Chapter 4: Ambush

Percy

-Two in the Morning-

To be honest, Percy wasn't one to be scared easily, but this might just give him a few nightmares if he had the chance to go back to sleep tonight. A frightful shiver took him, and of course, the girl next to him noticed. A smirk moved over her angel-like innocent features.

"Don't tell me you are scared of a little dark, are you?"

With his pride on the line, Percy had to lie, "Of course not. It's just cold, and I am only wearing a hoodie while taking a walk in the middle of the woods, in the middle of the night, not having a single soul in sight…"

He shivered involuntarily despite holding back his fear.

"Hahaha… You are definitely scared!" Annabeth laughed at him and made a babyface, "Aww… Do you need a comfy blanket and a baby bottle?"

Percy had to resist his urge to tackle the girl beside him and wipe that mocking smile off her face with a surprise kiss. That would surely shut her up, but he didn't dare to do something like that bold. Well, not yet anyway... What's more, it's all dimly lit around them, the silver moon glowing through the leaves of the woods were their only source of natural light, and he didn't want to cause any injuries to either of them if it could be helped.

"Okay. First of all, that really hurt… Second, you can't tell me you aren't scared too, right?"

"Pssh… A little darkness wouldn't scare me that easily, seaweed brain." Annabeth waved him off and walked a little further in front of him, then she turned around promptly and giggled at him, "Don't worry though, I am here to protect you if something did happen."

Despite all her relentless and uncalled for teases, Percy honestly was going to let it all go without paying her back, but after that smug giggle when she gave him a wink, he just wasn't going to let it pass anymore without paying her back in full: by playing a little prank on her.

Oh? That was a rather boastful claim, wise girl. You almost sounded too confident there. Hmm, I wonder…

Working up a devious plan in his head, Percy grinned inwardly to himself as he kept behind his wise girl with her long blonde hair swaying in the soft wind, yet at the same time, he act like nothing was wrong but was secretly waiting for the perfect opportunity.

Unaware of his intention, Annabeth continued them down a winding path that would have disappeared from their eyes long ago if not for the powerful flashlights they brought with them.

"Mmm!" Annabeth stretched her arms above her head, making a girly sound that Percy couldn't help but be drawn to, enough to almost forget the evil idea cooking up in his head.

No! No no no! Percy shook that mentally suggestive noise from Annabeth away, but he knew better. The only reason why it sounded suggestive in his head was because he thought about it that way. Curse my over-imaginative and hormonal body…

"The weather is so nice tonight, isn't it? It makes you wonder if things could always be like this."

"Like what?"

Annabeth paused and took a moment to soak in the environment around her, "You know, the peacefulness of being alone with the person you loved... The soft moonlight, the calm quietness of the night, and the fresh forest scent that's filling me with relaxation. That sort of thing..."

If Percy wasn't as frightened as he was right now, he would have jolted in shock because Annabeth just outright said she loved him. It was the first time he heard her say those words other than that one night for them. It filled him with a sense of joy.

"Well, for one thing, I am glad you are here with me too, wise girl." Percy admitted and saw a wry smirk on her cute cherubic face, "But you still haven't told me where we are heading? How did you know there is a path here anyways?"

It's true. Percy honestly had been following his wise girl without knowing the reason whatsoever. If there was a time to ask, it might as well be now.

But he never could have expected that Annabeth wouldn't know either.

"I don't know, Percy…" Her expression grew deep and solemn, it was an abrupt change that put even more fright in his heart, "I just found out about this… and because I am curious, I want to see where it leads, that's all."

If his mouth could drop off the face of the planet, it would have dropped because her reveal shocked him to down to the very core. That very fear of being alone with Annabeth, deep in the forest where nothing else was around them except for tall trees, moss, and a few soft owl-like Hoots echoing through the dimly lit darkness. If Percy could create a perfect scenario for a horror movie, this would literally be the ideal location for a shoot.

It wasn't relaxing at all, at least, not to him.

"This is not a good idea, wise girl." Percy's fear won out, "I mean, this really isn't a good idea."

"Stop being a wuss, seaweed brain." If Annabeth wouldn't let him go, it only meant that he must be her anchor. He felt the same way about her as well, at least being put in this situation, but it didn't mean his rationale was completely lost to blinded curiosity. As they say, curiosity killed the black cat, and Percy doubted the two of them have nine lives to throw around like this.

"Let's go. I want to see if this lead to Cam—"

In the weirdest sense, Annabeth's abrupt pause in her words gave Percy a feeling that there were things she was still hiding from him. He wanted to know about them and more, but with how insistence she was, he doubted he could get more information.

"Alright, but if we get in some sort of trouble, I'll blame you for everything, okay?"

Percy caught up to his anchor so they could walk side by side.

"Oh, how charming you are, seaweed brain…" It's her sarcastic way of mocking him.

Percy shook his head in despair, "You are literally impossible, wise girl. Fine. If it comes to it, I'll protect you too. Just don't laugh if I scream like a girl when something happens, okay?"

Her sly grin release his heart from that gripping fear, even if it's just for a little bit, "No promises,"

Soon enough, almost thirty minutes passed and they've gone much deeper into the woods surrounding the mansion. Nothing was in sight though. The winding path just kept running along and taking them further inside without a clear destination. Even with his intuitiveness, Percy knew his sense of direction was long gone. He had no idea which way was north, south, east, or west anymore, and their only way back home was the small dirt path they were on, but to head in the opposite direction.

A deep sigh left him. Percy could already envision a scenario where this path lead to nothing but just a wild goose chase, and they'd have to trek all the way back home which would take another hour or more.

"Hmm? How about… The Regalia?"

"Jeez… You are still going on about that?"

There was nothing better to do. Basked in the sliver afterglow of their only natural light source, the flashlights they've brought with them were still going strong, illuminating the path beyond. With the long trek they've made, it finally felt like they were on the end of the path. Percy couldn't possibly know, just a feeling in his gut.

Then a sudden glow of the moon hit his eyes and he squinted at the shining full moon above the dense tree leaves. An idea immediately hit him.

"Oh! I got one! How about… The Solus Lumina? Or Luna for short?"

She gave him a puzzled look.

"It's perfect. Your god-like car has matte white paint over it, right? It's always drawing attention and standing out even when it's with other cars because it's one of a kind, just like a bright star in the night sky that captures everyone's attention, that's what we should call it."

Annabeth seemed to play with the word a little bit before she replied, "I still think your first idea was better sounding, but I guess I could live with the name Luna. It does sound pretty cool."

"Right?" Percy grinned happily.

To see Annabeth having the same grin made him happy, and his gut glowed with warmth, "I guess you are not as bad as I thought at naming things, seaweed brain."

They walked a little more onward, smiling at one another without so much noticing that the path was getting wider. Instead of a soft dirt road, it slowly eased into one that's made of bricks. Something new began, lined with red concrete in between white color ones that seemingly indicated a welcome feeling to wherever it led. It stretched over the forest with a slight hill before them.

There were some faint flickering yellow lights above too, but neither of them paid much attention to it because a yawn just broke from Annabeth's tired expression and Percy quickly sighed.

"Just so you know, if you fall asleep, I won't carry you all the way back."

Annabeth didn't recover from that expression much, even after she slapped her cheeks together which was intended to wake herself up. Percy gulped. That was too cute…

"I guess I am a bit tired." She made an awkward laugh, "Seaweed brain, if we don't find what we are looking for, you are not going to leave me out here alone now, are you?"

Percy sighed, "You are a pain in the ass, wise girl. Just who do you think I am? I am not superman!"

Annabeth laughed a bit more and gave him her irresistible, cute, and charming mewl-like stare, going so far as to poke a finger at her cheek and put on an adorable pouty face that Percy couldn't resist. It would have disintegrated him long ago if not for his physical body which kept him anchored to this world.

That's not fair… Why is she always so cute?!

Since this whole late-night trip to find a hidden place that Percy still had no clue what it's about, he's been shouldering a lot of the burden Annabeth conveniently gave him. Instead of holding the heavy flashlight with the handle, she's used a handheld one which was way more convenient and also a lot lighter. And who could forget the teases he suffered because he was scared of being in the woods all alone. Now, she wanted him to carry her back to the mansion because she's exhausted.

"You really are a spoiled princess, wise girl…" Percy knew what needed to be done. It was the perfect opportunity and an even more perfect time to execute his evil plan, his version of Order 66.

"Haha! Come on, Percy. You can definitely carry me on your back. Or maybe if you prefer… y-you can carry me the other way too, you know?" Annabeth blushed velvet at that surprising reveal.

No response was given back.

"Percy?"

Sneaking away in stealth mode, almost like a ninja in the comic, he was long gone before Annabeth had a chance to finish her offer, and Percy watched while hidden behind the shadow of a large tree trunk, his amusement dripping through his lips upturned widely.

"Percy? Where did you—"

Frantically turning around, Annabeth confirmed that he was suddenly gone.

"Oh, haha— Very funny, seaweed brain." Her flat laugh told him that she was not amused, "Stop fooling around, Percy. I know you are hiding somewhere. Come out now!"

Annabeth approached his last known location, but Percy already left that area after predicting her move beforehand. He scurried through the darkness which he somehow adapted rather quickly. Hmm? I guess being in the dark is actually not as bad as I thought, or maybe it's just because I am trolling Annabeth right now… hehe.

"Alright, Percy! Stop it already! I am going to get mad, you know?"

The slight fear in her increasingly desperate voice was music to his ears. Percy savored every last drop of them while keeping his giggles to a minimum. Of course, he made sure to keep his eyes on her throughout his prank. After all, she was his anchor too and he wouldn't know what to do if she suddenly disappeared from his sight as well.

"Okay, okay! You had your fun seaweed brain, now come out, please! This really isn't funny, Percy! You really aren't leaving me here all alone, are you? I promise I won't make you carry me anymore, okay? I promise I am awake, and we can go back now, so please just come out and stop scaring me."

Her voice echoed through the empty forest, and suddenly—

Hoot! Hoot!

"Eeeh!" Annabeth screamed loud, like really very loudly while shaking on her knees in the middle of the field. Her body shuddered in terror and she almost fell off her butt at that.

"Damn it! It's just a stupid owl."

Percy almost gave away his position with a laugh.

"You stupid, idiotic, Baka! Percy! Seriously, come out now! Don't make me come find you because you'll end up in a body bag if you don't show yourself right now."

Alright… I guess that's enough teasing for now. She really does sound scared though… No way, am I feeling bad for her? Yeah right!

Before a hysterical Percy could move away from a small bush he was hiding behind, not least so Annabeth could finally stop whining, he heard a sudden sly voice behind him.

"Oooh? That's not really gentleman of you to do that to your girlfriend." It sounded like a girl.

Percy frozen.

There was no one else around him seconds ago, and there shouldn't be anyone behind him either, yet an undoubtable presence was behind him, something sharp was poking at his back and it felt like it could sink right in if she didn't hold herself back.

"Huh? Who are you?" Even after those words came out of his mouth, Percy hadn't caught up to how alarmed he felt. The abruptness of whoever this person was, or whatever she was holding in her hand sticking right at his right lower back, it was scary to imagine who or what she might want.

"No one important…" Her toned dripping with someone who's staking their prey, but she sounded more or less entertained, "But you are, and I'm sure I can see first-hand how much of a real deal you really are. What say we take some time to test your out, huh?"

"What are you talking about? What are you going to do to me?" His alarm finally filled him up with a rush of adrenaline, Percy tensed all his muscles in response to the person behind him. Having a faint idea of what's going on, Percy soon realized the girl he cared for was all alone. He quickly looked between the tree lines and kept his eyes on Annabeth was who still trying to find him in the middle of a small field, "Shit, Annabeth…"

The attacker seemed to have caught on, "Don't worry, my friends are going to take care of your girlfriend. It's me you have to worry about."

Shit! We really are in trouble!

So many questions came up, but there was no time to waste thinking about any of them. If his attacker meant what she was saying, then they were in definite danger. It wouldn't matter why or how, the important thing was that they get out of this situation as quickly as possible. With only his instinct guiding him, it told him exactly what to do before he shouted as hard as he could, "Annabeth! Run! Run now!"

Luckily, Annabeth took only a split second to find him between the tree lines and she smiled with tears of relief. She ran, but not in the opposite direction but instead right to him!

"No! Annabeth! Run away!"

The girl in her wavy blonde hair and an elegant nightgown paused, finally recognizing that something was wrong with him. It took her too late though because there were suddenly three people who appeared around the trees surrounding Annabeth.

Percy clenched his fist, but the sharp point prevented him from moving away from the girl behind him.

"Annabeth! Run! Run back down the path!"

It didn't work. Annabeth was frozen in her place, a soon horrified look blanketed her expression and she shrunk back in fear.

"No… No… This can't be… No! Stay away from me!" Annabeth warned the three hooded figures shrouded in a deep grey coat who all have knife weapons on their side. They approached her and circled around so Annabeth couldn't escape whatsoever.

"Annabeth!" Percy couldn't wait anymore and tried to bolt for a surprise attack.

"Uh-huh! Not a smart move, prince Perseus." The sticking point poked further into his back while his attacker held her strong arm around his neck. He was immobilized.

"Percy!" Annabeth shouted for him, her face stained with fresh tears, but not of relief but something else entirely, "Don't hurt him!"

His awareness was growing tenfold, Percy could tell the three hooded figures were boys from their build. They stopped their advance on Annabeth within five feet, and it seemed like they didn't intend to do her any harm, but to put a perimeter so she couldn't run away from them. It meant she's safe, at least for now.

"Who are you people!?" Percy demanded.

This was not how he expected his late-night walk through the woods of Annabeth's family mansion would have turned out. To think that someone like them could be hiding so close to the mansion… Just who are they and what do they want with them?

They didn't respond to that question.

"Well, what do you want?"

Finally, that seemed to have gotten some form of recognition.

"A duel." The girl behind his back softened her grip around his neck.

Percy was let go and he coughed at the chokehold which held him breathless for a good moment. He was shoved forward and he stumbled on his feet to catch his balance.

"You and I are going to have a duel."

"A duel?" Then something like metal clanked at the soft mossy ground before him.

Finally, Percy could see his attacker. Shrouded in the same dark grey hood that ran down to her ankles, he wasn't sure if this was a boy or a girl anymore. Of course, her voice suggested in all likelihood that she was a girl, but her athletic and her well-build figure wasn't that of a typical girl.

"Annabeth, are you okay?" Percy immediately turned to her and approached, but before he could take even one step, one of the boys closest to him drew his short sword from his belt and aim the tip of it against him. He didn't say a single word, but it was enough to make Percy pull back.

"Percy!" Annabeth gasped.

Getting a grip of their intention, Percy understood and backed off. He regained Annabeth's scared and terrified gaze and asked, "You are not hurt, are you?"

Annabeth shook her head, her body shivering like mad, "No… I don't know what's going on, Percy! I am sorry I- I didn't—"

Percy watched as the soft and vulnerable girl almost sobbed into her hands. He waited, then smiled, "Don't worry, wise girl. I promise we'll be fine. I'm going to get us out of this situation."

It was a tough promise to sell, but when they are all alone with these attackers that came out of nowhere, it was all he could do to reassure Annabeth. Percy wished he could do more, but since the boy sheath back his sword into his scabbard and didn't try to attack Annabeth either, he knew what he must do, what they were waiting for him to do.

"Percy?" Annabeth croaked and looked up.

He gave her a gentle smile, "Just stay there for now, wise girl. It doesn't seem like they'll attack you. I'll try to keep their attention long enough so when you see a chance, you run back as fast as you can, okay?"

"No! I'm leaving you!" Annabeth almost screamed, "Please don't make me leave you!"

Percy didn't know if anything was going to work, but the one thing he didn't want most was Annabeth getting hurt. It was his only wish if they came out of this alive.

"I am sorry, wise girl."

Percy said softly, then turned to face the girl in her cloak. Trying to keep his composure, Percy readied and steadied his arms and legs in case of any surprise attack, like the one she caught him off guard with behind his back.

"Percy! Don't!" Annabeth cried out from behind him.

But with what he was planning to do, Percy had to push all thoughts out of his head and just focus on what these people wanted him to do. He didn't know how long that would last, but hopefully just enough so Annabeth could get back safely.

"Why are you doing this to us?" Percy tried to find out.

"Pick up the dagger on the floor." Percy could see an intimidating smile through the lower part of her cloak which veiled her whole face from him, "And you'll find out soon after, because you and I are going to see which one of us is the actually better gifted in our Dex Augma."

Dex Augma? What the heck is she talking about?

Not having any choice if he wanted to protect Annabeth, Percy put one knee down on the ground and tried to find the dagger. Yet, he could barely see anything in the darkness, much less from where it was thrown. With so many dead branches, it was hard to pick out exactly where that shining blade was. Even worse, the flashlights both him and Annabeth had brought were already lost during this whole surprise ambush, so in essence, the only thing guiding his eyes was the faint moonlight coming through the tall trees and thick leaves.

Am I really about to do this? I can barely see their figure in this darkness. Can I actually buy enough time for Annabeth to run away?

A duel. Percy had never had a duel with someone with actual weapons that could harm the other person. Sure, he'd gotten in fights before, all to protect his family, but this was different because he could easily get hurt, or worse, get killed in the process.

But I needed to protect Annabeth no matter what happens to me.

Finally, Percy's fingers connected to a different sensation other than dead leaves and branches, one that felt like the hilt of a dagger that this mysterious person was talking about.

It felt light, almost too light to be considered a weapon. Even the kitchen knife he used tonight was heavier than this dagger. Percy almost thought it was a toy for a moment. That belief changed when he felt a sharp and shallow cut on his fingers when he brushed over the edge of the blade. It was barely a light touch, but it was enough to slice through a bit of his skin.

Something thick and wet dripped out of his finger.

"Well, come on, Jackson! We don't have all night to do this!"

Why are they forcing us to do this? Who are these people? Wait, Annabeth mention finding something out here… Are these people what she's referring to?!

"How did you know my name?"

The girl chuckled as if something funny was said, "Everyone here knows your name, prince Perseus. You are the most important figure in our world,"

Percy tensed as the figure took a fighting stance with her right leg back, her body crouched down low while holding her own dagger in a sideway grip.

Our world?

"And I am going to have the first chance to see how good you are!" The cloaked figure charged with a gleaming smile on her lips, yet her figure shifted like a mirage before him.

Shit! She vanished?! How fast is she?

Percy didn't have time to think about what she meant by that, not if he wanted to have a chance to survive and buy time for Annabeth to escape.

"Percy!" Annabeth screamed, her voice filled with concern.

As if she was blending in with a moment of darkness when the moon disappeared, Percy couldn't see her anymore. There were faint afterimages of the same girl with her cloak veiling half of her face. It was impossible to keep track.

His eyes darting all over, Percy tried not to shake with fear and ready himself, holding his dagger with trembling hand in an attempt to block her attack, an attack that he couldn't see with his naked eyes.

His heart went on overdrive.

His mind couldn't begin to comprehend all the possible attack areas in the few split seconds he had.

His body grew numb and heavy from how tense he was.

But even then… even as he was frozen in seeming stasis…

He felt it.

No, that's not quite right.

Something unexplainable… A spontaneous perception… His opponent might as well as had disappeared into thin air, but Percy still sensed it. He sensed the small rustling of the leaves underneath her feet, the loud flaps of her long grey coat whipping behind her. As far as he could tell, he could still see her as she charged him straight on.

A calm voice in his head: Flipping of the dagger's handle, then a thrust with her right hand at his head…

As if there was some innate instinct guiding him, Percy reacted normally and shifted his head right, right as something sharp flew past his head.

His vision blurred, and there was a dull sting left on the left side of his cheeks.

Instinctively and without his own accord, Percy rolled out of the way and landed behind his attacker's seven o'clock. He kneeled on one keen, keeping himself upright.

The hilt of his own dagger tightly gripped in his right hand, then something wet dripped down his cheek.

"Oh? Not bad, Perseus." The girl said ever so mysteriously.

How? How did I just do that?

"I didn't expect someone who hasn't awakened yet to be this good already." There was a slight hint of admiration in her voice, "But you aren't going to defeat me by just dodging all that time."

There was a forceful rustling of the trees and leaves above, it was as if her attack was powerful enough to affect the wind around them. The silver glow of the moon returned to illuminate the forest and envelop it in its faint embrace, and despite her intimidated figure coming back into view, despite her blithe and feign smile directed at him, Percy calmly stood back up.

"Oh? Are you ready to begin for real?"

As darkness still veiled over half his vision, Percy felt really scared. The warm liquid dripping off his left cheeks told him he should give up, to find another way to reason with these people. It was the most logical choice.

But if he did that, the girl he really cared for, the girl he wanted to protect, would be in danger.

He couldn't accept that. He wouldn't allow it to happen. No matter what happened to him, Percy would gladly trade another cut, every type of injury on his body if it meant that the girl he fell in love with wouldn't be hurt.

I am going to fight to keep Annabeth safe.

A mysterious new drive filled him with a burst of strength.

Instead of graveling his head on the dirt and begging for mercy, Percy somehow steeled his confidence, his resolve replaced his fear, and his trembling hands steady. What should have given him every reason to cower, Percy stood up and faced his opponent masked in the grey hood.

A strong burst of wind blew past them facing each other, daggers at the ready.

"Whoever you are, I don't know why you are making me do this, but I am not going to just stand there and let you hurt Annabeth. So I am going to protect her."

Percy flipped his dagger on a sideways grip and ready himself.

The girl laughed, "Admirable, but do you honestly think you could win?"

"I won't know if I don't try," Percy answered honestly.

Over the distance of fifteen feet, Percy barely noticed the tearful look on Annabeth as she watched him with those sadden grey eyes. She didn't draw her attention away, and Percy knew she was praying with every fiber of her being.

Thanks, wise girl. Percy thought to himself, I am going to get you home safe, Annabeth. That's my promise to you.

More laughs came from the girl, "Fine. If it's a beating you want, I'll gladly give you one." As her lips upturned into a smile worn by a praetor, Percy watched as she mimicked him in the same pose.

"Come at me, Jackson! We'll see how much of a fighter you are."

I am going to win and save Annabeth from these people. I will protect her, no matter what it takes!

"Huuahhh!" Percy lunged forward with his dagger at the ready.

A metallic sound made a sharp tinged against metal, Percy grunted as the girl easily blocked his above head sideways swipe with her own dagger. Her left arms raised to meet his swing without so much of an effort or a falter. There was no twitching visible on her body, no fear of any kind nor any hint of distress following his attack.

"Grughhh…." Percy grunted, trying to force it through when his blade was stuck on her dagger's hilt and guard. For some reason, the tilted of her blade made it impossible the draw his away.

"Is that it?" She asked and seemed finally amused, "You are not as tough as I thought, Perseus. For someone like you who has so much gifts because of your father, you are oddly powerless."

Percy froze and felt his strength leave him. He turned numb.

Wait, what did she mean by that?! My father?

Seeing his hesitation, the girl smirked and eased her block with her left hand. Percy couldn't focus, not least after her reveal weaken his right arm. Slipping along with the edge of her blade, Percy lost his grip before she countered with a hard push to tip him off balance. His right hand swept aside and now his defenseless body was open for attack. Knowing how fast she could be, Percy's heart raced as he braced for the pain.

"Too bad, I thought you would be better than that. I guess I was wrong." Her words echoed in his head.

In the blink of an eye, Percy was lifted halfway through the air as the inhuman strength passing through her dagger shot him backward. He grunted and watched helplessly before her left hand still holding on to her dagger sideway roughly punch him straight in the gut. Percy didn't feel any puncture wounds or cuts with her blade, but her fist was enough to make his stomach twist, pain and agony shot through his entire body.

"Guuhff!" Percy cough up something, yet he didn't know if it was actual blood.

But it wasn't the end. Before he could land on the ground, she expertly twisted her body around on her left side, as if to build up the momentum for her right legs which easily lifted off the ground without losing her own balance. As he fell, she aimed right for his chest and kicked forward, right into his rib cage.

Percy couldn't breathe when air squeezed out of his lungs.

"Percy!" Annabeth cried out worriedly over where she was.

Percy finally landed hard on the grassy moist ground below. It hurt. Every part of his body felt like it's been lit on fire. Deep scratches covered his entire body after she sent him flying back twenty feet, the force of her kick made him roll through all the dead tree branches for another five feet until he struck his back against a large tree stump. It brought out another wordless cry through his lips. His eyes grew wide with shock and the unbelievable pain passing through his body.

"Don't hurt him anymore!" Annabeth cried out, "I'll give you anything, just don't hurt him!"

Despite a constant ringing in his ears, Percy heard Annabeth's plead, but he knew it wouldn't matter to them. They all wanted something from him, only him, but as long as they didn't hurt her, Percy was resolved to fight this girl and the others… until… until something give…

"Ugh-ahh…" Percy coughed up a reddish liquid through his lips.

Barely able to stand, Percy looked back at the girl who was smugly standing still. Behind her, the three boys who stood around to keep Annabeth in place smile ever so slightly.

Percy gritted his teeth. This wasn't a time to stop now. If he didn't do something, they might hurt Annabeth, and he just couldn't let that happen.

But you are utterly powerless against her…

It was a stubborn wish, but Percy pushed through it, he pushed on his hands so he could get on his two feet. A bit wobbly as he stumbled for balance, but at the very least, he could still stand. With another determined look, Percy faced the girl in her long cloak again.

"Percy! Don't get up! I'll get them to listen to me. Just don't—"

Her words froze. Annabeth suddenly flinched because the tip of a sword was suddenly pointed at her throat. The cloaked figure of a boy on her right left the edge of his blade against her, barely an inch away, all because she tried to move toward him.

Percy watched helplessly as Annabeth turned to the boy inching his blade toward her throat. Her defenseless figure shaking horribly, a small croak left her stifled of any sound and a terrified expression moved across her face.

No… this can't be happening… I- I can't let it happen!

The image of his sharp blade pushing against Annabeth burned through his mind like a never-ending nightmare. Something snapped in him.

Anger, rage, violent instinct enveloped Percy down to his very core.

"You bastard! Don't you dare touch her!"

Percy shouted as something else other than pain burned within every fiber of his muscles, his bones, his entire being was consumed by one goal, and an unfamiliar desire fueled his very soul.

"I'm going to kill you! I'll kill every last one of you!"

It was his promise to them.

Forced to turn into something else, his personality morphed dangerously. Percy couldn't think about anything else. Nothing else mattered except for a murderous intent taking over his very soul. His rage won over. His face downcasted away from his attackers, but there was no denying the change in demeanor hiding behind his expression. A color as vibrant as clear blue ocean waves shone behind his face.

"Shit!" The boy with his sword drawn sounded alarmed all of a sudden, "He's losing control, Clarisse. It won't be long before his Unleashed Armament takes control of him. We should back off."

"As if! I am not going to let this little shrimp get the better of me just because he's some big deal." The girl in her cloak said proudly and stood her ground, "Don't worry, Jackson. I won't kill you, but I sure wouldn't mind beating you to a bloody pulp."

But Percy was already unaware of his own self. He was lost to a merciless incarnation that warped his way of logic and thinking since he saw a sharp blade against Annabeth's throat. He didn't even hear or register her words properly.

Rage… Let loose and rage…

"Clarisse…" The boy seemed to plead, "We are going to get in trouble. You know that right?"

"Fine! If you want to run, then go. You'd only get in my way anyway." Her tough feature turned away from her companions as she held her dagger level with her chest, "Now, let's see what you are really made of, prince of the sea."

As she shot forward at him with the tip of her dagger at the ready, something else was happening with Percy. Unbeknownst to him, a series of glowing blue lines wrapped around both his arms, then his forearms, all the way down to his hands. It looked almost like a complex circuit filled with faint, glowing neon blue lights. It wasn't the end though. The lines wrapped upward too, but only around the left side of his neck and his face, drawing intricate patterns that resembled what's happening to his arms below.

"Take this, you little shrimp!" The girl boasted as she thrust at his abdomen with blinding speed.

A split second…. the tip of her dagger inches forward… stabbing him….

"Heeh…" A wicked smile moved across Percy's lips, a smile that didn't belong there.

Whoosh…

The dagger phased through thin air.

"Whuh?!" The girl exclaimed.

In less time than the split-second attempt she tried to hit him with, Percy tilted his body out of harm's way and avoided her attack with some supernatural speed. Even his attacker who had been easily beating him down didn't see it coming.

"Shit," She pushed her right foot forward and halted her momentum.

Able to find her balance when she shot forward unsteadily, the girl in her cloak held her new stance for only a brief moment before she came at him again, this time trying to take a swipe at him with her blade from the left side.

Percy easily blocked it off without a word, nor so much of an emotion running through his blanked expression.

"Huh? I guess I underestimated you, Jackson." The girl smiled slightly and drew herself back.

He didn't respond.

Soon, they were trading blows after another. Percy, who up until this point was just a high school student with no real training in combat nor have learned any sword skills, somehow defended himself against every single swipe or thrust from the girl who was desperately trying to hit him. More accurately, Percy was able to deflect or counter her attacks with ease.

His body moved as naturally as his hands, every twist and turn seemed to foil the girl's attempt to leave a mark on him. Dodging her attacks left and right, she quickly became impatient.

"Don't think so little of me, Jackson. I'll show you just how strong I am."

A dull, metallic crimson glow suddenly enveloped the dagger she was holding, then a ringing sound vibrated off the blade itself as if it had somehow come alive. The distinct energy surged through its sharp edges, and once it had fully enveloped the blade, she held the glowing red dagger high up at her right side.

A short gasp left from one of the three boys holding Annabeth in place as he warned, "Clarisse! You can't—"

With the red glow of her weapon, the dim light was enough to illuminate her face which revealed her to have deep violet eyes and dark color brown hair. As if the weapon itself was building up strength through some unknown force, the air around her seemed to thicken, strong winds blew in all directions which revealed even more of her face underneath the grey cloak.

"You are not going to dodge this one, Jackson." She sneered, "Now feel the wrath and power of my special skill, Legeion Vertical Arc, you little shrimp."

Launching her attack from the top right, the sideways held dagger flew toward Percy's left shoulder with a speed unimaginable. Yet, Percy didn't so much flinch as he reacted to it all nonchalantly. His movement was smooth and natural, and like the breeze, he leaned his body back and sidestepped away from the sharp edge that missed him by barely a centimeter, yet the intense red energy around the blade did leave a deep cut on his left upper arm.

Blood soon spewed from the wound about two inches wide, but there were no cries nor any sort of pained response. The girl in her cloak smiled to herself, but quickly realized something was wrong. Even though he suffered a wound that should have staggered him, Percy lifted his right hand and promptly met hers still in an overpowered attack. A bright flash shot between them.

Cl-Cl-Clack-kkk…. Clink!

A violent vibration echoed through the forest. A whirling sound of something spinning at a high speed flew above their heads. It quickly fell, dropping on the ground a few feet away and landed upright.

The sly smirk instantly left the girl's lips, and her deep violet eyes were reeling with shock.

"How?" She shrank back when the dagger in her hand was now gone. Percy had disarmed her with only a normal swipe from his lower right to deflect her long attack.

Even the spectators who were surrounding Annabeth had their mouths open wide.

For the first time, the boastful girl hiding in her grey cloak displayed genuine shock and disbelief as she stood there dumbfounded. Her deep purple eyes stared at Percy with confounding bewilderment.

Before her, Percy spoke in a voice devoid of any mercy or emotion, "You'll pay for what you did to Annabeth… I won't let you people hurt her anymore."

With his right hand held high, Percy push his dagger at the unarmed girl named Clarisse while she stood there, unmoving from the shock that's still passing through her. His anger pushed him forward, and he was ready to—

Ting!

Another sharp vibration filled the forest, then the dagger in Percy's right hand flew off in the distance too. He froze in place as his body pulled back from his overwhelming desire to- to…

"That's enough!" It was a voice Percy had heard before. Then a pommel struck the ground beneath and a loud boom filled the forest around them.

"That is enough." She said again with firm and unwavering determination.

Standing beside him was a girl with medium-length black hair, those electric blue eyes sparked like lightning bolts were about to strike him.

He knew this girl. He also knew the boy with sandy blond hair standing behind her.

"…." Percy was speechless.

As soon as he saw them, his mind returned to normal and his vision started to blur. It became harder and harder to keep his eyes open. His body felt numb all over.

"I... I'm…" Percy stumbled a few steps backward before he fell on his knees from a sudden lack of strength. He collapsed on his hands, "Where… How did I… No, wait… I didn't…"

His sudden moment of deliriousness made it impossible to hold back a surge of something coming back up his throat. Soon, he threw up. Vomiting something thick and in a dark red color, lightheadedness quickly found its way to him.

"I- I'm…" His eyes grew wide until he remembered something, someone precious to him that he'd do anything to protect her, "No, wait… A-Annabeth-th…"

Finally remembering the girl he cared so much for, Percy shifted until he could see her wavy blonde hair and those gentle grey eyes. Her tear-stained face was empty of any emotion, and her expression was unmoving.

Annabeth was speechless.

But at least she was safe. Percy knew she would be safe now.

At last, he couldn't withstand the pressure. He collapsed on his side, and his breathing slowed.

"Clarisse, you idiot! Hurried up, all of you! Go get Chiron right now!"

Percy could hear their voice fading away.

But at least Annabeth's safe…. She's safe…

"Damn it! Jason! Help me get his arm around... the nectarhave to patch it up now…"

The air around them seemed to have calmed as the presence of these two familiar figures helped ease any tension surrounding his body.

Then he saw a faint silhouette of the girl he fall in love with, her long blonde hair flowing behind her back as she fell on her knees before him. Her worried expression filled him with a sense of longing. He wanted to reach out and touch her hand, to reassure her, but before he could, the darkness won and veil over his vision.

He heard her shaking voice.

"Percy? No… no, seaweed brain… D-Don't leave me… Don't you dare leave me! Percy!"