Percy Jackson: Son of Hades - Prince of the Underworld Chapter 141: Sequence 9: Adventurer

[Third Person's PoV]

"Tell , do you truly know what these cards are?" Lucian asked Percy, his voice calm but probing.

Percy hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. "I kinda do, and I kinda don't. When I first touched it, information about it just poured into my head. At first, I thought this was just another one of my oddities. But guessing by your question, there's more to it, right?" Percy admitted awkwardly.

Lucian nodded. "And you're right. Think of those Sequences as the road to godhood."

"What?" Percy asked in surprise, instinctively reaching out and pulling out his Card of Blasphemy.

"Yeah. I'm sure the card already gave you so information about the acting thod and how to create each potion. Those potions will give you incredible power, with abilities that are almost like having superpowers," Lucian explained.

"Superpowers?" Percy echoed, still confused.

Lucian lifted his hand, and a ball of purple electricity crackled to life in his palm. "Rember this from the ga? Well, it wasn't magic, I'll tell you that much. My ability to control tal was given by one of the Sequences."

"I see…" Percy muttered, intrigued. "So if I drink these potions, they'll give power, slowly turning into a god."

"Exactly. Like I told you before, in this world, strength is everything. The opinion of the weak barely matters. Nothing will be taken from you once you're strong," Lucian emphasized, his voice carrying a weight that made Percy feel there was more to his words.

Percy frowned, sensing the hidden aning. "What do you an by that? Why bring this up now?"

Lucian turned back to his workbench, organizing his tools. "Percy, I'm going to be honest with you," he began, his tone more serious. "Your mother is most likely alive."

Percy's pupils dilated as he stared at Lucian, his voice trembling. "What do you an by that? What do you an my mother is most likely alive?"

"You saw how she turned into golden dust at the end, right? Well, mortals don't do that. That only happens to monsters," Lucian revealed.

Percy's gaze widened in shock. "Then where is she? Where's my mother?"

"She was on the verge of death—being killed. Where do you think?" Lucian asked, raising an eyebrow.

"The Underworld… Your father took my mother!?" Percy exclaid, his face contorting in anger.

Lucian scoffed. "Why are you looking at like I did it?"

"Why do you think? It's not like you're his son," Percy snapped, glaring at Lucian.

Lucian rolled his eyes before his gaze turned an eerie, ominous blood-red color. "Listen here, I'm only telling you this because I believe you deserve to know. Do not, and I repeat, do not, take your anger out on . Just because I've been showing you kindness doesn't an I'm going to be your emotional punching bag. Are we clear?"

Percy took a step back, gulping loudly as he began to shake slightly under Lucian's intense gaze. "You're right, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that," Percy said apologetically.

Lucian nodded, accepting the apology. Percy then asked, "But why does your father have my mother? It doesn't make sense."

"Because he believes you took sothing from him—his helm, his symbol of power," Lucian explained.

"What!? But I didn't take it!" Percy protested.

"I know. You don't have to try and convince ," Lucian replied with a dismissive scoff.

"So he sent the Minotaur after —"

"My father has no control over such a monster. It wasn't my father who sent the Minotaur after you. He already sent the Furies."

"So that was him! It's all starting to make sense!" Percy said, his mind racing as he began pacing around. "Now I get why she scread at to return what was stolen when she attacked on the field trip!"

"But if he didn't send the Minotaur after and my mother, who did?" Percy wondered aloud.

"There are two options here: option one, you're seriously unlucky and just attracted the monster by chance; and option two…" Lucian pointed to the skies, letting the implication hang in the air.

"Don't say his na, you dumbass!" Lucian suddenly interrupted as Percy was about to speak the na.

"Ah, right," Percy said, realizing his mistake.

"Okay, but why would he send a Minotaur after ?" Percy asked, still confused.

"Because he believes you stole his master bolt," Lucian answered.

"WHAT!? Why am I suddenly everyone's first suspect when it cos to things being stolen? Do I give off an energy that says I took your things!?" Percy exclaid, exasperated.

"Dude, imma be honest, you just have such unfortunate timing. Anyway, you should be thanking my dad."

"He took my mother! Why should I be thanking him?" Percy retorted, looking at Lucian as if he were crazy.

"Because he saved her life, obviously. Without my dad, your mother would have really died by that Minotaur. Yes, she's a hostage, but trust when I say she's in good hands. And it's better in his hands than the lightning god's. He would've most likely taken advantage of her," Lucian said matter-of-factly.

"She could have been saved by my father's side!" Percy argued.

"If she was by your father's side, the man upstairs would've taken that as an act of war—sheltering and protecting the guilty, thus escalating the war that's about to occur between them," Lucian explained.

"There's a war between my father and… the man upstairs?" Percy asked, piecing it together.

"Yes. Like I said, he believes you stole the bolt," Lucian confird.

"I see… So are you sure my mother is safe?" Percy asked, his voice softening with concern.

"Yeah. I don't believe my mother or my stepmother would let anything bad happen to her," Lucian reassured him.

Percy let out a sigh of relief, closing his eyes. "My mother's alive," he muttered, a smile of happiness crossing his face.

"So what do I have to do to save her?" Percy asked, determination creeping back into his voice.

"Most likely, find where both symbols of power are and who stole them, then turn them in. That will prove your innocence, allowing my father to release her," Lucian explained.

"I see… So I guess I would have to go on a quest, like what you and the others told about before, right?" Percy asked, already ntally preparing himself for the challenge ahead.

"Yup, and those quests are filled with unimaginable dangers. I can't tell you how many tis I've been on the brink of death."

"Even for you? But you seem so strong."

"It's *because* I'm strong that I manage to survive," Lucian replied, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.

Hearing this, Percy looked down at the card in his hands. "Strength, huh… Alright then, what do I have to do to start making these potions?"

"You've already made up your mind?" Lucian asked, raising an eyebrow.

"For my mother, I'd go to hell and back," Percy said, his eyes burning with unwavering determination.

"I can respect that," Lucian nodded, his expression serious. "And I definitely understand the sentint. But here's a warning—once you drink that potion, you'll likely beco an enemy of the gods in the future."

Percy didn't flinch. "Like I said, I'd do anything for my mother, even if it ans facing the entire world."

Lucian nodded, impressed by Percy's resolve. "Very well. From what I rember of your card, you'll need a Minotaur horn and the beak of a griffin. Fortunately for you, I have the other monster parts you'll need. Go and get the Minotaur horn."

Percy nodded and rushed back to his cabin. He found the Minotaur horn and quickly returned to Lucian, who had finished preparing the setup.

"Co on, I'll guide you through making your Adventurer Sequence potion," Lucian said, leading Percy through the steps.

As Percy held the Minotaur horn in his hand, a smirk crossed his face. "The thing that took my mother away is the thing that's going to help get her back," he muttered, smiling at the irony.

With Lucian's guidance, Percy carefully followed the instructions, stirring the mixture until it was ready. Lucian poured the glowing green potion into a small vial and handed it to Percy.

Percy stared at the shimring liquid for a mont, then took a deep breath and downed it in one go. Imdiately, he felt a searing pain course through his body, and he collapsed to the ground, writhing in agony as Lucian watched silently.

When the pain finally subsided, Percy was on all fours, gasping for air. "Oww! Why didn't you warn that was going to hurt!"

"And where's the fun in that?" Lucian replied with a smirk, causing Percy to glare at him. Ignoring the look, Lucian instructed Percy on how to check his new abilities. As Percy recounted them, Lucian listened carefully, nodding in approval.

Enhanced Survival Instincts: The Adventurer has an acute sense of danger, allowing them to instinctively react to threats. This includes better reflexes, a heightened awareness of their surroundings, and a strong intuition that guides them away from traps or ambushes.

Physical Resilience: As a beginner in the path of the adventurer, they gain slightly enhanced physical endurance and stamina. They can survive in harsh conditions longer than ordinary people and can recover from fatigue quicker.

Basic Combat Skills: The Adventurer is proficient in the basics of combat, particularly with lee weapons like swords, daggers, and spears, as well as with simple firearms. Their combat prowess is not extraordinary but sufficient to handle common threats.

Basic Agility and Acrobatics: The Adventurer has enhanced agility, making them proficient in climbing, jumping, and performing acrobatic maneuvers. They are adept at scaling walls, cliffs, and other challenging surfaces.

Endurance Burst: In critical monts, the Adventurer can push their physical limits beyond normal capacity, granting a temporary boost in strength, speed, or stamina. This burst of energy helps them overco challenges or escape perilous situations.

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