Thanks to all the readers for their amazing reviews. This chapter mostly consists of two character Percy and Nico. Percy knows about the Roman camp, even Nico knows little about the camp since he watched discreetly from the tunnel. I hope you like it. I have used some part of the book Son of Neptune to describe Camp Jupiter.
Disclaimer: I don't own Percy Jackson and characters.
3rd person's POV:-
After getting slapped by his new ex-girlfriend in front of everyone the only thought that crossed Percy mind the unbearable pain aside is
thank the gods Dionysus is not there
that seems to be the only good thing happened to him today. He don't want to know the consequences if Dionysus is there, Chiron is magnanimous and may put him in the kitchen duty or something else. He knew that he didn't act well but the truth is both Robert and Annabeth deserved it by their actions. As he was going back to his cabin, the burning of his body was slowly intensifying.
Ha! is it is imagination or the burn intensity increased since Annabeth told him that they are over.
Maybe it's a curse of Achilles thing since she was his mortal connection.
Percy need to find Nico as much soon as possible he couldn't take it, he will be nothing but golden ashes in about an hour. Luckily for him Nico was just leaving the Hades Cabin.
"Nico now would be good.." Percy ran towards him clutching his small of the back which was burning red now.
Startled by the shouts Nico stepped back and then realized it is Percy he gave him a smile.
"Nico now let's go." Percy urged him.
"Before leaving Percy, I need you to make me a promise.." but Percy cut him off.
"Now is not the time man, I will die soon if you don't help me now immediately. Please I will promise later whatever you want. " Percy pleaded him.
"No! " Nico yelled " Well if you have a death wish they... it's dangerous to take a hell hound to that place, I will explain later, it takes a long time to explain everything. " Nico covered his slip-up hoping that Percy will stop asking questions.
Nico thought of arguing about the later part, his father had clearly warned him to get the get the promise from the son of Poseidon before even mentioning or going to the Roman camp. But sensing the pain and the urgency Nico thought better off it.
"Okay then let's go, when I take you to that place don't freak out, just do as I say. I will explain later, just don't ask any questions. " Nico grabbed Percy by hands took him near the shadow of the Hades cabin since the whole place is illuminated by the heart in the middle.
" We are going to shadow travel? Doesn't it tire you out or something." Percy asked.
" I had almost three years practice now. But yes I will pass out when I bring you and me back to the camp. " Nico answered.
"Can't we just take Mrs. Oleary with us then. " Percy asked.
Leave it to Percy to be the inquisitive one at these times.
They shadow travelled and appeared in a cave or tunnel? Percy thought.
"Where are we? " Percy asked.
" shhh.. don't shout the guards at the entrance will hear you. " Nico warned him.
"Guards?" Percy whispered to Nico.
"Later." Nico motioned for him to move in the opposite direction of where two guards in full armor are guarding the entrance.
A few hundred yards ahead, Percy saw a square of daylight. They kept moving. The glow at the end of the tunnel grew brighter, and finally they burst into sunlight.
"Shit I forgot about the time difference, it's only 6 pm in here. It will be tougher than I thought. " Nico groaned to himself.
Percy froze. Spread out at his feet was a bowl-shaped valley several miles wide. The basin floor was rumpled with smaller hills, golden plains, and stretches of forest. A small clear river cut a winding course from a lake in the center and around the perimeter
That big inland mountain—what was it called, Mount Diablo?—
"Are we in San Fransisco ? " Percy asked not liking the thing one bit " That looks like Mount Diablo. " Percy spoke more to himself than Nico.
Nico didn't answer and glared at him.
Percy felt like he'd stepped into a secret world. In the center of the valley, nestled by the lake, was a small city of white marble buildings with red-tiled roofs. Some had domes and columned porticoes, like national monuments. Others looked like palaces, with golden doors and large gardens. He could see an open plaza with freestanding columns, fountains, and statues. A five-story-tall Roman coliseum gleamed in the sun, next to a long oval arena like a racetrack.
"Seriously what is this place, it now looks like Rome. Did we shadow travel to Rome? Then what is Mount Diablo over there? " Percy asked questions incessantly.
"Percy listen to me, stop rambling. Just do as I say from now what I say is important. " Nico warned him again.
Across the lake to the south, another hill was dotted with even more impressive buildings—temples, Percy guessed. Several stone bridges crossed the river as it wound through the valley, and in the north, a long line of brickwork arches stretched from the hills into the town. Percy thought it looked like an elevated train track. Then he realized it must be an aqueduct.
The strangest part of the valley was right below him. About two hundred yards away, just across the river, was some sort of military encampment. It was about a quarter mile square, with earthen ramparts on all four sides, the tops lined with sharpened spikes. Outside the walls ran a dry moat, also studded with spikes. Wooden watchtowers rose at each corner, manned by sentries with oversized, mounted crossbows. Purple banners hung from the towers. A wide gateway opened on the far side of camp, leading toward the city. A narrower gate stood closed on the riverbank side. Inside, the fortress bustled with activity: dozens of kids going to and from barracks, carrying weapons, polishing armor. Percy heard the clank of hammers at a forge and smelled meat cooking over a fire.
Percy this kept his mouth shut not wanting to be reprimanded by a 14 year old.
are those demigods? like me and Nico. Percy thought to himself. But he is not getting any answers now like always.
As moved closer to the river slowly, Nico stopped both of them in their tracks.
" I will be inside the tunnel hiding in the shadows to recover my energy enough for us to travel back. And those sentries over there will shoot at you as you get closer to the river. "
"Seriously? Who are those people this looks very much like out camp Half-blood. What is this place. Are those demigods?" Percy asked wanting answers more than ever.
"Yes those are demigods like us. " Nico answered one of his questions.
"How.." Nico cut him off.
"Percy later, currently you are invincible so run as quickly as you can those arrows won't hurt you. Just take a dip in the river and cross it. And then use your water powers to defend yourself while you run back. That's the plan, meet me inside the tunnel. " With that Nico backed off towards the tunnel.
Percy ran following Nico's orders at first those sentries didn't notice him but as he moved closer just 50 feet off the river they finally noticed. He could see them pointing their arrows at him suspiciously. But he couldn't concentrate on them now, he needed to get to the river.
He reached the riverbank, and Percy stopped to catch his breath. The current was fast, but the river didn't look deep. Only a stone's throw across stood the gates of the fort. Usually he loved the water, but this river seemed... powerful, and not necessarily friendly.
As he tried to step as arrow hit his shoulder and bounced off harmlessly. He could hear those soldiers surprise yelps and shouting to get back-up
is that latin? Percy thought after hearing their warnings towards him not move and surrender.
He forged into the river. It was icy cold, much swifter than he'd imagined, but that didn't bother him. New strength surged through his limbs. His senses tingled like he'd been injected with caffeine. He reached the other side, Dozens of kids in armor poured out. Percy stood on the riverbank. His clothes and his skin steamed as if the Tiber's waters had given him an acid bath. He felt exposed, raw…vulnerable. Percy could feel the curse gone, but before he could appreciate it a guy in a regal purple cloak over his armor. His chest was decorated with medals. He must have been about Percy's age with electric blue eyes and short blonde hair.
He spoke in a commanding voice " Who are you, breaching our camp borders without permission. You have to surrender now or we are going to kill you. I am Jason Praetor of twelfth Legion camp Jupiter. I command you now. " Percy don't what those titles meant.
Percy was facing a dozen armored kids he need to come up with a plan to escape so he started talking with the blonde guy who obviously is the leader.
"Um, hi. " he waved nervously at him " My name is Percy.. " His voice trailed off as he remembered the river. An idea formed in his mind.
He quickly mumbled "Sorry guys, no hard feelings now okay. " He said as he lifted his hand. An intense tugging sensation filled his gut, and the Tiber obeyed his will. The river surged. Whirlpools formed on either side of him. They started to attack him before they could act those two whirlpool waves of water hit them and made them all fall backwards.
He started running now before they could recover and act and crossed the river. He willed the water to raise like a shield to guard from their arrows. As moved farther, he felt himself weak struggling to control the current. After a considerable distance,he broke the shield and water fell back into the river. He could hear the screams and shouts of the soldiers.
He reached Nico and he was ready as both of them travelled back to camp Half-blood. As they reached the Hades Cabin, he helped Nico get into his bed and fed him Ambrosia who was deadly tired. After an hour or so Nico is back to normal tired but not pale as before.
"What is that place, it looks like our camp?" Percy asked.
"Yes it is similar. Camp Jupiter. " Nico answered.
"And that place looked like Rome, and you are saying Jupiter. Rome is in Planet Jupiter? the one we learned in science class, the planets are real? " Percy questioned.
Nico face-palmed. " Seriously Percy, you are slow. After learning the mythology and everything you still think like that. " Nico groaned at Percy's obliviousness and his lack of knowledge about the myths. Then he started telling Percy about the Romans and Camp Jupiter, how he discovered from the dead souls.
He also told him how they played a roll in defeating Kronos. It took him a long 5 hours to explain Percy about the Roman aspects of gods and demigods. Finally after a long line of stupid questions Percy left him alone after making a promise on River Styx to not reveal anyone about the Roman camp unless it is under dire circumstances.
I hope you like this chapter guys please review it. Next chapter will be surely about Percy's rash actions at the camp fire and Athena cabin revenge which you will like it. I am sure.
Answers to my reviewers:
Anon: thanks for your review. I am also learning english by writing and reading fanfiction. This plot surely is interesting.
Shadespace: Seriously! I already told you this won't have any chaos or primordials. Those stories are plain stupid, why the hell do they choose Percy. There are so many heroes who had more bad luck than Percy. I don't know why you want Percy to be powerful and all. Percy is Percy a good hearted Person who wishes to help others.