I woke up, disorientated again. The pain that was in my head was unbearable and I felt like throwing up. I tried to sit up straight, but there was something that wrapped around my feet and hands. Chains. I was chained.
Daniel was the first person to notice that I was awake.
"He's awake!" I wanted to shut him up, but I was afraid that I'd hurl if I talked. One of the burly men from before picked me up from the chains behind my back that were locking my hands together, and managed to pick up my whole body with it as well.
I understood what had happened when I thought back to it. The last thing I saw before blacking out was a head of red. It must have been one of Mr. Santo's thugs. They hit me on the head since they knew I was going to run.
"So, did you really think that you'd get away with it?" the thug that picked me up said. I squinted at his features as best as I could as he held a knife up to my cheek. He had freckles, like Jake, but his teeth were crooked and his hair was a big unruly mess.
"Santos said to not mess him up, so unless you want to keep your job, you better not harm a head on that boy." I turned around slowly to see Mr. Santo's other thug. He looked exactly like him, except something was different. He was a lot nicer, judging from what he said, but I can't trust someone like him.
"Don't worry, Don, I got him." The thug that was holding me up into the air lowered his head and whispered in my ear, "If you run away again, I'll personally take you out myself." I kept my cool and smirked, earning a slightly confused look from him.
"As if you'd be able to get me." I spat in his face and he turned bright red, the knife he held onto my cheek deepened. I winced in pain.
"Doug! No scars! Santo's orders." 'Doug' let go of me. Actually, it was more like he pushed me back down onto the dirty forest floor. I spit out the dirt that got into my mouth, but the dirt on my face and everywhere else on my body made it seem like a drop of water.
"Be careful of what you say, next time, boy." He sneered at me and walked away with Don. The other three boys stood in front of me as I tried to get up. The bandage that was wrapped around my head was gone and they were staring at me in horror.
"What are you looking at?" I asked them, sitting up. The backed off, but kept their grim faces.
"Next time, don't run. You almost got us in trouble." Trevor glared at me as the other boys walked away. I was still on the ground, glaring at him back. I could hear another set of footsteps, but louder. It must have been Mr. Santos.
He came back with Jake and Daniel by his side and he gave me an empty smile.
"How are you doing, Percy?" I glared at him.
"What do you want?" Santos chuckled.
"I was about to get to the good part when you ran off. Now, let's go back, shall we?" Doug had come back and pulled me up by the neck, leading me harshly deeper into the forest. I almost tripped, but the grip around my neck was so tight, I would have died from suffocation before I was able to fall from my injuries.
Santos, Daniel, Jake, Trevor, Doug, and Don had all walked over to a small lake. There was the carriage, the beautiful mares grazing on a clearing of grass. It had a plethora of wild grass, a small stream running down from the lake and Doug pushed me onto the ground, the chains still behind my back.
There was a small fire in the center, with logs around it as seats. I didn't get to sit on the seats, but I didn't care. I wanted to get out of here, quick.
The sun was setting and the evening darkness took place. Santos had food brought out from the carriage and lay them down on the ground on a small piece of fabric. The other boys looked at them hungrily, but I stayed calm and didn't take my eyes off of the three grown men in front of me.
"Let's play a little game, shall we?" Santos said, smiling. I wanted to punch him in the face, let him have it, but I might be beaten up by Doug once again.
The three boys shook their heads. I was forcefully pushed in the back and grunted a yes.
"Okay, let me know more about you boys. What's your name, hobby, all that?" He pointed to Daniel and he looked surprised, but slowly calmed down and introduced himself.
"I'm Daniel. I was born in Aquatica and my parents' didn't have the money to keep me so they sent me to the orphanage. When I was younger, I met up with a swordsman in the woods I wandered. He taught me a little about swordplay, but he disappeared in the war a few years ago. I haven't seen him since." Daniel's hair was longer than mine, a lot darker, and his eyes sparked with intelligence.
Santos smiled, obviously liking Daniel. He pointed to Jake next.
Jake, unlike everyone else, seemed nervous and scared, partly sick.
"Um, there's not really much to tell. I've been sick my whole life. I didn't really know much about my parents. No hobbies either."
Jake was one of those boys in the orphanage that weren't with the other boys who would push each other around. He was quiet, a little bit sick, but other than that, he must have been the only person that has talked to me. He seemed pretty nice.
Santos smiled, but it was a little suspicious and I was afraid of what might happen.
"What about you, Trevor?" Like all the others, Trevor had dark black hair, eyes almost green, and his lips curled with a mischievous tint.
"I'm Trevor. I had stayed with my aunt and uncle when I was younger, but they weren't able to take care of me, so I came by myself to the orphanage. I had also read many books when I was younger, so now, I know more than the average boy." He spat out the last word and turned towards me, but no one noticed besides us.
What a know it all. I want to punch him in the face. Like Doug.
"Ah, that's good. Background knowledge is good." Then, I was last. Santos turned to me. "What about you, Percy?" I didn't say anything at first, keeping my bangs over my eyes, but Doug kicked me in the back when the chains were still on.
"Take these chains off and I'll say it." Doug chuckled.
"Do you really think that-"
"Take them off," Santos said. Doug looked at him surprised.
"What?"
"I said take them off. I'd like to hear what Percy has to say." Doug didn't seem to like the idea, but he bent down and took off my cuffs.
"One move and I'll hurt you," he whispered. 'Good,' I thought. I don't need to to make you seem stupid.
"My name is Percy Jackson. Long story short, parents' died, brother missing, no background knowledge." They all stared at me, expecting me to say more, but I had nothing else to say. Santos cleared his throat.
"All right, boys. I'd like to now tell you the reason that I had brought you here. But first, is there someone that would like to go? Someone who thinks that is unfit?" I looked around. Jake's hand slowly raised up into the air. I looked at him and Santos smiled.
"Very well Jake. I'd like to warn you that if you leave, you would not be able to come back. This mission is very dangerous and treacherous. It can lead you to great rewards, fame, fortune. But if you fail, it can also lead you to a catastrophic death. It can lead to the end of the world. It'll mean Hades for you. So, are you up for it?" The way he said it sent chills down my spine. Daniel and Trevor seemed reluctant, but both shook their heads.
"Yes," they said in unison. "We are up for it." Only Jake and I was left.
"I'd like to drop out. I don't think that I'll be able to do the things you ask." Jake said. I shook my head. Something was wrong. Horribly wrong.
"Very well, Jake. Now, Doug, if you'd be kind and escort Jake out into the carriage. He will drive you back home to the orphanage."
Jake smiled. "Thank you." He got up and Doug escorted him out. But I thought about something. We were going to leave. The ride back to the orphanage can take hours. And what would we do? Sit here, with only a minimum of food? And that's when I figured out Santo's real intention.
"NO! JAKE!" I screamed. But it was already too late. Doug had put his arm around Jake, and in one swift, sickening motion, there was a crack, and Jake fell dead on the ground.
I shouted out loud and ran at Doug.
"YOU KILLED HIM! YOU KILLED AN INNOCENT PERSON! HOW COULD YOU DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS?" I punched Doug as hard as I could, but he was a lot stronger than I was, reaching behind my back and grabbing both my hands, dangling me in the air. I could feel a tear in my wound as I kept kicking at him. "YOU'RE SICK! YOU KILLED HIM! YOU KILLED HIM!"
I could see the other boys stand there, in horror, as they watched the whole thing happen. Jake wasn't going to go home. He was going to go somewhere a lot closer to the rest of us than home. He went to the Underworld.
I began to cry. Tears streamed down my face as I shared emotion for the first time in a while. Doug still had his arms grabbing mine as I dangle in the air in his grasp. I continue to kick, but it stopped after a while. He had killed Jake. He just killed him in front of me and he got away with it. But I realized that it wasn't Doug's fault. It was Santo's.
I shot him a glare as the tears calmed down, but he had no expression on his face as he said, "Let Percy go. He can sit over there while I explain the rest to them." Santos pointed to a corner near the logs, still next to the boy, but when Doug set me down, I turned around, sitting the opposite way so that I wouldn't be able to see his smug face.
"Well, since you have just seen Jake being killed, I'd like to tell you that there is no turning back now. If you leave, you will end up having a fate like Jake's." His voice was normal, that sick thing, and the other boys were quivering, I could tell. I hugged my knees as he kept talking. "Is there anyone else who'd like to drop out?" No one dared to raise their hand, nor did they make a sound. I was too depressed by the sudden death to even move.
"Well then, let me go on with the story. Who hear has heard of the king and queen?" What kind of question is that? Everyone knows the king and queen. The rich people who sit on the throne, watching over the kingdom that they inherited from their ancestors.
I could hear Trevor's voice answer the question, though it had a slight discomfort in it. I wouldn't blame him. After seeing all that, anyone would be traumatized.
"I've read about the king and queen of Aquatica. They also had a son, a prince who was suppose to inherit their royal fortune if the king and queen ever die. They live in the center of Aquatica, where they can watch over their people." I finally turned around slowly and had my tear stricken face look at them while they kept going on with the conversation.
"That is correct. The king and queen had a young boy. He was supposed to inherit the family throne after the king and queen die. He must wed the Princess of Alvy, a beautiful young maiden, so that the two kingdoms could unite. Does anyone here know about the rumors throughout the kingdom?" Once again, Trevor was the one to talk.
"Yes. There is a rumor going around saying that the princess of Alvy has gone missing. She disappeared around a year ago, presumably dead, but they still search for her everyday. Also, the king and queen of Aquatica were also rumored to have another child. Another young boy. He wasn't as successful as his elder brother, quite relentless, but otherwise, a perfectly young child." Santos grinned at the knowledge that Trevor had possessed. I had no idea about any of the things that he had just talked about.
"Very good, Trevor." He handed a piece of bread to him, but Trevor still looked too nervous and scared to eat. Next, he turned to Daniel.
Daniel looked scared. He was all strong and muscular, but he obviously lacked the support that Trevor had.
"And Daniel, since you know about swordsmanship, would you like to tell us what you would do? If a powerful swordsman comes at you, what would you do? He is bigger than you, stronger than you, and more powerful." Daniel said his answer almost immediately.
"That's easy. I'd fight him." I snorted, earning a look from everyone.
"I'd back down from the fight," Trevor said. Of course. Santos turned to me, his icy blue eyes looking right through me.
"What would you do, Percy Jackson?" I looked at him in disgust, but answered anyways.
"I'd fight." Trevor rolled his eyes.
"You obviously have no chance with him? What makes you think that you would be able to win? He is stronger than you, more powerful. You wouldn't be able to beat him in a million years."
"Who said anything about beating him? Santos asked a simple question. What would I do? This person is bigger than me, more powerful, and stronger. But does he have the wits to stand up? Even if he is bigger, he might lack agility or stamina, in which I provide. It's a win-win situation."
"But, that's against everything in swordsmanship. There has to be something against that. It can't be." I didn't have the energy to smirk.
"Well, you could die. Just try." And I went back to being quiet. Santos cleared his throat once more.
"Thank you boys for answering that question and telling us about yourself." He handed out a piece of bread to everyone, but I didn't eat it. I was too upset. He continued on.
"Now, I'd like to tell you the full story of my mission. If you do not wish to be hear, please leave." No one left, though I wanted to really badly. "Okay, so you are all in. I cannot guarantee you anything. There is only going to be one boy that I chose and that one boy will have to do what no other will. They must pretend to be the prince."
I whipped my head around in shock and the other boys' eyes bulged out.
"What?" I asked him, making sure that I was hearing right.
"One of you must pretend to be the prince."
It was confirmed. My death, at least. The prince? The PRINCE? The FREAKING PRINCE? Does he seriously think that one of us would end up being prince? None of us have royal blood in ourselves, nor do we have the knowledge and strength to match up with him.
We were orphan boys. Once an orphan, always an orphan. There is no way that he's going to turn us into a prince.
Every kept staring at him like he was crazy, but Santos went on.
"The rumor that you have heard about the king and queen's other son is partly true. Their first son, the successor, is the elder brother of another young child. However, this young child is the king's son, but not the queen's." Everyone gasped but me, though I was just as surprised. "It is said that the king had an affair with another woman who was in the castle, though they had never found out who she was. Her son was left in the castle and the king took him in as his own. But somehow, a few years ago, the son disappeared. Some say that he was fooling around and fell into the mighty sea that churns next to Aquatica. Others say that he was banished and to never be seen again. But the most plausible theory that townsfolk are coming up with is that the young prince was murdered when he was ten. I am of royal blood, being distance relatives to the royal family, but not enough to grant me any power. Even though, I do have the right to know what happened. And now, I'm sharing it with you boys.
"Only one of you will be able to become prince. I am giving you only a month to prepare for next month, the royal meeting that will be established in the castle. You must be the prince by then, or suffer the consequences of being caught. If you do live up to being prince, you can dream of all the gold and jewels and it would definitely be yours. But in a case where you fail...let's say that you'll say hello to your pal Jake once again." We all gulped.
"But what do you want?" I asked. Trevor hushed me, but I defended myself. "There's always a catch." Santos had an evil gleam in his eyes.
"That's right. There is something I want in return. But are you boys willing to bet your life on this? To be or not to be the successor of the elder prince?" There was a silence but I tried not to let it get to me. Surprisingly, I was the first person to answer.
"Definitely."
This chapter is a little shorter, but thank you all for reading my new story!
