Hello everyone and welcome back to Hidden Secrets and Shared Lies!
Alright! We're back to the attack on CHB. We get a look at protective-Leo, friend-concerned-Nico, and badass-Percy. Honestly, I adore the friendship between Nico and Makayla. I don't ship them together though because SOLANGELO FOREVER!
Also, Perc gets to be badass again and show off his amazing f**king skills! But seriously, this is a really important chapter though.
I hope you enjoy and let's get right into this!
A/N:
So the move that Percy performs is from the video game 'Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess' and is called the Back Slice. Feel free to search it up because it is awesome!)
"It's about time you three showed up. I was beginning to get bored."
Three hearts hardened as the familiar voice echoed through their ears. He was sitting there, feet propped up on a stool with a pack of M&M candies in his hand.
"You knew we'd come," Percy growled. His clenched as he held Riptide tightly in his hand.
"Of course I knew." Ganabranth chuckled, tossing an M&M into the air and frowning when the candy hit his nose and dropped to the ground.
"Should have f**king known." Leo cursed angrily.
"Honestly, yeah you should." The older man genuinely laughed. He gave a small whoop as he caught one of the candies in his mouth. "I mean, we've been playing the same game for weeks now and you still haven't learned the easiest and most obvious rule."
"Which is…?" Nico urged, obviously irritated.
He stood, setting the candy down and stretching his arms behind his head. He grabbed a dagger from his belt and flipping it into the air before catching it easily in his hand. He spread his arms and shrugged with his sadistic smirk on his lips.
"You'll never beat me." He chuckled. Leo glared daggers.
"No more games! What did you do to my sister?!" He demanded, hands smoking as he close to screamed his words. He was furious with the man. Ganabranth smirked.
"You know in any other circumstances, with anyone else, I might have felt a bit threatened by those fire-fists. I know you won't hurt me though so I'm not." He chuckled, leaning against the stones of the crumbling wall.
"What makes you think we won't?" Percy growled, gaze dark and knuckles white.
"Cuz I know that your little team won't stop until you find Miss Makayla and you know that I am the only one who can tell you where she is."
The boys paused and exchanged glances; deep inside they knew he was right.
"Tell you what: release Makayla and call off your army and I'll give you a quick death rather than a painful one," Nico told him, getting tired of talking. Ganabranth pulled out another dagger and started tossing the two as if juggling. He pursed his lips.
"Calling off my army is a no-can-do." He told the boys, eyes on the flipping blades. "You see, I have a bone to pick with you and your camp so destroying it and killing everyone there is kinda a half-to."
"What the hell is wrong with you?!" Leo exclaimed in disgust.
"You will not destroy or even hurt Camp Half-Blood," Percy growled, sea-green eyes a raging storm. Ganabranth chuckled.
"Oh but I will. And you can't stop me."
He suddenly turned and threw both the knives at the three. Nico jumped aside as Percy ducked to avoid the daggers. Immediately he raised his sword in a block as The Serpents' leader attacked, taking on all three half-bloods at once.
Nico swung his sword as Leo threw balls of fire but Ganabranth jumped back, slicing the flame in half and disrupting it into the air. Percy used the momentary distraction to charge forward, swinging his sword as he jumped into the most complicated series of attacks Nico and Leo had seen that caused them to pause as they watched.
For multiple minutes Percy stabbed, blocked, and sliced. He performed spin and jump and attacks as determination and love for his friends fueled him. Leaping forward with a deadly slash, Ganabranth was forced to lose ground. Percy smirked as the dark-haired man stumbled back and performed his deadliest move yet.
He ran forward but at the last second, jumped the side. Not expecting the movement, Ganabranth hesitated for half a second. But the son of Poseidon instead fell into a roll, rolling on his side in a type of half circle. The hero rolled to end up directly behind the older man and jumped up to his feet. As he jumped, he spun in the air and raised his sword in the movement and Riptide sliced deep into The Serpent's backside.
Leo and Nico's jaws dropped and eyes widened as Percy landed almost gracefully on his feet and turned back to his enemy, face level and eyes determined.
Ganabranth gave a yell of pain, a large gash now open across his back. He gritted his teeth and stumbled forward, frowned in burning anger; he had underestimated the son of Poseidon's skill, not realizing he would be so much of a challenge. With a shout, he turned and sliced downward but as Percy raised his weapon to blocked, The Serpents' Leader unleashed a force of energy that threw the three half-bloods back. Percy, Leo, and Nico were sent flying, breaking through the already crumbling wall and tumbling to the hard ground. Stone crumbled and fell everywhere as they lay groaning on the ground. The wind was knocked from them. Nico and Percy's swords had fallen from their grasps and landed a good dozen feet away.
"I underestimated you." Looking up, they could see Ganabranth standing angrily above them. He was breathing hard and his green eyes were hard as steel as his emotions began to take over. "You boys have been a thorn in my a** for weeks now! I was going to just let you watch helplessly as your friends and home are destroyed but not anymore. Now you're done."
He moved to raise his weapons one last time but it was then his turn to be thrown back as a full wave of flames washed over him, scorching the ground and stones where he had stood.
Leo stood tense from rage. His eyes blazed as blue-fire surrounded him. The flames in his eyes made Percy and Nico pray thankfully that he was on their side. They had never seen their friend like that: they couldn't help but be a bit scared. The son of Hephaestus even made them have to move back several steps to avoid being burned by his heat, despite his containing his power close to him.
"ENOUGH GAMES! Where. Is. My. Sister?" Leo's voice shook as he stood over Ganabranth and a spark of fear appeared in said man's eyes. He pursed his lips and held up his hands.
"Truce?" He then asked. The three boys looked confused at the sudden offer. He noticed. "I'm down and unarmed. You can kill me in a single move, which means that you won. I may be sadistic but I play fair; I know when I'm beaten. As is the rules of your game, let me stand and I'll call off my army."
Percy, Leo, and Nico exchanged glances before nodding. Leo stepped back as his friends grabbed their weapons. The older man stood and brushed off his pants and shirt, wincing as he moved his back. Nico and Percy held their weapons ready but remained where they stood. Leo also lowered his temperature and dispersed the flames around him, though he kept his hands lit.
"I gotta admit, that was quite the fight with you boys. And that last move you pulled, Ocean Boy? That was impressive." Ganabranth told Percy, keeping his hands out in a casual surrender.
"Call off your attack," Nico demanded.
"As you wish." He agreed with a mocking bow. He pulled out a smartphone from-who-knows-where and pressed something, holding it in his hand on speakerphone. It didn't finish ringing even once before there was an answer.
"Yes, Sir? What do you need, Sir?" The person immediately asked. The half-bloods recognized Johnathan's voice.
"Scenario C: call it. Sound off and move back." His leader told him in some sort of code. There was a moment before his second in command answered.
"Uh… sir? Sir ar- Are you sure?" He sounded confused and in disbelief.
"Are you questioning my order?" Ganabranth asked in answer, voice low.
"N-No! No sir I- okay sir, as you command!"
Ganabranth nodded and ended the call. A moment later the three boys heard a horn's call echoing through the forest, long and loud. After, the sound of battle slowly faded out as The serpents retreated.
"There you go: my army is called back and your camp will now be left alone." The leader told them, hands still out in front of him. There was irritation in his voice that he didn't bother to hide but the three weren't done yet.
"Now tell us where Makayla is." Percy reminded.
"Where Makayla is?" Ganabranth repeated. His smirk returned and he shrugged. "Well turns out that she's been here with us this whole time."
As an automatic reaction, Leo, Nico, and Percy looked around. Seeing nothing, they returned their gaze to Ganabranth.
"Where?" Leo demanded. Ganabranth just smiled.
"Makayla, my Dear? Would you mind coming to help me out?" He called over his shoulder. A short moment later, a familiar redhead appeared by his side. Her sword, Ligero, was strapped to her waist.
"Makayla! Thank gods you're okay! I was so worried about you!" Leo almost cried in relief. He started toward his sister then paused when she took a step back and raised her hands in his direction, palms glowing silver.
"Stop." She commanded and Leo froze. He, Percy, and Nico looked her over and frowned, confused as she seemed perfectly fine: she had no bruises or cuts or any new marks of harm. Her silky red hair was pulled into a braid draped over her shoulder and she even had her nails done, wearing what seemed to be a fresh pair of clothes.
"W- What's going on?" Her brother asked, confused. Makayla shook her head. She wouldn't meet his gaze.
"I don't want to hurt you but… if I have to I- I will." She told him quietly.
"What are you talking about?" Nico frowned worriedly. "Why would you hurt him?"
"Like I said: I don't want to but I will." She repeated, her hands still raised and glowing. Her eyes held sadness and pain.
"But why would you have to hurt your brother?"
"I don't- I..." Makayla's voice shook as she didn't seem able to finish. Ganabranth, who had been silent until that moment, placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Makayla, my dear, I believe you were asked a question. Why would you hurt your brother?" He asked her with a cruel smile on his lips and mock curiosity in his voice.
His eyes showed he felt a dark enjoyment from the hurt and confusion the older teens were feeling. Makayla's swirling eyes locked with Leo's for a long moment before she dropped her gaze.
"I don't know what you're talking about. I- I don- I don't have a brother."
Three pairs of eyes widened in shock and disbelief and Leo stumbled back like he was struck.
"What are you-? Of course you have a brother, Kayla, I'm your brother..." He forced. Makayla shook her head, the sad pain in her light purple eyes.
"Don't call me that. No, I don't. I don't have a brother or a sister or godly parents or anyone. I only have one family and that's my... m- my new dad." A single tear slid down her cheek, which she quickly brushed away.
Leo stared in shock. What was wrong with his sister? She had never disowned him like that before: they loved each other to no end, they knew that. They were siblings, family, best friends. And she had always called Ashlyn her sister. So why was she saying those things?
"Kayla...?" Leo couldn't say anything more. His heart was breaking.
"What do you mean?" Percy asked in disbelief. "Me and Leo and Nico and the others: we're your family."
"I only have one," Makayla repeated. Her voice was still shaking. She had a pained and heartbroken look on her face.
"I can see you kids are still a little confused," Ganabranth interrupted. "So I'll explain it to you in a way that your young minds can comprehend: you see, Makayla here has accepted an offer of mine and in doing so, has disowned and rejected all of you, accepting only her new family. Isn't that right, Darling?"
Ganabranth's smile quickly switched from cruel to genuine-looking as Makayla looked at him. Her eyes lingered for only a moment, still unable to hold his gaze.
"Yes, it is... dad." She agreed quietly, forcing the words out.
Nico actually dropped his sword and Leo fell to his knees. Pain and confusion were clear as day on his face. Percy's jaw dropped as well and sea-green eyes widened as his brain tried to register his friend's words.
What was happening?!
Makayla was terrified of Ganabranth and hated him with indescribable passion but now she suddenly accepts him as her father-figure? Nico remembered how she had figured out about Ganabranth's daughter and how they looked the same so maybe he had offered to not hurt her in return that she acted like her replacement? The son of Hades shook his head.
"Makayla, I don't know what this... this demon told you," He started, slowly walking towards her. Makayla raised her glowing hand to him and he froze, holding his hands up. "But he's wrong. Ganabranth isn't your dad, he isn't your family- hell, he doesn't even care about you!"
"You're wrong," She denied. Her voice was still quiet.
"I'm not and you know that. Deep inside you know that he doesn't care about you and you know he's just using you. Once he's done then he's gonna throw you out-"
"Stop it! You're wrong about him, you don't know him like I know him! He's been good to me." She denied, one hand clenched into a fist, but Nico could see a drop of uncertainty in her eyes. Ganabranth was watching the exchange with narrowed eyes, carefully taking note of Makayla's reactions.
"No, he hasn't." Percy imputed, now stepping beside Nico as he too saw her doubt. "Makayla, he's the one that hurt you in the first place! You told us yourself! He held you captive for months, he scarred your body and tortured you beyond imagination."
"Stop! Stop right now!" The glow emanating from Makayla's palms brightened. "I know what he did but he's changed. He's acted more like family to me than any of you ever did!"
""More than we did?"" Nico repeated in disbelief. "Makayla, we welcomed you as our friend and gave you a home! We kept you safe even though we knew the dangers involved and we trusted you like a sister, I trusted you like a sister."
"So what, I- It's in the past. It doesn't matter anymore."
"Do you even care about Camp?" Leo wondered.
"Of course I do." Makayla's reply was immediate.
"Then why would he attack what you care about?"
Makayla frowned in confusion and boys realized she didn't know about the attack on Camp Half-Blood.
"Wh- What do you mean "attack"? What are you talking about?" She turned to Ganabranth for an explanation but he shook his head. He moved to a knee and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Makayla, you know I wouldn't hurt you like that. I promised, remember?" He reminded. She nodded slightly before taking a breath and turning back to Percy, Leo, and Nico.
"He wouldn't do that to me." She told them, believing his words. The three held back groans of anger and irritation.
"Makayla just f**king listen to us! HE! IS! USING! YOU!" Percy practically screamed. His sea-green eyes were dark but tears were clear. "He isn't your family, we are!"
"I don't care-!"
Makayla froze and her hands dropping to her side, shock coming to her face when someone moved forward from behind the three boys. There was a stunned silence as the boy's hidden helper slowly stepped towards the redhead.
"Kaykay... What are you doing?" Her light voice was soft but her hurt and confusion were evident.
"L- Lau- Lauren?" Makayla stuttered at the sight of her mortal sister-by-heart.
The raven walked closer to Makayla. She looked almost exactly as she had when Makayla had escaped and left her: shoulder-length black hair that had grown unevenly, her once tan skin now pale and unhealthy, the same cracked hazel eyes. Only now those eyes were filled with hurt. She wore faded jeans and a zipped up windbreaker. Ganabranth narrowed his eyes and placed a hand on Makayla's shoulder, pulling her back a step.
"How'd you get here?" He asked suspiciously. Lauren gave him the worst death glare the boys had ever seen, causing them to get shivers despite her being on their side.
"Why would I tell a snake like you?" She growled in response, her voice telling the hatred she had for that man.
"Possibly because it was my place that you somehow got out of." He answered with a voice equal in tone.
"Makayla, why would you do this?" Lauren asked, ignoring her now former captor. "Don't you remember what he did to us? He tore us to nothing! Just look at yourself; look at the marks he caused you."
Leo, Nico, and Percy said nothing as they watched the three in front of them. Their weapons remained in their hands but stood without moving.
Makayla however, seemed stunned to silence to see her friend. Another tear slid down her cheek only this time she didn't clear it. She stepped toward her friend and Ganabranth tried to grab her arm but she pulled away from him. The redhead stopped in front of Lauren then let out a sob before throwing her arms around her.
"I'm sorry Lauren!" She cried. "I never should have left you. I- I should have come back- I am so sorry!"
"It's alright, Kaykay. I'm here now and I'm out of there. It wasn't your fault." Lauren comforted, returning her friend's hug. Her eyes were locked on Ganabranth as if daring him to make a move. She pulled back from the hug, switching her gaze to the girl in front of her. Her eyes showed tears but held them back. "But what are you doing? Why would you side with him after everything he did to us?"
Makayla looked down, lip quivering.
"I'm sorry. I just... I couldn't go back to being hurt anymore. I knew I wouldn't be able to take it and I'd give up. I wanted to say no but I just couldn't." She confessed, shame in her hoarse voice. She then looked up. "But- he's been good since then. He's treated me like he would a real daughter; he's been nice."
Lauren slowly shook her head. Taking a step back, she reached up with her right hand and unzipped her jacket. It fell to the ground and Makayla's hands went to her mouth when she saw what she had forgotten about her friend.
Lauren was completely missing her left arm.
"He did this to me, Makayla," Lauren told her friend slowly. She placed her only hand on her best friends, moving it to the stump where her arm had once been. "Ganabranth is an evil man who does terrible things to innocent people."
"That's a bit harsh," Ganabranth argued, speaking for the first time in a while. He moved to walk towards Makayla but Lauren's only hand snatched redhead's sword, pulling it from its sheath and pointing it at the man.
"Not one more step." She demanded. Ganabranth stopped with a small amused smile on his lips. She turned back to Makayla, sword still pointed at Ganabranth. "Makayla, he's not just a bad person: he is evil. He is pure and selfishly evil. He only does things that will hurt other people and benefit himself. Just look at me! He took my arm without a second thought just because I was doing something he didn't like."
"H- He's not- I don't-" Makayla shook her head, unable to finish.
Anyone could see that she was completely torn between her friends and the man who claimed her as the replacement of his daughter. Lauren continued to press.
"He doesn't care about you. He knew that you would believe his words but they're just sugar-coated poison; they were lies. You know the real him even better than I do-"
"She's trying to turn you against me, Makayla." Ganabranth interrupted. He knew that Lauren was right and Makayla was starting to realize that. "All of them are. They're trying to confuse you and make you doubt yourself. They don't care about you like I do, they'll turn against you at the first chance they get-"
"Liar!" Percy exclaimed angrily.
"We would never do that, Makayla!" Nico told his friend.
"They're just confusing you," Ganabranth repeated.
"You're my sister," Leo added. "And even though you deny it I know that part of you is still in there. We have the same mother, the same blood."
"Had." Ganabranth then said. Makayla glanced at him. "You had the same mother, Makayla, but don't you remember what happened? He changed that when he killed her."
"He's… right. You did kill her." She agreed slowly, turning to face her brother. Leo stumbled back like he was kicked in the gut. Makayla never blamed him for their mother's death, she would never say that.
"What... why would you- why would you say that?" He whispered, tears coming to his eyes. "You told me... Kay- Makayla you're not you right now! He's doing something to twist your mind!"
"You know I wouldn't do that." Ganabranth denied.
"Stop! Stop it, all of you! Stop messing with my head!" Makayla cried, stumbling back from the five people. She squeezed her eyes closed tightly and moved her hands over her ears. "You're just confusing me! I just- just g- give me a minute! One minute! Please?!"
No one spoke as Makayla tried to gather and untangle her thoughts. She had what she wanted to believe mixed with what she actually believed and it made her want to scream and rip her head apart. She knew Leo was her brother, she knew Nico was right that none of them would hurt her, and she knew that Lauren was telling the truth.
Ganabranth had hurt her and even took Lauren's arm because she helped her but she wanted to believe that he was different, she wanted to believe that he wouldn't hurt her anymore and he was no longer a threat. But... She tried to hide it from herself but part of her knew she was wrong.
She knew that Ganabranth was lying.
Makayla took a deep breath as her hands tangled into her hair and she tried to figure out what to say or do. She opened her mouth to speak but then a tingle ran through her spine and she froze.
her side"Oh gods. I-" A second later her knees gave out and she collapsed to the ground on her side.
"Makayla!"
Leo and Lauren ran to her side. Ganabranth was about to do the same but Nico appeared in front of him, Stygian Iron sword at his neck.
"Don't even think about it." He growled and Ganabranth raised his hands casually in surrender.
Leo slid to his knees by his sister's side, knowing that she was about to go into a flashback. He placed his hands on her cheeks, ready to try and pull her back but then paused. His heart screamed to pull her out but… his head- he knew that he shouldn't. After all, if it worked out the way he thought it would… then he would have his sister back.
"Leo, you've been there for her flashbacks. Can you stop it and pull her out?" Lauren asked the mechanic quickly. Leo paused then shook his head.
"I can but I'm not gonna do it." He told her honestly. Lauren stared at him in disbelief.
"What?! Why not?! Leo, she'll get hurt!" She exclaimed, her voice cracking with emotion.
"Exactly. Think about it, if Kayla relives a memory then it'll probably be one of the ones it usually is: him hurting her." Leo explained, nodding to Ganabranth. Realization appeared in the mortal's eyes. "And if she relives the pain he caused her-"
"-then she'll remember how evil that ba***rd is. She'll forget that vandr fjandí and come back to us!" Lauren finished.
(really bad/dirty words but basically: an evil man)
"You know I can hear what you're saying, right?" Ganabranth reminded the two, arms crossed as he leaned against the ruined stone wall; Nico's Stygian Iron sword was still a threat. He was ignored.
"Now or never." Lauren voiced his thoughts as Makayla's body went limp. Leo nodded and placed his forehead against his sister's.
"Mantenerse fuerte, mi hermana." He whispered. "Puedes hacerlo… regresa a mí."
(Stay strong, my sister. You can do it… come back to me)
Makayla's eyes glazed white she returned to the past.
And that concludes the forty-seventh chapter of Hidden Secrets and Shared Lies!
Thank you all for reading and I hope you continue. Please leave a review because criticism, advice, complaints, and/or compliments are all welcome!
Have a good one and I'll see you later!