Percy Jackson and the Incarnate-5: The Mahayudha

CHAPTER 14 POV: Percy Jackson

Hari! Hari! Hari! Why do you have to do this? I mean.... To face Gaea alone is literally suicide. And Now I have to practice Archery.

"Kelp Head!!! You and Archery?!", the sarcastic voice of Pinecone face came from behind.

"Yep."

"Show how improved you are.", she said and I shot two arrows. Both embedded in the second smallest circle. Worth nine points in Olympics. I saw Thalia's jaws drop in utter surprise.

"When did you turn so good? And your technique is not Greek or Roman.", she pointed out.

"This is the Indian style. Just became more accustomed. Do you like it?", he asked.

"Yes. Now we can duel with archery.", she said and beamed.

"Yes. We can.", I said after a hearty laugh.

"Seriously. Why archery. You are unstoppable with a sword.", Thalia asked.

"The Hindus have some divine arrows. Divya-astra. It takes a lot of practice and concentration. It took me a whole year to just summon it properly without getting affected by its aura. At Chaos's planet, Me and Hari practiced their use with Lord Shiva and Lord Chaos supervising. It opens up a new range. Hari is tied by his Oath. But Ashwatthama can help me.", I explained.

"Can you show me some divine arrows?", she asked.

"At the battle Thals. At the battle.", I said.

"Sorry Perce.", Thalia said out of the blue.

"What?", I asked.

"I did not believe you. The last one year, we had a rough relationship. Knowing you and your loyalty, it was foolish of me to fight with you. I know you would support me. But you supported that Hariharan. I just couldn't digest it.", she confessed.

"Apology accepted Thals. It was only natural that you hated Hari for so long. But I must thank you. You believed me and did not kill him. Tomorrow you will get justice.", I said.

"How are you so sure?", she asked with wide eyes.

"Hari told me. He also told me you have the Trishula of Shakti. And Thals, let me tell you this, it is absolutely apt that you would wield it.", I said and smiled.

"How?"

"Shakti is a symbol of women empowerment. Though Shakti is a neutral word, it is associated with femineity. Women is the source of power and energy; that is what the Hindus believe. And You hunters being the very symbol of women empowerment, it is very much apt.", I explained.

"How are you 'dam' sure that tomorrow, I will face that pervert and kill him?", she asked. I couldn't help but giggle.

"Why the giggle?", she asked with an eyebrow raised.

"Our insider joke.", I said and she realized what she said.

"Don't test my patience Kelp head. You do not want my dam to burst.", she said and I couldn't take it. I burst out laughing. Maybe it was a lame joke. Maybe it was not a joke at all. But to talk so freely with Thalia after a year is so refreshing. Even Thalia laughed.

"Kelp Head.", she called.

"Yes Thals.?", I asked.

"What made you side with him? I am not questioning your loyalty to us. That would be absolutely rubbish. You are loyal to us to the core, but what did you see in him that made you befriend him? Side with him?", she asked. I sighed.

"Maybe I will tell Thals. Even Annabeth asked this question many times. Maybe after the war.", I said. She reluctantly nodded and left, while I continued my archery practice.