I'm tired.
Chapter IX
Hello...Weird, Shadow Thing. Mind Helping Me Kill Shit?
Percy slipped out of his cabin, wandering to the arch way. He examined in closely, glaring at it. If he concentrated, and held up his hand close to the invisible protective wall, he could see a dark red glare around his hand. Percy let out a long breath. That was the magic. The magic that kept the monsters away from camp borders. He poised a hand to his chin. Now. How to destroy it?
He looked around himself, examining the arch. What if he destroyed it? No, that probably wouldn't work. The arch was necessarily the vital part, it wasn't part of the magic itself, it was just connected to the magic. He looked outwards, toward the forest. He almost slapped himself for his own stupidity.
Muttering to himself, he crossed the border, stepping slowly towards Peleus, the drakon which protected Thalia's tree. Of course the tree would be the thing he needed to attack. If it wasn't keeping the borders together completely, they were certainly the main source. If Percy got rid of the tree, the magic should be at least weak enough for the monsters to cross with some effort.
He stopped several yards away from Peleus. He bit his thumb in thought. How to do this? He wasn't quite sure how well his powers would work on the creature, and at the same time he wanted to try something new. What if he…
Percy held his hands out in front of him, closing his eyes in concentration. He reached into his subconscious and tried to imagine his powers as a personification, a literal being, doing his dirty work for him. He grunted almost silently, willing the personification to become reality. To become a being. Percy almost sagged with the effort, eagerly fluttering his eyelids open to watch. From his hands came a wispy black smoke, twirling around his fingers, his hands, his arms up to his elbows before gathering on the ground in a seemingly endless puddle. It then gathered itself, presenting itself to Percy before him. Percy had to beam with pride. He felt like a father.
In front of him was a ghostly being, seemingly in the shape of a little girl who came up to his chest in her floating stance. It was hard to distinguish, everything being the same, blacker-than-black shade, but it almost looked as if a dress was floating about her, hair twirling around her razor sharp fingers and bony arms. He couldn't make out any facial features besides glowing white holes where her eyes should have been.
He made a shooing motion, and she took off in a spinny-sorta-movement to attack Peleus. The drakon stood up abruptly, waving its head about violently to dispel the black force attacking it. Percy watched with a growing smile as Peleus struggled, before collapsing, writhing on the ground as Percy's creature completely encompassed the drakon with black smoke. When the black smoke vanished, before becoming one solid being again, Peleus wasn't moving at all. Percy beamed. He strolled forward happily, jumping on Peleus and laughing as he jumped off again. The drakon didn't move. Sighing in content, Percy circled his creation. Really, it was brilliant, floating before him emotionlessly, ready to attack should he give the command. He tilted his head at it. He wondered if it could kill the tree. Percy looked at the tree. It was a magnificent, towering pine tree, topped with pine cones and stretching high into the night sky. Percy placed his hand on the bark. He could feel the magic humming beneath his fingers. He stepped back, motioning once with his finger for his creation to attack it.
His creature wisped forward, wrapping around the base of the tree in a twirling mass. It circled, becoming faster and harsher, as though it was getting angry. Percy frowned as he watched. The form abruptly moved up, circling around various branches and going up the length before coming back down and resting at Percy's feet. Even though its face was emotionless, Percy couldn't help but think he could see rage and frustration in its glowing eyes.
He looked back at the tree. For some reason, his creation could attack it. He motioned to attack it again. His creature remained motionless. Maybe it knew it was futile?
Percy looked back to the tree. Maybe it just couldn't find a way to get into the tree? To attack it. Percy considered the thought. It sounded plausible. Percy pulled Riptide from his pocket, twirling it in his fingers, before he poised if like and ax and swung it violently at the tree. He repeated this, counting to ten before considering it. He felt like he made a big-enough dent. Percy motioned for her to attack it again. This time she flew forward, into the gap, and disappeared. Percy stepped back as the tree started to tremble in moments, quivering and shaking violently.
Percy could only smile in satisfaction as he watched the branches wither, the leaves turn brittle, the pine cones fall around him. Then, smaller branches fell. Percy looked towards the gap he had created, watching as it got larger and larger as the tree blackened, tilting as it started to fall.
Percy begun to worry that someone would hear the tree crash, and so rushed back to his cabin, trusting his creation to come back when it was done. He hardly made it to his cabin when he heard the earth-shaking crash rock the camp. Moments later, a black wisp flew under the door, becoming stationary in front of Percy, who was sitting on the floor, having been knocked over in the mini earthquake. He smiled.
"Is it dead?" His creation nodded it's head once. Percy smiled approvingly. "Good. Hmm...you need a name. What shall I name you?" Percy got to his feet, circling her. "Do you have a name?" She shook her head, otherwise motionless. Percy stopped in front of her, squinting as he tried to look into her glowing eyes. Finally, he smirked in triumph.
"Nightshade! I shall name you Nightshade, in honor of Zoe. Get it? Because it's Thalia's tree that you destroyed?" He waited for a response and received none. Percy huffed. "Of course you don't. You're no fun." Unable to get a rise out of the creature, Percy glared. "Dismissed." He said shortly. Nightshade vanished into the air.
Percy then strolled back into the camp, feeling the magical borders weaken as he entered. It made him feel proud of himself. He was going to be slowly destroying the camp, and so effectively too! Now, he just had to do one more thing to ensure nothing got fucked up in the chaos of battle the next morning.
When he made it to the big house, he quietly materialized inside. Now he had to locate the rooms. He knew they weren't upstairs. All that was up there was the attic. And no one wanted to go in there. Hmm. Maybe he should scavenge through that sometime to see if anything useful was in there. The hydra, who he had named Fluffy, was just supposed to mainly be a distraction, after all. He was disposable. So he shouldn't really damage the house. Of course, Percy would have him step and trample whatever part of the house they were in, to make it look like they had actually been killed by a monster, but he didn't think the attic would be damaged in the process.
Percy checked the adjacent hallways next. One lead to a small conference area that Percy vaguely recognized. The next one he tried, he came across to closed doors. Percy put his hand up to one, concentrating. Sweat beaded down his face slowly, but then he could sense it. He could sense the dreams, the mindless, inane creates that were meant to entertain the brain while someone slept.
He smiled, and did the same to the one across, finding the same thing. Nodding to himself, Percy stepped back. He wasn't sure how he wanted to do this. He could put them into eternal sleep like he did Athena, but he wanted to watch the fear in their eyes more than anything. Yes, it would be a bit more messy, but if Fluffy was going to stomp on the house that didn't really matter. Really, it was just a choice of whether he wanted to have fun or making neat and quick.
Percy wasn't a very organized person by nature anyway.
"Nightshade." Percy called lightly, feeling the enigma leave his body even before he had fully summoned her. The thing. It. He wasn't sure what to call Nightshade. He'd figure it out later. He tapped his lip. She was him, so she should know what he meant, for the most part. "Trap." He commanded. Nightshade spun in a slow circle in between the two rooms, gaining speed as it went. It spun faster and faster, dress-thingy flaring out and touching the two doors from the middle of the highway. The shadows jumped from the dress, onto the doors, crawling up and attaching themselves before seemingly disappearing completely. Nightshade once again held still, waiting for his command. Percy put a hand to the door. He could feel the dark magic humming beneath his palm, unseeable, but palpable in its intent. He tried to touch the knob, but his hand was forced back. He imagined it would be much worse for someone else, should they try.
"Good. Dismissed." Percy said lightly. Nightshade disappeared. Percy smiled, giddy as he walked happily back to his cabin.
Percy went to bed. His plan was ready. All he had to do was wait for the attack, which should be happened around six thirty, when campers were still sleeping and unaware. Percy relaxed into his bed sheets. He had a big day tomorrow. He needed all his energy. Taking over the world was a long, tiring process. (Just like writing this shit)
Percy awoke to the sounds of screaming. He smiled, took his time leisurely stretching, before grabbing his sword and strolling towards the door of his cabin. He waited for a few more moments, listening to the sweet sound of screams as the campers tried to fight off the small group of monsters. Then, Percy rushed out. He looped around the cabins, heading for the big house while staying out of sight. He had all the time he needed of course, but someone might finish off Fluffy, and he actually needed him to destroy the Big House.
He walked in quietly through the front door, feeling eyes on him as he did so, but he was pretty sure it was just a monster, and if it wasn't he could say he had gone to try and get some help. He wasn't in much trouble there.
"Nightshade." He summoned as he walked. She (he decided on calling it a she) materialized and floated in pace with him as he walked. He looked between the two doors. He could here yelling from one, and hoof clops from the other. He decided to go with Dionysus first, because he wasn't sure how long his trapping thing would work on a God.
He smiled, and vanished from the hallway, reappearing in front of Dionysus, who abruptly stopped shouting and yelling as Nightshade appeared slightly behind him. "Boy! What is the meaning of this?" He yelled, towering over Percy, practically turning purple in his anger. Percy smiled sharply.
"It's a simple concept. Have you had any wine lately? I want you to be able to keep up with me. See, you're annoying, and will get in my way. You're also useless and have no real purpose. So I'm getting rid of you. You're just a nuisance, really." Percy murmured, almost to himself. Dionysus fumed.
"You think you can get rid of me, you mortal! I am a God! You rotten kids bow down to me!" Dionysus shouted. Percy tutted.
"No, I don't like the attitude at all. I think we'll have to change that immediately." Percy sighed. "Nightshade, partial slaughter." Faster than Dionysus could follow, Nightshade darted forward, snapping one if his arms, and returning back to position. Dionysus screamed in pain briefly, before ichor started to swell in the wound and it healed itself. Dionysus laughed.
"You can't get rid of me, I told you. You can't kill me, no matter how you do it." He cackled. Percy frowned.
"I'll keep that in mind. Really, I just want to hear you scream. Nightshade, leg." She shot forward, ripping his leg off cleanly and leaving it neatly next to Percy. Dionysus gasped, falling onto the floor and groaning loudly. "Tell me, who do the Gods think was forcing me to kill them?" Percy asked, circling the trembling God, his leg slowly materializing again in place.
"Why would I tell you, you little snot-nosed brat?" Dionysus spit at him.
"Because I can kill you in a moment if I deem it fit. Tell me." Percy ordered.
"You can't kill-"
"Other leg."
Dionysus screamed out in pain. His body was already working harshly to fill out the last leg, and was having difficulty repairing the new wound. "Oceanus! They think it's Oceanus, the titan." Dionysus panted out. It was draining him, trying to send enough blood to his legs to fix them like they could millions of cuts and scrapes.
"A titan? Oceanus? Makes sense, I suppose. He could most likely easily persuade me, or overtake me, since he is part of the water." Percy murmured.
"What is wrong with you?" Dionysus finally asked in a hushed whisper.
Percy smiled. "Funny question. I don't think I'll answer that, however. Nightshade, cut the blood flow, will you dear?" Once again, Nightshade shot forward, into Dionysus and through him. The God choked on his own breath as he staggered back. Nightshade reappeared as Dionysus trembled and feel back.
"I told you I'd change your attitude. I was hoping I could get more fun out of you, but it looks like we're gonna end it here. At least I got some information. Time to visit Chiron! Goodbye, Dino! Hope you have a horrible afterlife!" Percy giggled, before exiting the room. Dionysus was dead, body still twitching as his heart pumped, trying to get blood flowing but being unable to.
Next was Chiron. Percy did much the same thing he did with Dionysus, appearing suddenly. Chiron was pacing when he appeared, but jumped back suddenly and almost kicked him in the chest when he reared back on his hind legs for a moment. Chiron had a deathly look on his face. He only paled when Nightshade appeared, currently docile at Percy's side.
Percy smiled. "Hello, Chiron."
"Perseus." He whispered. "But I don't believe it's you. You're still possessed. And now the thing that is possessing your body has come to kill me. Reveal yourself! Don't be a coward hiding behind a mortal shell!" Chiron bellowed, surprising Percy.
Wow. He actually still doesn't think it's me. I thought he was suspicious. Of course, I guess I was his favorite, in a way, if I do say so myself. Hmm….
"Why, good guess, horsey. Tell me; who am I?" Percy taunted, going along with the lie Chiron had set up for him. Percy opened his arms, sword now in his pocket once more.
Chiron got a new light in his eyes; hope. Hope that it wasn't truly Percy that was coming to kill him. Hope that Percy could be restored to himself. "Oceanus. One of Kronos' five brothers." Chiron said strongly, even with a slight quiver in his voice. Percy admired his courage.
"I'll admit, you're smart. Shame it won't save you here, though. Would you like to meet my pet?" Percy asked, smirking as he gestured to Nightshade, who rustled slightly. Chiron's white coat seemed to be shedding.
"Let Perseus go. Whatever someone did to spite you, you don't need to slaughter millions." Chiron ignored Percy's question, backing himself up slightly.
Percy frowned. "I never said anything about killing millions. I just have to kill those that get in my way. Including Dionysus, Grover, Ares, Athena, and of course, my pet and I got rid of Thalia's tree last night so that the monsters could be let in. Now, I am sadly slightly rushed for time, so I'll make it quick. Unless you'd like me to leave and leave you to be squished by the hydra?" Percy giggled, snapping his fingers. Nightshade flew forward, going right between the space where Chiron's body melted from horse to human. Chiron's hand flew out to deflect her, but as his hand moved through her ghostly form, he screamed, the skin of his hand melting off the bone. Soon, his hand was forgotten as he clutched his throat. He fell to the ground, legs bending at awkward angles. Percy rolled his eyes, and walked out. Now he just had to get Fluffy to step on this side of the house and join the battle for a little while, kill the last few monsters that would probably still be around.
He found Fluffy waiting for him outside the front of the cabin, Percy sent out Nightshade to lead him, and the two were off. Percy darted into battle, seeing most Demi-Gods still trying to get rid of the cyclops, while others were fighting off a troll, and a few killing off the last remaining emposi. Percy rushed at the cyclops, where Jason, Annabeth, Piper, and Frank were attacking it. The cyclops stopped momentarily when seeing him, giving Frank a chance to cut a deep gash in his leg. He cyclops roared, flinging his arms. Annabeth was smacked with one hand, sending her flying into a fountain, where she didn't get up.
Percy wanted to wait a bit longer, to see if she would get up, but if he didn't he'd look suspicious. It was already bad enough he hadn't been around for most the battle, but that could be easily looked over. Then Piper managed to stab the cyclops in the ankle, where he round-house kicked her and Jason. Blood boiling for some reason he didn't know, Percy took a leap from the ground, giving out a battle cry as he sunk his blade into the heart of the monster. The cyclops staggered back, breath labored and eyes betrayed and hate-filled as he stared at Percy, who twisted the blade sharply several times. He jumped off as the cyclops fell back. When he hit the floor with a vibration Percy felt in his hair, Percy didn't bother to retrieve his sword.
He rushed to the fallen, checking for a pulse on Jason, since Frank was checking Piper. He felt a light heart beat, pumping frantically. Percy felt anger fill him. He had told the stupid monsters not to seriously harm Jason or Leo! The stupid cyclops could have murdered him! Percy growled under his breath.
"Are you growling?" Jason asked weakly, startling Percy.
"What? No. You're hallucinating. Go to sleep, I'll get you to the med center." Percy urged, feeling a slight blood rush to his face. Jason ignored him and sat up. He wheezed slightly.
"I'm fine, I'm fine. Other people probably need it more. Where were you?" Jason asked, eyes almost accusatory.
"I got caught up with a hydra." Percy explained helping Jason stand. And a dead hydra should be found near the Big House, if Nightshade had understood her duties correctly. Jason raised an eyebrow at him.
"You killed it by yourself?" He asked in disbelief.
"Dude, I just killed a cyclops."
"That we had injured and had been attacking."
"Still! Does that count for nothing?" Jason laughed at him. Percy huffed. "Alright, let's get you to your cabin then. There should be some ambrosia there for you to take." Rolling his eyes, Jason let Percy lead him. Then he stopped him suddenly.
"You don't look very dirty." Jason commented, beginning walking again. Percy almost stopped walking. How could he have forgotten that?
"I ate some ambrosia on my way from the hydra. And my clothes are special, Dad made them. They repair themselves." Wow. That was a damn good save. Go me.
Jason raised an eyebrow. "That's handy." Percy nodded in agreement.
"Now stop talking, you'll wear yourself out more." Percy commanded. Jason snorted, but otherwise allowed Percy to lead him to his cabin through the damage and clutter and ruins of the camp. Admittedly, it wasn't very bad, it had been in worse conditions, but it was still badly damaged.
It would get repaired though. And when that happened, Percy would destroy it again.
GUYSSS WE'RE ALMOST AT THE BIG X
Feels?
