Hello again,
I got a comment from someone saying "I hope this gets finished" and it got me thinking; I never told you all how far I was planning for my story to go. Looking at how lengthy these first 5 chapters are, this story is definitely going to reach 100k+ words in no time, which blows my mind. My original outline goes all the way to the end of Season 2 and I've already written/tested a few future scenes at the end of Season 3 and going into Season 4. I hope I'll get that far but only time will tell.
As usual, I don't own PJO, HOO, or AOT and I'm not profiting off anything.
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Author's note
Narration
Thoughts and Internal Conversations
"Speaking, duh"
Last time
After appearing in a new world, fighting a titan, and accidentally showing his powers to the Scouts, Percy wakes up after the fight to find himself in a jail cell. Erwin, Levi, and Hange enter his cell and begin to question him. Guided by a mysterious voice in his head (one that sounds like Annabeth but is later revealed to be Percy's subconscious), Percy reveals his demigod origins. But the Scouts don't believe and with the interrogation going south, the three Scouts leave to plan out a sound strategy to leak their expedition report to aid Percy in the upcoming trial. Meanwhile, Percy is brought food by a young blonde girl named Annie, whom the voice within his head and his demigod instincts insist is a monster in disguise.
Chapter 5: Percy vs. Humanity
No One's POV:
"EXTRA! EXTRA! The Scouting Legion's most recent report hits the public! You'll want to read it!"
Standing on top of a small wooden crate, a young boy shouts out to a crowd of onlookers and passersby waving a burly stack of newspapers in his hand. The cobblestone streets of Mitras, the capital city located deep within the Wall Sina, are bustling with early morning business. The early morning roads are filled with people visiting bread bakeries, skilled craftsman stalls, jewelry and fruit stands, and other various stores that line the streets. A large crowd has formed around the boy, filled with people chattering about the paper's new issue.
"Get out of my way!"
"Hey!"
"What's the big deal!"
A small commotion flares up in the crowd brought about by an angry wealthy-looking merchant roughly and rudely pushing people out of his way. Continuing his narcissistic crusade, the man shoves through the masses headed straight for the young newspaper boy.
"Boy! What is Roy doing?" The merchant demands. Reaching the newspaper boy, he grasps the collar of the boy's shirt in a threatening manner, bringing the terrified boy uncomfortably close to his own face. "He's supposed to be writing sensational stories about the Battle for Trost not publishing some boring military report!"
"Umm sir, it's not boring!" The trembling boy replies with one eye shut from the discharge of the older man's spit. "You'll want to read it, trust me."
The boy hands out a newspaper with a shaky hand which the merchant quickly snatches, abruptly letting the young boy go. The newspaper boy wobbles on his crate and after regaining his balance, wipes his face on the skirt of his shirt to rid the man's spit. Meanwhile, the merchant opens the paper, his eyes widening and filled with confusion as he reads its headline.
'Scouts Discover A Man Outside Rose'
'Alleged to Have the Ability to Control Water'
'Claiming to be the Son of God'
"First a fresh recruit with the ability to turn into a titan and now this?" A random bystander says. Catching the merchant's ears, he finally pays attention to the people around him, listening to what the people have to say about the latest issue.
"Claiming to be the Son of God," Another bystander slowly repeats from the paper's header. "What a joke!"
"The last thing we needed was another heretic." A concerned older woman voices.
"This guy is a lunatic!" Another yells.
"The government needs to put him down before he gains a following of crazies like the Wall Religion did."
"No way do they let this heretic off the hook."
"Yup, prepare the gallows!"
"If only the Wall Cultists would join him…"
"What the hell do the Scouts mean by 'controlling water?'"
"Who knows what's going through those maniacs' minds?"
"I heard that venturing beyond the walls damages one's mind. That's why the Scouts who quit can never return to their regular lives."
"All the more reason why we should seal up the gates so they could never be breached."
After listening in on the crowd's reaction, the merchant puts down his newspaper and hands it back to the boy. Grumbling, he walks away, displeased with how he was wrong about the publisher's story being a success. But the merchant wouldn't complain about it for long. As long as it sells and as long as his pockets are full at the end of the day, he couldn't care less about what his journalists report or where they get their stories from.
No One's POV:
Northwest of Trost, hidden deep within the forested country of Wall Rose, rests the old Scout Regiment's headquarters. Renovated from an old abandoned castle, it's as sturdy and fancy as a military branch's headquarters can get. Back in the early days when everyone had high hopes for the Scouts, the positioning of the castle was overlooked. By being so far away from the walls, main roads, and any river, the complex's unpremeditated positioning made it completely useless for the Scouts and the site was soon abandoned. Left to collect dust for many years, the old headquarters had recently found a new purpose as the perfect holding place for Eren Jaeger, the 104th cadet with the ability to materialize a titan body out of thin air.
Currently, Eren and Levi squad, Eld Jinn, Oluo Bozado, Petra Ral, and Gunther Schultz, are enjoying a nice early morning meal inside the castle-like structure. Eren's trial had taken place two days prior and yesterday the Scouts had brought him over to this complex. They spent the day introducing Eren to Levi Squad, cleaning up the dusty castle, and discussing Eren's powers and future role in the Survey Corps.
Eren had assumed the Scouts would have already started experimenting on him but last night he was informed by Oluo and Gunther that he would have the day off. Eren was told he was granted this day off so he can adjust to his new lifestyle and familiarize himself with the crew, which to be fair is something Eren and the Scouts desperately need. Although everyone knows Eren has good intentions, everyone, including Eren himself, is terrified of his inexplicable titan shifting power. A foundation of trust would need to be built before they conduct the 57th Scouting Expedition Outside the Walls.
But 'making friends' isn't enough to take priority over learning Eren's titan powers and the planning to retake Wall Maria. These half-assed excuses for the delaying of Eren's experiments and the hushed and secretive conversations of his superiors lead Eren to believe something is going on; something the Scouts simply can't ignore or put off. Are his superiors dealing with the political backlash and logistics from after his trial? Eren can only wonder and guess.
"Hurry up Levi, we are going to be late!" Hange yells from somewhere outside the dining room, disturbing the silent tranquility of Eren and Levi Squad's silent breakfast.
"I've been ready for 15 minutes now, four eyes. You're the one holding us up," Levi replies, entering the dining room.
"It's not my fault!" Hange wines. "Moblit keeps moving my stuff!"
"Moblit put those documents about titans away for a reason. We don't need them for—"
A resounding crash of fallen books, pans, and goblets coming from the other room interrupts Levi, unmistakably due to Hange foraging for her notes in a closet or cabinet of some sort. Levi shakes his head and sighs. He then raises his eyes to make contact with Eld, his second in command.
"Eld, I'm putting you in charge. You and the rest of Levi Squad are tasked with watching over Eren while I am gone."
"Yes sir!" Eld immediately nods.
"Eren, these corridors are filthy," Levi scolds, now addressing the young 104th recruit. "Walking here felt like walking into an Underground brothel, not a dining hall. I expect every inch of those corridors to be thoroughly scrubbed by the time I get back. Got that?"
"Y-yes sir!" Eren replies, shrinking away from Levi's intimidating stare.
"And while Hange and I are gone, you are not to leave the premises under any circumstance. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes s-sir!" Eren responds.
Eren's demeanor immediately changes, shifting from one of timidness and fear of his Captain to one of curiosity and intrigue as he wonders where Levi and Hange are headed.
"Wait a minute, where are you going?" Eren asks.
"We have another trial!" Hange sings, popping her head into the room.
"You do? With who?"
"With another crazy lunatic like you. But this one can't become a titan if you were wondering," Levi replies.
"OooOOo! You never know!" Hange counters, suggestively. " We'll have to test him the moment he's out of prison!"
"Wait, who is he and why is he on trial?" Eren curiously asks.
"Perseus Jackson. Weird name. We aren't quite sure where he's from. Found him outside Wall Rose during the 56th scouting expedition." Levi replies whilst tying up his boots.
"Oh, you just had to see it Eren! He fought a titan without ODM gear and killed it!" Hange yells with glee as she frantically dances around the room, collecting papers for the trial.
"How was he able to do that?!" Eren asks.
"Water! He killed the titan with water!"
"What?"
"He was to control it! Sliced the titan up with a sword as he flew around it on a jet of water!"
"WHAT! Did I just hear that correctly?"
"OoooOOoo!" Hange squeals, not answering Eren's question. "I can't wait to stay up all night to talk to you about it!"
"Hange you should get going now. You don't want to keep Erwin waiting." The orange-haired member of Levi Squad, Petra, speaks up.
Glancing at the rest of Levi Squad, Eren notices they aren't fazed at Hange's revelation. Eren realizes they must have been there and seen it with their own eyes too.
"Alright. Alright. Come on Levi let's go!" Hange runs to the door carrying all sorts of books and documents in her hands. She pauses and flips around. "Oh, and don't do anything Levi wouldn't want you to do or else Eld will have to slice you up! Can't have that happen before I get to touch your titan body!"
Eren gulps and nervously laughs at Hange's cheerful threat. It sounded like a joke but it was a serious threat. The Scouts were ordered to put Eren down should he go rogue or disobey their orders.
Hange and Levi swiftly exit the building and enter a horse-drawn carriage outside headed to the military tribunal within the interior.
"So, any news about the leak?" Hange whispers, leaning forward in her seat and putting her hand up to her mouth to limit the flow of her voice.
"Received a message from Erwin this morning. The leak was this morning's top story in the papers." Levi replies. "High command and the military police are in an uproar but they don't suspect us. They believe a Wall Cultist sympathizer within the MPs leaked the report."
"So everything went according to Erwin's plan?" Hange asks, to which Levi responds with a curt nod.
"Phew!" Hange continues, wiping nonexistent sweat from her forehead. "Glad we're in the clear."
"The leak may have been the riskiest part of this operation but Perseus' fate still isn't secured. Who knows what that clown will say once he's given the floor to plead his case."
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Year 850: Percy's 2nd Day in Prison
Percy's POV:
I wonder how long it's been since that monster girl delivered me that meal?
"About 14 hours."
Seriously! That long? Wait, how do you know?
"I've been keeping track of our cell guards' rotations. They shift every 6 hours. I figured this out by listening to their conversations about lunch and dinner."
Gods, how are you able to keep track of all that?
"Better ask yourself that. I'm your subconscious, remember? At the end of the day, it's you who figured this out."
Oh, right…
"And I, being the medium to explain the workings of your subconscious, am just a result of your fragmented mental state."
Having 'Annabeth' around is actually pretty nice. She can solve any problem, within my own capabilities, without the cost of me having to sit there for hours to think it out. If only she would stop making me question my sanity. Also, I gotta give her/it a new name. 'Annabeth' just isn't going to cut it anymore.
"How about Annabelle? Annabeth always hated people using different variations of her name. Although I sound like her, naming me Annabelle could help put your mind at ease; a reminder that I am not her being."
Yeah, sure. That works.
For the 14 hours I've been in my cell I haven't received another meal. My holders have been gracious enough to give me water but I never drink at my own leisure. During my 'waterings' the guards step into my cell, stiff as a board, with sweat forming on their brows and white knuckles firmly grasping their firearms. Next, they hand the cup of water, waiting for me to drink the whole thing and even going as far as ordering me to open my mouth to make sure I truly swallowed it.
I don't understand. Why all these precautions? What did I do to make them so wary?
"They don't know the extent of your powers or your intentions."
But I've been compliant and friendly, I haven't given them a reason to fear me at all!
"Perhaps the society we've stumbled into just has an extreme case of xenophobia. The question is: what did these people face to warrant such a response?"
Anyway, the cup of water the guards have me drink from is no bigger than a kids meal soda at McDonald's, barely qualifying as a legal serving. It's enough to keep me alive but always an ounce shy of alleviating my dry cottonmouth. I feel like one of those cartoon characters in a desert, the ones where they are crawling in the sand desperate for a drink of water. Never have I felt so deprived of water. So disconnected from the sea.
So far away from home.
"[Thud, thud, thud, Thud, thud!]"
"Footsteps, a half dozen of them! Prepare yourself!"
My bed cover goes flying as I shoot out of bed. I wish I could take a step forward to stand at the foot of my bed but the chains from the back wall to my shackled hands would be too tight for me to react should they attack. Staying at the side of my bed will have to do.
The group arrives, swiftly unlocking my cell door and pouring through like a horde of ants. In a matter of a few seconds, 6 men and women in those uniforms with those green unicorn patches (which Annabelle previously concluded to be for the military police) surround me in my cell.
"What's going on?"
The MPs ignore me, one stepping forward and pulling out a metal hoop with multiple interlooped keys. I eye the hoop, hoping Annabelle can memorize which key unlocks me from the links attached to the metal hook behind my bed. While that guard works fumbles with her keys, the other 5 parts ways, stepping to sides of my cell to make way for another person to enter my cell. A woman, with square glasses and dark burgundy hair. It's that crazy woman from my interrogation!
"Hange, where are they taking me?" I ask with an added tinge of desperation in my voice. I'd say it's an act for her to take pity on me but I can't help but get a bit nervous. I know they can't physically hurt me but for some reason, that doesn't stop the pounding in my chest.
"Calm down, it's time for your trial. This is just a precaution."
"What's a precaut—"
Instant darkness. For a second I'm back in Tartarus, carefully trekking through its blackened poisonous fields, dodging the bubbles of reforming monsters and keeping an eye out for hellhounds in the shadows. I gasp, thrown back to reality as both my arms are grabbed and I'm led forward. I snap my arms down, covering my armpits as they blindly guide me out of my cell.
"Just so you know, I'll be your defense lawyer," I hear Hange say somewhere nearby and following my escort. "By the way, I'm undefeated in court!"
Sweet!
"Technically. You've only ever had one trial." Someone else counters.
Not so sweet.
That other voice sounds familiar. Is it that short man, Levi? How long has he been tailing us? I should ask him how the weather is down there, that'll be funny.
"It may not be the wisest idea to piss off your defense attorneys seconds before your case trial."
"Is that you Levi? I would say it's nice to see you again but I'm not able to do that right now, aren't I."
"[SNIFFFFF!]"
"What the hell!?"
"Don't mind him, Mike always greets people like that," Hange explains.
Who the hell greets people by sniffing in their ear!? Gross and fucking weird. What is wrong with these people?
We continue walking down what I think is a long hallway. A looooong hallway. After what feels like miles of sightlessly marching forward, we finally stop. I trip over the chains around my ankles but someone from behind grabs my shirt and pulls me upright before I can fall.
"Someone could have warned me we were here!" I complain.
"Percy." Hange sternly replies, somewhere in front of me and towards my right. "We don't know if what you said earlier was true or not but we will do our best to give you another chance to tell us your story. If you value your life, be respectful and speak the truth."
"We don't know if what you said earlier was true or not."
"As if any of that shit was believable," Levi remarks.
"Either way, we have no way to confirm your claims." Hange continues, ignoring her colleague. "But on the off chance you were lying, we will do our best to give you another chance to explain yourself. If you value your life, be respectful and speak the truth."
I don't have time to contemplate her words or respond as immediately after I hear the click and the soft groaning of a large set of doors opening up. I hear the voice of a great many with the opening of the doors but they quickly hush as I am ushered into the new room. I'm guided straight ahead for a few seconds before I am abruptly stopped, again with no warning. My escorts push down on my shoulders and kick the back of my knees, forcing me to kneel.
What the hell!? Why are they treating me like this?!
Next, someone grabs my shackled hand and to my surprise, unlocks them. But as they lift my shackles off my wrists, straight away two sets of hands grab my unbound wrists. Roughly, my arms are wrestled behind my back where my shackles are then reapplied. As soon as I'm let go, I give my cuffs a good tug to see what they did, only to discover that they've been locked in place. Wiggling my hands to figure out what they've been attached to, I discover a sturdy pole interlocked with restraints in a way that keeps me both grounded and locked in this kneeling position I've been forced into.
Suddenly my vision flips, from a pitch-black nothingness to a staggering white light as the bag covering my head is ripped off without warning. I shut my eyes to avoid the harsh light, then slowly open them to find out where I've been brought.
"The courtroom we're in... It's quite similar to the ones in our world. I wonder how their judicial system compares?"
I've been chained dead center in the middle of the room, out in the open with no one within 10 feet from me. I'm kneeling on a white marble platform, in its center that metal pole my shackles have been locked to. The platform is surrounded by wooden fencing, built in a square shape like the platform it encompasses. There's an opening in the fencing in front of me and taking a look around, I spot another opening in my rear. The opening in the rear leads straight to these massive wooden doors, the doors I must have been led through, and on both sides of the path leading to the door are long empty rows of pews.
"In a normal hearing, those rows would be filled with spectators. Accessible to anyone who wishes to witness the trial."
Is that a problem?
"Without the public's knowledge, the court could practically rule whatever they wish. The sixth amendment exists for a reason you know."
What's the sixth amendment?
"The right to a speedy and public trial, the right to an impartial jury, and the right to be informed of the nature of your crime. They haven't told us what you're being tried for and by the looks of it, it doesn't seem like you have a jury either."
Should I ask how I know all of that?
"No."
Annabelle is right, I don't have a jury. To my left and right, somewhere where I would expect the jury to be, all I find are stands full of military personnel. A few clergymen but no normal people in sight. I do spot some familiar faces behind the fencing to my left; Levi, Hange, and Erwin. I try to meet their eyes but the three are busy professionally standing at attention, with their eyes staring straight ahead at nothing waiting for the trial to begin.
"Don't look now but monster girl is in the stands as well."
A spasm of demigod warning signals coursing through me and like the idiot I am, I immediately flip around and look right at her. Just as I realize Annabelle said "don't look" and before I have the chance to look away, Annie's eyes shift towards mine. Her expressions still cold and impassive but her iris's alive and turning. Thinking. Planning. Scheming.
She stands far up in the stands on the right side of the room. Located almost in the middle row, with people on the other side and in front of her. Being enveloped in a crowd of soldiers all wearing the same uniform, her shorter stature makes her all the more invisible as a much taller man stands a row below her, hiding almost everything from her neck down from view. It would have been almost impossible to find her if Annabelle hadn't said anything and my demigod senses hadn't singled her out.
Breaking contact with Annie and turning my attention ahead, before me are three judges, with the two on the left and right dressed in black and the judge in the center is dressed in white. The judge's wooden bench is tall and wide, almost stretching to either side of the room and positioning the judges some 12 feet above my level. I have to crane my neck up just to look at them. Above me, the ceiling is vast and high, decorated with a grand mosaic of soldiers fighting with swords and shields. High above the wall behind the judges hangs four large banners; one with two swords crossing, another with the Military Police insignia, the third with two thorny red roses, and the last with the blue and white-winged insignia of the Scouts.
"Ahem!" the judge in the center with white uniform loudly utters, silencing whatever conversations were still taking place. "All right then. Shall we begin?" The man asks the room, brushing his white hair to the side and putting on a pair of round glasses.
"Your name is Perseus Jackson. Is that correct?" He asks, shuffling through a stack of papers left at his seat.
"Ummm, that's right. Although I go by Percy. Sorry, but who are you?"
"You insolent…" Some soldier to my right growls.
"No, it's fine." The judge chuckles. "According to this report, that question is to be expected." He continues, gesturing with the stack of papers in his hand. "My name is Dhalis Zachary and I am the premier of the three regiments. Does that pique your query?"
"Yeah, sorry about that."
What the Hades is a premier?
"Someone that's in charge or really important? I dunno."
You know the sixth amendment of the Constitution but not this!? How do you not know?
"Because 'you' don't know, you doofus!"
"Alright, let's continue." Zachary continues, clearing his throat. "Where were we? Ah yes! And you were captured by the Scouts outside Wall Rose, deep within enemy territory. Is that correct?"
"Supposedly."
"Care to elaborate?"
"I don't know anything about this 'Wall Rose' or enemy territory. I was captured by the Scouts so if that's where they found me, I guess that's where they found me."
"I see."
A flurry of whispers breaks outs, dying out as quickly as they cropped up a few seconds later.
"As a captured prisoner during a time of war, military doctrine demands your tribunal be held as a court-martial."
Prisoner of war! I'm not a damn titan! Yo Annabelle, isn't this a violation of the Geneva Conventions or something?
"I'm not your personal know-it-all, you never read them!"
"Standard protocol insists that civilians are not permitted to witness a trial of a prisoner of war. That is why our lovely court is so empty today." Zachary says, gesturing to the empty pews in the back of the room.
"Yeah, that's Minotaur-shit."
Everything about this is Minotaur-shit!
"As commander of our armed forces, this matter is left to my discretion. Thus, I will decide whether you live or you die. Any objections?"
"Does it look like I have a choice?"
"Watch your tone." The premier scolds with a stern look.
"Careful, you don't want to blow this up just yet…"
I bite my tongue, holding back an insult about baby boomers, and stay quiet. I'll comply for now but I won't be able to keep my mouth shut forever.
"Let us proceed then." He switches papers and begins reading something else.
The silence is stark and unnerving as Premier Zachary reads through the documents in his hand. But what's worse of all is not being able to move.
The sea does not like to be restrained.
"But its waves must wait for the storm to deliver its most decisive blows."
I can feel the energy within bubbling to the surface, like the San Andreas Fault ready to explode.
"A fault line must lie dormant, gathering pressure for months, years, and sometimes even decades before it can produce a proper earthquake."
My heart is a horse, thriving to escape this enclosure and gallop away from this displeasure.
"That metaphor wasn't as intimidating as the other lines, but stop thinking about escaping! Wait until we have a proper plan, you'll only make things worse!"
"Unfortunately the details of the 56th Exterior Scouting Mission were leaked to the populace and covering up your existence is now fruitless," Zachary explains, after some time of deliberation. "And unless we publicly disclose your existence one way or another, we risk an uptick of widespread civil unrest. A choice must be made and the regiment that takes custody of you will determine your fate. The Military Police… or the Scout Regiment. To begin, the Military Police will now present their case."
"Thank you, my name is Nile Dawk and I am the commander of the military police." A soldier to my right announces. He is of an average build with dark eyes, black hair that's cut closely on the sides and back, and a thin mustache and goatee.
"Our recommendation, following a thorough investigation of the scouting report and the interrogation of subject Perseus Jackson, is that he shall be disposed of permanently." Nile Dawk continues. "His existence is not only creating a swell of rebellious sentiment but it is a direct challenge to our social order. For our government, for our king, for our people, and even for the religion of the Walls, Mr. Jackson must be killed immediately."
I can tell Nile Dawk and I are going to be great friends.
"Exactly!" A gaunt and creepy-looking dude dressed in black robes with golden trimmings agrees. "This verminous fiend has defiled the mighty Wall. He is a barbarous pagan, tainting our soil and spreading his devilish ideals to Rose and Sina's populace."
"Must be one of those 'followers of the Wall.' Exactly how I'd picture them to look. And act…"
Why is he even allowed in here, I thought my trial was supposed to be military only?
"He could be a state official but it's not unheard of for religious officials to be present in court hearings…"
"And now I would like to hear the Scout Regiment's proposed plan," the gray-haired judge says.
"Yes sir." A voice to my left replies. Turning my head, I find the voice belongs to Erwin.
"As the commander of the Survey Corps, I, Erwin Smith, propose the following: keep him in custody so we may extract more information from him. That is all."
"Hmm, is that it?" Zachary asks.
"Yes. If we can figure out how to use his abilities, departing from Trost instead of Karanes District would be more sensible. With his ability, traveling from Trost to Shiganshina along the canal could potentially greatly decrease arrival time as well as the number of casualties. With the assistance of Perseus's powers, I'm certain the mission to reclaim Wall Maria would go much more smoothly. Ergo, I believe our top priority is perfectly clear."
"Quite bold. But what if the prisoner refuses to cooperate?" Premier Zachary asks.
"Then Mr. Jackson's life will still have value. Based on the answering of our questions, his subtle reactions during interrogation, and using our best judgment, I truly believe Perseus hails from a civilization outside our walls."
A multitude of shocked cries immediately rings out at Erwin's revelation.
"What!"
"From the outside?!"
"That's impossible!"
"But the books say there were no survivors outside the walls."
"He's even more of a threat now!"
"As a follower of the wall, it is our belief that any foreign object will pose a great threat to us. As foretold long ago by our founder and Supreme Prophet Lord Tru—"
"Order! Order!" Zachary shouts, banging his hand against his desk.
"No survivors outside the walls? Perhaps that is why you are being treated as such. They simply don't know how to deal with your existence. You might have been treated the same way if your demigod heritage and abilities weren't revealed."
Zachary's calls for order and banging finally get through and the room quickly quiets, the people respecting Zachary's authority. He should really get one of those mallets judges always have on TV…
"Commander Erwin, please continue."
"Premier Dhalis Zachary, if there are other humans outside, as slim of a chance as that may be, then Perseus Jackson will be our key to contacting them. And as long as that tiny sliver of hope remains, we can't eliminate him."
"Premier, if I may." The dude from the military police, Nile Dawk, asks.
"Go ahead."
"Firstly, the Scouts already have their hands filled with Eren Jaeger. If Captain Levi is busy watching Eren like he should be doing right now," Nile Dawk says with an accusatory tone, glaring at Levi, "then no one capable enough would be left to watch Perseus Jackson during the mission to reclaim Wall Maria. The risk of Mr. Jackson escaping is insurmountable if the Scouts gain custody of him."
"Captain Levi, what do you have to say about this?" The judge asks.
"Our intentions were never to gain custody of the prisoner," Levi replies, earring confused looks across the court. "Don't get us wrong, we understand our limitations. Instead, we would like Perseus Jackson to be kept alive in police custody so humanity can continue to extract information from him."
"Hmmm." Zachary thinks out loud. "Yes, that's agreeable. Dawk, didn't you have another point to add?"
"O-of course. Ahem." Dawk coughs, regaining his composure. "If Jackson truly is from the outside then that's all more reason to dispose of him. Based on the Scouting Legion's report, it is very clear that this man has military training. If he truly came from a civilization from outside the walls, then why would he greet us with lies and deception? You read his report; Jackson claiming to be a son of a god to hide the truth of his power and feigning ignorance about our walls. He even had the audacity to smile and crack jokes during his interrogation! It's clear that this man," Dawk continues, pointing a finger towards me, "was sent here to topple our government! We must kill him!"
"That was all I needed to hear," Zachary concludes.
What the hell!? Is he not going to let my defense respond to that?!
"Your cell guards were right, this trial was decided long before it began."
"I have made my choice. Perseus Jackson, I sentence you to—"
"Wait! Hange yells out. "Please sir, hear what I have to say!"
The judge pauses, visibility displeased at being interrupted. "Fine, go ahead." He agrees, tiresomely resting his cheek on one hand.
"Sir, we should give Perseus another chance to tell us the truth. I believe he didn't fully understand the predicament he was in and the circumstances if he didn't comply. Allow me to repeat the same interrogation questions. Right here, right now in front of everyone. Give Perseus a moment to dedicate his heart to our military and prove himself to humanity. Then you may fairly decide his fate."
"This is all just a waste of time!" Nile Dawk shouts.
"Blasphemy! Kill him!" The follower of the Wall cries.
The judge narrows his eyes and sighs. "Proceed." He dejectedly agrees, taking off his glasses to wipe them clean once more.
Hange swiftly moves towards my platform, leaving the stands and making her way through the opening of the fencing upfront. Pushing her glasses up her nose and with a notepad and pen in hand, she begins my second round of questioning.
"Please state your full name."
"Perseus Jackson. No middle name."
"Alright Perseus, I'll ask you again. What are your origins? Where did you come from?"
"If you value your life, be respectful and speak the truth." Hange's words ring in my mind. Fuck it. They may not believe it but I promise before Zeus Almighty shall provide the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
"I was born and raised in a place called New York." Whispers of speculation utter out, along with a gasp or two, but I continue onwards to describe my hometown. "It's a city located on a place called Long Island. The city is very densely packed, with buildings that scrape the sky and streets always filled to the brim with people. Almost 18 million people live there."
Another round of shouting in disbelief breaks out.
"18 million?! That's absurd!"
"That many people, is that even possible?"
"He's lying! He's lying again!"
"Andddddd... " Hange draws out sporadically writing down notes. "How did you get outside Wall Rose?" She asks, slapping her pen down.
"I honestly don't know how."
"Can't explain or don't want to explain?"
"I... I can't explain it. I didn't travel here by flying in a plane, taking a taxi, or by walking." I explain only to receive a hundred confused looks back.
"Don't use our world's modes of transportation to explain yourself. They aren't going to know what those are!"
Right. Oops.
"Umm, so how did you get here? Did you lose your memory or something?" Hange pushes.
"No, I was being punished by a goddess."
"Yes! For defiling the mighty Wall Rose, that is what you deserve!" The pastor cries out.
"For breaking an oath I made." I further explain, rolling my eyes. "I had promised I would always be there for someone but a monster... took me away. And I was punished for it. The last thing I remember was talking to the goddess. Next thing I know, I'm waking up in a field next to that titan the Scouts saw me kill."
"They don't believe you, but you can't really blame them. I wouldn't believe you either if I was in their shoes."
"You have to believe me, I'm telling the truth. Please Hange. Please." I plead in face of the whole building's skeptical looks.
"We should move on." Turning slightly to avoid eye contact as if my fate has been sealed. "How are you able to control water? Where did you get your powers from?"
"I found out I could control water when I was 12. I was sent to a camp for people with extraordinary abilities like mine. During a camp activity, I was attacked by a monster someone had summoned within our camp boundaries." I pause, the strength and will to continue telling my story fading from my body.
"You mustn't stop now!"
It's pointless, they refuse to believe me. If they're going to kill then let them try already.
"And once they fail, what do you think they will do? They'll either experiment until they find a method to kill you, keep you locked up for the rest of your life, or take a gander at your words and investigate them further. The best outcome is only achievable by staying on their good side. You must continue."
Fine. I'll play your game.
"The monster that attacked me was called a Hellhound." I finally continue. "An awful breed of dog born in the depths of Hell. They can grow larger than an elephant, bark louder than cannon fire, and can literally travel through shadows. I managed to kill that summoned monster with a lucky swing but not before it had raked its claws across my chest."
Now that I think about it, my first encounter with a hellhound was almost exactly the same as my last encounter. The only difference is that I wasn't standing in a river when that last one had gotten me.
"Please, continue." Hange urges.
"I had been standing in a small creek at the time. A girl was able to figure out its waters were giving me energy and even healing my wounds. Then, I found out who my father was."
"Who?"
"Poseidon. God of the Sea."
"Heretic!"
"He still refuses to tell us!"
"An enemy to us all!"
"Kill him!"
"ORDER!" The judge shouts, banging his hand against the desk again. I can tell he's growing more and more frustrated with continued outbursts and lack of formality in the proceedings.
"Sir, Perseus Jackson continues to lie about his powers even when he knows his life is on the line. He is clearly a menace and a danger to our society, willing to hold his secrets to the grave!" Nile Dawk cries to Zachary.
"Perseus." The judge addresses me. "You can't honestly expect us to accept that answer."
"Doesn't matter if you accept it or not, it's still the truth." I quietly respond.
"I'm feeling generous today. I'll give you one last chance to tell us the truth."
"I'm from another world."
"Alright, I've made my decision. I—"
"As if my trial hadn't already been predetermined, you crusty old bag."
"This isn't good..." Hange mutters.
"Fuck."
"Why you…" Dhalis Zachary growls.
"Go on, kill me already! You pansy! That's right, I bet that the dirt on your king's boots is like sweet nectar to your taste buds."
"You idiot!" Levi shouts.
"Poseidon's trousers! Why are you antagonizing him!?"
"That's it!" Zachary shouts, abruptly standing up and knocking over his chair and a container of ink on his desk. "Perseus Jackson. I sentence you to death by firing squad. Right here and now! Dawk!"
"Right! Guards!" Nile Dawk orders, answering Dhalis Zachary's command.
"No! We need him alive!" Hange cries.
Six military police members with old-style muskets rush forward, pouring through the opening of the fencing and lining up in a slight 'U' pattern before me.
"Hange, get out of the way!" Erwin orders.
"Damn it, Percy! All you had to do was tell your story and shut up." Hange curses, gritting her teeth and darting out of the way of the firing squad's trajectory.
"She took the words right out of my mouth."
"TAKE AIM!"
All six riflemen simultaneously point their rifles at me which I'll admit, actually makes a pretty cool sound. I thought the sound of cocking a gun in movies was always over-exaggerated but hey, I guess not.
"Hahahaha! Hey Hange! Zachary! You really should have asked me if I had any other powers before you tried to kill." I say, giving them a shit-eating grin. "That was a mistake."
"KILL HIM! DO IT NOW!" Zachary orders with absolute terror written across his face.
"FIRE!"
Billowing white smoke ejecting out of half a dozen gun barrels pollutes the tribunal's air as my execution squad fires all at once. Being indoors, the shots are louder than normal, ringing my ears drums and leaving a long-lasting echo in the silent courtroom. Musket rounds strike my body forcing me to twist and move like that Harlem Shake dance. Annabeth once told me that the dance was inspired by the way a body reacts to getting shot. She was totally right. Yet despite the forcefulness of the bullets' impact, they failed to pierce or damage my impenetrable skin.
"Created by the hand of God, the great Walls encompass all! Our faith makes them stronger, for if we rid the Walls of impurities, we purify the Divine Architect's plan! Doubt their holiness or taint their name, you shall be struck down like this… this…"
The Wall Cultist's ranting peters out as the smoke clears. The room goes dead silent, the only noise being the gentle whispers of the wind blowing outside. The first to do anything is Hange who after a few seconds dashes over to me.
Did she run over here to check on my wellbeing? How thoughtful! They do care about me!
"Nope. She's just curious as to why you're not full of holes."
Entering one of her crazy science modes again, Hange grabs my shoulders, jerking me around to look for oblivious signs of injury. Next, she worms her fingers through the holes of my shirt, wiggling them around in search of any trace of blood or cut. Chained in place, I'm left helpless, only able to uncomfortably squirm in place against her groping onslaught.
"This woman has no sense of personal space whatsoever."
Halfway down my shirt, Hange's hands suddenly pause. Slowly she pulls them out with a shining lead bullet between her fingers.
"How?" she gasps.
Holding it up to her glasses to get a better look, the musket ball, which would typically just be a simple round sphere of lead, now resembles a flat disk.
"The round flattened at the point of impact, yet you have no apparent injuries. How?" Hange asks, lowering the bullet from her face to look me in the eyes. "How is this possible?"
"It's called the Curse of Achilles. A blessing that makes the bearer impervious to any and all kinds of physical damage."
"Don't you dare tell them about the mortal point!"
Wasn't planning on it. I'm not that stupid—Hey, what is she doing?
Wildly patting at her hips then digging through her underside jacket pockets, Hange pulls a sharp knife from under her coat.
"Pretty sure she isn't supposed to be carrying in here…"
Fighting back the screaming instinct to slap her hand away, Hange brings the knife up to my exposed neck and gently scraps its razor edge against my skin.
"Hmmm…" she expresses as the metal fails to draw blood.
Taking a moment to think, Hange takes a step back and enters a stance. Sticking the knife out like a mugger in a Bronx alleyway, she charges as if with the intent to gut me. Crying out, she thrusts the blade forward with all her might. I flinch as she stabs my stomach but it doesn't hurt. Instead, the tip of the blade shatters on contact, rendering the weapon useless.
"H-how did you gain such an ability?" Hange stutters.
"Finding the gates of Hell is a challenging task itself. Traveling into the Underworld and returning to tell the tale is even more grueling. But to bathe in the poisonous waters that grant this curse, in 3,000 years only two others have accomplished that feat."
"Lies... He continues to… spit lies..." Nile Dawk speaks, unconvincingly.
"Riptide. Show them your sword."
"Hange, I have another idea. Reach into my right pocket."
"Umm… Hohoho!" She laughs, her manner flipping on the dime. "I know I was getting a bit frisky with you earlier but you can't—"
"Jeez, Hange! Don't make it weird! I have something in my pocket that I need to show everyone. Something that might convince you my story is true!"
Hange reaches into my pants pocket and pulls out my trust ballpoint pen. Hange curiously spins it around in her hands, looking at it from every angle, then giving me an expectant look.
"She's probably wondering why you have it on you, knowing you've been searched and put into a new set of clothes."
"Uncap it. Oh, and please make sure to point it away from yourself as you do so!" Hange getting accidentally skewered in front of everyone would definitely not be a good look. I'd rather not test if celestial bronze can hurt mortals in this world or not.
"Celestial bronze is still celestial bronze. As long as their genetic code doesn't have any divine or magical ingredients, Riptide should pass straight through them."
Following my instructions, Hange points the tip of the pen away from her body and pulls off its cap. With a metallic ring and a flash of golden bronze, Riptide unsheathes from its disguise in all its godly glory. Gobsmacked and with shaking hands, Hange stares at the Riptide with stars in her eyes observing the way the celestial bronze material casts a soft orange glow across her skin, noting the unknown engravings on the side of the blade, and beholding its beautiful leaf blade design.
"Your sword… We thought it had been swept away…" Hange star-struckly explains.
"Now put the cap back on and throw it as far as you can away from us."
Not even questioning such an absurd request, Hange puts the cap back on the top of the blade, turning the greek sword back into its measly ballpoint pen disguise. Raising her arm, Hange chucks it across the room where it lands smack middle in the aisle of empty pew benches.
"What was that blade?" Someone mutters.
"A tool of God. One a man such as himself should never be wielding." The Wall Cultist priest replies in a whisper.
"He had that on him the whole time!? Why wasn't he searched?!" Nile Dawk screams at some soldiers to his side, who shrink back in fear.
"The prisoner is on to something! Don't touch that pen!" A fearful female soldier in the stands cries out.
The whispers of the room immediately shut up at the woman's warning. Everyone second that passes by, the anticipation or tension of the room grows. Then 20 seconds later, poof!
"The pen!"
"It's gone!"
"Where did it go?!"
"Witchcraft! Sorcery!"
"Hange, reach into my pocket again."
"No way…" She replies. Reaching in and grabbing Riptide, Hange pulls the pen from out of my trousers, presenting it high in the air for everyone to see. Another moment of stunned silence passes by.
"How is that possible?" Hange asks, lowering her arms and turning to face me again.
She reaches in and her eyes go wide when she feels Riptide. Hange quickly pulls out the pen and presents it high in the air for everyone to see. Collective gasps and 'whats' fill the room at this revelation.
"Did everyone see that?! Good, now listen up!" I yell out to the room. "There's no way for me to prove I'm the son of a god. I can't just summon my dad for you see, our relationship doesn't work like that. But what I can do is give you proof that magic exists. Everyone in this room just witnessed my sword, Anaklusmos, shifting in and out of its pen disguise. Matter doesn't just shrink and hide like that, nor can science explain how my sword was able to teleport from one place to another. Magic exists."
"After this, whatever you do, don't tell them Riptide returns to your pockets. We don't want them cutting out your pockets or giving you pocketless pants."
"And just minutes ago I was shot. Six times! Six holes in my shirt but with zero bullet wounds to show for it! My body has been cursed to where I can no longer take damage, a curse of magical nature like the enchantments on my sword."
"The Curse of Achilles is a divine curse. It's on a whole 'nother level. But whatever. They don't need to know that."
"I don't care whether you believe my water controlling powers are magic or a curse. The point is, I'm telling you right now that I am a demigod. A son of Poseidon, god of the sea." Instinctively I puff out my chest as a great swell of pride rises within me.
"But I'm not just a demigod. I am a Hero of Olympus, and to you I am a friend, an ally, a savior of humanity!"
"That was... surprisingly ok."
Once more, another moment of silence passes by, broken half a minute later when Premier Dhalis Zachary finally gives his judgment.
"Take… Take him away." he hesitantly orders.
Six soldiers, the ones who had escorted me from my cell earlier, exit the stands, pass by my stunned execution squad, and step up onto my marble platform. Once they manage to unlock my shackles from the grounded metal pole, they begin leading me out of the courtroom.
"Sorry about the scare Hange. I know you told me to be good but I've always had a rebellious streak against authority." I apologize, giving the scientist a grin as I'm led past her. "But I did a good job, no?"
"Shut your trap!" One of my escorts yells, yanking me forward.
Another guard throws that bag over my head again, turning my world into darkness. And with my eyes deprived of any light, I'm blindly escorted back to my confining prison.
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This chapter was 8.4k words long, added some 3k words during my rewrite process.
Did you catch that Gigguk reference? I know a few of ya did.
A little thing my friend and I discussed as I showed him this chapter: Do you think Clifford the Big Red Dog is a Hellhound? Definitely has the size of one, and his red fur does give off a devilish vibe if you think about it.
Till next time,
-Unbred
Stats of original post: 827 views, 66 follows, 44 favorites, 26 reviews
Stats at time of rewrite: 44,904 views, 539 follows, 421 favorites, 244 reviews
Published Originally on 10/3/2020
Rewritten 6/23/2021