Blood Of Poseidon

II. Blue Flames

Life on the streets was tough. Percy Jackson had always been a survivor. After all, he survived on those streets for all those years. But Ever since he found out he was a demigod, street life was a roller coaster.  Monsters constantly attacked him. It had been only 3-4 weeks after he left the camp determined to become battle-hardened. And he faced enough monsters to make the camper's head spin and Ares's cabin jealous. Percy relied on his quick reflexes and his celestial bronze sword, Riptide, to fend off the monsters that crossed his path. He had become quite skilled in combat, but he knew he needed more training if he was to fulfill his destiny. So, he spent his days in makeshift training sessions in secluded alleyways, practicing his swordplay and combat skills. He talked with Hestia sometimes through Iris's Messages. And She visited him once or twice. He got his essentials using Lotus Hotel card. In short words, Life was great.

One cold and rainy night, Percy found himself in a dark alley, facing a group of grotesque monsters. They had fangs, claws, and eyes that glowed with malice, He didn't want to know their names to understand they were there for him. It was a harrowing sight, but Percy had learned not to back down from a challenge. Armed with a sword, he engaged in a fierce battle with the creatures, doing his best to fend them off.  As he fought the monsters, Percy noticed an eerie aura surrounding the alley. It was a strange, pulsating energy, unlike anything he had ever encountered, But he was familiar with this one. The same aura had been following him around from time to time for the last few days. This was a skill he acquired in the streets, he could feel the auras around him and could determine if it was threatening or not. but unfortunately, he did not have enough experience in the skill to pinpoint the location of the source. The strange and powerful aura wasn't threatening but he felt like it was watching him. And the monsters were still not finished, So he fought more ferociously killing all the monsters remaining. As he finished off the last monster, he realized that the source of the aura had revealed to be a woman, She had an otherworldly beauty and her presence radiated power and authority. Percy's instincts told him that this woman was no ordinary mortal. He recognized her as a goddess, albeit a minor one. And suddenly the goddess zoomed onto him. Percy immediately knew what to do. he sidestepped and kicked behind her right knee, making her fall to her knees. Percy placed his sword on her neck. He knew an immortal couldn't be defeated just like that and he felt another strong aura around him, This was more powerful than the goddess. He took out the short sword, Fylakas, that he took from Hestia and placed it directly at heart. "Who are you?" He asked, No answers. "Why do you follow me around?" still no answer. "Are you working for Luke?" The Goddess in his hands chuckled at that. Percy twisted Fylakas slightly making her wince. "I have watched enough films to recreate an interrogating scene" He laughed, "Now let's do it once more. Who are you?". Suddenly they heard a male laughter around them and a man came out from the shadows. He was strong and Powerful. His presence demanded respect. He had an aura that screamed war and battle, and Percy's heart raced. He pushed his sword to the neck of the goddess in his hands. Ichor trickled out from her neck. "I told you Bia, You can't take him by force." The man laughed at the Goddess. "You can release her, Perseus. We mean no harm to you." Percy still refused to let go of her. "Fine. I am Pallas and the stubborn goddess in your hands is my daughter, Bia" "You are a Titan" Percy just said. He was no fool. He had spent enough time on the streets to gather intel on the 'True Master' Luke was working for. He knew some Powerful deity was pulling strings behind the curtain and Luke was just a puppet to him. And from his encounters with monsters that could talk, He had concluded who the True Master was. "Yes, but a peaceful one." "How do I know you are not working for titan lord? After all he is your king." "For Gaia's sake. I Pallas, swear on Styx that I have not come here with any intention in harming Perseus Jackson." Thunder rumbled in distance sealing the truth. And Percy relentlessly let Bia out of his hands. "Why are you here? No, What do you want from me?"  "You've got potential, demigod," Pallas said, his voice dripping with authority. "And I know why you are here on this street. You know you will play a major role in the upcoming war and want to improve yourself. So you can stop Luke. And I have a proposition for you. Your skills are impressive, but you lack discipline and refinement. I can train you to become not just a swordsman, but a true weapon master and a powerful demigod warrior. What do you say?" Percy was still in shock at seeing a Titan, But asked nonetheless, "Why do you want to help me improve?" "Someone out there wants to ensure the Olympians remain in rule." Bia said. Percy had always known that he was destined for something greater. His encounters with monsters and gods had made that abundantly clear. But standing before Pallas and Bia, Titan and Goddess with a proposition that could change his fate, was a moment he could hardly fathom. He knew he had to accept their offer. After all pure survival combat will not help him stop Luke or anyone who comes to destroy this world. With a determined nod, Percy replied, "I'll do it. I'll train with you, Pallas and Bia. If it means I can become a true demigod warrior and stop Luke, I'm all in." Pallas and Bia exchanged a knowing look, their ancient eyes filled with purpose. "Very well, demigod," Pallas said. "Our training will be intense, and it will push you to your limits. But if you're committed, you'll emerge as a force to be reckoned with."