Chapter 6

My eyes lingered on the dining hall as I played with the ring on my finger, restricting it from appearing in its scythe form as it fell off my hand.

The campers talked with smiles on their faces, enjoying their year round stay at camp even in the icy winter, though the snow was light within the borders.

Seeing the cheerful energy around the camp, I knew I wouldn't fit in.

It almost brought a smile to my face.

A fear in the back of my mind was that I'd be enthralled with Camo Half-Blood and want to stay, but not even a day here had told me that I couldn't wait to return to my room in the underworld.

I was so caught up with thoughts like these, that I didn't notice the person sneak up behind me.

With the hangout spot I had picked to remain unbothered.

After all, I was at the top of the rock climbing wall flooded with lava. Who would come here during the middle of dinner?

I turned around with my hand on my sheathed hilt. I didn't expect it to be a monster, but I couldn't be too sure.

I was confused as there was no one directly behind me at the top, yet I was sure I had heard something.

"Calm down, boogeyman. It's just me."

My eyes darted down slightly below, locking with a pair of blue irises.

"Thalia." I grumbled

"Oh? Surprised you know my name. I didn't think you did luh listening." She said as she effortlessly made her way to my level, at the top,

She was quick, I duly noted.

I watched as she walked forward, stopping only once she was directly in front of me.

She shot out a hand.

I watched with a raised eyebrow.

"We got off on the wrong foot. I'm not here to be besties, or anything, but I'd rather not have enemies at the camp.

Wouldn't want to have to hurt you, you know?"

"Hmph. You didn't seem like the type to apologize."

"I'm not." She said without skipping a beat. "Just in a good mood."

Her response surprised me slightly, but I slowly removed my hand from my sword and stretched it out to meet her own, tilting my head down to get a good look into her eyes.

She frowned as we shook.

"You're kinda tall, and your voice is unnaturally deep, but besides what the others are thinking, I don't think you're much older than us." She said, catching me off guard.

"Why do you think that?"

She shrugged.

"Your actions. I don't really know how to explain it, but I could see myself doing the things you do.

Not very mature."

I scoffed as I turned my back to her, sitting back down on my little perch of the cliff.

"If you were to do what I do, you wouldn't be nearly effeccient."

"Oh yeah?"

Thalia sat down a step behind me. I didn't know who invited her to sit with me, but I found myself not wanting to get rid of her just yet.

"I've seen you fight. You're not a pushover, I'll admit, but something tells me your tough talk outweighs your actual abilities."

"You really believe that?" I said in a low tone.

She shrugged. "I said it didn't I?

But you know you could always prove yourself."

She pointed towards the woods.

"Tomorrow night, capture the flag versus the hunters. We've never been able to beat them, but that changes today."

"So that's why you came up here? To recruit me to beat people you can't handle.

"Woah there buddy." Thalia raised her hands up.

"I personally haven't gone against the hunters yet. This is technically my first year at camp.

The reason we're gonna win this year is because of me, don't get it twisted.

I'm just curious about you."

I grunted.

"Curiosity is a dangerous trait.

"I'm a dangerous person.

So what do you say, Plutus?"

I turned back to her. I studied her posture for a moment, and sensed no ulterior motives. She was honestly pretty relaxed.

"I'll think about it." I said in a low tone.

"Good enough for me, I guess.

But like I already said, with or without you, I'm taking home a win."

I shifted my body slightly to fully face the girl, and was surprised to see she had already done the same.

She blushed slightly as I guess she didn't expect me to catch her so close.

"You're awfully confident. I'm sure that's a product of Zeus's daughter."

Thalia raised a brow and replied partially defensive. "Who told you that?"

"No one, but you just confirmed it.

I had a hint when you shocked me last time we made contact."

She slumped her shoulders slightly and turned away.

"Well it wasn't much of a secret. Just, I don't like being known as "Zeus's Girl", y'know.

Not the best person to be tied to."

Surprising even myself, I laughed out loud.

Thalia looked at me with a shocked expression.

I quickly coughed out to stop myself, clearing my throat.

"My fault." I muttered out.

"Uhh, it's fine, I guess?

It's kinda a weird thing to find funny, but hearing you laugh is the strangest part."

I raised a brow.

"I'm human. I can't laugh?"

"You just seem like the type to hate showing emotion. Robot-esque kinda vibes."

I huffed. "It's just that you thinking Zeus is a bad person to be associated with makes me look like a devil."

Thalia was silent for a moment, making me wonder if I said something wrong.

"So you're a demigod?"

I tensed up.

I had said too much.

"Don't worry about it." I said slowly.

"Wait wait wait!" She said, but I was already getting up.

"Nice talk, daughter of Zeus, but this really isn't my thing.

I'll remember the apology, but like you said, there's no need to be friends."

I don't know if the girl tried to respond back or not as I descended the wall as quickly as possible, disappearing into the shadows with the help of my cloak.

I didn't have time for Thalia to become yet another distraction.

I didn't have time for any, actually.

I didn't, and neither did Plutus.

(A/N: When saying Plutus in cases like this, Percy is referring to himself under the alias. It will be obvious when he's talking about the actual owner of the name.)

-Line Break-

I stood at the edge of the creek, reluctantly walking forward with the centaur on my side.

Well the reluctance was a front as I actually wanted to be here, though I couldn't let the man know.

"I'm surprised you chose to actually participate in this event, Plutus."

"Me too."

"Er, well, I'm sure the campers would be happy to have you. Keep on walking in this direction and you'll reach the group. I must attend to the hunters side to make sure things are going smoothly."

He said before trotting off.

I noted that he seemed to not like talking to me, ending the conversation quickly. But something told me it wasn't out of fear.

I ignored this as I finally came up on the group of campers half way through their planning.

Thalia perked up as I walked into her view.

"Look who decided to show.

Just in time to review the plans." She said.

I raised my hand. "You don't have to worry about me. You do your thing, and I'll do mine."

She raised a brow. "That's not how this works, gloomy."

I tightened up a little at the nickname.

"Trust me, Thalia. If you want to win, I suggest you leave me alone."

The other campers seemed unsure, probably not even wanting me on their team, but Thalia remained unfazed.

After thinking for a moment, she only sighed.

"I tried to be nice. If you want to be like that, then stay out of my way.

I'm gonna trample the hunters, and I'm sure you don't want to get caught up in the mix."

I only smirked at her threat from underneath my hood.

Thalia was being weirdly friendly at first, but I was glad to see that I was right.

She was a fighter.

I think I liked this side of her better.

I turned my back to her as she continued going over things with her squad.

I didn't make it two steps before another demigod appeared behind me.

Ocean eyes, fitted in less armor then the rest, with his magical sword already drawn.

"Theseus." I acknowledge the boy.

"You know, you don't have to call me that. Most just call me Theo." He replied with his annoyingly friendly voice.

I ignored him at first and looked behind him, a much smaller group of campers armed and ready.

"But I'm surprised to see you playing. I'm guessing Thalia sent you to stand watch with my group?"

I scoffed. "That girl has no say over what I ro. I'm on my own.

I'll spend my time observing at first; then I'll make my move.

You all don't have to worry about anything, just watch as I win this useless game for you."

The kid rubbed his neck awkwardly. "You know you really don't have to be like that."

"I do."

Theo sighed in defeat. "Ok Plutus, I guess. If you change your mind, I'll be waiting by the creek standing guard."

He said as he lead his group off.

I wondered if he really thought I would show up.

I let out a sigh as this was all taking longer than I thought to start.

I scouted slightly before I saw a tall enough tree that would give me a good view of the battlefield.

It didn't take me long to climb to the top and make myself comfortable among the branches.

I laid on my back and played idly with the leaves as I heard Chiron go over the rules of the game.

I was hardly paying attention as the horn sounded, signaling the start of the game.

From my spot, I could see Thalia leading her group on a raid, darting straight for the hunters flag, which I could see clearly from my spot.

I could also see a group of said hunters waiting in ambush for Thalia to reach them. To be honest, I could see many of the hiding hunters, making me amused as they were supposed to be in their element right now.

Though, I noted I hadn't yet seen Zoe, as well there seemed to be less hunters than usual, so maybe they weren't completely incompetent.

I expected the clueless campers to be snuffed it immediately by their hidden enemies, but was surprised to see Thalia completely bulldoze the first one to jump out with her shield.

The moment the send on appeared, she had caught them with her spear and send them flying.

As the group had caught on, they surprisingly were able to completely subdue the failed ambush squad, with Thalia doing most of the work.

They didn't stay long in one spot, rushing in forward.

Hmph. Maybe I had underestimated Camp Half Blood, and Thalia especially.

Though, they weren't spectacular enough to make watching them worth spending my time here.

I got up with a groan, wondering what I should do.

The hunters too had sent a party to retrieve the flag, but based off the looks of it, they weren't close enough for them to be an immediate threat.

So did I simply take the flag now and call the game?

No not yet. That wouldn't be embarrassing enough, for both sides.

I knew what I was going to do.

If I remembered correctly, Theo would be waiting on defense near the creak.

A wicked idea flashed through my mind.

I jumped out the tree, not having the care to climb down gracefully.

I landed with a roll and darted to where Theseus had walked off too.

It didn't take me long to find him.

He was alone, apparently sending others to guard a different area.

He must've been confident in his abilities, but I wasn't complaining as it made my life easier.

I slowed down once the bushes stopped, watching the boy stand idly as the water flowed at his feet.

I took one step out of the shadows, and immediately he was on guard, yet he hadn't yet turned.

I guess it was time to test his reflexes.

In a moment, I closed the distance between us before the boy knew what was coming.

In the process, I had removed my ring from my finger and reared back my scythe a moment later.

Just as I was about to reach him, I was hit.

I was hit hard.

I had no idea what it was, as the boy hadn't even turned, yet somehow I was sent flying.

I landed in the dirt with a roll, snapping back up quickly with a look of rage.

Theo had whipped his head around and spotted me, a look of confusion on his face. "Plutus?"

I noticed a wave falling at his feet, much higher than the rest of the water, but ignored it.

"I didn't mean to-"

I didn't let him finish as I rushed forward yet again, now with the intent to actually hurt him.

The kid was utterly confused, but surprisingly he was able to raise his sword and deflect me with decent power behind him.

I scowled as I stepped back, gathering myself.

I had originally thought it would be fun to fool around with the kid, test his power maybe before I secured our win, but that had gone out the window as he had hit me with whatever it was.

I didn't let just anybody hit me like that.

I followed up with two more swings, the first one being ducked under, and the second missing completely as he jumped back.

"This is a misunderstanding, I swear!" Said Theuses as he continually dodged my attacks. He was surprisingly light on his feet.

The fact that he wasn't even fighting back made me even more mad.

"I didn't mean to- oof!"

The kid was cut off ass the butt of my hit hit him in his chest and sent him on his back into the water.

I walked forward with my scythe ready.

I reared it back, planning on giving the boy one hood hit with the bottom stem of my blade before moving on, but was caught off guard as the water shifted to launch the boy forward and into the air.

I watched slightly off guard as he descending from the sky and crashed down with a overhead strike.

I raised my scythe last second to deflect, kicking him back to gain some space.

I felt sweat fall from my brow.

Impressive, I noted slightly.

"Look, Plutus, I don't want to fight you.

I didn't mean to hit you with the water, honestly, it was an accident. But I'm not just about to become a punching bag."

"I'm not interested in talking, Theo. Just fight."

Without another word I rushed forward and feinted with a overhead. The boy fell for it, and I punished him by dropping down low and swiping my scythe at his legs.

I was yet again caught lacking as the water erupted to send my swing off course.

I scowled, gathering myself to yet again follow up.

This time, Theseus met my swing directly and locked his sword with me.

We were now face to face.

"I forgot to ask, but since when did you have a scythe?" He asked.

"Stop talking!" I said, annoyed as I kicked my leg and sent the kid flying.

Before he could get up, I swung downwards, making him remain on the floor and roll into he was out of my range.

This also left him on the dry ground, outside of his element.

As the kid got up, I noticed his body language change. Fatigued.

He could keep up with me, I could admit, but when out of the water it was clear his stamina wasn't used to high level combat.

He raised his sword up, his grip shaky.

I signed, calming down a little. I couldn't waste time here if I still wanted to win this.

"I've seen enough, kid.

You're strong, I'll give you that, but you've got a while to go.

Just sit back and watch, I'll show you what it means to be powerful."

I rushed forward towards the boy, ducking as he swung his sword in an attempt to stop me.

I could tell he didn't have the intent to hurt, as if he did he might have actually landed the blow. However, I was able to narrowly dodge the attack and step into his guard.

With my right hand, I jabbed forward with an open palm, sending the boy back into the tree behind him, knocking the air out his lungs.

With my free left hand, I dispersed my scythe to smoke and summoned my chain.

Without wasting a second, I whipped the chain around the boy and the tree simultaneously, constricting around them both many times, locking him in place.

I let it go, and watched Theo struggle ti get free.

"Don't sweat it kid, it's a waste of energy.

Not even I could break out those chains."

"Who are you?" He asked, perplexed. "Where did all these weapons come from?!"

I shrugged.

"Don't worry about it, I've told you this before." I turned my back to him to go on and finish this game.

"And imma need you to keep quiet about this all. You can tell the others I fought you, sure, but it was with a sword for all they know.

My scythe and my chain are my own secret. I'm trusting you to keep it." I said before darting off back into the action.

Theo said nothing but I could hear him struggling slightly. I left him like that, confused and unarmed.

Showing the kid may have seemed like a risk, but I was sure he wouldn't say anything after being asked not to.

Besides, if I really wanted to fight the kid, I wouldn't do it with a sword that wasn't my own.

Though, to finish this stupid activity, I'd be forced to use said sword.

I hadn't made it three steps before I was forced to weave an arrow that nearly nicked my cheek.

I sighed. I hadn't accounted that while on the ground, I had no way of spotting the hunters. It may have been a slight over sight on my side, but I wasn't too worried.

In anticipation, I jumped upwards, a n arrow flowing underneath.

I watched as it hit a tree in front of me, exploding outwards and sending a rope around the tree to wrap around it.

I grimaced at the thought of those ropes wrapping around me as opposed to the tree, which would have definitely sent me to the ground.

With the variety of arrows the hunters had at their disposal, I decided to not let any of them hit me. Even deflecting them seemed like a bad idea.

"I suggest jumping."

A familiar voice came from nowhere, and I was surprised to find myself listening. I leapt into the air yet again, only noticing that there was a nearly invisible tripwire behind me as I landed.

I slowed down in my charge as I wondered if I had heard right.

The voice that had told me to jump wasn't a camper, or even a hunter. It had come from my head.

And unless Plutus' voice had raised a few octaves, then it could only be one person.

"Elaine?" I asked, coming to a complete stop.

"Yes, yes, hello Percy." She said with a giggle. "It's nice to see you too, but I don't believe you would like to be hit with arrows anytime soon, so I think it'd be best to keep on running.

I only nodded as I continued my sprint, even faster now as the reappearance of Elaine had seemingly given me energy.

"I missed you too." She said.

I was slightly surprised as I was just thinking about how her absence had affected me, and remembered that the girl was capable of reading my thoughts.

I scowled as I realized I would have to again focus on hiding things I wished to keep to myself, as Plutus usually wasn't interested in what I was thinking.

"Why now?" I asked frantically in my head as I dodged arrows and traversed the natural landscape.

"Excuse me?"

"Out of all the times to leave, you chose to do so when I needed you the most."

The sad tone in Elaine's voice made me regret my words.

"I'm sorry Perseus, I truly am.

As your dutiful servant, I swear to never leave you in your time of need.

We are one, after all."

I didn't respond as I felt my face heat up. With the words of encouragement, I burst into an even faster sprint as the flag came into view with a line guard.

Bianca, I noticed.

I groaned.

I couldn't lay a finger on her, but I didn't intend to let her stop me.

"So that is the girl who has caught your attention." Said Elaien wistfully to herself.

I couldn't assess the tone that well at the moment, but I tried to stay focused as Bianca had noticed me.

"Plutus?!" She said as he half-heartedly raised her blade.

I didn't slow down as she swung with her eyes closed. I simply planted my foot on a nearby stone and leapt clear over her head and landed on the side of the tree , hanging on the branches to catch myself.

With my free hand I grabbed the silver flag and ujumped off the trunk.

Bianca turned around, swinging yet again, but his time with more heart.

I stepped forward and slid underneath, throwing the flag forward.

As I got back up I caught the flag and launched back towards the boundary line, pushing off the same rock.

Bianca could only watch as she had no chance of catching me with the distance I had put in between us in seconds.

The last words I heard from behind me left me with a wicked smirk.

"How the heck.." Bianca had said, and it felt nice to showcase my skill and impress her.

"It seems you've grown quite light on your feet." Said Plutus. I guess Elaine coming back was enough of a reason for him to talk to me.

"Perhaps it's because he's back around his most dearest hunter." Said Elaine with amusement in her voice.

I tried to ignore their conversation as I had nearly made it to the finish line.

It didn't take me long however to see the talked about huntress appear in my vision, my own flag in tow behind her.

I watched as the campers stood no chance at stopping her, much like how the hunters couldn't even slow me down as I was not putting in all my effort to cross the water.

The only difference was Zoe was closer than me.

I scowled.

I had spent too much time screwing around with ocean eyes, and now I was about to look like an idiot.

With one more push filled with effort and anger, I jumped forward in an attempt to at least get the flag over the water to hopefully secure a victory, but realize mid air that I would fall short.

I was about to start my cursing, but was surprised to feel a pressure at my feet.

I didn't have time to see what it was, but an unstable force had hit me from below, giving me the push I needed to hurdle me forward over the boundary line just before Zoe could cross over.

I landed ungracefully, rolling a bit before stopping as I hit a tree.

I shakily got up, and was met with the sounds of cheers.

However I paid them no mind as I looked at what had won me the game.

Theseus was standing a stone's throw away from myself, his hand dropping as the waves died down.

I had recalled my chains around the time I had retrieved the huntresses flag, and upon being freed Theo had apparently continued the game, even helping me, the person who had fought him moments before.

"The aspects of a hero." Elaine said.

I only continued to stare at the boy, a hard look on his face.

He gave me a nod.

I stumbled slightly as I gained a weird feeling in my stomach. It had nothing to do with my bruised legs.

"The campers win!" Yelled out an ecstatic Chiron. "For the first time in 56 years!"

The chearing grew only louder, with only Theseus remaining quiet.

The crowd gathered around me slightly, their wariness apparently disappearing.

If only they knew that the real reason we had won was standing right behind them.

I decided I would talk to them later.

My eyes finally left the boy, however, as I felt an ominous presence.

A dangerous one.

It didn't take long for the rest to feel it, quieting them down.

I had almost expected it to come from the furious Zoe, but even she seemed on edge.

My eyes continued to wander until they fell on the source.

A scary looking Thalia, cackling with lightning.

"That was my moment." She said in a quiet voice.

"I told you to stay out of my way."

I dropped my flag and walked forward. Chiron tried to get in between us but I waved him off.

"I won us the game, just as I said. Where is the problem?"

She pointed behind her.

I only just now noticed that the rest of her raiding party was out of action, bruised and beaten along with a few hunters, though not nearly as many.

I only now noticed that Thalia too seemed quite hurt.

Chiron seemed surprised, as did everyone. They had all been too focused on the win to see that the fighting had apparently gotten a little too serious.

"Medics!" He said, but Thalia ignored him and kept on going.

"You going for the flag alerted the hunters. Everything was going perfectly until you had to step in!

You got us spotted and outnumbered.

We tried to surrender, but you wanna know what happens when you mix campers and hunters? This!" She said, waving her hands towards the injured who were being tended to.

"We could've won without things getting this serious.

That is, without you!" She jabbed a finger directly in my direction.

I let out a dismissive grunt. "You think it's my fault y'all couldn't handle y'all selves ? Be mad at the ones who hurt your campers, not me.

I did exactly what I said I would.

Win.

Besides that, I couldn't care less."

Thalia had been pretty good at containing herself up until now.

With a roar she summoned forth her spear and shield, and I too unsheathed my blade.

I was prepared to charge forward, but was caught off guard as she yelled and pointed her spear upwards.

"RAHHH!" She called out, and a bolt of lightning struck her spear tip.

Seconds later, dark clouds formed above us, and I could've sworn they circled above me.

"Thalia!" Yelled Chiron, but it was far too late.

I could've sworn Elaine had something to me in the moment, but my ears had popped due to the change of air pressure, somehow stopping me from hearing her in my own head.

The last thing I remembered before Elaien took control of my left arm, or hers rather, was the hair along my arms standing up.

Without any feeling in my bandage hand, I was blinded by a flash of light as thunder boomed throughout the camp.

I wasn't nearly fast enough to react as a bolt of pure energy crashed downwards.

I was half anticipating the shock, but was saved as Elaine, who had taken over our shared arm, raised it upwards and seemingly caught the attack in her open palm.

Though, that wasn't the case.

The resounding blow was even louder then the thunder before it, exploding upon impact and sending everyone within close range of me flying.

However, I remained unharmed as Elaine herself had taken the force of the attack, yet the effects were still visible.

The bandages all the way up to my elbow were blown clean off, and the rest leading to my shoulder were set ablaze.

I watched as my purple hand came into view, my chances of hiding it being zero as it seemed to shine with power.

There was a thick black smoke around the clearing after the attack, with the only sound being the rushing water.

I used the time of confusion to collect myself.

"Elaine?" I called out hopefully.

"Are you okay?"

The silence before her response was a little too long for my comfort.

"I am fine, master.

Physical attacks such as that one have no affect on a spirit such as myself. However, I shall remain in control of your arm for the time being.

The pain you would receive if you were to take over would be much to excruciating to handle."

I sighed slightly.

"I'll bet." I mumbled as the smoke suddenly cleared.

I glanced down at my arm, wondering how I was going to explain it's purple color, but was surprised to see it was covered in black ash caused by the remaining smoke.

I suppose I could simply blame that on the burn of the lightning.

Once the smoke finally settled, I saw Thalia staring at me with wide eyes.

A part of her seemed guilty, but I could also tell she was surprised to see me still standing.

Chiron too looked at me with pure shock, but he tried his best to stay composed.

"Thalia!" He yelled out, preparing to fire off at the girl, but I had other ideas.

I stalked forward in dead silence.

I imagine that with my cloak, I looked similar to a ghost, or reaper of sorts.

"That hurt." I said in a deadly tone.

"That attack just now was serious." I said, stopping just before I reached her. My hand fell to my sword hilt.

"Does that mean it's my turn to be serious."

I stared deeply into the electric blue eyes in front of me, and surprisingly she stared back into my blank void.

"I- I didn't mean to." Said Thalia in a shaky voice, but it was still in her usually rough tone.

"Then I guess I don't mean what I'm about to do right now." My blade made a ringing sound as it let its hold.

Thalia tensed up, gripping down on her spear and shield. She was definitely uneasy, but was still prepared to fight.

And honestly, I don't know what I would've done in the moment if we weren't interrupted by an old dead woman choking green smoke.