By the time I reached the camp the sun was starting to set, as I drove down the familiar road of Long Island Sound I was propelled back in time to everything I had done in the camp. Some good...some bad...some evil. All in all I'd say it was good though, I saw a small amount of smoke between the trees and as the I cleared them I saw a wrecked car flipped over and a police cruiser pulling onto the road and passing me.
I tried to glance at who the cops had just arrested but the windows were too dark to make anything out. I shrugged and pulled off the road where a large pine tree dominated the hill, I hopped out of my car and grabbed my gun from the passenger seat before making my way to my old home. The camp looked the same as it did when I first came here, the only difference was the large number of new cabins, and one of those new cabins was of my mother where my siblings lived.
The thought made me smile as the door to the Big House flew open and Chiron walked out "Samuel!" he said with a grin. I walked up and shook his hand before we both sat down. As usual, the second I got to camp we started a round of Pinochle, about halfway through the game Chiron spoke up "So what brings you Samuel? Your siblings have not caused as much of a ruckus as before. They are actually doing very well despite the constant arguing between them all." he explained.
"My siblings aren't actually the reason I'm here. We have a serious problem." I started and Chiron nodded in agreement.
"Apollo...I am aware." he said and I lowered my cards, unaware that Chiron could see them now. What the hell did he mean by Apollo? What about him? Does it have to do with the prophecies not working anymore? I thought it was just because there are no more left.
"He is mortal now, he is staying in the Apollo cabin as we...speak?" Chiron said but I was already gone! Oh man a god turned mortal!? Especially an annoying stuck up obnoxious frat boy like Apollo?! Oh fuck yes you couldn't pay me to not see this shit!
I booked it as fast as I could and saw the familiar cabin that one of my closest friends resided and kicked the door wide open. Everyone in the cabin turned at the loud sound as I stepped in, normally people immediately cower and look scared when I walk into a room, maybe it's the eyes, my reputation, the way I look, but whatever it is it had no effect on anyone from Camp Half-blood, they all know me too well.
"Where is he?" I asked and they all pointed to the only person that looked terrified, I grinned widely as I walked over and knelt down to be at eye level with the weird looking guy. I held in a laugh "You're Apollo?" I asked in the most neutral voice I could muster.
He nodded "Yes do I know you?" and that made me drop my smile and I scowled deeply. This piece of shit doesn't even remember me?! After everything I did for his ass!? His son is my closest friend, I defended Olympus for his sorry ass, I lost an eye because of Olympus! I lost a hand because of Olympus! I lost myself because of these pieces of shit and he can't even be bothered to know my fucking name!?
I took a deep breath and could feel my eye twitch, if I attack a god that is now mortal does that actually count as attacking a god?
"Sammy?" a voice behind me spoke, I turned to see Will Solace standing there holding the hand of Nico di Angelo. I smiled a little as I got up and pulled the two younger campers into a hug before we walked out of the cabin. As we walked Will held Nico close, aw they are so cute! I'm happy for them, I was jarred from my thoughts by Will "So what brings you here we weren't expecting you for another couple days." he said.
"Right we got a problem...which I probably should have told Chiron before I came rushing down here." I said looking at the Big house in the distance.
"What is it?" Nico asked.
I turned back to them "Someone is systematically destroying the factions. They have a benefactor and are trying to being all of their enemies to ruin so they can establish a monarchy. At least that's what I think, the guy attacking us is...he seems ruthless. Kind of like me but without any of the nice qualities."
Nico opened his mouth to say something but Will squeezed his hand tightly and he closed it. What was he gonna say? I didn't say anything there that isn't absolutely true.
"Well who is this guy? Mythical figure? Demigod? Mortal?" Will asked curiously and I thought back to my dream, the man was silent he made sounds but he had not spoken a single word. I racked my brain trying to think of any mythical figures that may have been silent or something but nothing came to mind.
"A demigod at the very least, he knew way too much about the Gargareans to be mortal. However, the man that he was speaking to said that he would take his place as king. Not just that he said the rightful king, that could be a number of so called kings throughout history. Are there any that called themselves the rightful king or anything? Any that wore a wolf helmet? Any that got betrayed?" I asked.
"Almost all got betrayed and all believed to be the rightful ruler. The wolf helmet though...I'm not sure I have never heard of a king wearing something like that." Will explained.
I sighed, figures it's a guy we can't pinpoint. I'm calling it right now there is going to be a dramatic showdown, I'm gonna get beat up, he's going to take off his helmet, I will recognize him, and then he tells me his master plan. Taking on bets who wants in on this?!
I looked at the young son of Apollo "Would you mind relaying this to Chiron? Tell him to get ready for anything and watch out for this warrior. The dude is quick and vicious, he's taken out legions in a single fight." I explained and he nodded. I pulled him into a hug before waving goodbye and heading over to the Eris cabin. Got to check in on those idiots often anyway.
I walked up the steps and looked at the flourishing golden apple trees that formed an arc over the doorway. I breathed in the lovely scent of the blooming flowers in the garden that wrapped around the cabin. Yeah I know you wouldn't know it but the two flowers that surround the garden, petunias and red poppies, symbolize anger and war respectively. Fitting don't you think?
I knock on the door hard and a few seconds later the door opened to reveal a young blonde haired boy with red eyes. Aaron, the youngest child of Eris to date, he broke into a large grin "Sam!" he shouted and I knelt and pulled my brother into a hug.
I looked up to see all of my siblings sighing in relief before pulling blankets off of their, undoubtedly, illegal pranks and contraband. Christina and Angelica were trying to create different types of bullets by the looks of it, the twins Simon and Arthur were were going over a plan, most likely a prank.
"What's up everyone!" I shouted and they all grinned my sisters hugged me before they quickly ran out to test their bullets. Aaron followed them, Will had taken it upon himself to make the youngest and most protected child of Eris a trained healer so when we inevitably get injured we have a healer to help us.
"What are you doing here Sam?" Simon asks blowing his dyed hair out of his face. Oh yeah! You never would have guessed this but Simons gay, he came out right when Nico did and then started dating some Hermes kid. It used to be the twins were identical in every single way, now Simon had dyed the tips of his black hair a blood red.
I pushed the thoughts out of my head and focused on the task at hand "I just wanted to check in with you guys. See how you are doing, sorry I haven't been around recently." I said scratching my head.
My brothers grinned "Tell you what, try out this new gun we've been developing and we'll call it even." Arthur said. I knew I should have said no but I love my brothers and if their pranks would make them happy. I'm not one to argue...actually scratch that I'm the epitome of arguing but for these guys I make an exception.
I grabbed the weird looking object that looked somewhere between a machine gun and a flamethrower. I walked outside to where Aaron was already bandaging Angelica, looks like her bullet backfired and tore through her shoulder.
"Step aside guys." I requested and they all backed up as I aimed at one of the targets that was next to the house. We had set up our own gun range next to use to practice on our own time and not bother the others with the noise. I closed my eye aiming dead center and pulled the trigger.
Nothing happened.
I turned to my brothers and gave them a curious expression but they looked just as confused as me. I lowered my hands "What was this meant to do?" I asked.
"It was like a grenade launcher basically...I could have sworn we made it correctly. What went wrong?" Simon asked to his brother who just shrugged.
Suddenly the gun started shaking, I looked down and right then it fired something deep into the earth and then it broke apart in my hands. We all looked at each other with horror in our eyes.
"Oh shit..." I muttered as the ground exploded under us and we all were knocked off our feet. I flew up and landed on the roof of the cabin, I groaned loudly as I started to get up. I could see all of my siblings below me, covered in dirt but otherwise unharmed.
I heard a crack below me and only had time to look down before the roof gave out under my weight and I went crashing into the cabin.
My head hit the table.
I blacked out.
The visions that swarmed me were terrifying to say the least. The warrior from before was sitting by a fire with a few Gargarean soldiers, they seemed to be in the middle of the forest chatting and eating.
"Will you eat sir?" one of the soldiers asked and the warrior glanced in his direction before staring back into the fire. He was sharpening a stick with his gladius, when it reach a sharp point he grunted in amusement before sticking the point into the fire.
The soldier lowered his hand awkwardly before he started eating again. Looking at all of them, these men...they were Gargareans! They were traitors! They were...following...orders...I saw the man from before. He was no older than Will Solace and the fear and discomfort in his eyes was evident. I could see that he didn't want to be there almost as much as me.
"Sir? When we reach General Langdon what are we going to do?" another soldier asked curiously. The warrior turned and put his sword to his neck and made a killing gesture. All of the soldiers shifted uncomfortably, it was clear they didn't want this but they were under orders. Their honor was more important than what they wanted...something I understood all too well.
"You can't be serious! This...we can't do this! This isn't what we do! We are protectors of the peace not murderers!" the young soldier from before exclaimed in fear. The warrior turned and his amber eyes hardened as he glared at the young man.
Then he drove the fiery stick into the soldiers neck.
The soldier fell over shrieking in pain as the warrior thrust the burning stick farther and farther. He then thrust his sword down and killed the soldier instantly. He stood up and wiped the blood off with a small rag before sheathing the sword and sitting down.
All of the other soldiers were shaking in fear staring at the now dead teenager. They glanced at the warrior who gave no indication that what he just did effected him in any way shape or form. The warrior glanced at the rations that the dead soldier had dropped during his murder, he picked it up and then lifted his helmet slightly, then started chewing on it. I couldn't make out any features still but I did notice something distinct:
A long scar wrapping around his neck.
Suddenly I was pulled away from the scene and I was sitting on a throne or recliner or something...I looked down and saw that I wasn't in my body, I was wearing some kind of captain uniform or something that people who go yachting wear.
I looked up and saw Apollo, well mortal Apollo, and a young girl looking terrified. I stood up and looked to my right, Jason Grace was in a swirling mass and getting cut up by the shards inside! I started breathing heavily but not even my lungs worked properly! I wasn't in control!
Then Jason roared, but I heard no sound at all, he started attacking me and my body fought against him. We dueled as a number of arrows pierced his back but he didn't relent. Then he turned and shouted something to Apollo and...much to my horror...I thrust a spear into him.
Jason fell and made no indication of moving...then I thrust the spear between his shoulder blades. I know enough about the human body to know that not only did that thrust snap his spine...it pierced his heart.
I looked up and saw Apollo and the girl escaping.
What have I done...WHAT HAVE I DONE?! I wanted to scream I wanted to punch myself! I wanted to kill myself as payment for what I did. Then I looked up and I saw a reflection...
It wasn't me, it was some man his eyes narrow and his jaw sharp like a barracudas. Who was this guy?!
"What are you doing inside me?" the man spoke to his reflection, scaring me to my core.
Suddenly as if I was punched I was propelled out of him, through darkness, I felt as if I was falling, falling for days and days with no end in sight just pure inky blackness.
"JASON!" I screamed as I shot up out of my bed. Wait...why am I in a bed? I could barely breathe I grabbed my chest in fright. I was gasping as I tried to catch my breath but I couldn't, the feeling of running that spear through Jason...of that man knowing I witnessed it.
"I see you are awake Samuel." came the voice of Chiron as he entered the room along with Will and Aaron right beside him wearing small gold scrubs. Chiron stayed by the wall as the two healers started examining me "You gave us quite the fright although we probably shouldn't have been. I believe you have been in this infirmary more times than you have fired your guns." he said and I cracked a smile as my breathing finally became more stable.
"Are you okay?" Will asked as Aaron handed me some water, I nodded before taking a sip. After that I got out of the bed and got dressed as quickly as I could, I have to protect Jason! What I just saw...that can't happen! It just can't! Will must have seen how off I was "Sam? I know that look. Don't do it whatever you are thinking. Focus on why you came here. We told Chiron everything your job is done you can go back to Hylla." he insisted.
I glared at him, "I can't just leave Sunny Boy!" I shot back but Chiron cleared his throat.
"Actually...it may be best if you do. I have a favor to ask that requires someone that is not currently tied down with the camps problems. Namely you." Chiron explained and I frowned what could he possibly need me for. Chiron looked a little like he didn't want to tell me but what could-
"It appears Percy has been arrested for disturbing the peace. Something to do with destroying a car." he explained.
Yeah the look he had was justified because I doubled over laughing. Oh my god this is too good! Perfect Percy got arrested?! This is unbelievably hilarious!
"You want me to go and get him I assume?" I asked when I finally calmed down, wiping a few tears away I saw Chiron nodding. I took a deep breath trying to regain my composure but goddamn that shit is hilarious! I looked at Will and Aaron and that back at Chiron with a grin.
"Time for a jailbreak!"
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