Percy Jackson and the Incarnate- 1: The beginning

CHAPTER 21 POV: Percy Jackson

What? Veda Vyasa? One of the seven Chiranjeevi!!! Yes. While we were traveling, Hari told me the stories of the seven Chiranjeevi. So, if we found one, he would take us to the rest. He looked plain and simple like a beggar, with just a saffron Dhoti and another layer of saffron cloth over his upper body. Much like the images of the Buddha.

"I think it is time we meet the others." He said calmly and motioned us to follow him. We followed him deeper into the cave and stopped at a secluded spot.

"How about a ride on an eagle?", he asked with a smile. Hari looked like Christmas had come early. I, not so much. With the rivalry between Zeus and Poseidon, I hate flying.

Vyasa took some water out of his weird water container and chanted something to it. Being connected to the water, I could just feel a new energy pass through the water. I still couldn't control water here. I was still worried. Veda Vyasa sprinkled the water to the ground. Like in the Dr. Strange movies, a portal opened. We stepped through it and came, maybe, to the other side of the mountain. Veda Vyasa and Hari were searching for something in the sky.

"Who or what are we waiting for?", I asked Hari.

"Garuda. The king of the birds. The vaahana or vehicle of Lord Vishnu. Wherever and whenever Lord Vishnu visits, he travels on Garuda. All gods have their own Vaahanas. It is like their sacred animal of sorts.", Hari explained.

"Okay-", I was interrupted when the sky darkened. It was about afternoon and still, it felt like night. We instantly looked up and saw Garuda.

He was huge!!!! I don't think even the Caucasian Eagle could match his size. But I suspect that like it, Garuda could change sizes at will. He landed near us and his form changed to a more humanoid form. Half-human Half Eagle.

"Greetings O Veda Vyasa. How I may be of service to you?", he asked respectfully.

"If he is Vishnu's Vaahana, he may be under his protection. Why should he respect us? Is this normal?", I whispered to Hari.

"Yes. O Greek child. Just because I am under the protection of the supreme lord of Hinduism, does not mean that he or his followers and devotees are disrespectful. Every God, even the Trimurti would respect saints, scholars, and sages like Veda Vyasa.", Garuda said and I was taken aback. "Yes. I can hear even whispers. I am an eagle. For Narayana's sake!!"

"It is just that, I never see Zeus be respectful at all.", I muttered. Hari snickered.

"That is unfortunate.", Garuda said.

"O King of birds! Please lead us to Kailash. We need the Darshan of Mahadev.", Veda Vyasa said.

"Sure. Four of you? Good.", he turned to a full eagle and expanded until he had a hundred feet wingspan. We climbed his body with the wings as a ramp and settled near the back.

"I thought we were seeing the seven Chiranjeevis?", I asked.

"Mahadev or Lord Shiva is in the near neighborhood. We should seek his blessings.", Hari whispered.

"Do not sit. Lay down and hold my plumage carefully. Do not dare pluck a feather. It is highly uncomfortable.", he warned. We did as he said and he started flying. One word. "WOHOOOOO!!!!!"

The ride was amazing. It was like flying on a supersonic eagle. I have ridden on eagles in Camp Jupiter, but this eagle would defeat them in any race. Garuda kept himself parallel to the ground surface all the time, so we had no chance of sliding off and falling to our deaths. His tail plumage folded upwards and acted as our cushion. If he tilted upward, we would gain support from the plumage. After what seemed like an eternity of a fun ride, which actually lasted only about five minutes, we reached two lakes.