Chapter 63: Bonding

Meanwhile, Percy and Grover went to meet Chiron…

"Alex, who is he?" Annabeth asked.

"Percy, he's a newcomer to the camp."

"Percy… Okay, let's start our practice." She said, with her curiosity now satisfied.

After an hour, Percy and Grover returned. Alex noticed their arrival and asked Grover, "Did you finish your tour?"

"Yes, and Percy also met with Chiron," Grover confirmed.

"So, Percy, now that you know about your father, how do you feel about him?" Alex said.

"Nothing changes my feelings for him," Percy replied.

"Well, it's understandable. Anyone would feel the same in your situation."

"Your father hasn't been there for you at all since you were a kid," Alex added, then turned to Grover and asked, "Grover, what about the problem he is facing now?"

"Chiron said he is going to take Percy to Olympus," Grover explained. "We need to convince the gods that he is not the lightning thief."

"Convincing the gods won't be a simple task," Alex remarked.

"Yeah! They are unreasonable and selfish."

"Hey, don't forget, I'm also a god," Alex interjected.

"Except for you, Alex," Grover added with a smile.

"So, Alex, how powerful are you compared to the gods of Olympus?" Percy inquired.

"I can beat all of them in one-on-one combat."

"But if they were to attack me simultaneously, I mightn't be able to fight them off."

"Wow, Alex, you are that powerful?" Percy marveled.

"I've said this a thousand times already. Yes." Alex grumbled.

"So, Percy, are you ready to begin your training?" Alex asked.

"Yes," Percy replied.

"Grover, take him to get some armor."

"Percy, come with me. We're going to get you some armor," Grover directed, leading Percy away.

"Alex, why don't we take a break?" Annabeth suggested.

"I'm fine with that," Alex agreed, laying down on the grass, resting his hands under his head as Annabeth sat next to him.

"Alex, you mentioned that there are beings above the gods. They truly exist?" Annabeth inquired.

"Annabeth, the universe is vast," Alex began. "Earth is just an insignificant planet within it. While the gods may be powerful here on Earth, it may not be the case in the greater universe."

"There are many existences out there, many times stronger than the gods," Alex continued.

"Then why haven't they come to Earth?" Annabeth said.

"The lower worlds are governed by their laws," Alex explained. "These laws prevent beings from surpassing their designated limits. If those higher existences were to come, they would have to suppress their strength."

Annabeth, feeling confused about how Alex knew so much about the universe, asked, "How do you know so much about them?"

"It's a secret. I'll tell you when the time comes," Alex replied mysteriously.

"Alex, can you tell me about the outside world?" Annabeth said.

"Why do you want to know about the outside world?"

"To be honest, I haven't left this camp since childhood, so anything," Annabeth confessed.

"Why?"

"You may not know, Alex, but outside the camp, it's dangerous for a half-blood to survive," Annabeth explained.

"Is the situation that bad?"

"Yes, many half-bloods die before they can even reach camp," Annabeth confirmed.

"Okay, then. One of these days, I will take you to see the outside world."

"Really?" Annabeth's eyes lit up.

"Definitely. You can enjoy yourself," Alex assured her.

"Thank you," Annabeth expressed her gratitude and gave him a warm hug.

Unbeknownst to them, Percy and Grover were observing their conversation from a distance.

"Hey, don't you think they're getting a little too close?" Percy remarked.

"Yeah, I can't believe my eyes," Grover responded.

"At their first meeting, Annabeth was chasing Alex as if she wanted to kill him,"

"But yesterday, after their fight, she started acting completely different."

"Can people become this close in just one day?" Percy pondered.

"But you have to believe it, Percy. Can't you see it right in front of your eyes?" Grover pointed out.

Meanwhile, Alex stood up and made his way toward where Grover and Percy were hiding.

"Hey, Grover, I think Alex is coming towards us," Percy alerted.

"Yeah," Grover acknowledged. "Let's just act normally."

They both stood up and approached Alex.

"So, what are you two doing, hiding over there?"

"Nothing. We just came here for Percy's practice," Grover explained.

"Yeah," Percy chimed in.

"So, you came here for practice," Alex stated. "Why don't we ask Annabeth to help you practice?"

"No, no, no. We'll ask someone else," Grover quickly intervened, trying to prevent their demise.

"Why don't we ask her?" Percy suggested.

"No, there will be no practice. She'll squash you like a bug," Grover warned.

"Is she really that strong?" Percy inquired.

"Yeah, she's one of the best fighters in the camp," Grover affirmed. "If you were to fight her, I'd have to drag your body away."

At that moment, Alex shouted in the direction where Annabeth was sitting, "Annabeth, these guys want to fight with you!"

Hearing that, Grover hastily interjected, "No, no, no. We just came to say hi to Alex. You can take a rest, Annabeth."

"Percy, let's go. This guy wants to see us getting beaten up by her," Grover said, pulling Percy along.

"Where are you two going? If you want, I also can help you practice," Alex offered.

"No need for that, Alex. We'll find someone else," Grover declined, turning his back away to leave and pulling Percy along.

"You're too much for Percy to handle!" He shouted before slowly disappearing from view.

"Okay, train him properly. There's a game tomorrow," Alex shouted back. "Otherwise, he might get injured before it even starts."

After Grover and Percy left, Annabeth joined Alex.

"Let's eat something. I'm hungry," Annabeth said.

"Sure," Alex agreed, and they both headed to where everyone was having lunch.

After the meal, Alex left Annabeth to practice his Chaos power in solitude.

After 8 hours of training, Alex stopped and went to sleep in his cabin.