THE SECOND ARC: Oily Shadows and Invisible Voices

"Remind me again-why do you hate me so much?"

"I don't hate you."

Could've fooled me."

CHAPTER FOUR

Daughter of Wisdom and the Son of the Sea

VIII

Annabeth III

"I'm sure you can tell us more later, Percy. I promised the campers some free time to roam around as they wished. However," Chiron said, "Take only around half an hour to look around. The rest of our time, we will be visiting the landmarks and then visit the Throne Room once the solstice meeting is over."

The campers nodded as they finally arrived to the main center of Olympus, and Annabeth recognized where they were. The Forum of Zeus. A massive forum that had a giant statue of Zeus at its middle point, standing on top of a granite pedestal. On a golden plate read, ' KING OF THE HEAVENS AND OLYMPUS, ZEUS.' A rotary stone pavement spun outwards from the statue, as merchants shops, terraced villas, gardens were all around them. It was beautiful. There were minor gods, satyrs, nymphs, and practically everyone else you could find in Olympus. Some merchants were present selling items, but most people just hung out together speaking, eating, and drinking wine. Lee, Clarisse, and Pollux were looking at what the merchants were selling. Annabeth saw Silena and Beckendorf sit nearby a water fountain giggling while the rest had disappeared from sight.

"Mr. Chiron," Percy began as they entered the forum and everyone dispersed around, "My father said something about me coming this summer to Camp Half-Blood. He said he had informed you about it and that you could inform me."

Annabeth frowned. Not only had Poseidon stirred a child illegally, and he could live while Thalia couldn't, but he was also going to come into their camp? What privilege did he have to stay alive while Hades had Thalia killed?

"That is true, Percy. Lord Poseidon did ask me to inform you about Camp Half-Blood and see if you were interested. First of all," Chiron said as he faced Percy, "It is a summer camp for demigods, where they can train and live in peace away from monsters. Our camp director is Dionysus, although the campers prefer to call him Mr. D. We're near the north shore of Long Island, Lord Poseidon said you would know it. It is near Montauk."

"Ah, right," Percy said, his voice distant. "That's where me and my mom usually go during the summer for vacation."

"Yes," Chiron nodded, "Lord Poseidon also stated he informed your mother and that she does approve. You are going to spend your time during May with your mother at Montauk and then come to camp the first day of June, am I right?"

Percy nodded. Annabeth's frown became more profound, disliking Percy's special treatment. Why was he being guided through while so many unclaimed campers wasted day after day in camp?

Chiron continued. "Our summer-time activities start at the first week of June and end at the last week of August. Although we do have some year-rounders present, Like Annabeth." Chiron gestured towards Annabeth, and she came to stand right next to him. "Annabeth," he called, "talk to Percy about Camp Half-Blood and what we do there. I'm going to have a quick talk with Mr. D to remind him about some issues I want him to state during the Solstice."

"Sure, Chiron," Annabeth said. Chiron galloped away, leaving them both alone.

"So…" Percy said.

"So," Annabeth began, "you want to come to Camp Half-Blood? Why? Was Atlantis too boring?" The tone of her voice was quite agitating, but she decided not to control it.

"Actually, no. If you were listening, I said my father sent me, and he wants me to go to your camp." He said, furrowing his eyebrows.

" Oh ?" Annabeth mocked, "Sorry, I didn't hear. Something about your father wanting you to leave his palace… Ah, right."

"Huh?" Percy retaliated in mock surprise, "I thought owl-heads had great ears."

"Why you—" She glared at him, but Percy raised up both hands.

"Hey," Percy interrupted, "What is your problem with me?"

Annabeth frowned. "Why Percy , you're the son of Poseidon . You shouldn't even exist—" she hissed, but Percy interrupted her.

"Oh, so you are going to decide on whether I should 'exist' or not?"

"Not me, idiot. Your father himself did. The oath and all, you probably know, unless all your father does down there in the ocean is fill every one of your kind's head with kelp. The Big Three agreed to not have any more children after World War Two, Percy, and yet your father couldn't keep it in his pants, again."

"Again?" Percy asked. Annabeth rolled her eyes.

"Don't you know anything, Percy? Your father got all grindy with Medusa in my mother's temple, right at the foot of a statue of her. So yes, again."

Percy sighed. "Listen, whatever happened between my father and your mother doesn't mean you have to hate me, Annabeth . I did not insult you or your mother and simply was waiting for you to tell me about your camp. And then you get all angry at me over nothing—"

" Nothing? " Annabeth hissed, "Percy, I had a friend. Her name was Thalia, and she was the daughter of Zeus. Hades had her slaughtered her while she and I and Luke ran towards Camp Half-Blood for safety. He sent monster after monster after us because of her, yet your existence is allowed without a million monsters going after you. So you get to live over ' nothing' while my friend had to die? Why are you even here, to just come with us to our camp because your father doesn't want you around anymore?" Her voice was thick, venom dripping off each word, a lump forming in her throat.

"Annabeth…" He began, and she thought he would say something along the lines of ' I'm sorry ' or ' and why should I care? ' which would not help her mood, but what he said surprised her.

"Listen, okay. First of all, Hades did send monster after monster to terrorize my mother and me before I could even speak, let alone walk. When it became overwhelming, my father decided to take me within his protection. It wasn't my decision that I was born, nor did I willingly break some stupid rule my dad agreed to half a century ago. Practically everyone I met down there hated me for a while, and I was unwelcome first. But now that I'm here, at Olympus, I'm not even sure if there is a difference. Perhaps I should have stayed down there, you are right. I don't want to hear about your camp or, should I rather say, your childish insults. Whatever, this isn't worth my time." He turned around to leave, and Annabeth chewed on her lip.

She had gone a bridge too far.

"Hey, Percy," she called out to him. He turned around, crossing his arms. "Listen, fine. I'm sorry. It's just… kids of Athena and Poseidon don't go along well." She pursed her lips, not sure what to say more. Percy looked at her, amused.

"I can see that." He said. "Doesn't mean we absolutely have to hate each other, though. Or be disrespectful."

"Okay." She took a deep breath to quell down her emotions. Why had she gotten so emotional in the first place? "Come, let's find a more private place to talk. The inner forum really isn't a great place."

IX

Annabeth IV

Annabeth was starting to dislike this boy a little bit less.

As they strolled around the outskirts of the forum, in a large garden that had a large pond in the middle while massive trees propped into the sky. Percy told her about Atlantis, how he and Triton would duel, the merpeople, how their lives went on. Annabeth had no idea a whole different civilization existed underneath the ocean and actually found it fascinating. But what had particularly piqued Annabeth's interest was his descriptions of the palace and its architecture.

Who knew fish people could build? Eventually, they sat down at a bench directly looking to the pond below them.

She glanced at Percy, taking a good look. He was obviously around her age, nearly the same height. Being underwater for so long had resulted in his skin becoming a bit pale, but what Annabeth found the most intriguing was his utter sea-green eyes.

He looks… decent , she decided. His jet-black hair was swept to the left and was an utter mess that he obviously did not comb at all. He seemed to not care about his appearance at all, having decided to wear only a simple shirt and jeans.

She shook her head. Why was she even interested in his appearance?

"So, this camp," Percy began, breaking the silence, "is it like Camp Fish-Blood?"

"Camp what ?" Annabeth asked, her face puzzled. What was he talking about?

"Oh, right. Sorry, you don't know. It's a training camp we have at Atlantis for mer-heroes. Dad wants me to go to your camp instead because he feels like Camp Fish-Blood isn't for me."

"Camp… Fish-Blood ?" Annabeth laughed softly at the name, and Percy frowned. "Well, I don't know about that. Camp Half-Blood is for demigods, like you and me. Chiron is our trainer and activities director, and Mr. D is our camp director, but you know that now. Most of the campers are summer-rounders. They come for the summer and leave for school in the fall. Ares kids, Athena kids, Apollo kids, Hephaestus kids, Hermes kids, essentially, there are many of us. We train daily."

"Yeah, so do the merpeople at Camp Fish-Blood. Their trainers, Arthos and Bythros, are actually brothers of Chiron."

Annabeth raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Chiron has brothers that are actually teachers ? The ones I know are more of the outgoing, partying type. You see them at major sports events." She said, finding it hard to believe.

Percy nodded. "Well, half- brothers." He corrected himself, "They are called ichthyocentaurs. One-thirds fish, one-thirds horse, one-thirds human."

"Hm. Well, I guess you learn something new every day. Anyways, like I was saying, we have a sword-fighting arena, archery field, an armory, climbing wall with an extra challenge—"

"Challenge?" Percy asked. Annabeth nodded, raising both hands upwards as if they were walls.

She began to slowly close the gap in between her hands. "Yeah, it's a lava wall. If you don't get up to its top fast, well, the walls clash, and…" Annabeth clapped her hands together with extra strength to state her point.

" Oh . Okay. Go on."

"There is also a camp forge, where the Hephaestus kids make all sorts of interesting stuff, swords, hammers, shields, armor, you name it, they make it. There's also a arts and crafts center, where we can paint, play music, weave, do ceramics and sculpt, you know, your usual arts center." Annabeth explained while glancing around the beautiful park. It was a relaxing environment, but even that didn't help her mood onset by this boy.

"Sounds interesting, though I wouldn't do any good there. The last time I was in a forge with the Cyclopes, I nearly blew up the whole place. As for arts, not really my cup of tea."

"Yeah," Annabeth nodded. She could see where he was coming from. A son of Poseidon wasn't really going to be a master forger or a good artist. "it's a favorite of my siblings, though. You'll see my half-brothers and sisters there every time."

"Why?"

Annabeth face-palmed in her mind. "Gods, Percy, think. What is Athena the Goddess of?"

He thought for a moment, frowning. "Um, the goddess of war, and hating my father?" Percy guessed, and Annabeth rolled her eyes. Forget about what she said about disliking him less. He was once again getting on her nerves, even a mere inconvenience was enough. It was as if the Athena genes in her body were screaming at her to get furious at him.

I swear his head is filled with kelp , she thought as she groaned.

"Athena is the Goddess of warfare , strategy, handicraft, and wisdom, Percy." She explained, getting impatient with this boy.

"Wait, isn't she a virgin Goddess, though? How are you—"

Annabeth interrupted him. "Athena can have brain-children, where she can join her mind with a lover and have children with them."

"Oh. Well, who is your father?" Percy asked, and Annabeth's eyes darkened as if the lights beneath them were turned off. She crossed her arms.

Annabeth's voice was sharp as a knife. " None of your business. " They stood silent for an awkward moment.

"Now, once you come in for the summer, you can't leave. Well, not without Chiron and Mr. D's permission, but that practically never happens." She said, breaking the ice.

"Why not?" Percy asked.

"Monsters," She said as if it should have been obvious. "They'll chop you up quickly outside. We come to camp Half-Blood to escape from them since they can't enter—"

"Ah, right. My father said something about magic pine tree defense that keeps them out?" Percy said, but Annabeth's eyes only became darker.

This boy just knows to press every sensitive subject, doesn't he? Annabeth thought, shaking her head.

"Let's just say, there are magic boundaries that keep them out. There is another way to leave, which is for you to get a—" Annabeth was going to continue, but Chiron began to approach them, his conversation with Dionysus having ended. They both stood up.

"Ah, there you are, you two." Chiron glanced around. "Let's return back to the inner side of the forum."

X

Percy VI

"So, Percy. I suppose Annabeth has explained to you about our camp?" Chiron said as they reached back to the Forum of Zeus.

"Yes, sir." Percy nodded.

"And, would you like to come this summer?"

Percy noticed Annabeth looking at him. He considered it, his eyebrows were furrowed. To go… or to not go.

"Well… I was going to say I would've preferred to spend the summer with my mother, but since dad is allowing me to visit mom for all of May, I suppose, yes, sir. I would like to."

"Well, good. We would love to have you with us." Chiron smiled at Percy. He seemed to have this fatherly figure. That one teacher you would have that would consider you to be his star student, regardless of everything. His eyes shined with centuries worth of experience, steely but warm.

"Annabeth," Chiron turned to her, "I see the fellows are spread around the forum. Can you go ahead and bring them all here? It is time for our exploration trip." Annabeth nodded and disappeared into the forum to collect her friends one by one.

"So, Percy. Would you also like to join us during our trip exploring Olympus?"

"Sure," Percy nodded, "I don't have anything else to do anyway. Do you know when the solstice meeting ends, sir?"

"Usually around five to six o' clock," Chiron said. They waited right in front of the gigantic statue of Zeus, with his left arm raised to the air as if addressing the crowd.

"Also, while speaking with Annabeth, I remembered something. At uh, our camp at Atlantis, Camp Fish-Blood, our two trainers are Arthos and Bythos, your half-brothers." Percy said.

"Arthos and Bythos?" Chiron turned to him, eyebrows raised. "Those are names I have not heard in a while." Chiron gave him a warm smile. It was as if the term teacher was created at the image of this man. "Send them my greetings the next time you see them."

"I will, sir."

They both waited for Annabeth to collect her friends, one by one, they began to show up. A few of the campers asked Percy some questions, Did you and your father slay any cool sea monsters? Why did your dad take you to Atlantis instead of sending you to Camp Half-Blood? Are you going to come along this summer? As their chit-chat continued, Annabeth eventually returned with a mean-looking girl with red hair, gathering all her friends she could find.

"Ah, good," Chiron said, but then frowned.

"All… of you are here, except Luke. Annabeth?"

"I didn't see him, Chiron." She said, still glancing around to see where the guy was.

"Well, it is nothing to lose sleep over. He'll pop up somewhere. Alright, well, time for us to head out. Annabeth, if you will, could you hand me the map you have in your bag?" Chiron asked, getting ready for their tour.

Away from his friends, standing at the base step of the stairs that would lead him to the Throne Room, Luke drank the potion, becoming completely invisible.

"It is time… Son of Hermes, you must do your deed…"

Luke began climbing the stairs, the Twelve Olympians not noticing the invisible intruder.

A/N

This was frankly the hardest chapter to write, and the one I'm not too sure if it is good. As for the Percy/Annabeth dynamics, let's talk more about that. Quite frankly, Percy and Annabeth's beginning would be quite... volatile. Annabeth already isn't good at managing her emotions, and from this angle Percy's mere existence WOULD annoy her as he did get to live with no issues while Hades sent monster after monster against Thalia. I plan to build a sister-y relationship between Thalia and Annabeth, as Thalia did actually leave quite an mark on Annabeth, if you take a close look at them in the original series. As for Percy, Annabeth attacking him isn't really going to cut it, nor is he going to submit either. The sea does not like to be restrained, especially by an daughter of that pesky Goddess Athena. Do let me know what you think about Percy and Annabeth's relationship(how it would kick off) as I feel a bit uncertain over it. Like I said, I am not confident with this chapter, but alas.