Mask Of Pain
Chapter 38
Percy's POV
Percy blinked, his eyes slowly opened as Nico's voice became louder and louder, waking him up from what felt like a short nap. He sat in the back of the van with Nico while Thalia drove and Will sat in the passenger seat. It had been a full week since they escaped from Nico's father's base and they were laying low.
The reason they did was because they wanted to hunt down the thief themselves. They couldn't go to Thalia's camp because she disobeyed a direct order from her mistress and they couldn't go to Percy's base because there probably was a mole.
"Percy, wake up!" Nico shook Percy awake. The raven haired boy blinked his eyes open repeatedly once more as the van came to a stop. Nico opened the back doors and stepped out into the night.
Percy crawled out of the van, and stretched his aching limbs as he stood up straight for the first time in hours. He had changed from his black prisoner uniform into some more appropriate clothing. He wore a leather-sleeved denim jacket equipped with a grey hood, over a grey t-shirt with black cargo pants and brown ankle high sneakers. (Here's the link: percys_outfit/set?id=210189941 )
He looked around and saw that they had parked on a hill overlooking a manor, some three hundred feet away. Nico had a pair of binoculars out and was currently spying on the illuminated building at the edge of the hill.
The sudden sound of the passenger door shutting stirred Percy from his daydream. He looked at Thalia who joined Nico. Percy nearly jumped when he felt a hand touch his shoulder. He looked at who it belonged to; Will.
"You okay man?" the blonde haired boy asked and he looked down at his leg. "Your leg seems to have healed quite nicely."
Percy nodded as the two walked towards Nico and Thalia. "Yeah, that's some nice work Will. Thanks."
Will shook his head. "Anytime, man."
Percy stood next to Thalia, who stood next to her cousin on his right. Nico was still looking through his binoculars. Percy looked in the direction of the manor. He couldn't make out much of it from where they stood, other than a small road that reached a metal gate and a small round about in front of the manor that had Greek style architecture.
"So," Thalia started. "How many men can you make out?"
"Hmm. It's manageable," Nico said passing the binoculars at Thalia who put them to her eyes to see. "I count maybe a dozen security guards outside, and I only count three inside, but those are just the one I can make out from the window. We need to get closer if we want to know the exactl numbers."
"It's certainly well-guarded," Thalia said. "The security guards look like professionals with submachine guns and even bullet proof vests."
"Well they're not exactly guarding anyone," Percy said. "I'm surprised there isn't even a tank as protection."
"A tank?" Will asked. "Who are we after again?"
"Ares," Nico answered as Thalia gave Percy the binoculars. "He's the chief of about ninety percent of the guns in the world. He basically makes money out of war."
"Sheesh."
Percy looked through the binoculars and zoomed in on the manor. On either side of the metal gate there were two armed guards that looked like they had done a few tours in the army. Thalia was right; they had submachine guns and bulletproof vests under their black and white suits. Percy focused on the manor where he found two more security guards next to the entrance and two more with vicious looking dogs as they walked around the garden. The manor itself was square shaped and all the rooms were illuminated.
Percy gave the binoculars to Will. "I think I can get passed the security guards and inside unnoticed, but I'm gonna need to know exactly where the security guards are inside."
Nico nodded. "I think I've an idea, but…"
They all looked at him questioningly. "But..?" Percy asked.
Nico turned to look straight into Percy's eyes. Percy didn't like the look he had in those black eyes of his. They reminded Percy of his father's that were full of madness.
"You're not going to like it…"
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"I can't believe I'm going to do this," Percy said disbelievingly as from where he sat in the tree that overlooked the walls around the Manor. "I prefer my plan."
"I told you that you wouldn't like it." Percy heard Nico's voice in his ear. Percy used Nico's binoculars to look around the garden. There were several lights scattered around the garden that illuminated the passing security guard with dog. Percy really did not like those dogs.
"Don't complain that much Percy," Thalia's voice came into Percy's earpiece. "At least you don't have to distract the vicious Rottweilers."
"I love Rottweilers!" Will's voice destroyed Percy's hearing in his right ear making all three groan in pain.
"Will!"
"Sorry!"
The three of them sighed. "All right, Thalia, whenever you're ready-"
Suddenly Percy saw the Rottweiler run off sending the security guard flying off as the dog ran at the other side of the garden and Percy heard the men yelling their orders. The plan was set in motion.
Percy quickly put the binoculars in the black sling bag on his back. Percy readjusted his grey hood on his head before he jumped down from the tree and on the ground. Percy quickly jumped onto the wall and quickly flipped over, landing with a roll on the other side. Percy made his way around the garden in a crouched position as to avoid detection, he stuck to the shadows.
Percy hid behind a small wall that stood in between two staircases. Percy saw a security guard standing at the top of the stone stairs with his back turned to Percy.
Percy pulled a sling shot out of his pocket and a Taser from his sling bag. He twisted the sling shot before throwing it. The sling shot whirled around the security guard's legs and with a powerful pull from Percy, the man's legs flew backwards. The man lost his footing, and his face collided with the last stone step knocking him out instantly.
Percy quickly sprinted up the stairs. He then came face to face with two other security guards who heard what happened. Percy quickly brought up his Taser and quickly took out the first man shook violently, as electricity shot through his system. The second guard had just enough time to just bring his submachine gun up, before Percy quickly knocked him out with the Taser too.
Percy carried on towards the entrance. Percy hid behind a bush so he could check out the entrance. He could see two guards in front of the fountain. Percy pulled out two tennis sized metallic balls from the sling bag. He rolled one of them on the floor, towards the two security guards.
One of the men looked at it with suspicion, while the other pointed his submachine gun at it. The security guard who stood nearest, grabbed it. Nothing happened and he looked at the other security guard with a frown.
Suddenly the ball exploded with a small flash that blinded both men. Percy casually stepped out from behind the bush and threw the second ball that exploded in electricity upon contact with the water from the fountain, and both men fell on the floor shaking.
Percy walked past the limp bodies to the double doors. Percy turned the handle and the double doors opened. He stepped into the entrance. There was a wooden staircase on either side was leading to the first floor. Percy saw a woman past out on the table, a few feet in front of him.
"Alright, guys I'm in-" suddenly alarms bleared out and in a matter of seconds, four heavily armed guards came into the room with their customized assault guns pointed at Percy.
Percy sighed before lifting his hands up to surrender. "Okay guys, you've got me…"
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Percy was pushed roughly inside a basketball sized room by one of the armed guards. Percy pulled his hood down as he looked around the room and he whistled impressed. The walls were covered in painting of war scenes, with a big painting that covered the ceiling of a big battlefield. There were huge windows on the left side, with huge red curtains. The floor was covered in dark wood paneling, upon which laid a huge carpet picturing yet another battlefield.
Percy's eyes landed on the chair on the other side of the room that was turned with its back to him. It was right in front of the huge fireplace. The bright fire was the only source of light or sound in the room as it occasionally crackled. Percy looked back at the armed guard behind him and was confused as to why they didn't have their guns pointing at him or even why they brought him here in the first place.
"Leave us!" The loud voice echoed through the huge room. Instantly the armed men left the room, closing the wooden doors behind them. Percy looked at the chair from which the voice came from.
The man stood up and turned to face Percy and his suspicion was right; it was Ares.
Ares was a huge muscular man with handsome features, but in a cruel and brutal way, with knife scarred cheeks and oily black crew cut. He wore black jeans, combat boots and a red muscle shirt under a black leather bike jacket that were easily XXXL. Percy also noticed a large hunting knife strapped to his thigh.
"Hey, kid," Ares said, seeming genuinely pleased to see Percy. "You were supposed to die."
"You tricked me," Percy said. "You stole the helm and the master bolt."
Ares grinned. "Well, now, I didn't steal them personally. Members of the council, going for each other's symbols of power- that's a big no-no. But you're not the only spy in the world who can run errands."
"Who did you use?"
"Doesn't matter," Ares said. "The point is, kid, you're impending the war effort. See, you needed to die in Pluto's base. Then your father will be mad at Pluto for killing you, then Jupiter would have seized that moment for himself."
He snapped his fingers and the double doors behind Percy opened and two security guards came in, carrying a midnight black armor Percy recognized. "The helm of darkness…"
"Exactly," Ares said. "Now where was I? Oh yeah, Pluto will be mad at both Jupiter and Neptune, because he doesn't know who took this. Pretty soon, we got a nice little three-way slugfest going."
"But," Percy reasoned. "Aren't they your family?"
Ares shrugged. "Best kind of war. Always the bloodiest. Nothing like watching your relatives fight, I always say."
"So you also have the master bolt, I presume."
"Yes and no," Ares said. "It's too complicated for you to understand, but at the moment I don't have it no."
"Why didn't you just keep the master bolt for yourself?" Percy asked. "Why send it to someone else?"
Ares got a twitch in his jaw. For a moment, it was almost as if he were listening to another voice. "Why didn't I… yeah… with that kind of firepower…"
He held the trance for several seconds making Percy nervous before his face cleared. "I didn't want the trouble."
"You're lying," Percy said. "Sending the bolt elsewhere wasn't your idea, was it?"
"Of course it was!"
"You didn't order the theft," Percy guessed. "Someone else sent a spy to steal the two items. Then, when Jupiter sent you to hunt him down, you caught the thief. But you didn't turn him over to Jupiter. Something convinced you to let him go."
"I am lord chief of war! I take orders from no one! I don't have hallucinations!"
Percy hesitated. "Who said anything about hallucinations?"
Ares looked agitated, but he tried to cover it with a smirk. "Let's get back to the problem at hand, kid," he said. "You're alive. I can't let you leave alive. So I've got to kill you. Nothing personal."
Ares snapped his fingers and the armed men behind Percy brought threw a gun and a sword at Percy's feet. "So," Ares said. "How would you like to die? Classic or modern?"
Percy looked down at the weapons on the floor and made a quick decision. He picked up the sword and gave a few twists before he pointed it to Ares.
"That's cool, dead boy," Ares said. "Classic it is."
The armed man behind Percy brought a huge two handed sword to Ares who took hold of it with both hands. The hilt was a large silver skull with a ruby in its mouth.
Ares came towards Percy. "I've been fighting ever since I could walk, long before you were born. My strength is unparalleled. What have you got?"
A smaller ego, Percy thought, but he didn't say anything. Percy spread his feet apart in a fighting stance. Percy knew that Ares wasn't like anyone Percy faced. Percy thought back to what Annabeth had said to him at the snow park, so long ago. A brute has strength. That's all he has. Even strength has to bow to wisdom sometimes.
Ares cleaved downward at Percy's head, but he wasn't there. Percy's body thought for him. His feet guided him to the side slashing at his side, but Ares was just as quick. He twisted and the strike that should've caught him directly in the spine was deflected off the end of his sword hilt.
Ares grinned. "Not bad, not bad."
He slashed again and Percy was forced on defense. Percy tried to side step, but he outmaneuvered him, pressing so hard Percy had to use some of his 'super strength' as to not get sliced to pieces. Percy kept backing away and couldn't find any openings to attack. Ares' sword had a greater reach than Percy's sword.
Get in close, Luke had told Percy once, back in their sword class. When you've got the shorter blade, get in close.
Percy stepped inside with a thrust, but Ares was waiting for that. He knocked Percy's blade out of his hands and kicked Percy in the chest. Percy went airborne for several seconds before his back hit the wall hard. He landed to the floor with thud!
Percy was seeing double. His chest felt like he had just been hit with a battering ram, but he managed to get to his feet. Percy let out a breath as he looked at Ares who looked breathless.
"Admit it, kid," Ares said. "You got no hope. I'm just toying with you."
Suddenly the huge windows exploded in millions piece of glasses as two people swung inside and landed with a roll. Percy grinned as he recognized Thalia and Nico. They smiled at Percy before they jumped towards the guards.
Ares used the distraction to get Percy by surprise, but it didn't work as Percy rolled one side as Ares' blade slashed the wooden wall Percy stood seconds ago. Percy ran for his sword, scooped it up and launched a swipe to Ares' face who didn't have time to deflect it. He sneered at the red cut that crossed his cheek.
Percy grinned at him before he twisted the blade in his hands and waited for Ares. In the corner of his eyes, he saw Nico and Thalia quickly taking down the armed guards at the doors.
Ares roared with laughter. "Now, kid. Let's end this!"
He slashed. Percy deflected his blade and got in close enough to strike, tried to fake him out with a feint, but his blow was knocked aside.
"Percy!" Nico called to him and Percy managed to deflect Ares' strike and kick him hard in the chest before he turned to look at Nico who threw him another of those tennis sized metallic ball Percy used earlier. Percy caught it with one hand.
Percy quickly dodged Ares' strike before Percy closed his eyes and pressed the button on the metallic ball and it exploded in flash of white light. When the light disappeared, Percy saw Ares' eyes closed shut as he cursed.
Percy quickly feinted toward his head, as Percy had done before. He turned in time to raise his sword, but this time he was disoriented, he didn't anticipate the trick. Percy changed directions, lunged to the side and stabbed him deep in the leg. Ares screamed in pain and Percy quickly brought his hilt up and knocked him out with a powerful blow to his temple.
The huge muscular man fell backwards causing an earth shake on the floor. Percy stood over him, panting as he'd never had done before. His knees couldn't take it anymore and he fell backward to the floor, but he felt two people behind him straighten him back up. Percy grinned at Nico and Thalia who smiled back at him.
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Percy sat on the same hill they'd used prior to the mission. Percy felt the cold wind brush his face soothing him. Will and Nico were in the van discussing future plans. Thalia joined him and sat cross legged next to him as they overlooked the manor.
"You feeling alright?" Thalia asked. "That was one hell of a fight."
"Yeah," Percy said. "Just exhausted."
"No wonder," Thalia said. "I still can't believe you defeated him. You realize you just defeated Ares, right?"
Percy smiled at her and she smiled back. "Yeah, he was one tough guy."
Silence settled between them as they listened to the sound of crickets, the occasional sound of a owl and the wind that blew through the leaves of the trees around the valley. This silence was just calming and it felt good.
The ring of his phone shattered the calm and soothing silence. Percy sighed before he pulled out his phone from his pocket. He checked the caller, but it was unknown. Percy answered it.
He brought the phone to his ear. "Hello?"
"Hello, Percy." A familiar voice came to Percy's ear.
Percy recognized the voice of the person, but he couldn't quite place who it was. "Who's this?"
The person on the other side laughed. Percy could feel his heartbeat quicken and his eyes widened as he recognized who it was. It can't be…
"It's me Percy," the voice said. "It's Luke…"