Origin of a Hero - [A Percy Jackson Fanfic]

[T/N: FCK THIS CHAPTER! Over 12000 F*CKING CHARACTER!!!]

"Wooow! Did you see that, Thalia!? Did you see it!? He stopped bullets in the air just by raising his hands!?" a seven-year-old boy exclaimed excitedly, looking at his sister and then at the television screen.

Thalia couldn't help but laugh at the shine in her younger brother's eyes. They were both sitting on the living room couch watching the movie "The Matrix."

"Well, he's the one, right? Obviously, you can do many things."

"Lots of great things! If he can stop bullets, can he also fly?" Jason asked.

"Well, if I told you the things he can do, where would the excitement be in seeing it for the first time? You shouldn't do that, Jason."

"What thing?" he asked, turning to see his sister.

"Spoilers," Thalia spat, with distaste. "It's the worst thing you can do when watching a movie or any story. Only nasty people do it, and you're not, right, Jason?"

"No, I'm not! I will never give spoilers! I promise you, Thals."

Thalia chuckled and petted her little brother's blonde head. It was easy for her to do this since Jason was sitting between her legs while they both watched the movie.

"Will you do it without questioning me?" Thalia asked. "Promises are very important, Jason. You don't have to do them to just anyone."

"You're not just anyone!" Jason said hotly. "You are my sister, my family! The promise towards family is the most important!"

Thalia was a little stunned but couldn't help but be moved by his words.

Family.

Yes, Jason was her only family. It was just him and her. Their mother was an alcoholic who resented Zeus and took out her anger on them, more toward Thalia, as she stood in front to protect Jason.

It was her self-imposed duty as an older sister: to protect Jason.

A promise she had made to herself.

A promise that had failed to keep.

"Family... huh?" Thalia mused to herself.

"We are like a big family. We support each other in everything. The success of one is the success of all. And the sorrows of one are the sorrows of all..."

Those were the words of the goddess Artemis. Words that had touched Thalia deeply and made her seriously consider the proposal the goddess of the hunt had made to her.

It sounded... tempting. Being part of a group of girls who traveled the country with a goddess. Hunting monsters, being accepted by a group of girls who would see her as an equal, being independent, living without responsibilities, being free...

"I offer you the opportunity to leave everything behind and accompany me eternally on my journeys around the world."

"But at what price?" Thalia thought.

"Give up romantic love forever. They will not grow up, nor will they marry. They must swear that they will remain maidens forever."

To be eternally a maiden? Never get married? Give up on love? Were those the conditions to be free? To be part of the hunt and a family?

But if she did, she would have to abandon the others. Sammy had rejected her because she wasn't going to abandon the person who saved her. Annabeth had done it to pursue her dreams, but... what reasons did Thalia have?

She didn't have such a binding debt to someone like Sammy, or a dream like Annabeth. She could join the hunt, and no one would claim her. Knowing Luke and Annabeth, they would probably get angry and upset with her, but in time they would understand. Sammy would support her; she had no doubt about it. And Percy...

What would he think?

That's something that always intrigued Thalia. In the months they had been traveling together, all the times she had spoken and interacted with him, she had never been able to read Percy. She didn't know anything about him. She didn't know why he had started living on the streets, she didn't know who his godly father was. Hell, she didn't even know what his stupid last name was! The only thing she knew about him was to never mess with his fries unless he offered them to her!

She... she didn't know Percy, if that was his real name, but she cared to know his opinion. In just a few months, he had become the image of an unbreakable person and an unstoppable force. Someone who was not afraid of facing any situation, no matter how dangerous it might be: the Minotaur, the beast of the forest, the leucrotas, the cyclops of the factory, the lamia...

From the first moment she saw him, Thalia viewed him as someone imposing. And it was because of that that she couldn't help but admire him. She had done so ever since he killed the Minotaur, and it had only increased since then. Everyone did. Luke saw him as a best friend, Annabeth as the older brother she never had, and Sammy even idolized him.

Percy had become an important point in everyone's life. He was their partner, their friend, their leader, their brother. All that and more.

Thalia let out a long sigh of exhaustion and stood up from the stump where she was sitting.

"I... I think I should talk to him," she muttered to herself. "Even though he looks like an idiot, he is quite wise. After all, he talks like a damn fortune cookie."

She chuckled at her statement and prepared to go find Percy.

It was curious how the presence of the hunters seemed to make the forest animals unafraid to approach and interact. Perhaps it was the aura that the goddess of the hunt radiated throughout the clearing where the huntresses decided to camp. It was the first time Thalia had seen an adult wolf get so close to a deer without attacking it.

At first, she was surprised by the idea that wolves were guarding the huntresses' camp, but when Phoebe, the huntress who had given her a tour of the entire hunt, patted the wolf on the head and fed it a piece of meat directly in its mouth, Thalia quickly adapted to the idea.

"Isn't the food still there? I'm hungry! I'm hungry!" a childish voice complained.

Thalia smiled upon hearing that. She only knew one voice that complained like that.

"I told you the food isn't there yet!" reproached another voice, which she recognized as Luke's. "And keep your hands off my sandwich!"

"But I'm hungry..."

"Well, suck it up," Annabeth scolded this time. "We will eat when we are all together."

"But Percy's still talking to that goddess," Sammy said. "And Thalia is still thinking about her proposal."

Hearing that, Luke's features darkened a little.

"I just hope Artemis doesn't turn Percy into an animal and then hunt him," Annabeth said. "From the stories I've read about her, she tends to do that with men who offend her in some way."

"She won't... will she?" said Sammy, a little pale. "I mean, she was the one who wanted to talk to him."

"Are you still talking?" Thalia thought. "What would a loli goddess who seems to be a lesbian want to talk so much about with Percy?"

Thalia felt something tap her shoulder lightly a couple of times. She turned around a little alarmed and her cheek ended up colliding with Percy's outstretched finger.

"What are you doing so lost in your thoughts?" he asked, with an amused smile. "Thinking doesn't suit you."

"Percy!" she exclaimed, slapping his hand. "Don't do that, damn it!"

"Oh, but your cheeks are so chubby." He reached out with his hand and began pinching and stretching them. "You want to stretch them until they turn red."

"Stop!" she said in a muffled voice, her cheeks becoming redder and redder. Although it wasn't for the reason Percy thought. "I said stop!"

She tried to hit him, but he quickly moved away and gave her a cheeky smile.

"That's better," Percy said. "That attitude suits you better."

"Why the hell did you do that!?" she asked, rubbing her sore cheeks.

Percy just shrugged.

"You looked quite worried. I wanted to cheer you up a little "" Then his voice took on a deeper tone. "Is there something that worries you?"

Thalia looked uncertain for a few seconds, not a normal sight at all.

"Eh... well... I... I wanted to talk to you."

"With me?"

"Yes, idiot. That's what I said. I would like to know your opinion on something important."

Percy didn't say anything for a few seconds, and Thalia's insecurity grew a little more, but it disappeared completely when he spoke:

"How about we go and eat something first? I think better with a full stomach. Besides, I'm very hungry."

Without waiting for a response, Percy walked over to where Luke and the girls were arguing about who ate all the bread they had saved. Everything pointed to Sammy, who seemed like the main suspect.

"This is delicious!" Sammy exclaimed happily, as he took another bite of his seasoned rabbit meat.

"Yes, these seasonings make the meat much tastier," Annabeth said, taking a bite of her rabbit meat pierced by a stick.

"How about we go and eat something first?" Percy suggested. "I think better with a full stomach. Besides, I'm very hungry."

Without waiting for a response, Percy walked over to where Luke and the girls were arguing about who ate all the bread they had saved. Everything pointed to Sammy, who seemed like the main suspect.

"This is delicious!" Sammy exclaimed happily as he took another bite of his seasoned rabbit meat.

"Yes, these seasonings make the meat much tastier," Annabeth said, taking a bite of her rabbit meat pierced by a stick.

"Aum, I know... that a hunter... gave you that..." Thalia said, speaking with her mouth full while looking suspiciously at Percy.

"That? Are you jealous?" Luke asked mockingly.

"Sh "shut your mouth, animal!" she snapped, tearing off the last piece of meat with her teeth and throwing the stick at him.

Luke deftly dodged it while laughing at his friend's embarrassment.

Percy just chuckled as he watched everyone interact and calmly eat their food, observing that the rest of the meat didn't burn as the others seemed too busy keeping Thalia from hitting Luke.

"Hey, Thalia, what was it you wanted to talk about?" Percy asked, drawing the attention of Thalia, who had Luke in a wrestling submission hold.

The girl's mood suddenly changed. Her frown of annoyance turned into one of distress, and the grip she had around Luke's neck loosened.

Since Thalia wouldn't speak first, Percy decided to do so.

"Is it about the proposal they made you to join the hunters?" he inquired softly.

Thalia wasn't surprised. He assumed that Artemis had told him that when she spoke to him. Instead of responding with words, she simply nodded.

The mood dropped throughout the place, replaced by a strange tension. Annabeth and Sammy stood quietly staring at the campfire, while Luke looked strangely somber.

"And you don't know what decision you should make," Percy speculated.

Thalia nodded again.

"Don't do it..." Luke whispered, although everyone heard him. He looked at Thalia with a slight pleading in his eyes. "I know it's selfish of me to say it, but I don't want you to join them. I don't want you to go and leave us behind."

"Luke..."

"I understand it must be tempting for you, Thalia," Annabeth said. "To be part of something as great as hunting... follow a goddess... be immortal... live hundreds of adventures. I wouldn't blame you if you decided to join them. But even with all that, I think the same as Luke. I don't want you to go."

"Annabeth..."

"It wouldn't be fair of me to say it when I turned down the offer, but... I don't want you to join either," Sammy said, a little sad. "We've been through a lot together, and it would be... sad if you left us now that we're about to reach a safe place. We are like Mr. Gato and his Gang, right? We have to stay together."

She laughed lightly "a humorless laugh, but it made Thalia smile slightly.

Everyone then looked expectantly at Percy, waiting for him to say something. He felt a little uncomfortable at the expectations placed on him to speak. Although his face didn't show it, he simply seemed in a state of contemplation as he watched the campfire.

When he looked at Thalia, he saw how expectant she was, causing him to feel conflicted. His face reflected that, but he forced himself to harden his expression. Thalia wanted an honest opinion, so he would give it to her.

"I have no right to tell you what to do, Thalia," he began slowly. "What you want to do is your decision and yours alone, but... regardless of what you choose, I have already decided to support you. If you decide to join the hunt or come with us to the camp, I will support you without question. Because that's what a friend would do."

"So what am I supposed to do?" she murmured, her head bowed.

Percy chuckled lightly, much to Thalia's bewilderment.

"The answer is quite simple," he said. "The decisions you make should be based on whether you will regret them or not."

His words hit Thalia deeply "Simple and concise, but very true and full of meaning.

She lowered her head in contemplation as everyone looked at her, worried about the decision she would make.

"Not regretting my decision..." Thalia thought. "Obviously, I don't want to regret it, but... What is the right decision?... No. There isn't one."

She looked at everyone, who was waiting for what she would say.

"Artemis offered me to join the hunt. Being part of a family, but... don't I have that anymore? Each of them is important to me. And I want to be there for them. Also..." She glanced surreptitiously at Percy, who was staring intensely at his rabbit meat with a frown before adding a pinch of salt that Zoë had given him. "I don't want to abandon it..."

"I... I'll go talk to Artemis," Thalia said.

She got up and headed toward the goddess's tent that could be seen in the distance.

The others stared at her back, fearing that this would be the last time they saw her.

"Are you sure about this?" Artemis asked, scrutinizing Thalia with her gaze.

"Yes, I'm sure," Thalia said, matching the intensity of the goddess's gaze. "As long as I have them, I won't regret my decision. I will be with them until the end, even if it ends up being tragic. That's what I've decided."

Thalia found Artemis not in her tent, but in a small clearing in the forest, letting go of the beautiful deer that had previously been in her tent.

"I can see that your bond with them is strong, but... what will you do once those bonds are broken?" Artemis asked.

Thalia narrowed her eyes. "What are you trying to say?"

"The bonds between mortals are fragile and ephemeral. Sooner or later, they will disappear."

Thalia gritted her teeth at the goddess's words. It felt like an insult and disdain for the relationships she had with her friends.

"I don't know how a goddess sees the world, and I never will," Thalia said, with suppressed anger. "But don't pretend to understand mortals when you are not one."

"I've lived among humans long enough to know what they're like," the goddess said, as if explaining something obvious to a child. "They are selfish, treacherous, greedy, lustful, envious, arrogant... And men are the greatest representation of this. A world ruled by them has no future." Artemis's expression softened a little, but to Thalia, she looked like a robot trying to imitate human expression. "Come with me. Leave everything behind and be free."

"Being free...?" Thalia repeated. That idea had seemed tempting before, but now she saw how ridiculous it sounded. "What you offer me is not freedom; it is an escape and a bondage. You ask me to turn my back on my friends and men. May I swear to always remain a virgin and renounce romantic love? That is not freedom. True freedom has no ties or conditions."

For a few seconds, silence reigned in the forest clearing. Thalia did not dare to look away from the goddess's eyes, demonstrating the conviction in her words. Even when Artemis glared at her, she forced herself to stand her ground.

"I offer you the opportunity to escape a life of misery that will end in premature death. To be part of something bigger and more important than the tragic life of a demigod," said the goddess in a tone as cold as ice. "If you're so hell "bent on dying in the mud, killed by monsters, then I can see that your mind and your sense of freedom have been irreparably corrupted by the company of those boys you travel with."

Thalia clenched her fists until her knuckles turned white. She didn't know it, but her eyes flashed with electricity for a second and took on a glow of power.

"If thinking for myself, making my own decisions, and living by my own terms and ideals means that my sense of freedom is corrupted, then yes. My mind is corrupted," Thalia said, matching the goddess's icy tone.

She knew it wasn't the smartest thing to do to face a goddess like that. Artemis could incinerate her with a single snap of her fingers. But she wouldn't stand by and let that goddess belittle her, Luke, and Percy.

"Then you have made your decision," Artemis said.

"Yes, and I don't regret it."

Artemis narrowed her eyes and seemed to want to say something else, but in the end, she simply walked past Thalia, leaving her with a few last words:

"Remember that conviction and will in the future. You will need it."

Thalia turned to look at the goddess, but she was already gone, leaving behind a soft breeze that caressed her face.

"What did she mean by that?"

"The goddess was kind to us by fixing the Evil Machine, right?" Sammy said as he loaded his things into the truck. "She even filled the fuel tank."

"Yes," Thalia agreed. "She can look like a loli..."

"Bitter..." Luke added.

"Cold as a penguin's ass..." Percy said.

"And with the ability to show as many emotions as a stone..." Annabeth said.

"…but it's not that bad," Thalia finished.

"And she's watching us now from the forest," Sammy said, pointing toward the trees on the side of the road.

They all bristled and felt a shiver run down their spines. Slowly as one, they turned and met the harsh,

 disapproving gaze of the goddess of the hunt, who stood with her arms crossed, looking directly at them.

"Do you think she heard us?" Luke asked weakly, his voice shaking.

The narrowing of the goddess's eyes was all the response he needed.

They all swallowed audibly.

"Well, don't make sudden movements, and slowly get into the truck," Percy said, moving slowly without daring to look away from the goddess's eyes.

No one objected, and everyone got into the truck.

Once they were ready, Percy started it up, and the engine roared to life. He glanced in the driver's side rearview mirror and took one last look at the goddess. Their eyes met, silvery yellow with sea green. The goddess gave an almost imperceptible nod, and there was an unspoken agreement between her and the demigod.

Percy shifted the car into gear and accelerated.

"Mmm... cans... enchiladas with cheese..." Grover muttered in his sleep.

"How about we go and eat something first?" Percy suggested. "I think better with a full stomach. Besides, I'm very hungry."

Without waiting for a response, Percy walked over to where Luke and the girls were arguing about who ate all the bread they had saved. Everything pointed to Sammy, who seemed like the main suspect.

"This is delicious!" Sammy exclaimed happily as he took another bite of his seasoned rabbit meat.

"Yes, these seasonings make the meat much tastier," Annabeth said, taking a bite of her rabbit meat pierced by a stick.

"Aum, I know... that a hunter... gave you that..." Thalia said, speaking with her mouth full while she looked suspiciously at Percy.

"That? Are you jealous?" Luke asked mockingly.

"Sh "shut your mouth, animal!" she snapped, tearing off the last piece of meat with her teeth and throwing the stick at him.

Luke deftly dodged it while laughing at his friend's embarrassment.

Percy just chuckled as he watched everyone interact and calmly eat their food, observing as the rest of the meat didn't burn since the others seemed too busy keeping Thalia from hitting Luke.

"Hey, Thalia, what was it you wanted to talk about?" Percy asked, drawing the attention of Thalia, who had Luke in a wrestling submission hold.

The girl's mood suddenly changed. Her frown of annoyance turned into one of distress, and the grip she had around Luke's neck loosened.

Since Thalia wouldn't speak first, Percy decided to do so.

"Is it about the proposal they made you to join the hunters?" he inquired softly.

Thalia wasn't surprised. He assumed that Artemis had told him that when she spoke to him. Instead of responding with words, she simply nodded.

The mood dropped throughout the place, replaced by a strange tension. Annabeth and Sammy stood quietly staring at the campfire, while Luke looked strangely somber.

"And you don't know what decision you should make," Percy speculated.

Thalia nodded again.

"Don't do it..." Luke whispered, although everyone heard him. He looked at Thalia with a slight pleading in his eyes. "I know it's selfish of me to say it, but I don't want you to join them. I don't want you to go and leave us behind."

"Luke..."

"I understand it must be tempting for you, Thalia," Annabeth said. "To be part of something as great as hunting... follow a goddess... be immortal... live hundreds of adventures. I wouldn't blame you if you decided to join them. But, even with all that, I think the same as Luke. I don't want you to go."

"Annabeth..."

"It wouldn't be fair of me to say it when I turned down the offer, but... I don't want you to join either," Sammy said, a little sad. "We've been through a lot together, and it would be... sad if you left us now that we're about to reach a safe place. We are like Mr. Gato and his Gang, right? We have to stay together."

She laughed lightly. A humorless laugh, but it made Thalia smile slightly.

Everyone then looked expectantly at Percy, waiting for him to say something. He felt a little uncomfortable at the expectations placed on him to speak, although his face did not show that; he simply seemed in a state of contemplation as he watched the campfire.

When he looked at Thalia, he saw how expectant she was, causing him to feel conflicted. His face reflected that, but he forced himself to harden his expression. Thalia wanted an honest opinion, so he would give it to her.

"I have no right to tell you what to do, Thalia," he began slowly. "What you want to do is your decision and yours alone, but... regardless of what you choose to do, I have already decided to support you. If you decide to join the hunt or go with us to the camp, I will support you without question. Because that's what a friend would do."

"So what am I supposed to do?" she murmured, with her head bowed.

Percy chuckled lightly, much to Thalia's bewilderment.

"The answer is quite simple," he said. "The decisions you make should be based on whether you will regret them or not."

His words hit Thalia deeply. Simple and concise, but very true and full of meaning.

She lowered her head in contemplation as everyone looked at her, worried about the decision she would make.

"Not regretting my decision..." Thalia thought. "Obviously, I don't want to regret it, but... What is the right decision?... No. There isn't any."

She looked at everyone, who was waiting for what she would say.

"Artemis offered me to join the hunt. Being part of a family, but... don't I have it anymore? Each of them is important to me. And I want to be there for them. Also..." She glanced surreptitiously at Percy, who was staring intensely at his rabbit meat with a frown before adding a pinch of salt that Zoë had given him. "I don't want to abandon it..."

"I... I'll go talk to Artemis," Thalia said.

She got up and headed towards the goddess's tent that could be seen in the distance.

The others stared at her back, fearing that this would be the last time they saw her.

"Are you sure about this?" Artemis asked, scrutinizing Thalia with her gaze.

"Yes, I'm sure," Thalia said, matching the intensity of the goddess's gaze. "As long as I have them, I won't regret my decision. I will be with them until the end, even if it ends up being tragic. That's what I've decided."

Thalia had not found Artemis in her tent but in a small clearing in the forest, letting go of the beautiful deer that had previously been in her tent.

"I can see that your bond with them is strong, but... what will you do once those bonds are broken?" Artemis asked.

Thalia narrowed her eyes. "What are you trying to say?"

"The bonds between mortals are fragile and ephemeral. Sooner or later, they will disappear."

Thalia gritted her teeth at the goddess's words. It felt like an insult and disdain for the relationship she had with her friends.

"I don't know how a goddess sees the world, and I never will," Thalia said, with suppressed anger. "But don't pretend to understand mortals when you are not one."

"I've lived among humans long enough to know what they're like," the goddess said, as if explaining something obvious to a child. "They are selfish, treacherous, greedy, lustful, envious, arrogant... And men are the greatest representation of this. A world ruled by them has no future." Artemis's expression softened a little, but to Thalia, she looked like a robot trying to imitate human expression. "Come with me. Leave everything behind and be free."

"Being free...?" Thalia repeated. That idea had seemed tempting before, but now she saw how ridiculous it sounded. "What you offer me is not freedom; it is an escape and a bondage. You ask me to turn my back on my friends and men. May I swear to always remain a virgin and renounce romantic love. That is not freedom. True freedom has no ties or conditions."

For a few seconds, silence reigned in the forest clearing. Thalia did not dare to look away from the goddess's eyes, demonstrating the conviction in her words. Even when Artemis glared at her, she forced herself to stand her ground.

"I offer you the opportunity to escape a life of misery that will end in premature death. To be part of something bigger and more important than the tragic life of a demigod," said the goddess in a tone as cold as ice. "If you're so hell "bent on dying in the mud, killed by monsters, then I can see that your mind and your sense of freedom have been irreparably corrupted by the company of those boys you travel with."

Thalia clenched her fists until her knuckles turned white. She didn't know it, but her eyes flashed with electricity for a second and took on a glow of power.

"If thinking for myself, making my own decisions, and living by my own terms and ideals means that my sense of freedom is corrupted, then yes. My mind is corrupted," Thalia said, matching the goddess's icy tone.

She knew it wasn't the smartest thing to do to face a goddess like that. Artemis could incinerate her with a single snap of her fingers. But she wouldn't stand by and let that goddess belittle her, Luke, and Percy.

"Then you have made your decision," Artemis said.

"Yes, and I don't regret it."

Artemis narrowed her eyes and seemed to want to say something else, but in the end, she simply walked past Thalia, leaving her with a few last words:

"Remember that conviction and will in the future. You will need it."

Thalia turned to look at the goddess, but she was already gone, leaving behind a soft breeze that caressed her face.

"What did she mean by that?"

"The goddess was kind to us by fixing the Evil Machine, right?" Sammy said, as he loaded his things into the truck. "She even filled the fuel tank."

"Yes," Thalia agreed. "She can look like a loli..."

"Bitter..." Luke added.

"Cold as a penguin's ass..." Percy said.

"And with the ability to show as many emotions as a stone..." Annabeth said.

"…but it's not that bad," Thalia finished.

"And she's watching us now from the forest," Sammy said, pointing toward the trees on the side of the road.

They all bristled and felt a shiver run down their spines. Slowly as one,

 they turned to look, but there was nothing but the trees and the sun creeping through the branches.

"Don't joke about that!" Luke said, rolling his eyes as he stood next to Thalia. "You scared the heck out of me."

"But it's true!" Sammy insisted. "When she called us, she was just standing in the shadows, but we didn't notice her."

"Just wait. Soon it will be time for us to leave," Thalia said. "But first, we need to find a safe place to rest."

"I wonder if she'll watch over us while we sleep," Annabeth said quietly.

"Maybe, but I won't let that scare me," Percy said. "We should be fine. We can keep going."

Thalia turned toward him, feeling a little ashamed.

"Sorry for worrying you guys. I just... had to decide," she said.

"It's alright," Luke reassured her. "We're here for you, no matter what."

Percy nodded. "Always."

A sound alerted him that he was not alone, breaking him out of his pathetic attempt at being a detective.

He followed the sound, which he soon identified as the characteristic noise of a fight. Bones clashed against flesh, accompanied by grunts of effort. As he turned the corner of the store, he saw a dazed body on the floor that shifted uncomfortably. He couldn't identify the person because his attention was caught by the sight of two people struggling. They were both on the floor. The person on top, a man from what he could tell, had a large knife pointed at the exposed neck of the person below.

"Tell us where your damn nest is, bloodsucker!?" the man demanded.

"I will do it when I tear off your neck and drink your blood directly from it!" exclaimed the man beneath him, with malice in his voice.

Percy was a little surprised by his talk, but didn't think much about it when the man who was being threatened put both legs on his attacker's chest and pushed him with surprising force, causing him to crash into the dumpster and causing a dent in it.

¨What?... What the hell are they doing here!? Percy thought, recognizing the man who was thrown around like a rag doll.

The man, now free, wasted no time and quickly pounced on whoever had previously threatened him. He grabbed him by the neck and with inhuman strength, lifted him with one arm.

"You're not so tough now, are you, hunter?" the man asked amused.

He approached his victim and opened his mouth, allowing Percy to see the row of shark teeth that appeared from his mouth.

That is...! 'Percy thought alarmed, recognizing the...creature.

It made sense to him now. The creature, the man he was fighting with. And if he was right, he also knew who the other dazed man lying on the floor was. With that in mind, he didn't have to think much as he quickly and silently ran towards the impending murder.

Placing himself behind the creature, he tightened the grip he had on his knife and in one fluid, sure motion, decapitated the creature holding the man prisoner.

The headless body fell abruptly to the floor, like a puppet whose strings were cut. Blood was starting to stain the floor, but Percy didn't care about that, nor did the fact that he had just decapitated someone in cold blood. Instead, he worried more about the man coughing erratically in front of him.

 "Damn... that was close. Thanks for the help Sa...the man began saying, but his words died when he looked up and saw who had saved him. His eyes widened and his mouth hung slightly open.

Percy smiled at the man's dumbfounded sight.

 " What happened? Did the vampire bite your tongue? Percy asked, amused. Helping the man to get up from the floor. You better shut your mouth before the flies get in.

The man was still stunned as he stood up, but he snapped out of his daze when he heard the groan of pain from the other man who was lying on the floor.

 "Sammy! "exclaimed the man, worried.

He approached him and helped him up. The man, Sammy, or Sam as Percy knew him, was clutching his head in pain as he tried to get his bearings.

 " What happened? Did you kill the vampire? Sam asked.

 "No. The son of a bitch almost used me for lunch. In fact, they had to save my ass.

 " Who...?

Sam seemed to come back to his senses as he looked in Percy's direction. At first, he didn't recognize him and narrowed his eyes, but when he knew who it was, his eyes widened.

 "It can't be...Percy? It's you? he asked, incredulously.

 " Believe it! Little P. is back! "said the other man, with a big smile ". Although now it's not so small anymore.

"Yes, it's me," Percy answered, with a smile. It's good to see them safe and sound again. Sam, Dean.

"It's really you," Sam said, approaching Percy to look at him carefully. God, how you've grown.

 "Two years does that to a person, Sam.

Sam hugged Percy tightly, causing the young demigod to lose his breath a little, but then he returned the hug with just as much intensity.

He repeated the same process with Dean, although his was shorter. It was just as Percy remembered it, Sam was always the more emotional of the two.

 " Boy, how you've grown! "Dean exclaimed, when he broke away from the hug ". A few more years and you'll be my height.

"Although you're not that tall," Percy said.

 "Leave me alone. Just because you saved my ass doesn't give you the right to act smug towards me, kid. I can still kick your ass.

 "Oh, is that a challenge?

"Turn down the testosterone a little, you two," Sam said, stepping between them. Although the smile he had showed that he was amused by the interaction.

Dean clicked his tongue, annoyed.

 "Spoilsport. Anyway, what are you doing here, Little P.?

Percy opened his mouth to respond, but was interrupted by someone shouting behind him.

 "Percy! Are you OK!? You found the... Wow!

The three turned around and there they saw Luke, Thalia, Sammy, and Annabeth appear around the corner of the store. Luke and Thalia had their weapons freed and ready to lash out at any monster, though their eyes widened when they saw the headless corpse on the floor.

The girls and Luke turned pale at the sight, but Thalia simply frowned in displeasure.

 "Are they acquaintances of yours, Percy? Sam asked.

"Yes, they are... my friends," Percy answered. Then he turned to Thalia and Luke. It's okay guys. The danger has already passed.

 "What the hell just happened here? Thalia questioned, as she transformed her spear into a spray bottle, much to Sam and Dean's amazement. And who the hell are these guys?

"Wow, you're pretty aggressive for being so little," Dean commented.

Thalia glared at him, but Percy stepped in before she could retaliate.

 "Calm down, Thalia. They're my... uh... friends. They won't hurt us.

"They... are they like you, Percy?" "Sam asked, curious.

Percy nodded in his direction.

"Yes, they are also demigods," he answered. Except Sammy. She is a mortal with clear vision.

 "Sammy? Dean inquired, looking young until his eyes landed on the young girl who timidly raised her hand. Ha! I told you, Sam. "You have a girl's name," he finished mocking the taller man.

"Shut your mouth, Dean," Sam scolded. Now is not the time.

 "You're right. "We have to find those leeches' nest," Dean said, becoming more serious. It is impossible for just one person to have been the cause of so many disappearances.

 "Okay, okay, time out. Can someone explain to me what the hell is going on? Luke asked, feeling a little exasperated. Who are you? "He pointed to Sam and Dean ". And what the hell is that thing? He has teeth like a fucking shark! "he finished pointing to the severed head.

 "Oh, yes. "That... Well, I'm Dean Winchester and the giant standing here is my brother, Sam," Dean introduced. That thing over there is a vampire and we hunt it.

Everyone was silent at that, staring in disbelief at Dean, except Percy and Sam, who already knew that.

 " Vampire? Are you kidding? Thalia asked, skeptically being the first to compose herself. Like those fucking vampires that shine in the light like twilight? Or vampires who burn in sunlight like Blade?

"Neither one nor the other," Dean replied. I really liked the Blade movies though.

"Yes, they were great," Thalia agreed.

"Mindless small talk aside…" Luke interrupted. If vampires are real, then are other monsters too? Like werewolves?

"Luke, remember that we are demigods and that monsters hunt us to kill and eat us," Annabeth said, looking at the boy as if he were an idiot.

 "True... That was a stupid question.

 "In the end. "The briefing was very educational, but I'm hungry," said Dean. Do you want some cheeseburgers, Little P.? I invite As a thank you for saving my ass.

"It's a good thing I won money not long ago at pool," said Dean, watching as the group of children and teenagers devoured their burgers, fries, chicken nuggets, and salad in the case of Grover and Sam.

After hiding the vampire's corpse and calling the authorities for a case of "wild animal attack," Sam and Dean took the group of demigods, mortals, and satyrs to a McDonald's to gorge on junk food.

Percy, Luke, and Thalia ate their cheeseburgers like they hadn't eaten in weeks, while Sammy and Annabeth ate their Chicken Nuggets more sparingly. Grover was the only one who didn't seem to have much of an appetite as he stabbed his salad with a fork.

 "So, how have you guys been? Percy asked, after swallowing his burger and fervently chewing his fries. Continuing with family work?

"Yeah, well, someone has to do this," Dean said. And we're pretty good at it. Not to mention the best.

"They said you were demigods," Sam said, studying the group with fascination. Who are your parents? I mean, do you know? Because Percy doesn't know.

The demigods gave him a suspicious sidelong glance. Dubious of Percy's statement, but didn't dwell on it. Knowing that he didn't like to talk about his godly father.

"We haven't introduced ourselves yet," Luke said, taking the floor. My name is Luke, I am the son of Hermes.

 "Hermes? The guy with the winged sandals? "Dean asked, interested as he took another bite of his bacon burger.

"The same one," Luke said, with his classic smile that did not bode well. Although now that Percy thought about it, it was the same smile Dean had.

The brothers then looked at Annabeth, who shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

 "Uh... my name is Annabeth. I am the daughter of Athena.

 "The goddess of wisdom? "Wow," said Sam, in amazement. But isn't she a virgin goddess? How can you have children?

"I see you know something about Greek mythology," Annabeth said, looking at Sam with new eyes.

 "Yes, I learned some of that at Stanford.

 "Well, Athena's children are born the same way she was. Due to brain birth.

 " Birth...what? Dean asked.

"It means they are born from thought," Sam instructed his brother. According to mythology, Zeus gave birth to Athena through his head...literally.

 "Nerd.

Dean earned an annoyed look from Sam and surprisingly from Annabeth as well, although he didn't seem to mind.

 " Wait, did you go to university? Thalia asked, raising an eyebrow at Sam. No offense, but if you went to a prestigious university... What are you doing here in the middle of nowhere hunting vampires?

Sam just shrugged.

"My family needed me." His gaze then shifted to Sammy and Grover. And you?

Sammy, who was more focused on devouring her Chicken Nuggets, swallowed audibly as all eyes landed on her.

"Uh... well... I... I'm just a mortal," she said, softly. I'm with them because I have nowhere else to go. And I don't want to go anywhere else.

"I... I see," Sam said, contemplative. Sammy gave him a sympathetic look. I see you haven't had an easy life.

"None of us have had it," Thalia murmured, a little moodily.

"What about you, kid," Dean said, pointing a French fry at Grover. Who are you? But I think the most appropriate question would be: What are you? Mortal? Demigod? A fucking Greek god? At this point, I don't think anything surprises me.

"Eh... I'm a satyr," Grover replied.

He rolled up his jeans a few inches, showing off his hairy feet and showing off his hooves that were hidden in his padded sneakers.

Dean's mouth opened and he dropped his French fry to the floor. Percy looked at the potato on the floor regretfully.

"Okay, that's new," Dean said, dumbfounded. You always see something new in this work. "That only leaves you, punk girl," he finished looking at Thalia, who took a big sip of her extra-large Coca-Cola drink.

"I'm Thalia, daughter of Zeus," she said, stealing some fries from Percy, causing him to look at her a little annoyed.

Sam and Dean's eyes widened. Sam's fork fell to the floor and Dean's burger fell onto his plate, luckily for him.

 "Is... Are you serious? "Dean was the first to compose himself ". Zeus? The lightning guy and the one who rules all the gods in the... What was he like?

"Olympus," Sam said for him, still looking at Thalia in amazement. Zeus is the god of the heavens, lightning, honor, and justice. He is also the king of the gods, and one of the three most powerful gods in all of Olympus. He is the Big Daddy of all Greek mythology.

"Don't have too many expectations," Thalia said, in a contemptuous tone. The type of pompous, arrogant, narcissistic idiot "thunder clapped audibly, despite it being a clear, cloudless day. You know I'm right! Leave me alone! "Thalia exclaimed to the sky, attracting the gaze of some people who were in the restaurant, but she simply ignored them.

 "Yes, all deities tend to be idiots. "It's a trait shared by them," said Dean.

"You sound like you've already met several of them," Luke said, with an arched eyebrow.

 "You'd be surprised by the things we deal with on a daily basis. It would be enough to make a series of it.

 "There are a series of books, remember? "Sam said.

"Oh, yeah," Dean said, annoyed. Stupid Chuck. Make a series of books about our lives...

 "By the way, how do you and Percy know each other? Annabeth asked, deciding to ask the question the demigods had in mind.

"Oh, well Little P. here saved our asses from a pack of werewolves," Dean said, with a big smile. I still can't believe that a twelve-year-old boy was able to do what he did.

"I was thirteen," Percy said defensively.

"But you came at the right time," Sam praised. It was thanks to you that we were able to wipe out the entire pack.

 "It was nothing. You guys saved my butt a couple of times too.

"After saving us from those werewolves, Percy traveled with us for a couple of months," Sam said, answering the question not asked by the others who were looking at them curiously.

 "Oh, yes. "They were good times," said Dean, with a nostalgic air. Killing monsters and saving the girl.

"We're still doing that, Dean." Only on a larger scale.

 "By the way, were you able to do that thing you told me you wanted to do? Percy asked. Did they find his father?

Sam and Dean's expressions darkened a little at his question. And Percy was sure that he had just stepped on a sensitive topic for them.

"Yeah, we found it," Sam said. But then...

"He's dead," Dean said, in a harsh tone. That damn yellow "eyed son of a bitch killed him. But then we killed him. End of story.

Dean finished eating his burger and calmly stood up, leaving a slightly bewildered group behind.

"Sorry, it's a bit hard for him," Sam apologized.

 "Don't worry. "I know how much family means to you," Percy said.

Sam gave Percy a comforting smile.

 "Looks like you've found yours, Percy. I'm happy for you.

By the time Percy left the McDonald's, Dean was leaning against his Impala drinking a beer, not caring about the looks he was getting from people passing by him.

 "It's only noon, you know? Percy asked, standing next to her and drinking his McDonald's drink.

Dean just shrugged.

"It's night somewhere," he said, before taking a sip of his beer. Anyway, how have these two years been for you? I see you are now the leader of a small gang.

 "Yes, many things have happened.

 "Ha, tell it to me.

They both took a sip of their drink at the same time and let out a contented sigh.

 "Neither of us have had it easy, right? "It was more of a confirmation than a question on Percy's part. What was...? What was it that happened?

Dean didn't say anything for a few seconds, and Percy thought he would say a bad joke and then change the subject, like he always did when he didn't want to talk about it.

"I sold my soul to a demon to save Sam," Dean said slowly. I went to hell and back to stop the Apocalypse. That's pretty much the summary of what happened "he took a deep drink of his beer, emptying it.

Percy looked at him with wide eyes, in shock at what he had revealed to him. He didn't doubt Dean's words, but he still found it difficult to believe them. He knew the existence of monsters, ghosts, demons, and a hell where bad people were tortured. After all, he had fought with every one of them. But knowing that the man who had taught him so much, who had been like a mentor to him, went to hell and back to stop the end of the world... that's not something you just hear and say, "Oh, great."

"A lot has happened since that," Dean continued. Good things...bad things...I've lost people I cared about...but I'm still here. Sam is still here. And I plan to keep that the same. No matter what I have to do "he finished with a determined and unwavering voice.

Percy listened carefully. Of the two brothers, he had always admired Dean the most. She was, in a way, like a role model for him. And now, listening to everything that has happened and still maintaining those values ​​that characterized him, he couldn't help but smile to himself.

"It's good to see you still care so much about your family," Percy said. ¨¨Family doesn't end in blood, but it doesn't start there either. ¨ I still remember what you said that time. It was what prompted me to look for my own family.

"At first, I was upset that you left us so abruptly," Dean said. Damn, you only left a little note. I was thinking about hunting you down and putting a bullet in your ass for making us worry so much.

"Sorry about that," Percy scratched the back of his neck, uncomfortable. But I had to do it. And, even though it was a little difficult to stand up for myself, I'm glad I did it. I was able to see things in a different way.

Dean scoffed at that.

 "Yes, but that didn't save us from the kick in the butt and the angry shouts that Bobby gave us. Hell, the last time I got yelled at like that I was twelve.

Percy just chuckled at that.

 "Tell me, Dean... Is Bobby...?

"Oh, the bastard's still alive," Dean said, opening a new beer he had in a small cooler in the passenger seat of his car. Chances are he's now grumbling like the bitter old drunk he is, while lending a hand to hunters who need help.

 "That's good to hear. I owe him a lot.

 "He thinks the same about you. "He'll be happy when we tell him that you're safe and you've found what you were looking for." Percy looked at him a little surprised while Dean drank his beer. You found them, right? "he asked with a small smile, as he offered Percy a beer he took from the cooler. Your own family.

Percy smiled and accepted the beer that was opened earlier by Dean. It wasn't his first beer. Dean had offered him his first beer years ago. At first, he found it bitter and unpleasant, but then he liked it. He wasn't an alcoholic, not by any means, but there were those rare occasions where he wanted to taste a beer. Curiously, today was one of them.

"Yes, I have," he said, watching as the others left McDonald's. Technically, they are my family, since we share the same divine blood of our parents who are related to each other, but... you understand what I mean. Blood is not everything.

 "Yeah. Families can be a pain in the ass sometimes. I spend most of the day with Sam, and he has the strangest tastes in music and food, but I wouldn't change it for the world. And there's nothing I wouldn't do for him.

Percy smiled sadly at that.

"If you've sold your soul to a demon to save your brother, then what I have to do is no big deal," he said, raising the bottle to his mouth.

Dean looked at him questioningly.

 " What are you...?

He was interrupted by the timely arrival of the others. Sammy and Annabeth were laughing at something Luke had told them, while Sam asked Thalia about the different monsters she had faced.

 "Did you really kill a Wendigo with lightning? Sam asked, amazed. That's surprising. Fire is needed to kill it, so lightning would do the job just fine.

 " Yeah! I fried that festering "ass bastard until he was crispy! Thalia boasted, her chest puffed out with pride. But if that was surprising, you should have seen Percy fight that thing bare "knuckle! He knocked out his teeth and broke a couple of his bones with his punches. It was truly great.

"And reckless," Luke added.

 "Yes, that too.

 "That's Percy for you! "Sammy exclaimed, joining the conversation.

"Yes, Percy was always very reckless," Sam said, glancing at Percy. But it was that recklessness that saved us so many times.

"Well, it's the same as with us," said Thalia. He was always there to help us when...Percy! Are you drinking!?

Everyone looked at Percy, who had a bottle of beer in his hand, about to take a drink.

Thalia quickly walked over to him and snatched the beer from him.

 "Hey, that's mine!

 " Yours!? My butt! "she snapped.

 " Is your butt mine? Percy asked, an eyebrow raised in amusement. Wow, you are so bold, Thalia.

 " Not that, idiot! "he shouted at her, with a blush on his cheeks ". You're not going to drink when we have an important matter at hand!

 "And that matter is...?

"Monsters," Grover said, with a hint of fear as he looked around, as if waiting for the monsters to come out of the shadows. I can smell them getting closer. They're still a little far away, but if we don't hurry they'll catch up with us soon. They are three dogs from hell... "he sniffed the air for a few seconds ". No... there are four and... "he sniffed again ". Two cyclops.

Dean whistled in impression.

 "Wow, do you know all that just by smelling the air? he asked in an astonished tone. That's fabulous. You would be very useful when hunting monsters.

"M... thank you very much," Grover said, lowering his head. Ashamed and very pleased by the praise.

"We have to go," Luke said. There is no need to waste time. So I'm sorry, Percy, but save the beer for when we get to camp.

 " Camp? "Sam asked, curious.

"That's where we're headed," Thalia said. A safe camp for demigods. Where we don't have to worry about monsters being on us every five fucking minutes.

Sam and Dean widened their eyes in surprise.

 "A camp where demigods meet? Dean asked, somewhere between amazed and amused. What is this? A kind of low-budget Harry Potter? All that remains is for them to be divided into houses when they arrive depending on which god is their father.

"Actually, that's exactly how it is," Grover added. The camp has twelve cabins. And the campers stay in one of the cabins depending on who their godly parent is.

 "Oh, fabulous. And you're going to tell me that the camp director is someone old with a big beard?

 "No, that's our activities director. Our director doesn't have a big beard, but he does have a big belly. But don't point that out to him or he'll induce a state of temporary insanity. It's already happened a couple of times.

 " Induce you to madness? Sam asked, puzzled. Who exactly is your director?

 "Dionysus, god of wine, vegetation, theater, and madness.

A somewhat awkward silence settled among those present.

"Fabulous," Dean said, then looked at Percy. Good luck dealing with a deity. In my personal experience, they are idiots who, if they don't try to kill you, will eat you alive in some kind of macabre ritual while complaining about how the world changed and humans stopped worshiping them.

 " Don't you think the word "fabulous" says a lot? "Thalia whispered to Luke under his breath, receiving a nod from the young demigod.

Percy just shrugged.

"I've dealt with arrogant gods before." In fact, I just did one with one no less than five hours ago.

 " Oh really? Said Sam, amazed. Who?

 "Artemis, goddess of the hunt.

 "Unite the three virgin goddesses? He hasn't turned you into some kind of exotic animal and then hunted you, right? The stories say that she did that a lot with men.

 "I think she was very tempted to do it, but luckily she didn't.

"A virgin goddess..." Dean asked dreamily. Can you imagine how tight it will be? More than two thousand years without ever having had a good fuck...

He was brought out of his reverie by a tap on the shoulder from his brother.

 "Behave, Dean! Sam scolded. There are children present.

"Oh, I'm sorry," he laughed a little embarrassed.

Percy chuckled at the two brothers' interaction.

"Well, as moving as this meeting was, I have to go my own way, just like you guys," Percy said. That vampire nest won't clean itself.

"You're damn right," Dean said, putting a hand on Percy's shoulder. It was nice to see you and know you're safe, Little P.

"We'll go ahead," Luke said, pushing Thalia by the shoulders.

 " Hey! I can walk on my own!

 "Stop complaining. If you do, we'll let you drive.

Thalia smiled from ear to ear and strode towards the Evil Machine.

"It was a pleasure to meet you, Sam, Dean," Annabeth said goodbye politely, before following Thalia and Luke, accompanied by Grover who gave a somewhat awkward goodbye.

Sammy stood still for a few seconds, unsure of what to do. Looking back and forth between Percy and then the others. After an encouraging nod from Percy, he followed the others after bidding a friendly farewell to the two brothers.

"They're good kids," Sam commented, watching the small group get into the car. Keep them safe, Percy. I can see that they trust you a lot.

"That's exactly what I plan to do, Sam," Percy said. Make sure you do the same with Dean. You know how reckless he can be.

 "Hey, I'm not reckless! "Dean said, a little offended ". I'm just brave and I'm not afraid of anything.

 "What do you tell me about flying? Sam asked, amused.

 "That's different.

Sam gave Percy one last hug goodbye, who gladly returned it, before getting into the passenger seat of the Impala. The iconic Winchester car.

"I guess this is goodbye, Dean," Percy said, giving him a grateful smile. I can never thank you enough for what you both have done for me. What you have done for me.

 "Percy...

 "Don't worry. I've already accepted it "There was resignation in his voice. And also a little sadness ". I've had time to mentally prepare myself for this. So I'm not afraid.

"Don't give me that shit," Dean said, his tone harsh. I know what you're going through. When I sold my soul to that demon to save Sam's life, he only gave me a year to live. He knew he would die and go to hell. And I lived with that fear throughout that year. So I tried to hide my fear, because I know it just by looking at you.

Percy looked at the floor with a pained air.

 "And what do you want me to do? What do you tell them? There is nothing they can do. They'll only go crazy trying to change things." Percy clenched his fists tightly. What if one of them dies trying to save me? I would never forgive myself! If someone has to die so that others can survive, it will be me and no one else!

Dean must have seen Percy's determination. And I would be lying if I said I didn't understand it. Maybe he understood it more than anyone. Wanting to sacrifice oneself so that one's loved ones survive. He understood that very well.

 "Alright. "It's your decision, after all," Dean said. But at least say goodbye to them properly. Let them know what you feel so that in the future they don't feel guilty for your death.

"I... will do it," he said, hesitant.

Dean was right. They deserved to know the truth... but not now. You would find a way to communicate what you feel to them without them becoming suspicious or trying something to avoid it. Knowing them, they will do something rash, risky, and suicidal. Especially Thalia. That girl will be his downfall.

"Bye, Little P.," Dean said, giving him a hug that was tighter than Percy expected. It was a pleasure to have met you.

Maybe Percy was imagining it, but he felt Dean tremble in his embrace. When they broke apart, Dean looked at him with great regret and sadness in his slightly red eyes.

Percy felt a lump forming in his throat, but found the strength to speak.

 "Bye, Dean. And thank you... for everything.

By the time he got to the car, Thalia was already behind the wheel, bumping impatiently.

 " Were you able to say goodbye correctly? she asked with a raised eyebrow as Percy got in and sat in the back seat.

Miss O'Leary quickly went and sat on his lap, earning a scratch behind the ears from Percy, to whom she responded with a happy wag of her tail.

"Yes, I did," Percy said, with a distant view. I said goodbye.

If anyone noticed his strange behavior, no one said anything. Instead, they turned to the group's guide.

 "Grover, which direction are the monsters? Luke asked. I would like to avoid them, if possible.

Grover sniffed the air for a few seconds and wrinkled his forehead in confusion.

"How... strange," he said, truly confused. The monsters are gone. I can't smell it anymore.

"Maybe they went to another address," Sammy asked.

"Or the huntresses may have taken care of them," Annabeth said. We are not very far from them.

"Maybe..." Grover said, considering the options with doubt.

"It doesn't matter if they went somewhere else or were killed," Luke said. That's great for us. We will be able to travel without feeling pressured.

 "Yeah. "You don't have to look a gift horse in the mouth," said Thalia. The engine roared as he started the car, bringing a smile to his freckled face. If we don't have any monsters on our backside we will reach the camp quickly.

"Then step on the gas, Sparky," Percy said. I don't want to push my luck. Considering how shit it is.

 "You already roared, Chief Seaweed.

And he stepped on the accelerator.

The road stretched to the horizon ahead of him, seemingly endless. The sky was a combination of unique and harmonious colors as the sun set to give way to night. An endless cycle.

Percy was behind the wheel of a car, the Evil Machine he assumed, which he found curious because he remembered falling asleep in the back seat with Miss O'Leary on his lap. Besides, he was alone. There was no one else.

That should have scared him, but instead, he just gave a weary sigh as he continued driving and staring at the road that stretched beyond sight.

 "Why did you bring me here this time? "Percy asked no one in particular, but he didn't need to turn around to know if anyone would answer him. He knew someone would.

Sure enough, Percy felt the presence of someone in the passenger seat, but like the other times, he couldn't turn to look at whoever it was. He could only keep his eyes on the road.

 "You sound upset. A little impatient, perhaps? "To Percy's ears, that voice spoke with amusement.

"Well, I have a right to be," Percy said, and he didn't try to hide the annoyance in his voice. Every time I wake up from this dream, I don't remember anything. But when I dream about you again, I remember all our previous talks. It makes me wonder why this happens. You are the cause, right?

It was more of a statement than a question. An action that The Voice, as Percy had decided to call him, found amusing if his slight laughter was evidence of it.

"You're right," said the voice. I am the cause of it.

 " Because? "he questioned.

 "Because I want to see what kind of person you are. I've done it for years, but it's in times of uncertainty and when everything seems hopeless that you show who you really are. And I must say, you have never once disappointed me. The day you lost your mother... how you got that knife... how you killed that drakon... the Echidna... the Giant Scorpion... the Minotaur... all those times showing you the type of person that you are Now, your long journey is coming to an end. And with it, your final test.

Percy opened his eyes in surprise. If he knew all that, then he had been watching him since the beginning of it all. That only made him even more suspicious.

And there was also the unsettling feeling that he knew what lay ahead. And what he had planned to do.

"I don't know how you know all that, but it doesn't matter," Percy said. If what you want to see is me in action, I'll give it to you. Just sit wherever you are. Prepare popcorn and a refreshing drink.

 "How are you so sure that you will succeed in your self-imposed mission? The voice asked, sounding genuinely curious. That when you get to camp, none of your loved ones will be hurt.

 "Because I won't allow myself to fail. "Failure is not an option," he said with a voice as hard as steel. His mind taking him to a distant memory. Far away, but at the same time so clear. There are mistakes you can't make twice. If I have to die, I will do so with honor. I'm tired of running "Their grip on the steering wheel tightened, causing their knuckles to turn white. If dying is what awaits me at the end of this journey, I will face it with my head held high.

Percy almost felt the smile of the person next to him. He wanted to turn around and know once and for all who was the one who constantly visited him in his dreams. It was curious, the voice was neither friendly nor hostile, neutral in most cases, and undoubtedly curious. She was curious about Percy, which he didn't understand. What was interesting about your life? It was just a series of tragedies. One after another.

The voice hummed happily to itself for a few seconds, sounding strangely contemplative and pleased.

"Your words have always been special," said the voice. They have always had the power to captivate those who heard them. Even the gods themselves. They have a power that not many possess.

 "And what is that power? He asked, torn between amusement and curiosity.

This time it wasn't his imagination. He could feel the voice smiling at him.

 "Hope. Your words have always given hope to those who have lost it. All those young people who accompany you, each one of them, lost it at a certain point. Your actions, and mainly your words, rekindled a flame in them that had gone out. That is a power that only a privileged few possess.

Against his will, Percy thought about what the voice had told him. Was it like that? He just wanted them to be safe, and he would do whatever it took to fulfill that. Had he really helped his friends that much?

A warm feeling settled in the pit of his stomach at that thought. It felt... good.

"I guess at least I know my life hasn't been a total failure," Percy said, with a grim smile.

"That remains to be seen," the voice said. You still have things to do. There are still those who depend on you. And apparently... one of them is here.

 " That? "Percy said, bewildered.

 "They need you, my boy. I pray that this is not our last talk. I find them very rewarding.

Before Percy could ask what he was talking about, he felt the same familiar tug stretch his body. The beautiful scenery of the endless highway seemed to quickly recede into darkness.

 "Percy, wake up! "Sammy shouted, shaking him lightly by the shoulders.

"Yes, yes, I'm awake," Percy said, becoming alert and noticing that the car had stopped. What happens? Did the monsters catch up to us?

 "No... not exactly.

"In front of us," Annabeth pointed out.

Percy looked ahead and with what he saw, his surprise became evident.

 "Is that what I think it is? "Thalia asked, fascinated.

 "Yeah. "I think it is," Luke said, without taking his eyes off the majestic and beautiful being that prevented him from moving down the road. It's the first time I've seen one.

"It's beautiful," said Sammy.

"And he's staring at us," Thalia said. He doesn't seem to want to move so... Why is he here?

"For me," Percy answered.

Everyone looked at them with obvious surprise. Even now, after so many months, Percy could still surprise them.

"You're like a damn Jack in the box toy," Thalia said. You don't know when it will come out to surprise you.

Percy just chuckled at his comparison.

 "Well, that's what makes our friendship interesting, right? "he asked, amused.

Luke shared his amusement by laughing.

"You're a box of surprises," he said. Being with you is never boring.

"He's not going to attack us, is he?" Annabeth asked cautiously, looking at the beautiful creature blocking her path.

"Not unless you have a box full of donuts," Percy said, moving to get out of the car. In which case, he'll just attack you so he can eat them all.

Percy got out of the car, leaving the others intrigued by his comment. Without any hint of fear or hesitation, he approached the beautiful creature that was waiting for him impatiently, if the way he tapped his hooves against the asphalt and how he flapped his wings was any indication.

Percy was still amazed by the shiny black color of his fur. Its majestic wings were contracted, but he knew how mesmerizing it was when it spread them in all its splendor.

 "Hey, Blackjack, how are you, buddy? Percy asked, caressing the pegasus's face, causing its wings to flutter happily.

¨Boss, it's good to see you again! ¨exclaimed the pegasus¨ Do you have donuts? ¨

It was still surprising to Percy that he could mentally talk to horses and pegasi.

"Sorry, buddy, but I only have fries," Percy said.

The pegasus grumbled in his own neighing language.

¨I don't like salty things. I prefer sweet things.

 "Yes, I know. Well? Why are you here? "he questioned.

Blackjack looked at him in alarm, as if he had remembered why he was here in the first place.

¨This is bad, Boss! We need your help! ¨ he exclaimed, with panic in his... voice? Could it be called that he spoke telepathically?

 "Do they need it? Who is it?

¨The Pegasi! They are being captured! ¨

Were the pegasi being captured? Who would do something like that? Pegasi were peaceful beings. They liked freedom and running through the fields and grazing in the forests. I didn't understand why anyone would want to capture them.

 "Do you know who they are? Percy asked, his voice low and dangerous.

Blackjack looked at him a little scared, but he knew his boss wouldn't hurt him. He was angry at the people who were hunting pegasi and he was upset about it too.

With that in mind, the pegasus responded:

"I heard them call themselves the Amazons."

Special No. 3

Grover's flatulence

There were many things that Thalia liked, and many more that she didn't like. Among the few things he liked, sleeping in one of the things he LOVED. She liked to sleep. If I could sleep all day, I would.

She remembered going to sleep with a smile on her face because she didn't have to stand guard that night, Percy and Luke would take care of that. So when she was shaken out of her reverie by a foul smell seeping into the air, causing her to wrinkle her nose in disgust, she was ready to start launching lightning bolts left and right.

Thalia stood up from her lying position and scanned the small clearing where they were. The fire crackled and slightly illuminated the place, allowing her to investigate where the smell that caused her to retch came from.

A distinctive sound caught her attention to her right and she turned around. Beside him a few feet away, Grover was curled up in a fetal position, mumbling incoherently as his hairy legs shook erratically.

It was at that moment that the sound rang again and it was coming from Grover.

¨Wait... Is he...?¨ she had her confirmation when the smell hit her like a boxer's blow. ¨The bastard is farting!¨

She wrinkled her nose in displeasure and stood up quickly, wanting to get as far away from the flatulent satyr as possible.

As he looked around the clearing, he could see the others. Luke was sitting on one of the branches of a tree, leaning against the trunk with a thoughtful air, he didn't seem to have realized that she woke up. Annabeth was sleeping peacefully, curled up in a small ball. How the hell could she sleep with the nauseating smell in the air? Studying her closer, he could see that she had a nose clip and was breathing through her mouth.

"Sneaky bastard," Thalia thought, irritated.

Sammy had also found a way to protect himself from the smell, hiding his nose inside his big sweatshirt.

Brilliant. I'm the only one who doesn't have a way to protect herself from the smell.

He moved as far away from the others as he could and leaned against a tree. Hopefully, the smell wouldn't carry that far.

¨Wait... Where is Percy? ¨

She didn't have time to think about that question before falling asleep again, she really felt tired and wanted to continue sleeping.

In the morning you continued, everyone was worried because they couldn't find Percy, not even Luke had noticed his disappearance. The only clue they could find was the drag marks in the dirt they were following.

 "Where do you think he went? Luke asked.

 "Away from Grover's farts. "That's for sure," Thalia said, frowning.

Grover lowered his head, his face beet red with embarrassment.

"I'm sorry..." he murmured under his breath. I promise not to eat enchiladas with cheese again if I have to sleep near you.

"That would be ideal," Annabeth said, giving the satyr a warning look.

"Hey, look," Sammy pointed out. The marks are heading towards... that lake.

Everyone watched as the drag marks disappeared towards the lake. For a few seconds, everyone was scared that some kind of monster or crazy naiad had dragged Percy into the lake, but when they saw something on the surface, everyone was shocked.

"What the hell are you doing?" Thalia asked, her eyes wide.

"He's obviously sleeping," Luke said.

"And he doesn't do it alone," Annabeth added.

In the middle of the lake, Percy was sleeping peacefully on the air mattress floating in the water. But Percy wasn't sleeping alone. There was a family of ducks sleeping with him. About half a dozen ducklings were scattered all over her body, some snuggling in the warmth of her neck. On his chest was the mother duck, sleeping peacefully to the rhythm of the rise and fall of Percy's chest.

Click!

Everyone turned at the sound and saw Sammy take a picture with the camera Percy had given him. The photo printed automatically and Sammy put it in his sweatshirt with a mischievous smile.

"This will be good material for jokes," she said.

Nobody could prevent it. They all laughed audibly, scaring the ducks that were sleeping with Percy, causing the inflatable mattress to shake and Percy to fall into the lake in surprise, causing his friends to laugh even harder.

[T/N: If you like this chapter then leave a comment, drop some stones, and write a review! If you want to read up to chapter 12 then check out my Patreon!]

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