Rise (Percy Jackson x Reader)

twenty-three

edited: april 4, 2021; may 23, 2021; rewritten: june 2, 2024
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As she reaches the open door of the motel room, (Y/N) looks around for the message Hermes had left. Her gaze shifts to the floor, landing on a parchment envelope sealed with a stamp of black wax. She crouches down, picking up the envelope and examining the Greek writing as she translates it.

(Y/N) (Y/L/N), daughter of Persephone
OPEN IMMEDIATELY

She stands up straight, looking around behind her before making her way back into the motel room and closing the door. The second she steps inside, her friends—now completely awake with the nightstand lamp on—bombard her with questions.

"What happened?" Grover asks, still groggy.

"Are you okay?" follows Percy.

"What's that?" Annabeth's voice sounds last, and she looks intently at the envelope in (Y/N)'s hand. Percy and Grover turn their attention to it, sitting up straighter with intrigue.

"It's a message," (Y/N) explains, walking over to the edge of her shared bed with Annabeth. She sits, facing the space in between each bed. Annabeth scoots over to sit at the mattress edge, crossing her legs. The boys sit opposite (Y/N) on their bed, listening intently as she continues: "Hermes delivered it here by request of Hades."

"Why would Hades want to send you a message?" Grover asks.

(Y/N) shrugs. "I have no idea."

She holds the envelope up to the light, examining the seal closely. Imprinted in the wax, Hades's sign glimmers with an ethereal sort of amber light. (Y/N) slides her dagger underneath, slicing clean across to release the seal. Running her finger along the uneven border of charred parchment, she unfolds the enclosed letter. 

She pauses.

"It's blank," she says, confusion drowning her voice.

"What?" Annabeth furrows her eyebrows, and (Y/N) repeats herself, holding it closer to the light.

"It's blank."

"That's weird." Annabeth bites her lip in thought. 

Percy hums as an idea comes to him. "Maybe it's invisible ink."

(Y/N) furrows her eyebrows at Percy, disbelieving, until he continues, "You know, so then no one else can read it. We already know he doesn't exactly trust me."

She tilts her head. "Blue, you may just about be a genius." He ducks his head somewhat, his cheeks tinted a light pink.

(Y/N) turns off the lamp, sending the room into darkness. Concentrating, she creates a small ball of fire in her hand. The flames illuminate her face, and she holds the letter to the light. With the glow from the fire, shimmering Greek words inked in gold appear, darkening to rest at a burning orange.

Her mind translates the message, although she doesn't need it to, and the words on the page shuffle around to reappear as English.

(Y/N),

How many times do I have to tell you to stay out of trouble before you just take a step back?

          I don't know what you think you're doing, but I must ask that you stop. If you come to the Underworld with the lightning thief, then you will be put in danger. When he gives me the bolt, there will no doubt be gods seeking revenge or power. They will most likely go after me or, if not including, Poseidon's son. You will get caught in the crossfire.