Blood Of Poseidon

III. The Unfortunate

Percy Jackson stood at the edge of the vast desert, the scorching sun hanging high in the sky. The desert stretched out endlessly before him, a barren wasteland of sand and rocks. His heart pounded with determination, and he knew this journey would test his limits. He adjusted his backpack, ensuring it was securely fastened, and took a deep breath. With only a single flask of water and a few essential supplies, he set off into the unforgiving wilderness. The sun beat down mercilessly as Percy trudged forward, each step sinking slightly into the hot sand. Sweat poured down his face, and he could feel the heat seeping through his shoes. The vast expanse of the desert seemed to go on forever, with no signs of life in sight. Percy knew he had to conserve his energy and ration his water carefully. As the hours passed, the sun climbed higher, and the temperature soared. Percy shielded his eyes from the blinding light, scanning the horizon for any sign of shade. The landscape was desolate, with only the occasional cactus or scrubby bush breaking the monotony. He pressed on, his determination unwavering despite the harsh conditions. By midday, Percy was feeling the effects of the heat. His throat was parched, and his vision was starting to blur. He decided to take a brief rest, finding a small outcropping of rocks that provided some shade. He sat down, leaning against the stone, and pulled out his flask. Taking a small sip of water, he savored the precious liquid before capping the flask tightly. He knew he had to make it last. As he sat there, Percy couldn't help but think about the challenge ahead. Enyo had tasked him with reaching the ghost town in Death Valley within three days. The journey would be grueling, and he knew he would face many obstacles along the way. But he was determined to prove himself, to show that he was capable of overcoming any challenge.

After resting for a short while, Percy got to his feet and continued his trek. The sun was now directly overhead, casting harsh shadows on the ground. The heat was almost unbearable, and each step felt like a Herculean effort. But he pressed on, his resolve unshaken.  The first indication that something was amiss came as a faint rustling sound, barely audible over the whisper of the wind. Percy's senses, honed by constant dangers, went on high alert. He paused, turning slowly to scan the horizon. At first, he saw nothing but the undulating dunes of sand, their golden surfaces shimmering in the heat. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he caught a flicker of movement. He turned sharply, his hand instinctively reaching for Riptide. The pen transformed into a gleaming sword in his hand, its celestial bronze blade glinting in the sunlight. His heart pounded in his chest as he prepared for whatever was coming. Out of the sands emerged a creature of nightmares. It was a manticore, a beast with the body of a lion, the tail of a scorpion, and a face twisted into a grotesque parody of a human's. Its eyes glowed with a malevolent light, and it let out a low, rumbling growl as it fixed its gaze on Percy.

"Great," Percy muttered under his breath. The manticore didn't give him any more time to think. With a feral snarl, it lunged at him, its claws extended and its scorpion tail arching menacingly over its back. Percy dove to the side, rolling in the sand and coming up on one knee with Riptide raised. The manticore's claws slashed through the air where he had been standing, missing him by inches. Percy sprang to his feet, his muscles coiled and ready. The manticore turned to face him, its eyes burning with rage. It roared, the sound echoing across the desert, and charged again. This time, Percy was ready. He sidestepped the attack, bringing Riptide down in a sweeping arc aimed at the manticore's side. The blade connected, slicing through the creature's thick hide. Blood spattered onto the sand, dark and viscous. The manticore let out a howl of pain and fury, its tail lashing out with deadly precision. Percy barely had time to raise his shield, the force of the impact sending him stumbling backward. The manticore was relentless, its attacks coming faster and more ferocious with each passing moment. Percy dodged and parried, his movements a blur as he danced around the creature. He could feel the strain in his muscles, the burn of exertion as he fought to stay one step ahead. The manticore's claws raked across his arm, tearing through his shirt and leaving deep gashes. Percy bit back a cry of pain, his grip tightening on Riptide. He couldn't afford to lose focus, not even for a second. The manticore's tail whipped through the air again, and Percy ducked, feeling the rush of wind as it passed over his head. He countered with a swift strike, aiming for the creature's heart. The manticore twisted at the last moment, and the blade glanced off its ribs. It retaliated with a swipe of its claws, catching Percy across the chest and sending him sprawling into the sand. He felt the sting of the wounds, the hot blood seeping through his shirt. Gritting his teeth, Percy pushed himself to his feet. The manticore was already upon him, its jaws snapping dangerously close. Percy brought Riptide up just in time, the blade blocking the creature's fangs. The force of the impact jarred his arm, but he held firm. With a surge of strength, Percy shoved the manticore back, creating a momentary gap between them. He took a deep breath, trying to steady his racing heart. The manticore paced before him, its eyes never leaving his. Percy could see the intelligence in those eyes, the cruel cunning of a predator. The desert sun beat down on them, the heat radiating off the sand in waves. Percy's breaths came in short, ragged gasps as he faced the manticore. He knew he had to end this fight quickly; he couldn't afford to let it drag on much longer. Summoning all his strength, Percy launched himself at the manticore. He feinted to the left, then darted to the right, catching the creature off guard. Riptide flashed in the sunlight as he brought it down with all his might, aiming for the manticore's heart. The blade struck true, piercing through the manticore's chest. The creature let out a final, agonized roar, its eyes wide with shock and fury. Percy twisted the blade, driving it deeper. The manticore convulsed, its tail lashing wildly, before collapsing to the ground.