Chapter 4

"This is unacceptable !" Zeus bellowed from his throne. I was standing in the middle of the throne room with the twelve Olympians around me. Zeus was looking with a face contorted with rage. The others looked like they were trying not to believe the situation but failing rapidly. Of course with the exception of Ares as he had a dreamy expression on the punishments I was about to face. I on the other hand was staring at my shoes toned out of the conversation and thinking about the recent events that took place.

"Percy's fate is clear" Zeus continued. I looked up and saw him staring right through my eyes. "You have killed my son Perseus. You will suffer death-"

"Thats enough!" Poseidon said raising his voice up to a level that almost shook the throne room. "You are sentencing my son for a crime that there is no proof he did it."

"You dare raise your voice on me Poseidon."

They glared at each other for a full minute. Thunder could be heard rolling somewhere outside. Zeus spoke again, this time in a calm and deadly voice.

' I am not blinded by my sons's death brother, I know what I am doing. Jason, as he rests in Elysium, has been questioned about his attacker and he has confirmed that it was non other than Perseus.'

Poseidon broke his gaze from Zeus and looked towards the god of dead, only to see him nod but surprisingly reluctant. Poseidon gave a weary sigh and my heart pang with guilt as my father was about to loose his son.

Before Zeus could start again Artemis interrupted.

"Wait. Father you should give him a chance to speak at the least" Seeing her father not saying a word she turned towards me with a very annoyed expression. "Speak demigod, you haven't spoken a word since the start of the council. It is not in your nature to keep silent, so speak."

Everyone was looking at me expectantly with little hope that I just might change the tide of this trial. What they didn't know was the full fledged war inside me. The pain, the guilt, the sadness all washing over me like bullets from an automatic gun. It then downed on me that my next few words was about to seal my fate. Seal me from the world, from my family, friends, Annabeth. The prophecy now made sense and I was about to die without anyone but Chiron and Rachael knowing the truth.

I looked at Zeus straight in the eye and said my final words... or so I thought.

"I... I killed Jason. With my own hands"

Now before I confuse you even more and before you start judging me too harshly, let me take you a couple while back.

11:00 am (one hour before trial)

After the council meeting and my conversation with Chiron, I ended up sitting under Thalia's pine tree. I didn't see Annabeth anywhere, and honestly I wasn't very eager to find her. I needed some time alone, thats why I considered going to my cabin but then again pushed it aside, because chances were there that I might go into Arnold. And I couldn't trust myself to say that the meeting would only be some chit-chat. The camp looked beautiful from my vantage point and I was still dreading on the fact that something might go wrong and I wouldn't be able to see this place again.

The hunters arrived. I saw a small figure, running towards the infirmary where Jason's body was wrapped up in a clean sheet of cloth, lying on one of the cots. The scene made my heart ache, it was Thalia, it was her for sure. How was I ever to face her again? As selfish as it was I hoped that moment would never come.

"She's broken down"

I nearly jumped. Standing up and looking behind I saw Artemis, goddess of the hunt and moon standing by the tree trunk, arms folded. She had a soft glow with her that only a moon could create, her silver parka only intensifying it.

I bowed, but it turned out to be quiet hasty. The moon goddess let out a chuckle despite the current environment. Though it did help, I felt a gentle warm spread throughout my chest. Calmness in a sea of swirling emotions.

"You were never good with formalities Percy." She said in her soothing voice.

"Sorry" I muttered.

"Its fine. Sit, we have a lot to talk." She sat on the ground, her back against the tree.

I followed suit and sat cross legged facing her.

"I heard what happened, but I need to hear it from you. Just tell me what you have brought upon yourself this time."

I explained to her from the beginning. The arrival of Arnold, the conversations we had about his past, his rising popularity among the campers, the start of our quarrel. I went on and she listened patiently, taking in every word and checking my body language for any lies. I told her about the scene I saw beside the canoe lake and ended with the event in the council meeting. I left out the part about the prophecy, keeping my word to Chiron.

After finishing both of us sat in silence for a while before Artemis spoke again.

"I believe you"

Those three words couldn't have been more sweeter and relieving, I thought.

"But,"she continued, "convincing the other Olympian however will not be easy. Firstly this is the son of Zeus we are talking about, that stand as a major problem. And secondly you know how stubborn we are. We don't see things in different points of view, right now to them you are a murderer and a traitor to the Greek community."

Typical, I thought. The slightest hope just got squished into nothingness by her last words. "What am I going to do now?"

"Well, its never too late to bind an oath with the Styx." She said, shrugging "Unless of course you are lying."

"The oath" I said to myself. Then it registered, "The Oath!"

The idea was so simple and obvious I couldn't help but erupt into a fit of laughter."Oh man, how come I never thought of that!" I got so teary eyed that I didn't notice the sudden scowl on Artemis' face.

"What?" I asked confused.

"Did you just call me a man?"

"What? No! Its just a figure of speech people use when, when..."

"Nevermind", she said with-did she just roll her eyes?- and stood up."You mortals make no sense sometimes. Just don't say something like that in front of me again."

I nodded and got on my feet. "And one more thing," she said before turning to leave,"You are a good man Percy, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. See you in Olympus."

She started to glow. Knowing what was about to happen I averted my eyes and looked away. The stress was thankfully gone but the bubble of hope that formed in my chest suddenly turned into guilt when I remembered Jason. There was no way I could get him back. I was just about to sit down again when I heard someone calling my name.

Grover was running, no, sprinting towards me and I knew just then that something was , really wrong.

"Percy", he said when he reached. He was panting so hard I barely heard my name."Where the hell were you? I searched the whole camp and you were here? Man you really know how to tick a goat off."

"Quit rambling. What's wrong?"

After taking a few deep breaths, what he said next gave me chills that I could feel along my spine."You have to come with me. It's..it's Annabeth"

(-)

My mind went blank, but I followed Grover behind his heels-hooves-and before I knew it, we arrived at the least place I wanted to see Annabeth at that time, the infirmary.

Despite the hot weather outside, the infirmary felt cold. Two rows of cots lay on both sides of the cabin. On the far left corner a white curtain was displayed covering the last cot in the row and there was no need for anyone to tell me that Jason's body lay there. A heart broken sob could be heard and I tried playing deaf ears to it as much as I could. A few cots down the right row, Annabeth was lying unconscious. Hazel was there as well, sitting by her side while Will checked on Annabeth.

Hazel was the first to notice me and Grover, she stood from Annabeth's side and slowly walked towards us with a grim expression.

"What happened?", I asked, dreading the question.

"She was in her cabin," She started. "Percy, I don't really know. I was with Grover, then Malcom came to me and said Annabeth passed out. Grover went looking for you and-"

"Hazel," I cut in. "is she going to be okay?"

Hazel looked worried, which scared me. She looked sideways at Will who was watching us with a blank expression.

I was running out of patience,"Can someone answer me!" I yelled.

Will looked as if he was about to say something but hesitated. Seeing all these, I walked past them and sat beside Annabeth on her cot. My heart gave a lurch when I saw her, she looked as pale as a ghost. I almost yelped when I touched her hand and felt the coldness on her skin.

"Look, Percy, you need to...", Will started, but after seeing my cold glare he seemed to reconsider what he was about to say."Fine, I'll get to the point. At first we thought she was poisoned. I already took every type of test you could think of but there is no sign of anything poisonous in her blood. Right now it looks like she is in some kind of coma, but... it doesn't make any sense. She doesn't have any brain damage and neither is there any record of her ever having one, so we can only presume. And the other factor is that she is running cold. I can't tell why but her skin is getting colder by every passing minute."

I was clearly not satisfied by his proclamation. Its not that he just spitted out one bad news after the other, but the fact that Will couldn't do anything about it. I always trusted his ability to fix people and right now he just seemed to ruin it. Will happened to read my expression.

"Look, I am not supposed to be saying this, but I am proud enough of my skills to tell you that whatever happened to Annabeth might even take Apollo some hell of a time to figure it out. I mean, I haven't seen anything like this before."

I tried composing myself. It wasn't Will's fault. But there was something behind this or maybe someone...

It couldn't be a coincidence. Why would she fall into a comma just the hour before my trial?

Letting out a long sigh I calmed myself.

"Are you sure she isn't poisoned?", I asked Will," Or maybe some sort of magic involved?"

"No. You can trust me on that one, she is not poisoned. Though it does seem more likely, given the current circumstances." He said looking at me wearily."But if there really is poison in her blood, it's literally invisible."

"And there is no magic." Hazel said shaking her head. " If you alter reality or go against natural laws, it will always leave an essence, something like a trail. Usually appears like an aura, which is only visible if you see deeper into layers of the mist. I can see deep enough to tell you that there is no magic, not the slightest trail of it."

I ran a hand through my hair. All these was making me tired, mentally.

"Are you telling me that there is nothing we can do about her right now?" I miserably asked. Hazel came to my side and placed a comforting hand on my shoulder.

"Percy, Annabeth is strong, you know she is going to make it. Have faith, if she ever heard we were crying by her bed once she wakes up, she might as well give all of us free judo flips." Hazel said smiling feebly. The thought made my own lips curl up. I remembered very well the previous time Annabeth did that to me, though it was a long time ago, I still remembered the kiss that was followed by it and it made my heart break allover again.

I looked at her one more time; she looked peaceful, like someone about to go to sleep for eternity. At the thought, I grimaced and pushed it aside. She was going to be okay. Removing a strand of her curly blonde hair from her face, I kissed her hand.

I stood up and walked towards the door, leaving the others behind. Grover was on my heels and I didn't complain, I needed someone to talk to, desperately. I reached the threshold when a stifled sob caused me to stop on my tracks. It happened so fast and unexpectedly that I didn't have time to react. Someone tackled me from the back, so hard that we almost flew out of the door, landed on my back and rolled a few times until the attacker was on top of me. It was Thalia and she looked... horrible. Tears on her face glistened like glitter, her hair was a complete mess, sticking out from here and there as if she tried pulling them apart from her scalp. I was so overwhelmed that I just lay there, then came the punches. One after the other she threw her fists at my face, but the funny thing was that my heart was doing a far greater job than her in bringing pain. Seeing her in this condition was a hurtful torture to endure, but I also didn't want a broken nose.

Grabbing her incoming knuckles, I managed to pull myself out from underneath her, all the while she struggled to get her hands free from my grip. She finally gave up and then just like that, she burst into tears. We just sat there, quiet awkwardly, me still holding her wrists while Thalia's shoulder shook without control.

Not knowing what else to do, I pulled her into a hug and felt her pouring all her pain on my chest, soaking my T-shirt.

Grover, Hazel and Will stood a few feet away. Looking at the interaction with genuine sympathy. There wasn't anyone else around, and I thanked the gods for that.

After almost a minute, Thalia pulled away and pushed me hard. And then spoke only one word, "Why?"

"I swear Thalia, I didn't do it." I said keeping my voice steady.

She just looked at me. The fear of breaking down again evident in her eyes. Standing up, Thalia started her way back to the infirmary, not giving a second glance behind. I just sat there and eyed the retreating figure until Grover came over and lend a hand. I didn't take it. Without another word I started walking. Towards where? Didn't really know, anywhere far from the infirmary.

"Percy!" Grover called, I didn't stop. He ran until he caught up with me."Percy, come on man just wait."

I halted, turned around and almost shouted at his face, " What!"

Grover backed a few steps at my sudden outburst, a look of hurt flashed across his face."Chiron asked me to tell you that Aegis is waiting for you with his van." He shrugged, " Just thought you should know." With that he started to walk away, his head hanging low.

It took me a few seconds to gather myself up and realize what I had just done. All these was making me loose it."Grover!"

He stopped and turned around, looking at me curiously. "I'm sorry." I said.

He shook his head, surprising me. "Don't be Perce. I understand what you are going through and I don't blame you. So don't worry, I am not considering you as a jerk, yet.", he said smiling." And the trial is going to be fine as well, I am thinking about throwing a party when Arnold is kicked out of camp."

To be honest, I was slightly shocked by Grover's words. It just wasn't like him to be so... apprehensible. "Um, okay, thanks" I said lamely. Grover gave a thumbs up and started walking away.

The journey back to Thalia's tree was painful. My insides were burning out every time I thought back to Thalia. What made everything even more crappy was Annabeth's state. I couldn't exactly piece it all together, because every time I processed the thought it resolved back to one person, Arnold. And at the same time it didn't make any sense, like what did he exactly do that made Annabeth go in a coma? There were no physical injuries, no magic, no poison, no brain damage, no nothing. It gave me a headache. Just when I reached the top of the hill and thought my day couldn't get any better, I was met with the least likely person to come and see me off.

"Sorry to break this to you Arnold.", I said giving him the coldest glare I could come up with."But its too late to apologize."

Arnold just smiled, leaning casually against Thalia's pine tree, arms crossed. His slick blond hair glinting like crazy under the sun.

"Give me some credit Percy, you cant expect me to back down that soon, where is the fun in that?"

There, one sentence and he somehow managed to get under my skin. Gritting my teeth I kept my cool and used all my willpower not to strangle him.

"What are you doing here?" I asked casually. " If I were you I would be packing my stuff right now, you don't want an angry Zeus stuck on your back, trust me on that one." I said.

It was weird talking with Arnold, as if I was rehearsing for a speech in front of a mirror, only that the reflection wasn't moving along. And of course the blond hair.

Arnold gave a small chuckle and shook his head. "You don't get it Percy, you're already dead. The moment you set foot on Olympus, Zeus will blast you to the Underworld. Unless of course if he thinks Tartarus suits you even better."He said, then turned his expression into mock sympathy."Sorry to say this, but you don't have any escape."

This time I let out a laugh of my own."You know what Arnold? I wont even bother ask about why you killed Jason only to frame me and what are your other future evil plots. I am going to Olympus right now and once they know the truth I will be happy to end your life myself."

Okay, those were considerably harsh words to ever come out of my mouth, but it didn't really matter to me, not anymore. What he did to Jason was about to cost him and I was gonna make sure that happened. I didn't wait around to see if my words affected him or anything. Without giving another conclusion I pushed past him to start my way towards the van down the hill.

"If you are planning to prove the Olympians by swearing off the Styx, think again." I heard him say from my back. I turned to look at him again. I wouldn't have bothered, but something in his tone made me snap.

"Huh, and why is that?" I asked.

"Because what I am about to say will make you think twice." He replied.

"Don't waste my time."

He smiled again, actually it was there the whole time which really ticked me off.

"A very unusual time for your girlfriend to fall in a coma, don't you think?"

My mind instantly jumped on Annabeth lying unconscious in the infirmary. I gritted my teeth. My hands clenched into fists due to the sudden rage boiling inside me, threatening to spill out any second. I only narrowed my eyes at him, not saying anything, because if I was about to say anything, it would include my fist and someone's broken jaw.

Looking at my expression he seemed to get the message.

"She's fine, at least for now." He said. "Her breakfast was poisoned this morning. Thanks to that chick Alexandria. She is quite useful these days, I believe her charm speaks almost out do Pieper."

"SHUT UP ARNOLD!" I screamed, no longer able to keep that boiling rage at bay."There is no poison! Will checked her blood! For Hades' sake stop lying for once and tell me what you did to her!"

I didn't even provide him the time to respond, grabbing his shirt collar I pushed him against a tree trunk and refused to let go. To my surprise he just laughed.

"But I am not lying Percy." He said and just like that he stopped, any sign that he was laughing or even smiling totally gone. Then his demeanor started changing into what looked like seriousness." Now lay of me if you want to know what happened. And why I'm here."

I would've put up a fight, but it wasn't only about me or Jason anymore. If what Arnold said was true, than for Annabeth's sake I had to play it cool with him.

Shoving him against the tree, I heard him letting out a grunt, which though was satisfying, not a very smart move. He cursed under his breath audibly and for a moment it seemed as if he was about to make a move against me, but then again thought otherwise.

Fixing his white linen shirt collar he looked back up with a straight face, his lips forming a thin line.

"Annabeth was poisoned." He started." There is a reason of course why your friend Will couldn't figure it out. The poison itself is ancient, created at some point in history. Its formula so complex that it was never meant to be understood by mortals. I had a... friend, who helped me brew the poison during my stay in father's castle."

His expression was suddenly lost. He got that look people get when they rehearse some old memory. His eyes became unfocused and dazed."It wasn't easy. We had to do lots of research, spending day and night trying to figure it out. She was good at potions, would have been impossible without her. We did succeed in the end, took us years. We thought that was it, everything was going according to plan. But the achievement came with a cost, a terrible cost.."

He suddenly blinked and looked startled, as if recovering from a trance. Frowning slightly he got back to the point."Will couldn't find anything in Annabeth's blood because that's just how it works. The poison was designed to blend with its surrounding, making it impossible for almost anyone to differ it from the victim's own cells. It is such an ingenious work that it would make Apollo sweat through the whole process to find the cure. And unfortunately, Annabeth doesn't have that much time." Anything he said before completely swept away from my mind at the mention of Annabeth. I didn't know for sure but to him I must have looked pale.

"Although it's your lucky day," he went on."cause I am about to offer you a choice."

Swallowing hard I finally let out."What do you want?"

The desperation laced with it however didn't go unnoticed by my half-brother.

The corners of his mouth tugged up. He looked so evil, I was actually amazed that I could pull a face like that.

"I only ask of one thing brother," he said."Take Jason's death on your own shoulders and convince the Olympians that you did it."

Somehow I knew that was coming. He knew my fatal flaw and he was using it against me with full swing. He knew I would not refuse, as I would do anything for Annabeth. It was difficult to register what was happening, but truth was evident, the fates were cruel.

"In exchange," Arnold continued."I will make sure Annabeth has the antidote, before it's too late. I swear it on the Styx."

It was a clear and sunny morning. Still, the faint sound of thunder could be heard rolling somewhere far from long island.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked. Sounding like a deflating balloon.

He sighed. Turning around he faced the camp. Everything was quiet, the usual bustle of

campers going to their respective classes was missing. The volleyball field and the canoe lake were empty. Once in a while figures could be seen walking around, heads hanging low. The whole air surrounding the camp seemed to be very thick, giving everything a sulking mood.

"Sixteen years Percy, I have been prisoned in my father's domain for sixteen years. Living at the bottom of the ocean with sea creatures moving around and looking at you as if you were an alien from outer space is not what I would describe a happy childhood. I was an outcast, but it wasn't something I couldn't handle. Things actually started to take for a better turn at some point. I made a friend and father started training me in combat. My curiosity for the world above the sea was overwhelming, but I wasn't allowed to go, because I was told that it was dangerous, because of a certain prophecy. But other than that, life was good." He turned to look at me again and I saw his face held a very bitter expression."And guess what happened next?"

Of course I didn't say anything. Usually I would have come up with something smart, but the hollow feeling of the storm that was about to come kept me silent.

"You happened." He claimed. I was slightly taken aback. Furrowing my eyebrows I looked at him with confusion."Every day, every hour I had to come across your name. You were a freaking celebrity down there and everyone looked at me and thought how I could even dare to be your brother." His voice was rising steadily and I wondered how long until he lost it. "Percy Jackson this, Percy Jackson that, might be music to your ears but for me all these was unbearable. I led an entire army against Oceanus during the Titan war, no one even glanced upon me after that when they heard the great Perseus fulfilling his prophecy and saving Olympus." He sounded so bitter I almost felt pity for him, then his next words did actually made me feel sorry." Even father didn't pay me visits any more, because he was too busy with his other beloved son."

(-)

In the next few minutes, I was Sitting inside the camp's delivery van heading towards the empire state building. Arnold's words still buzzed inside my head, making me realize more and more why the kid was playing this dangerous game.

Despite my loathe towards him I actually felt bad. He was a great fighter and I wouldn't be surprised if he did led an army. He was neglected, just because I had an upper hand in fame under water and the poor guy just happened to have grown up in it. But what mostly shocked me was my dad. Did he really stopped paying attention to his other son? Would he do the same to me if I ever failed him?

Trying not to think about anything else I closed my eyes and focused on the situation at hand. I was practically torn up, the idea of Annabeth lying on that cot and never waking up scared me to the root, but the prospect of going to Olympus and lying to the gods shook me with fear.

And that's pretty much how I ended up with twelve wide eyed Olympians boring at me with their fierce gazes. The shocked silence didn't last though, broken by an angry Artemis."What in the Hades happened to you! Why are you lying!"

"I am not interested in joining this conversation," Hades bellowed from the other end."So stop using my name at your own pleasure!"

Ares looked as if Christmas was home."The pig finally admits! I told you he cannot be trusted, he should be punished!"

There were other comments and curses thrown here and there while I stood in the midst of it looking no less than dumb. The eruption lasted until I could tell that sides were taken. I saw my dad and realized that he didn't say a word after my brilliant-trying to save my girlfriend-truth. His sea green eyes that always looked bright and full of life seemed to be fading. Seeing him like this I felt a familiar tug in my chest, my mom.

"Silence!" Zeus' voice rang throughout the hall, his lightning bolt appearing in his hands from nowhere. The shrillness of his voice was so high I had to cover my ears with both hands. The council immediately fell into an unnatural silence, as if the air was sucked out of their windpipes.

"Perseus has admitted to be guilty. Does anyone dare say otherwise?" Not a single sound was made. I started to wonder if Zeus did literally knock the air out of them. At the obvious sign of silence, Zeus continued, but only to be interrupted.

"Oh for uncle Hade's sake, we cant kill him. That would be too... barbaric." Everyone in the room snapped their heads towards the speaker. Apollo recoiled slightly at the sudden attention, specially to a threatening glare from Hades.

"I mean... he did save our Olympian butts twice till now. Shouldn't we take that as a count?"

Again everyone turned their attention to their king who was giving Apollo murderous looks. I eyed Apollo curiously. It wasn't likely of him to participate in any meeting. Usually he would just sit and listen to his ipod or try to pick on his sister. In this case however, Apollo was giving an interest to the situation, which is saying something.

That was when the fact hit me. It hit me so hard I staggered mentally. Apollo knows about the latest prophecy. It didn't take a genius to figure it out, he is the god of prophecies. But one thing was clear, Apollo wasn't too eager to let the gods know about it.

Poseidon finally spoke up."Apollo is right. Percy did save Olympus multiple times and has played a great role in uniting the Greeks and the Romans. Death is something my son does not deserve."

Zeus was fuming. I was quiet sure that he wasn't going to let this go that easily.

"If that is what you say so Poseidon, then there will only be one way to justify this. We shall vote." He claimed."Either he will die or be banished for his entire life from both Greek and Roman camps. He will have no connections or whatsoever with the gods. He will live as a mortal and finally die as one."

Another silence enveloped the throne room as he finished. I stood aghast, there actually was a chance for me to live. Though I still didn't lift my hopes , not yet.

"All in favour of death." Zeus' voice echoed the hall. Four hands rose. I clenched my teeth tight when I saw one of them was Athena. The other three included Zeus, Hera and Ares.

Zeus looked around and I saw his face fall. He stalled time for a whole minute and when he saw no change in his number of votes he moved on."All those favouring banishment."

Not a single hand rose and I couldn't decipher why. Surely they couldn't care about me that much that they weren't able to stand my banishment. I mentally laughed at that thought. Poseidon was the first to raise his hand, then Hermes, Apollo, Aphrodite, an angry Artemis and rest of the Olympians with exception of the opposition followed suit.

At this point, Zeus was trembling with rage. Sparks flying here and there from his bolt.

"Very well. You are henceforth banished." Zeus said, still looking murderous."But remember one thing son of Poseidon. If I catch a whiff of you doing any business that threatens the agreement of your banishment, know that you will be the first demigod ever alive to face my wrath on full scale."

With that happy note, he tightened his grip on his bolt and aimed it right at me.

"Wait!" Poseidon called, looking at me worriedly."Where are you sending him?"

"That is already decided brother."I flinched when I saw his eyes, glinting with hunger and anticipation. "I'll make sure his banishment takes the most out of him."

Poseidon's eyes went wide. Before I could make out what was going on, I was hit square on the chest with a force equal to a thousand volts of electricity. The pain was agonizing, but thankfully short lived as dark spots fiddled with my vision. The gleam of the throne room faded away and I wondered if I could ever see it again. My mom and Annabeth were my last thought as a pool of darkness drowned me.