Charice - New World
AN: Please read this part. Okay, so I didn't really wanted to reveal this until the next chapter, but the first chapter was cut in half. The more informational half is being kept, and the other half became chapter one. Why? Because if I showed you the whole thing it'll ruin the entire story. So I'm sorry if you don't like it, but that's, , exactly how it's suppose to be. All fragmented.
(Re-edited, because i feel like the begininning needed to be better for the ender to be more attractive)
Soft muffles of sound caught Percy's ears, a bright and warm light shown through his eyelids. He was awake yet didn't move nor think, like being half asleep. Children could be heard laughing and yelling. Strange. The sound of innocent and ignorant laughs. Not fill with malice or heavy with weariness. So rare.
Percy could remember his last la1u0g00h1100100100110
Percy couldn't remember his last laugh. It was so blurry, so distant. Odd. It seemed like it was only yesterday, laughing with his closest friend. Some one who he had great affections for...
"Percy?"
A voice. A voice so familiar. But Percy can't remember where it was form. Not an enemy, but not a close ally.
"Percy?..." the voice sounded concern. Too concern for their own good.
"What is it?" Percy turned his head to the side, feeling the rough straw texture. "Don't worry. Don't you know I'm hard to break?" couldn't really survive the wrath of the gods being soft now can we?
The voice chuckled, it sounded nervous. Maybe something big happen while he was out.
Percy forced his eyes to open. Instead of the bleak world he was expecting, Percy found beautiful fields, lush trees, and plump flowers. So bright, so colorful, the very scene was powerful enough to bring tears to Percy's eyes. Such undomesticated nature.
"Percy." the voice next to him was glowing weaker.
Percy turned to face Grover Underwood. Then, everything stopped. Time stood still the wind held its breath. All was silent. Here, sitting next to Percy was Grover, some one who should be long since dead.
"I-I'm sorry."
The world shattered, the sky began to fall. Everything began to move not noticing the horror of it all.
"I couldn't save you or your mother-"
Percy jumped from his seat and landed on his weak legs. He needed to make a run for it. The mutated satyr was about as dangerous as the gods. Once he was on his legs, they gave out, Percy grabbed for the railing barely kept himself up. He instinctively reached for his blade, but found no hilt. His next line of attack was spells, so he raised his free left hand, palm out, at Grover. There was no abundant source of Arcane, a small pulse of electricity popped on his palm.
"Damnit!" He was rendered helpless, immovable, weaponless, and even his spells have been canceled out. He didn't even know that was possible!
"Whoa, please calm down. You're safe now." Grover still had his innocent and weak tone. For some reason Percy had a sudden urge to trust this... Grover.
Grover helped Percy back to his feet, sitting him back down in the seat next to Grover's. He then position a straw connected to a cup to nectar in Percy's mouth.
"Please drink this." Grover sounded pleading almost as if he knew Percy would resist.
And he was right. Percy felt like a child, jerking his head away from the straw, he still couldn't trust a dead man. Could… Could this be the afterlife? Had he died?
Percy nearly choked up the nectar, but managed to keep it under.
"What's wrong? Is it bad? Well, that's the first." Grover tried laughing but it didn't work, he only managed a weak snicker.
"G-Grover?" Percy's voice sounded so off, so light. What happened to his witty, sarcastic tone?
"What is it?"
"What's the year?" Percy held his breath his stomach twisting in agony.
"What?" Grover laughed, "Don't tell me you've hit your head, too!" But his joking tone dropped when he saw Percy's dead serious eyes. "It's 05, w-why?"
Percy let his breath go, his hand entwine as he thought. Time reaper, worked? But how? No one, not the gods nor any monsters can survive that spell. That's what Kronos said, so how. If it weren't for his up most self-control, he would have screamed. Why is all this happening, what was his mission again? Think. The answers must be within his memories.
Percy squeezed his eyes shut, but he saw nothing but blurred mist. A strange feeling begin to burn in the back of his head, like a souring headache.
...Y0u ARe The Last høPe...
...Protect the stone at all cost...
Stone? What stone? Why did Kronos ask him for such an aimless task? It was all so frustrating.
"Percy, if you're feeling any better, we should meet up with Chiron the camp director and Mr. D." By then Percy had finished his drink and feeling a lot better.
"Mr… D?" Dionysus?! What would happen now...? Should he attempt in an assassination? No, he's far too weak, weaponless, and no form of Arcanum magic to protect him from devastating blows.
"Mr. D is our other camp director. He's been waiting for you to wake up, and wants to talk to you." Grover seemed worried and even a bit afraid. But why?
Percy brace himself for the worst. If needed he's sure he can make a run for it, so he nodded. "Alright, sure."
"He's just round the corner, so if you're ready..." Grover helped Percy up off the chair and after seeing that he's capable of walking, lets him go. The breath taking view of the camp hit like bricks, sucking out all of his air. The arena, the amphitheater, the volleyball, they weren't as shocking this time as the first, but the feeling of guilt and nostalgia easily replaced. If one were to come up to him right now and tell him he was dead, he'd believe it.
Down the end of the porch, two men sat across a card table. One of them was Dionysus, wearing a tiger pattern Hawaiian shirt with the stench of alcohol almost visible.
There was a blonde girl. She rested on the rail next to the two men. Her gray eyes paid no mind to Percy, and looked as if she could be more interested being just about anywhere else but here. Her name was Annabeth...
Percy felt weak, his head was down cast, and his arms tingled along with every other spot on his back. Grover whispered something, but they seemed to blend with everything else in the world.
Her, she's here, right here in arms reach. So close, so very close, the one, the only one able to cost Percy his greatest pain. The only one left he still cared with such intensity, to the very end. The one who ended his life, Annabeth was the one who killed Percy five years ago. Percy was stoned alongside everyone he cared, leaving a limp mask, carrying out mission after mission for the unfathomable idea of hope. Now here she is again, the very place where they first met.
He wanted more than anything, to wake up, to see the pitiful life he lived, to see the resistance at their lowest struggle. But he can't. This wasn't a dream, and he certainly wasn't dead. Now is his greatest and final test, to face his fear and stand victorious, there was no other option. Even so the very thought of her name begins a tidal wave on his defenses.
"Percy?" Chiron called, pulled his attention back to reality. The boy barely had the will to look up. "Are you alright?" He nodded, but Chiron didn't look convinced. "Why don't you take a seat?" Percy didn't move, and shook his head after a moment.
"Well, brat," Dionysus grunted, deciding he was fed up with Percy's disrespect. "You better show some respect. I can just see you turning into a flowerpot. Maybe then-"
"Please Mr. D, have some sympathy for the lad." Chiron tried, showing kind eyes.
"Why do you even bother with trash heaps like these 'kids'?"
Percy's glare reached through his bangs and connected with Dionysus. For a moment the two stared into one another, as if unintentionally passing information.
Dionysus choked on his diet coke, breaking the contact. Percy instinctively jerked his head aside, the feeling of being explored by someone else never suited him. It always left him so open and vulnerable, he hated that.
"I think you should leave." Dionysus said flatly.
"Mr. D-"
"Now...!" Dionysus cut off Chiron not making eye contact with anyone, just staring down at his deck of cards.
"Right then, Annabeth, please escort Percy here to cabin eleven." There was a strange strain on Chiron's voice.
Annabeth said "Sure, Chiron."
The camp looked the same as in Percy's memories. However seeing them, all the parts and areas put together again gave off a strange, new feel, like it's the first time Percy's been here.
"This is where the cabins are-" Annabeth paused, looking back, Percy wasn't beside her, he was standing a couple of yards back, right before entering the cabin boundary. "What's wrong?"
Percy stared at the ground, not daring to look up. He was afraid, afraid of the dead bodies hanging off the grounds and the campers nailed to the cabins. He was afraid of the monsters that would soon jump from the woods in an ambush.
"Come on."Aannabeth's patience was running low. She grabbed Percy's wrist and pulled him towards the cabins.
Percy, didn't fight, he couldn't. He did, however look up, and saw the beautiful, gold flowing hair, shining like sunset over the ocean. Right, he was in safe hands. For now at least.
Annabeth led Percy to cabin eleven, the door was already open and the cabin was packed. Hermes and undetermined all swarming in social activities. A boy, slightly older than the rest came up, with blond hair and blue eyes, wearing an orange tank top and cutoffs. A scar that runs down his right cheek that seems to haunt Percy every night.
"This is Luke." Introduced Annabeth, "Everyone, Percy. Percy, cabin eleven."
Percy nodded weakly. His energy was still low, from what, he wasn't sure, but the dead faces certainly didn't help.
"Determ-"
"Undetermined." Percy cut in, this only cause more stares.
"Percy, let me show you to the basketball court." Annabeth, grabbed Percy's hand again and pulled him out the door.
[]
"Jackson, I don't know what your trying at, but you'll be staying with eleven until you are determined." Annabeth stopped and stared, before rephrasing. "If you are determined, so if I were you, I'd be nicer."
"I'm tired." Percy sighed, feeling overwhelmed, not by the camp, but him being here and why he was. "I really want to sleep."
Annabeth examined Percy's averted eyes. "Percy how much do you know? Greek mythology, you've realized their fact not fiction, right?"
He nodded, showing his tiredness in slow movements.
"So you should know that you are a demigod, half mortal and half god. And as such, we are hunted down by monsters, vicious beast from Greek myths, our counterparts. Every demigod child will most definitely suffer some form of lost and grief, if not already. You can't be so self-centered.
"We as demigods are different from mortal in two ways; first we are part god. And second is our will to fight no matter the odds, as long as you remember who you are and what you're fighting for. You need to be stronger than everyone else to survive and protect everyone you care for. If you need, come to us, we are your family now."
Annabeth came close and wrapped her arms around Percy, feeling warmth were he buried his face. Percy was shaking, maybe from physical tiredness, maybe not. Annabeth truly didn't know the kid, she spoon-fed him while he was recovering, but she'd comfort him for as long as he needed. She knows the pain of not having parents; then again she didn't lose her parents the way Percy did. She never had one to begin with. However, Percy didn't have anyone else left, no friends, like she did.
Percy pulled away and smiled, for the first time. A true smile, one that has been mimicked for years now. He's decided this one was real. This Annabeth wasn't an illusion she was real and everybody else as well. This isn't a second chance; it's a second life a real life that will be cherished until the very end.
"Well, what do we have here?" Clarisse approached with a few of her siblings. "Bunch of lovebirds."
"Clarisse..." Annabeth hissed.
"Going so low as picking off a newbie? Low, even for you." Clarisse's siblings snickered and laughed. "You know Prissy, we have an initiation ceremony for newbies like you."
"Clarisse-"
"Don't worry, I got this." Percy interjected, stepping forward.
"Brave aren't we." the Ares kids begins to taunt, but was ignored by Percy.
Clarisse waited for Percy to make the first move, but he didn't even raise his arms. So her patients was quickly broken and charged. Clarisse grabbed at Percy's hair, but was more than surprised when his arms flied up in a block, pushing her arms into the sky.
Clarisse propelled her other hand in a low hook. Percy blocked using one arm and punched Clarisse's inner forearm with his other fist. Percy sent two punches, one following the other, first in her upper chest and the second to her face. Percy followed up with a side kick to Clarisse's left, forcing her down.
"Shit!" The Ares kids stepped up to help, but was immediately stopped by Clarisse.
"Stay back!" Clarisse pushed herself back up and took on a defensive poise. "Don't think your weak punches can bring me down that easily!"
Without warning, Clarisse was upon him, swinging her outstretched right arm with incredible speed. Percy attempt for a block, but buckled under the pressure. Clarisse stepped back and launched her knee into Percy's abdomen, causing him to gag. She once again, jumped for a straightforward punch. Percy had recovered enough to raise his arm and slide under her attack jamming his other elbow in her stomach.
The two both retreated, making distance between them. Their breaths heavy and hard, small beads of sweat run down their cheeks. The scorching sun was brighter and more so intense than Percy had originally thought.
As if an unknown gunfire, the two opponents charged. Percy swerved to the right and went airborne in a series of spins. Clarisse threw her strongest punch and Percy landed his deadliest kick. The punch hit Percy's chest while the kick connected to Clarisse's shoulder, and immediately the two fell to the grounds.
"W-what..." Someone voice. Not quite able to comprehend the battle that played through.
Percy grabbed his chest and poised himself on one hand, his breathing very much unsteady; it's like returning to a harsh training after months of break. Nevertheless he got up, and reached his other hand out to his former comrade.
Clarisse took a moment before processing what the gesture meant, and surprising even Percy, took the hand and pulled herself up.
"You got moves, give you that." With that Clarisse walks off taking her siblings with her.
"Are you alright?" Annabeth sound actually concern.
"Yeah, I'll be fine."
[]
The conch horn blew in the distance, sounding dinner. The dinning pavilion was like a small torch in the woods from Half-Blood hill. The night was sky clear and shiny like the eyes of the gods glancing down at the world.
Percy leaned against the tallest of pine trees, Thalia's tree. His gaze lost in the mysterious world, which was equally lost. So many possibilities, so many options. Too bad he only have this second chance to explore them. What exactly would happen if he were to free Thalia now, before the summers end? He wouldn't be the prophecy, of course the thought of leaving the pressure of the world on Thalia was far too worst to even consider.
Thalia. The thought of seeing her once more sparked a fire of excitement. Percy had been so absorbed in brooding to even realize all the great wonders that were reset in the world.
However, he wasn't going to get sidetracked, he won't forget his mission to defeat the gods. This all started because of them and it will end with them. The pain that erected from their heinous acts will never be forgiven as long as he still lived, the last to carry the pain and sorrow from the future. No, the gods' punishment won't be handled lightly.
"Percy?" A voice called from the base of the hill. It was Luke, slowly climbing the slope. "What are you doing here? Dinner's ready."
"Oh, I'm not that hungry actually." Percy smiled sheepishly.
"Had a hard day?" Luke slid down against the tree, opposite of Percy. "You shouldn't worry about that, it'll get better, I promise. Not that great, but better."
In a way Percy can connect with Luke, they both shared a strong, unwilling hatred for the gods, with completely different reasons. But Percy knew plenty well the feeling of being left, unloved by his father and watching his mother perish.
"Luke, what do you think of the gods?"
"What do I think?" He sounded generally surprised. "Arrogant. Self centered and heartless." his voice was hard, full of bitterness. "They act all high and mighty on their thrones while we Demigods struggle for approval, and then doesn't even get noticed." his breathing became heavy with hate, but just as he was starting to get worked up he sighs. "Sorry, I... Have a lot on my mind. But what's more important is what you think of them."
Me? Percy thought, all of his hate, distrust, betrayal, they all seem too far for words. "Well," Percy sighed, an old habit not suited for a twelve year old. "I guess we can both agree on them being cocky. But I really have, more or less, personal reasons for dislike."
Luke stared over his shoulder for a moment.
"What?"
"Nothing, nothing. I just thought you sounded like an Athena's child, is all."
Percy blushed, feeling silly for not acting like his age. Kinda. Hopefully it was too dark to tell.
"Here, I brought some biscuits." Luke opened a grocery bag; pulling two bundles the size of two fists each, he past one to Percy who was glad to open it. Inside were three biscuits, still warm, with strawberry fillings. Percy began biting, devouring one quickly. "Not hungry, eh."
"Shut up. This is just how I eat."
Luke chuckled, before beginning on his own. "Yeah, forget what I said about being an Athena."
Percy glared, but the light from the heavens was only so bright. They ate in silence, not really feeling for a conversation. Not until they were finished.
"Have you ever thought?" Percy begins a question he wasn't fully aware of. "That maybe, the Titans didn't deserve what they got?"
For a moment Luke looked to the skies, as if waiting for a thunder. "Well, kind of, not really often. It all depends on what perspective you look from." Luke readjusted clearly ready to rant on something he was totally familiar with. "In the Titans eyes, it wouldn't really look all that fair, ruling the worlds, and one day, a few kids decides to take over. And does. That doesn't really seem all that fair. But in the humans' perspective, it's the greatest thing to ever happen. The gods removed the evil oppressors and created a new world to venture in. So, it really comes down to two opinions; supremacy over law, or freedom over supremacy."
"Have you thought about this much?" Percy wasn't totally engrossed, but he was able to connect several points that he had thought about as well.
"No, not really, just here and there, never really had a critical thinking session on it or anything." Luke chuckled again, but there was this strange feel of relief, after spilling his thoughts.
"Maybe we should get back-" Just then, the conch horn blew again.
"Come on, we need to hurry!" Luke got up and offered a hand, a gesture that was unplanned and natural. And Percy accepted.
[]
Every morning, Percy would rise before dawn and hike into the woods, preferably near the lake, and begin his routine. Not the one he used to preform in his last life, which would completely disintegrate him. Instead, he decided to start with pitiful push-ups, sit-ups, laps, and both Mix Marshall arts and Titan combat and swordplay. His "work out" would last until 11, which is when cabin eleven would be waking up.
The reason Percy began so quickly and not allowing his injuries to heal properly, was because of his realization of exactly how weak he was. His arms bruised up terribly after his tussle with Clarisse, and frankly, he had the art of surprise on his side. She thought he was new and weak, but he couldn't be any more opposite, actually, he could, if he was back in shape. Even his knuckles are soring, and he barely used them, not to mention his twisted right ankle. Yes, the Reaper of the Gods is out of shape like nobody cares.
Even with one intense workout on top of another, his morning sessions along with Demigod activities, which barely counted, he wasn't seeing any form of results, except for his stamina, which wasn't really the point of this.
After that, the day continued like normal, Greek lessons, which he was already a master in, having been able to memorize every single character in mythology, and so much as going into other mythology such as Shintoism, but some how none of that really help because the Americanized Greek monster look nothing like the ones in the books, so much of the learning involved trial and error. Which, at the least, sucked.
Other activities were somewhat new, in that Percy haven't seen them in years, such as painting. There was no need for paintings, but every so often, he'd crack his knuckles and have a try at drawing. Archery was the most disappointing. Percy was no good at archery, however, after years of trying, with nothing but hard determination, he was able to work up his muscle memory enough to shoot an arrow, but that was all washed away along with his physical endurance.
Nevertheless, Percy managed to survive the day without too many difficulties. Grover and Percy sat down near the lake after barely making up the climbing wall at the same rate as the other campers. There he decided to refresh on several Demigod "must know" facts such as reforming, the fury, and so on so forth. Mostly so that they wouldn't think he's some kind of spy, already familiar with being a Demigod.
Once they've reached the subject of the Minotaur, Grover immediately stood up. "Oh Tartarus!" Thunder rolled over the sky. "I completely forgot! Percy, wait here for a minute!" and there he went, skidding away.
So, now alone, Percy dipped his fingertip in the lake, creating smooth ripples on its surface. Slowly, he moved in circles, trying to forget about everything that's been happening for now, but that quickly failed as he began to plot for the future. What will he do exactly? One couldn't simply walk onto Olympus and slay the gods. Speaking of unnecessary violence. Capture the flag will be taking place tonight, what will happen, is he going to be on the defensive again? What will Annabeth be planning now, her and her devious mind.
The water flatted despite Percy's movement, making soft lines as his finger glided along the surface. It was so calming. Percy's hand tensed, forcing ripples across the lake. Comfort is not needed from his father now.
"Hey, Percy!" Grover returned breathing heavy. "I, I went and pick this up a couple of days ago." He extended the shoebox in his hands. "Everything was happening so fast I totally forgot to give this to you."
Percy took the box and opened it. Inside was a black and white Minotaur's horn. A smile crack across his face. Yes the Minotaur's horn, Percy's symbol of power. And now maybe he can consider remaking his gear, though that would be a long and hard process.
After a little more chatter, the two separated to their own activities until the conch horn blew.
The excitement of the campers were so incredibly loud that Percy had the urge to hide on Half-Blood Hill, but of course Luke wouldn't let him. "We need you." He said, it's probably Annabeth more or less that wanted to use him.
"The teams this time are led by the Athena and Ares cabin. Tonight we have made a truths with cabin six." Luke explained, pointing to the red flag with the boar's head. "That's the Ares flag, for this game, you need to lead a small group of distraction through the main route while we enter through a smaller path and take the flag."
"How do you know they'll be going through the main route?"
"Because you're there." Luke answered simply. "The Ares cabin has taken a liking to you after the little incident on your first day. Their pride's been hurt. And needless to say, we 'leaked' out plans to the enemy."
"Why are you telling me this again?" Percy's finger shook with excitement, it's been a while since he was used as a distraction, and he loved to be purposely put in the face of danger and strive for nothing.
"Because we need you to watch out. The Ares cabin can hold a good grudge, and the last thing we need is a good fighter being crippled." There was a strange strain in his words.
The teams flooded into the forest and waited until the horn blew signaling the game have begun. (AN: now that I think about it, isn't this like the hunger games?) Immediately Percy rushed into the main path, so open, the chances for traps and ambushes are so high. Percy had about fifteen or so people behind him, another ten with Annabeth and Luke, and the rest of the team was dispersed throughout the forest.
Percy raised his hand, palms out, and everyone else stopped behind, they were shield by some trees on the side. There in the clearing about thirteen yards ahead was three enemy players. Three? Only three? Why?
The only thing that comes to mind is that they've decided to attack the infiltration team, maybe they've set up traps in the main path. "Yo, guys. You need to retreat and join Annabeth, it looks like they've headed for them."
The closes camper nodded in agreement, and passed the message to the rest. After a minute the silent message passed through everyone and they began to move back the way they've came.
"I'll take care of these three." He assured his teammate. And once they were gone Percy boldly walked into the clearing, catching the guards' attention. They shuffled around looking everywhere but at him. "What's wrong guys?" Percy called out almost as if he was actually concerned. "Did Clarisse leave you guys behind?" Now he was crossing the line, his voice was clearly taunting.
Once Percy entered the center of the clearing, he stopped, feeling a strange urge. Then suddenly, without sound, ten other Ares campers walked onto the stage, cutting off every possible exit.
"No Percy Jackson. Your decoy was perfect." One of the Ares kids stepped up, holding a small battle-ax and a shield. "You should go and tell that wise girl of her job well done."
Percy gritted his teeth feeling utterly idiotic and humiliated. He gripped tightly on his sword, feeling once again that familiar urge. No. It's more like an exceedingly powerful emotion like anger, but not quite as controlling.
"Where's Clarisse, too busy trying to win to say 'hi'?" Percy eyed each opponent carefully; they mostly looked to be heavily armed. But there's no way he can out run them, not in his pitiful-ten-minute-per-mile body.
"No, we decided to throw the party ourselves. Since Clarisse is too busy for a runt like you." The same kid said (AN: for now Percy's going to refer everyone under 20 a kid because he hasn't gotten use to being twelve yet). "Now, if you don't mind, die for us!"
At that very moment, everything turned into instinct. Time slowed and sound seized. Percy batted the low swing of the ax and swirled around to parry a high swing of a sword. Percy landed a kick into the kid and turned to block an incoming swing with his shield. He slashed through the chest armor of the swinger, drawing little blood, but enough for him to fall helplessly frighten on the ground.
A hammer came down from over head, but he rolled under the swing and cut the hilt of the hammer, undoing the straps and causing the hilt to fall apart, the giant cubed stone fell useless on the ground.
Percy smacked a swinging sword away and turned around to parry another sword. Percy raised his right leg and stomped the first guy in his stomach. Then spin 360 passed the still locked sword and hit the opponent in the temple with the butt of his sword.
A slash cut the unprotected fabric of Percy's thigh, not too deep. Another on his back, like flowing lava from his right shoulder to the left of his hip. His cry was muted like everyone else. Sweat start to drop quicker and quicker, some even getting in his eyes, or is that blood that flowed from his injured head. His arms sored and throbbed with bruises and cuts.
Some one, managed to hit Percy's leg with something hard and he fell to the ground on one knee. "D-Damn." sounds returned as his adrenaline depleted.
"Well." The ax kid walked cockily in front of Percy. "Looks like you're no match for the power of Ares. Undetermined."
"Strange," Percy panted, "I could've sworn I didn't see you fight after the first blow."
The ax man kicked Percy in the chest and stepped on him. "Yeah, make your pathetic jokes. I'm going to kill you. There's no way you can run with all of us here."
The ax drops and digs into Percy's chest armor, then through his orange camp shirt and into his skin.
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There was a scream, loud and piercing, a mindless cry. Was it his? Had he cried such a terrible and frighten sound? Yes it was he; his body was overtaken by brutal and uncontrollable instinct, and a power, a power that was far too familiar to overlook.
Another gift sent along with him from the future. Arcanum was the structure of magic, the will and essence of Chaos that was spilled over the world when Chaos was encased. Arcana was power that allows Titans, gods, monsters, and Demigods to preform incredible feats, the power that started the Chaos wars and the same power that will end it.
The Ares child flew into the air, propelled by an azure aura. The closest camper was launched, flying into the bushes; the one next to him went a second after, this time into a tree. One by one every Ares campers were thrown away from the battlefield. None of them were hurt, but all of them ran.
The conch blew and the game was over. Alas Annabeth and Luke got the flag, Percy was sure of it.
Then, just like that. Percy fell to the ground again. His stomach burning like fire. His arms felt as if they were pealing off, his legs trembled without strength. The flow of blood quickened and a pool of red formed around Percy.
"Percy!" Aannabeth's voice called. Her form shimmered into view, her cap in hand. "Oh gods!" She fell to her knees beside his unmoving form. Her hands touched the body lightly. Almost afraid if she put the slightest pressure on him, he would pop like a balloon of blood. "Percy, w-what do I do?" For once she found herself completely clueless. There he was, a boy who she barely knew, dying because her plan went sour. Playing with people like pawns of a game can be so dangerous, how come she didn't realize this?
"Water." Percy uttered. His voice was so weak, maybe not even conscious. "Water." he urged.
"Water?" Annabeth repeated stupidly. Whatever he means, he knew what he was trying to do. So Annabeth began to pull and almost immediately stopping when she heard his groan of pain.
Percy moaned again, his arm stars to move. Planting itself in the dirt. With a tired grunt Percy pushed himself up off the ground. It was as if watching the greatest miracle Annabeth gawked, the boy, all cut up and injured, got on his knees as if he was waking up from sleep. The blood flow has lightened, but didn't stop. Percy frowned; his face was so pale it made him looked like a vampire, an extremely tired and sleepless vampire.
"Jesus." Percy swore under his breath, his vision blurred, small spots of color pulsed in his eyes. His body was mostly numb, but he still felt stings of cuts and tenderness of bruises. It was as if he had just blacked out and forgot everything for a split second but just as quickly returned leaving him confused. Slowly the surrounding placed together like a puzzle, and he was able to make out the form of a girl in front of him. He smiled, almost a stupid smile, the lost of blood took its toll on him.
Just as Aannabeth's worry turned to anger, Percy got serious again.
"Annabeth!" Percy yelled and knocked Annabeth over with his weak arm. A black beast jumped from the trees, bearing its fangs.
"Auranda!" Percy stretched out his arms. A vortex form from water that was not there, pointed like a cone. The water drilled into the beast, mixing the monster dust along with the clockwise spin of the water. The hellhound was no more. The water dissipated before even touching the ground. And once again Percy felt as if his body went raw.
However they were no longer alone. Chiron with a fleet of master archers stood arrows nocked, too fazed to loosen their tense arms. Luke stood next to Chiron panting hard, sword in one hand shaking slightly.
Everyone. Everyone was here. Looking. Staring. Startled and frightened. Maybe not even because of the monster but because of Percy.
"Percy..." Annabeth uttered. So quiet he almost didn't hear. Before he even turned around he knew what he'd find. A trident flowing like a hologram, shimmering green and blue.
"All hail Perseus, son of Poseidon. God of the sea, the earth shaker, father of horses."
[]
The night calmed down, the campers left for their cabins with the feel of unease still on them. Percy was sent to the infirmary with Annabeth as company, but Chiron told her to go and leave the boy alone.
It was far into the night, no one was awake. All sounds in the forest died down. The moon and stars cast a light through the windows of the infirmary. Percy lay on a bed awake starring at the ceiling. The room was so big and empty. The shadows danced in the corner of his eyes, giving him a feel that he's not alone. The medical nymph said that he had amazing healing attributes and his blood has stop leaking, and torn muscles already started to stitch itself back together.
They urged him to take a pain stabilizer despite him trying to convince them he's alright. After a while I gave in and took the pills. Whatever happened during the game seems so blurry like a dream. Whatever happened, it felt good, not the part when he was being beat up or after when he nearly lost it. But in that blurry middle when he seemed to release his bundled up emotions.
Emotions. There seemed to be an endless supply of them recently, so unnecessary and troublesome. He was slipping up. He wasn't convincing anyone that he's new. With the fights and the game, not the mention when he practically shouted out "undetermined" back on the first day. He needed to get in role and put his persona in place.
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Percy's body stiffened then curled up into a ball. A sudden overwhelming sensation blew through him, one so intense he nearly screamed. The blood pounded in his ears, small stars appeared in his vision. Small bolts of electricity ran through his skin.
There was only one thing running through Percy's mind. His weak spot. The sensation was identical to the weak spot in Achilles blessing, except it was all over. Not just in his skin, it was through his whole body, into the very core of his bones.
It had only one meaning, and Percy knows it well. Limit Break. When Arcana drained dangerously low it meats Limit Break. The feel of Limit Break will be sharp and piercing. However when Arcane reaches an abnormally high peak it reaches Limit Break again, this time the feel will be overwhelming, much like it is now.
Limit Break due to a high spike of Arcane is rare and only happened if one was in an area that attracted high quantity of Arcane.
One devastating effect of Arcane overload is if the vessel can not contain the essence then, when the vessel collapses, all of the stored up Arcane will disperse and damage everyone in a two kilometer radius, in this case, kill every kill-able person at camp.
Percy slid out of his bed and stumbled to the door. Once outside he turned for the closest direction to the forest, and sprinted, ignoring the growing pressure rising from his abdomen. The Break took longer then suspected, and Percy managed to make it to the border of camp before he collapsed on his knees.
He screamed, violent aura raged through the trees. The ground shook, the lake danced, the very air seemed to vibrate. The feeling, it was as if being run through by a spear. Having the rest of his body burn from the inside out. Percy ripped his infirmary shirt apart, the buttons flying into the bushes.
Underneath, in the center of Percy's chest, shined a bright, blue light, shooting rays into the dark night. There on his chest was a small blue stone, clear as a crystal.
AN: Hopefully I didn't make too many errors, but for some reason my computer doesn't have grammar check and barely any spelling check. Now, for the story. It'll get more interesting after Percy get the quest, that's when the fic will split from the original.