Forgotten memories

I give up.

The boy's complexion turned ashen as I supported him, his arm draped over my shoulder to aid his feeble steps. It was evident that he had been poisoned by the man we were now compelled to follow. Despite the man's ostensibly human appearance, an eerie quality pervaded his countenance. Identifying himself as Dr. Thorn, he had named the weakened boy Percy Jackson. Percy, visibly drained and without his sword, was forced to accompany us into the storm along with the other kids.

Amid the tempest, the girl named Bianca approached us, her voice hushed with anxiety. "Where is he taking us? Why does he want?" she implored, her eyes reflecting panic.

"Bianca, Nico. You need to run when I say. Me and..." Percy glanced at me, momentarily puzzled. "What's your name?"

I hadn't given much thought to my name, realizing it was peculiar. I met his gaze and shrugged. "I don't really know. It's a long story. Call me..." After a brief pause, I decided, "Call me Neaus." The name felt right yet somehow wrong.

"Okay, me and Neaus are going to distract the creature. Then you have to run back and get Annabeth," Percy instructed the blonde girl.

Dr. Thorn led us to the edge of a cliff, compelling us to approach. He spoke of arranging a pickup for them, and though unsure of the details, I harbored no willingness to find out. Percy disengaged from my support, his eyes locked on Thorn.

"What is he?" Bianca whispered, her fear palpable. "How do we fight him?"

"I... I'm working on it," Percy replied.

As Percy contemplated, I struggled to place the elusive memory of encountering something like Dr. Thorn before. Thorn conversed on a walkie-talkie, and our proximity to the cliff edge increased. Percy eyed the water below, formulating a plan.

Thorn laughed menacingly. "By all means, Son of Poseidon. Jump! There's the sea. Save yourself!"

A chill ran through me at the mention of the name. Dizziness overcame me, and memories of Greek gods, monsters, and Titans surged through my mind. The significance of the Greek gods became apparent, but my attention waned as I was lost in these thoughts. Suddenly, a helicopter arrived, and an unseen force propelled me.

Out of nowhere, the blonde girl was right on top of me, clutching a Yankee cap in her hand. Her eyes locked onto mine, and a sense of recognition flashed between us. In my foolishness, I blurted out, "I think I met your mom!" She shot me a scowl in response.

Swiftly, she rose and assisted Percy to his feet. I couldn't fathom how he now held his sword. It defied all logic and left me perplexed. To further accentuate my confusion, the blonde girl donned her cap and seamlessly disappeared from sight.

Members of Percy's group emerged, the black-haired girl wielding a spear and shield, and a goatee-bearded man with furry legs and hooves. The girl screamed, attacking Dr. Thorn with her spear. Thorn retaliated, shooting spikes from his tail, striking her shield and causing her to fall.

Driven by instinct and horrified at the prospect of witnessing harm, I instinctively grabbed my bracelet, which transformed into a bow. My body moved on its own, pulling back the string as if absorbing moonlight, shaping silver dust into an arrow. Without a second thought, I aimed at Dr. Thorn and released the arrow.

The arrow found its mark in his eye, prompting a roar of pain. All eyes were on me as I unleashed more arrows. Dr. Thorn underwent a transformation, growing larger until his true form emerged. A human face adorned his visage, but his body resembled a massive lion. His tail continued to spew poison as he sneered menacingly.

"He's a Manticore!" I shouted, bewildered by the sudden knowledge that had surfaced.