Chapter 10
-Percy-
The next couple weeks fell into a sort of routine. Wake up at the usual 7 o'clock, meet with Annabeth at her apartment and walk to school, get bored as hell in every class, work on their project, get bored again until it's time to leave school, so on and so forth. That Monday morning after Percy and Annabeth's fight, Percy brought in his sword to show off to Mr. Brunner, who took very good care of it. He made sure the owner of the sword remained anonymous so nobody would start any rumors much to Percy's delight.
That afternoon, Percy took Annabeth back to Leo's, her request, and she helped everybody get their designs straightened out even more, measuring everybody and even herself, though she took Percy into the other room so he could do it. He was nervous the entire time, worried about accidentally putting his hands where they weren't supposed to be. He was finally able to breathe when they finished. Annabeth had taken her measurements to Leo who was more than happy to get working on it, but Percy made him promise to finish everybody else's armor first, which Annabeth agreed to. She isn't a part of the 'army' so she won't need the costume.
Outside of school and projects, Percy and Annabeth hung out a lot, learning more about each other each time they go out. And the more Percy learns about Annabeth, the more attracted he is to her. Now it's more than just her looks. More than her beautiful blonde hair, the curves of her body, the way her hips slightly swing with each step. Now there's her personality, her gorgeous smile, her stunning grey eyes, her laugh that can cut through frustrations and worries and make them fade. The gentle nature of her touch, comforting him when he needs it, and the stern discipline when he goofs off. Percy likes everything about her, especially the parts of her he wants to like about any girl - their personality over their body.
It's no secret to anybody that they're attracted to each other. Piper has started trying to push Percy into asking her out. To an actual date, not just a hang out. He knows Annabeth would go with him to the dance even if he doesn't ask her, but Piper, who gets very annoyed at that reasoning, tries to explain without strangling him that it doesn't matter and asking would still mean something. Sometimes, while Percy and Annabeth were hanging out, Piper would randomly join in and it only took a day for them to become close as well. Not necessarily close enough to be considered best friends, but they have grown to become close friends.
It's only a few days until the dance, and Percy still hasn't asked Annabeth out to it. Even Jason asked Piper and, not to anybody's surprise, she said yes. Percy, Jason, and their two groups are all gathered in Leo's warehouse, all of them dressed in their costumes. Ancient Greek hoplite armor, with aspis shields, dory spears, xiphos or kopis swords. Percy's group has a green trident on their shields while Jason's has a golden lightning bolt, so they know who is who between their two groups. They're also named accordingly - Percy's group is Trident group while Jason's is Storm group. Not the best names ever, but in the end it really doesn't matter.
Annabeth, as usual, is there with them, but she's sitting in a chair, watching the guys gather. They've started practicing formations last week, wanting this mock battle to be as similar to reality as possible, though of course there's always going to be something that isn't accurate. They've long ago decided to not shout orders in Greek.
Since Percy is the overall 'commander' of their team, he's got some markings on his helmet making him stand out. Jason also has markings on his helmet, making him out to be an 'officer' of their group.
"Alright! Everybody listen up!" Percy calls out. His tone is serious, commanding. (Percy doesn't yet know that Annabeth really likes how he gets serious like this.)
Everybody falls silent and listens.
"At the end of this week, we'll have our battle with Luke and his team. They outnumber us by only two people, and they're stronger than most of us, but don't let that scare you. Disarming your opponent is preferred, but there is nothing against direct contact so long as it's on your opponent's armor. We all know Luke doesn't care about rules, and he'll likely be going after me directly. If you are hit by an enemy, by sword or spear, you step aside and stand down. Make your way to the sidelines to watch.
"We'll start with a Phalanx formation," he continues. "Five in front, five in back. If they try to flank us, I want those in the rear to extend outwards and cover those in the front. Since many of the guys on the other team are football players, they are familiar with making formations. They know how to hold a line, so that's why they come to us."
"Maybe if we're lucky," Jason says. "Luke will get impatient and just charge at us."
"So, the spears, right?" Connor asks. "If the points of our spears make contact with their chests or stomachs, they're out?"
"Yes," Percy confirms. "Luke, Charles Beckendorf, Jason, and I all met up with the principal and Mr. Brunner to discuss these rules of engagement."
"Everybody clear on the rules?" Jason asks.
Everybody nods.
Percy and Jason glance at each other before Percy slams the butt of his spear on the floor. "Are we clear?"
The group lets out a deep, loud "HA-OOH!" as they also tap their spears to the floor. The cry is only amplified by the spacious room they're in and everybody feels a chill down their spine. Percy and Jason both take their places in the formation.
He then calls for a phalanx and everybody in the formation steps forward, raises their shields, levels their spears, and cry out their battle cry again.
"Good. Very good," he says. He tells them to relax and they stand up again, maintaining their formation.
"Jason, should we battle each other?" Percy asks. "Like a sparring match or training battle?"
"Sounds like a good idea to me. Since your group will be in the front row, we'll advance first," he replies.
"After that, we'll switch sides," Percy agrees.
"Alright. Storm group on me!" Jason calls out. He leads them to the far side of the warehouse and Percy turns to his group.
"It's about time we get to practice against other people," Frank says.
"We'll show them who's the better fighter!" Leo exclaims, getting a loud "HA-OOH" from the rest of Percy's group.
Percy shakes his head and laughs. "Alright guys. Let's do this." He stands in the middle of the formation. Because of their odd numbers, he fits perfectly in the center. Frank is to his right, and Connor to his left. Leo and the last guy take the ends.
"You ladies ready over there?" Jason calls out.
"Yup!" Percy replies, quickly ordering his group into a phalanx. "Bring it on!"
Jason's group forms their phalanx and they advance at a walking pace. Once they get close enough, Jason's group charges and their shields connect. The sounds of wood hitting wood fills the room, alongside shouting and jeering, each side trying to get a hit in with their spears.
"Push!" Percy shouts and he and Frank push back two of Jason's guys. Grover, who is still in formation, tries to get a jab at Frank, but Percy jabs him with the end of his spear.
He gets dramatic and clutches his chest before falling, shouting. "Agh! I'm dead!"
Everybody laughs a bit, before continuing their fight.
"One down, four to go!" Percy shouts. "Push!"
His team starts pushing Jason's team back a little bit, then Leo gets taken out so it's even again. Percy jabs at Jason, but he ducks behind his shield so he can't get a clear hit. Jason's team pulls back for a moment, allowing Percy to get his team reformed and set. Jason charges again and Percy's spear connects with Jason's shield, breaking the cardboard spearhead. He tosses the broken spear aside and pushes Jason back far enough to safely draw his sword.
The fight continues for several more minutes before Percy is alone against Jason and Travis. Annabeth is on her feet, standing with the others that have been taken out.
Percy keeps his shield raised, his sword at the ready, his eyes switching between Jason and Travis, just waiting for them to make a move. They circle him and Travis makes the first move, trying to jab at Percy's right side. Percy deflects it with his sword and Jason takes the opportunity to try to hit Percy, but he uses his momentum from knocking Travis's spear away to spin and knock Jason's sword away. He holds his shield over his back and fights one handed.
Leo jumps with excitement. "Like Achilles in the movie Troy!"
Everybody starts cheering on their guys, Jason's team cheering for Jason and Travis, Percy's team, and Annabeth, cheering for Percy.
Jason and Travis try taking him on at the same time, but Percy counters their strikes with efficiency. Blocking, deflecting, dodging. Eventually, he manages to knock Travis's shield out of the way and stabs at his chest. The wood blade bounces off the armor, but it's exactly what he needs to take him out of the fight.
"Damn, Percy," Travis says, breathing heavily.
Percy grins and turns his attention back to Jason.
"Think that's enough for now?" he asks him.
"Dude, I don't know how you do it," Jason laughs. "Draw?"
"No. To be continued."
"I can live with that."
"We advancing now?" Percy asks.
"Another day, maybe," Jason replies. "That was more tiring than I thought it would be."
"Yeah, no kidding," Percy agrees, finally allowing himself to breathe normally.
"Good thing I made extra spears!" Leo shouts.
Annabeth runs up and hugs Percy, laughing with joy.
"Woah, hey!" Percy exclaims, surprised. "What's this about?"
"That was incredible, Percy!" she says. "I've never seen you fight like that before."
"If you fight like that against Luke, I'm sure you can beat him," Jason says.
"I hope so," Percy says. "Um... Hey Annabeth?"
"Yes?" she looks up at him.
"I've been wanting to ask you something for a while," he says, his face reddening a little.
"Yeah?" she asks, acting coy.
"I, um..." he takes a deep breath, trying to collect his nerves again. Apparently, he was too slow for Jason because he interrupts.
"Oh my God, Percy. He's trying to ask you to the dance," he says.
"Dude!"
Annabeth laughs and blushes. "I'm already going, dummy."
"I know but, with me?"
Annabeth smiles and nods. "Yeah. I'll go with you."
Percy smiles and Leo clears his throat.
"Three cheers for Percy Jackson!" Leo shouts.
"HA-OOH! HA-OOH! HA-OOH!" everyone chants, the cry once again bouncing off the walls.
...
October 30th, 2010. The night of the Goode High Halloween Dance...
Percy and his two groups are in his apartment, getting ready to go to the dance. Percy's already in his gear, his sword in its scabbard, his shield on his arm. His helmet and spear are lying on a table and he's trying to help Leo get in his armor.
"You guys look like you're going to war," Sally says.
"Technically we are," Leo says and Percy smacks his head, but not very hard.
Jason laughs a bit and fixes his helmet on his head before picking up his shield and spear. "Is my group ready to go?"
"I think so. Just waiting on Percy," Travis says.
"We're walking, right?" Connor asks.
"Yup. It's not a bad walk, don't worry. I do it every day," Percy says.
"With Annabeth," Grover says.
The guys start teasing Percy a little.
"Oooh, you walk with Annabeth?"
"Do you hold her hand, too? Maybe wrap an arm around her to keep her warm?"
Heat rises in Percy's face so he puts on his helmet in an attempt to hide it. "Shut up you guys."
"Maybe a kiss on the cheek...?" Jason adds.
"Well what about you, Grace?" Percy retorts. "You and Piper?"
"Hey, let's not get into that," he says.
"Why not?"
"Because I at least had the nerve to ask her myself."
"You interrupted me when I tried asking Annabeth," Percy says with a frown.
Jason grins. "You're welcome, slow poke."
"Oh, really?"
Jason nods. "Really."
"I might just fight you at the dance, then," Percy says.
"Not if you're too focused on Luke."
"Okay, after the dance, then."
"Tomorrow."
"Deal."
They bang their shields together in agreement.
"Alright, boys," Sally says. "You should get going if you're going to get there on time!"
"Everyone ready?" Percy asks. Everybody nods. "Then let's get going!"
They filter out into the hallway and take the stairs to the lobby, their footsteps making it sound like thunder.
"Should we do some cadences while we march?" Leo asks.
"No, we're not going to march," Percy says. "And we're not singing cadences."
"Aww, why not?" he whines.
"No!" a few guys say at the same time.
"What about a word that Percy can use to call us together?" he suggests then.
"Now that sounds like a good idea," Percy says. He starts thinking about different words he could use. "Anybody have ideas?"
They get to the lobby and out the front doors. Turning right, they start walking in the direction of the school.
"You could shout Stelios," Leo suggests.
"That's a name, Leo. We're not going to use people names," Jason says in protest.
Percy tries to think of one word he could use. He looks over his shoulder at everyone. His little army. Army.
"What about 'army'?" Percy suggests. "In Greek, it's stratós. Small, easy to say. Plus it sounds nice."
"Stratós?" Jason asks.
"I like it," Leo says.
"Yeah, like Percy said," Travis says. "It's easy to say and won't make him sound totally stupid."
"Thanks," Percy says sarcastically.
"Then that's our key word for everybody," Jason says. "Everybody got it?"
Their entire group responds with a hearty 'HA-OOH'!
When they pass Annabeth's apartment, Jason asks if he's going up to get her.
"No, she should be there by now," Percy says. "She was part of the art group in Mr. Brunner's class."
"Do you know what she's going as?" Grover asks.
"Probably something related to ancient Greece since we're there as hoplites," he replies.
Even though it's dark, there's still a lot of people out on the sidewalks. Many people stop and admire Percy's group and their costumes, a few even speaking compliments.
"Hey, nice costumes! Where'd you get them?"
"Made them ourselves," he'd say.
A little boy laughs and points at Percy's group, excitedly. "Mommy! Look!"
"Yes, I see that," she tells her son with a smile.
Percy smiles at the boy as they walk by.
Pretty soon, they find themselves at the front doors of the school. They can hear the bass and music from outside.
"Ready guys?" Percy asks his group.
"HA-OOH!" they reply, making him chuckle.
They walk up the steps and enter the building. They find a table where a couple teachers are collecting the tickets for the dance and Percy, with the rest of his group, turn in their tickets and go in. The dance is in the gym so they navigate the decorated hallways and find the doors to the gym. Percy takes a moment to admire the artwork that the art department put up, along with the Greek decorations from Mr. Brunner's class.
"You guys go on in," Percy says. "Go have fun. I'll call you up when it's time."
"Sounds good. You heard the man, let's party!" Leo says and the guys cheer and enter the gym. Percy looks back to the artwork and hears someone clear their throat behind him. He turns around and his heart leaps in his chest.
Standing behind him, with her arms tucked behind her back, was Annabeth. Her hair was done in an ancient Greek style and she was wearing a Greek peplos. She looked absolutely beautiful and when she smiled, she looked a thousand times better. To Percy, if he looked up a Greek goddess on the internet, he was certain she would be on that page.
"A-Annabeth..." Percy stammers, his face reddening. "You look... wow..."
Annabeth blushes and steps closer to him. "You don't look too bad yourself, soldier. I found Jason and Grover lounging by the snack table and they told me you were out here."
"Yeah. I was just looking at the artwork," he replies. "Which one's yours?"
"Take a guess," she challenges.
Percy carefully inspects the art for a couple minutes before pointing at one of them. It's a model of what Mount Olympus probably would've looked like, along with a beautiful pencil drawing of Greece's landscape on a sheet of paper secured to a wooden stand behind the model. "This one?"
Annabeth's smile tells him everything. "It looks really good," he says. "No, it looks incredible! I mean, I think you'd be an amazing architect someday."
"Thank you. So..." she spins in place, letting Percy admire her. "What do you think of my costume? I made this one myself."
"You made this?" he asks, grabbing a handful of the material. It's soft and smooth - the cloth sewn thick and layered to help keep some warmth.
"Yup. I have a talent for this sort of thing," she admits, a blush forming on her cheeks.
"It's incredible," Percy whispers. She's incredible.
Annabeth smiles and takes his hand. "Thank you. Now, come on, Seaweed Brain. You're missing the party."
...
She leads Percy into the gym by the hand and they start having fun. First, they meet up with Jason and Piper at the snack table and they chat for a bit. Several students keep glancing at Percy and his group because this is the first time they get to see the results of their handiwork.
"Is that hand holding I see?" Piper asks giddily.
Annabeth tightens her hold on Percy's hand and raises her chin proudly. "Yes it is. We're here together so we can do this."
Percy is thankful not only for his helmet, but for the darkness in the room so people can't see the blush on his cheeks.
"Well, Jason and I are probably going out to eat somewhere after this," Piper says, clearly excited. Percy can see Jason smiling under his helmet.
"Not a lot of places would be open later," Annabeth says.
"McDonald's or some place like that would work," Piper says. "We've talked about it earlier."
"How did Percy react when he saw you, Annabeth?" Jason asks.
Annabeth laughs. "He looked like a lost puppy."
Percy blushes deeply, once again grateful for the darkness and the helmet. "Come on, that's not fair."
"She wanted to impress you," Piper says, grinning.
Percy and Annabeth lock eyes and she smiles. "Well?"
"I've already told you," he says nervously.
"And I want to hear it again," she says, stepping in front of him.
He looks at her again, his thoughts racing and his heart rate skyrocketing. "Absolutely beautiful..."
He turns to Jason. "Can you run me through with your spear now?"
Jason laughs. "No way, man, this is too good."
Annabeth blushes deeply and smiles at Percy.
"Annabeth! Hey, babe!"
Luke walks up, ruining the moment and Percy glares at him, though he wouldn't see it because whatever light is in the dark room, his helmet covers his face. Fortunately, Luke doesn't seem to notice that it's him.
Percy looks him up and down, taking note of his costume. It's similar to what he's wearing, but it doesn't look as good as his group's. He's also wearing a simple red T-shirt and jeans under it while Percy and his group are a little more accurate to the historical look. He can tell his shield is made of plastic, but it's not the flimsy kind you'd get at a Halloween store. It's more sturdy, like a trash can lid. His helmet is in his right hand, complete with a red plume over the top. Sure enough, he has a sword in its sheathe and his spear is strapped to his back: wooden shaft with a plastic point. Already that has an advantage over the cardboard points his group has.
Annabeth's blush instantly fades and she rolls her eyes. "Luke, I've told you I'm not your babe."
"Alright, whatever you say. Listen, I found a corner we could talk privately in. What do you say? We can get to know each other," he says.
Percy didn't like the way Luke say know.
"I'm not interested," Annabeth says firmly.
"Oh, come on sweetheart," Luke says as he steps towards her, brushing his fingers against her cheek. Annabeth tries to back away, but she's trapped between Luke and the table. She shoots a nervous glance at Percy and he intervenes.
"She said she's not interested," Percy growls, stepping between her and Luke.
Luke snarls. "Out of my way. You're between me and my girl-"
Percy interrupts him by smacking the floor with the butt of his spear -it's loud enough to cut through the music and chatter- and walking against Luke, forcing him to back up, shield against shield.
"What do you think you're doing?" he growls. "Get out of my way!"
"Stratós!" Percy shouts. His voice rings out in the gym and a lot of chatter fades. Luke's expression turns confused.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
Jason's voice cries out the same word from nearby, calling their group together. Multiple voices call out in response and Percy can see the silhouettes of his friends running towards him. He feels a nudge at his right side and he sees Frank standing next to him, his shield raised in front of him. Then to his left, Connor, doing the same thing. Leo and the other guy run up and take their positions at the flanks. The rest of the 'army', Jason's Storm group, walks through the crowd of confused students and start lining up in formation next to Percy's line. It's only then that Luke seems to recognize that these are not his group. A light shines through the gym and illuminates Percy's face for a brief moment, his green eyes reflecting the light.
Luke backs up a little and looks at the line of students lined up before him, all holding shields at the ready, spears still pointed up towards the ceiling. All of them protecting Annabeth.
...
A/N: I know, I'm the worst for leaving this at a cliff hangar, but I didn't want to split the fight between two chapters. Remember the next chapter for Embers comes out this Friday. So far I've been keeping up with that writing, but in doing so, I've stalled my progress in this story, but remember, I have the next several chapters for Through Eyes already written so keep looking forward to the updates.