Back Home – Part 3
Percy returned to camp with Harry and Annabeth after explaining everything to Chiron, who, to nobody's surprise, didn't seem shocked at all that Luke had been the thief behind the Master Bolt. It seemed that, just as Luke had said, Ares had revealed who the real thief was the moment they questioned him, unwilling to risk being punished for helping the thief hide the stolen items.
After all, his actions had directly involved matters concerning the Big Three, which would surely put him in a very dangerous position. So without hesitation, he threw all the blame onto Luke. They had already begun preparing to capture him, or rather, they had left the task to Chiron and the campers so Luke could be brought to Olympus and judged.
So Luke had acted knowing his time was running out.
That was why he had already been prepared to flee and try to recruit Percy to his side.
When they left the Big House after their conversation with Chiron, Percy let out a sigh.
"Let's not tell Mom about this part," Percy said.
Something Harry immediately agreed with. Just like they had omitted some of the more dangerous details about Hogwarts, supposedly the safest magical school in the world, they could omit a few details about Camp Half Blood, supposedly the safest place for demigods.
Percy turned around and looked at Annabeth, who was walking behind them. Harry turned as well to look at her.
"Are you okay?" Percy asked.
Knowing that Annabeth had been pretty close to Luke.
But she lifted her gaze and shook her head as if she didn't want to talk about it and instead completely changed the subject.
"So you're going back home and then returning to that magic school," she said.
Percy and Harry exchanged a glance, understanding why she was changing the topic, and nodded.
"It sounds like an interesting place. You know, these last few days I've been really indecisive. Watching you two and listening to your advice about family, I decided to try contacting my father. Sorry, I used your owl. I hope you don't mind," she told Harry.
Harry simply shook his head.
"Hedwig gets bored if she stays in one place too long, so it's good for her to get some exercise," Harry said.
"I'm going home too. I'm going to try one more time," she said while forcing a small, nervous smile.
"That must've taken a lot of courage," Percy told her with a bright smile. "I'm happy for you, Annabeth."
She looked into his eyes and her nerves seemed to ease slightly.
"Promise me you won't get into trouble during the school year and that you'll tell me all about your weird school," Annabeth said to both of them.
"It's not weird. It's magical," Harry corrected. "And don't worry, Hogwarts is safe."
"Not counting the Halloween troll, the deadly three headed dog, and the professor who had a Dark Wizard parasite trying to kill you?" Percy said mockingly.
"Not counting that," Harry added.
Making all three of them laugh for a moment.
At this point, after everything they had faced, it was the only thing they could do.
After finally saying goodbye to everyone one last time, Harry and Percy stepped through the fireplace inside Cabin 3.
Emerging directly into the living room of their home.
Where Sally, Mor, and the newly freed Dred were waiting for them.
Greeting them with smiles.
"We're back," Harry and Percy said with smiles of their own as they saw their family gathered together.
Sally, of course, gave them a sweet smile.
"Welcome home," she told them.
Mor also smiled happily at seeing them return before adding, "Ready for your hell?" Mor asked as if she were already planning the worst punishment imaginable for both of them.
"You took your time," Dred commented calmly while holding a small cream filled muffin.
His sword, as always, rested nearby inside its sheath.
Harry and Percy, feeling the familiar air of home, seemed to relax completely.
But both of their gazes slowly swept across the room until they stopped on the same spot where someone else stood.
Someone they hadn't noticed before.
He was about a head and a half taller than they were, broad shouldered and somewhat bulky, though he still looked young. His bangs hung low enough to hide most of his face, revealing only part of his nose and mouth. And his clothes looked very similar to Percy's.
Though stretched slightly by his larger size.
It didn't just look similar.
It was Percy's clothes.
Sally noticed her sons staring and looked toward the young man who had just entered the room, his head lowered nervously.
"When Mr. Vincent came back first from the United States, he brought someone with him. But he's been very busy lately and didn't have anyone to leave him with since Adrien and the others still haven't returned from America. He asked if I could watch him for a few days. He's a good boy. Come on, say hello to Tyson," Sally said with a smile.
Tyson nervously raised his head and for a moment his bangs shifted aside.
Revealing his gaze.
That's right.
Because he didn't have two eyes like normal people.
He had only one.
A single brown eye in the center of his face.
And that could only mean one thing.
Tyson was a Cyclops.
When Harry and Percy realized that, neither of them could help looking at the young giant with interest and surprise.
Only one person in the living room seemed to be thoroughly enjoying what was happening.
And that was Mor.
Who kept glancing between Tyson and Percy while struggling to suppress an amused smile.
"Be nice to him, alright?" Sally said gently.
Harry and Percy could only nod slowly without taking their eyes off Tyson, the young Cyclops.
And it seemed he would become part of their lives from now on.
Far more than either of them could possibly imagine.
Especially Percy's life.
Though at this moment Percy had absolutely no idea.
To him, Tyson was simply a strange Cyclops wearing his clothes.