Chapter 7:
"Hello Gerald, I'm Percy, and ah were am I" asked a stumped Percy. Percy got up from the bed and looked at the man straight in the eyes.

Gerald narrowed his eyes, they glowed red again, "you really do not know do you?" he asked easing up his posture.

Percy shook his head and Gerald continued, "you are at the circle of the druids."

Percy then asked a very strange question, "what is the year?"

Gerald gave a questioning look, "according to the calendar of Numa it had been 500 years since Rome."

Percy's head started spinning. So he was alive during Roman times, could the gods be alive? If so he had to find Artemis, or her roman form, what was it again? Diana?

"I see, so where are we exactly?"

"I told you the circle of druids," replied Gerald in a pissed of tone.

"No I mean like where, were like which country?"

"I don't know, and look that is enough out of you, I have some questions for you, starting with your name, what is it?"

Percy did not like this guy, not one bit, but if he wanted information he would have to comply, "my name is Perseus, Percy Jackson."

Gerald nodded, "that's a very greek name Percy. Now tell me how did you get in here? It should be impossible."

"Look Gerald I have no idea what you are talking about all I know is I woke up here and found you interrogating me."

"Intero-what? Look boy this no time to be playing around, tell me-"

"-now now Gerald is that how you treat someone who just woke up from a coma?" said a voice. Percy looked and saw and old man by the door. The man wore a white robe with a leather belt and red cloak. On his belt was a golden sickle and several herbs.

"Grand master Brain," said Gerald bowing to the man who walked in.

The man walked to Percy, "so Percy is it?"

Percy nodded, "now tell me Percy," asked the druid, "is this the first time you have time traveled?"

Percy jaw dropped and so did Gerald, "but-but how did you-"

"Know? Haha my boy when you live to be as long as I have you learn a few things. Now maybe it is time we get you something to eat, I do believe you have quite a story for us."

Percy nodded and the three men left the hut. Outside reminded Percy a little bit of camp halfblood. There were huts everywhere some wooded some mud. And there were several people outside wearing the same robes as Brain.

"Gerald!" came a cry. Percy turned and saw a girl walking to them wearing armour like Gerald and a little bit of muscle on her. She looked to be about 19 or so and had blond hair and grey eyes, 'a child of Athena?' though Percy.

"Kila, what is it?" asked Gerald in a commanding tone.

The girl nodded and continued, "Milla, Hector and I have found something at the edge of the circle we don't know what it is, we were hoping you could help us."

Gerald nodded to the girl and turned and looked at Brain, "grandmaster Brain I have to go, can you handle him by yourself?" he asked scowling at Percy, to which Percy stuck his tongue out, yes very mature I know.

Brain chuckled at Percy's actions, "yes Gerald I think I can handle young Percy just fine, now go along, your pack needs you. And stop calling me grand master I hate that title."

Gerald rolled his eyes at the last comment and the took of with the girl, Kila.

Brain looked at Percy with a smile, "well now Percy let me introduce you to everyone. That right there is Kim," he said pointing at a young girl with an iron sickle,she had black hair with green eyes, like Percy, she was cutting flowers, "she's my grand daughter. Her mother is Cora, my daughter, her father is Andrew I think they should be somewhere around here, they have another girl about your age. Me and my family live here along with the Hales. Do you know where you are Percy?"

"No idea, Gerald kept saying something about the circle of druids?"

Brain nodded, "yes Percy that is true. But you see we do not know exactly where we are per say. The roman gods chased us out of Rome and to hear, only thing is we do not know where here is. We were banished here and have been trying to escape ever since."

Percy's eyes widened, "why what did you guys do?"

Gerald laughed, "we existed. The Hale pack you see are actually were wolves."

"WEREWOLVES?!" yelled out Percy.

"Yes, direct descendents of Lycaon. But they shifted away from that monster and became their own pack, and when they went to the gods for safety, Jupiter banished them here."
"Jupiter?"

"Ah I believe that he would be know as Zeus to you."

"Oh. So why are you here then?"

"Sigh, We druids are looked down upon by romans. They hate us some even went as far as to hunt us. One night a group of roman soldiers under order from the general found us and were about to kill us, but I prayed to Diana. The roman goddess of wilderness liked us druids and favoured us, so when the romans struck down our homes she teleported us here. But in the process of sending us here, Mars interfered. Mars you see hated us, treated out kind us scum. So when Lady Diana tried to send us to safety Mars interfered and sent us here."

Percy took all Brain said in. Diana, Artemis she was still there in his life, no matter who far away. She did this, helped and innocent family, Percy smiled at her heart. "So why can't you leave?"

"Because of the circle of druids," at Percy's puzzled look Brain further explained, "it's what we call this prison of ours, look at the sky Percy," and when Percy did he noticed nothing out of place.

But the longer he stared, something started to appear to him, something shiny, it's almost like…. "is that a dome?" asked Percy.

Brain nodded, "yes it is Percy now you see this is our prison. We have made a spell to hep us get out of here, but for that we need to know where we are first. We were hoping when you appeared you would know."

"But Brain you knew I was a time traveler. How?"

"Ah simple Percy I saw you come out of giant portal, and something like that was once described in the ancient scripts. They tell of how Saturn, that's Kronos to you, used them to fight with great armies against the gods. So I assumed you time traveled. And considering the fact that you are not Saturns man and did not try to kill us the moment you got here that is a plus hehehe."

Percy smiled, a little concerned about the mental state of mind of Brain. "So have you ever met any other time travelers?"

Brain shook his head, "no Percy can't say I have, though I have read a lot about time spells and their uses, and they usually need a place and time known to them, so I hoped you knew where you were." Percy nodded, his eyes darkening with hate, Brain noticed this and said, "now lets get you something to eat shall we?" Brain led Percy to an open area mess hall. In the center of the hall was a hearth, and Percy could almost see the outline of a little girl by the hearth.

"Father is that the boy?" asked a sweet voice. Percy saw a woman dressed like Brain carrying a silver sickle, she had black hair and blue eyes, she was tall about 5'7 and had a face which was filled with happiness.

"Indeed it is Cora," he turned to Percy, "Percy meet my daughter Cora, Cora this young man is Percy."

"Hello Percy welcome to our home," she said smiling her brightest smile, "now would you both like lunch? I just made it." Percy nodded, "good! You two sit down I'll be right back! I have to call Andrew from his work and Kim and Opal. Gods those three drive me nuts." Cora then turned away and went to find her family.

Brain sat down at one of the tables, "hehe she is the only one here with any self control, the glue that holds this family. Now Percy you have heard our story, I believe it is time to hear yours?"

Percy nodded and began. He told him about who he was, needless to say when he told Brian he was a demigod the old druid got the shock of his life. After a moment to calm down the druid Percy began again.

He told Brain of how he fought Kronos in the final battle. Of how he protected Olympus from Kronos, and how some way the power of the gods were put into him, making him almost reach death's door. About how he then fought back against Kronos and the titan cursing him to travel through time forever. Percy however did not mention anything about Artemis, he just told Brain that during his first trip through time he met the fates and they told him what was happening.
"And then I got teleported here," ended Percy.

Brains' eyes were wide open, "...well, that is… quite a story Percy. But then again I shouldn't expect anything less from a time traveler."

"Time traveler?" asked a new voice, Percy turned and saw a man with blonde hair and grey eyes waking to them. He wore robes similar to Brain and has a silver sickle.

"Ah Andrew glad you could make it," said Brain waving to the man, "where did Cora find you?"
Andrew rubbed his head, "haha you know I was around. I was working on a project when Cora came barging in demanding I go to lunch." Andrew then sat down opposite to Percy, "so you are the mystery boy, my name is Andrew," he extended an amr to Percy.

"Hello I am Percy," said Percy shaking the offered hand.

"Glad to meet you Percy, now Percy, what's this I heared about time traveling?"

"Perhaps we should wait for the others, I do believe young Percy would not like to repeat the story again and again."

Percy nodded and soon everyone else arrives. There was Cora bringing her two daughters, Kim, who Percy already met and another girl who looked like a smaller version of Cora. Then Gerald came and along with him came Kila. Along with those two came a woman with brown curly hair and brown eyes, and a young man with black hair and green eyes, similar to Gerald. They both wore leather armor similar to Gerald and Kila.

"Now that we are all here lets the introductions begin, Everyone this is Percy," Brain said, he looked to Percy, "Percy you know myself, Cora, Andrew, Gerald and Kila, now let me introduce you to the rest of this family. The girl over there looking like a younger Cora is Opal," Brain pointed to the girl who sat opposite to Brain. "Then there is Kim," he pointed to the little blond girl, "and Mila and Hector," he pointed to the two people at the end of the table.

"Now I believe you owe us a story," asked a very curios Andrew, he was definitely a child of Athena.

And so Percy told his story again, by the end of it they were speechless.

"Alright then I'll get dinner," said Cora., she then went of to a hut and brought out a big pot of soup, she poured one bowl for every person there.

"So you have meet the Fates?" asked Opal in between her bites of the soup.

Percy nodded, "Really?! What are they like?!" asked a very excited Kim, who was getting her soup everywhere.

"Now Kim let the poor boy eat," scowled Cora.

"But mooom.." and then they all started talking at once. Andrew and Brain were discussing ways of finding a way out of here. Kim was arguing with her mother. Opal was eyeing Gerald, who was talking to Kila, Mila and Hector.

Percy looked down at his bowl. His soup was green with a hint of yellow in there. Last time he saw something of that color it tried to met his face. Kampe spit is acid f.y.i. He took the spoon in his hand and scooped up and spoon full of the soup. He took it up to hi nose and sniffed it, it smelt…. very different. Like a good kind of different. The spice in it must be excotic, because Percy could not smell one he recognized. He gathered his courage, "bottoms up."

The moment it touched his tongue, his taste buds lit up like the 4th of july. Every single cell on his tongue wanted more of the stuff, and Percy obliged. He took the soup in one hand and quickly finished off the entire soup in 20 seconds.

"Well looks like someone likes Mrs. Cora's cooking," said a giggling Kila. Percy blushed.

"Amazing not even Andrew can eat that fast," said Brain.

"It tasted good, what is it," asked Percy.

"Oh just some vegetables I found lying around dear," said a smiling Cora, "see that Opal why don't you like my meals like that?"

"Mom I just don't like it okay, soup one day is okay, but the same thing for 5 years will just get on anyone's nerves," protested Opal.

"So Percy any idea what you are going to do?"asked Kim.

"Well I was hoping to get control over my powers, maybe by then I would be teleported away from here," said Percy.

"I see, yes you mentioned your mishap with the gods powers," said Brain, "tell me Percy do you know what the spark of life is?"

"Spark of life?" asked Percy.

"The spark of life is something that is not there, but is see it has no physical form so some say it doesn't exist, but it does. It is the collection of memories and personality that we as a person collect, it is what makes us, us," said Andrew. Yup definitely a child of Athena.

"So you mean a soul?" asked Percy.

"Soul? That has a nice ring to it, much shorter than spark of life," said Brain.

'Great I just invented the word soul, just great' thought Percy.

"Anyway yes, a soul, as you call it, is something everyone has. Monsters," Andrew looked at Gerald for this, "mortals, even gods. By the way you describe it you have a little bit of the gods soul in you. So if you want them out, yet keep their powers you are going to have to meditate."
"Wait what?"

"Meditate, it means-"

"-no I know what it means, I mean why should I?"

"When you meditate it you will feel oneness with your soul and a feeling of bliss should go through you, but since you have several god in you, you should connect to the soul which is most different from you, that is the furthest from your true soul."

"So… it's like digging? The souls which are not like mine are above, and the ones that are like mine and lower into the ground?"

"Yes…... its like digging," said Andrew, surprised at the simplification.

"Okay that sound like fun!" yelled Percy.

"HAHAHA, alright Percy since you are done lets start it right now, come." Brain then lead Percy out to the forest, they walked until the came across a clearing with a large stone in the center, it was flat Percy got the idea and sat down on it.

"Now Percy focus, reach for inside you. Feel what is there inside you and go and touch, it will feel long and tiring, but never give you, remember you know what and where your soul is. The question is are you willing to go out and touch it?"

Percy closed his eyes and focused. But being someone with ADHD that is a lot easier said than done. His mind kept thinking of different things. 'Like maybe if I got out of this place he could go and meet Artemis again. And then find a way to break this damned curse. Why am I doing this again? Oh yeah to get control. But why? I mean I could just like not, just spend forever traveling through time. That could pretty fun. No gods, no damn prophecy. But no Artemis either.

All Right focus. Brain said I would know where to look, may be here? No, here? No. God damnit! Where is it?! Hey what's that?'

Just then Percy opened his eyes and he was floating in the middle of a large body of water. And when he meant float he meant floating under the surface.

Percy looked around, the water was clear, he could see forever on all sides, but when he looked down, he could not see anything. It was too dark, almost like something was blocking it. Percy swam down going closer and closer to the darkness. He reached out and touched it, and felt… something.

Suddenly the world flashed away, and Percy was drawn somewhere else. He looked around and saw himself in a city, by the looks of thing the city was greek. There was also a lot of olive trees there.

"So you are here Percy," said a voice all too familiar to Percy. the son of Poseidon turned around and saw… Athena?

The goddess was sitting under a tree, her spear in her hand along with her shield Aegis, the original one. She wore greek armor and a helmet laid on the ground by her side.
"Lady A-"began Percy.

"Save your breath sea spun I have no patience for you. I had to get stuck here, in this pitiful mind. You are such a fool Jackson, seeing you act and doing such stupid things caused me actual physical harm."

Percy was a little taken back by the honesty, but he pushed on,"Lady Athena I have come here-"

"-I know why you are here boy. Tell me do you believe and insignificant whelp like you should even deserve a fraction of a fraction of my knowledge?"

"I… I just want to get home my Lady."

"And see Artemis?" she asked with an amused smile.

"Th-that is I mean-I ah-" stammered Percy, blushing like hell.

"Save it Jackson, if anything I approve, now," she got up from her spot and put on her helm "lets see whether you can earn my powers. This spear," she pointed to her weapon, which glowed grey, "is the representation of knowledge. Beat me and it's yours."

Percy nodded, he drew Riptide and got ready for a fight.

Athena smirked, "now then let me show you why I am the god of skill and battle tactics!"

Athena smirked and threw her spear into the sky, it came down directly above Percy. But just then the sun reflected of Percy blocking his vision. But Percy managed to jump just in time to evade being skewered.

He looked up at the battle field and saw not one spear, but 20! The battle ground was littered with copies of them, and they completely destroyed the field, there were stone popping out all over the place. But just then he realised he was distracted, and by the time he turned around he was hit by Aegis. Percy was sent flying back into the tree Athena was resting on.

When Percy opened his eyes he saw Athena throw a bolas at him, without time to evade he was tied to the tree by bolas. He tried to get out but he was tied to the tree.

"You disappointed me Jackson," Athena said, picking up a spear of the ground, she twirled it around her hand, "well then enough games, die!"

She threw the spear and Percy thought, 'oh fuck!'

Notes

For the full story check out my profile at fan fic-https://www.fanfiction.net/u/5380086/I-mjusttryingtofindmyway