Ch. 8: Family Feuds
(Recap: The Romans took an unconscious Thalia with them. I'd purposely told Reyna to imprison Thalia for two reasons. One was obviously so she couldn't rat me out. The other was so I could call the Romans my allies with proof. During the war, the Romans would think Tartarus allied with the Greeks, while the Greeks would think the Romans allied with Tartarus. They'd attack each other and Tartarus would benefit. That's at least what dear old Tarty believed.
"Now we go and tell Tartarus, then go to the Greek campus. We have a war to wage, we've done half the job already." I said looking at Iapetus...)
PERCY'S POV:
THE ROMANS were all pumped up to demolish Greece, and soon so would be the Greeks to demolish Rome. I and Iapetus were just out of Tartarus after explaining what happened at the Roman camp and about Thalia's rescue by them. I told him how I could use that to my advantage, and again he praised me. He surprisingly didn't say a word to either of us, saying we'd carried out our task pretty well but the monsters had screwed up. Now we were off to Greece with a bunch of monsters to fire them up to attack the Romans.
"Let's go. We need to get there and out before they realize that the Romans are planning an attack. Our presence might worsen the situation.
3RD PERSON'S POV, AT CAMP HALF-BLOOD:
THE DEMIGODS AT CAMP HALF-BLOOD carried out their daily tasks with plans of special training included in their daily activities to help them against Tartarus. The situation was pretty much the same since the day of the Olympian meeting. The emotions though were a mess. Annabeth and Chiron especially were almost robotic in their actions, the situation makes no sense to them yet their confused brains fearing the worst. Hunters of Artemis trained the camp, but their comments about Percy being a traitor weren't helping.
Jason had to pry Piper off of a girl when she overheard the hunter saying how this camp bred only traitors. First Luke, then Percy. You didn't often find Piper McLean of all people attacking others, that was a first. Annabeth didn't mind much. She was certain Percy had to be in someone's control and that she could make him see sense. For that, they'd have to meet though, and that looked highly impossible at the moment.
She and all her friends were just glad that Percy was alive. She decided to wait as long as it took. Turned out she didn't have to wait much longer. Her former boyfriend turned (rumored) traitor was just enroute to meet her...and turn all their hopes to crumbles.
NARRATOR'S POV:
Percy had a plan, but this time he knew he wouldn't need to lie a lot. The Greeks were impulsive warriors who thought little before acting. Just a little spark and they'd come out all attacking the Romans. When the van reached the outskirts of half blood hill, they stopped. He fished out an audio piece from his pocket and listened intently while also observing a red dot on an instrument that appeared a lot like a cell phone but was not. He turned to look at Iapetus with a mild look of disappointment.
"Technical error in the plan, we'll have to wait here for a while. If the timing isn't astute, we'll literally end up doing what Tartarus wants. There were no monsters in audible range while he said that, of course. He'd sent them to do a little patrolling.
Iapetus replied with a nod like he understood exactly what Percy spoke. Nobody, not even the Gods knew what his big game was. Iapetus did. Percy knew he'd have to tell the plan to at least one other apart from him so that his job could be carried out even if something happened to him. The red dot suddenly caught Percy's eye and he said "It's time. Let's hurry up and hurry back. We wouldn't wanna be present here when they receive guests."
Again, a nod from Iapetus and they both climbed down the vehicle and walked right into camp, leaving the monsters besides the van. Just like that. The Campers obviously were not expecting their enemies to walk into camp so early. They hadn't even put up guards or patrols yet, which Percy found very strange. Eventually, the campers saw who had arrived. Murmurs and whispers started, eventually spreading to Chiron and Annabeth and all the campers as well as hunters. People gathered around the two of them, some with arms and some with relief.
Relief that would soon turn into a nightmare. Annabeth came out rushing, saw him and was just about to go running to hug him when Iapetus drew a protective sword around Percy, forcing a stunned Annabeth back. The move also made almost every camper take out their weapons.
"Percy, my boy. What is happening? Lady Artemis said you threatened her, officially announced war on us after kidnapping Thalia! We know you'd never do that, so just tell us what really is happening? Are they forcing you? Blackmailing or threatening you?"
"Nobody can threaten an ally of Tartarus himself Chiron. I was foolish to do so much for the Gods. I understand Luke Castellan so much better now."
"Percy...what happened to you?" Annabeth said with tears running down her face.
"What happened, Annabeth? They tried to kill me is what happened! If not for Tartarus, they would have actually succeeded. All that Artemis said is true. I've just come here to ask if you're willing to side with me. I've come here for you, wise girl." Percy said softly. He hated playing with her this way, he loved her with all of his heart and soul. But wasn't that the reason he was doing all this? To save his loved ones?
"Percy! What is wrong with you? Tartarus is the villain! You are our hero! You've always been!" Jason spoke.
"And see where it got me, Jason. Almost in Hades' realm."
"But you didn't die! Just give up all this and come back to camp Percy, we promise the Gods won't be allowed to lay hands on a single one of your hair!" Piper attempted to charmspeak. Percy lost his focus but regained it sooner than one would have thought possible.
"Piper, If it were death I was afraid of, I wouldn't have been what I'm today. It's not about my safety. It's about vengeance. I want my revenge at any cost."
"Jackson, we'll bury you alive. Stop this nonsense right away." Clarisse La Rue spoke up, surprising everyone. She tried to act tough, but her eyes clearly said she was shocked at the events occurring in front of her.
I was just about to say something when Artemis, who was extremely quiet because I'd instructed her to, spoke up "It's no use arguing with him. He's too far gone now. He took Thalia to Tartarus and tortured her there, tried to kill her. She said so herself, remember?"
"I did what I had to do. I'm neither ashamed nor guilty."
"You tortured Thalia? The one you could jump into Tartarus for? The very one who was as close to you as your real sister?" Annabeth spoke, but her voice sounded so broken and betrayed that Percy needed to get out of here before he broke and confessed how all this was a setting to keep them safe.
"What has happened to you Percy? Why are you behaving like such a monster?" Chiron asked, his voice so full of betrayal.
"Being a hero, my life since I was 12 has been miserable. In the end, the fates even thrust me to Tartarus. As if that wasn't enough, the Gods tried to kill me. It's not about half-bloods or about relationships any longer. It's about vengeance. I want my revenge Chiron. Revenge on Olympus."
"Bob. Are you seriously with him? Do you even remember me?" Annabeth asked Iapetus.
"You are Annabeth Chase, daughter of Athena that I had helped escape from Tartarus. I remember Annabeth. I remember everything."
"Then why? Why are you doing this? Please don't do this. Both of you." Annabeth pleaded.
Percy honestly couldn't take it anymore. He needed to leave camp fast.
"Enough. We came here with a request. For you to join us. You have no chance against all of us. The Romans have agreed to ally with us." I yelled the last statement to make sure everyone heard correctly.
"Impossible. They'd never-" Jason was interrupted by Percy
"-I swear by the Styx, The Romans have declared war against the Greeks. They have agreed to side with me. In fact, I also swear that Reyna agreed to keep Thalia imprisoned IN new Rome when I got her out of Tartarus." I finished, thunder boomed in the sky but I was unharmed and unscathed, leaving no doubt in anyone's mind.
"We got Thalia out from that hell hole, now we are giving you a chance. Your Gods will soon be rendered useless once again when their children are made to fight. While that happens we'll walk into Olympus and destroy it. You have no chance of winning." Iapetus added.
The whole camp including Artemis and Chiron were rendered speechless.
"I've come to you with an offer. Those of you who wish to support us can join our hands. There won't be second chances. Anyone?" Percy spoke.
When no one spoke up for a while, Percy continued
"Very well. You have chosen this fate upon yourself. Prepare yourselves. The Romans will attack in two days' time. At sunset. When the moon is bright in the sky, that's when we, led by Tartarus shall arrive. And destroy all lucky enough to have survived the Romans' onslaught and insane enough to oppose us. Goodbye and good luck, for, luck is the only factor you can depend on." Percy spoke.
'And me', He added mentally.
Annabeth fell on her knees crying, literally begging Percy, "Don't go down this path seaweed brain...don't do this to us...to me..." She sobbed.
"I still do and will forever love you. No matter what, you'll always be my wise girl. Trust me. I have to do this." Percy whispered, using up all of his willpower to not rush towards Annabeth and hug her, comfort her. He was himself crying from inside, unable to bear the looks of heartbreak he was given from his friends. From Annabeth. But he kept a stoic expression on his face. A tear was just about to trickle from his eyes, but he controlled it and said "I'm sorry. Perhaps one day you'll forgive me."
With those words spoken, he left. Left his friends, no, his family...he left his family completely and utterly shattered.
He maintained a quick pace and left the camp, hurriedly returning to his van. The campers watched his retreating back until he was out of view. They could not believe what they'd just seen. Annabeth was still on the ground sobbing hysterically. Her friends were not in a position to comfort her though. Chiron had tears in his eyes, but he wordlessly walked back to the big house.
In the van, Percy couldn't take it anymore. Iapetus had smartly dismissed away the monsters on reaching the van first. As soon as Percy reached near the van, he climbed inside. Then he cried. He cried his heart out, considering himself a monster for what he'd just done.
Those expressions from all of his friends, he had seen them so closely. Piper, Jason, Clarisse, the Stolls, Katie, every single one of his best friends. The teary eyes of Chiron would haunt him for eternity, he knew that. The worst one though, it was her. On her knees...
He was still sobbing hysterically, not only from the pain his friends were enduring at the moment due to him but also from the mental pressure he was in. Iapetus just sat beside him in the van, not knowing how to comfort a crying person.
"Percy. We are doing it for the greater good. It will ultimately benefit them. We will save so many lives if we achieve our goals." Iapetus suggested.
"I know...It's just...Their faces. She was on her knees, Bob! On! Her! Knees! For me..." Percy whispered.
It took a while, but the son of Poseidon eventually calmed down.
"Percy, look. Our plan will soon fall into place." Bob spoke, pointing to the screen of the cellphone-like object. The red dot was rapidly blinking, and Percy couldn't resist a smile at that.
"Calypso's tracker is beeping. This means-"
"They are here. Leo is here. That'll bring some comfort to the campers." Iapetus interrupted.
"Of course it will. But now that Leo is here, the prophecy can finally begin, Bob. The beginning of our own phase two has begun. We have to find Tartarus' weakness fast. Leo will leave no stone unturned in doing his job even if he has no idea about it."
"Oh yes, the prophecy. Finally Percy. It all begins now..."
As if he couldn't help himself, Iapetus repeated the prophecy,
"The earth shall break and part way for hell,
you will realize the lie in which you dwell.
The lost hero shall reunite friends and foes,
But suffer worse than death to his woes.
Indubitable, the sides may sound,
Misleading judgments shall lead to losses propound.
While Rome cringes in fright of the devil,
The sea's anger shall rid the world of all evil.
For destruction, for bloodlust the devil who pray,
Beware their life lightning shall slay."
(A/N: WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PROPHECY? COMMENT AND LET ME KNOW YOUR GUESSES. ALSO, LET ME KNOW HOW THE PLOT IS SHAPING UP. ALSO, I HAVE ANOTHER BOOK HERE, IT'S A CHAOS STORY AND BARRING ONE INEVITABLE CLICHE, I PROMISE IT'S NOTHING LIKE YOU HAVE EVER READ, SO GO AND CHECK IT OUT!)
