Percy Jackson and The Olympians:Half-Blood Struggle[PG-13] [Accepting via PM,Started]

[Luna Lovegood]

"Zephyr, eh? Cool. Are you ready to leave? I am so, get your bag. We can go right now." Harry was anxious to get the quest started. "Iris-message him fast, OK? I wanna leave soon!" he shouted, after realizing Xaiklez had ran off.

 

Harry turned and began the journey to his cabin. He would collect his belongings and wait for Xaiklez by Thalia's tree. From there, their quest would begin. The journey into darkness would start. And all to save something as simple as a cabin. Harry smiled at the irony. Such a long quest, for something so small

[Corvidae]

Xaiklex found something she had stowed away in the forest, last time she had visited Camp Half-Blood. A spray bottle. She filled it with water from the creek, and started spraying a fine mist into the sunlight, creating a rainbow. 'Oh Iris, goddess of the rainbow, accept my offering. Show me Zephyr the Martyr.' the mist turned into an image of the old man. He started. 'Hello, Xaiklez. We meet again.'

'Yes.' Xaiklez replied. 'A friend of mine will soon be visiting you, asking about a quest.'

Zephyr shook his head. 'You are, without a doubt, the worst hunter of Artemis I've ever met. Most of them wouldn't even talk to me, let alone go on a quest with a boy.'

Xaiklez paused. 'I never told you Harry was a boy. And how can I not talk to you? We're related.'

'Yes, you did.' Zephyr smiled. 'You did now. Why do you two need my help?'

'No reason.' Xaiklez replied, a little too quickly. 'We need a bit of help interpreting the prophecy.'

'Ah' Zephyr sighed. Then he recited the prophecy.

The regions of Night are the final sight,

The home of a eternal darkness,

To awaken the Goddess of the Night,

Someone will confess,

To an act not heard of for years,

A god discovered,

A new set of fears,

The truth uncovered,

'So you think I have some ideas about this?'

Xaiklez smiled. 'I know you. Of course you have some ideas.'

'Fair point.' Zephyr stood up. 'I'll tell you when you get here.' He terminated the message.

 

Xaiklez ran back to Harry. 'He's in.'

[Jakeronijo]

The camp was suddenly in sight and Brian tried to pull up but they were going so fast. "Is the camp protected from DemiTitans? "Brian asked nervously as the sped toward the barrier. Brian began to get nervous as they got closer and closer. "Kick off the shoes!" Brian yelled and Chris complied. "Dante you too." He said holding his cadeceus straight up so they would not be going directly forward. They were still going at about a couple dozen miles an hour toward the barrier. A wind going in the opposite direction and Brian slowed and they flew straight through the barrier and landed and rolled through the field. "I guess since Luke is a demigod he could get through."

[Corvidae]

Dante nodded and kicked off the shoes. 'The barriers are weak anyway.' He landed in a heap on the ground, not far from Thalia's Tree. 'Let's not do that again.' He offered. 'Please.'

 

Marissa and Desiree froze. 'Nikki's using the powers' They both breathed. The less energy we use, the more energy she can use. And she'll need a lot to hypnotize a h---hound. We'll need to be asleep. But where could we sleep? We have no money... The Lotus! And Desiree and Marissa ran back to the Lotus Hotel and Casino.

[Jakeronijo]

THe shoes chris was wearing floated toward him and chris put them back on. "I am asuming you don't want yours Dante." Brian said zapping them back into the phone. "YOu could just get another pair of your own in your cabin." He said wiping off his clothes. "Now lets find Dionysis and ask him what we should do.

 

A kid with tears running down his cheeks stood on the side of the road where Nikki and Jetch were driving down and he was sticking his thumb out trying to get a ride. His hair matted with twigs and a mechanical dog with his head down at his feet.

[ArtemisFowl]

Jecht saw a kid on the side of the road and pulled over to the oppisite side. "Ummm, Nikki why does that kid have a robot with him. Sorry but I gotta go check this out." He said getting out but leftg the van running. He waited for a time to pass, he saw one and ran across the road. Jecht looked at the kid he looked as if he had been running for the last half hour. Jecht's hand raised up to his double-bladed sword hilt. He just said three simple words to the kid since he couldn't really think of anything intelligent to say. "What's up kid?"

[Corvidae]

Nikki got out. 'He's a Hephaestus demigod? I dunno.' Then a single dracenae ran out at them from behind a tree. Nikki faltered. 'And so it's begun.' She turned and threw her dagger through the monster's skull. The beast desintigrated. 'Now Jecht, this is your last chance to back out. Are you willing? Do you trust me with your life? There's still time. We can still get back in the van and forget this whole idea of mine. Or we can take the chance.'

 

Dante nodded, and they walked to the big house.

 

Zelkiax laughed insanely, and tore the ropes binding him. He stood up, and the ropes tying Diana fell away as well.

'Now then,' He grinned evilly, and faced the man who had tied them up. 'Get ready to die' Zelkiax drew his widesword, and lunged at the man. He nearly impaled him, but the man drew his own sword, and skillfully disarmed Zelkiax. With his sword at Zelkiax's neck, his eyes flashed.

'What was that?'

Zelkiax grinned, and slipped his hand into his pocket. 'Invert!' he screamed, and the world went insane. The man fell to the floor, and Zelkiax helped Diana up, muttering 'invert' again. He ran out of the room, carrying Diana behind him, and they both fled the building, running into a pair of girls who looked identical, walking slowly towards a hotel, called the Lotus. Desiree's eyes flashed angrily.

'Nice item, the Inverter's Gem.' She smiled dangerously at Marissa's old friend Zelkiax. 'A shame you won't survive to use it again.' And she drew her knife, as Zelkiax realized in a sinking feeling that he had left his only weapon lying on the floor back in the hotel.

[ArtemisFowl]

Jecht looked over at Nikki. "Yes. I do. I trust you." He looked at the kid with the mechcanical dog. "WHat do we do about the kid?" Should we just leave him?" He aske not loving the idea of leaving the kid all alone by himself but then again he didn't like that he had a robot dog with him either. "What's your plan Nikki?" He asked looking between the kid and Nikki, not wanting to let the child out of his sight, he didn't feel right about him.

[Corvidae]

Nikki smiled. 'He's safer here than where we're going.' And she walked back towards the van. 'Pack up everything you can, we won't be coming back here for a while.' Then she felt the familiar jolt of pain that told her Marissa had gotten mad at somebody. Who this time? She wondered absentmindedly. 'Water and food aren't so much important as money, mainly mortal. When we get out of the underworld, we can find a restaurant or somewhere to eat, and then meet up with Marissa and Desiree. We won't be in the underworld long enough to need food or water.'

 

Diana drew her bow. 'Leave him alone' She said through clenched teeth. Then her eyes widened. 'Nikki?' She breathed.

Desiree cut in. 'I'm Nikki. This is my... sister, Marissa.'

'Shut up, Desiree.' Marissa raged. 'I've been forced to answer to her name for long enough.'

[Luna Lovegood]

"Excellent. Do you have your stuff?" Harry was really itching to depart by then. The anticipation of the quest. And who was Zephyr? Harry wanted some answers.

 

"Hurry up if your not ready to leave!" He said. He had a backpack packed with a change of clothes, some food and his cup. A small knife was also packed, but his powers would have to do beyond that when it came to defending himself.

[Jakeronijo]

OoC: Dont godmod the boy wouldn't have screamed from the dracnae...

 

IC: THe boy wiped his face and the dog disapeared. "It's just an illusion that changes for different people." THe boy said "I need help, my parents were killed in a fire at our summer vacation home and I was wondering if you could take me to a town." He looked around the road. "It's kinda lonley here, please don't hurt me I just need help." He said making a lost dog face at the two.

 

Brian walked toward the big house and looked around for Dionysis. "Looking for someone?" He asked as Dionysis appeared behind the trio. "I heard about the Demititan filth and I came to tell you he can't stay here. The gods are still deciding what to do with him." He said coldly sipping a CHERRY diet coke.

 

OoC: Artemis, are you going to control Chris or what?

[ArtemisFowl]

OoC:Oops sorry.

 

IC:Jecht looked at the kid. "We can't just leave him here." He said but knew they couldn't take him on the quest. "Look kid there's a town not far from here. I think I saw an inn there. Take this money and buy a room." He said pointing down the road and handing him some money from the duffel bag Brian gave him but made sure not to give him too much.

He turned back to Nikki. "How are we getting to the underworld though?"

 

Chris followed behind Dante and Brian marveling at everything they past. He looked at Dionysis and just stared at him like he was trying to figure out a puzzle. Suddenly Chris grew a few inches as if he aged couple of years. "Whoa, that was wierd." Chris had just personally time traveled two years. ((IF that's possible))

[Corvidae]

'Leave that to me.' Nikki replied. She retrieved her stiletto. 'Come on, get packing.'

 

'Let's go' Xaiklez nodded, and they departed.

 

'Marissa, come on! We've got to get to the Lotus, now!' Marissa grudgingly followed behind her, and they entered the Lotus Hotel and Casino again.

'Come on.' Zelkiax motioned to Diana, and he ran back into the hotel where the man had imprisoned them, and grabbed his blade. The man had left. Zelkiax swore. 'I was hoping to have a word with him.' He muttered, and they left, following Desiree and Marissa into the Lotus.

 

Zephyr sighed, and took a drink from a small cup of tea on his table. Knowing Xaiklez, she'll want me to come along with her and this boy Harry. Well, not this time! I'm staying right here, no matter what she has to say. She may have convinced me in the past, but I'm too old to go on quests to the Realm of Nyx. That whole 'Final sight' bit doesn't help. He began to choke, pain wracking his body, as the drug that his housekeeper had contaminated Zephyr's drink with took effect. Moments later, Zephyr was unconcious on the floor, his own housekeeper standing over his limp body, reaching over, and grabbing the list of Alkahest Prophecies Zephyr had written down. Damian will be pleased He thought to himself grimly. The drug will wear off in an hour or so, and poor Zephyr will simply think he choked on his tea. A well-thought plan, but... He took one look at the list of prophecies, and threw it into the fireplace, contempt twisting his normally handsome features. Damian just assumed that I'd be willing to peacefully obey his commands, hoping that he'd release Desiree. He never considered that I'd be willing to fight for her. I will save my sister, or die trying. Tiaden strode out of the room, and didn't look back, as the prophecies that could possibly end mankind burned in the hearth.

[ArtemisFowl]

Jecht got into the van and made sure everything was in the duffel bag that Brian gave to him and secure. Once he was sure that he wasn't forgetting anything he said to Nikki. "Okay I'm packed and ready to go. Let's take this life endangering chance you were talking about." He took a glance back at the little boy they saw on the side of the road. He was still their staring at them. Jecht thought for a moment but then said to himself He'll be fine. As long as he isn't attacked by monsters and can make it to that town. Only half assuring himself.

[Corvidae]

'And now,' Nikki announced, 'We wait.'

A few minutes later, a h---hound appeared and charged them. Nikki stood up, and put out her hand.

 

Far away, Desiree blacked out in the Lotus Hotel and Casino.

 

The h---hound stopped in front of Nikki, who was straining with exertion. 'Gods.' She muttered weakly. This is the hardest thing I've ever done. She continued to focus on the monster, which had now stopped moving at all. Her arm was shaking with pain. Can't... fail... She put her hand on the h---hound's neck, which did not respond. So hard... She began sweating and panting in exhaustion. Must... Suddenly, an Iris message appeared in front of Jecht. 'You know... shadow travel... only works... when you're touching... the hound...' Marissa gasped; Nikki was draining her energy, too. Then the Iris message vanished and Marissa passed out on the floor. Nikki fell to her knees. 'Soon' She gasped, her breathing shallow.

[ArtemisFowl]

Jecht suddenly understood everything. He put his hand on the monster's back but had his sword drew just in case with his bag over his shoulder. "Now!" He told Nikki saying he was ready and for her to get the hellhound to shadow travel. He hated seeing Nikki this weak and he could see how much of her energy it was taking from her body. Now wasn't so sure if this was the right thing that they should be doing. Now he wished that they had just drove the way there instead of putting Nikki through this.

[Corvidae]

Nikki, with a burst of energy, teleported them both to a clearing in a forest, far from where they had been moments before. She passed out of the ground in a pool of sweat, mixed in with tears, and the h---hound ran off.

 

'Come on.' Zelkiax led Diana into the hotel room where Desiree and Marissa were unconcious. He took their bag, which included their money and Lotus-cash cards, adding them to his own, and also he took their twin daggers and their rings of invisibility. Zelkiax grinned. 'Too easy. What kind of person picks a fight, runs away, then takes a nap? The kind of person who wants to get robbed, that's who.'

 

Tiaden stepped out of Zephyr's small cottage, and he sighed. Now I really have nowhere to go. He thought sadly. I've betrayed Zephyr, Desiree is gone, and Damian will kill me next chance he gets, now I don't have the prophecies. Gods, I'm dead. That great oaf Titin may as well have killed me all those years ago.

[ArtemisFowl]

Jecht felt a bit dazed after the shadow travel but quickly got over it when he saw Nikki on the ground. "Nikki?!" He knealt down to her side unzipping his bag. "Nikki, you just don't know when to stop." He muttered pulling out a canteen of necter. Jecht lifted her head and rested it on his knee. "Here, drink." He put the canteen to her lips and slowly poured it into her mouth. He hoped that she would regain some energy from the necter but he didn't really know, all he knew was that it would heal minor wounds and if a demigod drinks to much their bones will burn up or something along those lines. "Nikki your a whole lot braver than I would have been." He said to her not knowing if she could hear him or not but he didn't really mean for her to hear it.

[Corvidae]

Nikki's eyes flickered weakly. 'Did... did it work?'

 

Damian began driving again, several miles over the speed limit. 'Titin, any news from Tiaden?'

'No' Titin rumbled.

Damian cursed, and fished a golden drachma out of his pocket. 'I.M. him.' He commanded, and Titin obliged.

 

Moments before the Iris Message appeared, Tiaden sensed it, since his mother was Iris. He panicked, and fell to the ground limply, his eyes closed. When the image of Titin appeared, it looked as if Tiaden was dead, at least to a fool like Titin. Had Damian cared to look, he would instantly have noticed that there was no wound, Tiaden was lying far more orderly than a corpse should, and that he was breathing. But Titin wasn't that clever. He told Damian that Tiaden had died, and Damian cursed again. But he didn't look. The image disappeared, and Tiaden sprung up, exuberant that his guise had succeeded.

[ArtemisFowl]

Jecht breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh gods Nikki. You scared me to death but it did work." He admitted. "You need to rest. Don't argue just sit here rest. You've used up your almost all your energy on that stunt so I say we just set up a camp here and take a break." He said setting her head on the grass and set the canteen beside her. "I think I've got a quick set up in here somewhere." He muttered looking around in the bright yellow bag. He had a small pillow and two blankets. "Here you can use these."

[Luna Lovegood]

The quest has begun. They walked for the first few hours, saying little. Xaiklez acted as a guide. She nudged him slightly when he started to deviate from the course. Eventually, Harry's curiosity got the better of him. He stopped in the middle of the path they were on. Xaiklex stopped too; she had heard his footsteps stop. "Look, before we get any closer to this Zephyr guy, I need to know who he is. I don't go around trusting random people."

[Corvidae]

Xaiklez nodded. 'You remember that I have lived for hundreds of years with my power over youth? Well, my brother, instead of training his powers, chose to marry and have a normal life. Zephyr is one of my brother's descendants. Zephyr is, quite basically, my thrice-great nephew. He's also a son of Apollo. My twice-great niece married Apollo, and Zephyr is the result. He is trustworthy.' Xaiklez paused. 'Come, his home is just ahead.' She ran forward, and if she could see, she would have noticed the teenaged boy on the lawn, who had just jumped up after playing dead somewhat poorly. She would have seen the Iris Message vanish seconds before. She would have seen Tiaden walk back inside Zephyr's cottage. But she didn't, and Harry was still several yards back, running to catch up. So nobody saw Tiaden return inside to attempt to wake Zephyr.

 

Nikki managed to groan a weak 'Thank you,' before blacking out again.

[Luna Lovegood]

"You never told me you didn't age!" shouted Harry as Xaiklez ran ahead of him. He briefly saw someone enter the cottage, but thought nothing of it. He reached the door and posed, out of breath. Xaiklez was waiting for him. She ran pretty quickly for a girl.

 

"You're pretty fast.' he said. Or maybe I'm kinda out of shape. He grudgingly admitted to himself. Teh truth was, he never needed to run at camp.

[Corvidae]

'Didn't I?' Xaiklez grinned. 'Remember? You asked who I was and if I had any cool powers and I said "I am Xaiklez, daughter of Hebe. I do not grow old. I have been seventeen for hundreds of years, since I mastered my powers. A few years ago, I also joined the hunters of Artemis, the year after I became blind. This is not so much a weakness as an advantage. Without sight, your other senses become more accurate. Hearing, for example." and then you said "Useless. I need someone who can see. On second thought...". And I am fast because I am a Hunter, or have you forgotten that too? Either way, we are here.' She opened the door. 'Zephyr?' Xaiklez called out, as she walked inside, thinking nothing of the fact that the door was unlocked.

[Luna Lovegood]

"No. I don't remember any of that. Didn't I tell you I enjoy ignoring people?" He wracked his brain to remember when he had said this. 'I guess I didn't, but I think it was obvious enough. Anyways..." He looked inside. At first glance, the room was nothing special. Kinda plain in fact. It didn't look like the place where a really powerful old dude would live. "Are you sure we have the right address?" he asked.