The heavy doors clicked shut behind him, and instantly, the noise of the world was cut off completely.
Silence.
Not the awkward, heavy silence of being alone in a crowded room, but a soft, warm silence that seemed to wrap around him like a blanket. It was peaceful. It was safe.
Theo exhaled slowly, letting his shoulders drop completely. He felt the tension he didn't even know he was carrying just melt away.
"Wow," he whispered, his voice echoing softly in the vast space.
The interior of the Temple of Serenity was breathtaking. It was circular, with high ceilings supported by white marble columns. Sunlight filtered through an opening in the roof, illuminating a pool of clear, still water in the center. Everything was clean, simple, and smelled faintly of fresh flowers and rain.
There was no dust, no clutter. Just peace.
Theo walked further inside, his footsteps soft on the stone floor. He dropped his small bag and items onto a bench near the wall.
"Okay," he said to the empty room, grinning widely. "I'm here. I did it. Now... where is this gift you promised?"
As if answering his question, his eyes were drawn to a small pedestal standing right in the center of the room, right next to the pool of water.
Resting on the white marble was a cushion of deep blue velvet.
And sitting on the cushion... was an Egg.
Theo froze.
He walked closer, his steps slow and curious.
It wasn't a normal egg. It was large, about the size of a basketball, and its shell shimmered with a pearlescent glow, shifting colors gently from soft white to pale gold, like moonlight on water. It looked warm to the touch, radiating a faint, comforting energy.
Next to it, pinned by a small silver pin, was a scroll of parchment.
Theo picked up the note carefully, his eyes scanning the elegant, flowing handwriting.
My dearest son,
I create this embryo with my divine authority, with the help of other goddesses.
Nurture and care for it for seven days. You must always stay near it. Let it feel your presence, your warmth, and your heart.
And on the seventh day, speak your name, for it will be your companion, your guardian, and your family.
Rest well, my child.
— Mother
Theo stared at the words, his mouth falling slightly open.
"Like a familiar?" he murmured, looking back at the glowing egg. "Maybe my destined class is summoner?"
He reached out tentatively, his fingers brushing against the smooth surface. It was warm, like it had been sitting in the sun.
He felt a faint, soft pulse beneath his touch, like a tiny heartbeat waiting to awaken.
"So this is the gift," Theo whispered, a soft smile spreading across his face. "I'm supposed to take care of you, huh?"
He sat down cross-legged right there on the floor next to the pedestal, completely forgetting about his books or his snacks.
Seven days. He just had to stay near it, keep it safe, and let it get used to him.
"Okay then," Theo whispered, resting his chin on his knees, watching the egg glow softly. "Looks like we've got a week ahead of us. Nice to meet you, little one."
He felt a strange sense of purpose wash over him, replacing the boredom he had expected. It wasn't just a vacation anymore. He had a job to do. He had something precious to protect.
Leaning his head against the pedestal, Theo closed his eyes, feeling completely at ease.
Outside the Temple, high up in the clouds, Blackjack circled once before landing silently behind a cluster of pine trees on the mountain ridge, far enough away not to be seen.
Percy slid off his back, landing softly in the grass. He pulled his grey travelling cloak around him, tugging up the hood to shade his face.
"Stay here, buddy," he whispered, patting the Pegasus's neck. "Keep quiet."
Blackjack nickered softly, nodding his understanding, and melted into the shadows of the trees.
Percy crept forward, staying low, until he reached the edge of the clearing surrounding the temple.
He peered through the gap in the massive doors, which were slightly ajar.
His heart did a little flip when he saw Theo inside.
He was sitting on the floor, looking completely calm and happy. He wasn't hurt. He wasn't scared. He looked... serene.
Percy let out a breath he didn't know he was holding, his shoulders relaxing instantly.
'Okay,' Percy thought, watching him intently. 'He's safe. He's fine.'
Then his eyes landed on the object on the pedestal. The glowing egg.
Percy frowned slightly, squinting.
'What is that?' he wondered, tilting his head. 'Some kind of divine rock? Or... is that an egg?'
He watched as Theo touched it gently, a look of pure fascination on his face.
Whatever it was, it seemed important. Theo was clearly taking it seriously.
Percy settled down behind a large marble pillar just outside the entrance, making himself as comfortable as possible on the hard stone.
He drew his knees up to his chest, wrapping his cloak tighter around him against the mountain breeze.
He wasn't going anywhere.
And he completely forgot that waiting and ADHD do not go well together.
Inside the Temple, the atmosphere was pure bliss.
Theo had made himself quite comfortable. He had dragged a soft cushion over next to the pedestal and was currently lying on his side, propped up on one elbow.
He was reading a book, munching on an apple, and occasionally reaching out to stroke the warm, glowing egg beside him.
"Yeah, you just rest there," Theo murmured affectionately to the egg. "Mom said you need warmth. Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere. We're gonna have a nice quiet week."
The egg pulsed gently, as if agreeing.
Theo sighed contentedly. Absolute peace. No noise. No drama. No Percy Jackson popping out of nowhere to fuss over him.
Perfect.
Or so he thought.
Suddenly, a faint, strange sound drifted from the entrance.
Scritch-scratch.
Followed by a very suspicious rustling of fabric.
Theo paused mid-bite. He didn't even look up immediately. He just closed his eyes and let out a long, suffering sigh through his nose.
'No,' he told himself firmly. 'It's just the wind. It's just an echo. Relax, Theo. You are being paranoid.'
He took another bite of apple.
Thump.
Scrape.
Muffled coughing.
Theo lowered his book slowly. His eye twitched. The peaceful atmosphere was instantly shattered, replaced by rising irritation.
He turned his head towards the massive entrance doors, which were slightly ajar to let in the fresh air.
"Okay," Theo said aloud, his voice flat and completely devoid of surprise. "I know you're there."
Silence. Total, absolute silence. So silent you could hear a pin drop.
Theo rolled his eyes. He didn't even stand up immediately, just called out again, bored.
"You think I'm joking?" Theo called out, his voice echoing slightly in the hall. "I am counting to three. If you are not out here by then, I am coming over there and I am dragging you out by your ear. One... Two..."
Before he could even say three, very slowly and reluctantly, a figure emerged from behind the pillar just outside the door.
Percy Jackson stepped into view.
He was still wearing his travelling cloak, hood up, looking like a shady assassin or a ninja. One hand was raised in a lame attempt to wave, the other was rubbing the back of his neck.
He had the most guilty, caught-red-handed expression on his face. A wide, forced, innocent smile that didn't reach his eyes at all.
"Uh... hey!" Percy chirped, his voice an octave higher than normal. "Fancy seeing you here! What a coincidence! Wow! Small world!"
Theo just stared at him. Blinked once. Twice.
He didn't look angry yet. He just looked... resigned. Exasperated. Like a parent who has just found their kid eating cookies right after being told not to.
Percy's smile faltered slightly under the glare.
Theo slowly set his book down and stood up. He didn't say anything, just walked closer, arms crossed tightly over his chest.
"Coincidence?" Theo repeated, his voice low and dangerous. "Percy."
"Yeah?"
"You are literally standing three feet inside the temple door, hiding behind a pillar like a stalker."
"I... uh..." Percy took a step back, hands raised defensively. The 'cool spy' act was completely gone. "I was just... passing by! Flying around! Checking the weather!"
He looked Percy up and down, taking in the full spy gear: the cloak, the serious expression, the way he was trying to blend into the marble wall.
"And don't tell me you were 'just passing by'," Theo added flatly. "You flew all the way up here, on a mountain peak, in the middle of nowhere, just to 'check the clouds'?"
Percy opened his mouth. Closed it. Opened it again.
"Well... uh..."
Theo ran a hand through his hair, pacing slightly, clearly furious now.
"I am not a child, Percy! I don't need a babysitter! I certainly don't need you hovering over me every single second of the day! Can't you just trust me enough to leave me alone?!"
Percy stood there, looking like he had just been slapped. The guilt washed over his face, his shoulders slumping. He looked down at his feet, the hood shadowing his face.
"I know..." Percy mumbled quietly, sounding small. "I know I promised... I know I said I'd stay away..."
He looked back up, eyes wide and earnest, like a puppy that had been scolded but just couldn't leave.
"I just... I couldn't stay back there," he admitted softly, his voice losing all its bravado. "I tried. I really tried. But every time I thought about you up here, alone... I had to make sure you were actually okay. I had to be here."
He gestured vaguely towards himself.
"I know I'm annoying. I know I'm bad at staying still and I'm bad at hiding. I just... I care about you, okay? I can't turn it off."
Theo stared at him. He saw the messy hair, the guilty look, the fact that Percy had flown all this way just because he was scared something might happen.
The anger was still there, burning hot, but underneath it... there was that familiar feeling of helplessness.
'Why does he have to be so stubborn?' Theo thought, his chest tightening. 'Why does he have to make me mad and then make me feel bad for being mad?'
He just sighed again, a long, dramatic sound, and dropped his head into his hands for a second before looking back up.
"You know," Theo said slowly, rubbing his temples. "I should have expected this. Honestly. I should have known."
"What?" Percy asked, looking defensive. "Expected what?"
"Expected that you would follow me," Theo said, walking closer until he was right in front of him. "I told you clearly. I needed space. I needed to be alone."
"I am letting you be alone!" Percy argued back immediately, pointing at himself. "I was outside! I was invisible! Well, I was invisible until I tripped over that stupid root!"
"You tripped?" Theo raised an eyebrow.
"...Maybe," Percy mumbled, looking away. "It was uneven ground! Don't judge me!"
Theo just shook his head, a small, tired smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. He looked at Percy, who was trying so hard to look tough and responsible but just looked like a lost puppy who refused to go home.
He let out a long, shaky breath, running a hand down his face. The fury slowly faded into a deep, tired exasperation.
"You are impossible," Theo muttered, looking away. "Absolutely impossible."
He looked back at Percy, who was still standing there looking like he expected to be kicked out.
"So," Theo crossed his arms again, though his tone was slightly softer now. "What now? Are you going to stand guard outside for seven days? Or are you planning to annoy me inside?"
Percy's head snapped up, eyes lighting up slightly, sensing the truce.
"I'm guarding!" he declared firmly. "I promise! I'll be quiet! I'll be like a statue! A very handsome, protective statue!"
He looked past Theo, his eyes landing on the glowing egg on the pedestal. His curiosity instantly overriding his guilt.
"Besides," Percy added, pointing. "I wanna know what that thing is! Is it really an egg? What's inside? A chicken? A dragon? Is it tasty?"
Theo pinched the bridge of his nose. The anger was gone, replaced by a massive headache.
"It's not for food, Seaweed Brain," Theo muttered, turning back to walk to the pedestal. "And no, it's not a chicken."
He picked up the note and tossed it to Percy.
"Here. Read it. Since you're here anyway. Might as well know what you're signing up for."
Percy caught the note quickly, reading it intently. His eyes widened.
"This is the gift of your mother?" Percy looked up, looking genuinely excited now, forgetting all about being in trouble. "Wow! Your mom is awesome! So we have to take care of it?"
"We?" Theo repeated sharply, raising an eyebrow.
"I mean you!" Percy corrected himself instantly, holding up his hands in surrender. "You! You have to take care of it! I'm just... the supervisor! The bodyguard!"
Theo looked at him. Really looked at him.
He saw Percy standing there, messy hair, cloak askew, having flown all this way just because he was worried.
He looked ridiculous, he was annoying, he couldn't follow simple instructions... but he was here.
Theo let out another breath, feeling the last of his anger fade away.
'Why am I not surprised?' Theo thought again, shaking his head helplessly. 'Of course he came. Of course he got caught looking stupid. This is just... Percy.'
"Fine," Theo said, turning back to the egg. "If you promise to be quiet and not disturb me, you can stay. But if you snore, you sleep outside with the wolves."
Percy's face lit up like a Christmas tree.
"I don't snore!" he beamed, instantly rushing over to sit cross-legged next to Theo, completely forgetting his 'shadow' persona. "Can I touch it? Is it warm? Oh my gods, it's glowing!"
Theo just looked at the ceiling, praying for patience.
Peace and quiet. Right. Seven days of peace and quiet.
Sure.
With Percy Jackson around? Fat chance.