an attempt to wake him.
Sidestep, counter!
She grit her teeth. He hadn't stirred, hadn't so much as twitched. But his skin had glowed, a soft red. She'd been too freaked out to ever try it again, afraid she'd hurt him somehow.
Parry, slash, duck!
But she hadn't hurt him. He hadn't even felt her lightning just now. For whatever reason, her electricity didn't seem to affect him. Despite herself, she grinned. If that was the case, it meant that she could go all out.
She stopped, panting, and pointed her spear at him.
"I did not fucking miss," she growled, allowing her power to swell. Percy was looking at her quizzically. Glancing down at her arm she took notice of the blue and purple glow, flickering like little flames along her skin.
He gave her a knowing smile as she took her stance again. In an instant he had mirrored her, his own dark flames swallowing his skin.
She gave a shout before charging him again. The sound of clanging metal rang through the arena. Vaguely, she registered that a small crowd of campers had formed to watch their violent little dance.
They were just getting started, but Thalia's lack of conditioning was already catching up with her. Her electricity thrummed against her veins, begging to be unleashed. A painful tug in her gut nearly pulled her off balance as Percy stuck hard at the same moment. Despite it all, her body relished the freedom as she shot round after round of lightning from
The ground suddenly rolled beneath her feet and she froze, bracing herself. Percy used that moment to duck inside her guard. Ignoring Aegis, he slashed at her ribs. She flinched, reacting to the strike. From the tension in his shoulders, she knew he was holding back, intentionally going slower.
She whirled Aegis at the last second, coursing enough electricity through it to kill a horse. Percy struck. Sparks exploded at the impact, sending her staggering backwards as little columns of smoke drifted from her shield and Percy's sword.
She narrowed her eyes, trying to assess what she'd just felt. Her arm was all tingly. She stretched it, the muscles flexing uncomfortably. It felt like it was holding too much energy. But that was impossible, because she'd just released all that energy. Unless-
Her gaze whipped to Percy again. Did that power come from him?
He was several feet back now, still shaking off the last effects of the impact. A few small fires had started at the edge of the arena from where the sparks had landed. Percy doused them quickly. Thalia barely heard the whispers and chatter from the growing group that was now watching them spar.
Thalia turned her full attention back to Percy, intending to start again, but stopped short as she actually looked at him.
His chest was heaving, his hair wild, but he looked otherwise unharmed. But the thing that really caught her eye was his shirt. Former shirt. Portions of his camp tee had been singed from the lightning, the area at his side and around his stomach practically charcoal now. Most of it hung open, revealing the glistening, sweat slicked skin beneath.
"Impressive," Percy nodded at her, tossing Riptide to his left hand and flexing his right. "Although this isn't my first rodeo." He winked at her.
Thalia stared at him, mouth agape. She could feel the energy coursing through her, and a quick glance around the impromptu crowd told her they could too. While Percy's increased endurance meant that he should've survived without any serious damage, the fact that he was still standing and smirking at her was baffling. He was incredibly wary, and it worked to her advantage after Capture the Flag. Now, with greater power, he smiled as though it was nothing more than static.
"You're batshit crazy, you know that?" Thalia taunted.
"Aren't we all?" Percy asked. The intensity of his gaze made her shudder. He had an uncanny ability to know exactly what she needed, so willing to play along.
Instead, she pressed her advantage, racing him in less than a second. If anything, he was faster now, matching her step-for-step. Sparks flew as their weapons collided. Her entire body was warm; she could feel the nearly limitless quantities of energy pounding against her skin like water against a dam.
They formulated a dance, with Thalia's jabs and Percy's parries making up the majority of the motion. His brow was furrowed in concentration, and she could see the gears whirring in his mind, wondering how to get through her guard a second time. She smirked at the thought that even out of practice, she was holding her own.
With each successive blow, the red in Percy's aura increased, quickly dominating the black and green. He just kept getting faster.
She managed to get in close enough to knock his shoulder with her shield. His skin was practically vibrating, the sensation running through Aegis and up her arm.
He grunted at the impact, knocking her back with Riptide and striking again.
The red glow and weird vibrating nagged at the back of her mind, but she forced it aside, content to relish her fight and solve mysteries later. She was completely zoned in; her spear was an extension of herself. Her confidence swelled, and soon she was grinning despite the brutal pace.
Percy caught sight of her face, and smiled brightly, even as they traded blows. The thought that her own smile could make him happy made her heart somersault, adding to her adrenaline high.
The two of them were now steaming, their sweat and energy evaporating into the crisp winter air. Thalia was flushed, her heart racing as their environment faded into little more than background noise. Her focus was lasered in on Percy, who was now flickering with red lightning.
Wait, red lightning? Shock made Thalia pause for a second, halting her strike in midair. That brief moment was all Percy needed. He sent a shockwave directly at her feet, throwing her off balance. Her spear went flying. She cursed at herself as he moved in, nearly in slow motion, as she fought to regain her stance.
His muscles were tensed, precise, and she mentally slapped herself for noticing the bare, taunt skin of his stomach that flexed as he moved. Little red streaks of lightning flickered from him, and all she could think was that it would go so well with her own blue.
He stepped inside her guard, easily deflecting her desperate block with Aegis. His warmth was at her side now, closing in on her. In a final, desperate act, she shot her right arm to his chest, channeling as much lightening as she could muster. She inhaled sharply as he grabbed her arm instead of dodging it, pulling it to him and absorbing the hit directly.
Their lightning flickered purple for a moment, and she briefly registered his eyebrows raising in surprise before he twisted suddenly.
She was expecting him to just disarm her and call it a match, but as he twisted, he took her arm with him, spinning behind her back and pinning it right between her shoulder blades. She let out a frustrated, surprised sound as he twisted her left wrist, the pressure forcing her arm to go slack and drop Aegis.
He let out a satisfied little hum, the sound so ridiculously attractive in the moment that Thalia's thighs clenched involuntarily.
Before she could process any of that, he had wrapped an arm around her, restraining her completely. Before she could open her mouth to try and claim a draw, Riptide was at her throat, the sharp blade prickling right against her skin.
Percy's hot breath warmed the back of her neck, causing goosebumps to erupt down her overheated body.
She took her bottom lip between her teeth, working it as the remaining energy from her last outburst left her. A different, more fiery energy was snaking its claim along her spine as Percy pressed her in closer to his body. It was hot and addictive, weaving its way through her like the tendrils of a flaming vine.
"I win." Percy's voice was rough as he murmured the words in her ear.
A whimper broke past her lips as heat seared her, stronger yet. She had expected that failing would lead to more frustration, anger, and bitterness. Instead, the pressure of the blade at her throat, of Percy holding her against him, sent sparks of something exciting and heady coursing through her. Her body nearly trembled with anticipation, and in that moment she was suddenly aware that they had an audience.
"Shut up, Kelp Head." Her voice came out higher, breathier than she'd intended. "I was distracted."
His face was so close to hers that she felt more than saw the smirk that he gave her. Her heart did a flip.
"I guess you can only blame yourself. If you'd shocked me full force like you've done before, I would've been done for.
Percy, seeming satisfied with his victory, lowered his sword and stepped back. Thalia frowned, both at the loss of his body against hers, and at his words. She spun, facing him.
"I did," she argued, brows drawn tight. "It's not my fault you're immune to it now."
Percy frowned, cocking his head to the side. "What do you mean? That doesn't make any sense." He shook his head. "All I felt was a thrumming kind of energy, like water. I figured you were just adjusting."
"Well then you could've gone easy on me," Thalia shot at him. He raised an eyebrow.
"You would've never let me live it down. Plus, you would've just been more angry with me. You needed to blow off some steam." He motioned to the steam coming off her body and chuckled. "Literally, too, I guess."
She hit him weakly on the arm, mind buzzing. Her body was buzzing too, if she were being honest with herself. She took a deep breath, pushing all thoughts of swords and throats aside. Glancing around, and grateful that their audience had dispersed, she looked up at him again.
"Let me shock you," she said after a moment. "I want to test something."
Percy's mouth tugged into a lopsided smile. "Why, want revenge?"
Thalia flushed. "No, you idiot, I'm just running an experiment."
He made a big show of shrugging his shoulders. "Fine," he smirked. "Try not to fry me."
Thalia ducked her head and focused on Percy's hand, still glowing a faint red. As tired as she was from sparring, it didn't worry her. She didn't need fine control for this, just to see how his body processed an electrical charge.
Slowly, she allowed the energy to flow. Enough that three weeks ago, he would have pulled his hand back in discomfort.
"What do you feel?" She asked.
"A small tingling, like pure energy," Percy said. "Nothing big, though."
Nodding, Thalia increased the voltage. Other than his hand growing a deeper red, Percy didn't react.
"The same," he said. "But stronger, like my hand is vibrating."
Thalia repeated the process again, and again, finally forcing out all the energy she could muster. Her body felt hot, too hot. She swayed slightly on her feet, ignoring Percy's concerned look when she glanced up again. Her voice trembled.
"How about now?"
Percy withdrew his hand, instead wrapping his arm around her. "Like my body is pulsing with energy, like when I try to use too much water, and it wants to break through my skin."
Thalia nodded. She felt the same. "Now," she said, shaking. "Try and control your energy. Like a lightning bolt." She pointed at a massive Sycamore tree at the edge of the forest. "Aim it there."
Reluctantly, Percy released her and did as she asked. He closed his eyes. Thalia could feel the energy emanating from him. Slowly, she felt it shift, like the energy was akin to her own. Sweat began to sheen on Percy's brow as it furrowed in concentration.
There was a sharp crack as red lightning burst from Percy's outstretched palm. He staggered backward, eyes flying open in surprise.
The tree was splintered, shards of wood scattered throughout the forest. Where it struck was a blackened scar on the remainder of the trunk. Small fires raged from the flaming fragments, now falling from the sky. Percy looked a little shaky in a way that was reminiscent of her first time seriously experimenting with summoning electricity.
Despite his clear fatigue, he used the water from the lake to douse the remaining embers. The only harm done was the nymphs casting them dirty looks as they disappeared deeper into the trees.
Despite his lopsided grin, Thalia couldn't help but feel a little jealous. Lightning was her thing, and now Percy could do it too. Slowly, thoughts questioning whether she would be good enough to keep up slid into her mind. It wasn't his fault, but her emotional turmoil in the last couple of hours only exacerbated her irritation.
Noticing her scowl, he smiled softly. "It's good to have you back, Thals," he said brightly. "Although I promise I don't know what the hell happened."
Thalia took a deep breath, flashes of purple lightning dancing around her memory. Despite the unfairness, it did look pretty badass. She'd never admit that to him, though. He had to earn his lightning like she did. On cue, he staggered, and despite herself, she grinned. Now, she'd get to be the one guiding him.
"Yeah, that happened to me the first time, too," she smirked. "You'll get the hang of it, though. And you totally owe me an explanation when you figure it out."
Percy frowned and sat down heavily in the sand. His chest was heaving, and it looked as though all the energy had been drained from him. She followed his gaze as it traveled upon her. Shakily, he took a breath as he looked down at the black scars on his hands. Thalia's heart squeezed as she saw the tension in his jaw. He didn't really talk about it, but he was clearly struggling with the physical changes, just like she was.
He sighed, his face shining with emotion. His jaw was tense, and there was a mild grimace. "Maybe later," he said, shrugging his shoulders as if they were sore. "I still haven't worked it out myself."
Thalia nodded knowingly. Her own experience beneath the sky was one better left forgotten, but she knew that the roaring tsunami of memories would never leave. Instead, they lapped at the dam of her mind, threatening to spill over if she wasn't careful. Percy definitely had the pieces of the puzzle, but she would grant him the time to work through it on his own. The delicate balance was something she wasn't completely comfortable with. She was never sure when to press for more information, or when to back off. It was something that Percy, seemingly unknowingly, was an expert in when it concerned her. He could read her mind before the thoughts even appeared, always racing to her side whenever she could feel herself slipping, holding her away from the edge of the spiral. She just wished she could reciprocate, despite the emotional eruption that occurred whenever she spent more than five minutes thinking about him.
"What happened here?" Chiron suddenly appeared at their backs, his voice tight but controlled. His eyes darted between the pair and then the destroyed tree. "Did you two overdo it again?"
Thalia suddenly found her Converse far more interesting. Her limbs trembled with exhaustion, and she could feel the warming electrical currents lapping in her organs even though it was cold. Her eyelids began to droop, a sign that their spar was well spent. Her emotional vessel was now empty, replaced with a familiar bone-aching exhaustion.
"Sorry, Chiron," Percy said. He turned towards Thalia, quirking his lips from side to side, debating something in his mind. "Hey," he said. "I think I know what you're going to choose, but I at least wanted to give you the option considering Mr. D's mood."
Thalia shot him a glare. She knew he was going to ask about leaving his cabin if she wanted to. Of course, he meant well, but he knew better than anyone that returning to the Big House was unacceptable. Frankly, she was mildly offended.
"If you ever suggest such a stupid option again, I will personally kill you," Thalia warned. "I'm not going back."
Percy raised his hands in a placating motion. "I'm sorry," he said. He opened his mouth and closed it again, like he wanted to say more. His voice was little more than a whisper, and Thalia was convinced she wasn't supposed to hear his next words. "I really like having you here," he mumbled, his cheeks slowly turning a shade of scarlet. "I just wanted to give you the option."
Thalia gave him a subtle nod to signal that she wasn't mad, or wouldn't be for long. Chiron gave an exasperated sigh at the pair, but he didn't say anything as he clopped back to the Big House, shaking his head slightly. Percy gave a small smile at the sight before beaming at Thalia.
"Come on, let's get out of here," he said, standing. She took a step to follow, but her legs trembled beneath with exhaustion. On cue, Percy wrapped his arm around her, guiding her back to the cabin. Selfishly, she took the opportunity to lean her head against him, allowing him to support her weight as they walked back to their cabin.
Bright blue tendrils shot out from her in every direction. Blue? She thought. My dreams are never in color. She groaned. Ever since moving into Percy's cabin, her sleep had become dreamless, the monotony of nothing only broken by pleasant dreams of an unknown future. One where her Father was gone, Percy was by her side, and she could finally breathe again. But those dreams were always in black and white. The last time she had color dreams was when Percy had somehow conjured a dreamscape for them to escape to.
Conflicting feelings flooded her as she reminisced on their time together. It had only been about six months since she had been poisoned. The idea of even making it to eighteen at the current rate felt as though it was slipping away, a soapy chain sliding between her fingers. She got what she desperately craved, a second chance to protect those she cared about, but she couldn't help but hunger for the simplicity of playing card games with Percy. Besides, she had failed in her duty. Luke was…Luke. And Annabeth had joined Artemis, essentially separating them forever. Hot tears began to prickle her eyelids. Their destinies were now drifting apart, and the sister she never had was gone.
She kicked herself for it, but the tears began to fall anyway. She should be happy for Annabeth and her new life, but now it felt as though a portion of Thalia's heart was missing. Biologically, Annabeth may have been older now, but she would always be Thalia's little sister, the closest thing she'd ever have to getting Jason back. What she wouldn't give to ruffle little seven-year-old Annabeth's hair in the woods, picking out the sticks as they slept under the stars in their shelters. Even teaching her how to braid her hair seemed like a distant dream. The pain was a consequence of love, and she hated it, hated herself for hurting over Annabeth's joy.
Across the electric web, little orbs formed, shining brightly. Thalia sat in the center, desperately pouring over the endless supply of memories. Her chest felt tight, and her throat made swallowing an impossible chore. Her emotions felt like the scattered orbs before her. Within sight, but completely unattainable, forever doomed to wander the emotional wilderness alone.
Suddenly, the web began to glow orange. Thalia flinched, expecting the intense heat to burn, but instead, it acted like a warm blanket, vaporizing the shards. The orange glow spread through the air, morphing the endless expanse around her into a living room, neatly laid bricks lining the fireplace at the center. Tending the flames was a young girl, who smiled warmly at Thalia. A comfortable looking loveseat was directly behind a coffee table placed to the right of the fire. Thalia made for it in an instant. She was snuggled deeply into the cushions before the girl spoke.
"You must be hurting," she said softly. "About your family."
Thalia nodded, the words too painful to give voice to. She could feel the walls she'd so carefully built around her heart crumbling. She suddenly wanted to bare all her sorrows to the soft, tender girl by the flames.
The girl gave one last look to the fire before she snapped her fingers. Chocolate brownies, sea salt caramel chocolate squares, and some cheeseburgers appeared on the coffee table. "It's not real," she said. "But food is often a great source of comfort, so it will taste just like the real thing."
Thalia leaned forward and tentatively took a bite of a chocolate brownie. The food was airy, akin to the smoke offerings at Camp, but it was as real as anything she'd ever tasted. Despite her lack of hunger, she ate a little of everything, allowing the comfortable sensations to calm her racing nerves. The girl sat patiently, a soft, warming smile on her face as she waited for Thalia to calm down.
"You must have many questions," she said. "I'll begin with the most pressing. I am Hestia, goddess of the home, family, and the hearth. I prefer to stick to the fire, but something drew me here."
A flicker of fear washed over Thalia. Normally, gods didn't like to be drawn somewhere, or else they wanted something for it. But Hestia's gaze held no malice, only concern, soft and kind like a mother's. She calmed at that, her fear slowly replaced with a soft yearning.
"I am truly sorry," Hestia said softly. She changed form, slowly growing in size until she appeared like a middle-aged woman. Thalia felt a brush on her cheek as Hestia's warm fingers caressed her face. She sank down on the couch beside her. "I figured you may prefer this form. I did not wish to frighten you, my dear."
Thalia opened her mouth, a million questions and worries coming to the forefront, but her voice broke as she went to speak. Instead, sobs wracked her, her fears expressed in grief. Her family was gone, and she was wandering aimlessly. Hestia simply pulled her close, allowing Thalia to cling to her as she cried. She stroked her hair softly, and Thalia cried harder.
"It's okay," Hestia cooed. "It's okay to hurt. Family will always be messy, and it's okay to hurt when you lose them. You have lost so much, my dear. Now it's time to grieve what you've lost."
The words were lost on Thalia's ears. "Why does it hurt so bad?" She whispered between sobs. "Why does my family keep leaving me?"
Hestia caressed the back of Thalia's head, her warmth enveloping the shattered girl next to her.
"It is true that you cannot control your parentage," she said warmly. "Mother, Father, and brothers and sisters are not something that we can control." She placed her hand on Thalia's chin, gently inviting her to look up. "But Annabeth is just as much of a sister to you as anybody else. Families are held together by more than just love. They have obligations to one another. This sense of duty, shared among friends, creates their own little families, and the loss of this knowledge has shattered my own." Small tears formed at the corner of Hestia's eyes, but they were quickly replaced with fiery determination.
"And the heartbreak we feel when our family betrays us is far more vicious and poignant than anybody else," Hestia continued. Despite her tears, Thalia understood that Hestia knew about Luke too. And how all the hopes and dreams she once had with him and Annabeth were wholly shattered.
As if Hestia could read her mind, Welcome to Paradise began to play softly in the background, like a funeral ballad to the family now estranged, never to be rejoined.
"Grieving means that you love them," Hestia said softly, once again pulling Thalia into her. "You have done so much, my dear. Just rest for a while. I am drawn to those who have suffered great loss and require respite at the hearth."
"I just wanna go home," Thalia murmured. The only problem was that she didn't know where home was or how to make one. The years of running had left her exhausted, and she wasn't even sure how to build one. Why would anybody want to build a home with a broken girl?
Hestia fixed her with a kind smile and leaned in close, as if she were the only one in the world that mattered. "You aren't broken, my dear. Home is where family is. And family can always be found for those who search for it." She smiled to herself, and Thalia wasn't sure if she was supposed to hear the next words. "Besides, you've found a nice boy. It sounds like you're already off to a great start."
Thalia was too tired to feel embarrassed at the implication. She had no more room for the indecipherable emotions that assaulted her every time Percy occupied too much of her mental sphere. she turned back towards Hestia's comfort, letting herself become lost in her arms. For the first time in her life, she cried in the arms of the mother she never had. And for the first time, those arms held her.
AN:Hey ya'll! This one was probably my favorite ever to write. Thalia is recognizing her feelings and we love it for her. They are just two idiots in love after all. I hope you all enjoyed. I was rereading (mostly so I don't forget anything and make silly continuity errors), and I got to chapter 7 (the Rachel chapter). Would there be any interest in reading any kind of Perachel one-shot at some point in the future? Let me know what you think about this chapter, the story, or any normal yapping you want. Reviews and favorites are always appreciated and I hope to see you next time!
Review Responses:
KaidoFett: The fluff goblin will always demand more.
Savien X: Thanks for reading and your continued reviews! I always get a little giddy whenever I get the notification of a new review. I hope you enjoyed.
Ginocide02: Thank you for the point about Aphrodite. I don't go full Sumerian and turn her into a full-blown war goddess, but she definitely was done dirty by Rick as someone who only cares about soap opera kind of drama. Really a waste of a character the way she was written, although it's inevitable that in a world about kids going on adventures that the all-powerful gods are little more than plot devices (I'm also guilty of this).
anaklusosdude16: On AO3, I have a fic titled Percy Jackson: The Art of War. I had drafted the entire thing before starting this one, so the quality is a little lower, but it still has lots of cool lore building, and you'll find a ton of connections between that story and this one. However, I will note, these stories should not be considered to be connected beyond simple background information for what the author had visualized in specific scenes. Interlore between the two is merely coincidental. Thanks for reading!