# Chapter 9: Sweat and Power Nico woke to the sound of seagulls outside the cabin window and Percy's deep, even breathing beside him. For a moment, he simply lay there, feeling the warmth of Percy's body against his own. The sun had barely risen, casting a soft golden glow through the windows of Cabin 3. He carefully shifted onto his side to look at Percy. The son of Poseidon slept peacefully, his muscular chest rising and falling with each breath. His blond curls stuck to his forehead with sweat, and his face held a slight grimace even in sleep, as if his body sensed something wasn't right. A surge of energy pulsed through Nico's body as he remembered the previous night's extraction. The power he'd consumed from Percy now flowed through his veins like liquid fire. He felt more alive than ever before, more confident in himself. He flexed his fingers, marveling at the tingling sensation of godly energy coursing through them. This was only a small portion of what Percy felt every day! Percy stirred beside him, his eyes fluttering open. For a moment, he looked confused to find Nico so close, but then recognition dawned, and he smiled sleepily. "Morning," he mumbled, his voice thick with sleep. "No nightmares?" Nico shook his head. "None. Thanks for letting me sleep here." Percy stretched his arms above his head, causing the muscles in his chest and shoulders to flex impressively. Nico couldn't help but stare, his eyes drawn to Percy's pectoral muscles, which seemed fuller than before, despite the extraction. Percy's nipples had darkened slightly and grown larger, standing out against his chest. "I feel strange," Percy said, sitting up and rubbing his face. He sniffed at his armpit and grimaced. "And I seriously need a shower. I can't believe I've gone four days without one." He swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up, stretching again. His boxers hung low on his hips, revealing the deep V-cut of his pelvis. Despite having drained a significant portion of Percy's godly power, Nico noticed the demigod's physical appearance hadn't diminished at all. If anything, his muscles looked even more defined, bulging impressively as he stretched. "You look good," Nico said before he could stop himself. "I mean, all your training is really paying off." Percy glanced down at his own body, flexing his bicep experimentally. "Yeah, I guess it is. I feel weird though, like... I don't know..." He ran a hand across his pectoral muscles, his fingers brushing over his nipples. A look of confusion crossed his face as he felt the changed texture and size. "I'm gonna take that shower," Percy said, grabbing a towel from the foot of his bed. "I probably just slept funny or something." He walked to the small bathroom attached to the cabin, closing the door behind him. A moment later, Nico heard the shower turn on. Left alone, Nico sat up in Percy's bed, the covers pooling around his waist. He looked down at his own skinny arms and narrow chest, he was as weak and feble as ever? But he certainly felt stronger, more substantial somehow. The sound of Percy's voice drifted through the bathroom door. He seemed to be talking to himself, his words unclear but his tone confused. Nico strained to hear what he was saying, but the running water drowned out most of the sound. His eyes fell on the pile of clothes Percy had discarded the previous night after Capture the Flag. The latex battle t-shirt lay crumpled on the floor, soaked with sweat. Beside it lay Percy's armor—the bronze breastplate and greaves he'd worn during the game. And even his sexy battle tights and his 4 days tight underwear. All of it still carried Percy's scent, the powerful masculine odor that had grown stronger with each passing day. Nico glanced at the bathroom door, making sure it remained closed, then slipped out of bed. He moved quietly across the cabin floor and picked up Percy's t-shirt, bringing it to his face. He inhaled deeply, the musky scent of Percy's sweat filling his nostrils. It smelled of power, of divinity, of everything that made Percy the Earth's greatest hero. He folded the shirt carefully and tucked it under his own pillow. Then he gathered Percy's armor, noting how the breastplate retained the imprint of Percy's muscular chest. He ran his fingers along the inside of the flexible metal, feeling the moisture and warm left behind by Percy's sweat and muscles. Nico needed to hide these items—these precious mementos of Percy at his physical peak. He looked around the cabin, eyes settling on his own duffel bag tucked under his bunk. Quickly, he carried the armor over and stuffed it inside, puting them on a separate bag, together with the t-shirt, thigts and underwear, covering it with his spare clothes. He couldn't explain the compulsion to collect these items, but he knew he wanted to keep them, to have something of the true Percy—the mighty demigod—once his plan was complete. The shower water stopped, and Nico hurried back to his own bunk, sitting innocently with a book in his hands when Percy emerged from the bathroom a few minutes later. Steam billowed out around him as he stepped into the cabin, a towel wrapped around his waist. Water droplets clung to his muscular body, running down the defined ridges of his abdomen. "Feel better?" Nico asked, trying to keep his voice casual. Percy nodded, running a hand through his wet blond curls. "Yeah, much better." Percy walked to the dresser and pulled out fresh clothes—another orange camp t-shirt and a pair of jeans. He dropped his towel without self-consciousness, giving Nico a brief glimpse of his naked body before he pulled on a pair of boxers. "I'm starving," Percy said as he dressed. "Let's get breakfast before training." They walked to the dining pavilion together, Percy seemingly restored to his usual cheerful self after his shower. He moved with the same confidence and grace as always, his powerful physique drawing eyes from all directions. Only Nico knew the truth—that beneath Percy's impressive exterior, his godly energy was slowly being drained away. At breakfast, Percy piled his plate high with food—scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, and pancakes drizzled with syrup and blue food coloring. He ate with enthusiasm, as if trying to refuel his depleted energy reserves. "You're eating a lot," Nico observed, picking at his own much smaller breakfast. Percy nodded, his mouth full. "I'm really hungry today," he said after swallowing. "I guess all that training yesterday worked up an appetite." "What's on the schedule for today?" Nico asked, though he already knew the answer thanks to the hypnotic suggestions he'd planted. "More training," Percy replied, a determined gleam in his blue eyes. "I want to work on my sword fighting and hand-to-hand combat. I need to be stronger physically." Nico suppressed a smile. The suggestion had taken hold perfectly. "Sounds intense." "It will be," Percy agreed, pouring himself a second glass of orange juice. "I'm going to push myself harder than ever today." After breakfast, they parted ways. Percy headed for the training grounds while Nico claimed he needed to check on something. In reality, he wanted to observe Percy from a distance, to see how the extraction was affecting him without being too obvious about it. Nico positioned himself on a small hill overlooking the training area, where he had a clear view but wouldn't be immediately noticed. Below, Percy had already begun his workout, performing a series of complicated sword maneuvers against a training dummy. Nico could see that Percy worked harder than ever, and his body was a marvel of strength. His t-shirt quickly became soaked with sweat, clinging to his muscular frame and highlighting every ridge and curve of his powerful torso. Other campers began to gather, watching Percy's workout with admiration. They didn't seem to notice his fatigue—he still looked like the camp's greatest hero, training with intensity and purpose. Several Aphrodite girls stood in a small cluster, giggling and pointing whenever Percy's shirt rode up to reveal his abs. After an hour of sword practice, Percy moved on to hand-to-hand combat, sparring with Clarisse and two other Ares kids. Nico watched as Percy's body began to glisten with sweat, his blond hair darkening with moisture. The demigod's face was flushed red with exertion, and his breathing came in slightly heavy gasps. He was clearly pushing himself beyond his limits, driven by the hypnotic suggestion to train harder than ever. During a water break, Clarisse said something to Percy that Nico couldn't hear. Percy shook his head vehemently in response, wiping sweat from his brow with the bottom of his shirt, momentarily exposing his abs and chest. Nico noticed Percy's nipples were visible through the wet fabric of his shirt, darker and more prominent than they were two days ago. Percy returned to training with renewed intensity, moving to the pull-up bar. He gripped the metal bar and began pulling his body up, muscles straining with each repetition. The veins in his arms stood out prominently, and his face contorted with effort. One of the younger campers approached Percy as he completed his set. "Can you show me how to do that?" the boy asked, looking up at Percy with admiration. Percy nodded, breathing heavily. "Sure," he gasped, wiping his forehead with his arm. "The key is to use your back muscles, not just your arms." He demonstrated again, pulling his chin over the bar with apparent ease, though Nico could see the exhaustion in his face. Percy's shirt had become so soaked with sweat that it was practically transparent, clinging to his skin like a second layer. Evidencing his muscular form. "You're sweating a lot today, Jackson," Clarisse commented as she walked past. Percy frowned, dropping from the bar. "Just pushing myself," he replied defensively. "Unlike some people who rest on their laurels." Clarisse rolled her eyes and walked away. He touched his chest absently, fingers brushing over his nipples through his wet shirt, before turning back to the young camper to continue the lesson. By midday, Percy's exhaustion was more evident. His movements had become a little bit sluggish, his reactions delayed. Yet he continued to push himself, moving from exercise to exercise without adequate rest. The determination in his eyes hadn't diminished, even as his body struggled to keep up the intense training. When lunchtime arrived, Percy didn't stop training. While other campers headed to the dining pavilion, he remained at the practice field, now working with weighted balls. He lifted them over his head, threw them against walls, and performed squats while holding them against his chest. Nico decided to bring Percy some food, partly out of concern and partly to observe him more closely. He gathered a sandwich and some fruit from the dining pavilion and headed down to the training area. "You should eat something," he said, approaching Percy and holding out the food. Percy looked up, sweat dripping from his face onto the ground. His chest heaved with exertion, and his hands trembled slightly as he reached for the sandwich. "Thanks," he said, his voice hoarse. He took a bite, chewing slowly. "I didn't realize how hungry I was." "You've been at it for hours," Nico pointed out. "Don't you think you should take a break?" Percy shook his head, swallowing his mouthful of food. "Can't. Need to get stronger." Nico studied Percy closely. The son of Poseidon's face was flushed, his eyes slightly unfocused. His t-shirt clung to his body, completely soaked through with sweat. Despite the clear signs of exhaustion, his muscles still looked impressive, bulging powerfully beneath his wet clothes and answering all what the hero was asking them. "You're already the strongest demigod at camp," Nico said. "Why push yourself this hard?" Percy took another bite of his sandwich, chewing thoughtfully. "I don't know," he admitted after swallowing. "I just feel like I need to. Like it's important." The hypnotic suggestion was working perfectly, driving Percy to exhaust himself physically. Soon, he would be too tired to resist the night's extraction, which would drain even more of his essence. "Your shirt is soaked," Nico observed. "Do you want me to get you a fresh one from the cabin?" Percy looked down at himself as if noticing his condition for the first time. "Yeah, that would be great. Thanks." Nico headed back to Cabin 3, pleased with how his plan was progressing. Percy was training harder than ever, unaware that his increased exhaustion wasn't just from that huge physical exertion but from having some of his godly energy stolen. And tonight, Nico would take even more of his power. In the cabin, Nico selected a fresh t-shirt from Percy's drawer. Before leaving, he couldn't resist taking Percy's sweat-soaked pillow and inhaling deeply, savoring the masculine scent that seemed to grow stronger with each passing day. He tucked the pillow back into place and returned to the training grounds with the clean shirt. Percy had moved on to spear throwing, practicing with a group of other campers. Even in his tired state, his throws traveled farther and struck with more force than anyone else's. The other campers watched in admiration, unaware of the struggle Percy was experiencing internally. "Here," Nico said, handing Percy the fresh shirt. "You should change before you catch a cold." Percy thanked him and, without hesitation, pulled off his wet shirt right there on the training field. Several nearby campers stopped to stare at his exposed upper body—the broad shoulders, the defined pectoral muscles, the chiseled abs. Percy seemed oblivious to the attention as he used the wet shirt to wipe sweat from his face and chest before pulling on the dry one. Nico didn't miss the slighlty darkened nipples that stood out prominently on Percy's chest before they were covered by the fresh shirt. The changes were becoming more noticeable, but Percy still hadn't recognized their significance. "Better?" Nico asked as Percy adjusted the new shirt. Percy nodded. "Yeah, thanks." He picked up his spear again, ready to continue training. "I'm going to keep at this for a while. You don't have to stick around if you don't want to." "I don't mind," Nico said, sitting on a nearby bench. "It's interesting to watch." Percy returned to his training, his performance still energetic and better than anyone else. However, his throws became less accurate, his movements more labored. Sweat quickly soaked through his fresh shirt, and his breathing grew increasingly ragged. Other campers began to notice Percy's exhaustion. Annabeth approached him after a particularly poor throw, concern evident on her face. "Percy, are you feeling okay?" she asked, placing a hand on his arm. "It has been a while since I saw you so tired." Percy shook his head, wiping sweat from his brow. "I'm fine," he insisted. "Just pushing myself a little harder than usual." "A little?" Annabeth raised an eyebrow. "You've been at it for hours without a real break." Percy frowned, a flash of confusion crossing his face as if he wasn't sure why he was pushing himself so hard either. But then his expression hardened with determination. "I need to get stronger," he said firmly. "I can't rely on my father powers all the time." Annabeth looked like she wanted to argue further but instead shook her head in resignation. "Just don't overdo it, Seaweed Brain. Even demigods have limits." As she walked away, Percy's shoulders slumped slightly. He leaned on his spear, catching his breath, then straightened up and continued his practice with grim determination. The sun began to set, casting long shadows across the training field. Most campers had already left for dinner, but Percy remained, now working with weighted wrist cuffs as he performed sword drills. His movements were sluggish, his form sloppy, but he pushed on relentlessly. Nico watched from his bench, marveling at Percy's dedication even as he felt a twinge of guilt. The mighty hero was driving himself to exhaustion, unaware that his fatigue stemmed from his huge physical exertion and the draining of his godly energy. Chiron appeared at the edge of the training field, observing Percy for several minutes before approaching. The centaur's face showed concern as he watched Percy struggle through basic sword maneuvers that would normally be effortless for him. "Percy," Chiron called, his voice gentle but firm. "That's enough training for today. It's time for dinner." Percy lowered his sword, his chest heaving with exertion. Sweat poured down his face, dripping onto the ground at his feet. His shirt clung to his body, soaked through for the second time that day. Despite his obvious exhaustion, his muscles still looked impressive, bulging against the wet fabric. "Just a few more minutes," Percy gasped, his voice barely audible. Chiron moved closer, placing a hand on Percy's shoulder. "You've pushed yourself enough today. Rest is as important as training for a hero." For a moment, Percy looked like he might argue, but then his shoulders sagged in defeat. He nodded, too tired to speak, and allowed Chiron to lead him toward the dining pavilion. Nico followed at a distance, watching as Percy's tired form moved slowly across the camp. Despite having drained a significant portion of his godly energy, Percy's physical appearance remained impressive. Only his fatigue betrayed his weakened state, lacking the infinite stamina that usually characterized the son of Poseidon. As Percy reached the dining pavilion, other campers turned to watch him enter. Even exhausted and sweat-soaked, he commanded attention, his physical presence drawing eyes from all directions. No one seemed to notice that anything was wrong—to them, Percy was simply the camp's greatest hero, training with admirable dedication. Nico slipped into the pavilion after Percy, taking his place at the Hermes table. He watched as Percy sat, his shoulders slumped with fatigue. The demigod piled his plate with food again, eating with mechanical determination, as if trying to refuel his depleted energy reserves. But no amount of food could instantly restore what Nico had taken from him—the godly power that made Percy who he was. And tonight, Nico would take even more, bringing Percy one step closer to complete vulnerability. As he ate his own dinner, Nico couldn't help but feel a mixture of excitement and guilt. The plan was working perfectly—Percy was exhausting himself physically while remaining unaware of the steal. His body was changing, adapting to produce more of the essence-infused liquid that Nico would drain that night. Despite the physical changes and increasing exhaustion, Percy looked like the mighty hero everyone admired. His muscles bulged impressively with each movement, his blond curls caught the light beautifully, and his blue eyes still shone with determination. But Nico knew the truth—beneath that powerful exterior, Percy's godly power wasn't so infinite anymore. Nico smiled to himself as he watched Percy struggle to stay awake over his dinner. Tonight, the third extraction would bring him one step closer to possessing Percy completely. Soon, the mighty hero would be his. Percy dragged himself into Cabin 3, his shoulders slumped with exhaustion. Sweat dripped from his hair onto the wooden floor, leaving a trail of droplets behind him. His orange Camp Half-Blood t-shirt clung to his muscular frame, soaked through completely for the third time that day. Despite his obvious fatigue, his muscles still bulged impressively beneath the wet fabric, rippling with each labored movement. Nico followed close behind, watching Percy with careful eyes. The son of Poseidon looked ready to collapse, yet his physical form remained as impressive as ever—broad shoulders, powerful arms, and a chiseled torso that showed through his sweat-soaked shirt. Percy staggered to his bunk and sat down heavily, closing his eyes for a moment as he caught his breath. His chest heaved with exertion, and sweat continued to roll down his face, dripping onto his already soaked shirt. "You really pushed yourself today," Nico said, closing the cabin door behind him. Percy nodded weakly, too exhausted to speak. He kicked off his shoes and leaned back against the wall, his blond curls plastered to his forehead with sweat. "You look like you might fall asleep standing up." Percy managed a weak smile. "Yeah, probably." He tugged at his wet shirt, grimacing at how it stuck to his skin. "I'm disgusting, though." "I don't mind," Nico said quickly. Percy chuckled softly, the sound turning into a groan as he shifted position. His muscles ached from the intense training he'd subjected himself to all day. Nico watched as Percy struggled to find a comfortable position, noting how the demigod's hands kept returning to his chest, absently rubbing his pectoral muscles as if they bothered him. "Thanks for letting me stay here the past few days," Nico said, breaking the silence. "I know it's against camp rules, but it's been nice not to be in the Hermes cabin." Percy opened his eyes and gave Nico a tired smile. "No problem. To be honest, it's been nice having company too." He rubbed his chest again, wincing slightly. "Though you're probably sick of seeing me all the time." "I don't mind," Nico repeated, his eyes fixed on Percy's movements. "Actually, I got you something—a thank you gift." Percy raised his eyebrows in surprise. "You didn't have to do that." "I wanted to," Nico said, standing up. He reached under his bunk and pulled out a small package wrapped in tissue paper. "Here." He handed the package to Percy, who took it with a curious expression. The son of Poseidon unwrapped it carefully, revealing a folded piece of dark blue fabric. "It's a new training outfit," Nico explained as Percy unfolded the garment. "I noticed you always wear the same orange shirt and shorts when you train, and they get pretty gross. This is made of a special material that wicks away sweat better." Percy held up the outfit—a full-body training suit made of sleek, stretchy material (similar than Blue Lock's one). It was primarily dark blue, the color of the deep ocean, with lighter blue accents along the sides. The material felt expensive and high-quality in his hands. "Wow," Percy said, genuinely surprised. "This looks... professional." "It's designed to showcase your physique," Nico said, then quickly added, "For intimidation purposes during training. When other campers see how strong you are, they'll work harder to match you." Percy examined the suit more closely. The material was thin and extremely form-fitting—the kind that would leave little to the imagination when worn. "It seems a bit... tight," Percy observed, stretching the fabric between his hands. "That's the style for athletic wear these days," Nico said with a shrug. "All the Olympic swimmers wear similar suits. It reduces drag and improves performance." Percy looked dubious. "I don't know, man. I'm not sure this is my style." He held the suit against his body, trying to imagine how it would look. "It seems like something the Aphrodite kids would wear." "Just try it on tomorrow," Nico suggested. "If you don't like it, you don't have to wear it again." Percy nodded, folding the suit back up and placing it on his nightstand. "Thanks, though. It was thoughtful of you." "No problem," Nico said, trying to hide his disappointment. He'd hoped Percy would be more enthusiastic about the gift, but the son of Poseidon was clearly too exhausted to even lie to him. Percy stood up with effort, his legs shaking slightly. He peeled off his wet shirt, revealing his muscular torso. Sweat glistened on his skin, highlighting the defined contours of his chest and abdomen. "I should at least change into something dry before bed," Percy muttered, dropping his wet shirt onto the floor. He moved to his dresser and pulled out a clean t-shirt, then paused, looking down at his chest with a frown. He ran a hand over his pectoral muscles, his expression confused. "Something wrong?" Nico asked, watching closely. Percy shook his head. "No, just... my chest feels weird. Probably from all the push-ups today." He pulled on the clean shirt and changed into a pair of basketball shorts, leaving his wet clothes in a pile on the floor. "I'm too tired to shower," Percy decided, collapsing onto his bunk. "I'll just sleep like this and clean up in the morning." Nico nodded, secretly pleased. Percy's sweat-covered body would make tonight's extraction even more potent. The masculine scent filled the cabin, powerful and intoxicating. "Do you want to share my bed again tonight?" Percy asked, his voice already thick with approaching sleep. "I know it's weird, but if it helps you with your nightmares..." "I don't mind," Nico said quickly. "It really helps me." Percy smiled and shifted over to make room for Nico on the bunk. Even in his exhausted state, he considered Nico's comfort, showing the innate kindness that made him such a beloved leader at camp. Nico changed into his sleep clothes—a black t-shirt and shorts—and climbed into Percy's bunk. The son of Poseidon was already half-asleep, his eyes closed and his breathing deepening. The sweat on his body had cooled, but the masculine scent remained strong, filling Nico's nostrils as he settled beside Percy. "G'night," Percy mumbled, not opening his eyes. "Goodnight," Nico replied softly, watching as Percy quickly drifted into a deep sleep. Nico lay awake for some time, listening to Percy's breathing and feeling the warmth of his body beside him. The cabin was quiet except for the soft sound of waves lapping against the shore outside—a constant background noise in the Poseidon cabin that seemed to grow louder or softer depending on Percy's mood. Finally, when he was certain Percy was deeply asleep, Nico sat up carefully. He reached out and placed a hand on Percy's forehead, closing his eyes and focusing on the hypnotic power Morpheus had granted him. "Sleep deeply, Percy," he whispered. "Remain in peaceful sleep until morning. You will remember nothing of what happens tonight." Percy's breathing remained steady, but his face relaxed even further, indicating he had fallen into an even deeper sleep—one from which he wouldn't wake until Nico released him. Nico carefully pulled back the covers, exposing Percy's body. The son of Poseidon lay on his back, one arm thrown above his head, the other resting on his stomach. Even in sleep, his muscles were impressive—his biceps bulging, his shoulders broad, his chest powerful beneath his t-shirt. Nico leaned closer, inhaling deeply. Percy's scent was intoxicating—masculine and powerful, with an underlying hint of sea salt that was uniquely his. The day's training had intensified the scent, making it stronger and more potent. Slowly, reverently, Nico lowered his face to Percy's neck and ran his tongue along the skin, tasting the salt of dried sweat. The flavor exploded on his tongue—salty, masculine, and with an underlying sweetness that came from Percy's godly essence. "You taste like power," Nico whispered against Percy's skin. "Like the ocean and strength and everything a hero should be." He continued to lick Percy's skin, moving down to his collarbone and then to the exposed portion of his chest where his t-shirt dipped low. Each taste sent a thrill through Nico's body, a rush of pleasure and anticipation for what was to come. Carefully, he lifted Percy's t-shirt, exposing his muscular torso. Despite having drained a significant portion of Percy's godly power over the past two nights, the demigod's physique remained impressive—his abdominal muscles clearly defined, his pectorals full and powerful. But now with his conection, Nico could sense something else as well—the godly power that flowed through Percy's muscles. To his surprise, it was stronger than he expected, as if Percy's body had replenished much of what Nico had taken the previous nights. "You've regained so much power even with all your body exhaustion." Nico murmured in amazement, placing a hand on Percy's chest. He closed his eyes, focusing on the energy he could feel pulsing beneath his fingertips. "You were at about 66% yesterday, and now you're back to nearly 85% of all your energy. How is that possible?" He stared at Percy's sleeping face, marveling at the demigod's resilience. Even with Nico draining his godly energy, Percy's body fought to replenish itself, to maintain the power that made him the world's greatest hero. "You truly are the mightiest demigod," Nico whispered, a mixture of admiration and desire in his voice. "The man of my dreams." He leaned down and pressed his lips to Percy's chest, directly over his heart. The skin there was warm and smooth, the muscle beneath firm and powerful. Nico could feel Percy's heartbeat, strong and steady despite his exhaustion. Moving his attention to Percy's pectoral muscles, Nico noted they seemed fuller than before, slightly swollen and tender-looking. The nipples had darkened further and grown a little bit—a sign that Percy's body was adapting to produce more of the power-infused liquid Nico had been extracting. "Let's see how much you've made for me tonight," Nico murmured, lowering his mouth to Percy's right nipple. He began to suck gently, applying just enough pressure to stimulate the production of milk. At first, nothing happened, but Nico persisted, increasing the suction slightly. After a moment, he felt a warm, sweet liquid flow into his mouth—the power-infused liquid that carried Percy's godly energy. The taste was indescribable—sweet and rich, with an underlying saltiness from Percy's sweat. But beyond the physical flavor was something more, something that sent a rush of energy through Nico's body. He could feel Percy's power entering him, strengthening him, making him more than he was before. Unlike the previous nights, the flow of liquid came more readily this time, as if Percy's body had adapted to produce it more efficiently. Nico drank deeply, feeling the warm liquid fill his mouth and slide down his throat, carrying with it Percy's godly power. As he drank, Nico watched Percy's face. The demigod remained deeply asleep, his expression peaceful, completely unaware of what was happening to him. In sleep, he looked younger, more vulnerable—a stark contrast to the powerful hero he was when awake. Nico moved to Percy's left nipple, repeating the process. Again, the milk flowed freely, filling Nico's mouth with its sweet, powerful taste. He drank hungrily, greedily consuming every drop of the essence-infused liquid. Percy's body reacted to the stimulation despite his unconscious state. His breathing quickened slightly, and a soft moan escaped his lips. His muscles tensed and relaxed in waves, as if his body recognized the drainage of power even if his mind did not. "You're producing so much more than before," Nico whispered between drinks. "Your body is adapting perfectly." Indeed, the flow of liquid seemed nearly endless tonight, far more than Percy had produced during the previous extractions. Rivers of the white liquid accumulated faster than Nico could consume it, forcing him to drink more rapidly to keep up. Some of it spilled from the corners of his mouth, running down his chin and onto Percy's chest. Nico alternated between the two nipples, ensuring he extracted as much as possible from both. The liquid continued to flow, seemingly without end, carrying with it more and more of Percy's godly power. As he drank, Nico could feel the power building within him, making him stronger, more alert, more alive. His senses sharpened, his body felt firmer, and a warm, tingling sensation spread throughout his body. This was what it felt like to possess the power of a mighty demigod—the power of the son of Poseidon. Finally, after what seemed like hours, the flow began to slow. Nico continued to suck, determined to extract every last drop. Percy's body had produced an astonishing amount of the power-infused liquid, far more than Nico had anticipated. When at last the flow stopped completely, Nico sat back, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. He felt incredible—energized, powerful, almost invincible. The godly energy he had consumed had transformed him, at least temporarily, into something more than just the son of Hades. He looked down at Percy's sleeping form. The demigod's chest rose and fell with steady breaths. "I've taken almost 70% of your total power now," Nico whispered, placing a hand on Percy's chest. "One more night should be enough to drain you completely." He leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on Percy's forehead, then whispered in his ear, "Tomorrow, you'll wear the training outfit I gave you. You'll want to wear it to show off your strength and power. You'll feel good wearing it, confident and proud." Percy's expression remained peaceful, but Nico knew the suggestion had taken hold. Tomorrow, the mighty hero would wore the form-fitting outfit, showcasing his still-impressive physique for all to see—and for Nico to admire before the final extraction. "Sleep now," Nico whispered, pulling Percy's shirt back down and adjusting the covers over him. "Rest and recover all the power that you can for me. Tomorrow is your last day as the perfect Percy Jackson, and you should still increase your muscles and strength" He settled back beside Percy, feeling the demigod's warmth against his side. The power he had consumed thrummed through his veins, making sleep seem unnecessary. But Nico closed his eyes anyway, knowing he needed to rest for what lay ahead. Tomorrow, he would complete his plan. Tomorrow, he would drain the last of Percy's godly power, leaving him vulnerable for the next phase. And then, soon his love would be his.