Hey everyone...long time no see! Well, I guess I am of all, a big shout out to those who keeping on reading this story even though I stopped updating for a long time. Really means a lot! Also, I would like to seriously apologize for breaking all the promises I made and well...being an idiot!

Second, lets get started.

CHAPTER 5: A HERO'S PAST

8 year old Percy sat on the grass, reading a rather interesting book. Though it may not seem like it, he was quite an intelligent boy. He sighed and put it down, his ADHD taking taking a toll on his concentrating abilities. He looked down on it; the book was quite rare, and had been written about 400 years ago...in Greek.

He got up swiftly as he heard someone approaching.

"Fast reflexes you have my dear...sharp ears too." Hera spoke as she appeared, regal as ever, with one of her soft hands tending a white peacock. Percy groaned... he had wasted the time he had for himself for reading a stupid book he could barely understand.

"Today we shall improve your archery Percy; please do not use your powers this time," Hera said, remembering the last time he had tried to learn archery. The boy was quite the fast learner, the goddess had observed. He had a knack for picking up things quite easily and over time perfecting them. He had already completed the basic sword techniques and mastered using the shield. The goddess was still not satisfied though, Perseus had to be the epitome of perfection. The fate of Olympus depended on the innocent child.

"I am ready" Percy responded, already near the archery range.

Hera raised an eyebrow at that. He had gotten mature too, as not a single complain or query had come out of his mouth.

Percy stood on the vast, lush green area. The grass seemed to be going on endlessly at all sides. Sometimes he wanted to see the world beyond the woods..but his patron simply wouldn't allow him to. He tapped his bracelet which magically transformed into a long wooden bow and took a sideways glance to check whether his patron was looking at him and shot.

Hera proudly saw as Percy hit the dead center of the target.

"Are you sure you want to do this Percy? It can end your life." Hera said as she summoned dozens of arrows is mid air.

The 12 year old boy just nodded as he took out his sword, Riptide. He corrected his stance and focused on channeling his power. Time slowed down for Percy as a huge number of arrows moved towards his direction. He whirled his sword at speeds inhuman for a boy his age vigorously until all the arrows were slashed midair.

Seconds later Percy was alone, a pile of broken arrows surrounding him.

"Impressive Percy," the Queen spoke out, her head high... This boy was going to get far in his life.

"Lady Hera? Are you sure you are okay?" Percy asked cautiously as he noticed that she had been sad lately. Hera just nodded quietly, which confirmed his suspicion.

"Tell me what's the problem."

"It's nothing," Hera replied, trying to sound stern, but Percy thought it sounded more like a whimper.

"Something is wrong... You didn't visit for a week to boss me around. I care for you... you helped me when I was weak and vulnerable, and I wish to do the same for you. So please tell me what is bothering you for Hades' sake!"

"It's none of your business..."

"Please...just tell me!"

Hera looked at the adamant teenager. He showed no signs of backing down, so Hera thought she might as well tell him.

"I just found out Zeus is in a relationship with a mortal... He had been hiding it from me for almost a year now."

Percy gently pressed her shoulders as he noticed she was on the verge of crying.

"Don't keep all your feelings bottled up, that's never the solution."

"Am I not enough for him? Haven't I stayed faithful to him for all these millennium? Every time I forgive him and make him promise that he will never cheat on me again he does... What have I done to deserve this Percy? I have loved him with all my heart ...yet he forgets about what I go through when he has an affair with someone else."

Percy couldn't watch the mighty goddess so sad and thus pulled her to a hug.

"Percy... I apologize if I have been too stern to you, you have responded to my glares with nothing but a smile."

"It's fine Milady, I can understand the pain you go through each time he breaks you heart...just don't keep all the feelings deep inside...no need to put a royal facade in front of everyone while you yourself are broken. Its okay to be sad and angry at someone... and its okay to act that way instead of masking your sorrow," Percy replied as they both sat in comfortable silence.

One thing was for sure though... Percy decided that he hated Zeus.

"You have made me proud Percy; your training has been completed in record time. You have achieved mastery in almost everything. Your courage, discipline and unyielding nature have all payed off in the most perfect way possible. I now make you partially immortal, but keep in mind that you can still die in battle. I gift you ' Alcuasor', the legendary sword Hector himself used against the great Achilles and this bow ' Malanjoar'... all of its arrows are magically enchanted to guarantee certain death of all mortals, demigods and monsters."

Percy bowed to his patron as he graciously accepted all his gifts. "crossroads of destiny and justice served..." the warrior whispered in wonder, inspecting the carvings of the powerful weapons. The goddess simply nodded as she sent a single powerful beam towards Percy.

The warrior winced as a felt a massive surge of power inside him as his body tried to adjust. He spasmed a few times and his body got into positions that an acrobat would be jealous off. Finally getting used to his new form, he got up and wiped the invisible dust on his pants, visibly ashamed as he noticed a smirking goddess. Hera quickly composed herself though.

"Percy...I know you may not like your heritage..but you to must admit that it has given you unprecedented power, power that you can use for good...power that can help you save lives..." And ultimately the whole world, Hera taught inwardly. " I am not telling you to embrace the fact that you are the son of Kronos, I am telling you to embrace the power that has been given to you, the power to control time itself."

Percy just nodded silently, not paying much attention to Hera's wise words as he tried to get used to his new weapons.

Hera sighed...the boy had ADHD after all.

Percy had actually heard all her words with utmost concentration, but didn't want to show that to her. He had decided to not to use his powers unless he was in the brink of dying.

"So...what now?" Percy asked. Was he just going to go to some random place and eat ice-cream all his life?

"You are not going to eat ice-cream all your life...instead I had something else in mind..."

"What?" Percy asked curiously.

"I will send you on small quests...to hone your skills. The tasks may range from getting a demigod to camp to bringing down entire kingdoms. I thought that this might give you a purpose in life for now . You have been brought up in a shell Percy, you have no idea about how the real world is. Its full of vile people...people who would love to see someone doing something good like you die. But there is also good...you can be their beacon of hope Percy , you can be their reason to fight against evil."

"Lady Hera..may I say something?"

"You may."

"You still have not told me the reason you raised me...I have listened to everything you have said and have never broken any of your orders. May I ask what is the purpose for which I have been training my ass off?"

"I am afraid that I cannot tell you the truth now Percy... all I can do is to say that you are possibly an important part in determining Olympus' future," Hera said, her words laced with regret.

Percy wore his enchanted hood as he inspected himself in the mirror. He noticed that his suit would easily camouflage in the darkness . It also had tons of hidden pockets where he could keep a wide varieties of weapons... with some of them having the sole purpose of torturing the unlucky soul that crossed his path. He gave a satisfied nod as he waited for his patron.

"Do not wait for me you dunce... I will contact you like this from now on. You have to guide a camper by the name of Lee Fletcher to camp Olympus...he is a son of Apollo and is currently about 40 miles north of here. The talisman on your hand will guide you to him... a new journey awaits you Perseus, be the hero I know you are."

Percy grinned as he took out his hand from his pocket...only to notice a peacock talisman.

He smirked as he ran to the world beyond, his destiny awaiting him.

So how was the chapter...good maybe? Thanks for all the continued support you guys(and girls) have given me. If you sincerely liked this story...please spend a tiny fraction of this life to review and follow this story. It would be really nice if you add this to your favorites list too!

Also...do you like this chapter? Then PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU WANT MORE SCENES ABOUT PERCY'S PAST. I may not dedicate a full chapter to his past again, but may give flashbacks of his life now and then...that is if you guys give a thumbs up. Those wondering about Blackjack, Percy saved him during one of his adventures...if you people DO give a thumbs up to flashbacks, you may just see that story unfold.

Thank you to people you actually read this author's note and didn't skip it!

therulerofthenile signing out!