I 016. I

𝑯𝒐𝒓𝒏𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑺𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒔

❝ bow to wisdom ❞

     ARES STOOD BY HIS MOTORCYCLE. In all black despite the heat, his sunglasses placed over his face while a baseball bat rested over his shoulder. What she would give to crack it over his head stab him with it until Ichor bled from the cuts and onto the white sand.

Percy and Ariadne seethed at the sight of him, the big clenching his fists tightly while she gave a heated glare that could light the god on fire if she had the powers to do so.

"I don't believe it," Annabeth shook her head. "We went all that way—"

"It was a trick," Percy cut her off. His voice cracked slightly, but no one question why incase he blew up on them. "A strategy worthy of Athena."

He stood barefoot in the sand since he gave Grover his shoes to keep his hooves covered, and she questioned if the sand burned.

Annabeth gave him a warning gaze, "Hey."

"You guys get it, don't you?" He asked them, to which both girls nodded. The blonde's anger fizzled away, while the brunette's still remained.

"Yeah, Perc, we get it."

Grover was not caught up, "Well, I don't! How could have..."

Ariadne was almost at her breaking point, and this time, she would run Ares over with his own motorcycle. The girl was almost towards her violence stage, days without her medicine was taking its toll and that was dangerous. And she wasn't worried for herself, more so for her friends.

Percy shook his head, tears close to falling from his eyes. "The Prophecy was right. 'You shall go west and face the god who turned.' But it wasn't Hades. Hades didn't want a war between the Big Three. Someone else pulled off the theft. Someone stole Zeus's master bolt and Hades's helmet and framed me because I'm Poseidon's mid. Poseidon will get blamed by both sides. By sundown, there will be a three-way war. And I'll have caused it."

Guilt and anger were hot in her blood, Percy didn't deserve this, he truly didn't. He deserved to not have the world on his shoulders, but that was not the case, all because a stupid and selfish war god wanted a full blown war between Olympians.

They walked closer to Ares, "Hey, kid. You were supposed to die."

"You tricked me," Percy's eyes were hurricanes waiting to break. "You stole them helmet and the master bolt."

Ares seemed proud of himself, "Well, now, I didn't steal him personally. Gods taking each other's symbols of power— that's a big no-no: but you're not the only hero in the world who can run errands."

Ariadne stepped forward, "Who did you use? I doubt it was Clarisse. But who?"

The god let a cruel smirk form on his face, "Ariadne Phoenix. Aphrodite's been asking about you, how was being dead for a couple minutes?" She growled before he looked back at Percy, "The point is, kid, you're impeding the war effort. See, you've got to die in the Underworld. Then Old Seaweed will be mad at Hades for killing you. Corpse Breath will have Zeus's master bolt, so Zeus'll be mad at him. And Haded is still looking for this..."

He reached into his pocket and removed a black ski mask, placed it between the bikes' handlebars. It changed into a war helmet, shining of bronze.

Grover gasped, "The helmet of darkness."

"Exactly," Ares nodded. Now where was I? Oh yeah, Hades will be mad at both Zeus and Poseidon, because he doesn't now who took this. Pretty soon, we got a nice little three-way slugfest going."

"But they're your family!" Annabeth yelled.

Ares didn't care, "Best kind of war." He shrugged, "Always the bloodiest. Nothing like watching your relatives fight, I always say."

"You gave me the backpack in Denver," Percy said, fists clenched by his side. "The master bolt was in there the whole time."

"Yes and no," Ares said. "It's probably too complicated got your little mortal brain to follow, but the backpack is the master bolt's sheath, Just morphed a bit. The bolt is connected to it, sort of like that sword you got, kid, it always returned to your pocket, right?"

"Anyways," he continued, "I tinkered with the magic a bit, so the bolt would only return to the sheath once you reached the Underworld. You get close to Hades... Bingo, you got mail. If you died along the way— no loss. I still had the weapon,"

"But why not keep the master bolt for yourself?" Percy asked, "Why send it to Hades."

That made Ares think, and it seemed as if he was listening to someone else in his head. "Why didn't I... yeah... with that kind of firepower..."

He held that thought for a few seconds before breaking it, "I didn't want the trouble. Better have you caught redhanded, holding the thing."

Percy shook his head, "You're lying. Sending the bolt to the Underworld wasn't your idea, was it?"

Smoke billowed from the god's glasses, ready to burst into flames. "Of course it was!"

Ariadne stood next to Percy, ready to make the god angry. "You didn't want the theft. There was another hero sent to steal the items, and you caught them once Zeus sent you to look. But, obviously, you didn't turn them in. Something or someone convinced you to let them go. So, you kept the items until Percy came along. Kro—" she stopped herself, "I mean, the thing in the pit is ordering you."

Ares gave her a glare, and she was sure he was deciding what animal he was going to shift her into. "I am the god of war! I take orders from no one! I don't have dreams!"

She gave him a raised eyebrow, looking back at her friends wide eyes with a smirk. "Who said anything about dreams?"

For once, it looked like she was feeding off his anger. Her anger was rising just as much as his, but he tried hiding it with a smirk. "Let's get back to the problem at hand, kid. You're alive. I can't have you taking the bolt to Olympus. You just might get those hardheaded idiots to listen to you. So I've got to kill you— nothing personal."

Although, that was a very, very personal reason in her mind.

He snapped his fingers and before his feet, the sand exploded. Erupting from the ground was a wild boar, a bigger version of the one hanging above cabin five. It's hooves pounded at the ground, beady eyes targeting Percy. Razor tusks lowered, ready to charge and impale him.

Ariadne slipped her ring off only for Percy to step forward, letting her no she didn't need to. The girl gave him a suspicious look, wary of what he could do against a god.

"Fight me yourself, Ares." Percy spoke, and gave his friends heart attacks.

Ares thought it was a joke, a laugh falling through his lips. "You've only got one talent, kid, running away. You ran from the Chimera. You ran from the Underworld. You don't have what it takes."

"Scared?"

The sunglasses over the god's eyes were melting off, "In your adolescent dreams. No direct involvement. Sorry, kid. You're not at my level."

Annabeth noticed the boar gearing to charge, "Percy, run!"

Percy uncapped Riptide quickly, bronze sparkling in the sunlight. His sword swiped up once he moved aside, slicing a tusk off the creature. It fell to his feet while the boar ran into the sea, disoriented.

The boy's hand lifted up, "Wave!" He shouted. A wall of water erupted from the ocean, wrapping around the boar. It was dragged into the water while it squealed, before the water fell back down, the animal gone.

Percy's sea-green eyes were dangerous, "Are you going to fight me now? Or are you going to hide behind another pet pig?"

Annabeth and Grover had their mouths dropped open so wide, she could only think how many bugs had flown into them. But Ariadne's face held a sharp smirk, which was slowly forming into a grin.

Ares was full of rage, his face purple and red. "Watch it, kid. I could turn you into—"

"A cockroach?" Percy mocked, "Or a tapeworm? Yeah, I'm sure. That'd save you from getting your godly hide whipped, wouldn't it?"

She didn't know if he was overly brave or stupid, probably both. But it definitely showed. And unlike her friends, she was supportive of it, and if Percy was turned into a ferret, she would take care of him and get his mother back.

"Oh, man, you are really asking to be smashed into a grease pot." Flames lit up Ares's sunglasses, burning them faster.

Percy shifted his sword in hand, "If I lose, turn me into anything you want. Take the bolt. If I win, the helmet and bolt are mine and you have to go away."

He was playing with Ares's mindset, taunt the person until they give in. But she remembered what she had told them in the diner after they first met the god, "Even strength has to bow to wisdom sometimes."

The god held his baseball bat in his hand, "How would you like to get smashed: classic or modern?"

Percy just waved Riptide.

"That's cool, dead boy. Classic it is." The bat transformed into a two-handed sword, longer than her whole body. On the hilt was a silver skull with a ruby placed in its mouth.

"Percy," Annabeth called out. "Don't do this. He's a god."

"He's a coward," he said.

She nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. Her hands reached up, slipping her necklace off of her and retied it around the boy's neck. "Wear this, at least. For luck. Reconciliation. Athena and Poseidon together."

Percy smile, "Thanks."

Grover held out a flattened tin can, how he still had one, the brunette didn't know. "And take this. The Satyrs are behind you."

"Grover... I don't know what to say."

He patted the boy's shoulder before he glanced over at the brunette. She gulped once her eyes looked at Ares seeming to sharpen his sword behind the boy, but she looked back at Percy.

"Shen I got my sword, my father told me that only I could change its shape from a ring. He said I could make it bigger if I wanted too." Ariadne sloped her ring off, letting it grow in her hand before becoming a gold hoop.

She took his hand, letting the hoop slip over his sword's hilt. Once she let it go, it tightened. Percy looked at the new feature on his sword, a vine of leaves surrounding the blade.

"Wow." Percy was red, "Isn't it a little to early to give me a ring?"

She chuckled, "Yeah, well, I hope it gives you some luck or protection. Can't have our resident Kelp Head turning into a ferret."

"Thanks," he said softly.

Her cheeks dusted before purple eyes turned soft, "Stay safe, Perc."

"Always do," he said.

"You all done saying goodbye?" Ares called out, Percy turning around as he glanced once more at the vines on his sword.

Percy glanced back at Ariadne who gave him a smile, "I always stay safe, for you." He whispered, shifting the sword in his hand.

"I've been fighting for eternity, kid. My strength is unlimited and I cannot die. What have you got?"

Percy stepped into the sea, water flowing past his ankles. Ares hesitated once he saw Riptide with vines circling it, he may be a god, but he knew that both swords were forged in Mount Etna. While Ariadne's was wrapped with vines to cool, Riptide was cooled in a river.

Both were made together. So that's what made them dangerous together.

Ares made the first move. Swiping his sword downwards at Percy's head. But the boy moved with the water, pushing himself over while slashing at Ares. But the god quickly blocked it,  sword blocking the blow heading towards his spine.

The god grinned, "Not bad, not bad."

He swiped again, Percy jumping back onto the sand. The boy made the move to step into the water but Ares predicted that, pushing hard onto Riptide with his own sword.

Grover was eating a tin can nervously, eyes wide with fear. Annabeth was biting her nails down to stumps, blonde hair bouncing as she shook her head. Ariadne's nails dig into her hands, blood falling once more.

Her eyes watched the fight with a calculating look. She wanted to help Percy, she truly did. But the boy would be angry at her, and Ares would still have the upper hand.

Percy stepped in, thrusting his sword forward. The god knocked his sword from his hands, sending Percy into the sand dunes with a swift kick to the chest. He would have a broken spine if the sand hadn't have caught him.

"Percy!" Annabeth shouted, "Cops!"

Police cars parked along the road, officers with guns and bullet proof vests stepped out of them. Red lights flashed and sirens rang throughout the air while mortals and other pedestrians gazed at the battle with interest.

Ariadne watched as the son of the sea god stood up shakily, the war god faltering.

Someone yelled out, "There, officer! See!"

A cop's rough voice followed after, "Looks like that kid on TV... what the heck...?"

"That guys armed!" Another cop yelled, "Call for backup!"

Percy did a somersault to avoid Ares's blade, picking up his sword as he did so. The boy sent a slag towards the god before their blades let out a loud clang!

Gasps and yells followed while the two fought, Percy was able to step back into the water while Ares followed behind.

"Admit it, kid. You got no hope. I'm just toying with you."

Ariadne noticed Satyrs disguised as normal mortals in the crowd, along with wind spirits and a few that shimmered. Undead warriors.

But above, the Furies watched with deadly eyes while they circled around them like vultures waiting for their next meal. Leather wings flapping in the silence of the crowd. Another police car drove up, more officers stepping out.

Percy moves backwards and farther into the water, but the tip of Ares's blade skimmed the inside of his forearm, successfully ripping his sleeve.

"Drop the guns!" An officer yelled through a megaphone, "Set then on the ground. Now!"

The Mist was working double time while trying to hide the bronze weapons from mortal view. At one point, there was a shotgun and the next, there was a sword.

Ares gave a fiery glare towards the law enforcement, allowing Percy time to breath and glance behind him. "This is a private matter," the god yelled. "Be gone!"

A wall of fire pushed its way through the sand, separating the officers and them while their vehicles exploded. The crowd yelled and ducked for cover. "Now, little hero. Let's add you to the barbecue."

Percy moves his eyes from his friends, blocking a strike while the water now hit his back. Waves collided with Ares's thighs, the god following the boy.

"Perc!" Ariadne yelled out while he moved back, the boy used her warning to block another blow Ares sent him.

She watched as a wave formed behind him, growing taller and taller. But Percy was holding it back, and she knew how to help.

Annabeth and Grover glanced at their friend who placed her hand in the salty water, purple eyes glowing slightly when she did so. "Lunacy," she whispered.

Purple streams jetted towards Percy, which traveled through his body in currents. He felt stronger, and the vines on Riptide twisted tighter, glowing purple slightly.

Ares hadn't noticed, taking confident strides with his sword raised. Percy baited him in, acting like he couldn't fight anymore. But the water only made him stronger.

The god raised his arm, blade ready to deliver the final blow. And Percy let the tide rip.

It smashed into Ares with all its force, Percy jumping over his head once more while the water pushed him. The god got a face full of seaweed, water falling out of his mouth while he spit curses. The demigod stabbed his sword through Ares's heel.

Ares roared loudly, shaking the earth. Water was pushed back, leaving a ring of wet sand around him. Gold trickled from his boot, and Ariadne let out a grin. Ichor bled from his wound, and the god's eyes burned with every terrible emotion one could have.

He stumbled towards Percy, lips muttering an Ancient curse but stopped.

Clouds covered the sun, but instead of creating a gloomy grey, it went darker. No sunlight seeping through the mass of clouds, it's glow fading. Her eyes widened once all color faded from her vision, even the ocean was a pale grey. And it felt like headphones muffled the world out, hearing no sound.

Her body went cold and she could only see her worst memories flashing before her. When she was diagnosed with IED, when her mom lost grip of her in the water, when she was left alone at camp. The memories of chasing a voice out of camp, crying for help. Finding Annabeth, Grover and Luke, dragging them through the borders. Watching Thalia die, roots sprouting from her chest.  

But a pain flowed through her own. Like her heart was squeezing itself. Her body slumped to the side, fingers still in the water as it flowed under her body. And the pain was gone. The sea lifting her up gently and into the arms of Annabeth and Grover.

The tide washed away the Ichor while they all looked stunned. Ares was lost and confused, but anger took over. "You made an enemy, godling. You have sealed your fate. Everytime you raise your blade in battle, every time you hope for success, you will feel my curse. Beware, Percy Jackson. Beware."

And the god's last hope was that Percy wouldn't look away, but Ariadne shouted out. "Perc! Don't look!"

She hid her eyes from the god revealing his true form, and her body felt like it was burning before the light died down.

Ares was gone. Leaving only Hades's helmet to roll with the tide. Percy walked toward us once he grabbed it, but the Furies landed before him.

The Fury that was once Ms. Dodds took a step closer to him, whip blazing at her side. Her fangs were out but the look she had wasn't one of danger, more so disappointment that she couldn't eat him.

"We saw the whole thing. So... it truly wasn't you?" She hissed.

He threw the helmet towards her, which caused her to catch it with surprise. "Return that to Lord Hades," he told them. "Tell him the truth. Tell him to call off the war."

Her tongue ran over her fangs, "Live well, Percy Jackson. Become a true hero. Because if you do not, if you ever come into my clutches again..."

A loud cackle escaped her green lips before she and her sisters flapped into the air, a swirl of smoke following them before they disappeared.

Percy made it to them, all of his friends had amazement in their eyes. "Percy..." Grover started, "That was so incredibly..."

"Impulsive?" Annabeth guessed, but her said different than her words.

"Cool!" Grover finished.

Ariadne held a grin on her face, but it vanished once she saw his sea-green eyes full of fear. "Did you guys feel that... whatever it was?"

She nodded, glancing towards Annabeth and Grover. The pain was still in her chest, but it had dulled down. It was so sudden that her body was still shaking from it, her face was pale.

"Must've been the Furies overhead," Grover told him.

But that wasn't on their minds, it was something else. Something had stopped Ares from ending Percy, and whatever it was sent that pain through them. And she knew who it was, but she couldn't say the name out of fear.

Percy took the blue backpack from Grover's hands, and inside the master bolt still sat there. She couldn't believe they had stopped a war from happening, and that helped ease her worries.

"We have to get back to New York. By tonight." He told them.

"That's impossible," Annabeth shook her head. "Unless we—"

"Fly," Percy said.

Grover's face went pale, "What?!"

Ariadne felt a grin crawl up her face, he may as crazy as she was. "We fly to New York. Give Zeus his bolt back, even if it's more destructive than a nuclear bomb."

Percy nodded, "Precisely."

He handed her back the gold hoop, which morphed back into her ring. But as she placed it on, they both noticed something.

A green trident was carved into her ring, as a purple grapevine was circled in the hilt of Riptide. Both glanced at each other with confused looks, not knowing what it meant.