Ch.35
It's been a week since Percy got back from the quest and right now they're discussing when they can make their move against the giants. All the necessities needed to fight the war have been finish and the preparations are almost complete. Frank have finish training the demigods to work together and are about to separate the army of demigods into seven Legions. Leo just finish making the armor and the weapons to fight the war with the help of the cyclopes lead by Percy's brother Tyson. The construction are complete and Olympus is livable again courtesy of Annabeth. The defense are complete and ready to take on anyone who dare to invade. The only left thing to do is to decide when to move out but to decide that they needed the information Thalia have gathered about the location of the enemies. Which arrive strap to a leg of an eagle.
In the middle of the round table is an holographic map of Greece with a blue dot on their location.
As, in charge of Information about the enemies, Percy stood up addressing everyone.
"According to Thalia's messages, the Giants forces are spread across Greece and apparently they're making bases with army of monsters in them"
"Bases, you mean like castles and stuff?" Leo ask
Percy nodded and took out a paper containing the message, he read the locations of the known bases in Greece
"According to them there are two in Macedonia, one in Thrace, two in Epirus, one in Thessaly, three in Central Greece, one in Attica, one in Euboea and three in Peloponnese. There might be some more and the Giants could be anywhere on those bases" Percy sat down and pass the message to her right and Annabeth read it through. After reading it she pass it to the next person.
All of them thought silently about the new development. They're more spread out than they thought and they didn't think they would make bases.
"Going back and forth between those places and Olympus will be a waste of energy and time" Piper said grimly
Everyone agree
They stayed silent for a while thinking of a better way to quickly eliminate them and without going back to Olympus after destroying one base.
"I have an idea which will solve that and our transportation problem" Annabeth announced and stood up
"What do you propose we're gonna do?" Hazel ask
"I suggest we divide Greece into seven territories, each one of us will be given one and we will make our own bases. Our job will be destroying the bases that the Giants have built in our given area" she pause and waited for their opinion, she could see them thinking about her idea. She continued on "If we make our own bases, we don't have to worry about transportation and we are more coordinate than the original idea of attacking the enemy from Olympus"
"who's gonna stay here and defend?" Frank ask
"The nature spirits and the satyrs along with the Cyclopes who are finishing the automans"
Leo have finish designing the automans and they've built about three of them. Each of those automans are design in the image of the Olympian gods, place on the side of the streets of Olympus going up to the throne room.
"How about Communications? We haven't found the Rainbow Goddess to relay our messages" Piper ask
"It might be slow but we still have bird messaging and with this we have high chance of finding her, she must be kept on one of those bases" Annabeth reply
They would have use modern technology for that but Gaea might discover their location and send an ambush so they have no choice but to stick with bird message.
"Those who agree?" Jason called
Everyone raise their hands
"Very well let's start"
It took them another two days to decide who got what, in those two days no one have seen them leave their house or caught sight of them. The seven never even left the room, the only way they got to eat was because of the Nymphs who left food outside the door of the meeting room.
The Nymphs that went into the house carrying food for them could hear yelling in the room, at one time the whole house seems to shook.
After endless of arguing they have finally decided who goes where.
All of them slumped in their respective chair
"So its decided" Jason said
Everyone look tired, and ready to drop down.
"In the North, Frank will take Macedonia, and Hazel will take Thrace" Annabeth announced while rubbing her eyes "Leo will be in Thessaly and Piper is Epirus. Jason will take Central Greece and I will be in Attica and Euboea"
Annabeth look at Percy "And Finally Percy will take Peloponnese "
"all in favor?" Jason said
All of them raise their hands. Jason look around and said in a booming voice "Meeting Adjourned!"
a collective sigh run throughout the table. Leo touch his jaw "Hey guys, I think I have a beard"
Everyone look at him
"Those are chips, idiot" Piper said
they all laugh.
For the first time in two days, everyone saw the bright light of the sun and breath the fresh air of Mount Olympus. The guards that were assign to patrol Olympus look at them as they sat on the step in front of their house, they bow to them and continued on their duty. The armor they wore were the first batch Leo finish.
The guards wore a silver spartan helmet without the hair on top, silver plated body armor with the new crest of the Demigods in the stomach but without the mark of their parents, silver greaves and shoes that has wings design at the side and finally silver arm guard. The equipment they wore are made out of steel gain with the help of Hazel. The guards hold shield and spear on their hands, then a sword is strap in their belt.
"In about four days, it will be January" Jason said
"The day, the three year war with Gaea starts" Percy said as he lie down on the stairs and look at the sky
"Should we finish the preparations?" Frank ask
Leo sniff himself "First I need a shower and food" he stood up and walk inside followed by everyone.
After they took a shower and eat, Jason and Piper called out a council meeting in the Justice building. People started calling it that since the Athena Parthenos stood outside. They will explain to everyone the plan while the others got back to their individual duties. Hazel check if the Hecate or Trivia children could strengthen the barrier, Frank have started dividing the Demigods along with Annabeth, Leo got back to his work at the forge. Percy followed Leo to the forge wanting to check on his brother and the thing he ask him to build
On the outside, the forge looks like the rest of the building in Olympus. Percy followed Leo inside and found himself in a store. On the right side of the wall is full of weapons and the left side is for Armors. Ahead of him is a counter with Nyssa behind it. Percy followed Leo as he slip at the back of the wall behind the counter. At the back there's a metal door and Leo open it. They both went inside and found themselves at the forging room. It was dark and hot as people forge weapons for the war, and the sound of metal colliding rang across the room. They both walk further and they pass people forging weapons. Percy wave at Jake as he pass by and the son of Hephaestus nod as he hit a red metal with a hammer.
At the end of the forge are the cyclops building the automans.
Percy saw Tyson working on a head that looks like Ares.
"Tyson!" He shouted
The cyclopes looks behind him and a big smile spread across his face. He drop what looks like a big screw and run towards him.
Tyson gave him a big hug that almost crush his ribs. Tyson told him how smoothly their building the automans and they should be finish in about two weeks. Percy told him to get back to work and walk back to Leo's side.
They both stood watching them work
"Are you finally gonna let me take a look at your creepy sword?" Leo ask him
Percy chuckled "No"
"Where did you get it anyway?"
"I told you, I found it lying around Circe's island while I was looking for the compass" Percy reply
"You've been secretive since you got back to Tartarus you know"
"That's because the secrets I hold needs to remain hidden"
Leo stayed silent at that and continue on observing the Forges until finally he said the thing he had known for a month now.
"Does that include your affair with Piper?" he ask quietly
Leo waited for his answer, then look at him "You don't seem surprise I found out"
Percy shook his head "You're her bestfriend, I'll be more surprise if you didn't"
Leo nodded "I saw the way you two look at each other, at first I thought it was just my imagination but one night I saw you two sneaking out of the house and I followed you"
He look at the shell that use to be Percy Jackson. He might haven't known him a long time but he could see how much he has change, he just doesn't know if its in a good way or a bad way.
"What happen to you guys in there?" he ask
"Things that would make you kill yourself not to experience" He reply, a sad look came to his eyes "Did you know my parents are dead?"
Leo look at him in confusion "That's impossible, Annabeth just saw them before we-"
"pick us up at New Rome" Percy look at him with sad eyes but no tears are coming out "They're dead Leo"
Leo look down "I'm sorry for your lost" they've been so busy preparing for the war, they've forgotten what's going on in the mortal world.
"Nobody knows they're dead but the Gods" the sadness in his eyes disappear replace by coldness and He glared down on him "You ask what happen to us? Do you really wanna know how they tortured and heal us over and over again? and How they make me watch as my parents burn to death?" On each sentence Leo step back and Percy step forward.
Percy glared down on him as if he wants to rip him apart then suddenly as if realizing what he's doing, Percy straighten himself and cleared his throat. He look away from Leo
They stayed silent for a few minutes watching the cyclopes attach Ares's head into a body without limbs
"I'm sorry about my outburst" he said
"No, its okay. I'm sorry about you parents" he said sadly
"Are you gonna tell Jason?" he ask
"I understand why you won't tell them, so I have no choice but to stay silent" Leo understood the necessity of them being united "but that doesn't mean I approve"
"Thanks" He said gratefully
Leo sigh "Let's leave that issue and get back to business"
He walk toward another metal door and walk inside. the room is bright and the white walls are full of paper that have designs in them. At the end of the room is a desk where Leo draw his designs and decide what needs to be build. He walk towards it and showed him a large paper that was spread across the desk.
He held it in front of Percy "What do you think?" he ask
Percy examine the design of the armor for his dragon, and he nodded "I like it"
Leo rolled the paper "Good, I can start forging the armor immediately and I should be finish by the time we move out, also"
Jason and Piper walk towards the justice building. They pass the temple for Bellona, Mars, Artemis, and Apollo on the way. Annabeth did a marvelous job designing everything, the place looks like a combination of Greeks and Romans architecture. They pass demigods heading towards their training and people who takes art class, they carve out the gods from a marble. Satyrs playing their pipes on the gardens. they saw what looks like Roman teaching a Greek swords technique under a tree, all in all it was a peaceful day in Olympus.
Piper saw some of her siblings picking apple on one of the gardens, they wave and she smiles at them. As Jason stare at her, he thought of how beautiful she is, then he remembered something and he frowned.
"What's wrong?" Piper ask
Jason look away, he promised that he wouldn't be jealous anymore and yet here he is again feeling envy
"It's nothing" he reply
Piper stop and grab his shoulder. He refuse to meet her eyes, knowing he'll crave in immediately.
"Tell me what's wrong?" she said gently
Jason sigh "I notice, you gave you're feather to Percy"
she raised an eyebrow and then sigh "Before, we fall into Tartarus, Percy said something to me, he said that I will see you again"
Jason look at her beautiful eyes, she put her hand on his cheek
"The thought of being together with you again kept me going in Tartarus and Percy always reminded me that you're waiting for me. I gave him that feather to remind him that we're all waiting for him"
Jason shut his eyes tightly, he hated himself for being jealous of the guy who brought the love of his life back but he can't help himself
"I'm sorry for being jealous, it won't happen again"
Piper chuckled "It's okay to be jealous, its just mean you love me"
He smiled
she kiss him "I love you Jason"
"I love you too"
Piper took his hand "Now come on, we better get going"
They pass the Athena Parthenos and walk inside the Justice building. There are total of eight room on the building, seven on either wall where each of the seven take care of their respective duties such as taking complaints (Piper), Planning the training menu (Frank), designing the buildings that are need to be build, and thinking of a strategy (Annabeth) Listing Ideas of how to defend the city (Hazel) Thinking of a way to get the supplies they need such as food and other stuff (Jason)Gathering Information and thinking of a way to completely destroy the enemies until their just a pile of dust (Percy).
The final room is where the seven and the leaders of both camp have their meetings, in the meeting the seven will relay their plan and take on ideas to improve it. the Seven will also give their orders and the leader of the Camps will enforce them.
They both push the door that has the Athena Pathenos and the eagle of the legion carve in it. All the leaders of both camp are already seated. They make their way to their seat and sat down.
They lay out their plan then answer some question all day.
Jason jab at Percy multiple times and he sidestep to dodge, Jason slash and Percy jump back, then strike back and the Jason block the attack. They've been fighting for half an hour now while the other seven gather around them and watch. Just three days left before they head out and wage war against Gaea. They decided the demigods need breaks so they cancel all training and let them relax while they train in the coliseum.
"AAAAAH" Jason brought his sword down and Percy block then kick him on the stomach. Jason stumble back without taking his eyes off him. Percy charge and slash, Jason rolled forward dodging his blade and then tackled him as he come up. Percy fell back and Jason stab at him, he rolled to the side dodging it and then stood up. They circle around each other like Wolves ready to pounce at any moment.
"Come on guys, just finish the fight already" Leo complain, a Hammer on his hand.
Their blades cross again and again
Percy block his strike and then whirl, he was about to make a cut on his stomach when suddenly he glowed electric blue and Jason disappear in front of him with sparks of electricity, his blade past through. Percy frowned, and then he felt the cold touch of a metal on his neck.
Percy turn around and look at Jason, the Son of Jupiter put down his blade to his side.
"Dude that was freaking cool. Up top and Down low"
they both laugh and the others clap
"What else do you have?" Percy ask
Jason smiled "Watch this"
He raised his blade, and wind slowly gather around it and then Jason slash on one of the dummies at the corner. An arc of wind came out of the blade and cleanly cut the dummies from the distance.
The others clap "Wow"
Percy high five him "Nice"
"I got one more" He said
He stab his sword into the grown and prepare himself. He held his hand to one of the dummies and he closed his eyes.
The others waited in silence.
Lightning started flicker on Jason's arm, then travel to his palm. Jason's eyebrow scrunched up in concentration and sweat started to appear on his forehead. Lightning travel from his arms to the center of his palm then he open his eyes and they glowed with electric blue.
"AAAAAAH" Lightning shot out from his palm and hit the dummy.
Jason pant trying to catch his breath
"Yeah, Jason" Piper shout and he nodded weakly at her
"You okay bro? you look pale?" Percy ask
"I'm just not use to it, usually I use the sky" he said panting
Percy patted his back "Just keep using it"
Jason look at the dummy "It's a little bit weak though"
The others stood beside them "It'll get stronger" Hazel encouraged
Percy and Jason sat at the corner and watch Hazel Practice her power with all kind of weapons circle around her, Piper and Leo sparring, and Annabeth with Frank.
Hazel concentrated on a bronze sword in front of her with both of her hands held out. The sword slowly change shape into to a ring, a statue and small dragon that looks like Frank right now. She turn it back into a sword and let it fall to the ground. She closed her eyes and the weapons all around her started to levitate in the air. Hazel open her eyes and point all the weapons on five dummies that were line up. She swipe her hand and the weapons sail towards the dummies piercing them.
Piper dodge Leo's flaming hammer and then flick his forehead.
"Owww" He rub his forehead
Piper smirk at him "What's wrong?"
"Haven't you heard the word holding back?" he complain, Leo prepare himself again "I freaking hate that super strength of yours"
Piper laugh
Katopris is still strap on her waist. She wants to practice her hand to hand combat since she has super strength.
Piper lean to the right to dodge Leo's hammer, she could feel the heat of the fire. she gave him a spinning kick and he stumbled back barely dodging. If that kick actually hit, his head would be flying in the air. Leo open one of the pouch on his belt, the sphere on his golden cuff started to glow and then a small metal boomerang that has robotic red eye in the middle. Three more came out and flew around him. Leo made the Archimedes small and attach it to his cuff so that he doesn't have carry it on his hand. The metal boomerang turn to Piper, then one of them shoot out a laser on its eye barely missing Piper's cheek and it made a small explosion on the wall behind her.
Piper smiled
"Finally some challenge"
Leo smiled "a Demonstration perhaps?"
One of the Boomerang flew towards the dummies that are covered on Hazels weapons and it cut the heads of all the five dummies.
"I'm planning to make more but in different designs" he said proudly
Piper smirk
Her legs tense, then she jump and flew. She fall to the ground with a flying kick. Leo's eyes widened and jump back.
Piper landed
the ground shook a little and there's crack where she landed
The boomerang surrounded her, then attack. Piper four times somersaulted dodging all of them and when she landed on the last one, her legs tense and lunged. Easily reaching Leo from six feet away, Leo was so surprise he forgot to block her punch in the stomach. Piper made sure it was a weak punch but it will sitll hurt, and then she sweep his feet. He fall to the ground with a grunt and then she put her foot on his chest.
Leo groan "I give up"
Piper smirk and offer her hand
He took it, while rubbing his stomach. He glared at her "Couldn't you hold back?"
"I was holding back"
Annabeth and Frank circle each other.
Frank stab with his spear and she sidestep, then threw a knife at him. Frank lean to the right and the knife pass through, he turn back to Annabeth and she was already in front of him. She slash and he lean back. He jump back and slash down, then stab. Annabeth dodge them all, then she rolled forward and stab with her dagger. Frank turn into a snake and coiled on Annabeth's arm. Frank slither toward her head, she caught him by the head with her free arm and threw him aside. She took out three knife and threw them at the slithering snake, Frank dodge them all and then turn into a bear. Frank jab at her, then she caught his arm, and wrap herself around his arm, then she hook his head on her leg and shift her weight. Frank fall to the ground hard. Annabeth let go of his hairy arms and stood up. Frank turn back to himself groaning.
Annabeth smiled down on him "How are you doing big guy?"
Frank gave her two thumbs up, then stood up.
"Hey guys, its lunch time" Percy announce
"Yes!" Leo shouted excitedly
They decided to have picnic on one of the gardens that wasn't use for growing fruits. They spread a big blue blanket and sat down. Leo attack the sandwich. Percy lay down and his head on Annabeth's lap while she play with his hair. Piper lean back on Jason's chest and eat strawberries. Frank and Hazel lean on each other's shoulder and watch two birds on one of the trees.
"This is nice" Frank said
Everyone agreed with him
Percy sat up "Hey! I just had a great idea"
He look at everyone excitedly "We should meet back here on Olympus once a month!"
Jason smiled "Yeah, I think that's a great idea"
Everyone agreed and decided to meet back here every month. Annabeth pull Percy and lay his head back to her lap. Each of them know this might be the last time they could relax and they want to enjoy it to the fullest.
It's just one day left before they head out, Annabeth and Frank have finish dividing the demigods. The seven met their army separately and address them. Percy stood in front of his army on the coliseum. Just like he ordered, Frank gave him the weakest demigods in the whole force. They stood in line and look at Percy nervously. Standing before them is the legendary Hero who have slew many monsters and have fought Gods, and Titans.
He spoke in a loud and proud voice "for those of you who don't know me, I'm Percy Jackson and I am your commander" he pause to let them chew what he said "you are under my command because you are the weakest demigods in the whole Army of the Gods" he could see disappointment in their face "for that reason I pick you to be my army" they all look at him with surprise faces "I pick you because you know what it feels like to be weak, what it feels to be powerless and you will do anything not to feel this way again" He pause again "because of that I believe you have the will to become strong, you have what it takes to survive" He took a step forward
"Who here wants to be strong?"
the demigods look around them
"I WILL ASK AGAIN, WHO HERE WANTS TO BECOME STRONGER?" he yelled
"I DO SIR" a blond girl said to him, Percy look at her and smile, and one by one all the demigods follow her
"From now on I will train you and I'm not gonna lie, it will be hard so those of you who wants to back out, feel free to leave" He look around and waited but no one move from their spot.
a wicked smiled appear on his face
"by the time I'm done with you. You will be the strongest army of demigods the world have ever seen"
"Did you really have to give her a romantic date?" Piper ask Percy
They sat on the on their usual spot.
"It's not like I had a choice, I have to pretend I'm good boyfriend remember?" He reply
Later that night, Percy have given Annabeth a romantic date with the help of Hazel and Frank. They decorated the Garden where they had a picnic, they had a delicious dinner and dance around.
Percy grab her hand and look at her with concern "Are you gonna be okay?"
Piper nodded and gave him reassuring look
"Just don't push yourselves too much okay?
She smiled at him "Yeah, yeah"
They both lean at each other's shoulder, and enjoy the last moment of peace they have left because starting tomorrow the long awaited war against the Earth itself starts.
On a large clearing at the very edge of Olympus stood seven stand with four step line up together and behind those stand are each of the Seven Warlord of Olympus armies. Wearing the steel plated silver armor and in front of each of the army are seven vertical flags. The color of the flags are red, electric blue, fiery orange, gray, brown, black, and sea green, in the middle of the flags are the symbol of seven.
From the back enter the seven. They all wore golden armor with their symbols on the stomach, arm guard, greaves and capes with their colors and marks.
They reach the stands and simultaneously took the step of the stairs. They reach the middle of the stands and fell in one knee at the same time. Their army followed suit and kneel in front of the gods in all their glory.
Zeus nodded at them then they all stood up and turn to their army at the same time. All of them drew their weapons and raise them in the air and shouted.
"FOR OLYMPUS"
Their army drew their weapons and raise them in the air
"FOR THE GODS"
Sneak Peek:
Percy's eyes fluttered as he slowly waken, he stare at the red ceiling trying to process where he was then he remembered what happen. His eyes widened in alarm, he tried to get up but he couldn't move his body, he tried to move his feet, his hands and his head nothing happen.
"Calm down" someone from his right side
He tried to move his head again and still nothing.
"Don't worry, I'm not gonna hurt you" the man said
the voice sounded familiar to Percy but he couldn't put where he have heard it before.
"If I was a moment too late you would've surely die and then I'm gonna have wait years for you to reborn again"
The man came to his vision and he look down on him, it was Erebus the Primordial of Darkness.
Percy's eyes widened
"I see you recognize me, I'm glad"
He disappeared from his view "I know you can't move your body right now but when you recover your strength you're be able to move again"
He felt his hands touch his head and Erebus turn it on right so that he could see him.
"You must be wondering why I'm helping you" he said
He might not be able to move his body but his eyes scream "Yes"
Erebus nodded "Very well I will tell you why or rather I will remind you why"
Erebus touch Percy's forehead with two of his fingers, the moment they touch his skin, his forehead glowed in a bright white light. Percy's eyes widened again and they become cloudy white. Erebus continued on touching his forehead until the bright light disappeared. He pull his fingers back to his side but Percy's eyes remind cloudy white.
"Welcome back Percy Jackson"
The side of his mouth tug to the side struggling to move until,
A wicked smile spread across Percy's face
Erebus smiled back
"Or should I say Ouronos, My Brother"
I'm sorry if the chapter is a little bit rush, and the design of the armors will come out later.