The Darkness Is Coming

Alessa and I do Sibling Stuff?

[A/N Alright this one's going permanent Percy POV cause why not]

"Did you come to the same conclusion?" Alessa sat down at the Poseidon table with me.

"That Torrington is stalling? Acrisius brought it to my attention last night." I nodded and took a bite of my bagel.

She sighed. "I think I know why, but I can't be certain."

"Acrisius said the same thing. What were you thinking?"

"Well he doesn't have enough power to do it on his own. I'm not sure how he got Jenna and I started, but he needs a powerful demigod or a minor deity to perform the incantation."

"Jenna?" I frowned. "Was that... Jason?"

She nodded.

"Right... so he's been deprived of his power source. That's why he's been quiet."

"I would have to assume so. It's logical from my perspective." Alessa shrugged.

I nodded and went back to my food. "Well I guess we just have to wait for him to make a move then."

"When he does, it won't be pretty." Alessa shook her head, taking a bite of what looked like a potato pancake of some sort.

"I know. I think they've gotten ahold of Camp Jupiter to warn them about what's going on."

"I hope so." Alessa sighed. "Do you have some free time today?"

"Uh, I think so. I don't really have a schedule anymore, I think Chiron has been taking it easy on me. Why?" I raised my eyebrows at her.

"Well I need to train at some point." Alessa shrugged. "I don't think I'm up to your level anymore, since I'm no longer the same person."

"So you basically want to see if you're still a match for me?"

"That's what I said, isn't it?" She tipped her head curiously, kind of like a puppy.

"I guess so. Do you want to do it right after breakfast or wait a little bit?"

"I'll go check and see when the arena is quieter." Alessa shrugged. "That way we have a bit more room and less company."

"Feeling shy?"

"I get the distinct feeling that I'm generally not welcomed here. I'd like to know my skills before showing them to others."

I nodded, watching her. Everything in her body language said she was ready for a fight, but didn't want it to happen. 

"Fair. If you're okay with it then, after breakfast I'd like to show you something."

Alessa looked up. "Okay...." She seemed unsure about it.

"You'll like it, I promise." I finished my food and got up. "Meet me at the beach when you're done eating."

"Okay."

---------------------

Alessa met me at the beach, wearing a vaguely familiar blue hoodie.

"Where'd you get that?" I asked her.

"I found it in our cabin. Is it yours?"

"It was. I haven't worn it in a while, you can have it if you'd like."

She smiled a little. "Really?"

"Yeah, go ahead."

"Thanks, Percy."

"I guess that's kind of what big brothers are for, right? Providing a closet of clothes for the younger sister to steal."

"Hey, I'm not younger!"

"You've technically been alive for what, two weeks? You're the younger sister."

Alessa shoved me into the shallows. "Oh shut up. What did you want to show me?"

"Oh, right. C'mon." I offered her my hand.

"I don't trust you." She laughed. "I just shoved you into the water."

"Aw come on, it doesn't even affect me. We're children of Poseidon."

"Alright, fine." She rolled her eyes and took my hand.

Standing on top of the water, I led her out to one of the rocks about twenty feet from the shore.

"Why are we out here, Percy?"

"You were saying you felt unwelcome. I just wanted to show you a place I like to come when I'm having a bad time or just feeling generally stressed out." I helped her up onto the rock.

We sat down together, looking out over the water.

"It's peaceful." Alessa murmured, hugging herself a little. "I can see why you like to come out here."

"Annabeth and I used to come out here once a week, to have a little picnic. It was a lot of fun, she loved being out here and seeing all the fish."

"I'm sorry I took her from you."

I sighed. "It's in the past, Alessa. And it was a you that was completely and utterly evil, and unhinged."

"You're still upset." She looked up at me.

"Well of course I am. I lost my soulmate. She was the most important thing in my life, and I miss her more than anything. But I can't blame you, because it wasn't your fault."

"That's... very noble of you."

"I guess."

We sat in silence, looking out at the water.