𝓦𝓲𝓵𝓭𝓮𝓼𝓽 𝓭𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓶𝓼 ━━━━ Percy Jackson

𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙪𝙚

The night was calm, the moon casting a soft glow through the window as Inez Deleita Anderson sat snuggled on the couch beside her father.

At just five years old, her world was filled with wonder, and tonight, her curiosity was captured by the story her father was reading—a tale of a hero, full of bravery and sacrifice.

The fire crackled softly, its warmth wrapping around them as Inez clutched her teddy bear, Mr. Snuggles, to her chest.

Her blue eyes widened as she pointed to an illustration in the book, her voice filled with concern. "That person looks bad, Dad! Is she bad? Oh, is she a monster?"

Oliver paused, looking down at his daughter with a gentle smile, his dark eyes filled with warmth. "What makes you think she's a monster?" he asked softly. "Not everyone who looks like a hero is a hero, and not everyone who looks like a monster is a monster."

Inez blinked, tilting her head. "So you're telling me that after all that, the meanie was actually the princess?" she asked in disbelief, her waves bouncing slightly as she shifted.

Her father chuckled, his large hand ruffling her fiery red hair. "True heroes," he began, his voice soft but filled with meaning, "are not defined by their strength or power, but by their courage and their willingness to do what's right, even when it's hard."

Inez's face lit up with understanding, her small voice bubbling with determination. "I want to be a hero like that," she declared, clutching Mr. Snuggles even tighter.

Oliver's smile grew, his pride unmistakable as he looked at his daughter. "I have no doubt that you will be, darling," he said. "Anyone can be a hero."

Inez grinned playfully, glancing down at her teddy bear. "Even Mr. Snuggles?"

Oliver chuckled again. "Yes, even Mr. Snuggles."

Their moment of peace was shattered by a sudden, sharp bang on the front door.

Inez jumped, her small body stiffening as she clung to her father.

The air in the room shifted, a cold tension replacing the warmth of the fire.

Oliver stood up, his face growing serious as another bang echoed through the house.

Before either could react, the door splintered open with a force that rattled the walls.

Standing in the doorway, a Fury hissed, its eyes gleaming with malice. Beside it, a towering Cyclops appeared, its single eye glowing in the darkness, casting an eerie shadow over the room.

"Where is she?" the Fury snarled, its voice a venomous hiss. "Where is the daughter of love, the one whose existence threatens to disrupt the balance of power among the gods?"

Inez's heart pounded in her chest as she stared in fear at the monstrous figures.

She felt her father's hand tighten around hers.

"She's not here," Oliver said, his voice firm, his eyes never leaving the creatures. "You'll find nothing but trouble if you stay."

The Cyclops growled, stepping forward, its massive form looming over Oliver.

Time seemed to slow as Oliver turned toward Inez, his eyes filled with a desperate urgency.

"Go, Inez!" he shouted, his voice hoarse. "Run as fast as you can and don't look back!"

Tears welled up in Inez's eyes. "No, Dad! I can't leave you!"

"Inez!" Oliver's voice broke. "Run! We'll meet again soon. Run as fast as you can!"

With a sob, Inez hugged her father tightly before obeying, her small legs carrying her out of the room and into the night.

Her heart pounded as she ran, the cold air stinging her cheeks, her vision blurred by tears.

She clutched Mr. Snuggles to her chest, her father's words echoing in her mind as she fled from the chaos.

She didn't stop running until her legs could carry her no further.

Alone and exhausted, she found herself on a deserted street, the darkness of the night pressing in from all sides.

Sobbing silently, she sank to the ground, hugging her teddy bear as the weight of what had just happened hit her all at once.

But through her tears, she noticed another figure sitting under the shade of a nearby tree.

A girl, around her age, sat huddled against the trunk, her straight hair disheveled and her eyes wet with unshed tears.

Inez hesitated for a moment before approaching the girl cautiously, her voice small but filled with warmth. "Hi," she whispered. "Are you okay?"

The girl looked up, her tear-streaked face lighting up with surprise at the sight of another child. "I-I think so," she stammered, sniffling softly, the scar on her lip expanding as she did so. "My name's Ophelia. What's yours?"

"Inez," she replied, her grip on her teddy bear tightening for comfort. "Inez Anderson."