𝐒𝐎𝐋𝐄𝐈𝐋¹ || 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐂𝐘 𝐉𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐒𝐎𝐍

𝐗𝐗𝐗𝐕𝐈𝐈𝐈

✦ 𝐃𝐀𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐊𝐘 ✦

THAT AFTERNOON WAS ONE OF THE HAPPIEST THEY'D EVER SPENT AT CAMP, which maybe goes to show, that you never know when your world is about to be rocked to pieces.

Grover announced that he'd be able to spend the rest of the summer with them before resuming his quest for Pan. His bosses at the Council of Cloven Elders were so impressed that he hadn't got himself killed and had cleared the way for future searchers, that they granted him a two-month furlough and a new set of reed pipes.

The only bad news: Grover insisted on playing those pipes all afternoon long, and his musical skills hadn't improved much. He played 'YMCA', and the strawberry plants started going crazy, wrapping around their feet like they were trying to strangle them.

Grover told Percy he could dissolve the empathy link between them, now that they were face to face, but Percy told him he'd just as soon keep it if that was okay with him.

Grover put down his reed pipes and stared at Percy. "But, if I get in trouble again, you'll be in danger, Percy! You could die!"

"If you get in trouble again, I want to know about it. And I'll come help you again, G-man. I wouldn't have it any other way." Percy said.

In the end, the satyr agreed not to break the link. He went back to playing 'YMCA' for the strawberry plants.

Percy didn't need an empathy link with the plants to know how they felt about it

✦

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Tyson shared unexpected news with Percy, revealing that Poseidon had sent him a dream message, inviting him to visit and learn at the cyclopes' forges underwater for the rest of the summer.

Despite feeling a tinge of jealousy, Percy was genuinely happy for his friend and brother. Tyson expressed his desire to create weapons for the Camp, emphasizing the need for preparation against looming threats like Luke and Kronos.

Acknowledging Tyson's departure, Percy reassured him of their bond as brothers and thanked him for his friendship and loyalty. With a mixture of pride and sadness, Percy watched as Tyson departed with Rainbow, the hippocampus, disappearing into the realm of Poseidon.

Left alone with his thoughts and a new wristwatch shield adorned with scenes of their adventures, Percy couldn't help but feel a sense of loss at Tyson's departure, knowing that his absence would leave a noticeable void at Camp Half-Blood.

"Hey, Perce." He heard Aurora's soft voice.

Percy turned and saw Aurora, Annabeth, and Grover standing at the top of the sand dune. Percy guessed maybe he had some sand in his eyes because he was blinking a lot.

"Tyson..." Percy told them, "He had to..."

"We know," Annabeth said softly.

"Chiron told us." Aurora walked towards him and offered him a smile before wrapping her pinky finger with his.