Chapter 12- Jason
"Order! Order! I call this meeting to order! Silence!" ordered Jason Grace, son of Jupiter.
But this made no difference on the buzz of chatter that was coming from the demigods gathered in the cramped council room they were using for the war council meeting.
"Alright everyone, shut up! The next person who talks gets to deal with an army from the Underworld!" thundered Nico di Angelo, son of Hades.
This immediately quieted everyone down, because they knew Nico had absolutely no sense of humor, so he would make good on his threat of summoning the dead if necessary to shut them up.
"Thanks man; Nico and I called this meeting for a reason, and we would like to get started. Alright Nico, tell them about your dreams from your empathy link with Percy," said Jason, gesturing for Nico to take the floor again.
"I want to tell you guys first why I didn't speak up right away, I wished to see the dreams play out but now I know I have to tell you guys what's happening to Percy and Annabeth in Tartarus.
"As you all know, Percy's power is over water. Now what we didn't know was, that there is water in the Underworld that acts like acid, and if Percy ever touches it, then it burns his skin. This water is blessed by the giant, Polybotes, the giant born to battle Poseidon, Percy's father. All the water in Tartarus has been touched by Polybotes, making it acidic for Percy," explained Nico.
After that introduction, Nico described to the others how Percy and Annabeth had to cross the river to get to the other side to continue their journey and how Percy slammed into the boulders and fell into the cursed river and trapped by seaweed, only to be mysteriously shot out into the sky. Nico had just gotten to the part where Percy had passed out after Annabeth grabbed him, when he was interrupted by Piper.
"Wait, Percy was shot out of the water?"
"Yeah, why does it matter how Percy escaped?"
"Because he shouldn't have been able to do that. I can only compare that to on how Percy once escaped the telekhines by blowing up and out of Mount St. Helens. Remember he is the son of the god of the sea, storms, and earthquakes; so if he really was in grave danger, don't you think he would be able to shoot himself out of a river?"
"You may have a point, Piper, but don't forget that the river Percy was in is poisonous and acidic for him."
"But it's still water! You said yourself, though Percy was burned by the water in the river, he still was able to draw strength from it," countered Piper.
"So you're saying that Percy can still control all the water down there in Tartarus, even if it burns him?" pondered Nico.
"That's exactly what I'm saying; because the water in Tartarus was regular water first before Polybotes touched and blessed it, making it acidic for Poseidon and his children," concluded Piper.
"While that is both good and bad news because that means Percy has a powerful weapon in battle but that would mean severely hurting himself in the process. Anyway, let's continue with the dream," declared Nico.
After that, Nico moved on to tell the others about how Percy was summoned with a meeting with Nico's father, Hades, and Gaea via dream. Nico described the offer Hades made to Percy and also how Gaea was trying to break and kill him. As Nico expected, the group roared with outrage at the thought of Percy becoming Hades' immortal lieutenant for all time.
"Guys! I know for a fact that Percy doesn't want to do it any more than we would, but he is considering it because he knows it could greatly help us defeat the giants," reasoned Nico.
"That's idiotic! The gods on Mount Olympus should be helping, not always relying on us to fight their battles!" cried Leo.
"I know, I know! But remember this is Percy and the Olympians we're talking about. Percy will go to hell and back, literally, for his friends and the gods are too stubborn to admit that they need their children as much as their children need them. But we can't do anything about it now, so can I please continue?"
With some grumbled response that yes, he could continue with the empathy link dream, Nico continued on with his story.
"When Percy came back around, the gods had appeared before him and Annabeth, in their Greek form for them of course, but their hopes were dim. They saw Percy dying from his injuries in the river, and he would have, if Poseidon hadn't put some of the sea into Percy's veins to heal him. While this did save Percy from death, he is still injured, but functioning. Although as soon as the gods left, undead skeletons arrived and started attacking Percy and Annabeth.
"Before you guys start interrupting, know that I have full faith in my father would never stoop as low as attacking Percy just because he didn't automatically agree to become his lieutenant for life. These undead skeletons were just plain creepy and unnatural, and this is coming from the son of Hades, and I have to say that they would have freaked even me out. When Percy or Annabeth slashed or killed them, they collapsed into a pile of bones but then immediately reformed and went back to attacking.
"These skeletons would have outnumbered, overpowered, and killed Percy and Annabeth if something hadn't stopped them and made them flee in terror. Now you would think whatever had saved Percy and Annabeth would be a good guy and a hero, right? Well, wrong. Completely incorrect, you couldn't be more far from the truth if you tried. What made the skeletons flee and stop their attack was the giant, Polybotes himself, the rival of Poseidon, and who Percy had killed back at Camp Jupiter," finished Nico.
"Wait, what happened with Polybotes?" everyone demanded at the same time, once they saw that Nico wasn't going on with the story.
"I don't know," was Nico's grim reply. "The dream ended there, with Polybotes arriving, and about to Percy's head with a club."
"So our friends could be dead right now, or dying at the hands of Polybotes, and we wouldn't know? That's what you're saying?" inquired Thalia.
"No, I-," but Nico suddenly cut himself off with a loud gasp and his eyes crossed and his knees buckled in pain.
"Nico! What's the matter?" the group cried in unison that is everyone except Hazel, who stared at Nico with pity in her eyes.
"Guys, what's happening is that Nico is feeling the battle with Polybotes right now and the blows Percy is receiving. This is why I was outraged at the empathy link in the first place," explained Hazel for Nico.
Just then, Nico howled with pain and clutched his right shin. This lasted only about a moment, only because he next grabbed his side in agony. While this new injury lasted a little longer than the last one, it was again interrupted with Nico bellowing in pain and clutching his throat as if someone was strangling and burning him at the same time. But just as abruptly as this episode started, it stopped, and left Nico lying there in a heap, gasping for breath.
"Nico, you ok?" Hazel nervously asked her brother.
"I am, but I can't say the same for Percy. Let's get on with this meeting, before another episode comes and I'm not able to continue."
No one seemed eager to continue so soon, but they agreed that they didn't want to be interrupted by another incident via empathy link.
"Guys, I need to tell you something, and this really isn't easy to say. Jason, help me out here and then it may be easier for me to explain it. Please describe Percy's eyes as he was battling the skeletons," requested Nico.
"Alright, anything to help. Percy is an unbelievably skilled and talented fighter, even with just his sword and no water power, but his expression during this battle scared me, especially his eyes. There was an extremely dazed but wild look in them, like he was slowly losing his mind; I saw it too with Annabeth, but it was mostly in Percy's eyes and mind," grimly described Jason.
"Thanks Jason for describing that, and I'm sure that's how my eyes looked when you guys rescued me from the giants. I didn't look like that because of being trapped in a jar for a week, I got them from my 10 minutes in Tartarus.
"You guys will never understand what Tartarus is like, and what is in it. There are monsters older than the Titans, so horrible and gruesome, they were gladly tossed into the abyss without a second thought, because their sole intent in life was being pure evil and cruel. In fact, there is a reason why the monsters we kill go to Tartarus, it is supposed to be a punishment to be with them. What I saw was so awful that I nearly went insane, and I was in there 10 minutes and I never even reached the bottom, like Percy and Annabeth have.
"What they have seem I'm not even going to try to guess because whatever I could come up with, anything would be a gazillion times worse and horrible. They have been dealing with endless monsters and enemies, many who have grudges against Percy because he had killed or defeated them, so they will have a battle or a new challenge around every corner of the way, and always be fearing for their life and safety. But also to be constantly being the only one who have very good fighting skills, and furthermore, to be protecting the girl you love from every danger, is going to make anyone lose their minds. So not only will be and is, Percy struggling physically with his injuries, he is struggling to keep sane too."
This information on how Tartarus can affect your sanity seemed to take a while to sink in for everyone, but once they did, they were shocked they hadn't considered Percy's mental state and how he and Annabeth were coping with the trauma.
"Now, we must discuss us, at least for a minute," said Nico. "As I'm sure you have all noticed that monster attacks have been increasing drastically for us, which is because we are nearing our arrival in Greece. I can sense it because I feel a draw due to what we are searching for belongs to my father, and I feel like it is near Sparta. Hazel, can you feel it too?"
Hazel nodded at her brother, grimly, signaling that she too, could feel the draw of the House of Hades.
"Since Hazel and I are children of Hades, or Pluto if you're Roman, we should lead the way. Not only did I promise Percy before he let go, that I would lead you guys to the Doors of Death, but we will be able to control the Underworld guards better than you guys could if you were leading. Furthermore, I can raise the dead to help us if necessary though it would drain my strength, but Hazel can do her new jewel trick and chuck a bunch of precious metals at enemies without even breaking a sweat.
"The next order of business is how the Hunters and Thalia fit into this. Thalia, what do you think?"
"We Hunters will aid you until you tell us to do differently, and I speak for every Hunter of Artemis," promised Thalia.
"Very well, thank you. I think though the final task will be done by the Seven Demigods of the Prophecy, and as we aren't part of it, we won't be in that. However, I do think we will greatly be needed by our friends in the battle," said Nico.
"Well-spoken for someone so young, but our next item on the list is again back to Percy. It's about his best quality which is also his fatal flaw, his loyalty," declared Thalia.
"I know, I have been thinking of this for a long time. We know Percy is going to try to sacrifice himself to close the Doors of Death to save us and/or Annabeth from doing it, because the Doors have to be sealed on both sides. So we have to agree on something, not only for ours and Percy's and Annabeth's sake, but also to keep our promise to the gods, mostly Poseidon. We swore on the River Styx that we would protect and save Percy, and I have a feeling we would have one heck of a storm to deal with if the god of storms and earthquakes thought we broke our oath by letting his son seal himself in Tartarus," thought Nico.
"That's it!" Frank suddenly cried. "Maybe our oath to protect and save Percy is the oath to keep with a final breath! So this means that no matter what, we have to rescue Percy and Annabeth from Tartarus!"
Everyone seemed to be content with this, even if this wasn't the oath the prophecy referred to, it still meant saving their friends from that awful abyss.
"Wait Nico, what is near the Doors of Death? Think! Imagine it in your mind; you too, Hazel!" suddenly ordered Jason.
At the same time, Nico and Hazel responded with "A lake, or more accurately an ocean where all those rivers meet and flow in and out of. Also there are several volcanos surrounding the ocean, which are currently very active with lava. Why do you need to know this though, Jason?"
"Nothing, it was just a thought; I just pray I'm wrong with what this could mean in the future," Jason mysteriously responded, declaring the matter closed with an intimidating look to everyone.
"Alright, I think that's enough for one day. Jason, can I have a word with you?" proclaimed Piper.
With that, everyone stood up and stretched, satisfied at what they had accomplished and learned in this meeting. Except Piper and Jason, who was being dragged by his girlfriend to the stables, because all the other rooms were currently occupied.
"Jason, I felt my knife twitching and glowing back there, which is why I wanted the meeting to be adjourned because I know it's trying to show me something and I want you to see it too," proclaimed Piper.
After she had finished her last sentence, Piper pulled out her oracle knife, which actually used to belong to Helen of Troy. Instantly, an image formed on the knife, playing a scene like a movie on it.
On the knife, Jason and Piper saw the Romans planning an attack on the Greeks, and were gathered in a huddle with Octavian leading the discussion. Unlike other visions, this time the knife played sound so they could actually hear what the Romans and Octavian were planning.
"Alright everyone, in a week we commence the first battle on Camp Half-Blood, our enemies for eternity. I want each and every one of you to kill or maim as many Greeks as you can, they deserve it, don't think anything differently. But most importantly, I want you to find the traitor, Percy Jackson. I wish for someone to capture him, hurt him in the most painful ways possible, and then bring him back to me to be executed the proper Roman way that we do to traitors.
"Perseus swore on his life that the Greeks were to be trusted, and then they attack us, so we hold Percy Jackson responsible for this, and he will pay! I have seen in the prophecies that the gods favor us in this battle, so we will be victorious against our enemies!" claimed Octavian.
"Wait, Octavian! Don't you think we should hear the Greeks, and Percy, out first?" frantically inputted Reyna, to try to diffuse the situation.
"Reyna, the Greeks fired their weapons at us for no reason at all; they do not deserve a chance to try to lie and excuse their actions. Now I need to rest and consult the gods," calmly responded Octavian to his fellow Praetor.
With that, Octavian strode out of the battle circle, past Reyna who looked like she wanted to throttle him, into Central Park like the whole world was his to command. After Octavian had walked a good distance into an old deserted camp site, he spoke to someone Piper and Jason couldn't see in the knife,
"I have done as you have ordered, your Highness. The foolish Romans are going to hunt down Percy Jackson and bring him to me," said Octavian to a figure that was just now coming into view, and who it was nearly made Piper drop the knife in shock.
"Very good, my young assistant, you will be rewarded greatly for your servitude to me. If Percy Jackson and that girl even do manage to escape their current predicament, and come here to aid their camp, they will be hunted down and captured once again!" cackled Gaea, in her sleeping dirt woman form.
"Anything to help, now I have to leave you again or my fellow worthless Praetor, Reyna, will come looking."
As Gaea sank back into the earth once again, a new form appeared from behind the trees.
"Are you Octavian, the Roman oracle?" asked this new person.
"Yes, and who might you be?" answered Octavian, clearly suspicious but also scared on how much this girl might have overheard or seen of his conversation with Gaea.
"I am Rachael Elizabeth Dare, the Greek oracle, though I am mortal. But I can tell you do not possess the Spirit of Delphi, you are a fraud!" exclaimed Rachael.
"No, I'm not! I am 3rd Roman generation, descending from Apollo, god of prophecies! So I am mostly certainly more of an oracle than you, a mere mortal!" defended Octavian.
"Have you ever made or spoken a prophecy?" demanded Rachael.
"Spoke a prophecy? Like read one and recited it?"
"See, this proves you are a fraud! I mean when the Spirit of Delphi possesses you, and you speak a prophecy for others!"
"Ridiculous! There is no such thing as being possessed!" scoffed Octavian
"I spoke the Prophecy of Seven! Do you even know it?"
"Of course, I read it in the signs from the gods."
"Then how do I know it goes like:
Seven half-bloods shall answer the call
To storm of fire, the world must fall
An oath to keep with a final breath
And foes shall bear arms to the Doors of Death," recited Rachael.
"You must have heard it from the traitor, Percy Jackson!" cried Octavian, desperate to prove this girl wasn't telling the truth of being a true oracle.
"I haven't seen Percy in 8 months, since Hera kidnapped him in the middle of the night and wipe his memory and dumped him with you Romans! So how would I have heard it?"
"Liar! I am done talking, I do not speak with people who lie!"
"Fine, I'm leaving anyway! But know this Octavian, you are a fraud and coward who is desperate for any kind of power. You will do anything to make yourself important, and you are up to something and I will find out what that is," promised Rachael, and spun on her heel and stormed off back to Camp Half-Blood.
After that scene, the image dissolved into nothing on the knife and Jason and Piper were left standing there shocked at what they had just seen. They probably would have stayed that way forever if Nico hadn't appeared at the door and entered into the room, completely oblivious to what had just been seen and witnessed.
"Guys, you have to see this! We have arrived in Greece, and we're not that far from Sparta and the House of Hades!"