Dan- Kill Perseus Jackson

I sat alone at the amphitheatre, watching the other campers sing together around the campfire, whilst I moped at my own uselessness. I should have done more, I was nothing more than a waste of space that entire game. I suck at fighting. Even with my new sword, I can hardly give off a decent swing fast enough to combat one of those hunters. Worst of all, Percy made me look bad. He made me look useless.

'Kill Perseus Jackson', the barbaric, bear like voice said once again.

Since Percy got here, that voice has been tormenting me, non-stop. When I'm awake, when I'm asleep. Encouraging a slaughter, a fight I can't win. My head fills with images of war. My brother's head on a pike, the rest of the camp celebrating me as a hero; as the one who killed the monster, Percy Jackson. Annabeth Chase on my arm, leaning in… closer… closer… ever closer… and the scene blacks out.

'Weak! You are weak! Accept your destiny. Bring peace to the world,' the voice continued.

'Shut up!' I thought back.

'Only when the false prince of the sea dies, will I leave your mind.'

That angered me. Percy is Dad's favourite kid, no doubt. Next to me, he might as well be a prince. In fact, I'd go as far as to say Dad hates me. He never called, he never showed up, not even on my birthday. My Mum said he disappeared before I was born, and she never saw him again. Then he killed her. Drowned her and my uncle in a storm when they went out on a fishing trip. The boat washed up, cracked clean in half, right in front of me, mocking me. He never even bothered to claim me. The voice seized upon my anger.

'Kill him, and take his place. You'll be the mightiest hero of Olympus! You kill Percy Jackson, and the whole world will know you to be the best.'

My own desires flooded my mind. The gods chanting my name. The pegasi bowing in respect. Annabeth wrapping her arms around my neck, looking deep within my soul. I can't hear her, but I can read her lips. I love you.

'You can have all you desire,' the voice said, as I watched her move in on me. 'All you have to do, is kill the one that stands in your way. He believes himself a god. Prove… him… wrong.'

The movie once again came to a close, right before her lips met mine.

"Leave me alone," I mumbled.

'Why do you continue to-'

"Shut up!" I screamed out.

The song and joy around me came to an immediate halt, and everyone turned in my direction.

"Ahh…"

"Daniel," Chiron said. "Are you ok?"

"Y- yes, sorry. Carry on," my cheeks flushed as I pretended not to notice the giggling of the Aphrodite girls and the snickering of the Hermes kids.

Just as quickly as it was interrupted, the song and cheer reasserted itself among the priorities of the other campers.

'They mock you now. But kill your sea spawn brother, and they will honour your presence.'

'I might just, if it'll make you shut up,' I thought back.

'I can do that. Kill him, and you will never hear from me again.'

The thought of getting the relentless voice out of my skull nearly made me accept the offer. But as much as I hate Percy, I can't kill him. The last thing I need is the wrath of every demigod in this camp bearing down on me, not to mention the gods.

'Be discreet. Catch him off guard, while nobody's around. Take him in his sleep.'

'No,' I thought. 'It's not right.'

'Not right? He doesn't care about you. You think he isn't planning on getting rid of you as well? He wants the Athena spawn all to himself. If he were to suddenly 'disappear,' she'd be all yours.'

'No,' I thought, but he knew my resolve was slipping.

'Or best of all, kill him, and make a trade. Perseus's life in exchange for your mother's. Hades can't refuse the soul of a poseidon spawn.'

My eyes widened at the suggestion.

'I can do that?'

'Of course. If you kill him, you can have your mother back. But only if you do it in the name of Hades.'

I shuddered at the thought of committing murder. At the end of the day, Percy is still my brother. But if it would bring Mum back…

'How do I know you are telling the truth?'

'You don't. But why would I lie to you?'

'Because-' I felt a dark sensation in my head, and my thoughts began mixing together, out of my control. Crime became justice. Wrong became right. Murder became heroism. And any form of logical thinking left me, leaving me with one, singular thought.

'I must kill Percy Jackson,' I found myself thinking. 'It is… the right thing to do. For Mum.'

The voice subsided, and any recollection of what I had said, was pushed deep into my subconscious. I looked around, only now taking notice that the campfire cheer had come to an abrupt stop. I shook my head, bringing myself back to my senses, and turned in the direction of Chiron, who had decided that it was time to turn in.

"-So, can we have a round of applause for today's capture the flag teams! The victors of camp half blood! And the hunters if it pleases you." The hunters of Artemis, who were moping over their loss, moaned, whilst the campers cheered out. It seems that Chiron may have been rubbing it in a little. It seems even he is over excited about the victory. The campfire burned a bright yellow, and blazed high, reflecting the overall mood of the camp.

10 minutes later- I arrived, with the rest of the campers, to the sight of Percy and Annabeth sucking face at Hestia's hearth. They were so involved with each other, they didn't even notice we were standing there.

I couldn't help grimace, that should be me with her. I love her, more than he ever could. I just know it. A dark anger rose inside of me. The entire time they'd been here, their relationship was on the brink of collapse. I thought that she'd be free before the month was out, now it seems, they are in no danger of a break up. I suddenly felt a lot better about the thought of killing Percy. In fact, it was rather appetizing.

"About time," someone mumbled behind me.

2 hours later- I awoke suddenly -although calmly- with a singular thought in my mind.

'It is time,' said the voice.

I quietly pulled of my blanket, and slipped out of bed. Percy was fast asleep. I knelt down, and took my sword out from under my bunk. Silently, I creeped over to him. If all went well, I will kill him quickly, and quietly, then dispose of the body. I took silent steps, as I turned my blade upside down. I raised my sword above my head, ready to stab it into his head. A quick end. Another step, then another.

Just as I was about to rip my blade through Percy's skull, the floorboards creaked loudly, on my very last step. His eyes shot open and in a panic, I brought the blade down. He screamed out as my sword pierced his chest, narrowly missing his heart. Blood spat me in my face… except it wasn't blood. It was golden. Impossible, ichor. Slowly, his roar of pain died down into quick, raspy breaths.

I went to pull the sword from his chest, but he grabbed the blade, and I looked down at him, right into his eyes. I saw no fear, only anger and determination. He sent a weak fist towards me, in a half assed, weak punch… or so I thought. Before I could even process his strength, I was sprawled across the cabin floor. The pain hit me a second later. No doubt about it, he had broken my jaw. I looked up in disbelief as he roared out, whilst pulling the sword from his chest.

He threw the sword aside, and slowly sat up. Ichor flowed freely from his chest, and trailing from the corner of his mouth. He tried to stand up, and was on his feet for a second before stumbling to the ground before me. He crawled towards me, giving off raspy breaths, and despite the terrible pain, I stood up.

I looked down at the dieing, defeated figure in front of me, confidence returning to me. I stepped backwards, and gave an almighty kick to his face. Then I cursed as all my toes cracked on the impact. He looked up at me, rage in his eyes, and he stood and grabbed me by my neck, lifting me up off the floor.

It was at that moment, I realised just how much trouble I was in.