A/N: Sorry for the late update. I was getting caught up in school stuff.
unicorn horn powder: Um, yeah.
Kenneth: I'm thinking about it.
Zaydan StormVoid: Ayy, my man. I missed you. For the classes, yeah, I need to explain a bit more on that. So that's gonna come soon. Like a quick guide to Olympia kind of stuff.
CombatFan134: Never heard of it until now. I'll take a look later on.
Alex Focker: Well, I wrote this story with the SAO movie as an inspiration or basis sort of. The concept of it is there but I'm not gonna copy and paste the whole plot of it. And for the box, *wink ;)
Quihi: Yeah he did. Which is why he said there's no need to block it. (a bit of retcon in my behalf).
RainSoL: We shall see to it.
Now, onwards!
Chapter 13
It was night time. Percy was standing on the roof of the Colosseum, overlooking everyone. Luckily the Colosseum had a huge opening on the roof. This was going to be perfect.
The only ones who knew about this plan was Percy himself, Nico, Artemis, and Frank. They'd each went to their respective teams.
Percy stood on the metal railing, the cold wind of the night blew gently on his skin. He was thinking about what will happen after this, should he survive the ordeal. Was he going to continue to play Olympia? Will he go pro? Will this thing he has with Artemis will last? He didn't know.
Percy sighed as he put on his AR Glasses. Nico, Artemis, and Frank were all in his party so that it would be easier for the four of them to communicate. While Percy was on the roof of the Colosseum, they were at the Players' Lounge, watching from a distance.
"I'm not being paranoid and all," Frank said. "But won't the Hacker know what we're up to if we use the Glasses to talk?"
"This plan of yours is crazy," Artemis said. "You do know this will get you killed, right?"
"It's gonna be fine," Nico said. "If the Hacker founds out about us, then the plan is almost there, right?"
"Just focus," Percy said as he rolled his eyes. "Keep an eye out for any suspicious people."
"Nico looks suspicious," Frank said.
"Shut up, Zhang."
Percy just chuckled. He was glad that Nico hadn't let Beckendorf's and Silena's death get to him. It was sad, but they have to stay focused on the task. The main reason the Rebellion was founded in the first place. That's what both of them would've wanted.
"Shouldn't we let the others know about this?" Artemis asked. "I mean, Piper and Thalia will be confused."
"Let them be," Percy said. "If the Hacker knows they're involved in it, he'll go for them. I don't want that."
Then, the stadium lights went off. At first Percy thought the Hacker was making his move, but it was part of the opening show. A spotlight focuses onto the middle of the field, where a woman stood in a glowing white gown and a cloak of peacock feathers over her shoulders.
Percy couldn't see much from so high up. He could see the woman's black hair and slim body, like a model. When the spotlight shined on her, the crowd cheered loudly. The noise from the crowd almost made Percy deaf. It seems like she was a big deal.
"Who is that?" Percy asked.
"You're kidding," Frank said. "You don't know her?"
"He doesn't watch Olympia tournaments much," Artemis explained. "That's Hera. She's like one of the most famous media personality out there. She hosts Olympia events regularly and has a rabid fanbase following her."
"By rabid you mean Frank Zhang," Nico giggled.
"Shut up, di Angelo."
When the cheering died down a bit, Hera raised her hands to the crowd. "Are you guys ready for the Rookie Showcase?" She announced. The crowd went wild. "We have a lot of rookies this year. One of which has made some very interesting events happen."
When the crowd knew Hera was talking about Percy, there was a mixture of boos and cheers. At least not everyone hates him like he thought they would.
"Could've been worse," Frank summarised.
"I've gotta get in position." Nico said. "Stay safe, you guys." He said before leaving the party. He was going on the field along with Luke and the other rookies as well.
Hera gestured at the stage in one end of the field. "Now presenting our contestants!"
From the back of the stage, the rookies walked out and stood on stage. Clearly they were used to this media exposure as they smiled and waved at the crowd who were cheering for them. Percy spotted Luke, dressed in full battle regalia. He wore what looked like bronze armour and a sword was strapped to his side. His sandy blonde hair could easily be spotted even from this high up.
Next to Luke was Nico who was dressed in his Necromancer's black robe along with the staff to go with it. Next to Luke, Nico was very short.
"To think I'm involved in this just because I had a stupid fight with that guy," Percy muttered.
"Don't get sentimental on us now," Artemis said. "Your turn is coming up."
Then, Hera announced again. "And now, for our Wildcard contestant voted by the community," A mixture of cheers and jeers filled the stadium. "Percy Jackson!"
The light shined on the entrance to the stage, but no one came out. The other rookies onstage were confused, so was Hera and the crowd.
"Mr. Jackson?" Hera called again. There were murmurs around the Colosseum, wondering where Percy had gone to. "Well, it appears that we have a slight misinformation here." Below, Percy saw someone rushing towards Hera and said something to her before running back. "It appears that Mr. Jackson won't be joining us tonight."
There were a lot of disappointed 'Aww!'s and some satisfied cheering.
"Let's not let that delay us any longer. For today we have the main event of Luke Castellan going against –" Whatever Hera was going to say had been cut off due to a technical problem. She looked confused as she tapped on the microphone head and saying some things into it, but the speaker didn't respond.
But Percy knew, it wasn't a technical problem.
You people, a distorted voice started to come out of the speakers around the stadium. Percy recognized it immediately. You people are sheep!
The Hacker was waiting for confirmation on if Percy was here or not. Now that he's got that information, he's going to execute his plans.
You are blind to what is in front of your eyes. You are trapped inside a bubble filled with poison. This man you whom you worship like a god will be your downfall. Pray that he will come save you as you will soon die by my hands. All of you will die by my hands!
Screams of panic started to fill the Colosseum as they were struggling to get out. It soon turns into chaos as people scrambled for the exits.
But just as Percy had presumed, the Hacker wasn't going to let anyone leave this building.
Where are you now, Poseidon?! Save your people! Save them for their demise!
"Percy," Artemis said through their communication. "Are you ready?"
Percy took a deep breath. "This is a long drop you know."
"Are you getting nervous now?" Frank asked. "This was your idea."
"I know, I know." Percy said. "Is the cushion below ready?"
"Yes it's just waiting for you," Artemis. "Just don't miss it. If you do, well, you'll die."
Percy let out a nervous laugh. "Can I rethink about this?" From Percy's Glasses, he could see that many people are collapsing to the ground without cause. If they were dead or not, Percy didn't know. And he didn't want to find out what would happen if he didn't take this jump.
"You have to jump now!" Artemis said.
Percy took a deep breath before going for a dive straight towards the field. Percy only remembered everything going pass him in a blur for just a few seconds before he turned on his back and a 'cushion' expanded, breaking his fall. Even though it kept him alive, that doesn't mean that it didn't hurt. The cushion was like one of those things that firemen always use to break someone's fall if they jump from somewhere high up.
"Fuck," Percy muttered. "That hurt."
"Thank god you made it," Artemis said in relief. "I'm going to you right now."
"No!," Percy said. "You need to help the people evacuate this place. They're going to drop here if you don't make it out."
"Percy's right," Another voice said. This time, Annabeth joined his party unknowingly. So she's in their voice communication. "Right now, these people are only being paralysed. All of them have their AR Glasses on. If we don't get them out, we'll have a stadium full of limp bodies."
"Who invited her?" Artemis asked.
"I did," Frank replied.
"That's not important right now." Percy said. "You guys get the people out of here. I'll get the Hacker's attention." Percy stood up with difficulty as he looked around to see if there's any sign of the Hacker. Unluckily, the place was in chaos as everyone was trying to get out while some of the collapsed to the ground. Percy noticed that they were all inflicted by Paralysis, which was somewhat a relief. But all their health bars were empty.
"Hey!" Percy called out. "I'm right here!"
While the crowd paid no attention to him, a figured materialized out of nowhere. Under the Anonymous mask, Percy couldn't see his reaction. But Percy was certain he was glaring at him.
"I thought I warned you what would happen if you come here," The Hacker said. "Are you really that stupid?"
"Something like that." Percy took out his swords. "Care to fight me like a man?"
The Hacker laughed. "You people are reckless." He turned towards the chaotic crowd. "Audience!" He said. This time, his voice boomed out of the speakers. "We have a very special guest!" He gestured at Percy. "The young Percy Jackson! I assume you are all afraid of death, yes? If his health bar reaches zero, your life will be spared."
Shit.
Without hesitation, everyone started to scramble for Percy. People from the bleachers jumped onto the field, weapons drawn and ready for blood.
"Guys!" Percy called as he got ready. "How are you with the evacuation?"
"They're turning back!" Artemis said. "That Hacker has got them reeled in."
Percy dodged a swing of a sword from one of the players and he stabbed him with his. The players health bar dropped all the way down to zero.
So, one fatal blow is all it takes.
The player that Percy had stabbed was then inflicted with Paralysis, making him unable to move. That's how the Hacker was getting to people. He drains their health and then inflicts them with Paralysis.
Percy dodged another attack by a Fencer, who was attacking Percy faster than he could deflect. Percy stepped back a few times before he had to roll sideways from an incoming hammer that was aimed straight for his head.
Using the technique he learned before this, he switched weapons into a spear as he threw one onto the Fencer before switching to a shield to block another hammer strike from the second enemy.
He noticed someone was running behind him, sword on the ready. Percy pushed the hammer guy away as he stepped out of the way of the sword guy, letting him hit each other. The sword guy stabbed the hammer guy before he whirled around in anger and swung his sword straight at Percy's head. Percy ducked under the swing and stabbed the guy with a dagger right in the gut, making him go paralysed.
He saw that hundreds of people were going towards him, out for blood. He wasn't going to win this battle. He needed to find the Hacker to end all of this.
Percy could barely feel all the hairs on his body stand up before his instincts screamed DODGE! He rolled out of the way as a lightning bolt struck to where he'd been standing just a second ago. A Vanguard charged at him, shield ready along with a barbed spear.
Percy gritted his teeth as he somersaulted away from the Vanguard before planting his foot on the ground and lunged forward, careful to dodge the spear. He tackled the Vanguard before stabbing him on the neck with a dagger.
Again, his instincts went on red alert as he immediately moved out of the way even before he knew what was going to happen. Where he'd been stood an earth spike that would've gutted Percy in half if it had hit him. Percy's sense worked in overtime. He swung at the head of an Assassin with a club which knocked her out before switching weapons into a massive axe that looked it could split metal in half. Percy swung the axe sideways, creating an arc of death around him to make sure he had some breathing room. Percy dodged a beam of green light by ducking under it before rolling away just as a fireball was going towards him at terminal velocity.
But he was getting tired. Facing a lot of people like this is tiring.
"Percy, you need to get out of there!" Annabeth said.
"That's easy for you to say!" Percy said angrily as he stabbed someone in the chest before throwing him to the crowd. "You're not the one facing a hundred people at once!"
"Just run then!" Annabeth shouted.
"There's no running from here!" Percy let out a defiant roar as he pushed away two people who attacked him at the same time with his shield. "I'm surrounded!"
"We're coming to help," Frank said.
"No!" Percy said. He ran forward an dropkicked one of the Sorcerers that was giving him trouble at close range. He landed with a thud. "Search for the Hacker. If you get him, this'll be over."
"You will die," Artemis argued. "I'm coming now."
"Just trust me and –"
He was cut short by the sound of a screech coming from behind the crowd. The crowd hurriedly moved out of the way as a monster slithered into view, which made Percy pale.
You remember Thalia's shield? The Aegis? The one with the snake haired lady face imprinted on it?
Yeah, Medusa. Remember her?
This was her older, scarier sister.
The monster stared at Percy with it's menacing green eyes. The hundreds of little snakes attached to her head hissed at Percy angrily.
Since taking down one person seems to be an impossible task for these people, the Hacker's voice grumbled in the speaker of the stadium. I'll send out a special treat for you, Percy. And if anyone gets in the way, they will die. And when I say die . . . I mean permanent death.
The crowd that was previously after Percy for blood has now lost interest in him as they retreated gladly and hastily away from this monster.
The monster Percy was facing looked very ferocious and fearsome that Percy doubt he would have a good night sleep after this. She had a human head with snakes for hair, just like Medusa. She had half a humanoid woman's body but with a reptilian skin. From waist down, she was half dragon. Her dragon half had black scales with claws that could pull your head out of your body. At the end of the dragon's half was a scorpion tail, because they figured this monster wasn't monstrous enough. At the point where both halves meet, her skin was like bubbling and morphing into different animal heads like bear, tiger, crocodiles and other animals. At her legs, vipers dart around and snap anything that moves near them.
To top it all off, she has dark reptilian wings. Because all monsters aren't monsters until they have wings.
This monster in front of Percy is not just a nightmare. If nightmares could have nightmares, that's what she would be. Percy looked above the monster to see her name and health bar.
"Kampe . . ." Percy muttered.
"What did you say?" Annabeth asked. "Did you just say Kampe? Kampe is there?"
"Yeah," Percy gulped. "The Hacker sent her."
"Percy, you need to get out of there." Annabeth said. "I mean like right now!"
"What's wrong?"
"Kampe is one of the hardest World Bosses." Annabeth said. "Even with a twenty player raid, there's no beating her. Beating her has not been done in the history of Olympia. She's not in your level, she's not in my level, she's not in anyone's level."
"We can take her on," Percy said as he gripped both of his swords tightly. In truth, he was convincing himself rather than Annabeth. This was the only way for them to get to the Hacker.
"No, Percy, you don't understand." Annabeth said. It sounded like she was running because she panted as she spoke. "There's no 'taking her on'. If the Hacker is serious about permanent death, then this is going to be a permanent death for you."
"Percy, Annabeth's right." Artemis said. "You need to back out on this one. I've seen what the monster is capable of. You will have no chance. Even with a team behind you, I doubt you will have a chance."
"Let's just take a step back to think about this, Percy." Frank added. "We need to focus on getting these people out of here."
Percy gritted his teeth. All his friends are doubting him. If they stepped back from this, who knows what the Hacker has in plan next? They might not have the opportunity to do this again. The Hacker might not be here the next time he plans something. This is going to be their only shot on getting the Hacker. There will be no 'next time' after this.
"Focus on getting everyone out." Percy said. "I'll deal with Kampe."
"Percy, stop!" Artemis said but Percy wasn't listening anymore.
He moved forward. He was gripping the hilt of his swords so hard that he was afraid that they were going to break. Kampe saw him and screeched loudly as she took out two scimitars, holding one in each hand. The scimitars glow a greenish aura that didn't look good.
The animal heads at Kampe's waist started snapping at Percy, even though he was far away. Percy didn't have a clear strategy to go about this. Nor did he know how to fight Kampe.
"If I win," Percy said. He knew the Hacker could hear him. "You let these people go. Free them of their Paralysis."
Fair enough, the Hacker said through the Colosseum's speakers. Assuming you live.
Percy wasted no time on rushing towards Kampe. He was going to take on a World Boss alone. He was going to save everyone in this building and confront the Hacker and punch him straight on the face.
You can guess how well that went.
Kampe swung one of her scimitars at Percy's head, but he parried it before aiming at her legs. Before he could even get close to her legs, the vipers on her legs darted towards Percy, threatening to bite him. Percy had to back away. He could barely see the scorpion tail creeping up on him and tried to sting him before he ducked under it.
Percy tried to slice at the tail, but it was way more quicker as the tail slithered out of view and Kampe swung her scimitars again. She wasn't as bad as Percy in dual-wielding with both hands because she was starting to overwhelm him.
Percy tried parrying, blocking and dodging everything from the scimitars, to the vipers, to her dragon claws, to her tail and her morphing waist.
But it was too much for him. He wasn't keeping up. He's going to fail.
Percy tripped in the midst of fighting her. Kampe licked her lips delightfully as she lunged at Percy. This was his mistake for not listening to everyone else. Kampe was going to kill him. The Hacker was going to get his wish. Artemis will now be left alone and the world will probably be plunged into chaos.
He closed his eyes and hoped for the best. There was the sound of metal clanging as Kampe screeched in pain. "Get up," A familiar voice said.
Percy opened his eyes to see the very last person he would expect to see. "Luke?"
Luke stood behind another person with a shield on the ready. Percy stood up to see that Kampe was slightly staggered, giving them time to breathe. "I couldn't stand to see you get your ass handed to you like that." Luke said as he took his sword out. "At least not until I hand it to you myself."
"Huh," Percy said. "Why are you helping me?"
"Because," Luke turned around to face Kampe. "I can't let my career go down the drain before it even started." Then he gestured at the person with the shield. "This is, um, what was your name again?"
The person groaned as she turned around and winked at Percy. "Thalia?"
"Wait, you two know each other?" Luke asked.
Thalia rolled her eyes. "Focus on the task, doofus." He turned towards Percy. "The others will be here soon. They're busy evacuating people."
"So for now, it's just us three?" Percy asked.
"For now, yes." Luke said. "Now get ready. This won't be an easy battle."
Percy stared at Kampe, who was glaring at all three of them. "Any plans?" Percy asked as Thalia's a nd Luke's name appeared in his UI along with his list of party members.
"Kill first. Questions later." Luke said as he rushed forward with his blade. Under the light, the blade gleamed in bronze and silver, like two different metals were forged into one blade.
Percy grinned as he charged forward with renewed vigour. Thalia stood in front of Kampe with her shield and spear. It seemed wrong for them to let a girl to take all the damage, but Thalia was no ordinary girl. If you tap her on the shoulder, she'll punch you in the throat.
Thalia thrusts her spear slightly at Kampe. It poked her, but it looked more like an annoyance to her rather than really damage her. Whenever Kampe struck with her scimitar, Thalia raised her shield to block her attacks.
"Don't be too aggressive," Percy said. "Keep your distance."
"I know," Thalia grunted. As soon as they knew Kampe had her eyes locked onto her due to too much aggro, Luke and Percy went to work.
Percy stabbed at Kampe's scorpion tail. As she howled in pain, Luke used his sword to cut of several vipers that sprouted from her legs. Dead viper heads dropped to the floor as the hissed in pain. Percy took the time to use his other sword to slice off the pointy tip of Kampe's scorpion tail, but his blade bounced off the skin of it.
The scorpion tail seems to have a mind of its own as it backed up and whipped itself towards Percy. Percy narrowly dodges it as the sharp point of the tail misses his head.
Luke was doing some serious work with the viper heads. He's eliminating the threats one by one, starting with the legs. Percy saw Kampe's HP starting to drop a little bit, but it was barely enough. If they kept going like this, it will take a year for them to defeat her.
"Luke," Percy grunted as he held onto his sword which was still stuck on Kampe's scorpion tail. "You need to ease off with the assault. You're going to draw in too much aggro."
"Thalia's got it." Luke said. But Percy knew. Thalia had stopped attacking because she's been too busy defending herself against Kampe's attacks. She hasn't got it. "We'll be fine."
"Luke, fall back!" Percy ordered.
"Don't tell me what to do!" Luke said angrily as he stabbed his sword deep into Kampe's torso. Kampe screeched in anger as she whirled around towards Luke, making Percy fly along with her tail. Thalia got sent back flying by Kampe's tail as well. Kampe now had her eyes on Luke.
Luke's sword was still embedded in Kampe's left torso. He was unarmed with no way of defending himself. Percy tried stabbing Kampe multiple times, to get Kampe to aggro on him, but Luke had built up too much of it.
Percy jumped off of Kampe's tail and ran towards Luke, hoping to reach him before Kampe does. As Kampe was going towards Luke, time seemed to slow down for Percy.
Earthern tendrils sprouted out from the ground and wrapped themselves around Kampe, making her immobile. Her scimitars were inches away from Luke. Kampe had been rooted.
Percy saw far behind Kampe at the other end of the field, Annabeth was standing with her staff out. She was using her Enchanter class.
"Get back!" She said. "It won't last long."
Luke hurriedly retreated, but Kampe quickly broke free of the Root and was making her way towards Luke. She was stopped again as an arrow fired with such ferocity hit Kampe from the side, sending her tumbling to the ground. Percy looked at where the arrow come from to see Artemis perched up from the bleachers, her bow at the ready.
Percy took the opportunity to rush forward and stab her in the head, but her dragon wings swooped in and covered her head. Percy's sword bounced of Kampe's wings harmlessly.
He was getting frustrated. Was she made out of steel? His attacks kept bouncing off of her.
Kampe swept her wings aside, Percy along with it as he was sent rolling onto the grass. Percy stood up and glared at Kampe. Her health hasn't even decreased more than ten percent of her total health.
"This is impossible," Luke panted. "She's unbeatable."
Percy didn't want to admit it, but he was right. Kampe was far from difficult. She's impossible to beat. Percy looked around hopelessly. The Colosseum was littered with people being paralysed from head to toe. There were probably close to a hundred people in here. Many of them were away from the field, so that saved them the trouble of moving them all away.
Maybe this was the Hacker's plan. To bait out Percy here so that he could have him all to himself. All the Hacker has to do now is kill these other players and he'll have Percy alone with no one to help.
Percy was about to tell them to retreat when suddenly the ground in front of Kampe cracked open and skeletons started to crawl out. Kampe destroyed them with ease, but they kept coming out at an absurd rate, climbing onto Kampe. They didn't do damage, but they did well to distract her.
"Sorry I'm late," Nico grinned as his name popped into the party list. "Brought some friends with me."
"Friends?"
Fireballs rained from above the stadium all aimed at Kampe though some almost hit them. "Leo!" Frank yelled from the voice communication. "Try and not to kill us."
"Hey, it's your fault for standing near her." A new voice said through the call. Two names popped up in the party list. One of them was Leo Valdez, who Percy figured was the Sorcerer who threw random fireballs.
"Try to aim at Kampe. Not at us." A female voice said. Percy didn't recognize that voice, but through the process of deduction, he could only guess that it was the other name that popped up. Hazel Levesque. "And nice to meet you guys. We're here to help."
"Because Frank told us to," A voice said. This time, it was a familiar voice. Percy had heard her voice a long time ago. Reyna's name was added to the party list. "Plus, this looks like a fun raid. Oh, and I found your friend outside waiting to get in."
"Hey Percy," Jason's voice said through the voice communication.
"Jason?" Thalia asked. "What are you doing here?"
"Just figured I should help." He said. "Piper's here with me as well."
Piper's name popped into his party list. That makes twelve of them in a party.
"Guys," Percy said to get everyone's attention. "You guys need to retreat. This isn't just a game. If you die here, then you're gonna die for real. It's gonna be permanent."
There was a long silence after that. Kampe roared at them. She's neutral now, waiting for them to act.
"Well," Annabeth said. "Let's just not die then."
"That's more like it," Leo said as he blasted Kampe with more fire spells.
"For god's sake, Leo!" Percy saw Frank move past Percy in a blur as he jumped in front of Kampe, a huge shield in hand. Frank let out a War Cry, making the monster focus all attacks on him.
"You crazy sons of bitches." Percy said. "Charge!"
A/N: That was a long chapter. Almost 5k. Wow. Got immersed while writing it. As you can tell, it's getting close to the end. Don't worry. A sequel is planned for this. Buuuuutttt ….. Who's gonna make it to the sequel? Ooooohhhh. Stay tuned.