DA : Chapter 30: Coming Together I

"To find our heir …"

Everyone stood stock silent as they looked between Jason and the couple of protogenoi. Percy for his part was rather surprised at the turn of events.

For one, he hadn't even been counting on ever adding Jason to their ranks but at least getting him to bow out of the fight. Now not only was he willingly joining but he'd been offered to become an heir for two protogenoi.

He thought that was an odd case only for him and his sister. He, because of all the different curses and blessings he'd endured had strengthened his body to the point it could tolerate the combined power of Erebus and Nyx, twins and second children of Lady Chaos.

While rejecting the blood of Poseidon and removing Gaea's power left the necessary space for it … otherwise he could have spontaneously combusted from power overload with just their blessings.

His sister was in a similar boat with the minor blessing from Artemis and the combined domains of Eros and Phanes wasn't necessarily a domain of raw power like many of the other protogenoi.

But for Jason to have the potential to absorb the power of Day, Light, and Upper Atmosphere without the additional temperament of some curses or major blessings was impressive.

That and it was funny that Ouranus didn't come running to claim him first or something. After a few minutes of silence Jason broke it with a stuttering, "w-what!?"

"You heard us," Aether said without missing a beat. "We want you to become our heir."

"So do you accept?" Hemera continued with a cute tilt of the head.

"I …" Jason looked a little overwhelmed to even think about it properly, luckily Nyx came to his rescue.

"Okay, hold on for a second. Give the boy a few minutes, he just got here," Nyx said while stepping beside Jason and putting a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"Just think on it for a while, maybe even sleep on it. There are already guest rooms prepared for you and Nico so no rush." She then turned to Percy.

"While he digests the offer, let's get to Medusa and Lamia. Tartarus, will you help us with this one?"

"Might as well, otherwise you two might take forever," Tartarus muttered as he walked for the exit, completely ignoring the tongue Nyx was sticking out at him.

Percy chuckled as he soon followed after with the others filing along to watch. It took a few minutes but they soon were out in the same courtyard with the familiar white oak tree in the center.

He heard their new guests gasp and awe at the sight making him puff out his chest proudly … only for Rhea to elbow him playfully. He grinned at her before stepping beside Tartarus and Nyx before turning to face Medusa and Lamia as the pair stopped in front of them.

Rhea and the others stood off to the side silently as they watched on. Percy then glanced at Nyx to see if she would start things off. She gave him a nod before doing just that while looking at the two monster woman.

"Medusa, before we begin I need you to remove your shades and shawl." She raised her hand before Medusa could protest.

"You should already know that your curse won't affect a primordial or even a demi-primordial fully."

Medusa sighed before nodding as she took off her shades first before slowly removing her shawl to reveal the nest of brown pit vipers that made up her hair.

Percy felt the familiar pain course through him and now he realized why Nyx wanted Tartarus to help. It was so that he could still be a part of lifting the curse to ensure loyalty from both women while also to cover in case Percy loses concentration from the pain.

Nyx soon raised her hand, aiming her palm at the women and Percy mirrored her actions along with Tartarus.

Nyx softly counted to three before they focused their power into their palms and then shot three mixed rays of dark power at Medusa and Lamia.

They immediately crumpled to their knees and screamed in agony but Percy and the others didn't stop. He could actually feel the power of their curses fighting back against him, desperately trying to cling on to the essence of the monster women like parasites.

They kept focused though, meticulously flushing out the traces of Olympian energy out of them while also not destroying them in the process.

For an hour they stood there, their audience enraptured into the spectacle as Medusa and Lamia's screams grew weaker and weaker. Then, finally the dark energy dissipated from the two previously monster women panting on the ground.

Percy also buckled to one knee after having spent a far larger amount of power than he had expected. 'Those curses were dug in tight,' he grumbled as he panted, Rhea and Andromeda already at his side looking at him in concern.

He sent them a small smile for reassurance as he forced himself to his feet and glanced at Nyx.

She had a light sweat but otherwise looked fine, Tartarus looking immaculate as well. He then looked at the women and blushed at the sight.

He wasn't sure why or how but apparently removing curses includes destroying clothes leaving Medusa and Lamia as bare as the days they were born. He would be lying if he said he didn't appreciate the sight.

Medusa's coppery skin with a generous bust, wide hips, and now her dark brown, nearly black hair with glowing green eyes.

Lamia as well with the addition of mile-long human legs complementing her naturally beautiful face and bright blue eyes. He would have kept staring but Rhea huffed beside him while slapping her hand over his eyes while muttering 'men'.

Andromeda giggled to his other side while he just stayed silent. He then heard the ruffle of cloth before Rhea removed her hand, letting him see that both women were now covered in black cloaks provided by Nyx.

He glanced to the side and saw Eros chuckling as Jason stared straight up while blushing and as for Nico … he looked kinda bored.

After everyone settled down Medusa and Lamia looked at themselves before beaming at Percy with tears in their eyes. They soon rushed forward to tackle him into a hug, all the while screaming 'Thank you!' over and over again.

He chuckled at that before returning a brief hug. Once they got back Nyx cleared her throat before looking at Medusa and Lamia intently.

"Now ladies, just so you know we didn't remove the curses completely."

"What!?" Medusa said in surprise but Nyx raised a hand to keep her quiet before continuing.

"The curses have been there for so long that they are practically part of your very essence. We removed enough so that you can control them at will now.

Medusa, you can focus on when you want to turn someone to stone and even reverse it if you do by accident … as long as you do it within about 3 minutes, otherwise their goners.

As for Lamia, you won't hunger after children anymore and you can will your legs to change along with retaining all the senses you had before."

Medusa and Lamia took a moment to digest that before smiling while nodding.

"Now the choice is yours if you want to fight or live peacefully. As you are now the gods won't be able to find you or even recognize you," Percy added while looking between the pair.

Medusa and Lamia glanced at each other before nodding together while looking back at Percy and saying, "We'll fight by your side!"

"Great!" Nyx chirped as she looked at Medusa. "I've been needing someone to teach my fighting style to."

"What about me?" Lamia asked while pointing at herself.

"Mmmm …" Nyx hummed while looking her up and down. "I could help train you to be Medusa's partner. You're good with archery right?"

Lamia nodded to that and Nyx smiled back. "Then you'll be trained as a specialized scouting pair I'll train and when the time is right, Percy will give you minor blessings to let you shadow travel at will and blend in better with the darkness."

"Why me? You could bless them now," Percy questioned as he looked at Nyx.

"Because when I pass, so does my blessing," Nyx replied offhandedly.

"Oh."

"So … what now?" Andromeda asked while looking around.

"How about some rest?" Rhea asked eagerly. "It's been an eventful day and honestly I think everyone is physically or emotionally tired so sleep please."

Nyx looked like she wanted to argue that, ever the one to get things done quickly even if she wasn't feeling her best but apparently thought better of it as she nodded.

"Fine go rest …" everyone gave a relieved sigh at that but Nyx had more to say.

"… But I expect everyone up early tomorrow! Percy, you have some more chatting to do along with Nico visiting Thalia and Jason, you can make a trip to Frank and Hazel after you talk with Hemera and Aether about their offer.

As for Medusa and Lamia … well, pray to Lady Chaos because your training starts," she finished with an ominous giggle making the two women gulp nervously.

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Don't forget to throw some power Stones, to keep the story going.

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