[Third Person's PoV]
Medusa sighed as she saw Percy apologizing. She closed her eyes and lifted her glasses. "You don't have anything to apologize for. Your father's sins aren't your own. And I apologize for how I reacted earlier."
Medusa then clapped her hands together. "Now then, why don't we resume eating our lunch together?"
There was a tense silence, with the only sound being the utensils clattering against the plates.
"Nice weather we're having," Lucian said, hating the silence.
"It was literally raining a few minutes ago," Thalia muttered.
"Thanks for the update, weatherman," Lucian muttered back.
Thalia glared at Lucian. "I was just saying."
"Okay, question. Why did you turn my Uncle Ferdinand into stone?" Grover asked, looking at Medusa with his gaze lowered.
"Ahh, who?" Medusa asked, confused. "I'm sorry, but you'll have to be more specific. As you can see, there are a lot of statues."
"The satyr with the mole near his mouth," Grover specified sadly.
Medusa gave him a weird look. "Funny story, actually. I was cleaning my glasses when he just walked in. I looked up to see who it was, and he looked into my eyes. Well, I'm sure you know the rest."
Grover put his hands over his goat horns in disbelief. "That...? That's how he failed his search for the great Pan? Of all the ways, that's how he went?"
Medusa had an awkward expression as she looked at Grover's state. "Sorry?"
Grover shook his head. "I don't blame you. When we get our Searcher's License, we know the dangers that come with it. Dying is to be expected."
"Searcher's license? What's that?" Percy asked, trying to forget what he'd learned about his father.
Grover then explained what being a searcher entails and their job of finding Pan, the god of the wilderness.
As Grover explained, the awkwardness that had been tormenting everyone slowly started to dissipate.
'Grover, you lovable satyr, I'll make you the best enchiladas as a thank-you for letting us eat in peace again,' Lucian thought as he happily ate.
"If anyone can find Pan, it's you, Grover," Percy said with a serious expression and tone, showing his unwavering confidence in him.
Grover just rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment.
After they finished eating, they all picked up their plates and helped Medusa clean up.
They realized they couldn't stay long, as they each had their own quests to complete. They all bowed their heads slightly toward Medusa. "Thank you for your hospitality."
Medusa just waved them off with a smile. "It was nice to finally have company over."
However, before they left, Lucian clasped his hands together in a pleading way. "Okay, I know this might seem rude since we just met, but can I have some of your blood?"
"Lucian!" they reprimanded.
"I'm sorry, but I'm a potion maker! If you knew how valuable and rare Gorgon's blood is, you'd all be pleading alongside me. I really am sorry for asking."
Medusa chuckled and sighed. "You and your mother are a lot more alike than just appearances. She asked me for the same thing in the past. It's one of the reasons I actually like her. She could have taken it from me by force when she defeated me, but she simply asked."
Medusa then pinched his cheek and started talking in a baby voice. "Don't worry, your Auntie Em's got you."
"Phtttt."
Lucian blushed as he heard those behind him stifling a laugh. He pulled out an enchanted vial and shyly handed it to Medusa.
Medusa took the vial, and one of the snakes in her hair elongated toward her wrist, biting it before retreating. Medusa then held her wrist over the vial as shiny red blood cascaded into it. Once it was filled, she handed it back to Lucian, who capped it.
"Thank you."
Medusa smiled as she licked her wrist with her snake-like tongue to stop the bleeding.
"Thank you," Lucian said again, with appreciation and gratitude.
"Uh, can I visit you later?" Lucian asked, blushing a bit.
"Why, so you can ask for more blood?" Medusa teased.
Lucian shook his head. "You said my mother used to visit you before she had me. I feel like it's my duty to do what she can't anymore. I'd also like to get to know you better... Maybe ask what my mother was like back then."
Medusa smiled softly, seeing how embarrassed he was. She parted his hair and kissed his forehead. "You can visit your Auntie Em whenever you please. I wouldn't mind the company."
"And that goes for all of you as well. Come visit. It gets lonely sometimes," she said, looking at the others and waving goodbye.
They all thanked her and said their goodbyes before continuing on their way. As they walked, Percy was unusually quiet.
Lucian then stopped. "Can you guys go on without me? I need to do something important."
"Aren't we in the middle of your quest? Shouldn't this be important?" Thalia asked, confused.
"I know, but this is really important. It will only take around two hours—three max. I'll shadow-travel to wherever you guys are staying."
"Is it..." Annabeth started.
Lucian nodded. "Yes, it's time. I've been holding back for a year now."
"Alright," Annabeth nodded, and Thalia followed, now understanding what Lucian was doing.
"Uh, before that, Thalia, a word?" Lucian said, walking a bit away from everyone.
"Yeah?" Thalia asked.
"Can you look after Percy for me? I mean, talk to him about his father. Look at him—he's clearly affected. You, more than anyone, can understand what he's feeling. He might feel better if you talk to him."
Thalia looked toward Percy, who had a lost, pondering look on his face.
"I see... Don't worry, I got it. Leave it to me. No one understands having a messed-up father better than me," Thalia said, giving a thumbs-up.
"That's not worth celebrating..." Lucian said with a weary smile.
"Anyway, thanks. You're in charge," he said, kissing her cheek as he sank into his shadow.
Thalia blushed. "Who do you think you are, deciding who's in charge? I'm the older one, I should be in charge! Damn it, I know him so well I can already hear how he'd counter that: 'But I'm stronger...'" Thalia mumbled, mimicking Lucian's voice as she kicked a rock and walked toward the others.
…
Lucian appeared back at camp, making his way down to his basement hideout. He looked at the vial of Gorgon's blood in his hand and smiled. "Now I have what I need for my sixth sequence... but before that, I need to condense the blood so I can replicate it and make more of it. I'll concentrate it until it's just a powerful drop, then dilute that drop into a large bucket of water, which should return it to its original volume but in a much larger quantity."
One hour later…
Lucian was surrounded by ten buckets filled with shiny red Gorgon blood. "Now that's what I call an infinite money glitch."
He glanced around, nodding in satisfaction. "I've got everything I need now to make the Cursed Knight potion. The two main ingredients: Tears of the Tormented, basically tears of someone being punished—thanks to the Sky Bearer—and the Blood of a Gorgon, courtesy of Medusa.
As for the supplementary ingredients, I'll need a cursed weapon—plenty of those lying around—a scale of a Drakon, a wisp of cursed fire, and the blood of the one consuming the potion… which will be mine."
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