Chapter 23: Death's Host
After such an eventful night, Percy was hoping to get some good night's rest. But after such a long time of having sleeps without dreams of premonition, Percy was surprised when he finally got one.
He stood in the throne room of Olympus, but it was empty. The thrones looked like it hadn't been touched for years, which was probably the case. Bessie had gone missing from the aquarium and the hearth was burning shyly.
In front of Zeus' throne, two figures looked like they were arguing. It was Artemis and Athena, whom Percy hadn't seen in a long time. Athena looked worn out, as if she'd just conducted several sleepless nights of marathon study. Her shoulders sagged and her cheeks were sunken.
"I'm telling you, Sister." Artemis said. "I felt his presence. It was him."
"It's not that I don't believe you, Artemis." Athena said. "But you have to admit, it is very unlikely."
"Who else has powers of this magnitude?" Artemis said. "To shut off the Mist? To disturb other pantheons? To reduce our Father to such a state?"
Athena bit her lip. "Even so, we can't be sure. I mean, it's just not like him to do so."
"We can just ask him." Artemis said.
Athena studied Artemis' eyes before her own widened in realization. "No. No. No. Do you know how dangerous that is?" Athena said. "Olympus is barely operational with four of us. What will happen if shit hits the fan? It's more of a risk when you consider that our uncle Hades is no longer running the Underworld. Just, no."
"Well what else are we supposed to do? Sit around and wait? Those demigods won't have much time left and the boy is at his limit." Artemis exclaimed. "If we push him even further, he's going to break this time and there won't be any bouncing back from it. Losing the girl was enough for him."
Percy shuffled in his feet. Even though he wasn't mentioned by name, he knew Artemis was talking about him. Or at least, Percy assumed she was talking about him.
"They're mortals. Moreover, they're heroes who have helped save Olympus many times. We can't ask any more of them." Artemis said.
"What made you soft, Sister?" Athena asked sternly. "You used to look down upon mortals. More than that, you used to hate boys. What happened?"
Artemis clenched her fists. "Those mortals are the ones fighting for our existence right now. Those mortals are sacrificing their lives to ensure our and their survival. More importantly, that boy has been the reason I am still here. If it were not for him, you would never have awakened, Sister."
Athena looked like she wanted to argue, but she stayed silent.
"Now I'm going to go and meet him. If my intuitions are correct, then we are in deep shit." Artemis said. "I entrust that you'll guide them if anything happens to me, okay?"
"I will, but please return." Athena pleaded. "It's bad enough with our other family members. I can't . . ."
Artemis stepped forward and gave Athena a hug. "I'll be back, Sister. I'll give you my word." Artemis stepped back with a smile. "And I'd suggest you go visit him soon. He's got a lot to say to you."
The scene shifted and Percy was in a dark room. It took him a while, but Percy soon realized he was in the same room that he'd first met Shura.
Facing the windows overlooking the city, Shura stood with his arms behind his back. Scarlet stood next to him, looking poised and nervous at the same time.
"Can you do it?" Shura asked.
"Of course. I've never failed you before, haven't I?" Scarlet said.
Shura turned his head slightly facing Scarlet. "You failed your assassination."
"That's because of that stupid Greek goddess." Scarlet said. "If she hadn't interfered, it would've been-"
"If you fail, then you failed." Shura interrupted. "Do not bore me with excuses."
Scarlet tensed. "Yes."
"So, when will you depart?"
"I'm just waiting for the confirmation signal. As soon as we've identified the target, I'll be leaving immediately."
"Good. Go and prepare. Don't fail me this time." Shura said. Scarlet nodded and left the room.
Percy was amazed and frightened by how much control he had over Scarlet, who was hosting Isis. Gods, no matter which pantheon, don't really like it when mortals tell them to do things.
"An event of human extinction," Shura muttered to himself. "Is now commencing. Will you stand by and watch, or will you fight?" Shura then turned his head to where Percy was standing. "Perseus Jackson?"
Percy woke up with a jolt and beaded with sweat. He was back in his room in one of the cabins.
"Percy?" A drowsy voice called. When he saw Piper sleeping next to him, the night before came back in a flash. They had grabbed a bite to eat and Piper decided to crash with Percy. Again, nothing happened. They just fell asleep. "What's wrong?" Piper said.
"It's nothing." Percy smiled as he pecked Piper on the cheek. "I'll tell you in the morning. Just go back to sleep."
Piper was already snoring softly when Percy finished his sentence. He was now too worked up to go back to sleep, so he decided to go for a walk.
The time was nearing dawn as the sky was tinged with a dim bluish glow. The sun wasn't up, but it was about to be. The cold morning breeze lightly brushed against his skin as he made his way to the beach.
His thoughts started to wonder about his dreams. Who was Artemis meeting? What was Shura planning? What was Scarlet's mission?
His feet sunk slightly in the soft sand before he heard something in front of him. He looked up to see Athena standing in front of him, in her usual white blouse and blue jeans. While she looked tired and worn out, her aura was still intimidating as ever.
"Perseus." Athena simply said.
"Lady Athena." Percy bowed slightly. "It's been a while."
"You don't seem surprised."
Percy shrugged. "Artemis told me she's meeting with you, so I assumed you're awake."
Athena managed a smile. "I'd like a few words, if you will."
"Figured as much." Percy said. Strangely, he wasn't nervous at all.
Line Break
"How've you been?" Percy asked.
Athena seemed taken aback by the question. Normally, gods would always be in top tier condition. But given her appearance, of course Percy would be curious.
"I've been better." Athena admitted.
"Yeah, I think I've been feeling that way for about two years now." Percy said with a light chuckle. "I'm guessing you've heard everything from Artemis."
"Not everything." Athena said. "I'd like to hear it from your perspective."
Percy whistled. "Well, when I was on the run, I met Thalia in the middle of the forest. Then we-"
"No." Athena said. "From the beginning."
"This is the beginning."
Athena shook her head as they stopped in their tracks. "I want to hear about my daughter and her death."
Percy tensed. Was that the reason why Athena's here? To punish Percy for getting her daughter killed?
"I . . ." Percy took a deep breath. "I failed. I failed to protect her."
"That is not what I asked."
Percy felt his knees getting weak, so he sat down. It might be disrespectful, but if he was gonna be smited anyway he'd rather be comfortable than respectful.
Percy recounted every single detail as it was seared into his brain. The moment they were attacked, the moment they were forced to run away.
And the moment Annabeth lay dying in his arms. His final words to her, and her final words to him.
Percy didn't realize Athena had sat down with him by the time he was finished. "I failed to protect her. I . . . I'm sorry."
"There's nothing to be sorry for." Athena said. "She died a hero's death. She died saving her friends. There's no nobler sacrifice than . . . for your loved ones."
Percy heard Athena's voice crack at the end of her sentence. When Percy looked over, Athena was sobbing in her hands. "Oh for heaven's sake." Athena muttered. "It is not like me to cry in front of people."
"There's nothing wrong with crying, Athena." Percy said.
"Gods don't cry." Athena insisted. "Crying is what mortals do."
"What's so bad about that?" Percy said with a soft smile. "Annabeth was a mortal, and she's one of the greatest people I've known. Feeling like a mortal does not mean weakness. It means you value things more."
Athena sobbed softly. "Those are wise words, Perseus Jackson."
"Learned that from your daughter." Percy smiled. "I know you miss her. And I'm sure she loves you more than anything."
Athena relaxed a bit at Percy's words. She then recomposed herself as she took several deep breaths. "Thank you, Percy."
It didn't look like she was going to smite Percy, so his body relaxed.
"Any time." Percy said.
"Now." Athena said. "Tell me about your progress."
Line Break
It was morning by the time Athena and Percy finished talking. Percy expected Athena to just say 'keep up the good work' and go back to Olympus.
Imagine their surprise when Athena was sitting with them at breakfast. Thalia, Rachel, Piper, Carter, and Nico were too busy being in shock and awe for them to be eating breakfast.
"Is something wrong?" Athena asked. "Am I eating breakfast incorrectly?"
"No, no, no!" Thalia added. "There's nothing wrong, Lady Athena. It's just that we, uh, rarely get visits from gods. So forgive us for being a bit surprised when one joins our table for breakfast."
Athena shrugged as she bit her waffle.
Everyone turned their attention to Percy, demanding him to tell everything. And so Percy did.
"So, you're Athena." Carter said. "Like, the 'Goddess of Wisdom and War', Athena."
"Yes." Athena simply answered.
"Huh." Carter said. He then leaned in towards Percy. "Do all Greek gods visit this frequently?"
"Don't worry. This is weird for us as well." Percy said.
"Does he not believe that I'm a goddess?" Athena asked.
"It's not that, Lady Athena." Rachel explained. "He's Egyptian. So he's familiar with other gods. Not so much with Greek gods."
"Ah, I see." Athena said. "Then give Thoth my regards."
"You know Thoth?" Carter asked.
"Yes. As deities of wisdom, we often exchange notes." Athena said.
"Do you often converse with gods from other pantheons?" Piper asked.
"Occasionally." Athena bit her waffle again. "I don't get along with most of them. Except for Thoth. He's cool."
"Did Athena just refer to Thoth as cool?" Thalia asked Percy.
"Hey, I'm as surprised as you are." Percy held his hands up.
"Artemis thought it'd be best for me to get familiar with you guys, since I'll be visiting occasionally." Athena said. "And of course, to guide you and provide you with a plan."
"Well first, can you tell us what got Artemis so worked up on?" Thalia asked. "The last time she visited, she got tense a bit before leaving us."
Athena looked at them with a firm expression. "I'll give you that information when the time is right. But for everyone's sake, let's hope she's wrong." Athena said. "For now, I'll need to go over strategies. Who's your battle planner?"
The demigods stared at each other in confusion. It's like a situation in the classroom where the teacher asks a question to the whole classroom and the students are trying to telepathically decide who should answer it while saying 'I'm not gonna do it'.
"Strategist? Anyone who tells you what to do in battle?" Athena asked.
"Uh, we usually just wing it." Percy admitted.
Athena sighed as she pinched the bridge of her nose and shook her head lightly. "Is there no one who dictates the flow of battle?"
"Well, that'll either be Percy or Thalia." Piper said. "Depending on who feels more suicidal. They'll just jump in the middle of the enemy and start swinging at everything that moves."
Athena sighed. "We have a lot of work to do."
Line Break
After several pop quizzes and surprising written tests, Carter was elected as the Resistance's strategist.
"Does it matter if I'm Greek or Egyptian?" Carter asks.
"Wisdom is wisdom, whatever the source is." Athena smiled. "I sense that you are a natural-born leader. And from your feats of battle that you have told, you'll be more suitable as a leader."
"But Percy has been in more battles." Carter said.
"Which is why he's better suited in the front lines compared to being a strategist." Athena explained.
"I have no arguments here." Percy grinned.
"Yep, same here." Thalia said. "I prefer stabbing Crusaders."
"Then it's settled." Athena said. "Come with me, Carter and I shall teach you the battle tactics of Olympus."
"Uh, I'm not sure if I-"
"Come." Athena said as she walked away, not waiting for an answer.
Carter looked at the others for help. "Sorry dude, I'm not going against Athena." Nico said. Carter sighed miserably as he followed Athena to a private lesson.
"I've gotta say." Thalia said. "She's nicer than when I last met her."
"I guess even gods change." Nico said. "Now, what's the plan?"
That was a good question. They didn't manage to convince Shura during their encounter last night, so Percy's plan is out of the question. As it currently stands, they are in a stalemate. Both sides are getting ready for an engagement and are determined to make it the last one.
"I don't know." Percy admitted. "The best I could think of is getting ready and being prepared for any situation."
"So we're stuck here for now." Nico said. "Well you guys are. I can leave whenever via shadow-travel."
"Good, you can help me with some spy stuff." Rachel said. "Come, I need to discuss something with you."
Nico groaned as he followed Rachel.
"How's Reyna, by the way?"
"She's recovering well." Thalia said. "She hasn't woken up yet, but she's been talking while she's sleeping so I'll take that as a good sign. Maybe."
"Maybe?" Percy asked.
"I think she's having dreams." Thalia said worryingly. "Which is surprising since it's been a while since we got those."
"You mean those prophetic dreams that demigods used to get?" Piper said.
Thalia nodded. "The last one I had was probably a year ago."
"I had one last night." Percy said. Both girls looked at him. "What?"
"You didn't bother to tell us?" Piper asked.
"Was waiting for the right time." Percy shrugged. "And now it seems like it." Percy recounted his dreams. Athena's meeting with Artemis and Shura's scheme.
"That doesn't sound good." Thalia said.
"Nothing good ever comes from demigod dreams." Percy said. "But we need to be ready. Shura is planning something and from the sounds of it, it's going to be something big."
"I'll round the perimeter to see if we can find anything useful. Thanks to you, we can't really leave this camp anymore." Thalia stared at the ice wall. "But they can't get in any more. I'll see about climbing to the top to get a vantage point." Thalia finished before she headed off.
That left Piper and Percy.
Piper grasped Percy's hand softly. "Are you okay?"
"You know the answer to that question." Percy sighed. "But aside from worrying about our safety, I'm doing fine."
Piper managed a worrying smile. "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure." Percy said.
"What'll happen to us?" Piper said. "Assuming we live through everything."
"Huh. I never really thought about it." Percy said. "But I don't plan on leaving you anytime soon, so you have that on your table."
"Oh man. I was looking forward to the single life." Piper mused.
Percy chuckled. "For our future." Percy squeezed her hand lightly. "We'll get there when we get there."
"I'd like that." Piper said as she leaned over the table and gave him a kiss.
Percy smiled into their kiss. "I love you."
"I love me too."
"Funny."
Piper laughed. "I'm gonna go over some intel with Rachel. What will you be doing?"
"I guess I'll check up on the wall." Percy said. "Haven't really checked up on it."
"See you later then." Piper pecked him once more on the lips before heading off.
Line Break
Percy walked along the perimeter of the ice wall. He was impressed with himself for achieving such a feat. He had to pull water from the ocean and the depths of the Earth with the help of the water magicians before freezing it. After that, he brought the whole thing up as a wall.
He was later joined by Carter as he was roaming around the wall. "Hey." Percy greeted.
"Hey." Carter replied. "What are you doing?"
"Checking the defenses." Percy said. "Are you done with your lesson with Athena?"
"Somewhat." Carter scratched the back of his head as they continued walking. "Not being rude to your goddess or anything, but her genius is scary."
"I've heard that before." Percy laughed. "I thought of that myself when I was . . ." Percy stopped himself. He was about to recount his memory with Annabeth, but it just made his heart ache.
"I know." Carter said. "Anyway, how are you doing?"
Percy was glad Carter wanted to change the subject. "I think you should ask yourself that question. You've just met Isis. How are you doing?"
Carter bit his lip. "Shocked doesn't seem to cover it." Carter admitted. "But after a year of nothing, I finally have a lead on my sister. So I'm somewhat hopeful."
"Well, I hope we find her." Percy said. "Even Artemis is rooting for your success."
"Better not let her down then." Carter said. "Anyway, I was thinking that-"
They were interrupted by the sound of rustling leaves. Normally, the sound of leaves rustling wouldn't be suspicious. But this one just sounds suspicious. Carter and Percy, both well-trained in combat, pulled out their weapons out of instinct and faced towards the sound.
"Show yourself." Percy called.
"Didn't expect such a warm welcome." A voice said as it came out from behind the trees. Percy had never seen this person before. He was bigger than Percy and was more athletic, with a brown complexion and closely-shaven head. He looked like a trackstar athlete with his black muscle shirt and running tracks.
"Who are you?" Percy asked.
"Walt?" Carter said.