Deep as the Sea
Prologue
ôWho the hell are these guys?ö Percy snarled, losing his temper as he forced the creatureÆs face away from his own. Increasing the force of his grip, he crushed the bones of its ugly face with his gloved hand.
HeÆd learn quickly to wear gloves and to cover as much skin as possible. There was something in their saliva that messed with his head and made it really hard to fight. Annabeth said it was a narcotic of some kind.
He just knew it was really annoying, even if it stopped affecting him while he was in water. More importantly, it was really dangerous to anyone who wasnÆt immune to poison when wet, which was most people.
Also, they were just disgustingùblack, slimy bat-like creatures with giant fangs and disgustingly long tongues that slobbered everywhereùand he frankly didnÆt really want to touch them.
He stabbed Riptide deep into the belly of another creature as it foolishly approached, before kicking it away. They apparently feed on blood, which, considering the bat thing and the fact that they hated sunlightùsomething theyÆd learnt explosively while trying to transport a prisonerùmade Percy think they might have been vampires or something, but if you slit open their bellies, they were basically powerless. If you just left them, theyÆd die before too long.
He shifted his glare to another creature that hissed at him. He lifted a blade and almost made to move towards him, but stopped midstride as its belly was cut open by something invisible.
Specifically, someone.
He smiled in gratitude, but said nothing. The vampires, if thatÆs really what they were, still had no idea what was cutting them open; he wasnÆt going to tell them that he had a partner.
He felt Annabeth brush past him, silently assuring him that she was still there, watching his back.
It hadnÆt been long since the Battle of ManhattanùSummer hadnÆt even ended yet. But for some reason, about a million monsters had decided they wanted them dead after the battle or something and had started coming after them all the time.
All the campers had pretty much been ordered to stay at the camp for the time being.
Or rather, heÆd ordered them all to stay at the camp.
After the war was over, heÆd basically become the official leader whenever things got bad. HeÆd told the campers to stay under the protection of the Camp and had sent several groups out to try and figure out what was going on.
Mainly him and Annabeth, plus Thalia and the Hunters, however, as the camp was still recovering from the battle. There had been a loud debate on whether it was better from him to stay behind to protect the camp or to leave and fight outside it, but Annabeth and Chiron had convinced everyone that letting him fight was for the best. Percy was grateful towards the both of them for that, of course; heÆd have gone insane if heÆd had to stay behind while something was going on.
Unfortunately, the Gods were being quiet and unhelpful, and even Mr. D had been draw away from the camp.
Worryingly, that even included his father. It may have sounded a bit spoiled, but his dad always had time for him. If even he was being quiet, it meant something serious was going onùand that it coincided with these sudden attacks couldnÆt be a coincidence.
Even worse, Percy just didnÆt have time to worry about it. He had to worry about his camp, first, until he was able to contact his father and find out what was wrong on his side.
But maybe he could get somewhere today.
HeÆd learned that theàvampires were being sent by someone, a superior, and presumably another vampire. The grunts didnÆt know anything about what was going on or why, except that they were supposed to attack them. The leader would probably know more.
So theyÆd make the leader tell them. That was the idea, at least, but it required they find the leader firstàHe, she, itùwhateverùkept changing location from day to day.
Still, theyÆd had to kill something like a dozen vampires today alone. The amount of monsters being sent after them was increasing by a lotùthey were probably getting closer.
It was less than an hour until dawnùif they could figure out where they were coming from, there probably wouldnÆt be enough time for him to move before dawn.
Percy swung his sword, decapitating the last of the vampires, whose corpse feel to the ground with a dull thud. He looked at it once and looked awayùit wasnÆt the first time heÆd killed a monster by any means; it wasnÆt even if the first three hundredùbut they usually collapsed into dust.
For some reason, these things didnÆt. At least, not until they were touched by sunlight, and even that was mainly burning.
Still, at least that meant he wouldnÆt have to clean things up. He didnÆt like them while they were alive, much less chopped into pieces.
Speaking of sunlightà
He approached one of the vampires whose belly heÆd split, glancing up at the sky obviously as he did so.
ôItÆs probably not long until the sun comes up, guys.ö He said, stopping just out of reach of one. ôIÆm guessing youÆd like to be somewhere else before that happens, huh?ö
He received a number of weak noises in response.
ôWellàI suppose I could move you guys inside.ö He continued his practiced speech. ôBut if I help you outàyouÆve gotta help me out, okay?ö
ôW-whatàö The one at his feet tried to ask something. This wasnÆt the first time heÆd given this speech, so he was aware of what he was trying to ask.
ôIÆll let you liveàbut the one who sent you here dies. And I want you to tell me where they are.ö
A chorus of furiousùbut still patheticùsounds was his response, as it had been the night before. And the night before that, actually.
He shrugged easily, turning away.
ôOh well. ItÆs not like IÆm the one who minds the sun.ö
ôH-heÆll killàusàö The one by his feet said.
ôThatÆs only an issue if youÆre alive for him to kill.ö Percy pointed out. ôAnd if heÆs alive to kill you. Which wonÆt be an issue, once I catch up with him.ö
It was hard to make out emotion in the monsterÆs pitch-black eyes, but Percy thought he was considering it.
Finally, he nodded once. Percy grabbed its leg and began pulling him towards the empty building he and Annabeth had been staying in and would now be abandoning, dragging him through the blood that had fallen out of him.
He couldnÆt really say he was surprised when the vampireÆs long pink tongue lashed out towards the blood, lapping at it quickly as if he was dying of thirstùwhich he probably was.
He wasnÆt surprised when, after he dragged him completely through the blood puddle, the vampire seemed to have recovered immensely.
And he was flat-out expecting it when he attacked him.
He stepped easily out of the way of the punch, grabbed it, and pulled his opponent into his own punch, knocking him several steps back. Before it could recover, its head left itÆs shoulders, tumbling to the ground. A moment later, it was joined by the rest of his body.
He looked down at it for a silent moment, before sighing and shaking his head. Stepping over it, he approached the next of the fallen vampires.
ôI hope youÆre not as stupid as your friend over there.ö He said, as the vampire looked up at him in blatant fear.
It shook its head quickly.
ôGood,ö He said. ôThen letÆs try this again.ö
Reaching down, he grabbed its leg, and began to pull it through the blood heÆd spilt.
He was going to find whoever was trying to kill him and get some answers. Tonight.
No matter how many of these grunts he had to go through.
XxXXxX
Prologue
ôWho the hell are these guys?ö Percy snarled, losing his temper as he forced the creatureÆs face away from his own. Increasing the force of his grip, he crushed the bones of its ugly face with his gloved hand.
HeÆd learn quickly to wear gloves and to cover as much skin as possible. There was something in their saliva that messed with his head and made it really hard to fight. Annabeth said it was a narcotic of some kind.
He just knew it was really annoying, even if it stopped affecting him while he was in water. More importantly, it was really dangerous to anyone who wasnÆt immune to poison when wet, which was most people.
Also, they were just disgustingùblack, slimy bat-like creatures with giant fangs and disgustingly long tongues that slobbered everywhereùand he frankly didnÆt really want to touch them.
He stabbed Riptide deep into the belly of another creature as it foolishly approached, before kicking it away. They apparently feed on blood, which, considering the bat thing and the fact that they hated sunlightùsomething theyÆd learnt explosively while trying to transport a prisonerùmade Percy think they might have been vampires or something, but if you slit open their bellies, they were basically powerless. If you just left them, theyÆd die before too long.
He shifted his glare to another creature that hissed at him. He lifted a blade and almost made to move towards him, but stopped midstride as its belly was cut open by something invisible.
Specifically, someone.
He smiled in gratitude, but said nothing. The vampires, if thatÆs really what they were, still had no idea what was cutting them open; he wasnÆt going to tell them that he had a partner.
He felt Annabeth brush past him, silently assuring him that she was still there, watching his back.
It hadnÆt been long since the Battle of ManhattanùSummer hadnÆt even ended yet. But for some reason, about a million monsters had decided they wanted them dead after the battle or something and had started coming after them all the time.
All the campers had pretty much been ordered to stay at the camp for the time being.
Or rather, heÆd ordered them all to stay at the camp.
After the war was over, heÆd basically become the official leader whenever things got bad. HeÆd told the campers to stay under the protection of the Camp and had sent several groups out to try and figure out what was going on.
Mainly him and Annabeth, plus Thalia and the Hunters, however, as the camp was still recovering from the battle. There had been a loud debate on whether it was better from him to stay behind to protect the camp or to leave and fight outside it, but Annabeth and Chiron had convinced everyone that letting him fight was for the best. Percy was grateful towards the both of them for that, of course; heÆd have gone insane if heÆd had to stay behind while something was going on.
Unfortunately, the Gods were being quiet and unhelpful, and even Mr. D had been draw away from the camp.
Worryingly, that even included his father. It may have sounded a bit spoiled, but his dad always had time for him. If even he was being quiet, it meant something serious was going onùand that it coincided with these sudden attacks couldnÆt be a coincidence.
Even worse, Percy just didnÆt have time to worry about it. He had to worry about his camp, first, until he was able to contact his father and find out what was wrong on his side.
But maybe he could get somewhere today.
HeÆd learned that theàvampires were being sent by someone, a superior, and presumably another vampire. The grunts didnÆt know anything about what was going on or why, except that they were supposed to attack them. The leader would probably know more.
So theyÆd make the leader tell them. That was the idea, at least, but it required they find the leader firstàHe, she, itùwhateverùkept changing location from day to day.
Still, theyÆd had to kill something like a dozen vampires today alone. The amount of monsters being sent after them was increasing by a lotùthey were probably getting closer.
It was less than an hour until dawnùif they could figure out where they were coming from, there probably wouldnÆt be enough time for him to move before dawn.
Percy swung his sword, decapitating the last of the vampires, whose corpse feel to the ground with a dull thud. He looked at it once and looked awayùit wasnÆt the first time heÆd killed a monster by any means; it wasnÆt even if the first three hundredùbut they usually collapsed into dust.
For some reason, these things didnÆt. At least, not until they were touched by sunlight, and even that was mainly burning.
Still, at least that meant he wouldnÆt have to clean things up. He didnÆt like them while they were alive, much less chopped into pieces.
Speaking of sunlightà
He approached one of the vampires whose belly heÆd split, glancing up at the sky obviously as he did so.
ôItÆs probably not long until the sun comes up, guys.ö He said, stopping just out of reach of one. ôIÆm guessing youÆd like to be somewhere else before that happens, huh?ö
He received a number of weak noises in response.
ôWellàI suppose I could move you guys inside.ö He continued his practiced speech. ôBut if I help you outàyouÆve gotta help me out, okay?ö
ôW-whatàö The one at his feet tried to ask something. This wasnÆt the first time heÆd given this speech, so he was aware of what he was trying to ask.
ôIÆll let you liveàbut the one who sent you here dies. And I want you to tell me where they are.ö
A chorus of furiousùbut still patheticùsounds was his response, as it had been the night before. And the night before that, actually.
He shrugged easily, turning away.
ôOh well. ItÆs not like IÆm the one who minds the sun.ö
ôH-heÆll killàusàö The one by his feet said.
ôThatÆs only an issue if youÆre alive for him to kill.ö Percy pointed out. ôAnd if heÆs alive to kill you. Which wonÆt be an issue, once I catch up with him.ö
It was hard to make out emotion in the monsterÆs pitch-black eyes, but Percy thought he was considering it.
Finally, he nodded once. Percy grabbed its leg and began pulling him towards the empty building he and Annabeth had been staying in and would now be abandoning, dragging him through the blood that had fallen out of him.
He couldnÆt really say he was surprised when the vampireÆs long pink tongue lashed out towards the blood, lapping at it quickly as if he was dying of thirstùwhich he probably was.
He wasnÆt surprised when, after he dragged him completely through the blood puddle, the vampire seemed to have recovered immensely.
And he was flat-out expecting it when he attacked him.
He stepped easily out of the way of the punch, grabbed it, and pulled his opponent into his own punch, knocking him several steps back. Before it could recover, its head left itÆs shoulders, tumbling to the ground. A moment later, it was joined by the rest of his body.
He looked down at it for a silent moment, before sighing and shaking his head. Stepping over it, he approached the next of the fallen vampires.
ôI hope youÆre not as stupid as your friend over there.ö He said, as the vampire looked up at him in blatant fear.
It shook its head quickly.
ôGood,ö He said. ôThen letÆs try this again.ö
Reaching down, he grabbed its leg, and began to pull it through the blood heÆd spilt.
He was going to find whoever was trying to kill him and get some answers. Tonight.
No matter how many of these grunts he had to go through.
XxXXxX