Chapter 7 : Guilty Memories
Percy half-expected to be sitting down in a military style fashion where they discuss strategy in a serious tone.
But he didn't expect the meeting to be held in front of dozens of people where they discuss things similar to a forum session.
"Uh, I thought you said this was a meeting?" Percy whispered to Piper.
"It's more of a public hearing than a meeting." Piper shrugged.
They were sitting on leather seats in front of dozens of people who were sitting on stone bleachers that surrounded them. The atmosphere reminded Percy of Camp Jupiter's senate room, where the leaders would discuss in the middle of the room while the others sat around them and voiced their opinion.
To Percy's right was Thalia who looked bored out of her mind, and his left was Piper. To the other side of her was Reyna, Monique, Rachel, and a surprisingly familiar face.
"Carter?" Percy squinted at the curly haired boy.
Carter leaned forward with a grin. "Heya."
"I haven't seen you in a while now." Percy said. He noticed that Sadie, his sister, wasn't here with her. He wanted to ask, but he decided to wait until later just in case the worst case scenario happens.
"Yeah, it's been a while." Carter said. "Talk to you after the meeting?"
Percy nodded before he leaned back on his couch. The meeting room was fully enclosed with bright white lights coming down from the ceiling. Even though everyone was talking in whispers, Percy felt like he could hear what everyone was talking about if he strained his ears enough.
"Silence." Monique said as she stood up. Instantly, the room fell silent. Percy felt shivers down his spine. Monique gave out a very intimidating aura. "We shall now begin this meeting."
All attention turned towards them. Percy suddenly felt nervous.
"First, we have a new member among us." Monique gestured at Percy.
Percy gave them a simple wave. He heard some murmurings and whispers among the audience.
"This is Percy Jackson, a son of the Greek God of the Sea, Poseidon, and former leader of Camp Half-Blood." Monique announced. "He led the Greek demigod army into battle against Kronos during their siege of Mount Olympus, he had once carried the weight of the world on his shoulders literally, he was one of the seven demigod who had stopped Gaia from destroying the world, and have been one of three demigods who have ventured into Tartarus and back safely."
As Monique listed off Percy's achievements, he felt himself blush. Everyone was staring at him in awe.
"Are you getting big headed yet?" Thalia asked with a grin.
"Does she always do this?"
"Only when a powerful ally joins. She did it with me when I first arrived. She says it's to inspire the others and give them hope, knowing that they have someone strong to back them up."
Percy shrugged as Monique finished her speech. "I formally welcome Percy Jackson into our ranks." She finished. The audience clapped and cheered as Percy managed to give them an awkward smile.
"Now, for the reports." Monique said. "Rachel?"
Rachel stood up. She looked a bit better from when Percy last saw her. She probably had a nap and a power bar at most. "Right. So ever since Percy's encounter with them two weeks ago, the Crusaders have been on high alert. It hasn't been made public yet, but rumor has it that Percy is now their number one target."
Another wave of murmurings and whispers.
"It is believed that they look to capture Percy and exploit his powers." Rachel explained with distaste. "This makes Percy our most valuable asset also."
"Any word on the magicians captured three days ago?" Carter asks.
Rachel shook her head miserably. "I'm sorry. Some were captured, but the others didn't make it."
Carter nodded as he glared onto the floor while biting his thumb. He looked pissed hearing that news.
"What else?" Monique asked.
"The Crusaders are ramping up their activities. Patrols are seen more frequently and they're expanding their perimeter day by day. It's only a matter of time before they discover us."
The murmurs were starting to get louder. There was panic in their voices.
"Why can't we fight them?" A voice from the audience spoke up. All the heads turned towards him. Percy didn't recognize him, but he was a lean and skinny Asian with red hair. "We've been hiding and running all this time. Don't you think it's time to fight back?"
The audience slightly murmured in agreement.
"We cannot fight back." Reyna said loud enough for everyone to hear. "We are unequipped, inexperienced, and outnumbered. Fighting back now would be suicide."
"But we have powers." Another person said. It was another person Percy didn't recognize, but her blonde hair stood out. "We're better than them in combat. Look at what Percy did to them two weeks ago."
"Guys, I-" Percy tried but they were not listening anymore.
"Yeah, Percy can handle them! And with all of us, it's going to be a breeze." Another person shouted. Soon, all of them were shouting their own reasons on why they wanted to fight back.
"We can take them!"
"We're stronger!"
"They can't beat us!"
"We can kill them!"
That last one made Percy snap. "Shut up!" He shouted with such ferocity that everyone fell silent. "What are you guys even talking about?"
"Percy, calm down." Piper said softly. Rain started to pour down heavily outside of the building. If it was coincidental or because of Percy, he honestly couldn't tell.
Percy took a deep breath. "People." He said as he stood up. "Have you ever killed someone?"
The crowd was dead silent. "Have you, with every intention and fibre in your body, killed someone? With your own powers? With your bare hands?"
"We've killed monsters before." One person squeaked. "How different can this be?"
"Monsters respawn." Percy said. "I'm talking about mortals." Percy tried meeting the eyes of everyone there. "Mortals who have families, who have a life, who are similar to you. Imagine that. By killing them, you send them to whatever your version of the Underworld is. By killing them, you have taken the life of someone who is loved by others, by his family. Have you ever thought of that?"
Again, he was met with silence.
Percy's pent up frustration was finally let loose. "It's different when some mythological phenomenon happens that causes the death of hundreds of mortals right? You can just blame it on what divine force is responsible for that. But killing them yourselves is different because that's on you." Percy put emphasis on his last word.
"You are responsible for their death. You are responsible for a father not coming back to his child. You are responsible for a mother losing her son. Their blood is in your hands." Percy said. His voice was trembling. All the two years of anger and frustration had finally caught up to him.
"I have killed someone and let me tell you, it does not sit well." Percy said. "You can use every reason and excuse in the world to justify it, but it does not get better. You can say that you're saving the world, you're protecting other people, it was self-defense. But it does not change the fact that you had just taken someone's life."
The silence was deafening now. Only Percy's voice echoed off the walls of the meeting room.
"I know you're all angry and frustrated. We've all lost something during this tough time." Percy said. "But this is not an aftertaste you can just wash off. Taking the life of someone is a burden not everyone can bear. So don't take this lightly." Percy then sat down.
Silence still befell the room. Every pair of eyes were on Percy, but he didn't care. He took a few deep breaths as he tried to calm himself down.
"I believe you heard Percy's opinion on the matter." Monique finally broke the silence. "Anyone else wants to counter his opinion?"
Nobody said anything.
"Then I consider this meeting adjourned. Dismiss." Monique said. Everybody started to shift in their seats as they wanted to exit the building.
Percy found himself frozen in place. It's not like he couldn't move, but he didn't want to as he wanted to let his own words sink in.
Monique walked over to him. "You did great, Percy." She slung her pink scarf over her shoulder. "I understand your pain. If you need me, just find me, okay?"
Percy nodded solemnly. "Thank you, Monique." Monique patted him on the head before exiting the building.
"That was something." Thalia said. "Way to go."
In a flash of brilliance, Percy answered with: "Hunh?"
Thalia rolled her eyes. As Reyna arrived, she said to her. "Can you explain to this Kelp Head?"
"Explain what?" Percy asked.
Reyna smirked. "The people here have been thirsty for blood. They think that if we get someone as powerful as you on our side, they can finally fight back."
"Piper and I have been trying to reign them in so that they wouldn't do anything stupid, but it has been getting harder each week." Reyna said.
"With that little act, that'll get them to rethink their decision for a few days." Reyna added. "Come, let's get lunch."
"What about Rachel?" Piper gestured at the red head. "She's asleep."
"Poor thing." Reyna said. "I'll carry her."
"I'll help." Thalia volunteered as they carried Rachel back to her room. Piper was about to join them when she stopped for a second.
"Meet me tonight. At the back of the building." Piper almost whispered.
"Why?" Percy asked.
Piper shrugged before leaving.
That left Percy and Carter.
"Hey." Carter greeted. "Quite a speech."
"Thanks?" Percy said. "I was just telling the truth."
"I guess we've all had our share of frustration." Carter sat next to Percy. He had a solemn look on his face. With just that one look, Percy knew he'd lost someone very dear to him.
"It's up to us." Percy said. "To make it worth it."
"To make it worth it." Carter repeated with a sad smile. "I may not have the strength for it, so I'm gonna count on you, Percy. And if you need me, I'll be there." He offered Percy his hand.
Percy shook it with a smirk. "Noted."
Line Break
Later that night, Percy went to the back of the building to see Piper. At first he didn't see her, but after a few turns he saw Piper standing at what appears to be a rectangular clearing. The area was fenced with tall hedges, as if to give privacy to whoever was in here. The entrance was closed by a gate, but when Percy pushed it, it was unlocked.
Piper was wearing jean shorts and an oversized unbuttoned shirt over a purple tee. The cool wind swept gently one her hair.
As Percy entered the area, he noticed several knee high stone decorations. They were organized in a symmetrical pattern. There were dozens of them scattered across the area.
"Hey." Percy greeted her silently. Piper was standing in front of one of the decorations.
"Hey." Piper said quietly. She pushed her hair behind her ear. "You came."
"Well, you asked me to come without telling me the reason." Percy said. "Can't really sleep knowing that."
Piper chuckled. "Good point."
"So, what did you want to talk about?" Percy asked.
Piper gestured at the area. "We made this place to remember those who didn't make it." Piper said. "Since most of them didn't have a body to actually bury, we just used these tombstones instead."
Percy was taken aback. All of these are tombstones? There were so many. So many people have died.
"We just finished this one a few days ago." Piper gestured at the one in front of her. "It's for Annabeth."
Percy gulped. He slowly knelt down and checked on the engravings on the tombstone.
IN LOVING MEMORY
ANNABETH CHASE
A LOVING DAUGHTER. A CARING FRIEND. A BRAVE HERO.
Percy lightly laid his hand on the tombstone. The cool surface of the stone pressed against his skin.
"I . . . I . . ." Percy stammered. "I'm sorry, Annabeth." He expressed. He felt his eyes tearing up. "I couldn't save you. I couldn't save our friends. I . . ." His words failed him again.
Then he felt Piper's hand on his shoulder. "I'll keep on going. For you. And for the ones we lost. Rest easy wherever you are, Wise Girl. I'm gonna take care of things down here." Percy let it out.
Tears were already streaming down his cheeks. He sobbed as he stood up. "Thanks, Piper." Percy said.
When Percy looked at Piper, she was also crying but managed a small smile. "I miss her too, Percy. We all do." Piper admitted.
Piper went around and led him to several other tombstones of those he knew who had died. Frank, Hazel, and finally Jason.
Percy knelt down next to his tombstone. "Hey buddy." Percy said. "Guess I'm better than you now that I've outlived you." Percy said it with a smile, but his heart would not cooperate. The pain in his chest was getting stronger as he knew the death Jason experienced.
"I'm so sorry, Jason." Percy said in a trembling voice. "I'm sorry you have to go through that. I wish I was there for you. I'm sorry I wasn't there to give you hope when you needed it. I . . . I'm sorry. But I promise, no other demigod is going to feel that way again. I give you my word, brother. Rest easy, Jason."
Percy stood up. Piper then knelt next to Jason's tombstone. "Percy, can you give me a moment?"
Percy nodded. "Sure. I'll wait outside." He walked over to the entrance and exited as he waited for Piper. Percy didn't notice it at first, but he saw a metal sign near the entrance. It read:
For those who we have loved and lost. Honor them in your own way. Fight for them and others who are still alive.
Percy sighed. The night has become so cold that his breath fogged. He waited in silence of the night until the gate swung open slowly. Piper walked out while sobbing. Her cheeks were puffy and her eyes were red from crying.
"Thanks for waiting." Piper said. Her voice was cracking. "I haven't had the chance to say everything I wanted to him."
"You didn't visit him before this?" Percy asked.
Piper nodded. "I guess I was just too scared to go alone. I feel guilty for not being there for him."
Then, he noticed that Piper was shivering. The coldness of the night must've got to her.
"Give me your hand." Percy said.
"What?"
"Trust me." He smiled. Piper offered her hands to Percy. Percy held both of her hands together and pulled her closer. Her skin felt soft and cold against his touch. He focused and willed warm flames to engulf his and her hands. Piper yelped in surprise, but didn't pull back. "You should know better than to go out at night without a jacket."
"H-How did you-"
Percy winked. "Let's keep this a secret, okay?"
Piper's shivering stopped. "Okay." She whispered softly. "Thank you, Percy."
"Anytime." Percy said. "And I know, wherever Jason is, he's proud of you."
Piper chuckled as they stared into each other's eyes for one second too long before she blinked into realization. "Um, sorry."
Percy's head jarred back into reality as well. "It's fine. Shall we go back inside?" Percy offered. Piper nodded as the duo walked back inside where it's warm and cosy.
And awkward.