[Third Person's PoV]
"So yeah, sometimes demigods are given quests they have to complete," Thalia explained. "When that happens, you get to choose two others to go with you. The quests are usually assigned by the gods."
"They're not as easy as Thalia's making them sound," Grover added, his tone more serious. "A single mistake can get you killed. I've lost count of how many demigods didn't come back from their quests."
"Do you guys think I'm going to get a quest from my father?" Percy asked, a hint of worry in his voice.
"Most likely," Lucian said with a shrug.
"Everything's just too much," Percy admitted, sitting down on his bed and rubbing his forehead. The weight of all the new information was pressing down on him, making it hard to process everything.
"Maybe we should let Percy get some rest," Grover suggested. "It's been a long day, and he's got a lot to think about. We can pick this up tomorrow."
"Later, Percy," Thalia said, throwing a peace sign over her shoulder as she headed out.
"Get some rest," Annabeth nodded, following after Thalia.
"We'll talk later, if you're up for it," Grover added, his voice trailing off with a small bleat.
Lucian rolled his eyes with a grin. "So are we just saying one-liners now as we leave? I don't know what mine should be...uh, don't have any dreams?" He snapped his fingers and began walking away.
Percy scoffed, preparing to lie down, but then something in his pocket reminded him. "Ah! Wait, Lucian!"
Lucian stopped, looking back at Percy with a raised eyebrow. "Yeah?"
Percy pulled out the broken spear from his pocket. "There are children of the god of blacksmithing here, right? Do you think they could fix this? I, uh, kinda broke it, and it seemed important…"
"You broke Clarisse's spear?" Lucian chuckled in amusement. "No wonder she looked like she was ready to choke the life out of you. That spear was a gift from her father."
Percy's face fell with guilt. "Can it be fixed?"
"Yeah, I can fix it right up." Lucian responded, and from his shadow, a creature appeared, taking the pieces of the spear and handing them to Lucian.
Percy stared in confusion. "Huh?"
Lucian threw up a peace sign. "I'm the camp's best blacksmith/artisan."
"What? You are?"
"Remember, Annabeth and I helped build these buildings. Sure, others pitched in, but she and I were the main builders."
"Oh, right," Percy said, recalling Grover's words from the day before.
Lucian then put a hand on his chin, thinking. "You know what? How about I make you a weapon?"
"What? I don't need one. I've already got this." Percy took out his pen and wiggled it around.
"You'd be the biggest idiot to turn down one of my weapons. I'll make you a trident, like the one your father uses. It'll help you control your demigod abilities."
"Do I even have a choice?" Percy asked, feeling awkward.
"Nope. Meet me in my cabin in about three hours. It's the black one—you can't miss it," Lucian said as he started to leave.
Percy sighed but couldn't help the small smile that crept onto his face as he lay back down on his bed. "Mom, I think I'm making some pretty great friends here," he whispered, closing his eyes.
…
An hour later: Lucian's cabin
Lucian set Clarisse's newly repaired spear to the side, letting out a satisfied sigh as he stretched his arms over his head. His thoughts began to spiral as he prepared to create what he knew would be an extraordinary trident for Percy.
"I'm about to make the best goddamn trident ever," Lucian muttered to himself, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "That trident in his card... I know my work when I see it. I made him that weapon."
He paused, his thoughts taking a turn as he considered the paradox he was about to create. "Heh, that's a paradox in itself," he mused, rubbing his chin. "I probably made that trident because I saw the card. But what came first, the weapon or the card? Without the card, the weapon wouldn't have existed, and without the weapon, the card would have been different."
Lucian chuckled to himself, shaking his head as he continued to think it over. "God, I'm confusing myself," he muttered, but there was a hint of amusement in his voice.
He then clapped his hands together, focusing on the task at hand. "Alright, enough mind games. Time to get to work," Lucian said, his voice taking on a more serious tone.
As the forge flared to life, Lucian's skilled hands shaped the metal with precision, his magnetism aiding in the creation of the sharp trident. The rhythmic clang of hammer against metal was accompanied by sparks of purple electricity, while his eyes glowed red, guiding his strikes with magical insight. Sweat dripped from Lucian's brow as the furnace's heat enveloped him, causing him to remove his shirt and reveal his well-defined muscles.
When he finished, he wiped the sweat from his face and admired the aqua blue trident before him. Using his Artisan ability, he began crafting intricate sigils into the weapon. The sigils wrapped around the trident, which glowed with a soft blue light and seemed to emanate the faint sound of waves.
"I'm so fucking awesome," Lucian declared, pumping his fist with pride. His eyes glowed as he opened the door to his underground workshop.
At that moment, Percy entered the cabin, looking around before hearing Lucian's voice calling from below. Percy made his way to the basement, surprised by the blast of heat that greeted him. "Woah," he exclaimed.
"Don't mind the heat; I've lived in hell for most of my life, so you'll get used to it," Lucian said casually, causing Percy to look at him with a mix of surprise and horror.
"What?"
"I'm kidding. I lived around North Carolina for the beginning of my life," Lucian added with a smirk.
Percy sighed in relief but then froze, noticing Lucian was shirtless. "Why are you shirtless…"
"Do you not feel the same heat I do?"
Percy's attention was drawn to the floating trident, which seemed to beckon him. He reached out tentatively, but as his fingers touched it, he winced as a drop of blood was absorbed by the weapon. The trident then glowed brightly and shot towards Percy, knocking him to the ground.
"Ugh! Man, I don't think the trident likes me very much," Percy groaned from the floor, eyes closed. When he looked up, the trident had vanished.
"Check your hand," Lucian instructed.
Confused, Percy stood and saw a trident tattooed on the back of his hand. "This isn't permanent, right!? My mom would be disappointed if it was!"
"No, it's just the trident in its dormant form. Like how my weapon is a ring and yours is a pen. Just extend your hand and move it forward," Lucian explained.
Following Lucian's advice, Percy extended his hand and closed his eyes. He felt a solid object materialize in his grip and opened his eyes to find the trident back in his hands, the tattoo gone.
"So cool… What does it do?" Percy asked, intrigued.
Lucian grinned. "Well, first, it's enchanted with several abilities:
Siphoning: It absorbs water and moisture from whatever it touches, turning it into physical water that you can use as you please—whether it's from the air, the ground, or plants.
Blood Bond: It's bound to you by blood, meaning it's loyal only to you. While others can wield it, they'll be hurt in the process. You can also call it back to you if thrown. Plus, it grows with you, strengthening as you do.
Hydrokinesis Enhancement: It amplifies your control over water, allowing for greater manipulation, shaping it into weapons, shields, or structures, and even solidifying it into nearly unbreakable material.
Subzero: It can instantly freeze water to create deadly ice projectiles, freeze enemies, or form ice barriers for protection.
Aqua Restoration: It can heal wounds or restore vitality by channeling water's natural rejuvenating properties, making it useful for both combat and recovery."
Percy's eyes widened in awe as he took in the trident's impressive abilities. "This is incredible. Thanks, Lucian."
"Yeah… I think I might have gone a bit overboard while making it. I'm not gonna lie" Lucian said awkwardly.
Percy just smiled as he watched the trident turn back into a tattoo, "Still thank you"
Lucian then leaned over and grabbed Clarisse's fix Spear, "Here"
"Ah oh right, Thank you for this as well"
"Now then before you leave we have something important to talk about" Lucian said as he grabbed a towel to wipe himself and put on a shirt.
Percy looked at him in confusion,
"The Cards of Blasphemy…"
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[Image of trident]
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