Chapter 24
Percy POV
*After he passes out*Hello Percy Jackson, we meet again. A voice, horrifyingly familiar whispered in his mind. A deep chill settled into his bones as he realized what happened.
The voice chuckled, Yes Perseus you are correct. You may have defeated me last time but this time you will not be able to. Good luck young hero for you are going to need it.
The rest of the blackness then filled with images. Images and memories he so horrifyingly hated. It started with his childhood, with Gabe hitting him, yelling worthless, brain boy and freak at him. He wanted to scream to cry to yell to move but his body refused. It was though he had been strapped into place not being able to move. He tried to screw his eyes shut but not even his eyelids would move.
And so he continued to stare with horror at every tragic moment in his life, Beckendorf dying, Silena's death, Zoe being killed by Atlas, The battle at New York, giving Luke the dagger, The Giant War played inside his head, taunting him, reminding him of his mistakes, how he could've saved them but didn't, holding his Wise Girl in his arms as she died, cradling her limp body and crying.
He was shaken out of his nightmare by someone roughly shaking him. He bolted up with a gasp, tears springing to his eyes immediately. He buried his face in his hands and gathered his knees to his chest trying to supress the sobs escaping him but his shoulders shook betraying his sorrow.
No One's POVNico and Thalia had taken turns keeping watch at night. Percy still hadn't woken up. Sometime during the night Percy began twitching in his sleep. Thalia tried to wake him but then he started thrashing around, crying out incomprehensible words in his sleep. The voice woke Nico up who instantly deduced that Percy was having a nightmare. Together Thalia and Nico tried to wake Percy to no avail.
Finally when they had given up Percy shot straight up gasping for air. Thalia and Nico only got a glimpse of his teary eyes before he buried his faced in his hands and curled into himself pulling his knees to his chest. He was trying to suppress his sobs but his shoulders shook as he cried silently.
Thalia and Nico exchanged a worrying glance before Thalia sat down beside him and rubbed his back slowly and comfortingly. Nico draped an arm around Percy's shoulders squeezing them, reminding Percy that they are there. After sometime Percy calmed down and slowly removed his hands from his face.
He kept his head down and avoided any eye contact with his cousins slightly embarrassed. Thalia and Nico don't say anything, it's clear that Percy is embarrassed but they don't care, anyone who has gone through half of what Percy has would've gone insane.
Thalia simply hands him a protein bar to eat, giving him a reassuring smile, conveying her message through her eyes, don't be embarrassed, we don't care.Percy seems to understand as he smiles a relieved smile but doesn't say anything yet choosing to eat first. He thinks about how he is going to tell what has come with the weapon to others. After a silent breakfast, the trio gather their things and start walking around. Thalia and Nico wait for Percy to explain.
Taking a deep breath he starts, "So yesterday I passed out because the weapon contained a lot of energy," He fingers the sword in it's sheath, "This weapon will give me some amount of control over time, not as much as Kronos but close. Also this was a trap." He pauses letting it sink in.
Then continues, "There was some kind of curse placed on it. It has, I don't really understand how it works, but it has sort of connected my mind to Kronos. Like I can hear him speak in my mind. I can block him out though. The connection, I guess, isn't that strong."
Nico and Thalia are silent as they mull it over. It's definitely worrying.
"Guys you gonna say something?" Percy asks.
Nico is the one who replies, "That's a lot to think about. But why did he do it? Is it some sort of empathy link type of bond?"
Percy thinks this over for a minute before replying, "Nah, it's very different from an empathy link. In empathy link you can feel the emotions a person is having, it isn't like that here. I mean he can sort of hear my thoughts, like I can have a conversation with him. Currently he is trying to convert me over to their side. But that is never going to happen."
Thalia sensing the unease in his voice comforts him, "We know you'd never do that Percy. You're too loyal to your friends and family for that. Now you have to learn how to wield it."
Percy thoughtfully replied, "Yeah, it might be easier because it's a sword still it'll take time learning how to use time to my advantage. It isn't like I have anyone to teach me either."
"Yeah, hey Percy you said Kronos can speak to you. Can you do that or I don't know try to look through his memories or something?" Nico asks
Thalia ponders this over for a moment before replying, "Then he'll have to have intense focus cause he'd have to look through Kronos' barriers and block his mind at the same time."
Percy gulps, this was going to be a huge challenge but if it meant protecting his family he'd do anything. Determined he nods, "I think I can do this. I have to."
That being said he plops down on a bench, they're in a quiet place in the park so there's less chance of being disturbed. Nico and Thalia decide to look around a bit more.
Percy meanwhile sat down legs crossed, Indian style. He decided to ask his father for guidance first. He prayed to his father in his mind. Suddenly there was a flash of light and Poseidon appeared in front of his son.
Percy opened his eyes giving a slight smile to the God. Poseidon sat down beside Percy putting an arm around his son's shoulder, Percy subconsciously leant into the touch.
"What is troubling you Percy?" Poseidon gently asked Percy, he could practically hear his troubled thoughts from a mile away. And so Percy told him everything. Starting from the prophecy to the events of this morning. Poseidon did not interrupt once as Percy recounted his story.
However one he was done Poseidon pulled Percy closer and started, "Firstly Percy, I know you will never do anything to harm your friends or family. Next the weapon will teach you how to wield it. The flashes you had when you first touched it gave you the knowledge of how to use it. When you remove it and take it in your hands, concentrate on what you want to do and it will show you the way, Percy."
Percy looks at Poseidon gratefully saying, "Thank you dad. But I'm not sure of one thing, Kronos obviously knew that I would never turn over, so why did he do the connection?"
As this sentence left Percy's mouth, Poseidon looked incredibly pained for a second, Percy looked at him confused. Poseidon knew why Kronos had done that and he wanted to blast Kronos into bits again but alas he couldn't do that. Neither could he tell Percy and help him prepare.
Poseidon placed his hands on Percy's shoulders saying, "Percy, my son, I'm sorry I wish that I could help you but it is something out of even my control. This is something you must figure out yourself as much as I wish to tell you the Laws forbid me. Just know this, in the end I know you will make the right choice. It will come at a price and you, Percy are the bravest demigod I have ever seen and know this I'm incredibly grateful that you are my son. I am proud of you, whatever you do." With that Poseidon ended his speech and pressed a kiss to his son's forehead and left.
Percy POVPercy breathed in the comforting scent of the sea that Poseidon always left behind, thinking about the meaning of his words. He was starting to suspect what the choice was but was unsure if he liked it or not.
He then decided not to dwell on it, whatever had to happen would happen and he'd make the choice when the time comes for now he had to learn to use his new weapon.
Percy slid the sword out of it's sheath examining it. It was the same blood red and black coloured as the throne with golden trimmings and a leather hilt. It was well balanced in his hands just like Riptide.
Percy thought fondly of his sword, no other sword could replace Riptide for him. It was a sword from the ocean, unpredictable, just like him.
He now decided to focus on using Arius (he'd named the sword that, it meant immortal) He did a few practice strokes in the air swinging the sword around. It was almost the same as using Riptide.
He then decided to up the stakes a little. He focused on the time part of the sword. His eyes fluttered shut as images rushed through his mind at slower pace this time. They showed him to channel his will into the sword, to use it as a medium to control time. It was sort of like Thor's hammer, Mjolnir.
Percy tried it empty before, focusing all my will into the sword. It started glowing greener the more he focused so he decided to try it on some animal.
Percy managed to catch a cat. Setting it in front of him Percy raised his sword and poured all his will into it. The cat had begun to run as soon as he set it down. Percy focused on slowing the time down. Imagining how the cat would look like running in slow motion. Weird, I know but hey it works.
To his surprise the cat slowed down. It looked as though it was trying to move through jelly. Percy whooped out in joy instantly losing his focus and the spell broke.The cat broke free running away as fast as she could. Percy's knees buckled as he felt exhaustion wash over him. He felt really drained, that was due to using so much of his will power he supposed. He eased himself on a nearby bench and grabbed a protein bar from his pocket eating it slowly.
Percy looked around enjoying the peace and quiet before my two cousins come back (or any monsters)