Strange Ties--Percy Jackson/Harry Potter

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Percy

Percy's consciousness flickered back, but instead of waking up on solid ground, he found himself submerged in cold, clear water. For a moment, his brain couldn't register what had happened. The pain in his body had dulled, and he felt weightless, his limbs floating freely in the lake. He could breathe, his lungs filling with the cool, soothing water. Then it hit him-he was in the lake.

Groggily, he pushed himself to the surface, breaking through with a gasp, only to see August standing by the shore, wringing her hands anxiously. Her wide eyes locked onto his as relief washed over her.

"Finally! I swear you were out for ages!" August's voice was shaky, and she hovered near the water's edge. "I thought-well, I didn't know what else to do."

Percy wiped the water from his face, wincing as the motion made his ribs throb. "You... threw me in the lake?"

"Yeah," August admitted, biting her lip. "I know, I know, it's probably not the most traditional method of first aid, but you were a mess, and water helps, right? Poseidon, water healing-" She waved her hands frantically. "You can breathe underwater, right?"

Percy gave a weak laugh, his voice hoarse. "Yeah, I can. But... next time, maybe warn me before you chuck me into a lake."

August let out a nervous laugh. "Well, sorry! You weren't exactly conscious enough for a heads-up!" She hesitated, her voice dropping. "You scared me, Percy. I found you unconscious, and I wasn't sure how bad it was."

Percy swam closer, his body feeling slightly better as the water continued to work its magic. "It's fine, Augs. I'm good now. Thanks for the... unconventional rescue."

August crouched down, her brows furrowed with concern. "What happened back there? Did you kill the monster? How was it?"

Percy let out a tired sigh as he waded closer to the shore, the weight of the battle still lingering in his bones. He ran a hand through his hair, shaking his head slightly. "I killed it... but that thing was massive, Augs-like, four times the size of any monster I've faced before. And stronger too. I thought I could handle it, but it's... different."

August's concern deepened. "Different how?"

"It felt like it was toying with me," Percy said, his voice low. "Like it wasn't just a mindless monster. It was calculated, and I swear it knew where to hit to make it hurt." He winced again, rubbing his side where the monster had slammed him into the rock.

August's face paled as Percy's words sank in. "Calculated?" she echoed, her eyes scanning his bruises and the dried blood still clinging to his skin. "That's... terrifying. You're saying it wasn't just trying to kill you-it was trying to mess with you?"

Percy nodded, wading out of the water and standing on the shore, dripping wet but looking a little more like himself. "Yeah, exactly. And it wasn't just brute strength either. It had this weird intelligence about it, like it was learning from the fight, adjusting its attacks to exploit my weaknesses." He glanced down at his hands, still trembling slightly from the adrenaline that had yet to fade completely.

August shook her head, a knot tightening in her stomach. "That sounds... too close. Are you sure you're okay?" Her tone was softer now, the worry clear in her voice.

"I'll be fine" Percy flashed her a tired grin, though it didn't reach his eyes. Honestly, without the water healing, I don't know if I'd be standing right now."

August exhaled sharply, standing up and brushing her blue hair back with shaky fingers. "Lucky or not, Percy, you've got to stop pushing yourself like this. I know you're a demigod and all, but you're not invincible." She furrowed her eyebrows, "Right?!"