Chap. 7: Making Amends
"Thalia Grace."
Percy hesitated. Then made to speak, but hesitated again before finally making out words, "How, my lady?"
"She is weak, and trapped in her tree." explained the goddess, "Release her."
The son of Poseidon nodded, "Yes, Lady Artemis. Can you tell Celyn I miss her? I miss everyone."
But Artemis waved it off, "You shall see them again soon, Perseus. In the mean time, hone your skills. Be wary -I can feel old monsters, prey I haven't hunted for millenia that are forming again."
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When Percy returned to the elevator, Argus was still there. He gave the son of Poseidon a quizical look.
"It went well. I don't think Olympus is going to fall into another war." Percy smiled, "Thanks for taking me."
Argus nodded back.
The elevator ride down was no less intense than the ride up. The metal walls tried to creep in, trying to crush Percy after he willingly let them devour him whole. A cube more terrible than the cruelest of monsters, impervious to attack, a torture chamber reserved solely for-
Bing!
The doors opened again, and Percy nearly fainted in relief.
It was only after they stepped outside again that he felt a familiar weight, and heard the voice in his head.
So those are the Olympians . . . they haven't changed. Still bickering like the children they are. How can you be content with bieng a pawn in their political games?
I'm not doing it for them. Not all of them, at least. Percy amended, I will serve Lady Artemis until the day I die. My efforts make a difference. Without the 'pawns', the rooks, knights, and bishops would die quickly . . . then the Queen. My Queen, the Queen of the Wild, will never die.
So you say. replied the voice.
So I say. So says the Hunt. the son of Poseidon sighed, I exist to serve the better gender. That has always been my purpose.
And yet you don't think too highly of a certain daughter of Athena.
You're right, in a way. I will make amends, he vowed, Even if our parents are rivals.
Speaking of parents, Athena didn't seem to believe you.
She is logical, and she is skeptical. replied Percy, I will convince her once I have solid evidence. Luke Castellan is a danger to the gods that I cannot, in good conscience, allow to be free.
And yet isn't he free right now?
He is. So I'll bend every effort to prove his guilt and incarcerate him. the son of Poseidon watched the ugly mortal city fade into grasslands, with beaches peeking through every once and a while. The voice didn't seem to have anything else to say. The van itself was only tolerable because Percy spent most of the time with his head stuck out the window.
Finally, they pulled up inside of Camp Half-Blood.
Thankfully, it looked unchanged by everything. Beckendorf and two of his cabinmates, apparently, were on the lookout for new demigods -recruits had an ugly tendency to be followed by monsters.
"Hey, Perce!" shouted the older camper, "How'd it go?"
"Well! Very well!" Percy replied in kind, switching from focused to jovial in seconds -the situation seemed to demand it, "I heard there's CTF tomorrow."
"You got it. Four, Six, Nine and Ten on Five, Seven, Ten, and Twelve." The big Hephaestus counselor shrugged, "You can go wherever you want."
"I think I'll take your side." Percy slapped him on the shoulder, "If you'll have me?"
"Sure. The more the merrier, right?"
"Yeah. See you later!" called out the son of Poseidon as he walked on by.
His first stop was a archery range. Prior to the quest, he never exposed his true skills.
Now he wanted to show these campers the power of the Hunters.
The Apollo kids were practicing around the 250 to 350 yard range.
Percy went straight to the back. 550 yards.
Even that wasn't the range he was used to. A Hunter's standard long range was 600 meters, or 656 yards.
Most bows, no matter the skill of the user, were imperfect enough that no shot at that range would be certain. A Hunter's bow, however, was perfect.
He took a deep breath, silver bow in hand, as his quiver appeared over his back.
Draw, Zoë's voice whispered in his hear, but not so much that thy arm quakes under the strain. Loose, and your arrow will fly. Do not snatch at the string. Always believe thy arrow will be true. Trust thy skill. If thou does not betray the arrow, the arrow will not betray you.
He believed in his bow, the arrow it cradled, and his skill.
And, with a snap, the arrow was away.
Percy didn't wait for it to land, instead loosing another two succession before jumping to the side -as if throwing off return fire- and shooting again.
Not one arrow missed.
The bullseye in the distance was barely six inches wide. It was a dot at this distance.
But those six inches drew a lot of arrows as the entire flight sunk into the soft straw of the target. Some of them, backed by the power of the massive longbow Percy used, pierced almost all the way through.
Some of the Apollos were openly gaping at the display of skill, and Percy turned away, confident in both his skills and the effect they had.
Back at the target, the silver arrows disappeared.
"Hey." Luke jogged up, sword in hand, "Looks like you're pretty good with that. Wanna try your skill with a sword?"
Percy stiffened, then relaxed, "I'm not so good with a bronze stick, yet. I heard you're some kind of expert."
"Yeah, some kinda expert." the son of Hermes grinned, "So, how 'bout it?"
"Sure, why not? Looks like I don't need much practice here anyways."
The training arena was only a short distance away, really only a fenced-in sandpit.
Don't give me any advice or help. I need to learn this myself.
If that is what you wish. the voice replied.
"Ready? I'll go easy on you." Luke called out good-naturedly, only twenty feet from Percy.
"Thanks."
The son of Poseidon kept his blade up defensively, so Luke approached at his own leisure until he closed the distance enough to lunge.
Percy jumped out of the way, trying bring his sword down in a counter-slash that was blocked easily.
Luke's sword spun, propelled by a flexible and well-used wrist, then snapping up at Percy's side.
"Maybe we should use . . . practice weapons." Percy gasped as he leapt back.
Luke froze, "Yours isn't?"
"Oh. No."
"Good thing you didn't get through my guard, then." smiled the son of Hermes, "I'll get one for you."
"Sorry."
"Hey, no blood, no foul." Luke clapped him on the shoulder, and Percy itched to drive the blade into him. Chances are, though, that Luke knew of his suspicions through Annabeth, "Don't sweat it."
Minutes later, Percy was holding a slightly unfamiliar, but mostly similar blunted blade.
They both worked up a sweat fighting back and forth. The son of Poseidon mostly held his own, but all of his strikes never got through Luke's guard. The son of Hermes was holding back, probably quite a bit.
But Percy only fought harder as the day wore on, slowly learning and adjusting. Some part of him was also analyzing Luke's style. He was strong, fast, and seemed to like throwing in strikes from unexpected angles. He preferred deflecting blows instead of blocking, and understandably led with his right foot.
It was useful, to be sure, but Percy would take any bet that Luke had done the same analysis.
They took short breaks occasionally, with drinks of water revitalizing the son of Poseidon much more than Luke. The son of Hermes, however, seemed to have a limitless well of stamina and endurance.
Which was very troubling.
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The next day, Percy's arms ached. It was a familiar ache, though, and one that he welcomed.
It meant he was working new muscles. It meant, hopefully, that those muscles would grow and harden.
The son of Poseidon stretched, feeling his arms twinge. In Cabin Eight, it was much more comfortable than his tent in the forest. The bed was identical to his own bed in his own tent, but there was also a certain presence, something that made it feel like home. There were ambient sounds of chirping and rustling that were faint and kept the lack of noise from putting him on edge.
There was a list of things he needed to do, and problems that would develop sometime down the line. For instance, Percy was the only one in Camp Half-Blood who knew that Bianca and Nico were children of Hades.
Then there was Thalia. Thalia Grace, daughter of Zeus, Pine Tree of Camp Half-Blood. A heroic sacrifice.
There were four children of the Big Three in Camp Half-Blood.
They'll be extremely influential, wouldn't they? asked the voice.
Yes. Leaders of the camp. Percy sighed, That's what happens when you have power.
You should befriend them.
My mission isn't to be nice. berated the son of Poseidon.
No . . . but your duty is to serve Artemis, and increase her power.
Lady Artemis. he growled.
The voice sounded contrite, My apologies. Lady Artemis, of course.
What are you suggesting?
Make some friends. Some allies . . . two of them are female. the voice added, Even if you don't desire them as mates, should they join the Hunt . . .
Though some part of Percy didn't like such manipulation, that part was quickly quashed, Maybe you do have some good ideas after all.
Of course.
The son of Poseidon stretched again, then changed and walked out. It was his job to stand near Thalia's Pine for about half the day today, starting at 10:00 AM.
So he had a few hours to make 'friends'.
The Hermes Cabin had Archery first thing today, which would give Percy the perfect opportunity. He hadn't planned it that way, of course, but wait . . . he had. He knew Hermes' schedule from his own time at that cabin, and had the perfect excuse for showing up as well.
He was ready.
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Percy lined up his next shots, sinking them into the furthest-away target at Camp Half-Blood.
Already, bullseye was bristling with silver arrows. A small part of him enjoyed showing off his skills, but most of him was just waiting.
"Excuse me . . . but . . . how do you do that?" asked a voice Percy only heard once before. Bianca di Angelo, of course.
Percy stopped, acting surprised the best he could, "Hey, I was hoping I'd run into you two. I'm sorry for lying to you about . . . well, the fathers and everything."
Bianca cocked her head, "So my father didn't send you? Do you know my parents?"
Oh. Something he didn't plan for.
"Umm . . ." Percy paused, gathering his thoughts, "I know your father. Your godly parent. Not your mother, I'm afraid. He did send me to get you, and in exchange he would transport me back here instantly."
Her expression crumbled, then she nodded quickly, "Who is my father?"
"I . . . I . . ." Damn. If people knew their godly parents, they'd be outcasts. But did he have the right to not tell them? "I shouldn't tell you here. He isn't a popular god."
"Oh." replied the daughter of Hades, biting her lip slightly,
"I'm sorry." Percy shook his head, "I didn't know you were in the Lotus Hotel. I . . . if I had known before your father told me, I would've gotten you out. I swear. At that time, though, I was only thinking of getting the Master Bolt back to Olympus."
"Time out." Biana said, "Master Bolt?"
"Zeus' symbol of power." explained the son of Poseidon, "It was stolen a while ago, and Zeus thought Poseidon stole it somehow. Gods can't steal each other's symbols of power directly, so they have to use other people. I would've been accused and probably executed, then Zeus and Poseidon would've gone to war. Like . . . umm, when did you enter the Casino?"
"I think it was 1933, but I don't remember very well." admitted Bianca.
"It would be like World War I, I mean, like the Great War, but a lot worse." Percy replied, "A lot of destruction. Billions of dead, even."
Bianca gaped, then hastily shut her mouth, "Did you . . . it isn't going to happen, is it?"
Percy shook his head, "Not that I know. I got the Bolt back for Zeus, and I don't think he still thinks Poseidon stole it. I might not have made it if I didn't agree to retrieve you. And now I'm thankful I did, for more than just the transportation."
They both fell silent for a while, then Percy spoke up, "Looks like we got a little off topic. Can I teach you how to use the bow?"
Bianca started slightly, then nodded shyly, "Yes, please."
"Okay. Before we begin, then, let me tell you that I'm basing off my own experience at being taught. There are a bunch of little things that you need to keep track of, and it's very, very frustrating. Now, take your firing stance."
Bianca nodded, and almost immediately Percy found mistakes. But he waited until Bianca pulled back an arrow before stepping in.
"I'm seeing a few things. First, stance. You want your feet to be a little more than shoulder width apart, and face perpendicular to the target."
The daughter of Hades adjusted accordingly, and Percy nodded approvingly.
"Next, don't pull back the string with only your arm. Instead of having your arm outstretched, hold the bow at the center of your chest, then push your shoulders together while you pull the string and the wood of the bow apart." instructed the son of Poseidon.
Over the next fifteen minutes, Percy continual corrected and coached Bianca's position.
"Take a short break and watch me." said the son of Poseidon, "And learn."
They were at the twenty-yard section, and Percy smoothly -and very, very slowly- took up his stance, fluidly drew an arrow, and shot.
Needless to say, it hummed perfectly into the center of the bullseye.
He repeated it again, again, and again. His quiver never ran out of arrows to draw, which was admittedly handy.
Once, Percy had to stop as Luke called for everyone to retrieve the arrows they shot.
Then it was Bianca's turn to start again.
They practiced like this for almost an hour, then Luke called them to move on to Pegasus-Riding and Percy went to Thalia's Pine.
Why was it called Thalia's Pine? Wasn't the pine Thalia, not Thalia's?
Then again, Thalia Pine didn't quite have the same ring to it.
There was a little foldable chair there, and Lee Fletcher waved as Percy approached, "Hey. What's up?"
"The sky, presumably." Percy replied, mystified at the question and looking up at the area in question.
"That's cool, man." the Apollo councilor hopped to his feet, then slapped Percy on the back, "Your turn. See you at CTF."
"You as well." answered the son of Poseidon.
Once Lee left, Percy knelt next to the tree. He didn't want to do this with a lot of others watching, which is why he waited this long.
If Juniper could contact him, mind-to-mind, when Percy pushed his power through her tree, could a demigoddess-turned-tree be the same?
The answer lay before him, and Percy's orders were very clear.
The son of Poseidon closed his eyes, pressing both hands to the bark.
He knew how to use his nature magic. Knew the theory of how, exactly, a demigod's powers worked. Knew why he needed to use some kind of channel to access his nature magic.
So Percy gathered his will, and pushed it into the tree. There was something unusual there, to be sure. He could feel it, like a slight buzz. A hum of power that shouldn't be in any tree at all -besides hamadryads and other nymphs.
He didn't know whether he could narrow down on that hum. But, again, he had his orders.
Percy kept going, feeling the wrench in his gut that came when he was using a very, very noticeable amount of his strength. The wrench that told him not to go much further, lest he overextend and hurt himself.
That wrench became a pain as Percy only tried harder. That pain grew to agony, but Artemis had ordered him.
He would never disobey orders.
Percy could feel that slight hum. He could feel his gut on fire. The hum was a better thing to focus on.
It was growing greater, all the while that Percy was concentrating, until that slight hum grew to a noise, then to an image.
An image of a girl no older than sixteen, engulfed in darkness. Sleeping, curled up.
She wore a black, beaten leather jacket and torn black jeans to match her raven hair. Even her features seemed narrowed, like a hawk's. They looked like Zeus', crueler and more predatory than a face should be.
Percy tried reaching out, but he couldn't move. He couldn't even feel his body, nor the pain that was wracking it.
Thalia. Thalia Grace. Percy called out.
The girl murmured and shifted in her sleep.
Thalia! shouted the demigod, Wake up!
This time, brilliant electric blue eyes blinked open, What?! I'm trying to sleep!
Sorry. I had to try to contact you. Percy replied, What's the last thing you remember.
This place, obviously. said the daughter of Zeus, I've been here for a while. Sometimes it's cold, sometimes it's warm, but I can never see anything. Just darkness.
I don't know how to tell you this, but you're a tree. said the son of Poseidon, You have been for a few years now.
Thalia gave the darkness a hard look, I'm not a tree. What are you, stupid? I'm human, obviously.
You were. You used to be. Percy shook his head, but realized she couldn't see it, When you were about to be killed by hellhounds, holding them off so Luke and Annabeth could escape, Zeus turned you into a tree to save your life.
Yeah? Then how do you explain that I can move around? Thalia asked.
I have no idea, but I'm going to try to make you human again. Well, demi-human. Percy smiled, but Thalia couldn't see that, either, Oh, and what do you think of Lu-
Percy was cut off as suddenly, his world rocked and blackened.
He was sucked out of the pine tree, and was lying face to the dirt when the other campers found him.
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You have a very resilient spirit. the voice said. I'm surprised you lived as long as you did.
Percy was in a dark place, a place he now thought of as the inside of Pandora's pithos -where Hope was trapped. I'm . . . dead?
Not quite, I'm afraid. You're very close. The other campers are trying to keep you alive. the voice chuckled, It's quite amusing, actually. The way humans are so focused on saving their brothers. Or the opposite.
What happened?
You almost died. Isn't that obvious? You pushed yourself too far. If I hadn't stepped in, you would have burst into flames. explained the voice, Interacting with the immortal is dangerous. Whether you access their domains or consume their food, if you try too much, fire will consume you.
I know how my powers work. All power comes from the domains. Sky, sea, the Underworld. We access the domains to use magic. Percy replied, But . . . nectar and ambrosia don't do that.
As usual, the gods are ignorant. the voice sighed, When you use your 'powers', you are using the energy of your body. Much like a muscle. And when whatever you ate during your last meal runs out, it feeds on your fat, then burns your muscle for fuel. A brief combustion, then you are gone.
And godly food?
Godly food. Nectar and ambrosia. They both stimulate your natural healing process. In other words, regrowing an arm is impossible. But they, also, consume energy. And again, once the energy you got from breakfast, lunch, or dinner runs out, it feeds on your body instead. the voice laughed harshly, That is one of the less-known ways to kill a god. Destroy one's domain, and they will fade. But force them to consume their supposedly-infinite power until they are not but dust in the wind has a certain poetic justice.
Oh. Percy was silent for a while, before speaking again, How would you kill a Titan?
This time, the voice simply laughed in amusement, Fool. Titans can never be killed. Time will always continue, and so will it's King. It is impossible to destroy him. The gods are weak -one can destroy the sky, turn the sea to dust and collapse the Underworld. But can you stop Time? No. Time is eternal.
Good thing they're in prison, then. decided the son of Poseidon.
Yes, quite. replied the voice, Your friends are still trying to save you. You will not last much longer, but there is a way . . . why not take a look?
Suddenly, Percy's vision brightened. Chiron was standing over his body, along with a few kids Percy didn't recognize. One of them was kneeling next to him, chanting something under his breath as another applied some sort of poultice to his forehead.
Getting warmer. They have to realize it isn't a disease or wound . . . unless you consider flaws to be wounds and idiocy a disease. the voice chided, I choose my champions with care. Do not do something like this again.
Lady Artemis ordered me to help Thalia. Percy gritted his teeth, I will accomplish my orders. No matter what it costs me. I am meaningless but for whatever aid I can render to help Lady Artemis in whatever she requires me to do.
Hah. You are content with being a pawn? the voice challenged, Used by the gods? Never having the will to do as you wish? Powerless? Unable to shape your own destiny?
You are wrong. scowled Poseidon councilor, I am a servant of Lady Artemis, the most powerful of all the gods. I serve her willingly and with pleasure. Her will is my own. Her power protects me and gives me purpose. My destiny is to carry out her wishes. I have known that ever since I was young.
Poor, poor, Perseus. the voice whispered, And who told you that, I wonder? The ones who would have the most to gain by having such a powerful servant? Do you think, perhaps, that the other Hunters are simply servants as well? Or are they something more?
They are worthy handmaidens of Lady Artemis. answered Percy, They will accompany her as well. But they are far more valuable than I, a male, could ever be.
Unshakable in your beliefs, I see. Someday, you will realize just how foolish that is.
"Percy!" Grover bleated.
Will Solace almost passed out himself as he pulled away from the formerly-unconscious son of Poseidon, "Good thing it worked. I don't have enough in me for another try."
Percy's arms, his whole body in fact, felt like lead. Completely exhausted. Drained of energy. A dull ache already pulsed from his gut, making him groan.
"Perseus. You have done a very dangerous thing." Chiron said, looking down at the son of Poseidon, "You could have very easily left this realm."
Percy, in his everlasting wisdom, pushed himself to his feet. And promptly collapsed again, banging his head on Thalia's Pine as he fell, "My body . . . is of . . . secondary . . . concern."
He shouldn't of said that. That went against proper conduct in this age. But in his current state, Percy wasn't at his best, physically, mentally, or emotionally.
Meaning he was almost dead, could barely string two words together, and had no feeling at all.
"That was a very draining experience. Rest now, Perseus. William, please make sure he makes it to his cabin safely." Chiron requested -or rather, ordered. The old centaur wasn't a screamer by any means, but nothing he said wouldn't be done.
So Will nodded, "Sure. Up you go."
Percy was pulled to his feet, being held up by Grover on his right and Will on his left as they wended their way back to Cabin Three.
"You were nearly dead." commented the son of Apollo, "You overextended yourself worse than I've ever seen. What were you doing?"
Percy was still hovering on the edge of consciousness, barely hearing the words but trying to reply none the less. A question was asked; In his thoroughly screwed-up state, the son of Poseidon thought it was coming from someone else, someone far away from here.
"I . . . always . . . do as you ask . . . Lady Artemis." murmured the demigod, almost to soft to hear.
Then he became dead weight as his mind, again, sank into the murky darkness of unconsciousness. And during the night, when Percy was at his weakest, the voice of Kronos began to whisper.
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Percy jerked himself awake. Something felt off. The bed was uncomfortably soft, and uncomfortably warm.
But now, there was strength again in his limbs. To his relief, he could move again.
The ache in his gut, however, came back with a vengeance. An overused muscle crying out in pain.
He ignored it. There was something else to do -someone he slighted and done an injustice to on his quest. Someone he must now apologize to, as was right.
Because, after all, he was just a worthless male.
It was late now. Midday had passed long ago, and the son of Poseidon could hear just what had wakened him -the call of a conch shell. The call of the sea.
Percy hurriedly pulled on his clothes -opting for a Camp Half-Blood t-shirt over his Hunter uniform. His bow and quiver would appear if needed, and Riptide now felt comfortable -instead of foreign- in his pocket.
Dinner awaited now, and his stomach was growling up a storm.
Most of the campers gave him surprised looks, but they didn't matter. It wasn't in Percy's orders to care.
The dinner was certainly fine BBQ, but again, he didn't need to care.
Annabeth was seated, of course, with her half-brothers and sisters. That he would have to care about.
There was a tense, excited atmosphere that darkened oppressively as the dinner went on, Percy's relentlessly self-despising attitude the cause of such a negative aura.
He didn't sacrifice any food to Poseidon. He never should have let Poseidon think the god had any claim over him. After all, Poseidon was weak. So was Zeus, and Hades, for letting their symbols of power be stolen.
Percy should've given them to Lady Artemis. She could've used them well. Destroyed the others to bring about a golden age for the Hunt.
Soon, though, the dinner ended. Fifteen minutes after, exactly, Percy knocked on the door of the Athena cabin.
A young man opened the door -gray-eyed and blonde, of course, "Yeah?"
"I wish to speak with Annabeth, and have a strategy to suggest." Percy said hollowly.
The young man eyed him, almost analyzing the son of Poseidon, then opened the door fully.
It was a busy place. Most of the sons and daughters of Athena were leaning over a table, with a large map of Camp Half-Blood -specifically the forest- spread out over it.
"If Luke and Clarisse make a pincer movement around here-" Annabeth pointed out, "They'd cut off Katie."
"Then we place Beckendorf here," another son of Athena gestured, "and out-flank the pincer."
"Or we could-" Annabeth cut off, "What are you doing here?"
Percy could take in the situation easily. Annabeth was clearly running the show, and the son of Athena was clearly the next most-experienced one there. They were the ones to bounce ideas off each other, while the others were simply more pairs of eyes.
"I have an idea, Miss Chase, that I would like to humbly suggest."Percy replied.
"Get it over with."
The son of Poseidon didn't take offense at the words -being given the opportunity to give advice was more than one of his station deserved, after all, "As you know, I am capable of moving with great speed through the wild."
"You also almost killed yourself today." the son of Athena noted dryly, "You aren't in any shape to fight."
"With all due respect, I can do this. I could get a force from the stream to deep into enemy territory and back very quickly." replied the son of Poseidon, "Even if I am not front-line capable, I am competent with a bow."
"True." the son of Athena admitted, "I saw him yesterday. Insane."
Annabeth also gave him a cold, judging look, "Fine. This is where you'll be going first. If the flag isn't there, then here, here, here, and here. Malcolm, you'll have to coordinate the defense. You'll have everyone except for ten of us."
"Ten?" Malcolm nodded slowly, "If Luke, Clarisse, and Lee are going on the offensive, they won't leave much behind."
"Put Silena here, and Beckendorf here. Katie . . . here." Annabeth pointed, "Keep back as a reserve if the line gets broken. More traps here, here, and . . . there."
The daughter of Athena looked up to Percy, "You know something about traps?"
"Yes, Miss Chase."
"Good. Get with Cabin Nine and start setting them up." ordered Annabeth.
Percy bowed slightly, "As you wish, Miss Chase."
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"Remember: No maiming or killing!" Chiron called as he trotted down the river, "Let the game begin!"
"Let's go." Annabeth ordered. They were hiding behind some particularly dense foliage -courtesy of Cabin Four- prior to the beginning of the game.
"Three . . . two . . . one." Percy started running . . . for only about thirteen steps before they covered the distance to the first place Annabeth thought the flag would be.
Good thing? Annabeth was right.
Bad thing? Percy dropped them right in the middle of a circle of enemies that had the flag surrounded.
Everyone froze.
"Raymond, get the flag! Everyone else, break free!" shouted the daughter of Athena, galvinizing them into action.
Percy drew Riptide and lunged forward, slamming a heavy blow into the camper's shield before bracing and launching a kick into his chest, sending the kid staggering back before he tripped on a branch.
The son of Poseidon didn't like armor. It was heavy, hard to maneuver in, hard to disguise in public. It clanked and made noise when one was trying to be quiet.
And once you fell down, it was really hard to get back up in.
The next camper he faced, however, was considerably more skilled. Luke had left most of the newest campers here, along with a few veterans to give them some backbone.
This was one of those veterans.
She attacked first, slamming an overhead blow that Percy was forced to block before slamming her shield into the son of Poseidon.
Percy staggered back, but hit someone else. There wasn't much space here. Not as much as Percy would like, anyways.
The daughter of Hermes lunged forward, putting Percy on the defensive again.
Percy desperately blocked and dodged, trying to keep out of her reach. He needed to level the playing field somehow. Confronting an enemy's strength with your weakness was never a good idea.
She could keep him back because she had both a sword and a shield -easy to block his strikes, and if he got too close, bash him again.
Clearly, close range wasn't going to work with this one.
He turned and ran, quickly opening up the distance before turning and unslinging his bow.
The Hermes camper was doggedly coming after him with a heavy tramp. Most campers would've tripped over one thing or another by now, but this one was nimble as well as skilled.
Not nimble enough to dodge arrows, though.
The first one slammed into her raised shield, and the second hit the joint in her armor between the pelvis and the thigh.
The third almost shattered her right elbow, and the fourth took advantage of her shield being out of position to smack her on the helmet.
When the Hermes camper toppled, Percy breathed a slight sigh of relief -he clearly needed to practice much, much more with Riptide.
But the battle was still going.
By now, the Hermes campers had formed a wall between the children of Athena and the river.
Something Percy was perfectly positioned to take advantage of.
Seconds later, the first Hermes camper in the line collapsed after a blunt arrow rang his helmet.
The next one got a similar treatment, then the Athena campers rushed forward, flowing through the gap in the line that Percy had created.
Annabeth predictably reached him first, "Maybe you aren't so bad after all."
Percy didn't reply yet, still slinging arrows at the pursuing children of Hermes.
One by one they fell to the hail of projectiles put in their path, as the Athena campers added their own weight to the barrage -mostly with javelins.
Once the last one was on the ground, Annabeth took control of the situation again, "Form up around Raymond! Percy, get going."
All together, they charged forward.
There were probably some real nasty defenses placed in this direct path to the river, but none of them were tripped by the small group of campers who traveled the breadth of enemy territory with impunity.
They all stepped over the stream together, and the banner changed from the Hermes cadeceus to the Athena owl.
Everyone cheered, pumping their fists and brandishing their weapons.
"The game is won!" called Chiron, attracted by the sounds of cheering.
Raymond was hefted up on everyone's shoulders and paraded around, flag held high. But in all the chaos, Percy pulled Annabeth aside, taking a short step away from the noise.
"I apologize, Miss Chase, for my behavior during the quest for the Bolt." Percy said in an honest voice that Annabeth wasn't anticipating, "My pride could have cost the world dearly. It is not my place to question you without good reason."
Oh. This again.
Annabeth frowned at the repentant son of Poseidon, "You didn't seem to share this sentiment a while ago."
Percy bowed his head, "And I was wrong not to. I don't want to make enemies here. We were supposed to work together to retrieve the Bolt, and I forgot that. I'm sorry."
Annabeth gave him a level stare, "Apology accepted."
"Thank you." the son of Poseidon turned and walked away, but only got halfway back to the cabins before being ambushed.
"So cool! Can you teach me how to fight?"
A/N: And again, Percy's changing. #WhichPercy, in the spirit of election season.
Also, Bianca. Also, Nico. Also, I don't like the Sea of Monsters plot, so it's going to end up different.
Please give me feedback and help me improve!
