LoSP Ch.51: The Quest Begins (Patreon)

PERCY POV

The sun’s blazing heat glinted off the silver paint of my car, shining onto my face. Thalia tugged a silver cap with the words ‘Hunter Extraordinaire' onto her head while Annabeth’s invisibility cap hung by the hook of her jeans as she stretched.

“I don’t know about monsters and Titans but we will find a sunburn here.” Nico peeked from Clarisse’s car window, squinting to look at us. “Who offended Apollo?”

“It wasn’t me.” Grover leaped out from the shotgun seat of Clarisse’s Range Rover, his red rasta cap slipping away to reveal his horns underneath. “Also, it’s Kansas. It is supposed to be hot here around this time, I think.”

“Fuck the temperature. Where’s our Titan?” Thalia brushed past me climbing a small boulder. “Artemis said to look in Kansas. But where in Kansas?”

“Whoever is here, isn’t within two miles of us.” I glanced at the screen in my car. “My car would’ve picked it up otherwise. The best it is picking up is a faint monster signature— dracaena. A bunch of whom are nearing us.”

“They must’ve picked our scent.” Annabeth put her hand to her forehead, her fingers casting a long shadow down her eyes. “Seven demigods, four of whom are children of the Big Three. Every monster in Kansas ought to have picked up our scent by now.”

“If they did and are coming for us, they aren’t very smart,” Thalia shook her head. “Not a priority.”

“No, the priority is a break and lunch. We have been driving for over four hours and even for us that’s a fair lot.” I declared. “The Titan can be dealt with after that. There are a few good local eateries in the town ahead. I am sure we can get some nice lunch there.”

“Can’t you just snap your fingers and summon food?” Clarisse walked around her new car, cracking her fingers. “It is way more convenient. And I am not driving again for a while. I am stiff as a rod.”

“If that’s what you want.” I shrugged, snapping my fingers. The air rippled and several plates of pasta appeared over the hood of Clarisse’s car, silver forks gleaming in the sunlight. “And if you want, Thalia or Annabeth can drive next while you relax.”

“Gods, that smell makes me hungry.” Bianca slipped out of the door, picking up a plate of pasta from the hood. “Thank you, Percy.”

“Thank Hestia, not me. It's her power.” I waved her off as she forked the pasta into her mouth. “Why don’t you all sit down and eat? I’ll go and talk with any water spirits I can find. There’s a lake down that way. I can feel it.”

“You should take someone with you, Percy.” Annabeth glanced around. “Just in case.”

“I’ll go with him.” Grover piped up, swiping a plate up for himself. “We can eat on the way down there. Maybe you will find something extra with me around.”

“Probably,” I agreed, turning to the rest. “There’s some coke in my car’s freezer if any of you guys want it. Just remember to remind me to replace them later.”

“Your car has a freezer?” Clarisse stared at me, jealousy flashing in her eyes. “Where’s my freezer?”

“You can borrow mine right now.” I picked up a plate of pasta in my hand. “See you all in a few. Let’s go, Grover.”

The warmth soaked into my skin, sweat trickling down my brow as we trudged toward the lake. Grover trotted alongside me, eating his pasta with complete ease as he walked on the dirt road, mist swirling around his hooves. 

After walking for a few minutes, I saw a greenish lake glimmering in the sunlight ahead of us, surrounded by trees and bushes of berries. Grover stopped a few feet away as I stepped into the water, the plate of pasta catching fire in my hand, drifting into smoke toward the heavens. 

I knelt by the small gentle waves of the lake, dipping my hand in the cool water. Closing my eyes, I recalled the salty gale of the sea, its large waves, submerging myself within it. The water of the lake lurched and a spout shot up from it, to reveal a young naiad.

“WHO—” Her screech died as she laid eyes on me. Her eyes widened and she dropped to a knee, her head bowed, her lip trembling. “My Lord.”

“Please, there is no need for it,” I waddled a few steps forward, closer to her. “I just have a couple of questions for you, ma’am.”

“Anything you command, sir.” She kept her head bowed, meeting my eyes.

“Have you seen any Titan or god around here lately?” I asked. “Or heard of them?”

The water spirit froze, her throat quivering. Her skin turned a pale, almost translucent shade of sea green.

“I am not here to hurt you.” I said softly, letting the warmth of the hearth wash all around me like a breeze of spring. “I just need a little information and I will be on my way.”

“My lord— we have heard of rumors. Up, up north, a little sister of ours has vanished, our connection forever broken.” The naiad said. “We spirits do not venture there. Something dangerous has taken up a place near her pond, my Lord.”

“Can you tell me where exactly it is?” I questioned. “Her pond?”

“It is north, my lord.” She repeated, ducking her head. “I do not know for sure. I have only heard of whispers flitting through my waters.” She gulped. “I am sorry, my lord. I do not know more. For as long as I can remember, I’ve only known this lake and nothing beyond. I cannot tell you more than I have heard.”

“Don’t worry, it is more than adequate for now.” I waved her off. “Thank you for your help. You were very kind.”

A moment later, the naiad vanished in a spout of water, disappearing back into the pond, leaving ripples in her wake. I sighed and walked back out, drying myself with a thought.

“You scared her, you know?” Grover chewed on his fork as he watched me approach. “She was a little naiad. You didn’t have to go all son of the sea god on her.”

I blinked. “When did I do that?”

“When you dipped your hand in the water and called on your powers. I felt it, Percy.” Grover said. “And if you have forgotten, you’re powerful.”

“I just called her.” I frowned. “It was like a knock on their door. They cannot hear me otherwise. I have met with multiple river spirits. Even those whom I am acquainted with cannot hear me unless I do that.”

“For a river spirit, that would be a knock yes.” His eyes bore into mine. “For a small lake spirit? That was equivalent to a SWAT team trying to get into your house. She was brave, coming to confront you. But, then she realized who you were and became all the more scared.”

“Which means she had something to be scared of.” I narrowed my eyes. “She could be misleading us.”

“Or you’re being paranoid.” Grover stomped his hoof. “Look? Next time, keep the size of the water body in mind, won’t you? Nature spirits are only as powerful as their nature is. And… I can feel their emotions when I am near. I did right now. She thought you were going to kill her because she yelled at you. I know it wasn’t your fault, but… just…”

“I am sorry.” I inclined my head. “I’ll keep that in mind next time.”

“Thank you.” Grover sighed, wiping his brow. “So… we go north?”

“That’s the only lead we have, right now.” My eyes were drawn to the sky as a flock of birds fluttered overhead. “Why don’t you try asking a few animals? Maybe they would know something more concrete.”

“I will try.” Grover dipped his fork in the pasta only to realize he had chewed off the top of it. “Shit. Anyhow—”

He kept the plate aside and removed his new reed piped, putting them to his lips. I closed my eyes, and waited, listening to the music that rang around me.

‘Whoever this Titan is, they will not take long to be found. Right, Alexander?’

#With the resources you have with you, I’d say you would be on his doorstep by tomorrow at the latest.# Alexander said. #But as always, be prepared for anything.#

‘I am, Alexander. I always am.’

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A small, shallow stream snaked its way down the slope, frothing against the stones in its path. Little fish swam down the stream, flitting between the rocks, and disappearing between the plants. Music rang across the bank as I watched acorns roll across the ground, forming a pattern.

“Anything?” Thalia threw a stone into the river that splashed, sending small rocks tumbling. The fish scrambled, swimming away from it, their golden-brown tails wiggling.

“I am not sure,” Grover poked at one of the Acorns. “All signs point that he is north. But some say he’s near and some that he’s very far.”

“You got all of it from a bunch of acorns?” Nico toed one of them. “Are they like magical acorns?”

“No, normal ones. I am the one doing the magic.” Grover picked up the acorns and slid them into his pocket. “It’ll be sunset in a couple of hours. Three tops.”

“That would mean that we will be stronger.” Annabeth murmured. “Two are the children of Hades and Thalia and I are huntresses. Percy and Clarisse can fight wherever they want.”

“Yeah, but I need something to fight with.” Clarisse crumpled the small twig in her hand to dust. “Whoever this warrior is, I am gonna punch that punk for hiding instead of being a true warrior and coming out to fight us.”

A shadow shifted over them and I tensed, my head snapping up as I saw a giant bald eagle circle over us. Grover stepped forward and the eagle swooped down onto his arm, letting out a shrill scream almost sounding like a whistle. 

“Oh,” Grover straightened. “Anything else you can tell us?”

The eagle screeched again, raising a single wing toward the other side of the stream. 

“That helps a lot, thank you.” Grover beamed and the Eagle took off again, soaring back into the sky.

“What did it say?” Nico turned to Grover. 

“It said that there’s a small encampment of monsters that way.” Thalia said and we all turned to her. “And there’s a Titan with them wielding a spear.”

“Wait, you speak eagle?” Clarisse blurted. “Since when?”

“Since now, I think,” Thalia shrugged. “I’ve never communicated with an eagle before.”

“Right. Unexpected powers aside, we are dealing with a monster army and a Titan.” I said. “Monsters shouldn’t be much of a problem but we’d have to be careful. I will take the Titan. Annabeth is with me. Clarisse, you will deal with the monsters alongside Bianca and Nico. Grover will help wherever necessary. Thalia, you’re everyone’s backup in case something new appears or someone needs help.”

“Wait, if it is the warrior guy, shouldn’t it be Annabeth and I going for him as the prophecy said?” Clarisse frowned.

“And how do you know that the Titan here is the warrior guy?” I raised an eyebrow. 

“It is the first line of the prophecy.” Clarisse glared at me. “Children of War become the warrior’s bane.”

“It is not necessary that the prophecy will play out line by line.” Thalia said. “During the Othrys quest, the third line happened first, technically.”

“The son of Poseidon protects the goddess’ trail.” Bianca’s eyes flitted to me. “Percy hid the Ophiotaurus before the quest officially began. And he found the creature by a chance of pure luck. Zoe told me prophecies are tricky. Always have been.”

“So what use is a prophecy?” Clarisse fists balled, her knuckles turning white. “A glorified permission letter from the fates?”

“Yes,” I snorted. “And a few other things but I think Apollo might be the only one capable of explaining those parts to you.”

“Great.” Clarisse scowled.

“Look, if you are itching to hit something, you are going to get a chance soon.” I said. “I am willing to bet there will at least be a small army of monsters waiting to fight us but leave the Titan to me for now. I can guess how you feel about it but it is the strategically sane way because we do not know who we are going to meet there.”

“And Percy can level blows you cannot, Clarisse.” Annabeth added bluntly. “You might find it harsh because you are much like your father, but what is wise is wise. Percy has killed Titans before and has trained under both our parents.”

Clarisse gritted her teeth, her eyes flashing red. “I know. But my blood is singing for a fight.”

“A fight you will get.” Thalia laid a hand on her shoulder. “If you don’t, you can take on the next Titan we meet while Percy and I will stand back. Or do whatever else might be necessary, as per the situation, of course. But you’ll get your share of blood.”

Clarisse nodded as a spear sprouted in her hand, its tip cracking with red electricity. “Then what are we waiting for? TO WAR!”

Clarisse marched off, her black leather boots splashing in the shallow waters with a slight metallic click. I shared a look with Thalia and we followed her, bounding across the water to catch up with Clarisse who was chopping and smashing her way through the brambles.

“Are we going to abandon the cars?” Nico jogged next to me, keeping up with my longer strides. “Seems stupid.”

“Well, we could’ve driven them along, but maybe it is for the best if we don’t.” I glanced around to look at the two cars standing on the other side of the stream. “They may attract attention if we drive them into a camp of monsters and it might give the Titan enough time to flee. We do not know how big the camp is.”

“And you would need to get as close as you can to set the device off.” Nico nodded. “Understood.”

I fingered the cool, rough edge of the disk in my pocket, feeling it thrum slightly beneath my finger. 

It was a device created by Hephaestus that would allow me to create an anti-teleportation field around myself under my own powers. While it was not as effective or long-ranged as a field that a god could create, it would be sufficient as long as I kept whoever I was fighting distracted and didn’t punch them too far. 

#Alright, first Titan on this quest.# Alexander said in my head as I felt my senses prickle faintly, picking up something abnormal to the left, ahead of me. #Take them down hard and fast. Don’t let whoever it is escape under any circumstances. Either have them give you their oath, or kill them, plain and simple. Also, don’t worry about your friends much, they are trained to handle themselves.#

‘I swear if you repeat that once more, Alexander—’

#Percy, I am in your head. I know what you’re feeling. You have learned to hide memories of Artemis when you want to—# I ducked my head, smothering the heat that rose up my cheeks. #But emotions are still too powerful to stop coming through. I know you’re dead worried about them.#

‘Don’t tell me it is wrong to worry. They are going for a fight way out of their league even with all the training they got. If it is someone like Iapeteus or Hyperion—’

#They’ll be fine.# Alexander cut in. #You’re with them. And I am with you. You’ve literally stared Atlas in the eye and punched him off a cliff. Iapetus might be a better spear-wielder but he doesn’t have the sheer endurance his son did. And Hyperion’s power would be practically useless against you. Also, I do not think it is them you will face.#

‘And how can you be sure?’

#Let’s say that if they had been here, we wouldn’t have had any trouble finding them.# Alexander snorted. #Heads up, Percy. Whoever it is, is near. I can feel the magic trying to repel us.#

“Guys, I don’t think whoever it is will be here.” Annabeth stopped short and Clarisse whirled around, frowning thoughtfully. “It is wilderness up ahead according to my map. And—”

“Magic is affecting your brain, owl head.” I walked past her. “Feel the air. It is like Medusa’s lair all over again.”

Annabeth’s face cleared up. “Oh, shit.”

“What are you talking about?” Bianca frowned. “I can’t see—”

A crack of electricity echoed around us and the hair on my body stood as Thalia raised her ax. “Mist.”

A wind buffeted through the clearing, rustling through the leaves, and the scene up ahead swirled, dissolving into a white huddle of tents, a black scythe painted all over them. Monsters milled around, their bronze weapons glinting in the sunlight. 

But what drew my eyes was a huge, thick Drakon that snored, coiled up around an oak tree, sparks of fire fluttering past its long, ivory teeth, washing against the pebbles on the ground.

“A fire-breathing Drakon,” Annabeth whispered. “They are ancient monsters and notoriously tough to kill. Plus, they breathe fire and are deadly poisonous.”

“Sounds like a problem.” Clarisse squinted. “Now, is that our Titan?”

I followed her gaze to see a tall man crouched in the distance, surrounded by a teenage boy and several monsters. A silver spear gleamed in the man’s hand, moving in a blur, slapping away a dracaena who lunged at him.

A sharp smile curled on his lips as the boy— the demigod charged forward, thrusting a bronze spear at his ribs, which he batted away.

#That’s Pallas.# Alexander said. #And he has taken a leaf out of our playbook and is training his own apprentice.#

‘Threat assessment?’

#The Drakon and Pallas are both equally dangerous.# Alexander said. #Pallas is a great fighter but he is very honorable. He represents the honorable side of warfare. And despite being honorable, he could hold his own against someone who won’t be.#

‘Me, Thalia, or Clarisse and Annabeth?’

#You or Thalia.# Alexander said. #But you should not discount the Drakon. Without your sword, even you would have a hard time killing it. Impenetrable scales cover its vital parts and stabbing the exposed parts may not be effective unless you have really large weapons. Or are fireproof.#

‘Which I am.’ My jaw twitched.

“Alright, change of plans.” I said quietly, my eyes scanning through the monsters spread around the camp. “Thalia, you’ll have to take on the Titan. I will be dealing with that Drakon. Clarisse, you have to lead Nico and Bianca to kill all the monsters around the camp. Grover, watch our backs and use any nature magic you can. Annabeth, that demigod whom Pallas is training is yours.”

“Works.” Thalia’s ax cracked with tendrils of electricity as she tugged at the necklace, an armor morphing onto her torso. “Suit up, guys. Nico, Bianca, listen to Clarisse, and don’t put yourself in unnecessary danger. And that goes for all of us.”

“Thalia and I will go in first.” In a small flash of bronze, a weight settled over my body and arms as my armor and vambraces appeared. “And I will activate the disk before offering Pallas a chance to surrender or die.” 

#For all it is worth, I do not think Pallas will run.# Alexander chimed in. #He is honorable, as I said. One of the few decent Titans despite being, well, on their side.# 

“Spread out around the camp and take what position you think will be the best.” I continued, filing away what Alexander said. “Annabeth, get to the other side of the field so we have all sides covered. Clarisse, Grover, take your picks.”

“Aye, captain.” Grover mock saluted before sprinting away to the right, Annabeth in tow while Clarisse, Bianca, and Nico ran over to the other side.

“Surrounding the camp, smart.” Thalia took a deep breath, a glow settling in her blue eyes. “Want me to do the ax thing I practiced?”

“To kill the monsters?” My eyes flitted to the hellhound prowling at the edge of the camp. “Why not? It is dramatic and effective.”

“Athena said it was my father showing in me.” Thalia snorted.

“Well, he’s a bit of a drama queen and so are you.” I grinned. 

Thunder rumbled faintly in the sky and across the field, Pallas looked up sharply. 

“Time to go in.” I snatched the disk out of my pocket, leaping through a gap in the trees, kicking the hellhound in its side. 

The beast went flying across the Titan camp, slamming into a Cyclops, bowling him over. A flash of silver and blue hurtled past my shoulder, tendrils of electricity ripping through four Dracena, the blade of the ax slashing through a hellhound leaving the pungent odor of ozone and golden dust in its wake.

A called upon my powers, shoving them into the disk in my hand. I felt a painful tug in my gut as the celestial bronze glowed brilliantly, streaks of sea green, gold, and orange swirling around it as a haze of power rippled through my surroundings.

“Pallas.” I yelled, slipping the disk into Thalia’s pocket as she lunged past me, catching her Ax in mid-air. The ax cleaved through a cyclops, a bolt of electricity slamming into several monsters who were charging toward us, sending them flying, dissolving into golden dust before they hit the ground. 

The Titan’s eyes glowed and he banged his spear on the ground and the monsters froze in their tracks.

“Son of Poseidon. Daughter of Zeus.” Pallas strode forward.

Behind him, the Drakon raised its head, uncoiling from the tree, its amber eyes burning toward us. Sparks of flames flew from its mouth like a furnace, raining on the ground, where the grass smoldered. 

“Pallas, we bear a message from Olympus.” I announced, my voice booming through the enemy camp. “You have two choices today. Either surrender and swear an eternal oath of loyalty to Olympus. Or you die.”

Pallas raised an eyebrow. “And are you the one who will enforce Olympus’ will, Perseus Jackson?”

“I will.” I nodded as my sword shimmered into my hand. “And so will they.” 

Silver arrows sprouted from the monsters around the camp, and they burst into golden dust. Annabeth burst into the clearing as shrill music rang, causing the monsters to clutch their ears. The Drakon trashed, its head smashing through branches, its tail crushing the tree’s trunk. 

On the other side of the clearing, the trees shook, and Clarisse leaped onto the field, followed by Nico atop a hellhound the size of a garbage truck. 

Mrs. O’Leary ripped a Dracena apart with her teeth while Nico slashed a cyclops, its essence sinking into the stygian iron blade. Clarisse drove her spear through the skull of a Hellhound.

“FOR ARES!” She swung her spear, decapacitating more monsters, sliding under a rampaging Colchis Bull, before slamming her fist on its head, crumpling it like a tin can. “FOR GLORY!”

“You can make both our tasks easier right now.” I turned back to Pallas with a smirk. “Or you can suffer the same fate your army is suffering.”

“I am a warrior, Perseus Jackson.” Pallas’s spear glowed with a golden hue, his clothes morphing into a golden-silver armor. “I will not go out without a fight. Neither will my army. Alabaster!”

Behind him, the demigod stabbed his spear into the ground and muttered something. Threads of magic rose, circling the bronze spear before booming outward. 

Grover’s music ceased abruptly, and the monsters stopped thrashing, letting out loud howls.

“Time to see if you can back up your words like a true warrior, Perseus Jackson” Pallas’ lips curled into a sharp smile. “You challenged me and my army despite only having a handful of companions. Since you leveled the challenge, I will set the terms. You and your friends will not run. You will stand and fight like true warriors.”

“I don’t think that is something we would be worrying about.” I narrowed my eyes. “Just remember, if you don’t surrender right now, we will not give you the chance again when you are at swordpoint.”

Pallas’ spear hammered onto the ground, a gong reverberating through the camp. “So be it, Perseus Jackson. ATTACK!”

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AND… DONE! Hope you all liked the chapter!

Next chapter will be an important one as you can guess. Originally, I had planned to have this scene end but then I decided otherwise due to time constraints. Also, I love my cliffhangers, lol.

The next few chapters will be fairly action packed as the Ichor Purge will begin in full swing. I plan to dive deeper into characterization too on the sidelines simultaneously. On a sadder note, we won’t be seeing Artemis for a couple of chapters but when she does return, it will be a lovely and notable return.

Oh, and as for Pallas, while there is no such lore proclaiming him as honorable or anything, I made it up. Ares represents the bloody side of war and the violence it brings. Athena shows the strategic part of warfare. Enyo shows the bloodlust and losing oneself to the battle. Pallas, in mine, represents honor amongst warriors.

So, now all you have to do, is stay tuned! The next chapter will be: The Warrior's Bane. It will go up at the end of May if everything stays according to schedule. 

A huge thanks to Mughil and Anax for betaing this chapter.

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