𝚢𝚘𝚞'𝚛𝚎 𝚘𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚘𝚠𝚗, 𝚔𝚒𝚍 - percy jackson x oc

022

XXII - THE MOST BEAUTIFUL STAR

"THIS IS JUST PAIRRR-FECT," the manticore gloated.

He was wearing a ratty black trench coat over his Westover Hall uniform, which was torn and stained. His military haircut had grown out spiky and greasy. He had not shaved recently, so his face was covered in silver stubble. Valeria thought he looked about as good on the outside as he was on the inside.

"Long ago, the gods banished me to Persia," the manticore said. "I was forced to scrounge for food on the edges of the world, hiding in forests, devouring insignificant human farmers for my meals. I never got to fight any great heroes. I was not feared and admired in the old stories! But now that will change. The Titans shall honor me, and I shall feast on the flesh of half-bloods!"

On either side of him stood two armed security guys. Two more stood on the next boat dock over, just in case they tried to escape that way. There were tourists all around—walking down the waterfront, shopping at the pier above them—but Thorn obviously didn't care.

"Where...where are the skeletons?" Percy asked the manticore.

Thorn sneered. "I do not need those foolish undead! The General thinks I am worthless? He will change his mind when I defeat you myself!"

Valeria realized that Percy had his I-need-to-stall face, so she quickly intercepted.

"So," she said casually, "why are your eyes not blue?"

The manticore assessed her. "Valeria. How is your shoulder feeling?"

"I asked a question first. Your eyes are supposed to be blue, as recounted by individuals in India. Why are they not blue?"

"I do not—"

"And your stings are supposed to be fatal. Since I am clearly here, they are not."

"I—"

"And how is it that the elephant is the only one immune to your venom? I think that is rather stupid. Yet again, elephants are quite adorable—"

"ENOUGH!"

The manticore's yell echoed in the silence. Valeria quickly ducked as the manticore shot one of his stingers at her. She would not make that mistake again.

"We beat you once before," Percy said, stepping in front of Valeria.

"Ha!" Thorn cackled. "You could barely fight me with a goddess on your side. And, alas...that goddess is preoccupied at the moment. There will be no help for you now."

Zoë notched an arrow and aimed it straight at the manticore's head. The guards on either side of them raised their guns.

"Wait!" Percy said. "Zoë, don't!"

The manticore smiled. "The boy is right, Zoë Nightshade. Put away your bow. It would be a shame to kill you before you witnessed Thalia's great victory."

"What are you talking about?" Thalia growled. She had her shield and spear ready.

"Surely it is clear," the manticore said. "This is your moment. This is why Lord Kronos brought you back to life. You will sacrifice the Ophiotaurus. You will bring its entrails to the sacred fire on the mountain. You will gain unlimited power. And for your sixteenth birthday, you will overthrow Olympus."

No one spoke. It made terrible sense. Thalia was only two days away from turning sixteen. She was a child of the Big Three. And here was a choice, a terrible choice that could mean the end of the gods. It was just as the prophecy said.

Valeria felt insanely relieved. The prophecy was not about Percy or herself after all. Then again, she had gotten to know Thalia. She liked the girl. At least, she liked her enough that she would not wish the prophecy on her.