Climb (Percy Jackson x Reader)

fifty

✺ FIELDS OF LIGHT ✺

Static chokes the air.

Magic imbues every inch of the shore as darkness gathers, rolling as an unearthly fog across the sea. (Y/N)'s skin pricks with goosebumps, her bones rippling with energy. At her side, Atticus clings to her hand, pressing close as he shivers.

"It's all right, Attie," (Y/N) assures, giving his hand a gentle pulse. "She's not here to hurt us."

Atticus shoots a skeptical glance towards the shadows, which deepen and converge with each second.

Hecate rises from the pool of shadow, breaking the air's hushed, hanging vigor with a sharp inhale. The darkness rushes into her, a few wisps skimming off of her robes and dissipating against the sand. As she exhales, her emerald eyes gleaming against the evening light, the atmosphere starts to calm.

"Thank you for doing this, Hecate," (Y/N) says, guiding Atticus forth from behind her. "At the least, for giving me some peace of mind."

Hecate nods. "As I have already told you," she assures, "all you must do is ask." Her gaze shifts downward, her head tilting with curiosity upon seeing Atticus. He stays nearly glued to (Y/N)'s side, peeking at the goddess with a fearful sort of intrigue.

"Hello, Atticus," Hecate greets, lowering her head into a slight bow.

Atticus's eyes widen as the shadows ripple with her intonation. "Hi," he breathes, trembling against the rhythm of her unrestrained power. His irises glimmer unnaturally in the darkness.

Offering the boy a tiny smile, Hecate turns back to (Y/N). She reaches into her robes, withdrawing a tiny sphere of glass. "This," she explains, pinching the sphere between her thumb and index finger, "is the same magic which formed the other containment. It requires power to open it. More power than most could dream of having. But it isn't finished yet."

Glancing pointedly at the son of Apollo, Hecate continues, "I need to assign it a key."

"A key?" (Y/N) repeats, her brow furrowing.

The sorceress nods. "The last one required, and is guarded by, my power. This one is intended for him." Her words lower somewhat as she adds, "But I can make it yours, too. If you want a form of oversight."

(Y/N) blinks, unsure. She looks down at Atticus, pursing her lips somewhat in thought.

He shrugs.

She frowns. "No," she says, once again meeting Hecate's eye. The moment she does, the goddess' pupils narrow and fork, scanning the future in the span of a second. Shaking her head, (Y/N) enforces, "No. Not mine. If it's mine, it could very easily become theirs."

Hecate quirks an eyebrow. "You have already settled your disputes with the gods," she says, curious. "And what was their power is now yours—accepted by your soul and under your command."

(Y/N) agrees, "That's true."

"So why the continued concern?"

She shrugs. "Because they've already tried to intervene in Atticus's life far too many times. And I don't want to give them the slightest idea"—she glares up at the sky—"that they can try that again.

"Besides," (Y/N) continues, unbothered, "I know he won't need the oversight." She smiles down at Atticus while squeezing his hand. "We've worked on it. I trust him. And he trusts himself now, too."

Atticus smiles. He turns back to the goddess, shuffling forward slightly. "What do I need to do?"

Hecate's robes whisper gently as she steps over to him. Grains of sand roll down hills of shadow as her power disturbs the set of the shore. Gently, she extends her hand.