Ok, I know that the last chapter was a bit short for my taste, but this one will be a lot more comprehensive and the flow will be easier!
Percy POV
"Oh my Gods, he did it!" Travis Stoll said.
Gods, I hated him for this. It was the Stolls' idea to play Truth or Dare in our free time. I hated this game. I mean, you duel a few Titans and save a world or two and suddenly you're "Mr. Fearless" or something. I don't care how brave people say I am…agreeing to lick Mr. D's hand while he's asleep in his chair is NOT something I was prepared to do. But I couldn't just chicken out of the dare. I'm Percy Jackson, and they all have a good point. If I can fight monsters and Titans, then I can lick a guy's hand.
He tasted like wine and grass. Two things I didn't really like to taste. "Alright, Stoll, it's done," I said confidently. "Now it looks like it's my turn."
I looked around at all the willing participants when I returned to my cabin. There was Annabeth Chase, my new girlfriend since the end of the war, Grover Underwood, a satyr and my best friend, Nico Di Angelo, a son of Hades, Thalia Grace, a daughter of Zeus and a Hunter of Artemis (although she was simply visiting), Connor and Travis Stoll, sons of Hermes, Rachel Dare, the new Oracle, and some random Aphrodite girls who's names I didn't care to retain.
Suddenly, there was a flash of light and a figure appeared in my cabin's doorway. He wore a white V-neck t-shirt and jeans. His black hair was messy and he had a mischievous smile and blue eyes. He was tall and looked like a middle-aged man, and what gave away his identity was his messenger bag, caduceus, and winged helmet.
"Hermes," I said. "What can we do you for?"
"Percy, always a pleasure," he said with a warm smile. It still seemed rather sad due to the death of his son, Luke Castellan, who betrayed us to Kronos. He happily died a hero, however.
He held some papers in his hands which were quickly identified as letters. And a few of them had my name on them. After signing for them, I read the sender's names aloud for everyone to hear.
"Hmm, one from my mom, my dad (who, by the way, is Poseidon, God of the Seas), Aphrodite, and—" I paused. No, this wouldn't happen. This had to have been a joke. I knew for a fact that this man hated my guts and had wanted me dead for 5 years straight now. Why would he send a letter to me? And what for? Unfortunately, my friend's faces prompted me to read the name aloud.
"Ares." At the sound of his name, everyone burst into laughter.
"Dude this is gonna be priceless!"
"Has he challenged you to another 'fight'? Or is he just planning to lose again?"
"Get ready for some hate mail, Perce!"
The comments clouded together as I simply decided to set the letter down. I jumped right for the one from Aphrodite, considering it would be the least hostile or complicated…unless she were to screw with Annabeth and I. I slowly tore the flap open, and read the letter once again out loud.
Dear Perseus,
It's little old me! Aphrodite! Haha, I rhymed! Anyways, I heard you're 18 now, which means you're probably ready to become a man! So, I have some instructions for you! Come to my palace on Olympus tonight, and oh, pack your bags because you'll be, um, "staying the night"! Hehee! Oh, and one more thing, try to wear loose shorts for me, mkay? The last thing we need is your pants tightening up before I get to—
"OK!" Hermes half-laughed. "Sorry about that…that's for next, next August 18th…"
I'd like to share what the letter said but I'd hate to gross someone out. Still, the letter form Ares sat on my counter, beckoning me. It had an unusual aura that tempted me to rip it open and read it hungrily. It was most likely enchanted. As hard as I tried to walk away, it still sat there, almost as if it was whispering to me, even long after Hermes had said his goodbyes and teleported away.
Long after everyone had to resume their activities and it was time for bed, the letter was sill there whispering. Ok, maybe it wasn't literally whispering, but it had that eerie feeling.
Maybe just a quick peek, I thought. It couldn't be that bad, right?
Slowly, I found my hand opening up the letter and unfolding it. He said "Dear". Well at least he's formal.
Dear Perseus,
Try not to rip up this letter right away, punk. See, I need your help. It might be a long shot, but you see…what I have to offer is probably hard to deny. What happened 5 years ago at the beach was you getting lucky, and I'm writing this to prove it. My son—Deimos, ya know? He's a real cocky kid. Thinks he's my "heir" or something. I need to put him in his place, according to his mom. That's where you come in. I can promise you two things. One: you will lose EVERYTHING. Your girlfriend, friends, even the respect of your parents. But two: You will be a great warrior…and possibly even…my apprentice. I've seen what you can do with a sword, kid. It ain't a joke. And though the offer may seem ridiculous, know this one thing. If by chance you don't agree to my terms…
I'll just take it all from you myself.
With hate,
Ares
The nerve of that—that—bastard! Threaten me, my girlfriend, my friends and family? What makes that low-life think I'd help him! I don't do parenting; I won't help him baby-sit his jerk of a son.
And yet, something told me the decision wasn't in my hands.
Unfortunately, the Gods usually got what they wanted…especially ones such as Ares. If I didn't do this, he'd hurt the people I love…
Another knock at my door. It was past midnight, and yet someone had found their way to my cabin. When the door opened, the man said, almost in a hushed but husky voice, "Evening, Sea-Spawn. We have some things to discuss."
I took out Riptide at the sight of him: Deimos. His black leather jacket flowed unnaturally, in sync to a non-existent wind in my cabin.
"What do you want? You can't fight me here."
"I don't want to fight you, Percy. I told you we have things to discuss."
Without invitation, the teenage god sat comfortably on the edge of my bed near the saltwater spring my dad had given me. His smile was half-hearted, as if he had just heard some complicated news…which he most likely did.
"Word on the street is, mommy isn't too happy with the way I've been, um…utilizing my powers. Lover's Lane, or something. Whatever. That was just for fun. But I digress….Percy, they want you."
He looked at me uneasily, like he knew my fate, and like he almost…pitied me.
"Daddy doesn't treat his friends very nicely, kid. Heard you got a letter. That…is bad news. He's threatened the people you love, and if you don't agree…well, bye-bye loved ones."
"The Gods wouldn't let him do that," I interjected. By "Gods", I meant my dad. He surely would've prevented Ares from hurting Annabeth? And the camp?
"It's a sad day when someone as smart as you actually thinks the Gods know what he's up to. This is all a bigger scheme of things, kid. He's being…persuaded. Just like last time. The new prophecy speaks of seven. Seven of the greatest demigods in the business. One of which is you."
"Who could possibly be tricking Ares again?" I wondered. With Kronos gone, there was no way it could have been him.
"That's not for you to worry about. What you do need to worry about this. You and I are key elements in the upcoming conflict, Kelp-for-brains. There's another…place for people like you. You'll have to make peace with them if you are to win this new war. But before you go and have scones with the Queen of England, you gotta dump the tea in the harbor first."
"…What?"
"Focus, kid! It's a metaphor. What I'm trying to say is that in order for there to be peace, there must be war. And you're about to fight like hell. I'll see you on the battlefield, Fish Boy."
And with that, he was gone.
A/N: Ok, I wanted this one to be a bit longer. The more free time I get, the longer the chapters will be. I really want to stress that the confusion in the first couple chapters is exactly what I'm trying to do. Everything just has to unfold like a mystery. The characters' place in each aspect of the story will all come together soon, just know that a lot is in store for Percy in the next few chapters!
Thanks for reading! I appreciate the positive feedback!
- Chris