𝐹𝒾𝒻𝓉𝒽
"A Tale of Wind and Earth"

Percy leaned on his wooden counter, staring at the blonde daughter of Athena who was continuing to ask him about the Ancients. 

After their chance encounter with one another, Annabeth would sometimes come by the coffee shop and exchange meaningful conversations with Percy. 

Sometimes it was as simple as what happened throughout the day. Sometimes it was to ask something of the Ancients and their interpretation of it. Her project was reaching its deadline after all.

"Oh right!" She reminded herself, "I've been piecing together what type of dynamic I want to be depicted for the Ancients."

Percy raised his brow, "Oh? Do tell."

"So it goes like this," she took a deep breath.

"The primordial of the Flames and Seas are in a relationship. The primordial of Lightning is the glue that binds everyone together. And finally-" her voice trailed to a halt.

"Right, I haven't asked about the last two yet," she gave a small sigh.

"Anyways," she waved her hand dismissively. 

"What do you think?" She asked, raising her eyebrow.

"Oh? You want to know what I think?" He asked, seemingly surprised.

"Mhm. You seem to have pretty good opinions on this matter. I keep having breakthroughs on what to do whenever I ask for your input," she admitted.

He pondered for a moment. 

"Well, it seems unique. I have no doubt someone of your caliber would be able to pull off such an interpretation," he complimented, causing the daughter of Athena to smile as thanks.

"So about the Matriarch of the Skies," she started.

"What about her?" He asked.

She rolled her eyes.

"You know what I mean."

Percy gave a low chuckle, "I merely jest."

For a moment, he stayed silent, trying to rack his brain on what to say. He'd best choose his next words carefully. This was a topic he was all too familiar with.

"The esteemed primordial of the Winds," he chuckled.

"The deity of the wind. The personification of air. The matriarch of the Skies," he listed, "'Tis but one of the many titles she held."

"An often calm and collected person that was kind and just. But like the wind, could also have frightening intimidation," he recounted.

"Inverse to that. A deity of stone. He was as cold and ruthless as the gold he emerged from. But, as the stone he embodies, he has a hard time showing what he truly feels."

He clicked his tongue, continuing his monologue.

"The wind is a powerful force. Most times, it's calm and peaceful. Flowing through the land like a gentle breeze. Other times, a rough and turbulent storm. A powerful force to be reckoned with."

"The wind erodes stones, boulders, mountains. A sculptor of earth and rock. It breaks down its rough exterior and erodes even the toughest of boulders."

"That is to say, the wind deity also erodes the primordial of the earth's tough exterior. She was his foil, so to speak."

"You're insinuating something again..." She said, confused.

"Am I?"

"You definitely are."

"I'm afraid I didn't know, Miss Chase."

"Oh cut the crap," she rolled her eyes.

He chuckled. "Well..."

"Let's just say there's a reason that the primordial of fire came to him, for relationship advice."

She was silent.

Then it clicked.

"No," she said shock and disbelief. 

She slapped his shoulder.

"You're kidding!" She said, still shocked.

He gave a small smile and a shrug.

"No way. They were in a relationship too?" She asked, obviously surprised.

"Perhaps..."

---{+}---

Percy strolled through the green and verdant flower valley, his hands tucked behind his back, and his ears perked to the musings of his fellow Ancient, Celeste.

She would often times recount a story, or often times something interesting that happened in the past few days. More often than not, he would comment on some random detail.

This was their normal. Their everyday life. 

Out of the five Ancients, they were the most inseparable. You would be hard-pressed not to see the two together. 

"So anyways, happy birthday!" She said with such a vibrant smile, a smile so contagious that it would make everyone in the immediate vicinity break into a grin.

"I didn't realize you remembered," he admitted.

She looked at him offended. "Rude. Of course, I'd remember!

She waved her hand dismissively.

"That's beside the point. I have the perfect gift just for the occasion!" She beamed at him.

He looked at her with a quiet curiosity, furrowing his brow, trying to figure out what it was.

She slowly reached a hand in her pocket.

"Now close your eyes," she grinned.

"No."

"Close your eyes," she tried again.

"I'd rather not."

"Oh come on," she crossed her arms. "Relax, I won't suddenly splash you with paint or something."

"But you did. Multiple times actually. I still remember it vividly."

She smiled cheekily. "Well, it was funny."

"But anyways, close your eyes," she waved her hand, motioning him to close his eyes.

He sighed, eventually obliging and closing his eyes begrudgingly.

As he strained his ears, he could faintly hear the sound of Celeste rummaging through her pocket to get the present.

"You can open your eyes now," she called out.

He did as he was told and opened his eyes, fully expecting a splash of paint hurled straight at him at high speeds.

Instead, he was greeted with the sight of Celeste with a big smile, her hands cupping a small beautiful necklace in her hands.

It was a golden gemstone necklace that glinted gold when the sun hit it at just the right spot. He observed the jewelry with peak curiosity, examining it with curious fascination.

"Want to try it on?" She asked, giving a small smile.

He gave a small, appreciative smile.

"Now turn around," she seemed to say. He gave a slight nod and turned his heel.

She grabbed the necklace in her hands and carefully wrapped it around his neck, the necklace a perfect fit. She carefully clasped the necklace in place and gave him a small pat on the shoulder. 

Percy stared at the gemstone necklace with a smile. 

The gemstone seemed to react to him, glinting everyone once in a while. Like it shone brighter with the Overlord of the Earth near it.

"You like it?" She asked.

He gave a quick nod and a smile. "I love it."

She chuckled. "Glad to hear."

"The necklace suits you," she complimented, "thankfully I found the perfect one."

He clicked his tongue, remembering what he was about to say. 

"Speaking of, where did you even manage to find it?" He asked, cupping the necklace like it was the most important thing in the world.

"It's a very long story," she sighed.

"We have time," he deadpanned.

"Very eager, aren't we?" She chuckled.

"Anyways, we were fighting the Earth Lyndworm, right? I believe at the time you were fighting the Lightning Drake with Levina." 

He nodded, gesturing for her to continue.

"So after successfully killing it, of course, it turned into the normal monster dust," she started to explain.

"But, as with all the more powerful monsters, it dropped something. As for the Lyndworm, it dropped an assortment of jewels and rare minerals."

She whistled guiltily, "So, the most sensible thing to do is, you know... Snag the most beautiful one out of them."

"And it just so happened to be a golden diamond-shaped jewel," she gave a look of pride, staring at the necklace.

"I got the gemstone, fashioned it into a necklace, did a bit of design, and bam, the perfect present for the perfect person," she gave a small smile.

Percy held her hands appreciatively, entwining his fingers with hers and rubbing the back of her hand with his thumb. Their signature way of showing affection.

"Thank you. It's truly a wonderful present."

"No problem. Although it is a tad bit more appreciated if you show it more," she joked, elbowing him in the ribs.

"Anyways, we better get going. We have your birthday party to attend," she grabbed him by the hand and dragged him.

Percy's eyebrows furrowed in the confusion.

"Birthday party?"

"Mhm. Yours to be precise," she replied.

"I have a birthday party?" He asked incredulously.

"You won't have one much longer if you don't move your slow ass."

---

"Happy Birthday!" 

A chorus of cheers erupted from the stone table where all of the Ancients stood. With the leaves of the oak tree basking them with shade from the sun, the five primordials enjoyed a round of festivities at Overlord of the Earth's birthday.

Percy looked at his fellow Ancients, seeing their happy expressions.

Levina held a birthday cake, beaming at Percy with a happy smile.

Ignis was in the background, conjuring up small confetti-like fireworks in the background.

Percy blinked, not knowing what to do.

Levina set down the cake at the stone table as the rest followed suit, each of them taking a chair and making themselves comfortable.

"I..." Percy tried to say, "Thank you."

"Truly a master of words," joked Ignis, feigning a look of amazement.

"Looking like he's about to explode from joy, yeah?" Added Celeste, looking at the awkward Overlord of Earth beside her. No monster fazed him. No monster struck fear in him. Yet this one interaction was the one that made him visibly awkward.

"I bet you thought we forgot huh?" Ignis added, staring straight at Percy.

"I did not," said Percy.

"He did," mouthed Celeste with a nod.

"Oh, the agony!" Acted an overdramatic Ignis.

"How low does the esteemed Primordial of Earth think of us..." Said Ignis, turning towards Neptis and shaking her violently.

"Truly a strike to the heart," Levina said in a sad tone.

Celeste could do nothing but chuckle as Percy looked at the ground in embarrassment, as much as he tried to hide it.

"Can you stop it? I want to eat cake already," said an annoyed Neptis who was still getting violently shaken by Ignis.

"Oh right," he said sheepishly.

"But before that," Levina slapped away the encroaching hand of Ignis at the cake.

"We still have gifts we need to give," she continued with a smile.

Ignis crossed his arms in disappointment and stared at Neptis. "Exactly Neptis! How dare you forget."

She rolled her eyes in response.

The primordial of the sea held out her hand, a faint blue light emanating from her hand, basking the whole area in the color of blue.

The light slowly faded, revealing a small silver ring with intricate designs and patterns, radiating with primordial power.

"We made this for you. Us three. Imbued it with our magic so that you can will it to be whatever you want. It has no combat properties. But it does carry a part of us. As long as our bond is strong, the ring will forever shine brightly," Neptis said, placing the silver ring on the center of the table.

Percy's golden eyes naturally drifted to the gift.

"How'd you guys make it?" Percy asked, reaching a hand for the ring.

She shrugged. "Ignis made the ring itself. With his mastery of fire and all, who would've thought he had a talent for smithing?"

"I cooled the metal with my powers, and imbued it with some of my powers," she added.

"Of course, with water having the ability to take any shape, it in turn had the property to be shaped into anything you want," she continued.

"And finally," she turned towards Levina, "with a strike of Levina's lightning, she imbued the ring  with her powers, making it nigh indestructible."

He grabbed the ring and gently wore it on his finger. 

The jewelry seemed to coil around his finger snugly.

Percy gave a small smile, or his best impression of it anyway.

"I- thanks. I appreciate it," he said softly.

Neptis clicked her tongue, giving him a small smile. "You deserve it."

"Now can I get some cake?" Ignis said, obviously impatient.

Percy could feel himself chuckle, albeit quietly.

"Go ahead," motioned Percy, "I won't stop you no longer."

And so they all dug in, grabbing a piece of the cake and eating together, sharing stories, and having an overall good time.

"So, how's your relationship going?" Asked Celeste out of the blue, looking at the two Ancients of Fire and Water.

The two lovebirds shared a look, then turned away in embarrassment, their cheeks red with discomfort and embarrassment

"Oh damn, you guys are moving fast," wiggled Celeste's eyebrows as she enjoyed watching the two squirm in their seats. 

"I get it, I get it, your passion cannot be quelled. I respect it," she raised her hands with a cheeky smile. "Be careful though. I don't want to be an auntie too fast."

Levina spit out her drink in surprise.

"I- It seems I forgot something. I'll be right back!" Ignis said, disappearing in a burst of flames.

"Yeah ditto..." said Neptis. Her form turned to a silhouette of water and disappeared without a trace.

Percy and Celeste shared a look.

"Do you think they're-"

"Don't continue that sentence," said Percy

"But do you really think-"

"Stop."

"What're you guys talking about?" Levina asked.

"We're trying to figure out if the reason they left was if they were embarrassed, or if they got frisky, mid-party," Celeste said with a cheeky grin.

Levina choked on her drink.

Percy sighed. "If you really want my viewpoint. It's not entirely impossible. Wine does certainly change the mind, and thought process."

"So you agree with me?"

"I did no such thing."

"Oh, you're definitely agreeing with me."

---

On a normal calm and serene day, Percy sat atop a small hill, his back pressed up against the bark of the signature oak tree, the shade-giving him the relaxation he so wanted.

He could feel the wind hit his cheek, and the soft hum of the breeze as it permeated throughout the valley he called home.

"Midas," called out a voice.

Percy leaned his head, turning towards the sound.

Celeste stood there, that small but ever-present smile still plastered onto her face. Right beside her was Levina, in her hands held a small blue box.

He turned his body towards them, diverting his attention towards them fully.

"Levina brought you something," said Celeste.

"Oh?" Was all Percy managed to say.

Levina walked forward, clutching the blue box and handing it to him.

"What do I owe the pleasure?" He asked, obviously confused.

"It's blue cookies. Your favorite. I made them just the way you like it," she replied with a smile.

"Ah," he replied, his face ever-stoic, "thank you."

She smiled wholeheartedly and waved him goodbye. She walked down the hill, humming a tune that had stuck in her head for weeks.

Percy turned to the box in his hands, carefully shaking it and hearing the sound of cookies inside.

He leaned back on the oak tree he'd known all well and opened the box.

Immediately his sense of smell was flooded with the sweet aroma of the cookies. The allure of his favorite snack.

He grabbed a cookie and took a bite, setting the box right beside him.

Celeste walked forward and took a seat beside him, resting her back on the oak tree.

The two sat in comfortable silence, with Percy reaching his hand out and grabbing a blue cookie every so often. The breeze was calm. And the rustle of the leaves provided them with some comfort.

"Hey, Midas..." 

He turned to her, the cookie still in his mouth.

"Y'know, it wouldn't hurt to be a tad bit more expressive, don't you think?" She asked, her eyes locked onto the view of the flower valley.

"I don't see the point of this conversation..."

She sighed, leaning back.

"Look, just because you're the Ancient of the Earth, the embodiment of all its qualities and all, doesn't mean your face needs to be like that of a rock."

"Hm?"

"Your face, Midas," she said calmly, "your face never changes."

She chuckled, prying her eyes on him and turning to the view in front of them.

"Did you know, the last time that Levina gave you the cookies, she wasn't sure if you liked them or not. Because your face never changes expressions. A constant stone faced deity."

She gave a small sigh and chuckled. "Of course, I told her afterward."

She could hear the conversation echo throughout her brain.

"He loved the cookies."

"Oh really?! Thank Chaos. I thought he didn't like it."

She grabbed a wind lily that was blooming near the oak tree. She fiddled with it, trying to reorganize her thoughts. 

"That's why she went the extra mile today. She brought more than last time. She made a whole box because she was happy that you loved them," she said.

She shrugged. "Look, I know this isn't going to get through that thick head of yours."

"But Midas, your friends..."

"Your friends would love to know what's happening inside that thick head of yours."

---

The day was done. The sun has long since set, with the moon taking its place. The night was dark and gloomy, but these facts just made the stars in the night sky all the more beautiful. A small beacon of light shining through the barren darkness.

Celeste slumped, resting her back on the oak tree, her chest aching from all the laughing. The two had just come off of the birthday celebration of Celeste. After the festivities, they decided to hang out a bit more beside their favorite oak tree before calling it a night.

"Geez, I did not expect Ignis and Levina to do a wine-drinking contest," she chuckled out.

"Mhm. Seems their liquor intake is bottomless," agreed Percy.

"Best birthday party I could ask for," she chuckled.

"You brought him back to his tent, right? Was he heavy? He was so blackout drunk, I would've left him on the spot," joked Celeste

He shrugged. "A reasonable amount. You forget that I had Neptis help me with carrying him back to his bed."

"Fair, fair."

"I'm so tired," she groaned out.

Percy sat beside her, looking at the night sky and admiring their beauty.

"How about you?" She asked, turning her attention to him. "Still not tired?"

He shook his head, intertwining his fingers with hers, displaying his affection for her in even the smallest of gestures.

"Well- I... I wanted to give you something," he started to say, rubbing the back of her hand with his thumb.

A soft smile started to spring from her face. She wanted to tease him, but held herself off, letting him continue.

He plucked a small wind lily and turned towards her. 

He cupped her face in his palms, slowly tilting her to the side and placing the lily on her ear. It suited her.

He stood up, dusting the dirt from his clothing and walking in front of her.

She crossed her arms, raising her brow in amused anticipation.

He held his hands out, his eyes glowing a faint gold.

Around them, small glinting crystals of all varieties started to spring out of the ground, providing a warm light around the area. The whole hill was basked in the warm yellow that emanated from the crystals. A warmth amidst the pitch black and cold darkness of the night.

She smiles, feeling her heart flutter. "Thank you."

His eyes started to become more and more luminescent. His golden hands emitting a golden glow.

"That isn't the gift."

Her mind did a double take, obviously confused.

Until she wasn't.

The sky woke up. 

It turned lively.

Behind him, multiple streaks of gold and white whizzed past the night sky, providing a once-in-a-lifetime view that took her breath away.

The stars that seemed to be so impressive before, were nothing compared to the whizzing streaks of gold and white that darted the previously barren night sky.

The sky seemed to fill with warmth and life. 

The shooting stars zipped through the night sky filling it with life and wonder. The dark and cold night was now a show of wonder and spectacle. The cold unfeeling night came alive.

It was the time the night glowed.

She stood up, her mouth agape and her eyes filled with wonder and awe.

Her eyes were locked onto the night sky, her heart fluttering with joy never before seen. The small soft and kind smile that was always seen on her face reached up to her cheek. She felt the most loved she had ever been.

The meteor shower continued. Zipping past the night sky and providing all the inhabitants of the world with a show to die for.

She turned towards the perpetrator, covering her mouth in shock, her eyes showing small tears of happiness.

"How did you do that?" She asked her voice breaking.

"Well," he gave a small shrug, "it turns out, some meteors have a surprising amount of gold in them."

"You little blockhead," she said and jumped him, pinning him to the ground.

She pelted him with kisses and showered him with praise and affection. She laughed as he tried to scurry away, but was locked into her death grip.

"Oh, you aren't getting away from me tonight."

And so, the two stayed there. With nothing but the soft glow of the crystals, and each other.

And with the glow of the meteor shower above them, they were the happiest they had ever been.

Word Count
3361
Words

A/N
Heya, how's everyone doing?