Drowning in the Siren's Song

Chapter 8

 For the first time in what felt like forever, Luke woke up fully energized. At best, he would manage a few naps here and there and even those passed feeling anxious for Annabeth and Thalia. 

He was a bit disoriented when he woke up, seeing the unfamiliar darkness of the cave, but smiled when he remembered the days incidents. It seemed like he was the first to wake. Both the girls were still fast asleep, and Annabeth was even snoring. It was expected since his body was etched with the habit of waking early.

He stretched in place, sitting up and cracking his bones. It was wonder what a dreamless sleep did to you. He wondered where their little benefactor had gone, and as if magic, a note appeared, or rather he noticed it.

Good morning.
I'll be at the grasslands a few steps right of the cave if you need me. Relax and rest more. There's water and food in the backpack.
~ P

And indeed there was. Fresh pieces of fruit and some bread which he recalled Percy snatching from the store yesterday was stuffed in the backpack. He smirked, the thief in him approving and appreciating his action. 

He took his time eating, relaxing, knowing that the girls wouldn't be waking anytime soon. He decided to simply let Percy handle things and chill for once, even though it pricked his conscience. He ignored the feeling though, instead observing his surroundings since he was too out of it yesterday. 

It was still dark outside, making him wonder why Percy was out. Nevertheless he was too occupied by the beauty around him to think about that any further. 

They'd always been around and in the city, using dark alleys and dusty warehouses as places to rest, but it was a first for him to be in the midst of such nature. Though they were in a cave, the air smelt clean and he could feel the breeze playing with his hair. The first rays of sunlight peeked in from the entrance, illuminating the inside in golden colors, begging him to go outside and see the true glory of the wild.

 He obliged, using light steps to avoid waking Thalia (who had the most fearsome senses) but he forgot about it when he stepped out of the cave.  

A heavenly dawn unfurled in front of him, painting the sky in shades brighter than any paint. Pinks, oranges and red mixed together in perfect harmony as he gazed up, awe-struck and breathless. The sun climbed up from the green of the trees, creating pinnacles of light as it rose higher and higher; its sunlight wriggling through the lush leaves.  

And in the midst of the charming sunrise was a young boy, dancing a dangerous battle with a monster thrice his size. 

It was surreal and frightening at the same time; the image was too beautiful yet the situation was equally terrifying. 

It was a lovely field, with dry grass dotted with wildflowers which melted into green as it entered the forest. It was wide and open, with howling winds and chirping birds, yet there was tenacious silence which was almost deafening. 

Right in the middle of such beauty was blood and gore as Percy tore through the huge Cyclopes, slashing and cutting with effortless grace. How elegance was his fighting, using only a dagger to challenge a monster whom had demigods kneeling at their feet. 

Goosebumps spread across his skin as he watched as Percy turned the monster to dust, sprinkling the field with gold. His eyes grew wide in silent horror as he noticed that the grassland was already gleaming with gold power. 

Had this child confronted many such monsters?

It made sense, with them three intruding and no doubt attracting them here, but how did he deal with the all together? Was he awake the whole night? How could he do what even the strongest heroes he'd heard about couldn't do?

Just how?

He forgot all about the serenity surrounding him as he stood like a statue, only his inheritance as trouble's child saving him from being noticed by Percy, who was resting on a rock, cleaning his dagger. 

"Good morning, Luke." He greeted, not even looking back. Sharp senses, Luke added to his list, slowly approaching the boy stiffly. 

"I see you got my note. Did you eat?" He asked, turning around the face him properly. He did it every time he spoke to someone. He would always stop whatever he was doing to completely pay attention to person he was talking to, a sign of respect so very appreciate by any and everyone. 

"Yes, thank you." It was almost funny how many times he was saying thank you, but it was true. Percy deserved his gratitude and knew it as well. 'You're welcome' he would reply, instead of dismissing or denying their sincerity. It was refreshing to be treated graciously by someone who was just minutes ago, displaying a alarming amount of power.  

"I kill monsters every night." Percy answered the unspoken question. "Apparently, I'm strong—" Luke scoffed at the understatement, making him laugh slightly. "— and have a very tasty smell. Monsters are naturally attracted to it. They attacked me everywhere, but in the process, the forest suffered." He looked in the distance, and Luke could see the love he held for his home through his words. He really did cherish this place. 

"So instead of being attacked, I chose to do the attacking." His expression suddenly changed, turning from a warm gaze to one that gave him a chill. Maybe it was a trick of the morning sun, but his eyes darkened and seemed to swirl. He wore a scowl and glared at the ground, looking the the remains of gold dust fluttering in the wind. 

He understood exactly how Percy become who he was. He had something to protect. Even he, responsible for two homeless younger children, knew the feeling by heart. There wasn't anything he would hesitate to do if it came to their safety. Yet, their power and ambition were on severely different levels.

But the funny thing was, as scared at he was of Percy at the moment, his fondness still remained strong. He wondered why? Was the kindness he showed them the reason or was it because he was a child? 

He had no answers yet he was not uncertain. To be honest, he wasn't scared of him. He was scared because at that very second, as the sun rose, a thought just as bright arose in him. 

There are things in the world that can make an innocent child turn into a ruthless killer. Nothing was more terrifying than knowing that there were worse terrors ahead. 

He was scared for him. He was scared of what made him. He was scared for himself and his sisters. He was scared and yet so reassured. Why? 

Because little Percy, 8 years old with baby fat still on his bones, was on their side. He was on his side, and as long as that was so, they would be fine.