Mortal Power: A Percy Jackson Fanfiction

Chapter 20

I shiver in the darkness. Despite the late autumn weather, the sky is clear and looks as if it is scattered with diamonds, glittering down on the trees and grass.

But now is not the time to appreciate the pretty stars. Now is the time to worry about my stupid mother and my stupid friends and my stupid quest.

"Why do the fates hate me?" I storm over to a tree, sit against it, and slide my bag off next to me.

"What do we have here..." I mutter to myself as I look through it. Rations, water and...

I slide out the big book that Drake got me. I feel a blossom of warmth in my stomach, but it turns into an angry flame. I throw the book down with a growl.

I turn on the tree behind me and strip it of its low branches. I throw them on the ground, ignite my hand and stick it in the bundle. They begin to burn, but I don't feel any better. At least it's heat and light.

"Tsk tsk, we mustn't let our anger run away from us."

I look up to see none other than Mr D, inspecting his nails. "Great, because all I need is another god humiliating me."

He sighs. "Though that sounds delightful, there is no one to humiliate you in front of, so we shall save it for another time. For now, however, we will discuss."

I regard him thoughtfully. "Discuss what?"

He shrugs with boredom. "You tell me. But, I am told to remind you that some information is... What do those mortal law enforcers say? 'Classified.'"

I roll my eyes. "Why me for this quest?"

"You were chosen for your abilities."

I bite my lip. "And those are?"

He sighs loudly. "Please, Autumn, spare me; what have you done?"

I list them off on my fingers. "Set fire to stuff, talked someone out of my way, electrocuted someone, fought people..." I shrug my shoulders. "There's never been a mortal child of Hera before, right? Maybe that's the deal."

Mr D rolls his eyes at me. "If you insist to be so ignorant, so be it."

I shake my head and frown. "Kallum was tangled in those grape vines. Me or you?"

"You."

"So you just took the credit to protect me. Why?"

His shoulders sag. "This is getting painful. I might leave."

He stands to do so. "What?! No, that's not fair! I have questions!"

He turns toward me with an eyebrow raised. "Yet you ask the wrong ones. You insist that people decipher things for you, Audin. You are most frustrating." He begins to walk away.

"Wait!" I cry. "Where did these powers come from?"

We make eye contact, and I can see him sizing me up, as if wondering if I really can complete this quest. "All of us."

He starts to glow and I turn away. He disappears, leaving the smell of grapes behind.

___

Apparently I can hunt at night just as well as I would be able to during the day. I shouldn't be able to see very well, but I seem to be proving science wrong a lot lately. I suppose science doesn't even exist. I'm quite grateful for my custom weapon. Since it will appear in my sheath if its lost, I am comfortable using it as a throwing knife.

In no time, I've stalked a rabbit, murdered it, and taken it back to my camp to skin, cook and eat. Aren't I friendly?

I consider making something from the fur of the rabbit, so as not to waste it. I put it aside for later.