Disclaimer:- Percy doesn't belong to me, he belongs to Rick Riordan.
Chapter 2
I could see Half-Blood Hill in the distance. As we descended into camp one thing was clear, camp seemed little well, gloomy and hectic. After promising to give Blackjack some sugar cubes, we rushed to the Big House where we learned a war council was being held immediately, "Um, why is there a war council anyway?" asked Annabeth. "You'll find out soon enough" replied Travis Stoll. Travis was rarely serious, but now he looked as serious as ever.
An hour later, we were all sitting around the ping-pong table in the rec room, the usual spot for a meeting. But no body was pulling the usual pranks. Except for Clarisse, most of the campers were sullen-looking and quiet. "I don't care who leads them but if they're looking for a fight I'm gonna whip 'em." But no one was paying any attention to her. Then Chiron came and asked everyone to settle down (mostly Clarisse). Chiron looked unsettled and spoke in a grave tone.
"As most of you know already there is a large force of monsters marching toward New York City as we speak. They are approaching from the south and should reach the city tomorrow evening. They want us to defend the city and battle with them as they would have an advantage there; but it's too risky as there may be many more mortal casualties. And another thing you all might have noticed is that now, in October most of our summer campers are not present. I have called of those who were close enough to reach in time to defend the city. So, at present we are only forty campers and a few dozen satyrs. By tomorrow morning there will be may be about fifty campers. But still we are not enough, as we are still greatly out numbered; but we will have to fight. According to the scouts we sent out, there are thousands of monsters. The Hunters have been contacted and will arrive tomorrow evening. I will rally some of my brothers from the nearby state's chapters. But I'm afraid that's the best we can do at this point. But even then we are vastly out numbered. Our best plan is that we should fortify some fields in central New Jersey where there are open areas away from mortal's residential areas. We should be able to gain a slight advantage by surprising them but we will lose some valuable time, as they will reach our fortifications by the afternoon, if we are lucky. So, now I leave you all to prepare for the coming battle". Chiron ended his monologue, and sighed.
"Um, can't we contact the Gods, Chiron?" questioned Annabeth.
Chiron spoke in an even graver tone. "Zeus has shut off Olympus and forbidden contact between Olympians and mortals. And Artemis and Dionysus, who usually follow their own rules, haven't been seen since yesterday either".
"And Percy, the area we've planned to fortify has plenty of creeks and ponds, if you know what I mean". Chiron added
"Gotcha" I said.
The rest of the afternoon was spent organizing material and weapons to be taken in chariots the next morning. Nobody spoke much at dinner and the magic campfire reflected the gloomy mood.
That night I dreamt I was some where in Maryland. I saw a huge army of monsters and I heard a voice, deep and fear inspiring like the titan Atlas's. "Prepare yourself little hero. But as you can see, you and your puny friends are no match for my forces". Then there was the usual maniacal laughing except it was pretty creepy. That was so clichéd. I awoke with a start.
Then after drifting between sleep and consciousness, I dozed off again, this time I was in the Underworld. The mighty river Styx roared in front of me. It was really powerful, even in a dream. I remembered when I had come here with Nico Di Angelo to become invulnerable by dipping myself into the Styx. That was more painful than anything I've ever experienced, hands down. Getting cut by Kronos's scythe, being blasted out of Mt. St. Helens, and being bitten by a scorpion were all a piece of cake when compared to this. The river almost dissolved me and my soul.
Then I saw the reason I was here. The shade of Achilles wanted to talk to me again. That was one person I didn't want to talk to. He had an arrow sticking out of his ankle and his foot was covered with blood. I guess some wounds never heal, not even if you die. I wonder if I got stabbed in my mortal point; would my shade wander around with a knife sticking out of my bloody back.
The huge guy (or ghost, whatever) looked me straight in the eye and spoke" Hero, my mark has helped you greatly, but it comes with a great price, soon it will become a curse; and a day will come when my blessing will no longer be able to help you. Be warned."
Then he just faded.
I hate it when people just deliver a vague warning and just disappear, but since I'm a demigod, that happens a lot.