Percy found Chiron alone in the Big House, lost in thought. He was seated in his wheelchair again, staring forlornly at the ping pong table they used for war talks. Percy hesitantly raised his knuckle and after deliberating for a moment, knocked harshly on the door frame. Chiron looked up.
"Ah, Perseus! Come in," his teacher greeted, his eyes grim.
"Where's the kid," Percy asked, slumping into a chair with a grunt.
"Orientation film."
"What? At this time?"
"Why not?"
Percy rolled his eyes, hissing softly as he stretched his arms out, causing pops and cracks to echo through the empty room. He contemplated telling Chiron about what the cyclopes had said. If he told Chiron, then the gods would find out. If the gods found out…Percy refused to think of that. Zeus was not known for showing mercy.
"Something on your mind, Perseus," Chiron asked him. He must have been making a sour face at the notion of Zeus' reaction to the kid's destiny.
"Yeah," Percy sighed, "Just something that the cyclopes said."
"And what would that be."
Percy hesitated for a moment before answering, "Gibberish. I heard Nyx pop up a few times. I think they were after me."
The room grew colder, the fire in the fireplace faltering. Chiron frowned, staring at Percy intently.
"And why would the Lady Night be after you?"
"Something I did down there in the pit, that's all really."
Chiron held his gaze for a few more moments before conceding. He sighed and relaxed in his chair.
"If that's the case, the cyclopes are just the beginning."
Percy nodded, not feeling any bit of guilt for lying to his mentor.
"Just a bunch of monsters," Percy grinned, "Easy enough."
"Sure. Unless the lady sends her kids after you."
Just then, they heard a door open upstairs and the door shut softly. Percy carefully schooled his facial expression so as to not give away any emotions. Soft footsteps shuffled downstairs, then the door creaked open, revealing a mop of black hair and pale skin.
"Chiron," the kid whispered.
"Yes, child?"
"Who made that video?"
"Lord Apollo had a lot to do with it. What did you think of it?"
The kid stared at Chiron with wide eyes for a moment.
"Can I leave?"
Percy laughed, slapping his knee. If only he had the Camp Half-Blood Confidential with him. Chiron seemed to have found is amusing as well, chuckling as his eyes gleamed.
"That's it for the cringy stuff, I assure you," Percy cut in, feeling a lot more awake.
"Good. I was afraid I had fallen in with a group of cosplayers and dweebs."
"Don't worry. You'll fit right in!"
Percy retired to his cabin, evading the searching eyes of camp harpies. Chiron had led the kid to a room in the big house, explaining that waking the entire Hermes cabin in the dead of night wouldn't be an ideal first impression. Percy agreed. Percy collapsed in his bunk, fully clothed, as the soothing scent of saltwater lulled him to sleep.
His dreams were disturbing, even for demigod standards. Percy stood at the foot of a massive throne in what he assumed to be inside a cavern. There were only a dozen torches to illuminate the foreboding scene as a large figure moved into the light, flanked by two Titans. The figure was shrouded in a mess of shadows and darkness, its face covered with a hood. Its body flowed like a cloud, gently caressing the jagged floor. Percy easily recognized the titans as they stepped into the light. Oceanus stood proudly to the figure's right and Iapetus strutted to its left. The figure grew in size, large enough for the throne, and sat down, its essence dissolving in the surrounding air to reveal the face of a man. His face was pale, almost white. His hazel eyes gazed at Hyperion as if silently asking the titan a question.
"It will be ready, my lord," Iepatus said.
"How soon," the man said, his voice barely a whisper, yet it filled the cavern.
"A week or so at most."
"Good. I have waited eons for this moment. You would do well not to fail me."
"Yes, sire."
Iapetus retreated into the darkness with a bow, his feet barely making a sound.
"Oceanus."
"My lord?"
"How soon can you attack?"
"My troops surround the city, sire. However, I feel it to be wise to wait just a few days longer as more troops rally. The sea god may be wretched, but his forces are formidable."
"Good, good. Use your best judgment. But I feel it best we don't attack."
"Sire?"
"Don't attack," the man leaned back leisurely, a knowing smile splitting his hollow face.
"What?"
"Would it be wise to attack an enemy who knows we're coming?"
"No, sire, of course not. Unless we managed to muster a force powerful enough, that is."
"Perhaps I should rephrase. Don't attack…yet. Let Poseidon cower in fear as he realizes how outmanned he really is. Then, we crush him."
"Sire. But how would he know? We have been keeping extremely quiet, I assure you."
"Oh, I know. He doesn't know now. But he will," the man now was staring intently at the ground.
"How, sire?"
"Because… the sea spawn watches."
The man's eyes flicked to Percy, and a nasty smile stretched across his face. Percy's stomach churned, and his heart clenched.
"Call for your father, sea spawn," Oceanus laughed, now staring directly at Percy, "And watch in fear as your puny gods are crushed."
"The era of Olympus has concluded," the man declared, "Spread the word, Perseus Jackson. Erebus has risen."
Pain spread through Percy's body like fire as maniacal laughter pounded through his head. He trashed and cried, praying for relief as the pounding intensified, along with the yelling. Then he woke, panting and crying, as someone pounded on his cabin door and yelled.
"-AKE UP, FOR GODS' SAKE!"
"I'm up," he tried, his voice barely above a croak. His head throbbed as he reached up to clutch it, dread pooling in his stomach. He tried pulling the covers he was tangled in off of him, but his arms throbbed. His attempts at sitting up only aggravated the pain.
"Percyyyy," the person outside cried, knocking harshly on the door, a noise that reverberated through his head like a gunshot. He couldn't make out if the voice was male or female, only that it was loud… and it hurt. He opened his mouth again, which was heavily salivating at this point, to answer, but promptly collapsed once more as nausea bubbled in his stomach. He reached for a trash can he kept beside his bed and mustering whatever strength he could, leaned over and threw up. The person outside seemed to hear the retching as they yelled, "Oh seaweed brain! I'll go fetch Chiron!" The knocking stopped, but the throbbing in his head didn't. Neither did the retching, as he threw up repeatedly in the span of a few minutes. He barely heard the concerned yells from outside the door or the loud crash of the door being kicked in, but he felt a cool hand gently brush away hair from his vision as grey eyes came into view, staring at him forlornly.
"Percy, are you alright," he heard a girl's voice say from far away, then he threw up again.
"Stand aside, Annabeth," a guy said as a hand rested on his forehead. It was cold, uncomfortably, cold, but a gentle warmth spread through his veins, clearing his vision and hearing.
"Ugh," Percy managed, collapsing back into his sweat-filled sheets.
"Indeed," the girl said, patting his head and kissing his head. Annabeth. Her name was Annabeth. He knew Annabeth.
"Annieeee," he groaned, "It huurts."
"I know dear," she whispered, caressing his cheek, "It's okay now. Will is here."
Will? Will. Will Solace.
"Willy Wonka," Percy whispered, reaching for him.
"It's alright, Perce. You're just a little dehydrated but we'll get you hooked up."
"What happened to him," Annabeth asked him.
"I can't tell. My best guess is probably a stomach bug. It's strange though."
Percy's thoughts cleared, remembering last night's dream. He sat upright, startling the two demigods before him. He ignored the throbbing in his head as he shoved off the covers in a hurry and ran out the door, leaving Annabeth and Will calling after him. He ran for the Big House, ignoring the groups of campers getting ready for morning sessions. He ignored the fact that he missed breakfast. His father was in danger. He skidded to a stop outside the porch, where Chiron sat with Mr.D and Icarus, apparently explaining something to them.
"Chiron," Percy roared, "I need- I need to call my father. IM Poseidon, NOW!"
Mr.D lazily stared up at him while Chiron frowned.
"What's the matter?"
"Erebus. Erebus is planning something. It involves attacking my father," Percy yelled. Why wouldn't they understand? Anger bubbled in his stomach at Chiron's lack of haste.
"Are you sure, Percy?"
"YES," he cried, hoping to drive across a point, "Oceanus is teaming up with him! And Iapetus! Please hurry!"
Chiron sighed, frowning at him.
"Percy, are you certain?"
"Quiet certain," Percy retorted, barely controlling a snippy remark. Chiron grabbed a drachma from his fanny pack and retreated indoors, motioning Percy to come along with him. Percy heard Chiron request Iris to accept his offering and to show him Poseidon. Percy stared at the cloud as his father's face came into focus, sitting on his throne and polishing his trident.
"Father," Percy cried, startling Poseidon, who gasped and looked up. His face split into a grin as Percy leaned forward to talk to him.
"Percy! My son! What-"
"Atlantis is in danger."
Poseidon's smile evaporated, a grim look passing over his face.
"How do you mean?"
"I had a dream, dad," Percy explained as patiently as he could, "Erebus is rising and two titans have already sided with him. Oceanus among them. They have surrounded Atlantis and are amassing troops."
Poseidon slumped in his chair, a concerned expression crossing his face.
"I shall rally the troops then. Send out patrols and teams to recon enemy lines. Yes, that's what I must do," he muttered to himself.
Percy looked on, fear for his father filling his heart, as he heard someone crouch down beside him and clutch his hand. Golden locks buried themselves on his shoulder as he hugged the person back.
"I'm scared, Wise Girl."
"Me too, Seaweed Brain."
Poseidon stood up abruptly, the water around him sizzling as if he were boiling it. With a determined look, he looked up at Percy.
"What now, dad," Percy asked him, hoping that the answer was not what he thought it was.
"Now, son," Poseidon said, picking up his trident with intent, "We prepare for war."