Percy Jackson and the Adventures of A Sister

4. A New Kind Of Magic

The next morning Percy woke up happily. As usual he swam back to camp. Unlike yesterday, Percy had not woken up very early. A few mermen were trickling out of their houses and coming towards the sword arena. Bill walked into the arena. "There has been a change of plans. You will be learning underwater fighting styles. To be precise, you will be learning, Vai." Bill said. Stunned silence filled the room. Gratitude was the expression visible on the in the mermen.

Bill began with a demonstration. Bythos came to the arena and started sparring with Bill. Percy was astonished. The name 'Vai' really suited his fighting style. Bill's movements were fluidic. Never did he let any momentum go to waste. If his opponent parried, he merely twirled around. One could use most of the moves of Vai on land. One thing became clear to Percy. Bill was avoiding the use of his unique moves. That was the only reason he had managed to defeat Bill. Percy intently analyzed every single one of Bill's movements.

Bill taught everyone the most basic moves. But in Percy's case, he moved on to more advanced moves. Percy was a fast learner. After a few hours the lesson ended. "Keep it up Percy. Go on like this and you will master Vai by the end of your stay." Praised Bill. Percy merely nodded. He along with Jack swam to Aphros's classroom. Percy told his friend about the lessons he had been having with Aphros. Jack smiled. "Percy I am not ready to learn what you are learning. It's not like i'll be leaving the Camp soon." Jack said. Percy and Jack chatted till they reached the classroom. Aphros walked in.

"Okay now I will teach you both a new thing. There are many more ways to do magic than merely sing. Most can do nothing more than keep a few nearby fish in a daze for a second with song. Jack you were able to call them and keep them in a daze for minutes. Even though you were exhausted you still are extraordinarily good for a beginner. So now I will teach you a branch of magic that can do many more things. But before you start you will learn some theory." Aphros pulled out two copies of the same book and handed them to Percy and Jack. The title of the book was, Sakiigna Luman'i. Percy recognized the language. Moanan. The language of the sea. Percy read the book.

He was surprised as he read the title. The book was all about magic staff and their crafting process. At the end of five hours, the two had finished the book. Their free time would begin in a few minutes. Jack left to meet some of his friends. Percy on the other hand decided to go and find some water Phoenixes. He left the camp telling his father what he wanted to do. He did not tell Aphros as he wanted to keep it as a surprise for him.

Percy flame traveled to the Phoenix Cove. It was the place where the water phoenixes lived. He met a phoenix the moment he appeared at his destination. The phoenix regarded him curiously. "Why have you come here son of Poseidon?" The Phoenix asked. "I wish to get one of your feathers. I want to make a staff to surprise my mentor Aphros." Percy replied. "I sense you have no malicious intent. I will give you my feathers." The phoenix said. After shedding two of his feathers, he flew off.

Now that he had got the feathers he needed wood. Any old wood would not do. He needed wood from magical plants. Percy contemplated. He fire traveled to the garden of the underworld. He walked into the throne room. He told Hades what he was up to. Hades gladly gave his champion some wood from the oneria plant. The color of the wood was black. This was even more magical than the fruit. Percy grabbed an enchanted piece of obsidian. While normal obsidian was a fragile rock, the obsidian from the underworld was very strong and had magical properties. On top of that the wood was very flexible and as strong as steel. Percy set to work. He grabbed a chisel and shaped the wood into a solid staff. He drilled a hole from the top. He put the Phoenix feather inside it, filled the hole with water from the Styx. He capped the hole with the obsidian. He made another staff identical to the other except with the water of the Acheron and the tip was an emerald instead of obsidian. Percy went to sleep the next day the sword lesson was based on the more advanced moves. Soon it was time for the magic lessons.

Percy came to the classroom early. Aphros and Jack walked in.@@ "Okay now it is time to get you your staff." Aphros said. "That won't be needed." Said Percy after getting them from behind the curtain. Aphros and Jack stared at him in shock. "Where did you get those?" Aphros asked. There were no staffs available in the camp. "I made them." Percy said casually. A grin adorned Aphros's face. "By the gods Perseus. You are one bright magician." He said grinning. "The staff are not fully made. I need your help with the runes and the sticking the tip part." Percy said. Aphros set to work.

After casting a sticking spell on the tips of the staffs he carved all the runes he knew onto them. finally they were done. Percy and Jack began reading a book on spells. Just as they finished reading Aphros walked in bringing a watertight box in his hands. He cast a spell on it and opened it and took out some cookies and gave them to his two students. The cookies did not become wet. Percy suspected it was something related to the staff-less spell Aphros had cast. Percy took and ate one. His eyes widened. "Wow! You have to teach me how to make these." Said Percy.

Aphros grinned. "I will teach you later. But now it is time for the practical aspect of spell casting. First of all I will teach you defensive spells. First let us focus on the Apida spell." The two walked into a field. "Okay now, stand with your legs spread apart. Hold your staff behind you, and swing it in an overhead arc, say the incarnation while performing the swing. The wider your arc, the stronger your shield, but the smaller your arc, the faster you can cast the spell. I will cast a simple disarming spell at you, use the shielding spell to block it." Aphros instructed.

Aphros fired off two spells in rapid succession. The two cast the Apida or shielding spell. Jack's shield was strong, but was cast a little late. While Percy's was cast just in time, the shield was too weak. So the disarming spell was merely weakened. Aphros gave pointers. Three hours later Percy and Jack could cast the spell with ease. The duo had dinner and went to sleep.