Percy was pissed.
Not only had his girl ran away from him for another guy, but that idiot had to be from the Hermes cabin.
Way to rub it in that he could never compare to Luke. Jesus, she had a son of Poseidon, one of the three most powerful Olympians, yet she chose to shack up with a son of the God of snakes. How idiotic a trade-off was that? At least she could boast about him to the others when she was still his. Yet now, there was nothing on her new friend. Looks, Skills, and Intelligence (ahem) all couldn't compare to that of Percy's.
He groaned, slamming his hands on his table. Jeez, the headache he was getting right now wasn't getting any better, and along with each passing second he felt like running to Annabeth and snuggling up with her.
But that was all gone now because of her.
He would never get the family he wished for so much, never be able to caress her with his arms again, never be able to kiss her again, nor so much as give a fleeting look towards her. He had to show everyone he was strong as a leader of the demigods.
He almost forgot about the events that had culminated all into this huge blow-up, and more notably, his conversation with that guy a few days back. He still didn't know what to do with the unexpected proposition that had been offered before him.
They didn't deserve his help, did they? Where was Grover, when he should have been at camp? Where was Thalia when she promised him that she would always be by his side, no matter what? And lastly, where did that bitch's promise of undying love and loyalty go?
I even showed her my Achilles heel. Gods help him, because he hadn't realised just how screwed his life had become until just a few hours ago.
That didn't go for all of them, though. While some betrayed, some remained and assured that they would side by him. Rachel, for example, wouldn't say anything about Annabeth for as long as he had to recover, but instead spent her time comforting him and spoiling him with her artworks, which was something he valued. Will and Nico, on the other hand, spent their extra time (when they weren't snuggling and kissing with each other) sparring with Percy, even sometimes hanging out with him during the summer. Chiron and Hestia, along with many Olympians (except Apollo, of course), felt sorry for him and decided to pay him the proper respect that was due for such a hero. Poseidon invited him to stay at his palace with Mom and Paul, but Percy denied the request, knowing full well his mother and her fiancé wanted out of mythology for the time being, using their time to focus on raising the little ball of sunshine living under the same roof as them. Of course, that was Percy's little sister, a newborn ball of joy that spread happiness wherever she went. In fact, Percy started to suspect Apollo of having blessed the girl with his sense of humour (which was not very much).
But when the news of Jason's death arrived from Piper via Iris message, things started to spiral out of control. And that was the start of his deteriorating condition. If he thought almost losing Leo was enough, he definitely wasn't ready to lose Sparky. Not only had he been a reliable charger and a good friend, but also was the predecessor of Percy's (though short) career as Praetor of the Twelfth Legion. Not only that, he was one of the most powerful demigods to ever Grace this world (Get it? Grace?) , fourth only to Percy, Thalia and Nico.
Then Grover's death came. As if just the death of a decorated war hero and veteran of both wars wasn't enough, the dates had decided to take away a Lord of the Wild from his habitat and kill him right after his temporary victory at The Burning Maze. As for Apollo, the mortal God was in the middle of nowhere with Meg in Piper's Cessna, having lost contact around a few days ago. Percy had no doubt that they would succeed in their quest to find the Tyrant's Tomb, for Meg was exceptionally powerful for a daughter of Demeter and was a valued asset of the Olympians and mostly Apollo. Magnus Chase, however, had reported a strange disturbance in Hel, the Nordic lands of the dead. Strangely, Hel, the female goddess of Death, had been reported missing and most likely dead, fragments of her soul having been found in Gimnugagap, the Norse version of the Greek Chaos itself.
Carter and Sadie Kane had also had strange happenings in their realm, with Horus and Iris having been cleared from their minds suddenly, and Walt/Anubis having turned to dust a few months back. It seemed that they had disturbances in the Duat, with the dead rising to combat the gods, leaving he magicians vulnerable without the gods' guidance and shielding. Amos Kane, too, had died in a battle with Set, who had reformed not too long ago, and had sacrificed his life to save Bast from a explosive blast that Set had shot from the palm of his hand.
As for the Triumvirate, news of who the three Emperors were had leaked out to those residing in the early stages of New Olympus, the new camp Annabeth had designed to commemorate the improved relations with the Roman camp, and as a place for those in Camp Half-Blood and New Rome who wished to retire to live in. Never people to turn down an opportunity for improvement, Frank and Reyna agreed that New Rome be built into New Olympus, meaning that it was going to be big if it could take New Rome into it.
As for the mysterious stranger who introduced himself as Erebus, Percy had never heard of him, nor read of him in the many tomes he found in New Rome that depicted both Greek and Roman mythological figures. Percy's suspicion was that the dark-dressed man was a Primordial God, for none had ever been able to meet one nor even hear of one, only made-up tales of such beings existed, telling of their great power and immense strengths. They were the only beings in this universe that had the power to destroy worlds with a snap of their fingers, annihilate trillions just by willing it to happen.
"Think of it carefully before you make a choice, Perseus. Sacrifice your mortality, the only thing that binds you to this Earth and join us, or choose to stand and watch as your camp and friends die slowly drowning in their own blood. Live or Die. Make a choice" He left with a flash, which Percy had enough common sense to avert his eyes from. When the blinding light disappeared, all that was left was but a mere note.
If you wish to live, meet me at Mount Olympus next week Monday at 5pm sharp. Do not be late.
Percy heaved in a breath. Should he go and meet the unknown stranger that may or may not have been a Primordial God himself? Was he ready to give up his mortality, for an exchange of his friends' and family's safety?
Flashback
"Weak son of Poseidon" he spat.
The words never seemed to stop.
"Just like I stole your glory, I'll steal your girl too" he smirked. "Did you forget it was your anniversary today? She'll be waiting for a date who will never come. Imagine how heartbroken she'll be when she finds out her boyfriend forgot such an important date"
"Let... Me... Go" Percy struggled, heaving in ragged breaths as he fought his magical bonds.
The son of Hermes responded by backhanding him across the face, making the hero of Olympus himself choke on the blood that had risen up to his throat.
Percy could only register that his bonds were black, infused with red and golden bolts of lightning, studded with imperial golden diamonds. And that the son of Hermes was not what he seemed...
End of Flashback
Sterling his nerves, Percy made up his mind.
He would go to Olympus. After all, what more could he lose?
Oh, that's right. His friends and family.
