Chapter 5 – Missing
-Thalia's POV-
"Kelp Head get up we've got work to do!" I yelled into Percy's tent as the other hunters were all eating breakfast, upon opening the tent I saw that it was empty. His sleeping bag and his clothes were all still there.
I was about to walk away and find him until I noticed a pen sitting on the sleeping bag, not just any pen though.
I grabbed Riptide and sprinted towards Artemis' tent.
-Artemis POV-
"My lady! My Lady!" Thalia screamed as she came running into my tent clutching a pen.
"What is it Thalia?" I questioned, tears were starting to build in her eyes.
"Percy's gone. I went to get him out of bed but he wasn't there but his sleeping bag and his clothes were there." She said in a rush.
"He's most likely bathing or swimming somewhere away from the hunters." I said calmly.
"I found this in his tent, he never goes anywhere without it, he can't go anywhere without it." She said holding the pen in the air. I narrowed my eyes until I noticed what the pen was, his enchanted sword.
I grabbed the pen and stormed out of the tent, flashing to Olympus the second I was outside. I marched towards Hera's temple before someone stepped out from behind a tree.
"I'm sorry my Lady, there was no other way. Any other hero sent to Camp Jupiter would only end in bloodshed. Perseus is the only one that can bridge the gap between camps. Hera is the one who has taken him away but on my orders, if you wish to lash out then attack me but know that you cannot go to Perseus before the right time." Said Gallifreous.
I kicked him solidly in the chest and watched as he collapsed backwards, his helmet flying off in the process. He got up and smiled and my face paled when I saw it was Percy's face, older but still obviously Percy.
"Don't worry my lady; he will come back to you. I swear it." He said before disappearing in a golden light, a small scroll dropped to the ground where he had been standing. I knelt down and picked it up, unrolling it.
I am sorry my Lady but fear not. Your Perseus will return to you, my Artemis would never forgive me if he didn't. Keep Anaklusmos with you and the hunters, it will lead you back to him when the time is right. The hunters must inform the campers as well. For everything to work out they must begin searching as well. I know Percy… I know I wouldn't want Annabeth searching for me but she is an integral part of the Prophecy of Seven, no matter how much I wish she wasn't.
He is strong Artemis; nothing will stop him from getting back to you in the end. Not the titans, not the giants, not Gaia herself.
From Gallifreous… otherwise known as Perseus Jackson, God of Time
I stared at the scroll for several minutes before flashing back to camp.
"Girls we're going to camp half-blood." I said calmly, trying my hardest to remain emotionless.
The hunters shouted protests about searching for Percy; apparently Thalia had told them that Percy was gone.
"My Lady we can't go anywhere without Percy" Cried Mary, the bandages on her burnt arm clean and fresh.
"The only way to get Percy back is with the assistance of the demigods at Half-Blood Hill." I explained calmly, "As much as I dislike this suggestion it is what must be done."
The hunters didn't like the answer but they started packing up the tents.
-The Wolf House-
Percy's POV
As I stared at the huge wolf in front of me I tried to remember how I had gotten there… better yet I tried to remember anything other than my name and the face of a beautiful girl that constantly popped into my head. The large golden sword on my back hadn't sparked any memories other than a feeling of rage and exhaustion.
"Perseus Jackson, son of Neptune." The wolf said although it didn't sound quite right, "I am Lupa the mother of Rome. I will train you to be a true roman warrior then I will send you off to find and join the roman legion. I will not accept weakness. Do you understand?"
I stared at the wolf for a minute before a voice started to whisper in my head.
"Listen to Lupa Percy. She will train you well and if you can keep up with her she will set you on the path to finding your memories."
I stared at her and pulled the sword from my back and got into a fighting stance, although the sword didn't quite fit the style. Lupa seemed to smile (or as best as a wolf can) before launching forward, a slashing blur of claws and fangs. None of her attacks could break my skin but that didn't deter her from attacking.
The next month was spent training with the wolves of Lupa's pack. They were all ferocious and deadly in a fight and proved an incredible challenge at times. But gradually I started to fight the way they taught me although my own fighting stance influenced it heavily, the Voice in my head teaching me how to wield the large sword effectively.
Once they deemed me sufficient Lupa told me to go to the west and look for the legion. I didn't know what that meant but the Voice in my head was still guiding me.
It was during my journey west that I encountered Stethno and Euryale, gorgons and sisters, although it took me a few encounters to learn their names properly. Initially I thought their names had been Beano and Earl.
The Voice in my head kept instructing me on the use of the sword during those battles until he thought I was proficient enough to use the sword to its fullest potential. In the middle of a particularly nasty fight with the gorgons the Voice told me to push my power and thoughts out to the sword. The command confused me but I tried it anyway, the second I tried I felt a pull in my gut (Like when I commanded water, I'd discovered that when fighting with the wolves). The pull resulted in a white hot flame racing up the blades edge.
The burning sword had cut the gorgons in two like a hot knife through butter then turned their dust into a sickly looking yellow glass that slowly collapsed back into dust that would reform into the gorgons but the head start was appreciated.
I reached the top of the hill I was climbing, the feeling that had been guiding me west was pointing me onward toward a tunnel in the hill but sadly a highway was between me and it.
Stethno suddenly appeared at my side with a tray of samples.
"Care for a Cheese'n'Weiner?" she questioned as I spun around to face the gorgons, she was carrying a tray of free samples, "They've been dipped in my blood so you'll die quick and painless." Her beaming smile never left her hideous face.
I looked at the tray in her hand and gulped.
"You added your own blood to them?" I questioned.
"Oh just a little nick on the arm but you really are sweet for caring." She said.
"You idiot you're supposed to wait for him to eat one before telling him it's poisoned." Screeched Euryale. I grinned before slashing my sword through both of them. Turning back towards the highway I willed water out of the ground until a small swirling platform was under my feet; using my reverse surfboard I made my way down the steep hill.
Half way down the hill the "lovely" sound of gorgon screams reached my ears; I had forgotten to ignite the sword. I started to speed up but the faster I got the more unstable the water became.
I was almost at the highway when it collapsed completely leaving me tumbling through the dirt.
I got up as a laugh pierced the air.
"That is not how I would escape from gorgons." A decidedly feminine voice said. I got up to see an old lady sitting on the side of the highway; she was dirty and wore some sort of animal skin over her shoulders. "Would you be a dear and carry me across the highway Perseus?"
The question was innocent enough but the way she had said my full name made me worried; only gods addressed me like that. Although I wasn't sure how I knew that.
"Are you going to leave me to die by the gorgons? Not very hero like if you ask me…" She said trailing off. I sighed as I bent down to pick her up bridal style.
"Can you at least tell me where I need to carry you to my Lady?" I asked, she laughed again and pointed to the tunnel I had been heading for.
"To safety of course. And where is safer than with the legion of Rome?" I had a sudden memory of strawberries but it was gone just as quick.
I spared a quick glance at the gorgons behind me and started across the highway, cars honking horns and swerving to avoid me.
Upon reaching the tunnel two teenagers in armour called for me to stop.
"I would love to stop but I'm being chased by gorgons!" I yelled, the two looked behind me and their eyes widened before the guy, a large Asian looking kid with a face that belonged on a very young child, put an arrow to his bow and shot one of the gorgons between its eyes.
"Hazel take them inside and I'll hold them off" He said, firing another arrow that grazed one of the gorgons arms.
"Don't be ridiculous Frank, you take them in and I'll follow behind." Hazel stared into his eyes and eventually he relented and beckoned us forward into the tunnel. After a few seconds to adjust to the light we started running down the tunnel. A few seconds later the tunnel shook and the sound of collapsing rocks was heard, shortly after that Hazel caught up with us.
Hazel had dark skin and curly brown hair, the sword at her hip was a spartha, a cavalry sword that was much too long for use on foot.
"Did you collapse the tunnel?" I questioned as we ran, she only winked in reply.
Suddenly we emerged from the tunnel into blinding sunlight. A river stretched across our path.
"Percy don't let the water touch you, you will lose the curse of Achilles and trust me you don't want that." The Voice said urgently.
"It seems only fair that I keep you dry my Lady" I said, she looked at me oddly as I felt a pull in my gut. The river suddenly stopped flowing leaving a bone dry area for the three of us demigods to run through. Frank and Hazel were looking at me oddly although I couldn't quite place what emotions were visible there.
We reached the other side as dozens of armed demigods levelled their weapons at us, or rather at me.
The woman in my arms laughed and hopped down, as she did she started to grow until she was fifteen feet tall and immaculately dressed in enough ancient roman clothing to give a history major a heart attack. A goat skin cloak was hung over her shoulders.
"Stand down legionnaires he comes in peace. You could say he is a saving grace after losing your saving Grace." She said, the demigods stiffened temporarily but lowered their weapons and bowed to her.
"Do you wish for him to join the legion Lady Juno?" Questioned a girl with tanned skin and dark hair.
"I supposed that would work Reyna dear. But you can test him however you like. Perseus here has been poked and prodded by so many monsters that I'm sure he won't care if you throw everything you have at him." Juno laughed before disappearing in a golden light. The girl, Reyna, eyed me up and down before suddenly the gorgons came screaming out of the tunnel diverting everyone's attention.
Without turning I raised my arm into the air and felt the pull in my gut release as the river roared into life again, creating a wave that crashed into the gorgons.
They tried to get out of the water but were stuck, without touching the water myself I swung the sword off of my back and sent a surge of fire across the water top. The gorgons didn't stand a chance; they were reduced to monster dust that was swept away by the river.
"Follow me recruit, but watch your step. I won't hesitate to put you down if you make one wrong move." Reyna said as she walked away, I looked back at Frank and Hazel and smiled before walking after Reyna. When I looked back I saw Frank slip two vials into his pockets. The spoils of war, Gorgons blood.
I followed Reyna as she marched me down several roads and into a large building that looked to be some sort of headquarters.
"Now then, Perseus…" She trailed off.
"Percy Jackson, Son of Neptune." I supplied, smiling at her, she scowled instead.
"Perseus, do you know why you're here?" She asked.
"Umm… I'm not sure really, I don't remember anything before waking up at the wolf house last month. But I'm here because I'm a demigod and supposed to train here or something." I said, she looked me up and down before seeming to come to a decision.
"You will face 5 trials and then the centurions of the cohorts will decide where to put you." She said, "I'll get Frank to show you around and show you to the arena. I'm going to enjoy seeing one such as you fight against the best this legion has to offer." She almost seemed to glow with anticipation, I gulped.
Frank showed me around the entire camp, the river Tiber was interesting. After controlling it this morning it now refused to obey any commands I sent its way.
We walked up a hill to where temples lined the streets, Frank showed me a small shack that was pretty run down. There were cobwebs all over the place and a small bowl of old fruit on the "altar". A trident emblem on the wall showed that it was meant to be a temple to Neptune.
"I'm sorry Percy but your father isn't well liked in Rome, especially after…" Frank trailed off before finishing his thought.
I didn't push it though I was distracted, a gleaming silver temple had caught my eye, images of moons and bows were on the walls. Frank caught were I was looking and sighed.
"You don't want to go near that one. That's Diana's temple and she doesn't take kindly to men going inside." Explained Frank, the name didn't ring any bells but the temple and the description seemed to suit the face that I kept seeing in my head. The smell of pine forests and the sound of bowstrings filled my mind, I tried to grasp the memories but they slipped between the cracks and vanished.
Frank glanced at my frustrated expression and led me towards the largest temple at the top of the road.
"This is our destination, the temple to Jupiter!" Frank exclaimed as he spread his arms out in front of him. We walked inside to see a tall, thin boy with blonde hair standing over a pile of stuffing from plush toys.
"Octavian!" Frank called, "Reyna wants you to look into the auguries and see if Percy here is good for the legion."
"Hmm he doesn't look very Roman; in fact he looks quite Greek. Poor him. Has he been claimed?" Laughed Octavian.
"Perseus Jackson, son of Neptune." I said, Octavian looked me up and down, nodded and pulled a plush dolphin out of a pile of plush toys.
He pulled a knife from his belt and plunged it into the underside of the dolphin, spilling it's stuffing onto the altar in front of him. He peered at the stuffing for a few minutes before looking at me.
"Tell Reyna the auguries are in his favour but I would suggest a trial by fire per say. Test the might of Olympus' gift to Rome." He said sarcastically.
Frank nodded and led me out, as soon as we were out of Octavian's sight he shuddered causing me to burst out laughing. He slumped a little and led me back down the hill, when we were passing a black temple that was encrusted with gems and gold I spotted two people sitting on the roof.
"Hazel!" Frank called, "Percy got the green light from Octavian but he has to get tested, you should probably watch, it could prove fun. Nico you should come too."
When I heard the name Nico I had another flash of sensations, dark and brooding thoughts, cold, a three headed dog, pain, misery and a midnight black sword.
Nico and Hazel jumped down from the roof walked over towards us. When Nico saw my face I saw a moment of recognition but it was quickly covered with a blank expression that gave away nothing.
"Have we met before?" I asked.
"I don't think so, my names Nico Di Angelo, Son of H-Pluto" He said holding his hand out to shake, I took it carefully and felt the cold radiating off of him, then I started talking, I don't know where the words came from though.
"Hail to the ghost king," I whispered to him, he looked startled for a second but when he looked in my eyes he saw my own confusion and relaxed.
"Well we should get going then…" Frank said to break the tension that appeared to be building in the still ongoing handshake. I nodded before letting go of Nico's hand and walking away with Frank; I started smiling and looked back at Hazel and Nico.
"See you guys later!" I called back with a laugh, Nico sighed in relief I think.
Frank led me back to Reyna and went to talk to her in private. He came back a few minutes later with a grim look on his face.
"You must have done something to piss Reyna off because she's putting you up against the best of the best. You're going to be facing off against some of the best from the first cohort. You have to win at least 2 out of 3 fights or else you'll be kicked out of New Rome." Frank explained ominously.
"Do the fights have any specific conditions?" I asked.
"Yeah, the first is armed, the second unarmed and the last is ranged." He said, when he said ranged I had memories of arrows shooting wide and horrible aim. My face must have gone white because Frank squeezed my shoulder to reassure me.
"Well I better find myself a bow then… and maybe go back up to the temples and pray for some luck." I said with a grin.
-Future, No POV-
Percy sat on the couch clutching his chest.
"By the Gods you hit hard!" He exclaimed, Artemis burst into laughter.
"Well you shouldn't have let me hit you moron" She stated before leaning over and kissing him on the cheek, "If it's any consolation I don't think she would have hit you if you'd just taken off the helmet."
"It's not any consolation…" He deadpanned, Artemis laughed again.
"Now let's watch me kick some butt and take some names!" He said excitedly as the TV showed the arena in New Rome where young Percy's opponents were preparing.
Artemis grinned as she grabbed popcorn from their kitchen.
A/N Sorry for the delay… Well I guess I should write more often, if you want to blame anyone you can blame my teachers for giving me too many assignments. But hey I found time to write this so maybe I'll write more.
I'm going to confirm that The Voice is Future Percy… here's something that's going to get you later though, if Future Percy teaches Present Percy how to use the sword then where did the information come from originally?
Thanks Trigger2332 out!