A Tale of Mist: Book 1 - Chapter 3
Disclaimer- I do not own any of the Half-Blood series (PJO or HoO), Kane Chronicles, and any other stuff I wish I owned but I don't, it all belongs to Uncle Rick + I mention other real live things and people/music/movies, I don't own them either
Rated T for violence + intense content (just to be safe) and suggestive themes/scenes (kissing)
A/N at bottom
Previously on A Tale of Mist
"Calypso, wha…what are you doing here." Percy asked dumbfounded. It was his biggest what if standing outside his door looking as beautiful as the day he told her goodbye. Same natural beauty and big almond eyes. She was even wearing jeans.
"Percy…" She said pulling him into an embrace. "I can't believe after what I did to you and Annabeth, the curse…you still asked to set me free. Thank You." She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned up. "Thank you." She put her lips to his and gave him a kiss. For Percy it brought back a happy memory of their brief time on her island.
A voice rang out behind them. "What's going on?"
Line Break
4 days before incident
Camp Half-Blood
Percy's POV (he's in the dog house now)
Oh Crap, was all I could think. This was probably one of the most…no THE most awkward moment of my life. Well, there was that one time? Never mind, focus Percy.
I turn and there is Piper wide awake and standing in the middle of my cabin. Her hair was pushed and standing up on one side from sleeping on me. Wait…that sounded wrong. Sleeping on my CHEST, as in using me as a pillow. I never noticed in the dark last night, but she is wearing a silk 2 piece nightgown, and dang did she look beautiful. Bed hair and all. Focus Percy.
I remember the predicament I'm in and speak. "Pip…Piper, um…this is Calypso. She's an old…friend from back in the day. We…were, I Uhhh." I scratch the back of my head. I look down and notice that I am holding Calypso's hand. I look up at Piper; her eyes are becoming red with sadness. She walks past me putting a hand on my shoulder as she leaves.
"Thanks for helping me last night Percy, but I think I can take care of myself here on out." She turns and smiles weakly. "It's a pleasure to meet you Calypso. I've heard lots about you from Percy and Leo." She turns and walks back towards her cabin.
Calypso squeezes my hand, "Who was she?" She asks with curiosity.
"My…A friend who needed to talk" I say.
"She seems nice, and she is quite beautiful." Calypso comments.
She is, I want to say.
End POV
Percy spoke, "Let's go inside and we can talk." Percy grabs her hand, and leads her to the edge of his bed. Both take a seat on the edge. "So..."
Calypso turns and hugs Percy. "Thank you again for making sure I was set free. Apollo came himself and…"
Wait, what?" Percy cuts in. "Apollo went to your island and released you?"
"Yes, why do you ask?" Calypso spoke confused.
"Sorry," Percy replies. "It's just that why would Apollo go get you. I would have expected Athena or even Hermes to go release you."
"Well, he said he did it as a favor to you. Anyways, how is my hero doing?" She asks.
Percy didn't know where to begin. "There is something you need to know before we begin." Percy spoke with caution. "Leo is dead."
"I know." She whispered. "I was flashed to Olympus after Apollo came to get me. Zeus wanted me to swear that I would never turn on Olympus." Percy rolled his eyes. "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing; when I swore I said I would forever remain loyal to Olympus as long as they stay true, fair, and just. I mean, it's like I told you, how different are they from the Titans?"
"Well, we won against Gaea," Percy resumed. "The Greek and Roman demigods have made peace with one another. I even hear they may make a third camp where they can live together if they want." Percy gave a weak smile, "Finally being a family." Calypso noticed Percy's distress and took his hand giving it a gentle squeeze.
"Annabeth is dead." Percy said as his eyes began to water, and his body began to shake from his overwhelming emotions. He reached up and wiped his eyes; also taking a moment to clean his runny nose.
Percy looked down at his sleeve dampened by tears. He began to shake his head. I can't do this anymore. I can't move on. "She was taken from me, and…" He reached out longing for the girl he loved, "I just stood there as she left." His hand fell to his side.
Anger began to swell inside, and he clenched his fists. His voice rose in anger, "Why is it that so many died, people I loved, people I didn't even know, they die while I remain alive." He started to pace around his room in anger while Calypso looked on letting him let it go. "It's like a sick joke." His face softened, "All those children, dead, they never had a chance to live. Be real kids, have fun. I don't even know most of their names." By the time he had finished he was once again by Calypso's side. Tears were streaming down his face, and he was hunched over with his hands running up and down his legs in stress.
He reached over and took Calypso's hand in his "Calypso…things cannot be the way they use to be." He looked up into her almond eyes, "I'm not the same boy you met all those years ago. There…there is a darkness in me." Percy put his head down and whispered, " Me and Annabeth went through Tartarus." He looked up at Calypso and saw that she wanted to say something. "Please, don't speak, and do not apologies, when I realized that one of the curses that fell upon Annabeth was because of you I realized it was my fault. I made the gods swear that you would be set free, but I never made sure they went thru with it. I apologize for not making sure you were truly set free."
Percy looked back to the face of Calypso and smiled weakly. "Now you are free, and I don't know how to say this, but we..." Percy said pointing his hand between them. "We cannot have the future you wish for." Calypso's eyes watered. Percy thought, how could I do this to such an innocent girl, I'm turning her down again. "You can do whatever you want now; you don't have to fall for just the people who wash up on your shore. You can date, meet and fall in love with whomever you want whenever you want," Percy reached up and cupped her face, tears were now rolling down her cheeks. "And when you find that special someone... they will be the most lucky person in the whole world to have captured your heart."
Calypso stood from Percy's bed and softly smiled. "Thank you Percy…um…just for old time's sake could I have one last goodbye kiss?" She asked quietly. Percy nodded and reached out grabbed her waist. Slowly his hands moved to cup her face, as she wrapped her arms around his neck. They leaned in, and gently their lips touched. They began to kiss more deeply as they poured out all their emotions. To both Calypso and Percy it was long overdue and the perfect closure to something that would have never worked out. After a few seconds it was over as quickly as it started. "Thank you Percy, for all you did for me." She leaned up on her toes and kissed his forehead. She then turned and walked out of Percy's cabin and out of his life.
Line Break
Percy got dressed for the day and stepped onto the front porch of his cabin. He took a deep breath savoring the smell of the sea that always seemed to flow thru. Now with immortality he could tell his senses were sharper. He could make out new details when he smelled. Besides the sea he could pick up the sweetness of the strawberry's that grew in the fields, and the smell of breakfast coming from the dining hall. Percy closed his eyes; he could hear the clanking of swords coming from the arena, the chatter of the campers as they talked while eating. He heard the buzz of a bumblebee. Percy opened his eyes, and turned his head. There was nothing near him, and then he noticed it. Yards away in a patch of wild flowers the bee hovered as it looked for nectar and pollen. Are my senses that improved? He asked himself. He didn't even feel that hungry. In fact he felt more energized now than yesterday evening. It's as if the night gave him an energy boost. Percy shrugged, he would think about it later. He began his walk towards the mess hall.
When Percy walked in a few of the campers noticed and raised their glasses in acknowledgment. He nodded his head and smiled. He made his way to the Poseidon table and sat down. An air nymph appeared and gave Percy a plate of food. Percy thanked her; she blushed and waved as she left to serve more campers. Percy tilted his head. He heard the clop of a horse. Moments later Chiron appeared and banged his staff on the floor twice. Everyone grew silent and raised their drinks. Chiron raised his staff to a solute. "To the gods!"
"To the gods!" everyone cheered.
Percy rose and made his way to the alter in the middle taking his plate of food with him. He didn't have much of an appetite so he scrapped all the food in. "For Poseidon, Hestia, Athena, Hecate, and…Artemis. Um…no fighting over the food, split it evenly, um…ok." He turned and walked back to the table. He lifted his chalice and thought of a drink, seconds later a blue colored sweet tea filled the cup. He took a sip and smiled taking in the sweet taste.
Percy heard the flap of wings and Ella the harpy flew in from one of the windows. She swooped down and landed on the chair across from Percy.
"Percy Jackson, Savior of Olympus, defeater of monsters." Ella pronounced. "Ella does not like monsters, Percy is no monster she is Ella's friend. Friends, aired for ten seasons, 1994 to 2004." Ella looked up at the sky. "Air 20% oxygen, 2%...Ella does not know, mist. Mist, air, light. The mist shall be torn atop the great tower, out of the shadows and into the light." She chanted, "Building began construction in?"
"Wait Ella!" Percy butted in. He began to breath heavily. This couldn't be happening again. "Did you…was that a prophesy?"
Ella just began to murmur to herself and covered her ears. She squawked and flew from the table and back out the window she flew in.
A look of worry and pain grew on Percy's face. Against his better judgment he pushed what Ella had spoken aside, plus if it was a prophesy she spoke it would be revealed sooner or later. I would be at that moment that Percy could worry about it.
Percy looked to the Aphrodite table. Piper wasn't there. He stood and made his way over.
"I swear one minute we were partying and the next thing I knew we were waking up on the hard floor." Percy overheard Drew ranting to some of the girls. "It was humiliating and it wrinkled my dress. Don't even get me started about my hair…Percy!" Drew yelped. "What brings you to our table sugar?" She asks batting her eyes.
"I'm looking for Piper. Have you seen her?" Percy asks politely.
"Why of course, she is out by the docks at the lake," she replies. "If you want I can show you to…"
"No thanks I can find her myself." Percy says. He turns and jogs out the dining hall towards the lake docks. On the way out Drew resumes her rant and Percy catches something about a "cute boy" and "that Kane girl". Percy stumbled a bit. Could it be? No, he would have to look into that later.
As he nears the lake he spots Piper sitting on the edge next to a person with red frizzy hair. Rachel the Oracle. He got there fast enough to overhear what Rachel was saying. "Boys, just never get it, and with Percy…well it takes even more time." She turns and looks to Percy. "Why don't you join us?"
The only open area was next to Piper. Percy made his way to the edge of the dock and sat down. Piper shifted uncomfortably.
"Ohh, what do you know!" Rachel said getting up quickly. "I forgot that umm…Oracle duties umm…I got to go! Bye!" She ran off.
They remained in an awkward silence until Piper decided to speak.
"What were you doing kissing that girl, who was she, she was pretty, did you guys have a thing in the past, do you love her, why did you kiss her!" She shoots at Percy.
"Hang on their feisty pant that was Calypso." Percy started.
"Calypso! Right." Piper budded in, "Sorry, my mind was blank for a second." Her shoulders slumping. "You and Leo both landed on her island. She fell in love with both of you."
"Yes." Percy replies. "She loved me and I loved her, but that was in the past. The kiss you saw was a misunderstanding. She was just excited to see me." Percy took Pipers hand in his. "I told her she needed to move on, as will I." Percy gave his signature grin.
Time Skip
Camp Half-Blood
1 day until incident – 9:00 PM
Percy was really enjoying camp now. He never felt better thanks to the immortality, his fighting skills, senses, and stamina had increased tenfold. He and Piper were now inseparable. They spent most of their free time with each other. Comforting one another when painful memories of the past resurfaced, training to be better heroes, and ending up best friends.
It was late in the afternoon, and both Percy and Piper were off to see Rachel to see how she was doing. They found her once again by the docks, her bare feet dangling in the cool water.
"What's up Rach?" Percy asked hand in hand with Piper. They both sat down next to the Oracle.
"Nothing much, just thinking. I have been drawing weird pictures of people, mortals looking up in horror at Olympus. I don't know what it means but…" Rachel froze.
"Ohhh!" she exclaimed. Her eyes flashed a misty green for a second then return to normal. She looked up in shock. "We need to watch a TV…NOW!"
"We can't!" Piper exclaimed. "TV's are not allowed in camp!"
All three rose and began to run with Percy taking the lead.
"The Hermes cabin! They got a monster proof TV from the Hephaestus cabin for helping prank the Ares cabin. We use it to check up on the world once in a while, but mostly we use it to watch some basketball." Percy panted as they ran. They made their way to the entrance and Percy banged on the door. Connor Stoll opened the door.
"Perce, what's going on?" Connor asked.
Rachel spoke up. "We need to watch the news now." She demanded. "Something big is happening."
Connor looked around to make sure no one was watching. "Follow me."
They followed Connor inside. It was far less empty now since the gods claimed their children and the minor gods were given cabins though the Hermes cabin was still one of the largest. Connor walked to a fridge against the wall and called Percy to help him push it aside. When they moved it aside a staircase appeared leading down. Connor grabbed a flashlight and led them down. The tunnel was dark and other passages appeared along their path.
"Where do all these lead to?" Piper asked.
"Ohhh you know. The camp store, big house basement, outside of camp in case we need a quick escape, or we use it to sneak in food and other stuff from the outside." They reached a door and went thru entering a large room. It looked like a dream man cave with a bar to one side (non-alcoholic), sofas and recliners all surrounding a 60inch ultra 4K HD TV. Hephaestus's play station 12 laid beside it with a dozen controllers around it. A popcorn machine was along another wall with a huge fish tank filled with jellyfish beside it. A surround system could be seen circling the entire room.
Percy whistled. "Sweet!"
Connor spoke. "TV on, news." The screen came to life and a news station appeared.
"…unrest as the attacks on the streets have gotten worse," A newscaster spoke. Percy told Connor he needed to call the other cabin leaders. Connor wanted to complain that the secret would be let out, but the wolf gaze from Percy made him quickly change his mind. He hit a button on his watch and spoke out.
"Travis, emergency 357." Connor spoke.
The news continued. "We bring you this footage of the most recent attack." The images changed to show a pack of large stray dogs attacking people in a crowded New York street. Only instead of dogs the demigods saw a pack of hellhounds attacking mortals. "4 people have been pronounced dead the youngest being 12 years old. 13 more are suffering serious injuries." The door opened and in came the rest of the cabin leaders. Many whistled at the room's setup and complained on how they weren't told about the room.
"Shut up!" Percy shouted. "Monsters are attacking mortals."
They turned their attention back to the TV. "These seen to be some new breed of dog we have not seen before." Connor switched the channel to another station.
"Hear is live footage coming from downtown Chicago." They watched a dozen Hyperborean's charged thru the streets. Percy was shocked. The mortals were screaming about giant blue monsters. They could see the giants. The Hyperborean's blew and the street began to free over. Mortals turned into bluish ice statues. Fear was the expression etched on their frozen faces. Some were stepped on by the giants and shattered into a hundred pieces of flesh and bone. "Ohhh goodness, we have just told the National Guard is sending Apache helicopters." Sure enough dots in the air began to appear as the choppers got closer. Suddenly missiles shot forth towards the giants. On impact the arms and legs of some giants were blasted off. The giants roared in pain but did not die. They grouped together and summoned giant balls of ice. One picked up a car with screaming people inside it and hurled it at the nearest chopper. It was able to move out of the way fast enough, but the car slammed into the one hovering behind it. The two objects collided and exploded in a giant ball of fire. The wreckage tumbled to the ground below crushing a group of bystanders. Blood, wreckage, and body parts were spewed across the street. The dangerous game of dodging continued as the choppers and giants continued their assault upon one another. A missile slammed into one giant and he was blown clean in half. He like his brethren is soon turned to golden dust that is whisked away by the wind.
Line Break (Hours have gone by)
Day of incident
Connor once again changed the channel. "Breaking from Texas, live footage is about to be shown of yet another creature attack. Warning, it may not be suitable for children."
The screen showed a small rural town. People were screaming and running down the street. From the back a huge 7 headed hydra could be seen chasing the mortals. People yelled and pushed as they tried to escape. Cars sped down the street many hitting people and sending them toppling along the gravel, they did not get back up. The heads of the Hydra snapped forward. The three middle ones spewed fire that burned cars and mortals who were not fast. Others were snatched up by the mouths of the beast as they were ripped apart and eaten. The newsman's voice came back on. "I don't know how to describe this but a dragon has attacked this small city. The National Guard is still 20 minutes away and I honestly don't know if there will be anybody to save by that time. Wait! There is something approaching on land to the monster at high speed. From a cloud of dust a large man in cowboy gear appeared riding a cherry red horse with razor sharp teeth.
"Eurytion!" Percy shouted, "I met him on the quest through the labyrinth."
Eurytion had a large 12 gauge shotgun in his hands. He pulled on the reigns of the horse and it reared up and blew fire from its mouth. Though he could not be heard on TV you could make out a "Giddy up" as he yanked on the reigns and the horse galloped forward. "It appears a hero has come to fight this beast though I don't know how a simple gun will stop it." The newsman spoke. As Eurytion got near he aimed his gun and fired. On impact one head of the Hydra blew off. The bullets then exploded charring the stump and sealing it from re-growing. He fired again 5 more times each shot hitting their mark until only one head remained. He must have run out of shells because he dropped his gun and pulled out a huge 7 foot broadsword. The horse continued to charge the now one headed Hydra. It stroke like a snake at Eurytion but he leaped off of the horse and soared over the head. Half way across he swept his sword and cleaved the final head. He landed on his feet and quickly turned. He thrust his sword forward and stabbed the monster thru the heart. I crumbled to dust. Everyone gave a cheer.
Suddenly a Iris message appeared before the cabin leaders. Chiron's face appeared. He looked stressed and worried. "Children you are needed on Olympus." The message disappeared.
Will Solace was the first to speak, "We need to get to Olympus fast."
"I have an idea," Percy said raising his voice, "But you guys will get a little wet."
Line Break
Central Park, New York
Day of incident
Percy was the first to rise out of the lake. Slowly one by one each camp leader swam to shore. Percy helped all of them up and dried them off.
"We got to hurry it's already a new day." They all nodded and began to run towards the Empire State Building in the distance. They were walking down the street when they began to notice people were giving them funny looks.
"What the heck are you people staring at?" Rachel asked.
A lady looked at the group of demigods and screamed. "They got swords! It's psychos!"
Mortal began to scream and shout as they ran away from the group of demigods.
"We need to hurry!" Percy shouted. They took off running.
A block from Olympus the Empire State Building came into clear view. The demigods stopped; they had made it.
Suddenly, a loud boom was heard, and a trail of smoke like the back of a rocket shot towards the top of the building.
"What the heck?" Percy said to himself. It reached 100 feet above the top of the great building and exploded shooting out a blue circular shockwave of smoke (think spider man) that seemed to go as far as the eye could see. Then like an invisible glass the air and sky itself seemed to crack and shatter. Shouts of terror erupted all around them as mortals began to panic.
To the horror and astonishment of the demigods a shape began to appear in the sky.
Percy remembered what Ella had said. The mist shall be torn atop the great tower, out of the shadows and into the light. "The mist is disappearing!" Percy shouted.
Sure enough a land mass started to appear hundreds of feet in the sky and soon the great city of Olympus became visible for all to see. Both Demigods and mortals.
Rachel lunged forward. "Help." She squeaked, and then her eyes shone with a light and a green mist began to pour out her mouth. She spoke as if there were three of her.
To topple the one with visions of power
The mist shall be torn atop the great tower
Out of the shadows and into the light
Foes must unite and stand strong for the fight
But all will stand still in darkness and in pain
Unless the huntress and the dove, finds love in the rain
Once the prophesy was recited the mist continued to pour out of Rachel's mouth until all left her. Her eyes went back to normal and she spoke in shock. "The Oracle has left me."
That is when the first missile crashed into Olympus.
A/N – Hello fellow followers how are you doing. Thank you all for the reviews for the last chapter and all who have chosen to fav. or follow. I understand that the last cliffy was too much for some people, so too help you forget it I created a bigger one. Now, the length of this chapter was almost twice the length of the previous 2. All my chapters will not be this long unless I need to let out some background for the following one. So some people wanted Percy to be paired with all three girls, but as you learned that will not be the case. However he will be with both Artemis and Piper at some point.
OK, about the fight scenes, what did you think? I wanted to capture the shock and emotion of what would happen if the monsters actually attacked mortals. Was it to violent? Also, did anyone pick up the hints at future allies (hint, Foes must unite and stand strong for the fight). What is up with Apollo, why did HE get Calypso for Percy, is there an ulterior purpose? I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I did. Remember if you read the story back when I was Trojan7, please do not spoil it for others in any reviews.
Until next time, this is SonOfCoul 037 signing off.
