Percy, Chapter 21
Percy collapsed from exhaustion but managed to keep his eyes open. He saw that Annabeth's limp body was being carried to the infirmary on a limp stretcher. She seemed ok though, because she was twitching and moaning in her sleep. How she had done… what she'd done was still a mystery to Percy, and he planned to figure it out soon.
"C'mon Percy, we should go get some sleep," Hazel urged from behind him. "We were woken up in the middle of the night to fight, we really need to take a long rest." Percy nodded sleepily, and pushed himself up, suddenly realizing just how tired he was. If it weren't for Frank fantasizing how nice it would be to be in bed out loud, he would have collapsed right then and there.
"And it'll we so warm, with a blanket," Frank sighed. "And then we won't have to do anything, just close our eyes and-"
"Yes, that's enough Frank," Hazel cut off. They'd reached the cabins, and came to a stop.
"Well, g'night guys," Percy yawned, and trudged into his cabin. He found Tyson snoring on one of the bunks. Percy was about to climb into his bed when he heard muttering coming from the corner of the room. He turned to find Ella, perched near the fountain, mumbling to herself.
"Ella?" Percy called quietly. The red-feathered harpy looked up at him. "Um, just in case you want any books I'm sure the Athena cabin won't mind lending you some." The harpy jumped up, and fluttered outside, obviously excited that she would get to read some new books.
"Finally," Percy murmured to himself, and climbed into bed, not bothering to change. Hs eyes shut themselves, and even though Percy tried, they refused to open. He was asleep within moments.
"Perseus Jackson!" an evil, ancient voice cackled.
"Gaea." Percy let out an exasperated sigh. "Can't you just leave me alone?" Gaea laughed again.
"Very well Perseus, I shall leave you alone." The dark cave around him crumbled, and his eyes were temporarily filled with a blinding light. He felt Riptide in his hand, and soft wet grass by his feet, but it took him a moment to realize that there was an army of giants charging at him. He swung his bronze blade at the nearest one. He roared in pain, but within moments was fully healed again.
And on this went, Percy doing his best to fend off the attackers, but it was only a few moments before a particularly revolting giant pushed him to the ground. He struggled to get up, but the giant just pinned all of his limbs to the ground. Another giant held Riptide in his hand, and prepared to drive the blade into his stomach.
Percy began to scream, feeling that if he was killed in this dream, this very realistic dream where he could use all 6 senses, and think clearly, he would die in reality. There was an extremely loud ringing in his ears, and his eyesight grew blurry. He inhaled sharply, before-
"Brother, wake up!" Large hands shock Percy awake, and he jolted up, breathing heavily.
"Tyson hear Percy screaming," Tyson informed Percy worriedly. "Ella said nightmares."
"Nightmares not good," Ella chirped, fluttering about the cabin. "Ella doesn't like nightmares. Ella doesn't like cheese. Cheese is the fifth element. 'How to tame five essential elements of the universe-earth, air, water, fire, and cheese!' The Kane chronicles, Rick Riordan, page 231." Tyson clapped after Ella recited hr quote. Percy gave her a weird look.
"Cheese? The fifth element?" he questioned. He shook his head. "Never mind, it's about time for breakfast, and I'm starved. Let's go!"
The three stomped, fluttered, or walked out of the Poseidon cabin and proceeded to the dining hall. There was a surprisingly small amount of demigods there, most in the infirmary, or in their cabins, resting and healing. Percy sat down with Tyson at his usual table, and was surprised when Annabeth joined him.
'"You're already better?" he gaped. "And why are you sitting, here?"
"Well Seaweed Brain," Annabeth began, "I was knocked out for a few hours, but I'm better now, except for my sprained ankle." She pointed at her right leg, which was now bandaged up. A pair of crutches rested against the bench beside her. "Anyhow, everyone's just sitting at random tables, so I thought I'd join you." Percy smiled and took her hand under the table.
"Hellooooooooo!" Leo greeted and he plopped down next to Tyson. "We have a counselor meeting at 10 and-ooh, is that French toast?" Leo pointed at the food on Percy's plate. The son of Poseidon nodded unsurely. Annabeth sighed.
"Counselor meeting at 10, and?" she prompted the easily distracted boy sitting across from her.
"You guys should get any Romans you think should come to come," Leo finished. "And where can I get some of this delicious French toast?" Percy realized that Leo had taken a strip of his favorite camp breakfast meal, and became a bit annoyed. He stood up to scold Leo, when the son of Hephaestus' eyes lit up.
"Over there!" he shouted joyfully, and scampered over to where an unsuspecting draiad was filling plates.
"Why don't you get Hazel and Frank?" Annabeth suggested. "I'll inform Reyna 'bout the meeting and she can bring whoever she thinks should be there." Percy nodded, and got up to go retrieve the two Romans, who he had seen leave the dining pavilion not to long ago.