Chapter 5 : Ocean's Awakening
"Hello?" Percy answered as he picked up the call.
"Percy!" Rachel exclaimed from the other end of the call. "Oh thank gods, I finally got to you!"
"Uh, hey." Percy managed.
"Hey? Hey?!" Rachel half-shouted. "I haven't seen you for more than two years and all you could say is 'Hey'?!"
"Well, what else am I supposed to say?" Percy argued.
"How about-" Rachel stopped herself before sighing. "Nevermind. Where are you now?"
Percy looked at Thalia who had composed herself, sort of. Her eyes were still red and her cheeks were puffy, but she'd stopped crying. "Where are we?"
She took a deep breath. "I have no clue myself. After being chased for so long, I've lost track."
"You're with Thalia?" Rachel asked.
"Yeah." Percy put the phone on loudspeaker. "We ran into each other a few hours ago."
"Thank the gods." Rachel sighed. "Okay, nevermind. Can you make it to the city?"
Percy and Thalia frowned at her question. "Are you crazy?" Thalia asked. "We're like the most wanted people on earth."
"I know, but it's the only way I can find you." Rachel said. "Can't exactly tell you to turn on your GPS without alerting every Crusader here."
"Can't they trace my phone?" Percy asked.
"Don't worry, I've got that covered. But to be safe, I'm gonna have to ask you to throw your phone away." Rachel said. "You can never be too careful."
Percy nodded. "Tell me what's been going on out there."
Rachel gave them a momentary silence. "Shit's been crazy." She finally said. "Because of my involvement, I had to leave my family. My dad's been doing what he can, but he can only do so much to keep them from getting to me."
"Sorry to hear that." Percy said.
"I got lucky if you ask me. Compared to you guys." Rachel said miserably. "Heard about the attack two years ago on Camp Half-Blood. Then silence ever since. I tried contacting everyone I know, but you guys were off the grid."
"That's . . . good?" Thalia asked.
"Somewhat. But I was worried sick." Rachel admitted. "The Crusaders have been going on a massacre of demigods. It's like witch hunting all over again."
Upon hearing this, Percy's anger boiled. It took a few deep breaths before he calmed down again.
"Anyway, we need to meet up." Rachel said. "I've made contact with Reyna recently. We found a safe place for demigods. If you could make it to the city, we can meet up."
"Are you sure it's safe in the city?"
"No, of course not. But we don't have the luxury to be safe right now." Rachel said. "Try to make it within three days. Then send a signal. We'll be ready."
"What kind of signal?"
"Doesn't matter. As long as we know it's you." Rachel said. "Time's running out. I have to hang up. Destroy the phone and meet us up in three days."
"Got it. Stay safe, Rachel." Percy said before Rachel ended the call.
Percy and Thalia looked at each other. "I guess we have a heading."
Line Break (Three Days Later)
Percy, Thalia, and the rest of their group were on the run as monsters were hot on their tail.
All that use of the cell phone had finally caught up to them when almost every single monster within a hundred mile radius went after them like a homing missile.
The heavy rain wasn't helping them either.
"Duck!" Thalia shouted. Percy ducked as a silver arrow whizzed past him and hit a Cyclopes straight in the eye. It crumbled into dust immediately.
Percy got up instantly and slashed a telkhine on the snout before kicking another dracaenae away from him.
The group was struggling against the wave of monsters, but they were almost in the city. Percy could see the city lights and skyscrapers towering above the treeline.
Thalia's bow and quiver were doing wonders as she never seemed to run out of arrows. But the same couldn't be said about her stamina. As much as Artemis' blessing to the Hunters helped their combat capabilities, even the Hunters have limits.
"How much further?" Thalia asked one of her Hunters.
"Just a little further!" Phoebe replied. "If we could - AGH!" Percy thought she'd slipped and tripped over the wet ground. But when he looked closer, he saw one of Phoebe's legs got lassoed by a dracaenae. It hissed as it pulled Phoebe closer.
"Phoebe!" Thalia shouted as she aimed her arrow at the dracaenae, but was disrupted when a hellhound lunged at her. She rolled out of the way and shot the hellhound, but other monsters were focusing on her.
"I'm coming!" Percy said as he rushed towards Phoebe. He weaved through the monsters, dodging left and right, before slicing the rope that was holding Phoebe. Without wasting any time, Phoebe turned on her back, drew her bow and shot at the dracaenae.
"Bitch." She spat. Percy had almost thought she was cursing at Percy until she said, "Thanks for the help."
"Don't mention it. Come." Percy said as they progressed forward with haste. They kept running and killing monsters along the way when they saw where the forest turned into concrete a few feet away.
"There it is!" Thalia said. "Don't stop now!"
"We need a distraction!" Phoebe stated.
Percy gritted his teeth. "I've got one. On my signal, go." He focused his will to control the rain and gather up as much water as he could in one spot.
"What?" Thalia exclaimed. "What are you trying to do?"'
Percy ignored as he continued gathering water, a large enough amount to fill a swimming pool.
"Percy!" Thalia shouted.
"Go!" Percy shouted back. He'd never done this, but he hoped Hestia's powers and his basic knowledge of second grade science wouldn't fail him.
He shot a torrent of flames at the water he'd gathered above them. The hottest flames he could create. Hestia's flames weren't meant to be like hot hot, but it was worth a shot.
The flames made contact with the water and the combination created an explosion of steam throughout the battlefield. It was as if someone had thrown a smoke grenade in between them and the monsters.
He knew the monsters would have no problem finding them in the smoke, since they could smell the demigods. But at least the hot steam would hurt or distract them long enough for them to get away.
His gamble paid off when the monsters roared and hissed in surprise, stopping all assault.
"What the-" Percy heard Thalia said.
"Go, go, go!" Percy shouted as they bolted towards the city.
Percy had been in the forest for so long that he was accustomed to the darkness of the night. So when he finally set foot in urban territory after so long, even the streetlights looked blinding.
Even at night, it was bustling. Pedestrians were walking around, cars were stuck in traffic jams and were honking at other cars even though there was no way to go. Mortals were just minding their own business, as if they're not afraid at all of their lives.
Which they had no reason to.
So when Percy, Thalia, and the rest of their group bursted out of the jungle, it was an understatement to say that they were surprised.
More than a dozen people coming out of the forest in rugged clothing and traditional weaponry, that would've caused massive panic and confusion.
For a second, everyone was staring at the group of people who'd just stepped into the city.
There was an unsettling silence between them until one of the mortals broke the silence by shouting, "Demigods!"
Chaos broke loose as pedestrians started to run in all different directions away from them. Percy was confused as well. If they'd been slightly afraid or murderous, Percy would've understood.
But this was full blown panic and fear.
Yes, demigods are considered a threat, but there was no need to run like this.
Percy shook his head. There was no time to dwell on the matter. They have to send a signal.
"Thalia, the signal." Percy said.
Thalia nodded as she snapped her fingers. Lightning struck all around them multiple times. At first, it seemed random. But Thalia willed it to strike at a pattern.
Three short consecutive lightning strikes.
Then three prolonged lightning strikes.
Then another three short lightning strikes.
The Morse code for S.O.S.
After repeating the pattern for almost three times, Thalia collapsed. Phoebe rushed to her side and helped her up.
Summoning one lightning bolt was tiring enough for Thalia. But summoning it multiple times would drain her energy like no other.
Behind them, Percy could hear the monsters getting closer. The city wasn't going to stop them from chasing him, and the mortals were not going to help them.
Even more so, the mortals might just fight them instead. If the bad turns to worse, they might have to fight on two fronts.
"Where are you Rachel?" Percy muttered to himself. As a last resort, Percy erected a wall of fire between them and the monsters, but he was careful to do it near the concrete so that the forest wouldn't get burned.
Grover would kill him for that.
"That's not gonna hold them for long." Percy told Phoebe and Thalia who was half-conscious.
"Let's just hope your friend gets here soon." Phoebe said. "Worry about defending us. I'll take care of Thalia."
Percy nodded. Just then, dozens of SUV and military trucks drove in and stopped on the street in front of them.
Dozens of guys dressed in white camo marched out of the vehicles and got into formation with guns and shields, similar to a riot police.
Crusaders.
Percy cursed internally. They barely handled the monsters that were chasing them.
Now, they were in a stand-off. Behind them was a wall of flame and in front of them were people with guns who were really looking forward to killing them.
"Fuck." Phoebe muttered. "I suppose you don't have any little water tricks for them this time, do you?"
Percy could sense that he was nearing his limits. The heavy rain was healing him, of course, but he was still tired. Plus he'd been using Hestia's powers way too much, which makes him even tired.
"I'm trying to think of something." Percy said. His hand was gripping his sword tightly, not that he could do anything with it.
One of the Crusaders stepped forward. He was twice Percy's size and looked buff as hell. Without any hints or indication, Percy could sense that this guy was the commander. He gives off the peculiar aura of a leader. The same aura he sensed in Frank, Jason, Reyna, and Annabeth.
He wore a bulletproof vest over a tight black shirt. His white camo pants and leather boots reminded Percy of Ares. In fact, he looked like Ares if Ares had been mortal. He wore black sunglasses and had a military buzz cut.
"Hello there." He said in a surprisingly friendly way.
Percy stepped forward. Negotiations weren't really Percy's best suit, but with how things are he figured he has to delay for as long as he could until Rachel gets here. "What do you want?" Percy asked.
The commander raised an eyebrow. "How old are you? Fifteen? Sixteen?"
"Does it matter?"
"Well, most demigods I've met are young. Most are teens." He said. Then he lowered his glasses. "But you. You're older. You have what I call a 'veteran's aura'. You've been in battle. You've survived battles of your own."
Percy didn't feel complimented by that. "So?"
"I'm just saying." He corrected his sunglasses. "You're an interesting one."
"Commander!" One of his soldiers walked to his side and showed him something, like a reading on a device.
The commander whistled. "That's one hell of an aura." The commander turned his attention towards Percy. "What's your name, kid?"
Percy didn't really feel like answering him, but considering the situation he figured it's best to play along for now. "Percy. Percy Jackson."
"I see." The commander said. "Men! Stand down!" He ordered. Immediately, all of the Crusaders lowered their weapons. "I have a proposition for you, Mister Jackson."
"What is it?" Percy asked. He was still gripping his sword tight.
The commander cracked his neck. "I wanna fight you." He said. "Because you're strong."
"How about, no?" Percy said.
"Oh, you haven't heard the rest of my proposal." The commander grinned. "We'll have our fight and if you win, I'll let you and your friends walk and we'll hunt you down another day."
Percy's eye twitched. "And if you win?"
The commander shrugged. "We'll either kill you or take you back to HQ. Depends."
Percy was getting angry. "And if I don't want to fight?"
"Then I'll count it as you losing, which leads to you and your friends dying." The commander said. "Oh, and don't worry about the monsters. My men will have it covered." He gestured at a few of his soldiers to the forest. Again, without hesitation a few of the Crusaders marched towards the forest and engaged the horde of monsters. Percy could hear rifles being fired and monsters howling in pain.
Percy could finally let the wall of flame die down. It had been sapping his energy all this time.
"How do I know your men won't jump in when I've beaten you?"
The commander gave a hearty laugh. "Don't worry kid. I'm a man of honor. If I tell them to stand down, they will stand down. Plus," He glared straight at Percy. "I've never lost a fight."
Percy thought about it for a while. There was no sign of Rachel or anyone coming to save them. Thalia was too weak to do anything to help and the same could be said with the rest of them.
"I agree." Percy said. "But no guns."
Again, the commander laughed. "I don't use guns, kid. I'm more of a 'bare-fists' guy myself."
"So you want me to fight you in hand-to-hand combat?"
"Oh, no." The commander grinned. "You can use whatever weapons or powers you have. Don't bother being honorable or fair or anything. I want you to fight me with everything you've got."
Percy was a bit surprised, but he nodded. He's going to take every advantage he could get. When it's his and his friends' lives on the line, he wasn't afraid to fight dirty.
"Percy." Phoebe called out as Percy stepped forward to meet the commander. Percy turned around just in time to catch a silver blade that Phoebe had just tossed. "That's a steel blade. Would serve you better than your sword."
Percy stared at the blade. "Thanks." Percy said. The blade was more akin to a knife than a sword, way too short than what Percy's used to. But at this point, he'll take anything he can get. He'd rather have this than a Celestial Bronze sword that can't harm mortals. Swordsmanship is Percy's strong suit.
The commander walked a few paces forward. The road was empty and served as their arena. The rain was still pouring heavily, so he still has that to his advantage. Percy got ready with his blade.
"You ready?" The commander asked. Percy didn't wait to answer as he lunged forward, his hunting knife aimed at the commander's neck.
For a guy that big, the commander was unbelievably fast. He grabbed Percy's wrist just before it reached him, then used his other hand to grab him by the shirt and judo-flipped him onto the street.
The water cushioned the impact, but it almost knocked the air out of his lungs. Percy wasted no time in using the water to propel him across the street in between the commander's legs. He got behind the commander, stood up and went for the knee.
Percy pushed his knee against the commander's own knee, making him collapse. Percy was about to hit the butt of his knife onto the commander's noggin but the commander swung his head backwards, hitting his head with Percy's nose. Percy fell back as he felt blood trickle down his nose.
Percy grunted as he got up, but his face soon met the asphalt again when the commander threw a nasty right hook into his face. Percy could feel his head getting dizzy, but he shook it off and tried standing up again but he was sent flying when he felt the commander's kick go through his gut, sending him rolling on the road.
Percy got to his knees and immediately coughed up blood. His body was in immense pain.
Get up. Keep going.
Percy got up shakily. His knees and arms were trembling as he struggled to stand up straight. His vision was blurry but Percy wasn't sure if it was because of the rain or his head rattling.
He could hear yelling behind him from his friends, but it was muffled and distorted.
You're stronger. You're more powerful. You can kill him.
Percy ran forward, but his legs were shaky. Each of the commander's hits made Percy feel like he's being battered by a sledgehammer.
The rain and water was doing what it could to heal his injuries but it did nothing to stop the pain. Percy feinted a strike at the head before spinning and tried to stab the commander in the gut.
But the commander was faster as he grabbed Percy's wrist and disarmed Percy. The knife went clattering on the tarmac. The commander tried kicking Percy away, but Percy nimbly dodged and locked the commander's leg under his arm.
Not only was the commander fast, but he was nimble as well for someone his size. He lifted his other leg and kicked Percy on the head, sending them both to the floor. Percy didn't have time to dwell on the pain as he scrambled to get on top of the commander.
But the exhaustion played its role. Percy's movement was sluggish. The commander managed to turn them around literally so that the commander was now on top. One of his hands was on Percy's chest, holding him down while the other went to town on Percy's face.
Each punch was more numbing than the last. The more he punched Percy, the less painful it got. Either he was getting weaker, or Percy's pain receptors were at their max capacity and was about to burst.
You're not dying here.
Percy desperately tried to stop the barrage of punches but it was futile. He was going to die here.
Your friends need you. Get up.
He could feel the water coursing through his body. He was getting healed as he was getting beaten to death.
Great, Percy has just become a never-ending punching bag for the commander.
This is not your end. Get up.
As a last resort, Percy tried to send a splash of water on the commander's face in the hopes of just distracting him for a second or two for Percy to breathe. But it proved to be just a minor inconvenience as the commander kept beating his face. The commander didn't care about some water getting in his face. He cared about beating Percy to death.
When Percy's whole body went numb, the commander stopped. If Percy was dead, he honestly couldn't tell. He couldn't move a muscle. His body felt numb. He can't feel anything. Everything he saw was covered in a red tint from his blood. Percy could feel his consciousness fading.
"Percy!" He faintly heard Thalia call, but her voice was muffled.
Get up.
"Don't you die on me now, Kelp Head!" Thalia cried out. "Get up!"
The only thing that was on Percy's head was apologizing. He was apologizing to everyone he could remember. Annabeth, Jason, Piper, Thalia, Artemis, his mom, his dad, his friends who depended on him.
"Percy!" He heard Thalia called.
Get up.
He didn't know where he found the strength, but he turned on his front. He tried to get up, but his arms and legs felt like jello. It was as if he was trying to stand up with noodles as limbs.
Eventually, he managed. He was alive, but barely. His consciousness was hanging by a sliver of thread. Even the water wasn't healing his injuries fast enough.
But he had to stand up. His friends were counting on him.
He could hear a laugh somewhere around him. "You're a strong one." The commander said, but his voice sounded like it was travelling through water which was ironic since Percy could always hear clearly through water.
If he couldn't use combat to fight the commander, sure using his powers could work.
There has to be a way.
Percy got a flash of inspiration from what Hephaestus said to him years ago in Ogygia.
You don't know your own strength.
So he dug deep. Deep into his own strength, his own powers. The untapped potential that Hephaestus had once said he had. The one power he vowed not to use due to its catastrophic nature.
That's right. Accept your powers. Embrace your heritage.
He'd feared using this power because it had nearly cost him his life and the lives of others. He'd promised himself that he would never ever use it again.
Until now.
Unleash your powers, son of the Earthshaker.
There was a tug in his gut. It was fierce and unrelenting. The ground trembled beneath them. Even with the shaking surface, Percy kept his footing. He yelled out loud as he unleashed everything.
The road starts to crack. A crevice was starting to form. The glass starts to shatter all around them from the windows of the buildings. Lights flickered all around them. Percy felt the pull in his gut was getting stronger, as if it was sucking his soul.
There was the sound of people screaming. The commander was shouting something to his soldiers as he ran towards one of the vehicles.
Percy could barely keep control of his powers. It was as if he was gripping on something that was slowly slipping away. He wanted to stop, but he couldn't . He was losing consciousness. The tugging sensation was getting unbearable. It was getting extremely painful.
Thalia was running towards him. He wanted to tell her to stay away, but his thoughts failed him.
A familiar voice shouted a single word. "SLEEP!"
Then, everything faded into darkness.