A Prophecy of Two Boys

Chapter 27

Chapter 27

Percy's Point of View

Denver wasn't a bad place, I supposed. Oh course, it was in the muggle world, and so was much messier and louder than what we were used to, but you have to take what you can get. We collapsed in a litter diner after over an hour of searching without luck for anyone who would be heading to New York today. Much to our surprise, shortly after our food had arrived we had a rather unexpected visitor.

The first time I noticed that someone was approaching there was a familiar presence that set our teeth on edge and made me tense ready for a fight. Harry, sensing where my thoughts were heading shook his head at me and shoved me to the back of our mind.

'Oh no.' He snapped. 'You've going to sit this one out very much. Especially after last time.'

I pouted, but conceded. 'You may have a point…'

A couple of minutes later a large man in a leather biking jacket and wearing large combat boots came in and sat down at our table, stealing some of our crisps. Harry frowned, but didn't comment on it.

"Lord Ares." He inclined our head to the War God. "What brings you here?"

Luna smiled. "One might think you were stalking us."

Grover just slunk deeper into his seat. I chuckled when I caught his faint pray that we don't annoy Ares so much that he kills us all this time.

Ares gave us a frown. "You sound different. And… your aura's changed. Just a powerful, but… more like Hecate's than Poseidon's."

Harry offered a lazy smile. "I offer our sincerest apologies, Lord Ares, for my brother's reckless behaviour at challenging you yesterday. He has a tendency to do things without consulting me first."

Ares' frowned. "Your brother?"

Harry smiled, then shook his head as if having suddenly remembered something. "I'm sorry, I had presumed that Percy had properly introduced us. We are Harry and Perseus Potter, demigod son of Poseidon and wizard."

Ares let out a booming laugh. "No wonder my aura affects you so little. You're constantly at war with yourself, aren't you? So where's Perseus today? Doesn't feel like coming out to play?"

'What? Oh no he did not just accuse me of being a coward!' I snarled. Harry did the mental equivalent of grabbing me by the scruff of my neck and throwing me back as I fought him for control.

'Can't you see this is what he wants?' Harry hissed. 'He's egging you on to fight, and that isn't going to get us anywhere, understood? Now. Be quiet and let me do the talking for once ok? Not everything can be solved by fighting.'

I acknowledged his wisdom grudgingly, and shut up again, following the conversation Annabeth had struck up with Ares.

"So, as Harry asked, what brings you here? Surely you can't miss our charming –" (here Annabeth sent a glare our way) "– personalities."

Ares' chuckled again. "Oh, I don't know. You do amuse me some. Especially that twin soul over there. Though if I didn't know better I'd say the same about you, Athena spawn. You seem to have a rather split personality as well."

Annabeth and Harry glared at Ares while Grover glared at them for glaring at the god. I burst into laughter until Harry smiled slightly. Ares did eventually drop his façade however.

"Alright. Well, I heard you were looking for transport. I want to propose a favour for a favour. Deal?"

Before Annabeth could agree, Harry jumped in. "What kind of favour would we owe you? We're not going to agree to do any favour, any time you want with no conditions."