The Legendary Demigod

Chapter 9 – The Legend Returns

It was a sunny afternoon at Camp Half-Blood, and the open-air dining hall was full of life. The younger demigods sat at tables arranged by their cabins, swapping stories about quests and adventures. Some were so distracted that they didn't even notice the tall, tanned figure walking beside Chiron toward the Big House.

But soon, the whispers began.

"Hey, did you see that guy? He's huge."

"Is that him? It can't be…"

"Is that Percy Jackson? The hero of Olympus?"

Percy, dressed simply in jeans and a black shirt, walked past the tables without noticing the curious stares. His build was imposing: six feet four inches tall, muscular, with a well-trimmed beard, and light green eyes that shone in the sun. He looked different from the stories, more mature, more experienced, but still unmistakable.

A young woman from the Apollo cabin, with a bow and arrow resting at her side, turned to her friend:

"He's a living legend. The guy who defeated Kronos and Gaia."

"And disappeared for years!" added a boy from the Hermes cabin. "They say he left the world of the gods to fight in mortal wars."

Another young man from the Athena cabin adjusted his glasses, looking skeptical:

"That's an exaggeration. He's just a demigod like us."

But the Apollo girl smiled:

"A demigod who saved the world twice."

Percy noticed the whispers, but didn't pay much attention. He was used to being watched, although he still found it a little uncomfortable.

Later, as dinner was being served, Chiron approached the central fire and raised his voice to get everyone's attention.

— Young demigods, I have an important announcement to make.

The murmurs died down as everyone turned to the centaur. Percy stood beside him, arms crossed and a slight smile on his face.

"As many of you have noticed, our hero Percy Jackson has returned to Camp Half-Blood," Chiron began, his voice full of pride. "He was one of our greatest champions, faced challenges few could endure, and brought glory to the divine world."

The demigods began to applaud and even whistle, although Percy raised a hand, asking for calm.

"Thank you, everyone. It's good to be back," he said, not knowing exactly how to handle the attention.

Chiron continued,

"Percy didn't just come back to visit. He decided to share what he learned on his journey beyond the divine world. From now on, Percy will be one of our instructors."

The applause grew louder, mixed with exclamations of surprise and excitement.

— He will teach swordsmanship, as has always been his specialty, but he will also introduce new disciplines: hand-to-hand combat, espionage techniques, and intelligence. These skills, my children, will be essential to protect the divine and mortal worlds.

The applause became deafening. Some demigods rose to their feet to applaud, while others simply stared at Percy in admiration.

Later, as the young people retired to their cabins, Percy was surrounded by a small group of curious people.

"Percy Jackson, is it true that you defeated Ares in combat?" asked a boy from Ares' cabin, his eyes shining with admiration.

"And that you led the demigods against Kronos in the War of the Labyrinth?" added a girl from Hephaestus' cabin.

Percy laughed, a little embarrassed.

"Well, yes, some of those things are true. But I didn't do it alone. I had help from incredible friends and everyone here at Camp.

A younger boy from the Hermes cabin looked nervous as he asked,

"Are you really going to teach us espionage? Like… how to spy on monsters?"

Percy smiled. "Not just monsters. I'm going to teach you to be more strategic, to think quickly under pressure, and to understand how to work as a team."

The boys nodded excitedly before dispersing. Percy watched as they walked back to their cabins, feeling a mixture of pride and responsibility.

The next day, Percy walked around Camp, inspecting the training grounds. The arena where he had spent hours practicing swordsmanship was still there, but he realized he would have to improvise for some of the new subjects he planned to teach.

He found Chiron near the Big House, organizing some scrolls. "Chiron, we need a more private space for the espionage lessons. Something away from prying eyes."

Chiron thought for a moment before answering.

"Maybe we can use the cave north of Camp. It's secluded and has plenty of space."

"Perfect. I'll get everything ready," Percy said.

Chiron put a hand on his shoulder.

"It's good to see you so excited. I know you'll make an excellent teacher."

Percy smiled.

"I hope so. I just want to give them the tools to survive in this complicated world."

Percy's first lesson was fencing. About twenty demigods were gathered in the arena, some holding swords confidently, others looking uncertain.

Percy walked to the center, holding Riptide, his trusty sword, which gleamed in the sun.

"Okay, everyone. Today we're going to start with the basics, but I want you to know one thing: the most important thing in a battle is not strength or speed, but strategy."

He pointed to a boy from the Ares cabin, who was holding a huge sword.

"You. Come here."

The boy charged forward, excited.

"Try to hit me," Percy said.

The young man charged forward with all his strength, but Percy dodged easily, using only one swift movement.

"You're relying solely on strength. That may work against larger monsters, but against faster opponents, you'll be at a disadvantage."

He went on to demonstrate quick, precise movements, showing how to neutralize attacks without wasting unnecessary energy.

Later, in hand-to-hand combat class, Percy taught them techniques for immobilization and defense, emphasizing how to use the environment to their advantage.

"Remember, never underestimate intelligence. Sometimes, good strategy beats brute force."

By the end of the day, Percy was exhausted but satisfied. The demigods had responded well to his lessons, and he could see that many were learning quickly.

As the sun set, he sat on the porch of the Big House, watching Camp come alive with the lights of the cabins and the sound of distant laughter.

Annabeth appeared, sitting next to him.

"So, Professor, how was your first day?"

"Better than I expected," Percy admitted.

She smiled.

"You've always been a leader, Percy. This… is where you belong."

Percy looked out over the horizon, feeling a rare moment of peace.

"I guess you're right, Annabeth. I think I finally found my place.

Chapter 10 – The Gaze of a Goddess

The day began like any other at Camp Half-Blood, with the demigods going to their classes and training. Percy was in the arena, teaching a group of older demigods how to improvise in combat when a trumpet sound echoed across the hill. Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned to the entrance of the Camp.

"What's going on?" asked a young man from the Hermes cabin.

"There's only one group that comes in like this," Annabeth replied, appearing next to Percy. She looked alert, but also curious. "The Hunters of Artemis."

Percy raised an eyebrow. He hadn't seen Artemis and her group in years, ever since Talia decided to join them. He lowered his sword and walked to the entrance, followed by Annabeth and other curious demigods.

At the top of the hill, an imposing figure led the group: Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, her silver aura shining even in the sun. Behind her, a group of young Hunters marched in perfect formation, all wearing their white and silver robes, with bows and arrows in plain sight.

Among them, Talia Grace, with her spiky black hair and electric blue eyes, surveyed the Camp like someone who had returned home but no longer belonged there.

When the group reached the bottom of the hill, Artemis stopped, and her silver eyes fell on Percy. He was standing next to Annabeth, his gaze fixed on the goddess, but without the nervousness of before.

Talia was the first to break the silence.

"Percy? Is that you?"

Percy smiled, but there was something more serious in his expression now. He walked over to her, the difference in their height now evident.

"Hi, Talia. Are you training your Hunters well?

She studied him up and down, clearly surprised by his transformation.

"You've changed," she said, crossing her arms. "Taller, stronger… and is that a beard?"

Percy laughed.

"I thought it was time for a change."

But Talia looked intrigued. She knew Percy had always been a formidable leader and warrior, but there was something different about him now: a maturity, a calm confidence that he hadn't had before.

As Percy and Talia talked, Artemis watched him silently. The goddess had always seen him as a brave and determined demigod, but still immature and impulsive, like so many other heroes. Now, however, she saw something different.

Percy was no longer a boy. He was a man in every sense of the word: a warrior forged in both mortal and divine battles, someone who had lived longer than most demigods could imagine. There were scars on his soul, but also an indomitable strength.

Finally, Artemis spoke, her voice clear and authoritative.

"Percy Jackson. You've returned to Camp."

He turned to her, bowing his head slightly in respect, but without the subservience that many showed.

"Artemis. It's good to see you again."

She arched an eyebrow, surprised by how calmly he treated her.

"I heard you teach now. Curious. I thought you'd never settle for such a… ordinary life."

"After everything I've been through, I thought it was time to give back. Young demigods need to learn how to survive in this world."

Artemis nodded, but didn't answer right away. Instead, she continued to study him. There was something almost fascinating about the way he stood his ground before her, a goddess who had long despised men.

Later, Artemis met with Chiron at the Big House. Percy, at Chiron's insistence, was also present.

"Artemis, what brings you and your Hunters to Camp?" the centaur asked, with his usual gentleness.

Artemis clasped her hands behind her back, her expression serious.

"We have rumors of a threat emerging in the north. Something that involves both the mortal and the divine worlds. My Hunters are here to prepare and, if necessary, join forces with Camp."

Chiron nodded, concerned.

"Of course, you are always welcome here."

Artemis then turned to Percy.

"And you, Jackson? Are you prepared to lead, if necessary?"

He met her gaze, without hesitation.

"I always have been."

The goddess inclined her head slightly, almost in approval, before leaving.

That night, Talia found Percy sitting on the porch of the Big House, watching the stars. She walked over, sitting beside him without asking.

"I never took you for the settling type, Percy."

He laughed, but there was a wistfulness in his voice.

"Neither did I. But I guess we all need a break eventually."

Talia looked at him, puzzled.

"You've changed. Not just physically, but really."

"Life does that to us," he replied, looking up at the stars. "What about you? Are you still happy as a Huntress?"

"Yes," she said quickly, but there was something in her voice that made him raise an eyebrow.

"That doesn't sound very convincing."

Talia sighed.

"Sometimes I miss that. The camp, of the missions with you, but I made my choice, and I don't regret it.

Percy smiled at her.

"As long as you're happy, that's all that matters."

Over the next few days, Percy and the Hunters began training together. He realized that, despite their discipline and skill, they weren't used to more strategic combat and using their wits in battle.

"You're great Hunters, but you need to learn to think like an enemy," he said during a training session. "It's not enough to be fast or accurate. You need to be unpredictable."

The Hunters were initially reluctant to accept his instructions, but they soon realized that he knew what he was talking about. Even Artemis, who was watching from afar, seemed impressed.

One night, after an exhausting day of training, Artemis found Percy alone by the campfire. He was sharpening Riptide, but he looked up when she approached.

— Goddess Artemis.

She sat elegantly beside him, her silver eyes shining in the darkness.

"You've changed a lot, Percy Jackson."

"I think we all change eventually."

She studied him for a moment before speaking again.

"I've always despised men for their arrogance and impulsiveness. But you… seem different now."

"Life has a way of teaching us, even if it's by force."

Artemis tilted her head, almost intrigued.

"Perhaps. But you've earned something rare from me, Percy: respect."

He was surprised, but just nodded.

"Thank you, Artemis."

As she stood and walked away, Percy watched her, reflecting on how his life had changed. Even in a world where everything seemed unpredictable, he felt like he was exactly where he was supposed to be.

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