Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson or any of Rick Riordan's books. I really don't want to say this every chapter:D
Percy's POV
I walked up the hill adjusting the my backpack. I patted Peleus and asked him,"Can you watch this for me Peleus? It has something very precious to me."
He only snorted smoke at me. I took that as a yes and tucked my backpack between his forelegs.
Then I continued walking down the hill.
Its been four months since I had been able to see my home.
Camp Half-Blood looked beautiful in the setting sun. Soon, the moon would come out and shine brightly over the Artemis cabin. I decided to take a walk by the beach and clear my head to prepare myself.
It's been one year since the 2nd Giant war and we finally had peace. No more prophecys hanging over head and because of my first wish in the Titan war, there were at least a hundred new cabins for each minor god and goddess.
The stars started to come out and I lay back on soft sand to watch them. They provoked bittersweet memories of the friends I've made and all the friends I've lost. But the saddest memory is always triggered by one constellation... The Huntress. She was once a hunter of Artemis and she was also once my friend. She died in my third quest, she was one of the first friends of mine that died and she was certainly not the last.
I wish I could have stopped her death, all of their deaths. But I can't, which hurts me even more because of my fatal flaw. I would destroy the world to save a friend but when the Fates cut the string and I have no power to stop it at all, it hurts me more.
"Hey Percy, I can't believe your back already!" Shouted a very familiar voice. I snapped out of my thoughts and twisted my head around to see two familiar faces. I smiled at them "Nico, Thalia, I missed you guys."
Nico stood in his classic goth outfit with black jeans and a black leather jacket with several chains that looked like they could also be used as weapons.
Thalia looked the same as always with a green day shirt and her hunter parka, she was also wearing her tiara that states that she is the Lieutenant of the Hunt.
I ran up and hugged them both. "When did you get back? Thalia asked. "About 2 minutes ago Pinecone Face" I teased.
Only response I got was a punch to the shoulder. "Ow! What was that for?" I asked, rubbing my arm. " Just cuz your a Kelp Head," she replied.
"So what are you doing down here? Shouldn't you be on your knee and proposing to Annabeth?" Thalia scolded me smiling.
"Shut up! I don't want anybody to hear," I hissed looking around nervously. "Sorry," she replied.
She did not look very sorry.
"Can we see the ring now, please?" asked Nico, jumping up and down. We just stared at him. "Hey Deathbreath, I thought you grew up already?" teased Thalia. Nico's cheeks flushed. "Sorry," he mumbled looking down. Thalia looked at me and we both cracked up laughing.
"But seriously, can we see it now," Thalia asked. my hand slipped into my pocket and stroked the soft velvet. I considered taking it out and showing them but decided against it.
"Sorry guys, but it's a surprise," I wink at them.
"Fine, but you better do it at the campfire," whined Nico. "I was planning to Zombie Dude." I replied.
We started walking to the camp talking to each other like it was any other day. This was how life should be, peaceful and calm with no prophecy hanging over my head.
"So how's immortality treating you?" asked Thalia. I snapped out of my thoughts. "Pretty good, but you know that it's the same immortality that the hunters have," I said.
When we had defeated Gaea and the Giants, the Gods wanted to turn the Seven into Gods. We decided to change that gift into partial immortality and to give Hestia and Hades their throne back. The two Gods and Goddesses were very thankful and Hades gave permission for any of the Seven to enter his domain. That made Nico really happy cause now be would get more company.
It was nearing about 8:00 and I could hear the cheers from the campfire. Wait, cheers? Singing yes, but cheering no.
"Do you think someone's been claimed?" I asked Thalia. She just shrugged in response.
We jogged up to the campfire and I saw my father. I was about to go hug him when he said, "Hail, Orion true son of the Sea God, leader of Camp Half-Blood." The crowd continued cheering.
"Wait, I have a brother? Since when? And how is he the leader of camp?" I quietly asked Nico. "I have no idea, I haven't been here since you left," he replied. I looked at Thalia questionably. She shrugged as well.
I started to walk through the crowd and what I saw made my blood run cold.
Sitting on a bench in front of the campfire was a boy that had to be at least 18 years old, the same as I was and he had to be a son of Poseidon. He had the sea green eyes of a son of the sea but they were darker than mine. His hair was a shade lighter and shorter than mine. He wore a cocky smirk but I thought maybe I could bond with him anyways. How wrong I was.
Sitting next to him, under his arm, was Annabeth. My Annabeth.
I thought maybe they were just friends but that hope was crushed when he leaned in and kissed her.
And she kissed him back.
I stumbled back and Nico caught me.
"Man, I'm so sorry," said Nico, pity showing in his eyes.
I regained my balance but the situation got worse, almost knocking me over again.
My brother Orion stood up suddenly and turned to face Annabeth. My Annabeth. He kneeled slipping a small black box out of his pocket.
In my mind, I was screaming. NO NO NO. Tears started pouring down my face.
"Annabeth Chase, will you marry me?"
The crowd grew silent in anticipation. She covered her mouth with her hands. "Yes yes yes!" she started crying in joy.
The crowd started cheering, my father one of the loudest there.
I looked at my friends. Nico looked pale and scared? Thalia looked like she was holding back sobs.
A strange feeling started to overcome me. It was unpleasant but I relished the feeling of it.
I realized what it was.
It was pure fury.
It overcame my sorrow in a flash.
I took a step forward. "What exactly is going on?" I spoke slowly. The crowd immediately grew quiet. I walked towards the happy couple, the crowd parting for me.
Annabeth's eyes were wide and she looked shocked.
"Per-Percy, h-how are you here? You d-died" she stammered
"I am very much alive Annabeth," I spat, "But the real question is why? Why would you do this to me, after all I did for you?" I asked quieter.
The entire camp was watching us, completely shocked. Good for them, I thought.
"How many of you know how much I have suffered in my life?" I asked directing this at our audience. My only answer was complete and utter silence.
"Really? Then why don't I educate you," At this point all eyes were on me.
"When I was twelve, I went on a quest to the Underworld to rescue Zeus' MasterBolt to prevent a civil war among the Gods. At twelve, I beat Ares in a duel. It was then when I found out Luke, son of Hermes was helping Kronos rise," I said quietly.
"My second quest was when Thalia's pine tree was poisoned and I snuck away on a quest to save the camp by finding the Golden Fleece in the Sea of Monsters. We survived the Sirens and defeated Polyphemus, a cyclops. We saved the camp and rescued Thalia from her tree."
I took a deep breath and glanced at Nico and Thalia who moved to stand protectively next to me.
"I went a extraction mission with Thalia and Anna-her," jerking my head head in her direction,"To find a pair of powerful demigods, Nico and Bianca Di Angelo. We were attacked and Annabeth was kidnapped by the Titan Atlas. Bianca joined the Hunters and was chosen to go on a quest to save Artemis who had been forced under the sky."
I look up at my awestruck audience. "The quest members was Thalia, Zoe, the last lieutenant of the hunt, Bianca, Grover and would have been Phoebe but I snuck away on the quest instead to save Annabeth."
"I fought and defeated the Nemean Lion and along the way..."
I look at Nico but his face was startlingly blank.
"Along the way in the junkyard of the Gods, Bi-Bianca sacrificed herself to save my life."
"We reached the Garden of the Hesperides and managed to reach the top of Mount Tam, where Atlas once held the sky. Where Artemis now held the sky. I took the burden of the sky to allow Artemis to fight instead."
"The only thought in my head was Bianca gave her life for me, I could hold the sky. Artemis tricked Atlas under the sky once more but not until he...not until he killed Zoe," my voice impossibly soft.
"Artemis placed her soul in the stars to remain forevermore."
"My fourth quest brought me deep into the Labyrinth, to prevent Luke from invading the camp. I fought monsters and navigated the maze with a clear sighted mortal. I made my peace with Nico and separated from Grover and Tyson who went of to find Pan. Annabeth and I went on a side quest for Hephaestus to locate one of his forges. I went there and was attacked by sea demons. I caused Mount St Helen's to erupt and for Typhon to wake up. I was landed on the island of Calypso and was offered to escape my prophecy. I could have become immortal and escape my life. But I chose to return for my friends because I was loyal to my friends, to my family. I returned to camp and once again entered the Labyrinth. We found Daedalus and found out he had already helped Luke but was eventually betrayed and helped us escape."
I took a deep breath. These next few parts were going to hard.
"I was there when Pan faded, I was one of the few who were blessed by the Lord of the Wild. "
"I managed to find my way back to Luke's ship where Kronos' sarcophagus was located. I found out Luke had bathed in the River Styx and had hosted the Titan Lord's essence. We managed to escape but not before Nico was revealed as a son of Hades."
I take a moment to glance at my audience. They were awestruck, shocked, and scared? I looked at my father and saw he had tears in his eyes.
"That was when the Battle of the Labyrinth began. To cut a long story short, many brave heroes passed but we managed to win. Daedalus returned to help and asked Nico to kill him to close the Labyrinth. Th-there were t-too many shrouds that day.
I swallow deeply looking at my too companions, both openly sobbing.
"I knew that Kronos would try to attack Olympus so I gathered every single half-blood to defend Olympus. Forty Demigods, 30 hunters, and an assortment of nature spirits was all we had to defend Olympus. The bravest heroes of the age, who gave their lives to protect the world. It was also then when I bathed in the River Styx to prepare myself to fight Kronos. I also read the Great Prophecy that had always governed my entire life,"
"This was my prophecy-
A halfblood of the eldest Gods,
Shall reach sixteen against all odds,
And see the world in endless sleep,
Hero's soul cursed blade shall reap,
A single choice shall end his days,
Olympus to preserve or raze."
"The final battle happened in the Throne Room. Annabeth reminded Luke of his promise to her and managed to wrestle control from Kronos. I made the choice to save Olympus, I gave Annabeth's knife to him and he stabbed himself in his Achille's heel, killing Kronos."
Everyone was completely silent except for Annabeth who was sobbing into my brother's shoulder.
"I made an even bigger decision at the awards ceremony. The Gods offered me godhood," I paused,"And I declined"
The entire audience erupted in yells and questions but I lifted my hand and stopped them immediately.
"I declined for for two reasons, one was I promised to Luke that I would make sure the Gods payed more attention to their children, I made them all swear to claim all their children by the time they turn 12 and that every God would have a cabin at camp, Olympian and minor."
"The second reason was for her. I declined godhood because I loved her," I spat. "I could have escaped my fate but I chose you." directing my statement at her. "But it seems as if you didn't do the same."
"Later, Hera that took my memories and Jason Grace from Camp Jupiter to unite the Camps against the newest threat. Gaea was rising. To shorten a very long quest, Annabeth fell into Tartarus and I chose to fall with her. We escaped and then we fought the Giants in Greece and managed to kill them with our parents but not before Gaea woke."
"And I managed to kill Gaia by myself with no help."
"The Seven chose to add Hades and Hestia to the council and received partial immortality instead."
"And then Athena, decided now I had to earn her approval to marry her daughter by defeating Landon and taking the Golden Apples of Immortality."
"Which brings us to here," I finish slowly. My voice had been rising during my entire speech.
I slip my hand into my pocket and take out a small,black box and open it, showing the contents to everyone.
Every girl gasped there, even Thalia which Nico smirked at.
Inside the small, black box nestled in soft silk, was a ring worthy of Hephaestus.
A pure silver band made up the body of the ring, etched into the silver were sea-green wave designs that seemed to move in the firelight. The main cause of such rapture were the ring's jewels. There was an emerald trident in the center, the exact color of Percy's eyes. On either side of the trident was two storm grey wings-owl wings. Etched along the base of the wings were the words- Forever and always
I looked at Thalia and Nico and they seemed to get my messege.
They took a step back.
"Ple-please Percy! I thought you died! I thought you would have wanted me to move on!" Annabeth cried out reaching out for me.
"No, daughter of Athena, you just forgot about me, like everyone here." my voice filled with such venom cause everyone to flinch. "It seems as if Athena's smarts skipped a generation huh?"
Rachel stepped out calmly,"Percy, please don't do anything rash,"
"And why should I listen to you, to any of the people that betrayed me?" I hissed.
Rachel looked like she had just been slapped. "Percy please, this isn't you," she pleaded.
"Shut up! Stop acting like your my friend," I growled,
"I bet the gods wanted this to happen! I think they wanted to crush me!" I yell at the sky.
The sky only thundered softly in the distance.
"To the gods," I say bitterly dropping the ring into the campfire.
My father stumbled like he had been struck. His legs collapsed and he fell to his knees, the crowd watching in a stunned silence. After what seemed like forever, Poseidon slowly looked up.
"I'm so sorry," he said softly a single tear slowly making a trail down his face.
"Too late" My response made him bow his head once more.
"Percy, please forgive me. I love you!" Annabeth cried out stepping out to me.
In a flash, my blade was at her throat. "It would be so easy for me to kill you right now," I whispered. "But that would be too easy."
"How dare you do that to my wife?!" Orion yelled. I just smirked at him.
I removed my blade and shoved her into his arms where he glared at me.
Suddenly every single camper rushed forwards including Chiron who had just appeared, I think they were trying to restrain me.
But that didn't happen.
I swiftly turned riptide around and pointed it at my chest.
And everyone froze.
"Percy, please don't do this, this isn't the answer," Chiron pleaded.
"Trying to act like you care? Well too bad, I don't buy your trick."
Nico and Thalia stood right next to me once again. "Please don't do anything rash," whispered Thalia.
Of course I ignored her.
I knew I couldn't live here anymore, it was not my home anymore, and Camp Jupiter has my other friends, but it is too familiar to Camp Half-Blood.
I looked up and saw the Huntress.
Then, I had a brilliant idea. Well maybe not brilliant, actually it could most likely kill me later but I had to do it.
I slowly took the sword off my chest and caused a massive sigh of relief to emanate from the crowd.
I looked at my sword, so many memories forged through this sword.
Too many.
Then I had a brilliant idea.
I capped riptide and held it in my palm for everyone to see.
"I return this sword to its original form." The pen shimmered and slowly shrank into a blue hair clip.
Zoe Nightshade's hair clip imbued with her immortal power.
"I renounce my ownership over this sword,"
That caught everyone's attention causing a massive gasp from the campers assembled. They knew how much riptide meant to me.
"I return riptide to it's original creator and owner, Zoe Nightshade.
That's when Thalia fainted in shock
but Nico caught her.
Riptide started to glow a deep blue color- the color of the ocean at its deepest depths.
Riptide shimmered once again and started to rise out of my hand. It slowly started to pick up speed until it passed higher than I could see, but something remarkable happened.
The stars glowed brighter than normal.
More specifically, a single constellation.
The Huntress.
While everyone was gawking at the change, I took that as a sign.
I turned and sprinted out of the campfire. I managed to get up the hill before I started to hear the shouts. I ran up to Peleus, grabbed my backpack and gave one last look at the place I had once called home.
The yells started getting louder and my resolve hardened.
I turned back and ran down the hill-towards freedom, towards a new life.
Not once looking back.
Hey guys:D
This is my first Percy Jackson fan fiction and I am proud of myself. Review and favorite!
-PixelUp