Chapter 8

I found myself standing on a balcony that overlooked a seemingly endless void. The emptiness stretched out before me, both fascinating and unsettling. Confusion clouded my thoughts, and I couldn't comprehend how I had arrived here. "Where the hell am I? Why am I here?"

To my surprise, a deep, resonant voice replied, "You are here because I brought you here, Perseus Jackson."

Startled, I turned to face the source of the voice. There, standing before me, was a tall African man dressed in a sleek black suit. His long black hair was in dreadlocks that fell like waves, he wore a black ram's skin draped over his shoulder, and he held a stylish metal cane with a derby handle.

The man approached me with an air of grace and charisma, offering his hand. "My name is Erebus." he said. I slowly took it. "And you have caught the attention of some powerful beings, Perseus."

"Ah, You are the primordial, Erebus?" I asked, "I apologise for not bowing, but I believe you have to earn respect not just be given it."

"It is quite alright, in truth the only immortals that want that respect and worship are those Olympians and the minor gods. We Primordials and the Titans after us all believe in earning respect by using our powers to help mortals live on this planet. Believe it or not but the first generation of humans lived side by side with us. we helped each other. Though sadly your father, Zeus killed them and had Prometheus create a new generation of humans that they forced to worship them."

"Wow the more you know. So who's attention did I recieve?" I asked.

"Nyx, Tartarus, and I. We three have been watching you ever since you defeated the King of the Hellhounds. Ever since the pack of hellhound have been residing in Tartarus not knowing who to follow and what to even do."

"What does that have to do with anything, no offense."

Erebus chuckled softly, the sound echoing in the ethereal expanse. "None taken. Nyx created the Hellhounds you see, before ShadowFang took charge they simply lived in coexistance with the humans their desendants later became the wolves and the dogs that exist today.."

"Wow, I didn't know that."

Erebus placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "Well, it was a shock to us three, in fact after some deciding we are going to bless you with some gifts. Nyx has given you full control of the Hellhound pack, as their true King. Lord Tartarus and I have decided to give you a unique ability we call, Shadow Enslavment."

"You're joking, I don't want to be king." I sighed. "And what is Shadow Enslavement?"

"You have no choice, as for Shadow Enslavement. It is a skill that allows you to turn anyone into a loyal servant. Though knowing you, you will get their permission first before using it."

I furrowed my brow, my curiosity piqued. "Right....so, why am I here? What do you, Nyx and Tartarus want from me?"

Erebus met my gaze with an intense look. "Right, besides the gift there is something that happened and we were hoping that you could help."

"What is it?"

"One of the hellhounds was bitten by an empusa and she ended up turning into a human."

"Yeah sure I don't mind helping out." I sighed.

"Great! Nyx will drop her off when she is done healing her and making sure her body is okay."

"By the way is she a full human?" I asked.

"No I believe she is a dog version of a Nekomata." Erebus grinned.

"You gotta be kidding me."

Erebus laughed as he faded from my sight, and I found myself waking up in my dorm room. His message left me with more questions than answers.

<--------------------------- >

The finals soon arrived, and many students could be seen studying for them; I spent much time tutoring and training. I also kept an eye on Grover, who became a third member of our little group. A few days later, I was walking down the school hall as I always do when I need to think when I came to Mr. Brunner's office and heard voices.

A voice that was Grover's said, "... worried about Percy, sir."

I was not usually an eavesdropper, but I was pretty curious to hear my name. Peeking inside, I saw Grover talking to Mr. Brunner, who was, for once not, sitting in his wheelchair; from the waist down, he was a black stallion.

"Percy is going to be alone this summer," Grover said. "I mean, a Kind One in the school! Now that we know for sure, and they know too—"

"We would only make matters worse by rushing him," Mr. Brunner said. "We need the boy to mature more."

"Mature more?! Chiron Percy is the smartest demigod I have ever met; he knows more than we thought he did. The summer solstice deadline— "

"Will have to be resolved without him, Grover. Let him enjoy his ignorance while he still can."

"Sir, with all due respect, we both know Percy is not ignorant. Remember what he told you at the Museum? It was hard, but I found the Norse Demigod!" This caught Chiron's attention.

"Who is this demigod?" Chiron questioned.

"Nancy Bobofet, sir. She is always with Percy, so I got close to sniffing her when she was alone, and she smells like a frost giant."

"We have no choice but to bring her to camp also," Chiron muttered.

"Sir, I ... I can't fail in my duties again," Grover's voice was choked with emotion. "You know what that would mean."

"You haven't failed, Grover," Chiron said kindly. "I should have seen her for what she was. Now let's worry about keeping Percy alive until next fall; I feel he is the child of the Prophecy," The sound of a book falling outside was heard, and Chiron went silent. I manipulated the shadow to cover me and make me invisable.

I watched in interest as Chiron drew a bow and left the room. I could hear him walking around, and somewhere in the hallway, Chiron spoke. "Nothing," he murmured. "My nerves haven't been right since the winter solstice."

"Mine neither," Grover said. "But I could have sworn ..."

"Go back to the dorm," Chiron told him. "You've got a long day of exams tomorrow."

"Don't remind me." The lights went out in Chiron's office. I waited in the dark for what seemed like forever. Finally, I slipped out into the hallway and made my way back up to the dorm.

Nancy was lying on my bed, studying her Latin exam notes. I raised my eyebrow when I noticed she was wearing my hoodie.

"Hey," I said, bleary-eyed. "Are you going to be ready for this test?" I plopped down on my bed and leaned against the wall.

"Yeah, I think I can pass; you look awful." She frowned. "Is everything okay?"

"Just... tired." I yawned and, grabbing my things, went to the bathroom to get ready for bed.

<----------------------------- >

The next afternoon, as we were leaving the three-hour Latin exam, Nancy was complaining about how hard the exam was. I heard Chiron calling me back and told Nancy to rest up as the testing was done. Chiron congratulated me and told me I would be leaving this year; when Chiron asked about how I knew Nancy was a demigod, I pretended I didn't understand what Chiron was talking about and left.

The Finals results arrived and were posted, and no surprise, I was the top scorer in the school, Nancy getting second; what was a surprise was that no student failed the final thanks to my tutoring. Except for Sophia and her friends, she forced them not to attend my classes.

On the last day of the term, I packed my things and put them in my suitcase. To my amusement, I realized my hoodie was missing. The other guys were joking around, talking about their vacation plans. One of them was going on a hiking trip to Switzerland. Another was cruising the Caribbean for a month. They were juvenile delinquents, but they were rich juvenile delinquents. Their daddies were executives, ambassadors, or celebrities.

They asked me what I'd be doing this summer; I held a finger to my lips in amusement and replied that it was a secret, but it was life-changing.

"Oh, come on, Jackson," one of the guys said. "Can't you tell us what this awesome secret is?" I shook my head and walked away, telling them they would see next year, getting them to complain before starting to talk to each other, wondering what I would be doing.

The only person I dreaded saying goodbye to was Nancy; I hugged her and told her not to lose my hoodie, causing her to flabbergast and blush.

I ruffled her hair and left, telling her goodbye before heading off. As I walked out of the school gate, I saw Paul waiting in his car. He greeted me with a warm smile, and I hopped in, eager to get home and relax.

"Hey, Percy," Paul began as he pulled away from the school. "How was the last day of school?"

I settled into the seat, feeling the weight of the past school year lifting off my shoulders. "It was good, just glad to be done with finals."

Paul nodded, as we chatted about random topics during the drive. It was a comfortable and easy conversation, something I cherished about my relationship with Paul.

When we got home, I dropped my things off in my room and grabbed a book I'd been reading, "The Song of Achilles." It was a beautiful story, and I looked forward to diving back into it.

Mom soon arrived home a few minutes later, and we greeted her with smiles and hugs. Estella, my adorable baby sister, was with her. She babbled happily, and I couldn't help but grin at her infectious enthusiasm. She was only a few months old and she was already trying to talk.

After Sally had freshened up, and went to the kitchen to prepare lunch as I filled her in on the latest happenings at school as Paul made weird faces and played with Estelle. It was a typical day in our little home. Lucifer was asleep in the middle of the carpet with Corvus nuzzled up to him. Didn't Erebus say that the hellhound girl was coming soon, what was their name?"

An hour later we all gathered around the dining table, and the delicious aroma of Mom's cooking filled the room. As we ate, I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation bubbling inside me.

"So," I finally mustered the courage to say, "I have two pieces of news to share."

"What's the first one?" Paul asked.

"We will soon have another member in our little family. Apparently one of the hellhounds in Tartarus was bit by an Empusa and got turned into a human. So Lady Nyx and Lord Erebus have asked is we could take care of her."

"Of course! No question asked." Paul asked, confused. "And who are Nyx and Erebus? And what is a Empusa?"

"An Empusa is a demon shapeshifter woman that has one donkey leg and a metal leg." My mom spoke up. "They are like vampires but they only go after the male species and eat them." Paul blanched at the information.

"And Nyx and Erebus are the Primordials of Night and Shadows respectfully. Nyx will be dropping the girl off." I added. as Paul did a spit-take.

"A goddess is coming here!" Paul started to panic. "Why didn't you tell me!"

"Relax, you don't need to worry so much about it." I responded. Paul nodded slowly, still wrapping his head around it. "As for my other news, soon I'll be heading to camp."

Sally's expression shifted, her eyes filled with a mixture of concern and motherly love. Paul, ever the thoughtful stepfather, nodded thoughtfully. It was clear that both of them were worried about my decision, and their parental instincts kicked in.

"Are you sure, Percy?" Sally's voice held a soft, worried tone. "You know what kind of place it is. The second you enter Camp, everyone will know about you—the gods, the monsters, and all those other powerful beings. You'll constantly be in danger."

I appreciated their concern, and I knew they were only looking out for me. But I had made up my mind, and I needed them to understand that.

"Mom, it's okay," I reassured her, my eyes meeting hers with a determined gaze. "I've thought about it a lot, and it just feels like the right time. Besides, you really think that they stand a chance against me?"

Sally sighed, her maternal worry evident. She picked at her food, her thoughts swirling like a brewing storm. It was a difficult decision for her, as any mother would find it hard to let go of their child, especially when they knew the perils that awaited them.

"If you're sure..." she finally muttered, her voice tinged with a mix of resignation and acceptance. She reached out to pat my hand, a small, loving gesture that spoke volumes.

I gave her a reassuring smile, knowing that my path wouldn't be easy but believing it was necessary. Together, we continued our meal, each of us lost in our thoughts until a knock at the door broke the silence.

I was finishing up dinner when I heard a knock at the door. Curious, I got up from the table and made my way to the entrance, wondering who it could be. When I opened the door, my eyes widened in surprise.

Standing there was a girl with striking features that instantly captured my attention. She had glistening black retriever ears perched atop her head, and a long, fluffy tail of the same color swayed behind her. Her features were a blend of elegance and youthful charm. Almond-shaped amber eyes sparkled with curiosity, and her long, obsidian hair cascaded down her back in gentle waves.

Behind her was a taller woman, she had almond skin, and raven black hair, and massive black feathered wings. Her eyes looked like the night sky with specks of stars sprinkled in them. She wore a dark indigo Greek-style dress with an armband on her right arm.

"Hi, I'm Jackie." The hellhound girl spoke up. "I was told to come here. I am looking for my Kin- uhm I mean, I am looking for Perseus Jackson." as she introduced herself, had a warm smile that instantly put me at ease. She was dressed in a stylish outfit that complemented her unique appearance. She wore a white, off-the-shoulder blouse paired with high-waisted, black jeans that hugged her figure gracefully. A silver necklace with a dog-shaped pendant adorned her neck, matching the theme of her inumimi characteristics.

"I'm Percy, I was expecting you, come in." I responded opening the door wider.

"Thank you, my King." Jackie stepped inside with a cheerful demeanor, The older woman winked at me before leaving withought a word. I closed the door behind her. As we walked back to the dining area, I introduced her to my mom and Paul, who were still seated at the table. Lucifer ignored us and simply slept.

"Mom, Paul, this is Jackie," I said with a warm smile. "She's the one I was talking about a minute ago. Jackie, my mom, Sally, and my stepdad, Paul. The wolf pup sleeping there is Lucifer and the black bird is named Corvus."

My mom and Paul greeted Jackie warmly, making her feel right at home. "It's so lovely to meet you, Jackie," my mom said with a kind smile.

"Yeah, welcome to the family," Paul added, extending his hand for a friendly handshake. Jackie's eyes lit up with happiness as she shook Paul's hand and exchanged pleasantries with my mom.

"Alright! As a welcoming vacation we are going to Montauk for the weekend." Paul announced.

"The same cabin?" My eyes lit up with excitement, as I grinned. Turns out Paul loved going to the beach and ironically we always went to the same beach and cabin in the original series.

Sally smiled back at me, her concern momentarily forgotten. "That's right. It'll be a nice little getaway before camp."

After lunch, we made sure that the car was loaded up with everything we'd need for our trip, from suitcases to beach towels, and even a cooler filled with snacks and refreshments.

The drive itself was a delightful adventure filled with laughter and music. The car's speakers serenaded us with our favorite tunes, and we couldn't help but join in, singing along at the top of our lungs. The miles melted away as we shared anecdotes and cracked jokes, making the trip feel shorter than it was.

When we finally arrived at the cabin, it was a quaint little place, nestled amidst the tranquil beauty of Montauk. Surrounded by lush greenery and just a short walk from the beach, it was the perfect retreat for our family getaway. The cabin welcomed us with open arms, and we spent the afternoon cleaning it up and getting everything in order, transforming it into our cozy haven for the next few days.

Once we were done with our chores, the lure of the beach was impossible to resist. The salty breeze kissed our cheeks as the vast ocean stretched out before us, its waves beckoning us to come closer. We eagerly obliged, and the rest of the day was a blur of pure seaside joy.

We frolicked in the waves, laughing as we tried to outswim them or ride them like playful dolphins. We joined forces to build sandcastles, our creativity and teamwork bringing intricate structures to life. And, of course, we had a friendly game of beach volleyball, the sun-warmed sand beneath our feet making every jump and dive an exhilarating experience.

As the sun began its graceful descent toward the horizon, we gathered around a campfire on the beach. We roasted blue marshmallows on sticks, carefully turning them golden brown, and then sandwiched them between graham crackers and chocolate to make mouthwatering s'mores. The crackling of the fire provided a soothing background to our evening, and the sweet, gooey marshmallow goodness filled our senses.

As the evening unfolded, the campfire became a stage for storytelling. We each took turns telling stories as Corvus nestled in my hair. Jackie cuddled by my side with Lucifer on her lap.