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LAST TIME:
"So honey, I also heard an interesting story from Thalassa. What is this I hear about a Japanese Demigoddess that you went on an adventure with?" Hestia suddenly asked with a smile as I felt a chill run down my back from her smile. As sweet as it looked it was almost like a predator ready to tear apart some prey as I felt my back grow cold.
"I swear she is just my friend, I swear on my life. We simply just-." Yet my mouth was silenced by another hand slapping itself on my lips as Mayleen sat up from her spot and glared at us with sleepy and angry eyes.
"You are all so noisy! Go to bed already!" She roared angrily at us like we were children before letting out an angry huff of her own and collapsing back onto me as one of her horns poked my ribs a bit harder than normal. At that moment everyone was trembling, myself included, as we held back our laughter. Yet with one glance at each other, we lost it.
"Hahahahah!" A moment later everyone started laughing yet again as Mayleen was once again forced from her attempt to slumber as she began childishly yelling at us to sleep. None of us lasted a second as she stood on my lap and pointed fingers while yelling at us in a drowsy and angry tone. Even Zora and Ryder soon joined in as they began to complain to us about the noise and we laughed even more.
This was truly one of the moments I lived for and I wouldn't change it any other way.
NOW:
TIME: JULY 2007
THIRD PERSON POV: (Don't worry you didn't miss anything, it is going to be revealed later for plot purposes)
Thalassa carefully watched as Percy took several deep breaths while kneeling on the ground, his body changed back to normal as she continued to watch. Her expression turned to one of surprise as he took a few more breaths before revealing a shit-eating grin and pointing a finger at her. With unsteady legs, he managed to stand up as Thalassa rolled her eyes at him.
"I told you I would get it this week! Behold the man himself! Percy Jackson! Destroyer of any training regiment." Percy yelled at her as his body seemed ready to collapse, Thalassa couldn't help but burst out laughing at his antics as Percy laughed alongside. The brother and sister duo continued to laugh together, Percy soon collapsed onto the sand beneath him as Thalassa bent over and slapped her knee several times.
"Haha! Oh gods, I should have taken a picture of that for the girls, they would have loved it." Thalassa managed to say through her laughter as Percy only laughed harder as the two managed to feed into each other. Eventually, the two were left gasping for air while lying on the beach. After a minute or two they managed to fully catch their breath.
"So this is it huh?" Percy said while staring up at the clouds in the blue sky above.
"Indeed it is, you have mastered the basics and now all that is left is for you to go out and use them. In time you will fully master it no matter the domain and you might even be able to come up with new ways to use it." She said as she began to make a sand angel on the beach.
"I hope I meet your expectations," Percy admitted as Thalassa gave a soft chuckle.
"You already have exceeded them multiple times. I expected to have you here for at least several years to learn this, not just a few short weeks. I guess you inherited your mother's aptitude for picking new things." She said as Percy simply shook his head.
"I am only good at water powers, you remember Tracy, right? That girl is a true genius when it comes to things. I even heard from Phoebe that Tracy may be discovering a new power. She is the impressive one if you ask me… just don't tell her I ever said that though. It would go straight to her head." He said with a sigh as Thalassa couldn't help but chuckle.
"Water powers hmm? I am not too sure about that, you have not only developed and trained powers from fire, lighting, soul, and healing. But you have trained in multiple weapon arts and excelled in all of them. If you ask me, I think you are the true genius, it is simply more difficult for you to see since your talents are spread out while hers are focused on Apollo's powers." She said in an informative tone as Percy rolled his head side to side as if debating her with her words.
"Fine fine you win… how did you know about the healing one though? I haven't told anyone about that one yet." Percy asked her as Thalassa gave him a smile before sitting up as he followed suit.
"Hestia mentioned your back massages were getting better lately the last time she visited and you pampered her and the others. I decided to take a look into it and discovered that there were traces of your aura in their bodies that were tending to their muscles. I suspect you picked up the massage techniques from one of Circe's girls but the way the aura was used was very interesting." She said with a curious look as Percy gave a little shrug.
"I've technically always been able to use aura like that but never realized that it was for healing others, I only found out recently how to use it though," Percy admitted remembering the squirming and seductive mewling of Hestia, Vesta, Zoe, and even Artemis as he gave them massages. To say the least, after picking up an immortal certified massage technique his hands worked like magic now.
Zoe and Hestia were turned into putty before him with a full body massage and couldn't escape. Even Vesta, who put on a strong front at first with her bratty attitude, was conquered in due time with a full body massage. Of course, Hera declined much to his dissatisfaction, oh how he wanted to see that goddess squirm beneath him… in more than just one way. Though Artemis only allowed him to massage her arms and legs, she nearly hit him when the sudden euphoric sensation came from where he massaged her.
"Why do I feel you are thinking of dirty things?" A voice snapped him out of his thoughts. Percy coughed a bit as Thalassa gave him an inquisitive look.
"N- No, you're imagining things. Back on the topic on hand. What are we going to do now that my training is done?" Percy asked as Thalassa stared at him for a bit more with a raised eyebrow, after a bit, she gave up seeing he wasn't going to spill. She then gave him a soft smile.
"We aren't going to be doing anything, unfortunately. I must leave the island. I have many things that I need to take care of and it may take a few years for me to finish them all. I wish I could stay here but my godly duties are piling up, I can't take a vacation forever." She said with a sigh as a wave of sadness fell over Percy, seeing his saddened expression Thalassa gave him a brilliant smile before slapping his back which nearly made him fall over.
"Don't be so sad! It's only going to take me a few years, that is pennies for us immortals. So suck it up and stand up." Thalassa said while standing up as Percy gave her a depressed look before sighing and standing up as she told him to do. As he did he was suddenly wrapped up in a big hug Percy responded instantly as he hugged her back. Because of his height, Percy was rarely on the shorter side of a hug nowadays but with Thalassa, he was always shorter.
Feeling her pat his head as she hugged him Percy felt a bit of a pit form in his heart as he realized she was saying goodbye. The two continued to hug for a bit longer until Thalassa let him go and revealed a tearful yet joyful expression as she wiped a few tears away with a soft laugh. Percy then realized he had a few tears in his eyes as well as he began to wipe them, the two continued to laugh for a bit until they were left with slightly puffy eyes.
"Must you leave right now?" Percy questioned as Thalassa gave a sad nod.
"I have put it off long enough, if I don't go, only trouble will await me. Don't worry your little head, give it a few years and we will meet again, I promise! In the meantime continue practicing, the part of the domain of sea you will be receiving will be a bit unstable. I suggest using your new power to help get used to it." She explained to him as Percy nodded in understanding, unlike the last time he took control of part of the domain of the sea it didn't slam into him all at once. This time it was like a cool current gently flowing into him as knowledge and power continued to build inside him.
"How long do you think until it is fully mine?" He questioned as Thalassa gave him a look over before shrugging.
"Depends on how well you receive them and how well you understand, but at the rate you are going… Maybe a year or less? Depends if you can keep your mind focused on training more than my adorable sister inlaws and my niece and nephew." She said with a knowing look as Percy avoided her gaze.
"I'm not that bad." He retorted but she didn't buy it as she just kept staring at him.
"Whatever you say, Perce. Just be sure to send me a message if you end up with more kids running around. I want pictures with them as well!" Thalassa said as Percy blushed at her words, why did she have to be so embarrassing?
"N-Nothing is going to happen, you are going to jinx me if you keep spouting such things. Besides Zoe and I already talk about not having any more kids for the moment." He said with a huff as Thalassa gave him a curious look before her expression turned into a sly one with a knowing grin.
"Oh my oh my. How adorable, you haven't even realized it yet." She said as her sly smile grew while Percy grew a bit worried. Artemis and Hera hadn't made it to that part in their relationship so that wasn't anything he was worried about. He was also always careful with Hestia and Vesta as well… did they possibly…
"Don't tie your brain in a knot thinking about it, call it women's intuition combined with a bit of keen observation. Besides I am sure your adorable lovers know better than to play around with such things. Anyway, I must be off and you have a quest to chaperone. Love you lots, little bro." She said as Percy's mind was pulled out of his spiraling thoughts. Carefully pushing aside the information for a later time he turned his gaze to her.
"Then I guess… this is goodbye for now, love you lots big sis," Percy said as a soft smile was born on his face as Thalassa just gave him a brilliant toothy one back. Yet she didn't say any words as she began to walk past him, not before rubbing his head and messing up his hair. Percy didn't say a word as she continued on her way towards the sea while waving her hand up in the air without looking back at him.
"Take care of yourself! No late-night drinking, eating candy before bed, staying up late, or falling asleep in a chair! Use a bed you old lady, it isn't good for your back!" Percy yelled at her as Thalassa's hand that was waving at him only proceeded to flip him the bird. He was brought to laughter in an instant by her action while she disappeared into the ocean waters. In a single moment, she was there and in the next, she was gone.
Percy remained on the beach staring out at the open ocean as its waves gently lapped at the island. Yet on the edge of the horizon, Percy could see the makings of storm clouds as the wind began to gently speed up. Taking a deep breath the ocean before Percy trembled subtly before stopping as he let out his breath. Opening his eyes the remnants of a sea-green glow could be seen as his eyes turned back to their normal galaxy likeness.
"A storm is coming… How fitting."
LINEBREAK:
PERCY POV:
"Hmmmmmm…" I stared down at two unconscious figures before me as the rain gently fell over all three of us. Though it was a drizzle inside the barrier I could see a huge storm outside as it mercifully pounded into the barrier surrounding the island.
"You know I planned to leave tomorrow to find you two, but this works out just as well," I said while poking the unconscious faces of Nick and Annabeth as they made funny faces with furrowed brows. Seeing their reactions I couldn't help but inwardly chuckle, I couldn't believe they made it to me before I made it to them. As I looked down at them I resisted the urge to use a drill sergeant voice to wake them up like I did during training because of the girls of Circe's island surrounding me.
"So… what's the plan for my friends?" I questioned as the girls glanced at me as if trying to figure out an answer between them. I couldn't help but inwardly sigh a bit, to say the least, these girls always seemed to act like they were walking on thin ice around me. At least in the beginning, after a while of treating them like any normal person they seemed to warm up to me. However that was only a bit of them, some still acted cold towards me but I didn't mind.
"We should take them to Lady Circe for medical attention, it seems the sea was not lenient on them," One said as the others nodded, I on the other hand couldn't help but purse my lips together. What she said was true but… it was Circe we were talking about. After giving it some thought I couldn't help but nod as everyone quickly moved, carefully carrying Nick and Annabeth up they marched towards the infirmary.
'Why do I feel Athena is going to nag me about this?' Percy thought to himself before he gently shook his head and let out a sigh.
"That's because she probably will." A voice answered my thoughts, making me jump a little before I realized who the voice's owner was. Turning to see a certain auburn-haired goddess standing not too far away from me I couldn't help but smile. Her attire was no longer her vacation clothes but a summer-style hunter's gown sporting silver and gray colors with camo pants. Upon seeing her I nearly pounced on her but managed to hold back seeing she was currently in 'work mode'.
"Reading my mind again? I thought you learned your lesson last time after taking a peak." I said with a wink as golden blush easily tinted Artemis' cheeks before she cleared her throat.
"You and your perverted thoughts, who thinks about such things in the middle of the day?" She chastised me as I couldn't help but chuckle a little.
"I mean… when I'm around such stunning women who I am in love with it is difficult not to," I said as Artemis' blush grew to the top of her forehead as she quickly punched me in the arm.
"I am on duty right now so stop your yammerings." She whispered at me as I rubbed the spot she punched me, even though it was still a light punch I was sure a normal Demigod would have been blown away by it.
"You are no fun Arty… so babysitting duties again huh?" I questioned as Artemis sighed and nodded before pursing her lips a bit. Seeing her expression I could already guess that she hadn't intended to be pulled into this. Not that I minded being around her one bit at all, it was a good opportunity to get close to my moon goddess.
"Athena got all uppity because Annabeth is involved with the quest even though she isn't supposed to be and told the council, so here I am. Athena is however doing this while keeping it secret that she used her unavoidable quest to make you join. To the council, it simply looks like you were issued a quest to follow the party and thus I got stuck on babysitting duty again, not that I particularly mind. Can't have a walking bomb go around without supervision after all. Also, don't call me Arty… it's embarrassing." She said, eyeing me as I just gave her a small grin and a wink.
"Well, I guess it is my job as Ranger to handle these things and it just so happens my training finally finished yesterday. By the way, does the council know where I've been the last few months?" I couldn't help but ask a question that was plaguing me for a bit as Artemis shook her head.
"Well you used your allotted vacation time Olympus gave you in the beginning so they don't care about that, but you used up all your hours so technically you have been on an unskippable quest for me for a bit. If anyone asks, you have been helping my hunters train with their powers, I have even told them as well so you have a solid alibi. Hestia even managed to play a part and said she contacted you about the quest and said you were on it." She said with a proud look as I nodded a few times, honestly that made total sense. I needed to make it up to them both somehow…
"That reminds me, here take this," Artemis said, shoving two things into my arms with a growing blush on her face. I raised an eyebrow at her action as I quickly found a backpack and a small neatly wrapped up lunch box wrapped in a piece of cloth in my arms. The backpack was soaked so I could already guess that it was Nick's or Annabeth's, the lunch box on the other hand…
"Did you make me a bento?" I asked her with a curious look as the blush on her face began to spread more and more before she gave the tiniest of nods. I couldn't help but feel my heart jump for joy in my chest. Hestia had taken over anything to do with food since our relationship started, be it me, Zoe, the kids, or even Vesta and Artemis she was always cooking for us with an adorable smile on her face.
"H- Hestia and Zoe helped me out, it's been a minute since I have cooked any food without magic," Artemis admitted in a shy voice as her silver eyes gleamed a bit with nervousness, I nearly pounced on her right then and there she was being so cute. Yet I managed to hold back as I gave her a loving smile.
"Thank you Artemis, I love it. But not nearly as much as I love you." I said with a wink as she smiled with a simple smile that managed to make its way to her lips but she still rolled her eyes at me.
"You're such a dork, you haven't even eaten it yet… Also, I love you too." She said in a cute tone as she glanced around before reaching over and grabbing my shirt. Because my hands were full it was all she could do, still, it was more than enough as I felt my heart skip a beat for this adorable goddess.
"You looking to get kissed on the lips? Because this is how it happens." I said, Artemis didn't miss a beat, she quickly turned her head and pushed a little bit of her hair out of the way revealing her soft cheek to me while tapping it with a finger. Eyeing the soft cheek I couldn't help but chuckle before leaning in and planting a soft kiss on the said cheek. Artemis seemed to freeze for a second before I felt her skin drastically heat up in her embarrassment.
"Alright enough of you, don't let anyone see." Artemis finally said after a few seconds while patting my chest a little. Quickly retreating after one more quick kiss to her cheek and forehead I pulled away as a flustered and embarrassed Artemis stood beside me.
"You are so cute when you blush," I couldn't help but say as her blush grew and she scoffed at me a little, yet the tight grip on my shirt said otherwise. I swore Hestia had been teaching her how to be even cuter than usual.
"What did I just say to you? Now go and eat your lunch and then deliver the backpack. I am going to head back and observe the island for anything new and then I'll be back. Don't get yourself into trouble before I'm back." She said with a serious look as I nodded, yet her firm gaze never wavered as time passed and I felt a bit nervous.
"What? I won't get into trouble, I promise." I hastily said as she pursed her lips together.
"Hmmm… why do I feel like it's jinxed now that I mentioned you getting into trouble?"
"That doesn't mean I will."
"Maybe I should stick around you for a bit… just in case."
"Didn't you say you have to check out the island?"
"I mean yes but that can wait."
"Can it?"
"..."
"Thought so,"
"Okay fine… just eat your lunch and then stay put in one spot before I get back. I don't trust you now."
"You are the one who jinxed it! Also, I am not some 5-year-old in a store, no matter how much I enjoy being pampered by you and the others. I know how to take care of myself. Thank you very much."
"I don't know what you're talking about, I am off to scouting. Stay out of trouble Honey." With a whisper and kiss on my cheek Artemis was gone. Her form turned into a flash of silver that shot into the distance.
"Stay out of trouble yourself," I said with a sigh before walking back inside where the drizzle of rain could no longer get to me.
LINEBREAK:
After a very satisfying lunch of one very large elk hamburger steak with plentiful amounts of side dishes, I was on the move yet again with a backpack in hand and a small jar of candies I found inside. I wasn't sure of the brand since it was without a label but each of them tasted phenomenal, I had to ask the two of them where they got these. Yet as I continued on my way while enjoying my treat I happened upon a certain someone.
"Reyna?" I asked the daughter of Bellona who was currently blankly staring out a window into the forest. Upon hearing her name the girl turned my way as I paused, unlike her normal wandering expression it was full of a certain worry. After many months of being on the island, I had come to know several of the girls pretty well and Reyna and her sister Hylla happened to be a few of them.
"Oh, it's just you." She said softly before turning back to the window as her eyes seemed to be trying to find something.
"Nice to see you too… what are you looking for?" I couldn't help but ask the unsociable girl as I looked out at the forest, yet I didn't find a thing as Reyna glanced up at me. Turning to meet her gaze yet again she pursed her lips a little as I continued to stare, with that we continued to lock gazes as I could tell she was getting frustrated with me as I held her gaze. Finally, she turned away from me and back to the window as I smirked, looks like I won this battle little one.
"Fire, I'm looking for fires." She murmured as I raised an eyebrow.
"Circe has wards on the island to help prevent such things. Why would you worry about such a thing?" I said as the girl simply sighed before shaking her head.
"I don't know… I've had a weird feeling ever since Hylla… nevermind. Have a good day and stay safe." She said with a small nod before walking away, my eyes following her until she disappeared from my vision. With that, a sense of worry started to boil up from within me as I pursed my lips.
'A demigoddess looking out for fires after her sister did something, hmmm. She had a demigod vision alright.' Barbatos said in my mind as I couldn't agree more with him.
'The only question is what the heck caused her to have them.' I thought to myself and the two as silence greeted me for a moment.
'Are you honestly asking us that right now?' Alpha asked and I was about to reply when it hit me.
'You know sometimes people miss things, that is why I hold these conferences.'
'Sssuurreee, go find those two. More than likely something is already happening to them.' Barbatos said as I pushed my embarrassment away before continuing on my way to the clinic. Yet as I continued down the path and rounded a corner I nearly collided with a pair of girls as I skillfully moved out of the way only to pause as I recognized them.
"Annabeth?" I couldn't help but question a little as I nearly didn't recognize the girl, her attire was no longer her wet and soggy camp clothes. She was now in a white cotton dress with her golden honey hair in beautiful braids, she even seemed to be wearing a bit of makeup that enhanced her youthful beauty even more. After not seeing her for nearly several months it seems she had a growth spurt or two. It was like staring at a young goddess in the making, even I had to take a moment to gather myself as I was left a bit stunned.
"Percy? What are you doing here?" She asked me as I was about to open my mouth but her hand suddenly reached over and grabbed the bottle of candies I had in hand and their backpack. Not feeling a need to keep them I easily relinquished them to her. She quickly took inventory and sighed in relief finding everything in place before worry crossed her face.
"Have you been eating these?" She asked me while capping the jar of candy as her stormy eyes bore into me. I couldn't help but slowly nod as her face morphed into one of worry. Throwing the bottle inside the bag before slinging it over her shoulder her face quickly turned to a much more recognizable normal fierce look.
"You idiot! We are going to the infirmary immediately! Hylla I'm sorry but I'll be right back after I'm done with him." Annabeth chastised me as she snapped up my wrist and began to pull me down the hallway she had just come from leaving a stunned Hylla in her wake. It only took a bit for Annabeth to pull me through several hallways before suddenly turning down a maintenance one and forcing us both into a supply closet.
"Shut up and listen, I don't know how long I have. We are in danger, something is wrong with this place. I think CC isn't who she says and wherever I bring up Nick they distract me with something else. Also, why are you even here?" She quickly laid out the details while pushing several mops out of the way before turning my way with her arms crossed over her chest and a serious look on her face. She wasn't going to take a half-assed answer it seemed.
"I'm on quest babysitting duty, by order of Olympus," I answered semi-honestly as her face darkened, clearly not very pleased with the answer. Her arms tightened around her body a bit as the serious look on her face turned into a scowl.
"Let me guess my mom is the one who suggested it?" She asked me, staring into her stormy gray eyes that demanded an answer. With a light sigh, I gave a small nod as Annabeth couldn't help but bite her lip. I could see her eyes begin to swirl more and more until finally she put a hand to her head and gave a long sigh before shaking her head.
"Whatever, I guess she doesn't believe we can complete the quest on our own. I guess when they say Athena always has a plan, they truly mean always." She murmured to herself in a dissatisfied voice then clicked her tongue.
"I am not too sure about that, I am here for a worst-case scenario like the last time when you got yourself trapped in Hell. Since then you have grown significantly stronger, even now I can feel your aura has grown a lot since I've seen you. You must be keeping up with your training regiment and your part-time job to play with Cerberus as well, Orthos mentions that you are always exhausted when it is time to go home. Best of all I have been the one training you in combat, have faith in your abilities will you." I said with my hands on my hips and a proud smile as Annabeth glanced up at me while a light blush crossed her cheeks.
"You are tooting your horn a bit too much there. Also, Cerberus is a good boy, besides being a great way to train myself, Hades pays me a decent amount to help. Finally, don't bring up my shameful past so easily, I still blame myself for that." She said with a small cough as she turned her head away from me as she tried to hide her growing blush.
"Yes yes, whatever you say, Miss Chase," I said with a grin on my face as she glanced at me a few times before finally seeming to calm herself down. Once she did she took a deep breath and put on a serious face and turned back to me.
"Regardless of how much I hate to admit it though, I need your help. Nick is more than likely caught in some trap and that CC lady is creeping me the hell out. Going on about magic and teaching me how to become a sorceress and not to stand in the shadow of men. Plus she gave me this makeover, while I can't say I don't like it, I just feel so… out of place in it. Long Greek dresses are not battle-ready." She continued to lay it on me as I nodded along while noticing her tug at her dress a little, while it was funny to see her complain about such things I didn't say a word.
"How about this, I'll handle the sorceress while you find Nick and get yourselves out of here. Does that sound like a plan?" I suggested as Annabeth paused while thinking over the plan for a bit and her eyes swirled with thoughts before landing on me.
"A plan not quite worthy of Athena if you ask me. You forgot about a few things, one is the storm outside the barrier, which is going to hinder our escape. Nick might be able to help if we manage to get a boat but that's a big if. The other thing is your current health at the moment." She told me as I raised an eyebrow at the last statement. Seeing my expression she rolled her eyes before opening up her backpack again. A moment later the candy jar and a piece of paper were handed to me and I grabbed them from her.
"Hermes multivitamins. Full of nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids any growing demigod needs to grow healthy and strong. Take one to feel like yourself again and cleanse the body. Comes in grape, strawberry, watermelon, lemon, blueberry, and cherry flavors. Warning… Please do not take more than one vitamin every 2 days, if this amount is exceeded… good luck and please seek immediate medical attention from any god near you." As I read the paper in front of me my eyes slowly widened as Annabeth gently grabbed back the items and put them in the bag as I stood frozen.
"So… how many did you eat?" She questioned me with a serious gaze, turns out she had a reason to be worried about me when we first met.
"Umm… I think I ate like… 8 or 9 of them." I whispered as Annabeth's face instantly turned into a grimace while sucking in a sharp breath as if she just watched someone get hurt. She then reached up and patted my shoulder while giving me a sorrowful look.
"You should be fine… probably. You are super duper strong after all." She tried to comfort me but I could only feel a cold sweat begin to run down my back as my stomach suddenly gave a large gurgle that lasted for several long seconds. At the same time, I began to feel my energy reserves begin to build up and grow restless. But upon hearing my stomach we both slowly let our gazes meet as Annabeth gave me a true look of pity.
"I think I understand the part about cleansing the body on that note for the multivitamins now… Look on the bright side though! We can make this work to our advantage." She said with a confident smile as I couldn't help but blankly stare at her. Is that how others felt when I grinned at them when they were in dire straits?
"Well… I guess I have nothing to lose except my dignity, what's your plan Braids?"
LINEBREAK:
"CC! I need your help!" Annabeth cried out in worry as she led me through the doors to wherever Circe was at the moment. It only took me a moment to find her sitting before a vanity mirror touching up on some of her makeup. The second she laid eyes on me her eyes widened drastically as she stood up and came our way, though she appeared to be handling it calmly I could feel her aura grow unsteady.
"What is happening here?" She questioned as Annabeth laid me down on a small couch in the room. At the same time, the unsteadiness and amount in my energy reserves only grew and seemed to spread throughout my body into every muscle and vein. All I could do was try and condense it as it continued to run amok inside me as a deep tingle that was almost like pins and needles spread throughout my body. It was almost like I had eaten too much nectar and then drank a couple of Red Bulls.
"I found him outside curled up on the ground! He kept saying something about eating something. I didn't know who else to go to. Can you please take a look at him? Please, I beg of you, help him." Annabeth begged her in a panicked voice that seemed so real it had to be, grade A+ acting right there.
"Is that so? I have just the thing, go and find Hylla and have her go to my office and bring back my medical bag. I will try and help him until you two return." Circe quickly gave the order, not even questioning how I got there or why Annabeth was so worried, Annabeth simply nodded and then stormed out of the room.
"What the heck did you eat to get so sick?" She questioned me in a hushed tone as she lifted her hands over me. Small green auras covered them and began to scan me as I felt her aura dive into me. One spell didn't seem to work as more and more small spell circles began to glow around me, eventually, she seemed to quickly grasp what was happening.
"Your energy is going crazy it's like a runaway train and a huge amount of fuel is being poured into it faster than it can burn it. Your stomach is going crazy because it is still digesting whatever you have eaten. Your energy is even starting to burn itself? No, that isn't right, it is refining itself and everything it touches. Your skin, muscles, organs, blood, heck even your nerves seem affected. What the hell did you eat? Did Thalassa give you something strange?" She questioned me with a certain feverish look in her eyes, almost like a child of Athena looking at a new book or knife.
"I just ate a bunch of candies is all." I half lied as I couldn't help but grimace as the tingle began to grow throughout my body, Circe's face was filled with interest at my answer.
"Candies? How interesting…" She mumbled to herself as I felt like this wasn't going to get me anywhere.
"Listen, can you do anything about this?" I asked her as she pursed her lips together and seemed to think a bit.
"I can't do a thing for you, all I can suggest is two things. Lay here and allow the event to run its course and hope for the best and it will eventually pass. Or take it in stride and help the refinement in every way you can, the best way I think is to use external force and use your energy to make room for the refined energy." Hearing her explanation I already made up my mind, external force it was.
"Thank you Circe, I appreciate the checkup. But I do have a question for you." I said as she pulled back her hands and I moved my tingly body into an upright position. Upon doing so I gave her a small smile as I could feel the immortal before me begin to grow nervous. Her piercing green eyes met mine as my face turned from a smile into a serious gaze.
"What have you done with Nick Knowl, son of Poseidon? Also, I am quite curious why Annabeth was saying you were trying to indoctrinate her." As I spoke my tone was laced with poisonous curiosity as Circe froze in place, and with that, we continued to stare at one another. Circe seemed to be internally screaming while I simply waited to figure out what she was going to do. Thankfully she made up her mind fairly quickly as her aura exploded out of her and attacked me.
BOOOOOM!
THIRD PERSON POV:
Circe was fast but even in his state Percy was faster, the magic bolt she shot only managed to destroy the spot he had just been to. Percy on the other hand was giving off huge sparks of black lightning as he appeared by the goddess' side. She barely had time to move her head out of the way of the fist that was trying to punch her, her eyes widened drastically as she tried to activate more magic but a knee quickly greeted her stomach before she could.
The force behind the blow was enough to throw her across the room and slam on the opposite wall, cracks even spread across the wall. After slumping to the ground Circe proceeded to empty the contents of her stomach as the minor goddess struggled to breathe. Percy on the other hand once again appeared in front of her mid-kick Circe barely managed to lift a hand as a blue barrier appeared in front of her.
Yet the barrier shattered like glass under the extreme force of the kick as it continued on its way and slammed right into Circe yet again. The stone wall behind her could no longer handle the destructive force as it gave way, Circe was thrown like a ragdoll through the wall and outside which was far above the forest below. It only took a few moments for Circe to push through the pain like a real god as she gritted her teeth before managing to finally summon a dozen multicolored magic circles.
It only took a moment for them to be completed as all sorts of elemental bullets were fired at the place she had just come from. Her bullets however never made it to the room as she saw Percy run out of the hole and shoot directly her way. He had a black spear with a red banner in one hand and a shield in the other. His spear cut and destroyed anything in its path while his shield deflected and blocked anything else. Circe could only continue to fire her bullets yet nothing seemed to be able to push Percy back as he finally upon her.
Circe let out a scream of anger as she tried to summon a larger magic circle only for Percy's body to suddenly give off a huge amount of black lightning and then twist midair as he performed a drop kick. The moment his heel slammed into her the whole island shook as a massive bolt of lightning broke through the barrier surrounding the island and slammed right into Percy and Circe. The bolt merged with Percy's black lightning and his body as it came under his control for just a moment.
At that moment the lightning bolt supercharged Percy's body causing the refinement he was undergoing to proceed leaps and bounds as the lightning coursed through him. In the wake of the refinement large amounts of poisonous energy and impurities were forced out of his body and into the nearest thing it could find. This happened to be Circe as his heel dug deeper into her stomach while her body bent like a V and a mouthful of blood escaped her mouth.
It only took a moment for this all to happen as Circe shot down so fast she turned into a stream of black light. One second she was several stories high in the sky and the next she was slamming deep into the ground. When Circe hit the ground the forest shook and caused a small tremor through the entire island, then a huge mushroom cloud of dust and debris started to form as Percy couldn't help but find himself exhausted with that one attack.
Percy's wings quickly unfolded and quickly took on its blue wings as he kept himself hovering in the sky. As he caught his breath Percy noticed his body was left steaming and covered in a filthy black residue that he tried to brush off but found it sticking to his skin. With a small grimace, Percy chose to ignore the filth before he felt the static sensation begin to cover his body yet again as more energy boiled up inside him.
Percy took a little bit as he descended to the ground and he landed next to the crater Circe had made. Percy carefully walked through the cloud of dust as he got closer and closer to the center. As he did he was surprised to find Circe still lying on the ground writhing in extreme pain with golden blood splattering the ground around her. Black lightning continued to bounce all over her trembling body as she clenched her wounded stomach, which had taken a poisonous hue, and tried to heal herself.
She didn't even seem to notice Percy coming closer as she focused on her wounds, not sensing any magic circles or aura other than her healing Percy finally walked closer. Circe finally noticed him and she began to let out panicked breaths, as if seeing her worst nightmare. She tried to summon multiple magic circles but Percy was ready, in an instant bolts of water formed in the air and shot through each magic circle. Each time a circle was summoned it was rapidly taken care of before it could even activate.
Percy continued to walk toward Circe and with each step closer she tried to drag herself away but failed. Circe was far too slow and Percy caught up quickly, in a single movement Percy's foot slammed down on her leg causing her to cry out in more pain. The fire in her eyes was now gone as she continued her struggle, even going so far as trying to kick Percy's leg that had her pinned. But with a swift twirl of his spear Circe was brought to a stop, the tip of his spear pressed right up against her throat as a trickle of blood ran down.
"You are a goddess and you are this weak? Even if you are a minor one you shouldn't be this weak, hell just a bit ago I faced a tree stronger than you." Percy said in a voice full of disdain and wonder as Circe's eyes showed an array of complicated emotions, yet terror never left her gaze, it was as if he were Hades himself. Yet Circe never responded to his statement as Percy began to think of what to do with the weak goddess before him.
"She isn't weak in the least, you are just too strong it seems. That kick of yours was on the level of a full power strike from a minor god." A familiar voice was suddenly heard as Percy turned to see a certain beautiful auburn-haired goddess walking into the destroyed area. After looking around a bit her eyes landed on the two before Artemis quickly walked closer.
"A- Artemis help me, together we can-." Circe tried to beg but upon seeing Artemis' face full of distaste she froze.
"Circe shut up for a bit or you will regret ever existing, don't even think of escaping either. Percy come over here immediately." Artemis said in a firm tone leaving no room for anybody to talk. Percy glanced down at Circe for a second before dispersing his weapons and doing as Artemis said. Circe on the other hand seemed like she was finally able to breathe properly again as she gasped for air while clutching her bleeding and charred stomach.
"Hmmm… I thought I sensed something off about you, what is going on with your body?" She asked as her silver eyes glanced up and down his body with a bit of concern as she realized Percy was still smoking from the lightning strike. In a moment her eyes shined a particular silver light as Percy felt her gaze penetrate through his clothes, yet it seemed to linger in certain spots and avoid certain delicate ones entirely. Trying not to smirk at Artemis' antics Percy cleared his throat causing the goddess to snap out of her trance.
"Circe says my body is refining itself. I accidentally ate 8 or 9 Hermes multivitamins in all honesty. Even after using a huge amount of energy for the strike earlier, the energy flooding into me isn't stopping at all." Percy explained as Artemis and even Circe's eyes widened drastically upon listening to him.
"Why did you eat so many of those?! Did you not read the directions, you idiot!" Artemis chastised him as she put a hand to her head and began to pace in front of him. At the same time, the sky suddenly began to rumble again as more and more lightning began to bounce around in the dark clouds above. Almost as if the sky was telling him to hurry up with his talk.
"I don't think that's Zeus. It is way too awesome and just overall way cooler than his lightning," Percy mumbled as Artemis twirled his way and marched up to him before grabbing his shirt and shaking him a little as her eyes were filled with fear.
"You shut up and listen! Those multivitamins aren't made in Olympus, they aren't even multivitamins, to begin with! They are elixirs made by the Taoist pantheon that are meant for normal humans-!"
BOOOM!
Lighting interrupted Artemis as a huge bolt crossed the sky and lit up the entire island, at that moment Percy could feel the storm lock onto him as the tingling inside him grew. The storm was growing more impatient as the moments passed by. Artemis could also feel the movement of the storm as worry didn't even begin to cover her feelings as her grip tightened on Percy's clothes. Yet when Percy's eyes met hers she was stumped at his excited expression that covered his face.
"I understand what you are saying, they were cultivation pills and right now I am breaking through to the next level of cultivation! This must be the legendary lightning tribulation I've read about in those light novels Hestia introduced me to! Does that mean I'm going to become an immortal?!" Percy quickly said in a hyped-up voice, Artemis was stunned by his response, to say the least, and at that moment she had the urge to punch more than a few times.
"That isn't entirely true, your mortal side is the one progressing, not your godly side. Such low-level elixirs do not affect any type of godly blood in any way. That blood is the reason you lived after taking so many at once, any normal human would have exploded after taking more than one elixir every few days."
"Even then demigods shouldn't be affected by their ability to progress your mortal body, their godly blood should prevent such elixirs from working properly. That is why Hermes uses them as multivitamins for demigods because of their healing properties on the soul and body. Why is it that you can?"A weak voice spoke as both Artemis and Percy turned to see Circe propping herself up on the ground while she clutched her stomach. Her pale face was full of mixed emotions as she took a couple of ragged breaths.
"Your only option now is to weather the storm and use each bolt to help with your body's refinement. If you cannot overcome this storm your mortal side will be greatly damaged you will perish." She continued as Artemis gripped Percy's shirt even harder, she even began to tremble before Percy reached over and grabbed her arms causing the trembling to stop as she looked up at him with worry-filled eyes.
"Don't worry about me little moon, I took one bolt already and I'm fine. What's a few more? Besides, if I let the energy run rampant I will only damage my body in the end. I should pass this tribulation or it will only hinder my future." Percy said with a loving smile on his face as Artemis took a worried breath before finally letting go of his shirt.
"Fine! But I'm telling the others about this later, you are biting off more than you can chew again. Prepare to get your ass chewed." She said as Percy froze at those words and a sweat began to drip down his back, he should have guessed this would happen.
"Sounds like a plan to me, yell at me all you wish when it is all over. Now go before you get caught up in the storm, I wouldn't want you getting hurt. If you can take that worthless goddess with you it would be a great help, she will only get in the way if she stays here. Also, I don't think the island is going to make it through the literal and figurative storm heading its way though so we might have to find a new vacation place." He said with a light chuckle as the sky let out another huge burst of thunder as it got ready to strike Percy down.
"... Circe close your eyes unless you want to lose your head!" Artemis suddenly yelled as Circe jumped at her shout, confusion ran through the wounded goddess. Just then two glowing silver eyes filled with killing intent landed on her causing her whole body to shake, like a mouse caught in a viper's gaze. An instant later she snapped her eyes closed and even looked a different way as Artemis turned back to Percy who had a peculiar look on his face.
"Why did you do that?" Percy questioned in a whisper as Artemis' face was instantly lit up with a blush.
"I just want to…" Artemis spoke but didn't seem able to finish her sentence due to her embarrassment as Percy easily figured out what she wanted to say. Gosh Artemis could be so adorable sometimes it even put Hestia to shame, not that he would ever say that unless he didn't want an adorable angry goddess nagging him.
"If you kiss me now it will seem like you are saying goodbye for a long time. Give me an hour at the least and I am sure I will get to see your beautiful face once again. Don't force yourself." Percy said in a loving voice and before Artemis could retort his lips found the middle of her forehead. His soft lips seemed to silence any retorts she had as she pursed her lips together and simply enjoyed the loving forehead kiss to the maximum amount.
"Fine… I'm leaving now. Don't get yourself hurt too much, or else." Artemis threatened with a light blush as Percy pulled away with a small grin on his lips. With that, Artemis shot Percy one more loving look and then rushed over to Circe. In a single moment, the injured goddess was grabbed on the shoulder and dragged along as she let out a cry.
Seeing them disappear into the distance Percy focused on the sky above as the lightning seemed to sense that he was ready. With that, it seemed to wind up as more and more lightning covered the sky. With all of the lightning in the sky, it was almost like a massive spider web in itself Percy began to worry a bit. Maybe he did bite off more than he could chew. He honestly didn't even know that the next level of human cultivation was called yet here he was heading right towards it.
"Well hopefully Nick and Annabeth are alright," He mumbled to himself when he suddenly heard an explosion and several screams from the resort. He turned to see a plum of smoke rise in the distance and then another that was closer to the docks. Yet the noise level seemed a bit too high if it was simply the two of them, if anything he had assumed something else happened. He would have to figure out later though if this island even survived this lighting blast coming his way.
"Anyway… bring it on! HIT ME WITH ALL YOU GOT MOTHERFUCKER!" Percy roared at the sky as black lightning exploded from his body and ripped apart the land around him as if threatening the sky. With that, the sky finally gave in and the first barrel-thick bolt of light dropped on top of him.
A/N: PLOTTTT! LET'S GOOOO! Finally got that main storyline moving after a bit too long lol. But I hope you enjoyed it, Percy just finishing his training and finally getting his power up there. Also, I hope everyone enjoying the little twist I put on the multivitamins hehe. Regardless, to the next chapter we go! Leave a review and let me know what you think!
E/N: Jesus dude you really need to remember how to spell "lightning"! Anyway I think this is dope! The twist works well to include different pantheons! - Sidus