Berserker of the sea

Chapter 6 Calm before the storm

Thalia stared up at the stars. The group had settled in the desert to sleep, but Thalia could not find the strength to let her eyelids fall again. In fears that she'd see this retched place again.

She moved from side to side feeling tired and restless at the same time.

"Can't sleep?" Commented Perseus his lone eye closed.

"Nope, you?"

"Not in the mood."

"Have you even slept in the past few days?" Asked the daughter of Zeus, genuinely wondering if he even needed too.

"Stars are brighter around here. When I was a kid I didn't get to see that."

"You're from New-York right?"

"Born and raised."

"How come you never made it to camp then?"

Perseus answered with another question. "Why didn't you? I mean you are the daughter of mister big shot himself. Shouldn't you have gotten a carriage ride there or something?"

"Fair point I guess." Almost grumbled the daughter of Zeus.

"What's you're story?" She asked not really expecting an answer.

"Like any other half-blood, it's tragedy after tragedy. Why did Greeks have to basically invent the damn concept."

"Isn't there also comedy? I'm pretty that's what those two mask thingies represent."

"Oh yes I'd be happy to know the gods see my suffering as a comedy." Sarcastically replied the swordsman.

"Okay then, why Perseus. Is it you're actual name? Or is like Perry or Greg or something?" Teased the daughter of Zeus.

"My mom named me that, because she hoped my life wouldn't end in tragedy like his... guess that wish got screwed over too."

"At least you can remember you're mother fondly." Thalia sighed back spotting Ursa Major in the sky.

"Yeah." He trailed off sounding surprisingly wistful. "She was a queen amongst women."

"Mine was a whore amongst drunks." Bluntly said Phoebe.

"Hey at least you ended up better." Chucked Perseus.

"What about you're godly parent? Ever had a chance to meet him?"

"Once." Quietly replied the swordsman "and once was enough."

"Yeah I feel you, I don't hate Apollo, but by the gods is he full of himself."

"Wait you're Apollo's kid?"

"Yeah." Phoebe frowned at the small amount of incredulity in Thalia's tone.

"First Apollo kid I see who looks like they could rip a normal man in half."

"I take after my mother." Shrugged the huntress.

"Was she a bull?" Asked Perseus without missing a beat.

"No, but I always suspected her to be half troll."

This earned a laugh from the swordsman.

"I never saw this many stars." He commented out of nowhere.

"It's because there is no light pollution here. You should have seen them a thousand years ago. Still the most breathtaking sight of my long life." Smiled Zoe raising her hand towards the constellation.

Of course something had to ruin the scene. As headlights bathed the mall camp. Blinding the questers, naturally Perseus was already up sword in hand. Quickly followed by the two huntress and Thalia.