The Sons of Light and Dark

I Thought Ouranos Liked Me?

Percy POV

We walked up the mountain after telling Lilly, the only one of us who wasn't a demigod, to stay behind and soon came across the garden of the Hesperides.

"Breathe," I told Zoe. She did.

Circling the tree that held the golden apples of immortality was Ladon. Some of his heads had raised to look at us. Lilly was hiding behind Summer, who was holding her knife towards the beast threateningly.

"Easy," I said softly. "He won't attack us if we don't go for the apples."

"What's so important about them?" Summer whispered.

"They are the apples of immortality." Zoe answered. "Zeus's wedding gift to Hera."

At that moment, four girls who had an unmistakable likeness to Zoe appeared a few feet away from the tree.

"Hello, sisters," Zoe said calmly.

"We do not see any sister," one of them snarled. "Only two hunters and four demigods."

"That's cold," I commented.

The eldest one narrowed her gaze at me. "Perseus Triest," she said.

"Seems that you know me," I grinned.

"I know of thy name and thy achievements," she said. "They do not impress me."

"Good," I said. "Someone who doesn't think I'm going to save the world."

"You will not defeat our father, boy," the youngest threatened.

"Not alone," I agreed. "But I've got some powerful friends right here."

"You won't be able to defeat my father if you cannot even defeat me," the eldest said.

"Aegle, now is not the time," I told her, trying to seem bored. "If you want a fight, let's fight. I've stood toe to toe with your sister." Aegle narrowed her eyes at me.

"Then let us fight, and see who survives," She lunged at me with surprising speed. My sword appeared in my hand and I blocked her swipe with her sword, almost an exact replica of Riptide.

She jumped back but I didn't let her catch her breath. I jabbed at her and she sidestepped. She slashed at me from the right and I countered. I hooked her blade underneath mine and yanked at it hard. Her sword was ripped from her grip and my sword was at her neck a second later. She panted, seething.

"It seems that I have won," I breathed deeply. "Now, we will go and you will not call Ladon to harm us." She nodded carefully. I removed my blade from her neck and stepped back. I'm going to have to give my sword a name soon. I'm pretty sure Michael already has one for his, and Nico probably does too.

I stepped back and none of them made any movements. I let out a breath. "Until next time, ladies," I smiled. I turned back to the others and began to lead them up the hill.

"One of you will die," the eldest called.

"Not if I have anything to say about it," I muttered, my fists clenching.

We continued on in silence. I could feel the anticipation and fear rolling off Killian and Summer in waves. Chloe was fidgeting with an arrow while Zoe was taking deep breaths. I stopped at the entrance to the clearing.

"There's no going back after we walk through there," I said, staring ahead. "If you do not feel up to it, stay here." I looked at Summer and Killian. "You two aren't experienced enough. I don't want either of you dying."

"We will watch out for each other," Summer said confidently even though she was trembling. Her pink eyes flitted around nervously.

"Killian," I addressed the son of Hyperion. "There might be someone there holding Thalia hostage. I want you to take Summer and go fight him. Rely on each other. He's a master sword man."