Hey guys! BubbleInk here with another chapter! I hope you guys enjoy this, especially since the last one was a little slow.
Speaking of slow...this story is going slow! If I keep going day by day, It'll take forever. So be prepared for mass time jumps to more important scenes! Such as this one...
As you've probably noted, I stopped answering reviews. If you guys want me to continue, I can by starting at the place where I'd stopped answering them.
Also, if you haven't yet figured out the importance of Peter Johnson, then pay special attention to the conversation between Percy and Frank! Seriously!
And don't forget to review and let me know what you think about everything. Remember, reviews make this world go round! Let's try and raise the total number of reviews to 32! I know we can do it!
You got me in chains, you got me in chains for your love
But I wouldn't change, no, I wouldn't change this love
Tryna break the chains but the chains only break me
~Nick Jonas : Chains ~
Percy sat in a chair near the window, his form still as a statue and as cold as one made from ice. The night sky was a dark black, lightened only by the glimmering diamonds called stars. The moon was nonexistent, only a slightly lighter shade of black marked it's round form in the sky.
Percy's window stared out over the ocean and he watched as the water flowed against the beach that glowed like molten silver. The ocean was a still mirror that perfectly reflected the sky. Percy felt sick at the sight.
He stayed in that one spot as the moon sank lower in the heavens. The dark night began to fade into purple before orange and red streaked across it. The sun began it's rise and grew brighter as it ascended.
When the brightness became too much, Percy finally moved. He sat up straighter in his chair and reached up to take off his sunglasses. He rubbed a hand over his face and got to his feet. He walked towards the window and pulled the curtains together cutting off the light and plunging the room into darkness.
It was a simple room, and rather modest in it's interior adornments. A twin-bed against one wall with a dresser, desk, mirror, and chair were the only items residing in the room. A fine layer of dust resided on most of the objects as though they'd been suffering from disuse.
Despite the darkness that enveloped the room, Percy managed to nimbly navigate towards the dresser. The storage unit reached right below his ribs and so he was able to lean over and rest his arms on top, elbows bent as he leaned forward. The only mirror in the room hung on the wall above it and Percy stared into his reflection with an unreadable expression on his face.
Solid sea-green eyes stared back at Percy, eyes that could have been ice for all he warmth they held. His skin, once tan, had faded several shades but was on the come back. He showed signs of having been dangerously skinny once. His angular features were even more pronounced from pure lack of fat. Percy looked away, unable to keep looking at the stranger in front of him.
He'd always wondered why his eyes had changed. It had happened to Frank, Hazel, and Leo but his had stayed like that long after theirs had resumed their natural appearance. But the curiosity to know had faded away through the years and it was know more of a thought that would resurface whenever he had nothing else to think about.
Percy pushed himself away from the reflective surface as a sudden feeling of hopelessness and despair overwhelmed him. He gritted his teeth, heart pumping; feeling hot with anger. Percy lashed out, fist making contact with the glass as a resounding crack filled the room. Spider web cracks wove over the glass from his clenched hand and he watched as blood began to well up on his shredded skin.
Percy sank to his knee's and dropped his sunglasses on the ground. He leaned against the dresser and drew his knee's up to his chest, feeling the blood drip down his fingers and onto his jeans. Percy then rested his head on his knees in turn, and he screwed his eyes shut tight as though that would defend him against the wave of darkness and numb pain that was sweeping over him. Not exhaustion, not the urge to sleep, but the feeling of sadness and depression that usually left him unable to move and caused him to feel like liquid lead was being pumped through his veins.
"Percy?" A quiet voice called out, but the black haired teen didn't respond. "Percy, are you okay?" The voice repeated. It was Hazel, Percy recognized the sound as she drew closer to him. How she had known he was in one of his moods was beyond him.
"Is it happening again?" Another voice asked silently, and Percy recognized Leo. Still, he didn't say anything; even when arms wrapped around his shoulders into a welcoming embrace. Percy lifted his head to see Leo sitting in front of him and Hazel beside him, her arms still wrapped around his shoulders.
"Sorry guys." He murmured. "I-I don't know whats happening but I-I can't get over it...I just..."
"Shut up Percy." Said Frank as he leaned against the door to Percy's bedroom. Percy glanced over at the son of Mars in surprise. "This isn't like last time, where you were down there for a few days."
Percy flinched at the reminder and he put his head back on his knees. His shoulders shook though he didn't cry as Frank continued. He didn't have any more tears to shed. "You'd been down there for ten years Perce. It's only been three since you got out. You need to give yourself more time."
Percy spoke up quietly, his tone dead as he still looked down. "Do you think I'll ever be the same again?" He whispered. The room was quiet as no one answered his question and the weight in his chest only grew heavier as the silence continued to stretch out.
"We were going to have another meeting today, remember?" Hazel said gently in an effort to change the subject. "But if you don't feel up to it, we can reschedule it for another day."
Percy shook his head and straightened up. "No, no I'm good." Hazels arms slid off from around him and he took that as his chance to reach for his sunglasses. Hie reached out with his wounded hand, and he hesitated, eyes entranced by the red rivulets on his skin. As he watched, the torn strips of flesh began to knot back together, blood not even caking and crusting as it dripped off his fingers to leave only red stains.
No one asked what had happened. The tinkering of falling glass onto the dresser was answer enough and Percy didn't need any medical attention. Everyone knew of the son of Poseidon's curse.
"Percy..." Hazel said slowly. "Do you really need to keep wearing those?" She was referring to the glasses, one chocolate skinned hand pointing a slender finger at the object. Percy didn't answer as he finally reached out and picked them didn't bother prying further. He got to his feet and dusted of the seat of his pants.
"Let's go." Percy said bluntly as he walked swiftly towards the door, a tight lipped smile on his face. His friends shared a look before following after him. They knew what that smile hid, what Percy hid, and they worried about how much longer the man could last.
~(._.)~
The next room the four of them entered was much larger and Athena was already waiting for them at the oaken conference table that filled the middle of the room. Across from the door, more windows allowed natural light to filter in and illuminate the wood.
As was natural, Percy took a seat at the head of the table and everyone gathered near him. Though there was five of them, three chairs had been left vacant. Percy reached over one hand and pressed a single, minuscule button and mist suddenly jetted into the air from the the seats. The light from the windows created rainbows in them. At that moment, Percy tossed in three golden coins he had fished from his pockets.
"Oh Iris, goddess of the rainbow, show me Grover Underwood at the Adirondacks, Nico Di Angelo in California, and Thalia Grace of New York."
The drachmas disappeared as they passed through the rainbows, and the mist transformed into oval like mirrors, but they did not show anyone's reflections. Across from Percy was a kid with a long goatee and curly hair. An old and faded Rasta cap was perched atop his head, threatening to be knocked off by the horns protruding from his head.
"Hey Percy!" Grover bleated out with a smile. Percy smiled , a true and honest smile as he waved to his old friend.
"What, not gonna say hello to me too Kelp-head?" Snapped an irritated voice. It came from a pale skinned girl with freckles and short spiky black hair. Electric blue eyes glared playfully at Percy, and he laughed.
"Hello then Pinecone face."
"Kelp head."
"Lightening bug."
"Barnacle breath."
"Oh would you both stop?" And irritated voice drawled out. In the last misty mirror was a young man with pale skin and black hair, obsidian eyes glaring out at everyone as he pinched the bridge of his nose, a skull ring on his finger gleaming with amusement and irritation.
Percy's smile turned wistful as he stared at the son of Hades. "Hello Death Breath." He answered.
"Hello Nico!" Hazel said animatedly. It was the first time she'd seen her half-brother in a while, and she was smiling brightly, golden eyes glimmering at the sight of her kin. Even Nico's stone hard eyes softened at the sight of her as he murmured his own hello.
Everyone did their own greetings before Percy quietly called for silence. He straightened in his seat, tugging at his sleeves so they came farther down to his wrist. He leaned forward, eyes darting around though they were hidden by his shades.
"How are things on your side Grover?" Percy asked, deciding to let his old friend go first.
"Great!" Was the satyrs answer. "No one's suspected anything yet. Someone started asking about the decreasing number of Demigods being brought in, but Chiron and I were able to quiet them down."
Frank frowned. "who started asking?" He asked, undoubtedly asking what everyone wanted to know.
"Er..." Grover hesitated to answer, eyes nervously darting to look at Percy. Percy's own sea-green orbs narrowed suspiciously. His friends hesitance was causing his suspicions to grow.
"Who was it Grover?" He asked with his tone deadly calm and ice cold.
"Annabeth." Grover answered; voice a mere whisper.
Percy's hands tightened their grip on his arm, nails digging through the fabric and into his skin. "What?" He said slowly. "I thought she was in Europe."
"She was." Grover agreed. "But...Dionysus' punishment...you know how it was shortened after the Titan war?" He didn't even wait for an answer as he plowed on. "Well, Zeus decided to just scrap the punishment after the Giant War. What with his actions to help you and Jason against the twins..." Grovers sentence trailed off but continued as Percy waved his hand in an impatient circle.
"Well, since Annabeth is a veteran member of the camp, Zeus assigned her as the director in Dionysus' stead."
Percy's frown deepened. He placed his hands over his mouth, elbows braced against the table. The room was silent as everyone digested the news.
"This definitely makes things harder." Nico said. Percy glanced over at him.
"No." Percy answered. He shook his head briskly. "She may be smart, but she'l be lax after so many years of peace."
"Do you really believe that Percy?" Leo said with a frown. "She's survived two major wars. Don't you think she'll be expecting another?"
Percy snorted and leaned back luxuriously in his seat. "No." He answered simple. "At least, not one with her ex boyfriend leading it."
Everyone murmured their agreement, but didn't add anything else to it.
"Anything else Grover?" Percy prompted after a moment to collect his thoughts. The satyr nodded.
"Only one more bit of news. I've been asking around, and many nature spirits are upset with the gods. Because of them helping the mortals come up with most of the ideas that have been destroying nature, they're willing to join you and fight against them."
Percy nodded. "Good. We can use all the help we can get."
Nodding abruptly, the raven haired teen turned to one of his other cousins.
"Thalia, did Mercy make it back alright?"
Mercy had been substituting for Frank a few days ago and had left late the previous night. She had been forbidden from making contact with anyone from the school as soon as she'd gone past the black doors.
Thalia nodded her in confirmation. "She met up with us last night. And no, no one suspected anything." She had answered the question Percy had been about to ask before he'd even opened his mouth.
Percy nodded gratefully. Mercy was a good teacher when Frank had to go on missions and was unable to do his classes. But the risk of people getting suspicious of her constant disappearances was high.
"Good." Was Percy's brisk answer.
News of Annabeths 'promotion' had undoubtedly darkened his mood. But things were looking up, if only a bit.
Nico was the last one to go. Peacefully awaiting his turn to speak he'd listened to everyone's reports. Finally, he could speak.
"What about you Nico?" Hazel asked her brother.
Nico's job was by far the most dangerous. Extremely unlike his antisocial past, Nico was the eyes and ears that reported the gods actions. Any meeting that required the Olympian council guaranteed he would be there to listen.
Percy leaned forward to hear the news, an eager look on his face. Nico dove in without having to be prompted.
"I found out something major." He began, eyes sparkling with unknown emotion.
"Percy, you want to destroy the gods. Only problem is, you can't."
Percy narrowed his eyes though it was unseen from behind his shades and pulled his lips into a frown. "What do you mean?" He asked his friend.
"Percy, things have gotten to the point where if the gods lose their power, the world will be extremely affected by it. Like, world ending within days affected."
That news had the most impact on the gathering of myth-related beings. Silence cloaked them as they stared at each other with wide and scared eyes. There was no sudden outbursts of doubt claiming Nico's statement as a falsehood. They knew the deadly god was not one to be trifled with, and rarely joked around even with people he considered to be his closest friends.
Percy was most shocked. That put a major wrench into his plans. All he'd wanted was to destroy the gods, but somewhere's in his heart was a feeling of despair that came with knowing he couldn't destroy the world just to reach his own vendetta. He felt like his entire reason for living was crashing down around him. He lived for the chance to destroy those who had created so much grief for him, but he couldn't bear the thought of hurting those who were not involved. All those mortals who would perish, all those who would have helped them and survived. Everything would end. There would be no celebration.
"Is that it then?" Leo was the first to break the silence. His voice was solemn and his eyes downcast as though his dreams had too, been destroyed. "Is that the end of this?" He gestured with a limp hand to them all. He knew there was no way Percy would go through with their plans if there was any possibility of ending the world he and so many others had fought to save time and time again.
"Obviously." Percy muttered. His tone was dead but filled with the rage that came with ones disappointments being dashed to absolute bits. No matter how crazed and improbable those dreams were.
Nico smirked, eyes flashing. "You guys are acting like we have to give up." He shook his head, mop of black hair moving across his pale face and obscuring his eyes.
Athena leaned forward. She had remained quiet this entire time and was choosing only now to speak up. Her intelligent gray eyes glimmered with repressed knowledge. "Nico is right." She declared. "There is a way to keep our plans going."
Everyone perked up immediately, hope flaring within them at the prospect of still being able to keep going.
"There is a way," Athena said slowly. "To...replace... a god." She said hesitantly. Her posture was stiff as though she wasn't eager to continue reveal what she knew.
"If...a god was to freely relinquish their power," Athena continued. "Without the use of charm speak or potions. If they said the words with no taint of magic, they can transfer the majority of their powers to someone else.
"Another way is for a god of greater strength to sit on the gods chair of power and steal it that way."
"So what your saying," Leo broke in. "Is that we'd have to replace them?"
Athena nodded, eyes dark.
"What happens to the gods?" Frank asked. "The ones who lose their powers."
"They remain gods." Nico answered. "But with very little of their powers left. If I was to steal Hades Powers, he'd probably only be able to fade into shadows but not shadow travel or anything else that would require a greater manifestation of power."
Percy was nodding slowly, an idea beginning to form in his mind. Sure, they'd have to tweak their plan a little; maybe even have to alter it a lot. But he could work with this. If anything, it'd be better than what they had originally.
"Is this true?" He demanded, eyes darting between the god and goddess. "There's nothing else that would be important to hear?"
Athena looked offended but didn't snap anything. "Of course." She answered stiffly while Nico nodded.
"I snooped around a bit after hearing that," He admitted. "But I can confirm everything I said. I stand by it."
"Of course." Percy said softly, earlier harsh tone fading. "I'm sorry. I trust you both." He looked around to everyone seated and present. " I trust all of you."
There were grateful smiles. Percy didn't often state how much he trusted his friends. They'd come to accept that the trauma he'd endured had guaranteed that. But when he did, they knew he meant it.
"Trust you too Percy." Leo said with a sniff, wiping away an imaginary tear from his eye. "Now let's go eat breakfast before all those students leave nothing but scraps for their hard working teachers!"
Frank laughed, tossing his head while Hazel frowned at the Latino god but it was obviously not a wholehearted reaction.
"Right." Thalia said. "I need to get going." She said. "Artemis might get suspicious." without waiting for any reaction to her words, she swiped her hand through the mist and ended the conversation.
"I should get going too." Grover said. A voice out of view of the mist called out to him, tone muffled and words ineligible. "Coming!" He called over his shoulder. "Bye guys." The satyr whispered.
"Bye Grover." Percy said, tone said and expression wistful. "See you."
Grover smiled sadly. "See you." And then he was gone. Nico snorted and left without bothering to say goodbye, though he did give his sister a quick smile.
Percy straightened up, back cracking as he stretched. He turned behind him and blinked. The sky had become lighter in the time it had taken for them to have their quick meeting. The sun was farther above the sea line then when he'd last seen it, but the meeting hadn't taken nearly as long he'd thought. At least the students wouldn't have to panic about why every teacher but Athena had disappeared.
Unlike the goddess of wisdom, he, Frank, Hazel, and Leo were unable to invoke multiple selves. Percy had dubbed that as extremely unfair.
He got to his feet and stretched some more, loosening up his muscles and shaking his legs to help them resume blood flow.
"This is amazing!" Hazel said, eyes shinning and teeth flashing in with an honest smile.
"Definitely." Leo agreed, nodding his head slowly with a serious face. Percy snorted at the expression and began heading towards the door. He was about to be the first to leave when he hesitated, one hand hovering over the doorknob. Everyone behind him continued to chatter blissfully a sense of longing overcame Percy.
He wanted to talk to his friends. He wanted to be able to discuss things that weren't battle related or a talk of strategy. He wanted to.
But he couldn't. It was something he had no interest in, something he'd lost his care for. How hypocritical of himself.
Percy stepped away from the door, his thoughts leading him to a certain chain of ideas in his mind. He stood there and waited as everyone else filed out, but held out a hand to stop Frank.
"Hold up." He stated. "Can I ask you a question Frank?"
The son of Mars looked confused but didn't object. "Of course." He said, a hesitant smile on his face.
"There's...a student." Percy began slowly. He hadn't planned on what to say, and was trying to think of exactly what he was trying to do.
"She was having trouble with fighting." Yes. He could say that, it was true.
Frank was nodding. "Yeah. Mercy said she was having more trouble than the others."
"And she got extremely hurt for it." Percy said with a frown. The smile on Franks face faded at the recollection of the detailed report Mercy had given to the five of them. How the girl Clover had gone berserk and extremely hurt one of her classmates.
"I want you to keep on eye on her." Percy spoke. "See if she needs extra help."
Frank tilted his head to the side, eyes curious. The last time Percy had taken an interest in an individual student, bad things had come to pass.
"Of course." He finally mumbled. "I'll help her one-on-one if it comes to it."
Percy sighed gratefully, exhaling with relief that the girl would get the training she so desperately needed. She couldn't always stay up late at night.
"May I ask why the particular interest?" Frank inquired. Percy's face shut down, all emotion gone.
"I just want to make sure everyone is doing well," He said coolly. "And that they can defend themselves. Battle is hard enough without everyone needing to keep an eye on her as well as themselves." His tone was curt, and he inwardly winced at how he was treating his friend.
Frank nodded, his face closed off after the reaction he'd received. "Okay." He answered and turned to leave.
"Oh, and Frank?" Percy called after him. "One last thing."
"Yeah?" Frank asked, halfway out of the room.
"Try and watch her inconspicuously. Khrys doesn't seem like one who'll take it nicely if she finds out what I've asked of you."
Frank's back was to Percy, but a smile had flickered on his lips for a second. "Sure thing." He answered before he left Percy in the room alone.
