~Pride Will Get You Nowhere~An PJO AU

That Time My Uncle Shot A Manticore with a Shotgun.

AN: Uh ok so this is my first PJO story, this is also my first OC Mained Story so sorry if its bad. P.S Sorry if the spacing is weird I copy and pasted from the notes on my computer, PLEASE DONT BE GHOST READERS, COMMENT INTERACT WHEN YOU CAN. IT MOTIVATES ME TO WRITE MORE.

Chapter 1: Ego In The Sky

The summer sun blazed relentlessly over the small town of Babylon, Long Island, a tranquil village where time seemed to drift lazily. Kalieth Moore lived in a secluded cabin with his aunt Margaret and uncle Roger, finding solace in their simple, comfortable life.

Mornings at the cabin were a ritual of warmth and familiarity. Margaret, with her auburn hair pinned up and flour-dusted apron, would start the day by preparing breakfast. The kitchen was filled with the comforting aroma of freshly baked bread and simmering coffee. Kalieth looked forward to these mornings, enjoying the calm and predictability they brought.

Margaret's cheerful chatter as she worked, recounting anecdotes from her day or sharing snippets of her latest gardening endeavors, was a staple of these mornings. Roger, always the jovial presence, would join them at the table with his hearty laugh and playful teasing. His stories of past escapades and humorous mishaps made breakfast time a highlight of Kalieth's day.

After breakfast, Kalieth and Roger would head outside. Roger, a robust man with a well-trimmed beard and a penchant for storytelling, took great pleasure in teaching Kalieth practical skills. Whether they were fixing the old fence, repairing tools, or working on the garden, Roger's lessons were more than just practical knowledge—they were expressions of his care and pride.

One summer morning, as they worked on the garden, Roger shared stories of his youth with a twinkle in his eye. "You know, when I was your age, I could fix just about anything," Roger boasted, his voice filled with nostalgia. "Had a knack for making things work again."

Kalieth laughed, "And how many of those 'fixes' ended up in disaster?"

Roger grinned, "Let's just say some of my greatest inventions were the ones that didn't quite go as planned."

Margaret joined them later with iced lemonade, her smile as warm as the sun. "I thought you two might need a break," she said, handing them the cool drinks. "It's important to stay hydrated."

The day continued in a steady rhythm. Kalieth helped Margaret with her canning project in the afternoon, enjoying the relaxed pace and the way Margaret's stories filled the kitchen with life. The conversation ranged from her favorite recipes to memories of her childhood, each story weaving a richer tapestry of their shared life.

As evening approached, the family gathered on the porch to watch the sunset. The air was cooler now, and Roger's tales turned to reflections on life and family. Kalieth cherished these moments of calm, the sense of belonging that wrapped around him like a warm blanket.

But as the sun dipped below the horizon, Kalieth began to notice subtle changes in the environment. The sky, once clear and serene, now seemed to be tinged with an unusual, almost ominous hue. He saw strange shadows moving at the edge of the forest and felt a disquieting chill that seemed to linger in the air.