'Well it does say skill from objects as well,' Percy thought out.
"Ah Percy what is that?" Michael asked pointing to the small golden ball.
"Just an experiment," Percy replied as he pressed the small walnut sized object up against the Golden Fleece. The ball glowed brighter and then;
Ping!
The power of 'Healing' has been granted to the Power Mimicker! Are you sure this is what you want?
YES/NO
Percy pressed yes without hesitation and the small golden ball disappeared into dust which then floated over to Percy's body fusing with him;
Ping!
You have gained a new skill!
Healing, Lv— 1 (0%)
Allows the user to heal any disease or ailments affecting himself or others.
Limit— 1 ailment per use.
Cost— 500 MP
"Wow," Percy said reading his new skill. It was stronger and better than the healing runes he always used, plus it was not that costly.
"Percy what happened? What was that thing?" Annabeth asked worried.
"It's nothing," Percy waved it off closing the skill box, "the small ball was supposed to help in healing, I just wanted to use it on Odysseus.
"But it went into you."
Percy nodded, "yeah it kind of backfired there."
Lie successful!
Annabeth looked suspicious but accepted the explanation. "Percy why exactly was Odysseus injured?" Michael asked.
"Oh, it's kind of a long story. Let's talk over there" Percy said as he got up and walked away from Odysseus allowing the sailors to gather around their captain, waiting for him to be fully healed. Percy and the other demigods, plus Grover, walked away from the group giving them some personal space.
"So what happened?" Annabeth asked they all sat around in a circle.
"First things first," Percy said as he opened up his inventory taking out several plates filled with food, "fresh food straight from camp. I put it in my inventory so it's still hot."
Percy gave his friends each a plate, they had been looking tired and used up. Percy may not need to eat any more but that didn't mean he didn't understand hunger.
"So, what happened to you?" Nina asked as they all ate their hot camp cooked meals.
Percy then began to explain to his friends what had happened to him after they left. He told them about how he travelled to save the Ascension from the giant octopus Dave, how he met Odysseus himself and how he got along with the crew. He then spoke about how he managed to save Mera from an underwater monster that wanted to fight Triton. He didn't tell them it was a Great Old One because, well he already got plenty of people pissed at him for that.
He then spoke about Nassau and meeting Elsa's team. Annabeth and Clarisse cringed remembering those three, it hadn't been a pleasant fight. But after Percy told them how they wanted to get Argo too and how Argo had experimented on Elsa, they started to like the three member team. He then told them about how he and the crew basically collapsed the entire base on top of the creepy scientist's head before traveling here to save their asses.
"I still can't believe Gergosas are people," Annabeth said in a low tone of voice, "but it does make sense." She turned to Clarisse, "remember that warehouse we ran into?"
"You mean the one which looked like it was abandoned in a hurry?" Clarisse asked.
Annabeth nodded, "yeah. Argo must have transformed the first batch of Gergosas using the people there. The clues were right there in front of our eyes and yet we didn't see them!"
Percy patted Annabeth, "don't be too hard on yourself Annabeth, it's not your fault." The demigods nodded and soon silence fell. "So, you guys never did tell me about what happened to you."
"Right," Grover said as a smile came on his face, "well I suppose that it starts with me first."
Percy nodded, "right...so why the wedding dress?"
Grover smiled sheepishly and rubbed his neck, "well it's kinda my fault really. You see during my search for Pan I kind of got attracted to the scent of the Golden Fleece."
Percy raised an eyebrow, "attracted?"
"The Fleece is like a beacon for nature spirits," Nina explained, "most of them can feel it even across the Atlantic."
"And Polyphemus knows that," Grover said, "he used it to lure me into a trap and tried to eat me back in Saint Augustine. I went and hid inside a bridal dressing shop and tried to change my scent by changing clothes hence the ah, garments," Grover said pointing at his clothes.
"Why didn't you call for help?" Percy asked surprised.
"I did try," Grover explained, "I tried to form an Empathy link with you, but I couldn't. Somehow something was blocking my attempts."
"Empathy link?"
"It's a type of magic Satyrs can do," Grover explained, "we from a connection with people that are close to us, like really close and then send messages to them via dreams. I tried to form one with you but....well I couldn't. It was like trying to break down a metal wall using a piece of string."
Percy nodded, the reason Grover's Empathy link didn't work was probably because of his Gamer's mind. And the reason he didn't get dreams was because....he never got dreams. Not since getting his powers Percy hadn't had one single dream. 'Why am I just realising this now?'
"Percy you okay?" Nina asked snapping Percy's attention back to them.
"R-right, sorry. Anyway what happened next?"
"Well I then got caught by Polyphemus but the stupid cyclops thought I was a female cyclops because of the dress and took me back to his cave to marry me."
Clarisse snickered, "you two would have made an excellent couple."
"Like you and Michael?" Grover sneered causing everyone to laugh while the two in question blushed. "Anyway so I got stuck in here, hell I thought I was actually going to have to marry him when suddenly you guys arrived and tried to save me. That didn't go so well, but then everything worked out for the best."
Percy nodded and then turned to Annabeth and his other friends, "what happened with you guys."
The group all groaned at once and began their story. After leaving Percy they sailed right into the sea of monsters. They quickly ran into trouble in the form of Scylla and Charybdis which pretty much tore the ship into pieces. After sailing in dead water for a few hours they came upon an island called C.C's Spa and Resort.
The questers were happy to get help as the island was filled to the brim with beautiful women, something Michael liked a lot. The moment they landed the girls were escorted to get a free makeover while Michael was turned into a guinea pig by Circe.
"Circe?!" Odysseus yelled out, "you all met Circe and lived?!"
Annabeth shrugged, "kind of yeah."
"Please tell me you broke her nose or something," Odysseus asked.
"We transformed every male she had captured on her island back into human and when they were distracted we kind of snuck away."
"But it did piss her off yes?"
"Yup."
"Good girl."
Percy smiled, "he doesn't like her much."
Annabeth nodded and continued on with her story. After that incident the questers stole a boat and sailed forward, they met and thankfully avoided the Sirens, and managed to land on Polyphemus's island just this morning.
They tried to save Grover but failed. Michael was injured and Nina and Annabeth were captured. And the rest was history.
Percy sighed in relief, "Sounds like you guys had one hell of an adventure."
Everyone nodded, they looked tired but happy that it was finally over. They soon got up and walked over to Odysseus who was also back on his feet.
"This certainly is one hell of a carpet rug," he said giving the fleece to Percy, "thanks kid, for saving my life."
Percy smiled as he took the fleece and put into his inventory for safe keeping, "thanks Odysseus. Oh, and I think I have something that belongs to you."
Percy reached into his inventory and pulled out Yew's Breath. He presented the blade to Odysseus who smiled.
"My men told me you did amazing things with this blade," he said touching the metal, "you probably used it a lot more than I ever did."
Percy nodded, "yeah, it saved my life."
Odysseus smiled, "you want it don't you."
Percy blushed but nodded slowly, "yeah it's kind of awesome."
"Well then," Odysseus began, "make your own."
Percy blinked, "huh?"
Odysseus snatched the blade and hugged it tightly, "you think I'm going to give you my blade?! Fuck that! It's my baby! My precious!"
Percy and the others blinked at the captain's behavior as the sailors simply laughed it off.
"Don't mind him," Galen said wiping his tears, "he's always been fiercely possessive of that blade. In fact when we met Tolkien he got inspired by Odysseus' behavior with the blade and based a book around it. Smeagol, I think, or was it Gollum? I never was good at names."
Percy chuckled; he could see how Odysseus could have inspired such a character. 'Wait... did he just kiss the handle? Okay I am never touching that blade again.'
Soon everyone got ready as the all made their way out of the cave.
"Hey Percy what about the big spoilt brat?" Michael said pointing at Polyphemus.
Percy sighed, "I'll release him from his bonds after we leave the island. Let's go, the further I get away from this embarrassment of a son of Poseidon the better."
The demigods nodded, they really couldn't understand how that thing and Percy could ever be related.
They made their way off the island, Percy again worked over time in the forest to make sure no one died, and quickly they reached the beach.
Percy snapped his fingers causing the binding hands spell he used on Polyphemus to break, "I just released the cyclops," he said.
"You sure that was a good idea?" Michael asked.
Percy shrugged, "I don't see why not."
"THIEVES!"
Percy gulped, "maybe we should hurry up and leave."
"I didn't know you guys came in two boats," Nina said as she looked at the sea, "kind of Elsevier don't you think?"
"Two? But there was only one," Percy commented as he activated his 8.0 eyesight looking for the Ascension. It was easy to spot and right behind it there was another boat The second boat was state of the art and looked more stylish when compared to the Ascension. Percy focused and found that a name printed on the side, 'Princess Andromeda'.
"That's not ours," Galen said narrowing his eyes, "it's not something I recognize at all."
"It looks pretty cool though," Percy commented deactivating his eyes. He and the other were about to get onto their rowing boats when suddenly;
Warning! Behind you!
Percy immediately activate his super speed. He drew out Riptide in a flash and summoned a big ball of water from the sea before turning around to face the enemy.
"Wow Percy what's with the fancy moves?!" Grover asked shocked.
"We're not alone," Percy said narrowing his eyes and activating his special eyes again. He looked through the forest for any signs of moment when suddenly a huge figure walked out from the shadows of the trees.
"Your reflexes have gotten better demigod," his voice was deep and loud, Percy recognized it right away.
"Hyperion," Percy growled out through clenched teeth. Annabeth was shaking, this was the same titan that had killed her. She was scared and Percy could feel her fear. Everyone quickly armed themselves while Hyperion started to glow brighter and brighter until his body was covered in flames again.
"I went through all that trouble to hide my presence to sneak up on you and it was all for nothing," Hyperion said as he drew his blade using his left hand, his right one still a stump.
"So I'm guessing the ship is yours?" Percy asked as he stepped forward in front of the group, Hyperion probably wanted to fight him, if so maybe he could take the fight elsewhere to avoid harming his friends.
"Indeed, though I don't like traveling by sea, I prefer the sky," Hyperion covering his blade with flames.
"So what do you want? A rematch?"
"Tempting, tempting," Hyperion said smiling, "but not now. A rematch would be going against my King's orders."
"I didn't realise you were someone's bitch Hyperion," Percy taunted but the Titan didn't fall for it.
"Enough talk, surrender at once and I will not harm you all," Hyperion said turning from Percy to the others, "resist" he smiled sadistically, "and you will all be killed."
Odysseus snorted as he drew his blade, "you may be a Titan but you are still one, we are many."
"Last time I checked we outnumbered you," Michael said as he drew his bow string back knocking an arrow.
"Really? Count again," Hyperion said strapping his leg on the ground causing a huge shock wave and breaking the stones underneath.
Suddenly the forest came alive in front of them. Slowly the trees parted ways as several new figures revealed themselves.
Percy didn't know where to look, there were so many of them all over the place. It was an entire army of animals each armored and looking like semi humans. There were hundreds of them, lions and rhinos with metal along their horns to be used as a weapon. Percy remembered the bears he fought back in Largo's lair, the Upgraded Bears. Argo must have made an entire army of them for the Titans.
Hyperion smirked, "what do you think?"
Percy glared, "I think that an army of losers still won't make you a winner."
The Titan threw up his head and laughed, "you know I said the exact same thing! But the point is, they may be weak, but there are enough of them for you all."
Marc walked up with his sword and pistol drawn, "we can take them."
Tung!
An arrow flew across the air sailing towards Marc's eyes. Percy used his super speed and caught the arrow before it hit the frenchman.
"Fuck!" Marc yelled out in surprise as he landed on back, "where did that come from."
"There," Percy threw the arrow to the side pointing at the top of the trees which were filled with monkeys wearing archer gear with arrows pointed at them all.
"You can probably survive this Jackson," Hyperion stated, "heck you could probably kill this pathetic army in minutes. But how many of your friends will die in the process?"
Percy gritted his teeth, he knew the answer already. He put his weapon down and lifted his hands up, "I surrender."
"Percy-" Clarisse began to protest when Percy threw her a glare shutting her up.
Hyperion smiled, "I knew you would see to reason." The titan walked up to Percy and looked down at the demigod. He smiled, drew back his fist and punched Percy across the back of the head hard enough to knock him out.
Some time later;
Percy's eyes slowly opened up to see a notification in front of him;
You were knocked out!
Defence — 134,000
Percy sighed, at least his defense was still holding on strong. Percy shook the feeling of numbness from his head and looked down to find himself kneeling on a hard wooden floor.
