Percy Jackson at Hogwarts

Chapter 45: Faster than my shadow

Percy PoV

I lunge towards Erebus again. But as I lower my sword, he dissolves into a shadow, before reappearing right behind me brandishing his daggers.

I dodge in extremis a blow that would have been fatal. This primordial is different.

We continue intense exchanges, concentration to the maximum.

"You wonder what is different from the others? Nothing incredible. Just I don't underestimate you," he says.

He attempts a blow that I parry and I retort with a boot to the face, which he dodges.
"I thank you, I am honored. I must admit that you are more powerful than I expected too."

"I am sure you can be even more so. You are holding back out of fear. Are you a natural fearful person?"

He tries to reach me from the front with his two daggers, but I let myself fall to the ground, in which I stick my sword by the guard, blade upwards, surrounding it with water.

I get up behind him, and he turns around, smiling.
"Have you gone mad? Dropping your weapon is like dying!"

I raise my hands in the air, and smile back.
"Always stay focused."

I snap my fingers, and my sword flies upwards at an incredible speed. But the primordial is quick, and he steps back, avoiding being impaled.

He looks at me, but he's lost his smile.
"Very nice move. But he failed."

I raise an eyebrow.
"You think so?"
I point to his cheek, and he brings his hand to that spot. Blood. Despite his reflexes, the sword has cut him.

I start to walk towards him.
"You are not untouchable. You are very fast, but you are not untouchable."

He also walks towards me.
We stop a few steps away from each other, staring at each other.

"I'll ask you again. Are you a natural fearful person?"

"Maybe I am. I don't hide my fear. I use it as fuel."

With these words, I slowly move towards him, and water forms around me, swirling as if doing a frantic dance.
"And you, do you know fear? No ? Well, fine. I will teach you."

I continue to approach, and he moves back a few steps.
Suddenly, the water rushes towards him, and slams him to the ground.
With a quick gesture, without giving him time to change into a shadow, I jump on him and force him to open his mouth.
"Here you go! A doughnut from Blackjack and Co!"

And I force him to swallow.
I surprise myself, me who usually is not for torture. I release the pressure and he sits up, coughing and sputtering.
"What is this filth?!"

I point at him.
"That's very rude! You can say "I don't like it", but you can't insult and criticize like that!"

He raises his arms to the sky.
"Water, quick!"

I raise my arm.
"Okay!"

A gigantic wave forms and hits him head on.
"Oops, sorry. I wanted to give you some water but I can't control my power."
And I burst out laughing.

He gets up again, sputtering.
"What kind of fight is this? You don't take it seriously! It's going to hurt you!"
He throws his arm forward, and a bunch of daggers come out, heading towards me.

I only raise two fingers and the daggers fall back, stopped by water.
But it was only a diversion. I see his fist coming at full speed and hitting me head on, sending me flying for several meters.

He smiles wickedly.
"You're not into it. You're just being clever. But you'll soon be disappointed when you join your comrade in death."

I stand up, dusting off my clothes.
I lift my head to look at him, but he was no longer there. A crunch behind me. Too late. I throw myself to the side but feel a dagger digging into my left shoulder.

I let out a grunt of pain.
But it's not over. My shadow starts to move and I am unable to move. My own shadow gives me an arm lock.
"No way !?"

Erebus appears in a cloud of darkness in front of me, a smug smile on his face.
"You were too smart, you fell into the ravine. Maybe you could have been a worthy opponent if you didn't hold back your strength."

And he goes on, raining down blows on me. Every time I try to free myself, my shadow holds me back. I am unable to move. The blows are painful, making me lose my strength and with each impact, bringing me closer to death.
After a few long minutes that seemed like hours, he stopped.

I raise my eyes to look him in the face.
"From what I can see your eyes have not lost their determination."

I spit blood.
"I am wondering how I am going to kill you."

He bursts into a thunderous laugh.
"You should be free already! I can't wait to see how you do it."

And he starts to hit me again and again. I am unable to use magic.

I have to free myself. I begin a duel of force with my shadow, which he has under his control. Catching my own shadow off guard, I force it to release me with difficulty, and I stand up.
"Call me Lucky Luke, I am faster than my shadow!"

He beckons me closer, provoking me.
"Come on, die nicely. You'll join your old friend that my brother Tartarus killed. What was her name again? Annabelle? Annabetes?"

I grit my teeth.
"Annabeth. That, dude, you won't take to heaven. Now I order you to shut up."

It's time to get down to business.
He plunges his hand into the ground, and pulls out a block of earth the size of a mini-car, which he throws in my direction.

With a gesture of the sword, I slice the block of earth.

I hold out my hand, closed fist, and I make appear a lot of small drops of water.
I open my hand with a sharp blow and the small drops go at a crazy speed on the primordial, which does not succeed in avoiding them all, being perforated where my attack reaches him.

But he regenerates almost immediately.
Annoying.
I throw myself at him but he turns back into darkness. I was expecting it. Without warning, I kicked him backwards, hitting him in the stomach. Hedge would be jealous of my move.

"You are predictable. Every time you reappear behind me,"I say, turning to face him.

"Well good! It's getting better and better! You let your power explode little by little! Very good!"

I raise my eyebrows.
"I don't remember when."

He looks at me, dumbfounded.
"Sorr... Argh!"

He doesn't finish his question, pierced by a sword stuck in the ground, blocking him.

I place my foot on his chest, dominating him and looking down on him.
"I don't remember allowing you to speak again."

🔱 🔱🔱🔱🔱🔱🔱🔱🔱🔱🔱
Hi demigod!
I hope you're ok, and that the chapter was to your liking!

Percy is getting down to business!
It looks like he lost all trace of mercy on the ending... let's wait and see what happens next!

See you soon for the next chapter,
Until then,
stay cool, demigods 🔱😁

Word count:
1213