Sea of Monsters

Chapter 4

The bell above the coffee shop's door tinkled softly as I entered, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filling the air. I scanned the cozy interior, spotting Nancy sitting by the window, her eyes focused on a book. The year had been kind to her; her red hair was straightning out and pulled back in a vikings braid. She wore a green hoodie with a logo that read 'Hotel Valhalla' on it. She wore jeans and combat boots and I noticed that leaning against the table was a Viking double headed axe.

I approached her cautiously, my heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and apprehension. It had been a year since I last saw her, and I knew I owed her an explanation. She was probably pissed. If her note was anything to go by, I don't think a calm person would write 'Meet at xxx location, or ill decapitate you with my axe and you can go to Hel.' Though she had put hearts so I was confused.

"Hey, Nancy," I said tentatively as I reached her table.

She looked up from her book, her expression shifting from concentration to surprise, and then, suddenly, to anger. With an unexpected burst of strength, she smacked me across the face several times, each blow stinging with her frustration.

"You left me, Percy Jackson!" Nancy shouted between smacks, her voice a mix of fury and hurt. "You promised you'd take me to that camp of yours, and then you just vanished! You never came back!"

I held my hands up in a futile attempt to block the blows, my cheeks reddening from the embarrassment and pain. When Nancy finally paused, her anger spent, I lowered my hands and met her gaze, remorse filling my eyes.

"I'm so sorry, Nancy," I said sincerely, my voice heavy with regret. "Things got complicated, and I didn't have a choice. I should've explained it to you when things had settled down."

Nancy's anger slowly subsided, replaced by a mixture of sadness and understanding. She took a deep breath and finally nodded, her emotions evident in her eyes.

"Alright," she said, her tone softer. "Explain yourself."

Nancy shared everything that had transpired in the past year. She now lived in Valhalla on floor 19, a place filled with Norse warriors and gods, her new home far from the world she once knew.

"I've made some amazing friends," Nancy explained, her eyes brightening with enthusiasm. "And I'm learning how to fight, thanks to my dad, Loki."

I couldn't help but smile, happy to see that she was finding her place in this new world. As she spoke, I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for not being there for her during her transition.

"It sounds like you're doing great, Nancy," I said sincerely. "I'm really glad to hear that."

She nodded appreciatively. "So, Percy, what about you? What have you been up to?"

I hesitated for a moment before launching into my story, sharing the details of my quest to find Zeus's missing bolt, my encounters with various mythological beings, and the challenges I had faced as a demigod. Nancy listened intently, her eyes widening with each new revelation.

As Nancy and I continued our conversation in the cozy corner of the coffee shop, time seemed to slip away. We were so engrossed in catching up that we didn't notice the growing commotion outside. The ground trembled beneath us, and the café's windows rattled ominously. A shiver ran down my spine as the air turned icy, and the unmistakable aura of a Norse presence hung in the atmosphere.

Our demigod instincts kicked in simultaneously, and we shared a glance filled with both alarm and determination. There was no question; we had to confront this new threat head-on.

With practiced ease, I summoned my Draupnir Spear, a magnificent weapon given to me by Atlan, a ring I had received when I was reborn in this world as Perseus Jackson. Its gleaming silver and gold form felt cool and reassuring in my hand.

Nancy, drawing from her newfound heritage, manifested her Sepulcher Axe—a gleaming golden weapon that crackled with mysterious energy.

The café's patrons, sensing the impending danger, rushed toward the exits with gasps and cries. Outside, a colossal figure loomed, clad in Norse armor that seemed to absorb the sunlight, casting an eerie shadow. It was a Jotunn, a giant of Norse mythology, and its malevolent presence threatened to engulf us.

Without hesitation, the Jotunn swung its colossal club at us, its sheer size and strength making it a formidable adversary. Nancy and I reacted with swift agility, narrowly evading the devastating blow that reduced the café's interior to rubble.

We regrouped, standing amidst the debris with our weapons at the ready. A shared nod conveyed our unwavering resolve—we would stand together and face this Norse monstrosity.

I lunged forward with my Draupnir Spear, striking at the Jotunn's legs with calculated precision. Each contact between my celestial weapon and the giant's frost-covered skin resulted in sizzling, smoldering wounds. My experience as a demigod granted me agility and lethal accuracy in battle, and I used these gifts to full advantage.

Nancy, on the other hand, wielded her Sepulcher Axe with an artful grace that belied its deadly power. Its golden blade danced through the air, leaving ephemeral trails of energy in its wake. She attacked the giant's joints with relentless fervor, invoking her Norse heritage with every swing.

The Jotunn roared in pain and frustration, responding with a combination of icy blasts and earth-shaking stomps. Our nimbleness and combat skills allowed us to stay one step ahead, as we continued our relentless assault.

As the battle raged on, our determination remained unbroken. We fought not only for our lives but also for the profound friendship that had reunited us. Side by side, we confronted the Norse monster—a symbol of the remarkable challenges that awaited us in this ever-expanding world of mythology.

In the end, it was a well-coordinated strike that brought the Jotunn to its knees. With my Draupnir Spear, I pierced the giant's frost-covered heart, while Nancy, with a single mighty swing of her xe, severed its head from its colossal shoulders.

The Jotunn's immense form disintegrated into frost and snow, vanishing into the atmosphere. Silence descended upon the café's remains, signaling the end of the threat and our hard-fought victory.

Nancy and I shared a triumphant grin, our hearts still pounding from the adrenaline of battle. We had faced the Norse monster together, reaffirming the strength of our friendship and camaraderie.

"Looks like we make quite the team, don't we?" Nancy quipped, her eyes sparkling with a mix of pride and amusement. "I better head back before Mallorey and Gunderson do something stupid again."

I chuckled. "Absolutely, Nancy. I'll be sure to keep in touch."

Her response was lighthearted, yet filled with a subtle threat. "You better, Percy, or I'll personally drag you to the pits of Hel and let Gram have a go at you."

I laughed heartily at her playful warning, knowing that her loyalty and friendship were as strong as ever. "I promise, Nancy. We'll stay connected."

Before parting ways, she moved in quickly, wrapping me in a tight hug that took me by surprise. Her embrace was warm and genuine, a testament to the bond we had forged in such a short time. As we pulled away, she planted a friendly kiss on my cheek, her eyes twinkling mischievously.

With a final laugh and wave, Nancy dashed off into the distance, fading from view as she returned to her life in Valhalla. I watched her go, feeling grateful for the unexpected reunion and the unforgettable battle we had fought together.

Turning away from the empty street, I made my way back home, the memories of our encounter still fresh in my mind. The world of mythology was vast and unpredictable, but as long as I had friends like Nancy by my side, I knew I could face whatever challenges lay ahead.