THE UNFORGIVEN
CHAPTER ONE: RELENTLESS
"Water is patient, Adelaide, water just waits. It wears down the clifftops, the mountains, the whole of the world. Water always wins." - The Tenth Doctor
PERSEUS
All he knew was darkness.
Percy was falling.
And then he wasn't.
He lay motionless on the cold ground, his body weary and his mind a tangled mess of confusion and fading dreams. The air around him was cold.
Where was he?
He could feel the chill of the night seeping into his bones, but a deeper cold, more profound, began to creep into his consciousness.
Through the dim light of the moon, Percy saw a figure approaching - a woman of with very fancy clothes, he noted idly.
She was draped in a feathered cloak. As she neared, her eyes locked onto his with a gaze that felt like it wasnotrespecting his personal space.
Percy recognised her immediately. "Hera," he said. "Why am I here?"
"Perseus Jackson," Hera intoned, her words carrying a weight that pressed down on him, "you have become too entangled in matters beyond your understanding."
"What are you talking about?"
"My plan," she murmured. "You are essential to my plan."
"Can gods get dementia?" Percy asked. To be fair, Hera was acting kind of senile.
Hera chose not to respond, instead shooting him a sharp look.
The air around her began to pulse with a strange, silvery light. Percy tried to focus, to make sense of what was happening, but the more he tried, the more elusive the answers became. The light grew brighter, enveloping her hand as she reached out towards him.
Before he could react, hefr hand touched his forehead. The sensation was unlike anything he had ever felt - a shocking surge of cold, like ice and lightning. A wave of disorienting brightness washed over him, and with it, a feeling of being pulled away from reality.
Memories began to slip through his fingers like grains of sand. Faces of friends - Annabeth, Grover, and others - blurred and twisted, becoming almost unrecognizable. The sense of who he was, the weight of his past victories and failures, began to dissolve into nothingness.
Percy's thoughts scattered like leaves in the wind, each one slipping away until he could no longer grasp them. He could feel the pull of his own identity slipping away, leaving him with a disconcerting void.
"No," he murmured. "NO!"
The earth seemed to tremble, and the air exploded.
A rush of energy, a burst of wind, an expolsion. Percy's chest tightened, and his heart raced. His vision swirled as he tried to fight against the disorienting force, but it was no use. The light, the cold, the emptiness, they all gnawed at him from the inside. A voice echoed in his mind, familiar but distant, like a whisper from deep within a dream.
You are nothing, it seemed to say. You are a tool, a pawn, a puppet. You do not matter.
The thought tore through him like a shard of ice, and for a moment, he couldn't breathe, couldn't think. Everything was slipping away, dissolving into the cold embrace of nothingness. He reached out, blindly, desperately trying to hold on, but it was like trying to catch smoke with his bare hands.
His senses came back, faintly at first, then more sharply. He could hear the night air again, feel the hard ground beneath him, the rustling of leaves in the wind. Percy's could feel himself breathing.
But something was wrong.
Hera's presence loomed over him, colder now, her eyes sharp as she studied him. Her hand still hovered near his forehead, and Percy could see the faintest glow around her fingers.
"What have you done to me?" Percy gasped, struggling to sit up.
"You… stopped it," Hera said. "That shouldn't be possible."
"I'm not going to ask again," said Percy, his voice growing. "What are you doing to me?"
Hera's lips curled into a thin smile, but there was no kindness in it. "You are no longer the boy who once defied fate, Perseus Jackson. You are something... different now. My plan needs you. If I cannot change your memories, I shall erase them."
Percy's mind whirled. He wanted to fight back, to resist, but his thoughts were still foggy, as though a part of him was trapped somewhere between this world and some other, distant place.
"I'm not your pawn," Percy spat, his voice shaky but determined. "I won't let you control me."
Hera's eyes narrowed, her expression turning cold.
Percy closed his eyes. But even through the haze, a spark of defiance still burned inside him. He couldn't give up, not yet. Not without a fight.
His memories were slipping away.
No matter what Hera tried to do, no matter how much she tried to erase him, Percy refused to let her take that away. He refused to let her control him.
With everything he had left, he focused on the spark of his own will. And through the fog of his disintegrating thoughts, he found his voice.
"No," he whispered, more certain than ever. "I am Perseus Jackson. And I am a fighter."
"You are unholy," decided Hera. "Sleep."
The world seemed to freeze for a moment. Hera's eyes flashed, and for the first time, something akin to uncertainty crossed her regal face. But before she could react, the ground beneath Percy's feet began to shake violently, as though the earth itself was fighting back.
The last bits of Perseus' memories faded, faded, faded…
"May you find your place anew," a woman said. "The Romans await. Do not fail me, abyssal son."
With those words, she turned and walked away, her figure blending into the shadows.
Percy lay there, his mind empty and his past a distant, unreachable dream, as the world continued on around him, indifferent to the changes that had just taken place.
He closed his eyes.
THE UNFORGIVEN
He woke with a gasp. Where was he? What date was it?
Who was he? His breath was coming in sharp, shallow bursts. He lay on the cold, hard ground, disoriented. The world around him was unfamiliar - a vast expanse of dense forest with towering, ancient structures. A low growl rumbled in the distance, and a sharp, earthy scent filled the air.
He blinked up at the sky, which was shrouded in a thick canopy of leaves, and tried to make sense of his surroundings. His mind felt like a blank slate, with no recollection of how he had ended up here. He struggled to remember his own name, but it eluded him, a phantom thought that danced just out of reach.
As he sat up, his eyes fell upon a large, imposing structure partially hidden among the trees - a grand, stone building. The sound of barking and growling grew louder, and he saw a pack of wolves emerging from the underbrush, their eyes glinting with a predatory intelligence.
He bolted upright, eyes flying open and a pen in his hand. He uncapped it instinctively, and a bronze sword somehow ended up appearing in his right hand.
Was that normal? It didn't seem normal.
In the center of the clearing stood a glowing wolf with dark grey fur. Her eyes, sharp and silver, regarded him with authority.
"Welcome, pup." she. "I am Lupa, Guardian of the Wolf House, and mother of Rome."
He tried to speak, but his voice was hoarse and uncertain. "I- who am I?"
"Perseus," Lupa's eyes softened slightly, though her gaze remained piercing. "You do not know your own name?" Was that his name? Perseus? It seemed almost right, but not quite.
He shook his head, feeling a sense of panic rising within him. "No. I can't remember anything."
"Then you have much to learn," Lupa said with a nod, turning to face the wolves that surrounded her. "You are here to be trained, to become strong and capable. The past is no longer yours to cling to. What matters now is what you will become."
Perseus struggled to his feet, his legs unsteady as he took in the scene before him. The wolves, large and powerful, watched him with a mixture of interest and wariness. Some padded closer, sniffing at him with their keen noses.
"Follow me," Lupa instructed, turning on her heel and leading the way into the heart of the forest. "The training begins now. These wolves will be your companions, your teachers. Learn from them, and from me, and you will find your place in this world."
He followed her, his steps shaky but determined. Whatever lay ahead, he was determined to uncover the truth about himself, even if it meant embracing the unknown and learning from the powerful beings around him.
The trees closed in around them, and the ancient training ground of the Wolf House became a place of challenge and growth. Perseus had no memory of his past, but he knew one thing for certain: he had to survive, adapt, and find out who he truly was.
The first thing he learnt was Lupa was an extremely harsh teacher.
They sparred. At first, he had pointed out that he had a sword, and she didn't, so that wasn't really fair. She quashed his doubt relatively quickly, considering she was a seven-foot tall wolf.
"We haven't met before, have we?" Perseus said, panting.
Lupa considered it for a moment before clawing at him once more. "No, son of Neptune, we have not."
As he was forced back onto the defensive, he considered her words. Neptune, the Roman god of the seas. That wasn't right. "I'm not a son of Neptune."
She studied him, momentarily stopping her attacks. "Ah, a son of Poseidon then." The she-wolf circled him as if he was to be her next meal.
That felt more natural. "Yeah."
Lupa looked him up and down. "From now on, you are a student of the Wolf House. Your previous identity is irrelevant. Here, you will be forged anew, a son of Neptune."
Perseus gritted his teeth as he raised his sword, ready to defend himself. "So, what do I need to do to get out of this training? I've had enough of being chased around by a giant wolf."
"Impress me," she said simply. Lupa launched herself at him again, her movements fluid and powerful. He had to focus intently to keep up with her, the combination of her speed and strength making every move a challenge. He tried to anticipate her attacks, but she was relentless and precise.
Each day, the training grew more intense. Lupa pushed him to his limits, and beyond. The physical demands were grueling, but it was the mental challenges that often left him reeling. He was forced to confront his own weaknesses, and every failure was met with stern reprimands and even harsher drills.
The wolves were both his companions and his critics. They observed his progress with keen eyes, sometimes participating in the training. Their silent presence was a constant reminder of the standards he was expected to meet.
Lupa taught him the wolf stare, how to listen to and follow his instincts, battle strategy, how to lead and more. Everything she said that she'd teach a promising legionnaire that she could see being a centurion or even praetor down the line in a few years.
That was a lie. Lupa expected more from this boy, from this twisted demigod. She wanted a conquerer.
Despite the exhaustion and frustration, Perseus began to notice changes within himself. His reflexes sharpened, his strength increased, and his mind became more disciplined.
For months he trained with the wolves. Lupa told his stories of Romulus and Remus, the legendary founders of Rome who she had raised.
Eventually, it was time. "You must make your way to Camp Jupiter." Lupa said.
Perseus frowned. "Which is where?"
"West," she said simply.
Percy gestured for her to continue.
"When the sun touches the horizon, monsters will attack you." She explained to the boy. "They will fight you with their full strength. They won't stop until either you're dead, or you get to camp. Understand?"
Perseus didn't even bat an eyelash at the threat of death. "If I don't die, I'll get to Camp Jupiter?"
She nodded. "Assuming you survive. I have been aiding you, no monster dare comes near the wolf house. Even before that, Juno has been hiding you. Now you will be alone."
"Alright. So, west?"
"West." She confirmed. "Now off you go, pup."
Lupa watched him go, watched the boy who walked with the tentative steps of a babe, yet held his head high as if he were a god.
Percy Jackson is unholy, she decides. A mortal who could be a god, or a god pretending to be a mortal? Just what is he?
THE UNFORGIVEN
The dog-faced monsters were starting to get annoying.
They should have died when Perseus stabbed them, twice. They should have died two days ago when he ran over them with a police car. Theydefinitelyshould have died this morning when he cut off their heads and sacrificed their skulls to his dad. (Hopefully he'd appreciated the father's day gift.)
No matter how many times he killed them and watched them crumble to powder, they just kept re-forming. He couldn't even seem to outrun them. He reached the top of the hill and caught his breath. How long since he'd last killed them? Maybe two hours.
The past few days, he'd hardly slept. He'd eaten whatever he could scrounge - vending machine gummy bears, stale bagels, even a half-eaten, slimy Big Mac, which was a new personal low. His clothes were torn, burned, and sprinkled with monster dust.
He'd only survived this long because the dog-faced dudes - Telekhines , they called themselves - couldn't seem to kill him either. Their swords didn't cut his skin. Their mangy teeth broke whenever they tried to bite him. But Perseus couldn't keep going much longer. Soon he'd collapse from exhaustion, and then, as hard as he was to kill, he was pretty sure the dogs would find a way.
He scanned his surroundings. Under different circumstances, hemight've enjoyed the view. To his left, golden hills rolled inland, dotted withlakes, woods, and a few herds of cows. To his right, the flatlands of Berkeley and Oakland marched west - a vast checkerboard of neighborhoods, with several million people who probably did not want their morning interrupted by two monsters and a filthy half-blood.
Farther west, San Francisco Bay glittered under a silvery haze. Pastthat, a wall of fog had swallowed most of San Francisco, leaving just thetops of skyscrapers and the towers of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Why in Hades couldn't Lupa just take him to Camp Jupiter herself?
Should he try to cross the bay? It was tempting. He could feel the power of the ocean just over the horizon. Water always revived him. Salt water was the best. He could also control most liquids. He'd discovered that two days ago when he had strangled a sea serpent in the Carquinez Strait. If he could reach the bay, he might be able to make a last stand. Maybe he could even drown the gorgons. But the shore was at least two miles away. He'd have to cross an entire city. He hesitated for another reason. Lupa had taught him to sharpen his senses - to trust the instincts that had been guiding him south. His homing radar was tingling like crazy now.
The end of his journey was close - almost right under his feet. But how could that be? There was nothing on the hilltop. The wind changed. Perseus caught the sour scent of dog. A hundred yards down the slope, something rustled through the woods - snapping branches, crunching leaves, hissing.
Telekhines.
He scrambled to the west side of the summit. It was too steep to descend. The slope plummeted eighty feet, straight to the roof of anapartment complex built into the hillside. Fifty feet below that, a highwayemerged from the hill's base and wound its way toward Berkeley. Great. No other way off the hill. He'd managed to get himself stared at the stream of cars flowing west toward San Francisco and wished he were in one of them. Then he realized the highway must cut through the hill. There must be a tunnel…right under his feet. Perseus' heart pounded as he turned his gaze toward the rustling noise.
The scent of dog and the sound of hissing grew stronger, signaling that more monsters were closing in. He took a deep breath, forcing his weary legs to move despite the exhaustion.
Drawing his sword, he prepared himself for another confrontation. His training with Lupa had sharpened his reflexes and instincts, but the relentless pursuit by these Telekhines had pushed him to the brink. Every fiber of his being was tuned to the challenge ahead. As he descended the hill, he kept his eyes sharp, scanning for any signs of movement.
He could hear them getting closer - twigs snapping, leaves crunching - each sound a reminder of the imminent threat.
Suddenly, the first of the Telekhines emerged from the underbrush. If you blended together a Doberman Pinscher, a human child and a sea lion, it would look just like a Telekhine. Their dog-like faces were twisted into snarls, their eyes gleaming with malevolent glee. They brandished their weapons, snarling and hissing in anticipation of the fight.
Perseus, breathless and battered, scowled at the two dog-faced monsters that had reappeared. "You again? Haven't you guys learned yet?"
The Telekhines snarled back, their eyes glowing with malice. "We'll never stop coming for you, half-blood."
He brandished his sword, frustration clear in his voice. "I've stabbed you, run over you, and even sacrificed your freaking skulls. Why won't you stay dead?"
"Your attacks are futile," one of the monsters hissed. "We'll keep coming until you're dead."
Perseus glanced around, trying to catch his breath as more Telekhines swarmed around him. "Great. Just what I needed. More of you."
"You…" hissed a Telekhine. "You killed our brothers, Percy Jackson." Percy. Was that his name? Not Perseus, like Lupa had said. Percy seemed more natural, and he had a last name now.
Progress towards finding his identity: He could control liquids, he was called Perseus (Percy) Jackson, he was a son of Poseidon, (Neptune, Lupa had told him to say), and he was apparently the number one enemy of every monster on the face of the earth.
"I told you, like two days ago," The newly-named Percy said,"That I don't remember anything!"
Percy didn't wait for them to respond. He lunged forward, his sword flashing in the dim light. The monsters met his charge with a ferocious counterattack, their swords clashing against his. Wherever dog-seal-monster things got swords, Percy would love to know.
Each swing and parry was tiring. He'd been running for days, and the Telekhines were relentless.
Despite his fatigue, Percy's training with Lupa had paid off. His movements were precise, his strikes calculated. Nevertheless, the Telekhines weren't dying.
"We can't die, half-blood." One hissed. "Haven't you learnt anything?"
They couldn't die. Percy didn't know how, or why, but these monsters couldn't die. "You've mentioned that a couple of times. Still not clear on why."
Keep em talking, he thought to himself.
The other Telekhine snarled, its eyes glinting with dark amusement. "The doors of death have been seized by our patron! She will reward us greatly!"
"And you can't just let me go?"
"Exactly," the first Telekhine sneered. "We have orders to ensure you don't reach Camp Jupiter. And we'reverygood at following orders."
Percy gritted his teeth. "Great. So not only can you not die, but you're also just here to make my life miserable."
One of the Telekhines grinned, revealing sharp teeth. "You understand. Our patron has great plans for you."
Percy gripped his sword. He looked around. "Before you slash me to bits," he said, "who's this patron you mentioned?"
"The primordial goddess of the earth," said one of the monsters, like it was an everyday thing. "Gaea."
Percy nodded, as if he was listening, which he really wasn't. Then the Telekhines turned into doves.
No, really.
The monsters had turned into white, elegant doves. Percy stared in disbelief as the white birds fluttered away.
He blinked, trying to process the surreal turn of events. "Seriously?" he muttered. "That's how it ends? With doves?"
A soft chuckle floated on the breeze, and Percy turned to see a figure emerging from the shadows. It was a beautiful woman with a red satin dress, with hair curled in a cascade of ringlets, perfect makeup, dazzling eyes like pools of spring water, and a smile that would have lit up the dark side of the moon. "Couldn't let you have all the fun, could I?" she said, her voice melodious and warm.
She was so beautiful, Percy, for a second, forgot how to speak. He stared, slack-jawed, as she giggled softly.
"Uh... thanks for the help," he managed to stammer, trying to regain his composure.
The woman's eyes twinkled with amusement. "Oh, it's no trouble at all. I thought you might need a little assistance with those pesky Telekhines."
Percy continued to gape.
She laughed at his bewilderment. "Just a little diversion. And don't worry, they'll be back to their monstrous selves soon enough. But by then, we'll be well on our way."
Percy blinked, finally catching his breath. "You're…?"
"Aphrodite," she said with a playful smile. "Goddess of love and beauty. Though I suppose you would call me Venus, here."
He chuckled despite himself. "Well, I guess I owe you one."
Venus waved a hand dismissively. "Think nothing of it. Just keep heading west. Camp Jupiter is still a ways off, and you'll need to stay sharp."
"Right," Percy said, his confidence returning. "Got it."
"Oh yes," she said. "I need a ride."
"A… ride?"
Venus nodded as if this was an everyday occurrence for an Olympian. "A ride. You're not the only one who needs to go to Camp Jupiter. And I don't exactly blend in well with the mortal world. Too much staring."
Percy raised an eyebrow. "So, you need a lift?"
"Precisely," she said with a charming smile. "And seeing as you're on your way there anyway, it seems like a convenient arrangement for both of us."
"I don't exactly have a car."
Venus waved her hand. "I have my ways."
It only took a few hours for them to find a beat-up Prius parked in a quiet street. Venus approached the car with an air of casual confidence, asking to 'borrow' the car. She gave the owner, a bewildered man with an overgrown mustache, a disarming smile. After a brief and very one-sided conversation, the man nodded, clearly enchanted and utterly confused.
"Just a moment, please," Venus said, taking a set of keys from the man with a flick of her fingers.
Percy watched as Venus effortlessly charmed their way into borrowing the car. "Impressive," he remarked as they settled into the Prius.
Venus slid into the passenger seat with the grace of someone who was born to ride in luxury. "Well, you know, a little persuasion goes a long way."
Percy started the car, the engine sputtering to life. "So, how did you get the keys so easily?"
"Oh, you know," she said with a wink, "a bit of glamour, a dash of charm, and a sprinkle of 'I'll return it with a full tank.' And, of course, a healthy dose of charmspeak."
"Charmspeak?"
"It's a special talent of mine, and my children," Venus said with a twinkle in her eye. "The ability to influence and persuade others with my words. It's quite useful for getting what you need in a pinch."
"Sounds handy," Percy said, trying to keep his focus on the road as they rolled through the city streets. "I guess it worked pretty well for us."
Percy chuckled. "I guess we should get going before our new friend realizes he's not getting his car back anytime soon."
As they drove off, Venus seemed perfectly at ease, glancing out the window with a calm expression. Percy, on the other hand, was focused on navigating the unfamiliar roads, his thoughts drifting between the bizarre encounter and the daunting journey ahead.
"So," Venus said after a while, breaking the silence, "any other exciting monsters or near-death experiences you'd like to share?"
Percy smirked. "You'd be surprised at how many I could tell you about. But I'm more interested in how you plan to get us through all this without getting us killed."
She raised an eyebrow. "Surely you can talk and drive?"
"I'm like… actually I don't know how old I am. But I'm pretty sure I'm under the legal driving age."
Venus shook her head. "Eighteen."
"What?" Percy narrowly avoided a pick-up truck.
Venus chuckled, her laughter light and melodious. "You're eighteen."
"Right," Percy said, trying to keep his eyes on the road. "Eighteen. Well, thanks for the heads-up."
"No problem!" Venus's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Just stick with me, Percy. You might find that the journey to Camp Jupiter is a bit less perilous with a goddess in tow."
"Whatever you say."
"Percy," Venus said carefully. "I think you passed a red light."
"Yeah, probably."
"Prob-" Venus frowned. "Do you even know how to drive?"
"I might not know all the rules and signs, but I know how to get from point A to point B. Which is more important."
"I take it you know what a stop sign means?" Venus muttered sarcastically.
"Drive faster?"
"Very funny," Venus rubbed her temples. "I suppose that'll have to do for now. But please try to avoid getting us pulled over - or worse, into an accident."
Percy grinned, enjoying her reaction. "I'll do my best."
"Good," she said, settling into her seat. "Because I'd rather not have to explain to the mortals why I was involved in a car chase."
Percy focused on the road, doing his best to navigate while keeping the car within the lanes. "So, any more tips on surviving this journey? Besides avoiding red lights and stop signs?"
Venus considered this for a moment. "Trust your instincts, Percy. You've been through a lot, and you've learned a lot from Lupa's training. Use that experience. And remember, not all monsters are just out to kill you. Some are more interested in what you can offer or what you know. Rome has a saying: Aut vincere aut mori. conquer or die."
Percy nodded, taking in her words. "I'll keep that in mind."
As the car approached the entrance to a dark, looming tunnel, two figures emerged from the shadows, their silhouettes stark against the faint glow of the streetlights. They had armour and purple shirts - guards, most likely. "Halt!" said one.
Venus and Percy stepped out of the car. "State your business with the Twelfth Legion," said the same guard who had stopped them.
He had a large and stocky frame. He also had a babyish face with brown eyes and close-cropped black hair, Percy noticed.
Before Percy or Venus could say anything, the sound of barking filled the air. "You've got to be kidding me," Percy groaned.
Telekhines were fast approaching the tunnel, growling and cursing.
Venus interrupted with a charming smile. "Good day! We're here to see Camp Jupiter, of course. And we'd really appreciate it if you could let us through before our companions-" she gestured towards the tunnel, where the Telekhines were emerging, snarling and snapping, "-decide to ruin the welcoming party."
The second guard was a shorter girl with shoulder-length curly cinnamon brown hair and cloudy, dull golden eyes. She grimaced. "I can feel monsters. Frank, we should take them."
"Yeah," he agreed. "We probably should."
Frank and the girl exchanged a quick glance, then moved into action. Frank, with surprising agility for his size, stepped forward and unclipped his sword from his belt. The girl followed suit, her own gold blade gleaming in the dim light.
"Come on, let's get you inside," Frank said, his tone now professional. "We'll handle the Telekhines."
Venus inclined her head gracefully. "Much appreciated."
As the guards readied themselves, the Telekhines were closing in fast, their snarls growing louder and more menacing. Percy felt a rush of adrenaline as he uncapped his pen and readied his sword, the weight of it familiar in his grip.
The girl, whose name Percy still didn't know, stepped to the front and met the first of the monsters with a fierce swing of her blade. The steel clanged against the Telekhine's own weapon, sparks flying from the impact. Frank moved swiftly beside her, his sword cutting a clean path through the air as he engaged another monster.
Venus, unfazed by the impending battle, turned to Percy with a mischievous grin. "I think you've made some new friends."
As the fight unfolded, Percy felt somewhat reassured. The guards were skilled and confident. With their help, the Telekhines were being driven back, their snarls mingling with the clang of metal and the shouts of battle.
That all changed when one of the monsters landed a blow on the girl. "Hazel!" Frank cried.
The girl, or rather Hazel, fell as she clutched her shoulder.
Percy jumped in, swinging his sword in a wide arc. Percy's sword cleaved through the air, catching the Telekhine that had attacked Hazel with a powerful strike. The monster recoiled, its snarls turning to yelps of pain as Percy's blade found its mark.
Frank, momentarily distracted by Hazel's fall, turned his attention to the monster Percy had just engaged. "Watch out!" he shouted, his voice strained.
Percy ducked under a swipe from another Telekhine, feeling the rush of air as the blade missed him by inches. He thrust his sword forward, the tip catching the monster in the side and forcing it to stagger back.
Hazel was on her knees, her face contorted in pain. Frank knelt beside her. "Hang in there, Hazel," he urged, his voice tight with concern.
Venus, meanwhile, had not remained idle. With a flick of her wrist, she sent a burst of light shimmering across the battlefield. The Telekhines, momentarily blinded, stumbled and growled in confusion.
Percy, seizing the opportunity, pressed forward. He darted past the disoriented monsters, slashing at their legs and forcing them to retreat. The battle was turning, but the fight was far from over.
"Frank!" Percy called out, keeping his eyes on the monsters. "Get Hazel to safety!"
Frank looked up, his eyes meeting Percy's with a nod. "Got it!" he shouted back. He shouldered Hazel and jogged down the tunnel.
"Venus," Percy grit his teeth. "Mind lending a hand?"
She sighed dramatically. "Ancient Laws and all that. Afraid I can't help too much."
Percy wanted to strangle the goddess, but he felt she was being truthful. "Make sure Hazel's alright."
Venus looked at him strangely, like she was planning something, then nodded and took off.
Percy had a really, really, really bad idea, but hey, it was better than nothing.
Percy glanced at the monsters. "You know I can control water, right?" He phrased it really casually, which threw the Telekhines off.
Without waiting for a response, he continued. "And you know, the human body is about seventy-five percent water…"
He could see it in their eyes now. They understood.
"I wonder how much of your body is water?"
The Telekhines' snarls turned into hesitant growls as they processed Percy's words.
Percy took a deep breath as he focused on the water within the monsters. The Telekhines began to back away, their movements becoming erratic. Percy could see the panic in their eyes as he harnessed the power of the water around him. As he controlled their blood.
He concentrated, feeling the familiar tug in his gut. But it wasn't the usual, run of the mill power use. This hurt, like it was unnatural.
A low hum filled the air as he pulled at the Telekhines' forms. Their snarls turned to howls of distress as their bodies started to shift and distort. Percy watched with some sort grim satisfaction on his face, as their own blood began to overwhelm them.
The Telekhines struggled against the force, their growls becoming desperate. Their bodies seemed to lose cohesion, the liquid within them being forcibly manipulated by Percy's will. As the water's pressure increased, their forms began to dissolve, turning into a puddle of dark, viscous, golden liquid.
With a final, strained cry, the last of the Telekhines collapsed into a puddle on the ground. Percy lowered his sword, even though he hadn't used it. The remaining puddles of Telekhine residue began to evaporate, leaving only a faint, lingering stink of sulfur.
Percy wiped his brow, breathing heavily but with a sense of victory. He turned towards the tunnel, his heart pounding from the adrenaline. Venus and Frank were already a good distance away, and Percy hoped they had made it safely.
He took one last glance at the now-empty battlefield, then headed towards the camp, ready to follow them. The weight of his sword seemed heavier, like he had committed some grave sin. And in a way, he had, hadn't he?
As Percy trudged through the tunnel, the echoes of his footsteps filled the air, the silence around him feeling heavier than usual. His mind was a whirlpool of thoughts: the power he'd just wielded, the lives he'd taken left a bitter taste in his mouth.
He had never used his abilities in such a manner before, and it was unsettling. Or had he? It wasn't like he could remember.
It wasn't his fault, he reassured himself. He repeated it to himself like a mantra as he walked through the tunnel.
it's not my fault.
it's not my fault.
it's not my fault.
it's not my fault.
But it was, wasn't it?
Percy had an almost maniac look in his eyes. He looked too happy for someone who had done what he did, had committed what sins he had.
This isn't me, he thought silently.
But he had no memories of his past life. Maybe this was who he was. Who he was meant to be.
A monster.
THE UNFORGIVEN
Percy emerged from the tunnel, into a camp. That was probably Camp Jupiter, he thought.
As Percy approached the camp's entrance, he could hear the sounds of activity within. The camp's atmosphere was different from the chaos he had just left behind - calmer, more orderly. It was a welcome change.
He saw a familiar stocky boy. "Frank!"
Frank turned, his baby face lighting up. "New guy! You made it."
"Yeah, managed to get here in one piece. How's Hazel?"
"Better. Hazel's getting patched up, and I'm sure she'll want to see you once she's better."
Before he could respond to Frank, Venus wrapped her arms around him in a warm, reassuring hug. "I'm glad you made it," she said softly. "It's been quite a day."
Percy returned the hug, grateful for the goddess's comfort. "Thanks for everything," he said, pulling away. "I don't think I would have made it here without you."
Venus gave him a sympathetic smile.
Frank looked at Venus, then Percy. "Who's she?"
Percy opened his mouth to respond, but he felt eyes on him. He realised everyone was staring at him. Venus spoke. "Thank you, Percy Jackson, for bringing me to Camp Jupiter." She said it loudly, as if to draw attention.
One of the girls made a choking sound. "Percy… Jackson?" She sounded as if she recognized his name. Percy focused on her, hoping to see a familiar face. She was obviously a leader. She wore a regal purple cloak over her armor. Her chest was decorated with medals. She must have been about Percy's age, with dark, piercing eyes and long black hair. Percy didn't recognize her, but the girl stared at him as if she'd seen him in her nightmares.
Venus laughed with delight. "Oh, yes." Then, just because the day hadn't been weird enough already, Venus began to glow and change form. She grew until she was a shining,seven-foot-tall goddess in a comically large dress. Her face was stern and beautiful. In her hand was a dove.
If it was possible for the campers to look more stunned, they did. The girl with the purple cloak knelt. The others followed her lead. One kid got down so hastily he almost impaled himself on his sword.
Frank was the first to speak. "Venus." He also fell to his knees, leaving Percy the only one standing. He knew he should probably kneel too, but after stealing a car with the goddess, he didn't feel like showing her that much respect.
The goddess smiled. "Romans, I present to you my son. For months he has been slumbering, but now he is awake. His fate is in your hands. The Feast of Fortune comes quickly, and Death must be unleashed if you are to stand any hope in the battle. Do not fail me!"
Before he could realise that she had said my son, and not son of Neptune, the exhaustion and injuries caught up to him.
All he knew was darkness.
That's the first chapter!
I'm aware I've posted this before. Circumstances caused me to delete it, but now The Unforgiven is back. Expect a darker, more morally ambiguous Percy here.
Anyway, review, criticise, go crazy!
Over and out!