This story is fucking longggggggggggggg
Chapter XII
Fuck Riptide. I Got Something Better for You
Percy sat up in bed slowly, rubbing his face. Jesus, Luke was a dick sometimes. Rolling his eyes, and shaking his head to piss Luke off, Percy grumbled slightly as he got dressed. When he exited his cabin, it was in disarray.
The camp itself was fine, but the campers were causing havoc. He jogged to the dining area, only to see several of the Aphrodite kids huddled together, one or two bawling their eyes out, the rest looking on the verge of tears or just solemn.
He stopped Will, who was passing him. "What happened?" Percy asked, eyes flickering to the Aphrodite cabin. Will sighed, running a hand over his face.
"Aphrodite was killed last night; we aren't sure how, but she's dead, and...well, you can imagine." Will sent a sympathetic look towards the Aphrodite cabin. "Their cabin is destroyed now, as well; apparently Drew woke up, and the ceiling was caved in around her, with blood splatterd on the walls, but everyone seemingly unharmed."
Percy took a big breath. "But no campers were hurt?"
"Everyone is accounted for. But it's not just the physical damage I'm worried for. It's the mental state of the campers that concerns me. Especially for the younger ones. There hasn't been an incident in a while, but now it's like there's a looming shadow over our backs, and everyone is just thinking…'who's next?'" Will ran a hand through his hair. "I'm going to go to the medic, make sure we have supplies. I'm not much in the mood for breakfast."
Will walked away from him, leaving Percy standing there, looking at the milling, anxious campers surrounding him, the only sounds the murmured whispers of people and the crying of Aphrodite kids. Percy could see it now, in their stances, their eyes, the way everyone was shuffling. He could practically see the thought banging around their head.
Is my cabin next?
Percy walked away, to the beach to hide his smile. Go Hephhy! Hardly able to contain his cackle, he sat on the peer next to his cabin, letting his feet dangle in the water. Suddenly, a lurch pulled at his foot. Percy would have fallen in if he hadn't been holding onto the pole. He clutched it tightly, yanking his feet out of the water. He looked for creatures; maybe the nymphs were mad because he murdered one of them?
But there was nothing. Percy rubbed his foot, feeling the lingering, tingling sensation. Poseidon had tried to get him.
Oh no. This wasn't good at all. Percy darted away from the peer, into his cabin. If Poseidon was onto him, what did that mean? Did Hephhy spill? But...then why had he killed Aphrodite? To lull Percy into a false sense of security? That didn't make sense!
Percy paced back and forth within his cabin. What could he do? Could he risk to go back to Hephhy? He obviously couldn't go into the water now, but what if Poseidon decided to just show up at camp?
Groaning in frustration, Percy kicked a wall. It crumbled underneath his foot. He blinked in surprised, and tugged his foot out. Drywall sprinkled from the gap. Since when…?
Percy shook his head, and sat down on his bed. This was a mess.
He was sure the fountain in the corner was about to explode when a knock sounded on his door. It took Percy a moment to collect himself, but eventually he thought he had some semblance of a controlled posture. Without bothering to check, he answered the door.
"Nico!" Percy blinked in surprise. "I haven't seen you in awhile, what're you doing here?" The short boy still only came up to about his chin, making Percy's lips twitch. He hadn't changed.
"Camp Jupiter. Venus cabin is a mess, I thought I'd check on Aphrodite, and see how you guys were handling it down here, what with C-Chiron, and all." Nico cleared his throat.
Percy set his eyes downcast. "Yeah. We're managing. We're just hoping everything will blow over eventually, even though that doesn't seem to be happening." Percy twitched, rubbing his shoulder. "Leo's working crazy on this huge battleship, but I'm hoping we won't have to use it. Fewer lives lost, the better."
He wasn't looking at the boy, but he heard the hum and could sense the vague nod of agreement. "Alright."
"Are you planning to stick around?" Percy asked, calling out as Nico started to walk away.
Turning his head, Nico rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "I donno. Jason want's me to stay and help, and I guess you guys need me more than Camp Jupiter. So I suppose." Percy smiled slightly.
"Good." Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck.
"I'll see you around, Perce." Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck.
"Yeah, Neeks. See you!" Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck.
"Don't call me Neeks." Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck.
"Yeah, yeah, get on with yourself!" Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck.
Percy closed the door to his cabin as Nico walked away. Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck.
Damnit.
Things became harder with Nico around; one more person he had to watch out for, had to avoid, had to make sure didn't suspect anything. At least Nico seemed to be just as annoyed with Bust-Boy as Percy. For almost a week, he danced around the boy, frightened Nico would be able to sense something, sense the sinister within him.
And then his cabin was illuminated in the middle of the night by a bright, blinding flash. Percy sat up, started, almost hitting his head on the bunk above him. He reached blindly for riptide, fearing Poseidon had come to assassinate him in his sleep, but then he realized it was Hephhy, standing in his cabin with a goofy, proud smile on his face.
Percy became slightly less tense.
"Perseus! Good to see you!" The God greeted joyously, making Percy wince at his loud voice.
"Hephaestus. May I inquire as to what I owe the pleasure?"
"You hate talking that way, don't do it. It doesn't fit." True. "Anyway, as I'm sure you're aware, Aphrodite is dead. My specialty, of course. Now, you mentioned you wanted a weapon capable of slaying the Gods and Goddesses?"
"Yes. I was hoping you would be able to use my own sword to do so."
"That isn't happening. That sword is already enchanted by some powerful stuff, to add anything else may cause it to collapse within itself. If it was a new enchantment, maybe, but as it is old, and has cemented its presence into the metal, there is little I can do." Percy deflated.
"But, I was able to fashion you a weapon that would work to your needs. It has a similar enchantment to your sword, since I was able to put them together, since they were both new. Of course, I had to give it some time to settle, so it didn't explode when you used it, but now it should be in working order." Hephaestus smiled a devious little smile.
Percy stepped closer, excitement creeping into his frame. From his pocket, Hephhy pulled out a thin necklace. The chain was barely visible, and when in his hand, Percy realized it weighs hardly anything. A pendant of pure black rested in the middle, swirls of a bright, orangey-red designing it. When he adorned it, Percy noticed it fitted snuggling under his shirt, the long chain shrinking to accommodate him as he so wished.
Percy glanced up at Hephhy. "Pull the pendant." Hephhy watched excitedly, and Percy realized this was as thrilling for him as it was for Percy.
Percy tugged on it, and it came loose in the palm of his hand. Immediately, it grew, stretching, morphing and transforming until it ended as a long, deadly sharp scythe. Percy looked at it in awe. It was a perfect weight in his hand, balanced as well as riptide, gliding smoothly through the air.
"It's perfect." Percy whispered. Hephhy beamed.
"Perfect. That should only come loose when you so wish, and if the chain ever breaks -which I doubt it ever will, it's stronger than the rope that binds Fenris Wolf- or if it ever comes off, it will return to you almost instantaneously."
Percy wanted to question who Fenris Wolf was, but brushed it off. "It's amazing. What do you call it?"
"It's engraved on the handle. Nteméntor." Percy cocked an eyebrow.
"Doesn't that translate to dementor?"
"Roughly, perhaps."
"Harry Potter nerd much?"
"I could take away the all-mighty weapon I just crafted especially for you."
"No, that's fine. It fits."
"Funny. I thought so too. Who are you planning to use it on first?" Hephhy asked once more, growing excited again.
Percy smirked. "Poseidon. He seems to be on to me. He attempted to snatch me from the water several days ago." Hephhy cackled in the background.
"I love it. That's a perfect christening."
"I believe so too. Oh, would you happen to find any use for the electric spear of a deceased God of War? I no longer have any need for it." Percy inquired, twirling around the blade, smiling.
Hephhy cracked a smile. "I'm sure I could use it for something."
Percy walked idly across the shoreline of the beach. It was the dead of night; any other time to do this would be stupid. It was already a terrible risk to be doing this within Camp Half-Blood (he would have considered going somewhere furthest out of reach, but he figured this would attract his father's attention the quickest, and he wanted this job done.
He dipped a toe into the water. Immediately, the water reached out, and wrapped around his ankle. Percy flailed. Great, he was going to die by drowning. Would would have thought? He struggled and kicked, fighting against the water tentacles restraining his limbs.
Poseidon appeared in front of him. The tall figurehead of his Godly parent towered above him, menacing and deadly in appearance as his hair floated in the violent currents.
"You have changed, Perseus. Something dark has grown inside you. I can sense it." Poseidon spoke to him somehow. His lips weren't moving, but Percy could feel his booming voice in his head. Percy winced at the intensity. "And I intend to put a stop to it." Poseidon finished. A trident appeared in his father's hand. Suddenly, the water tentacles dropped him, and Percy realized it was because his father wanted him to try and fight back. To try and challenge him.
Percy immediately manipulated the water so he would have some sort of advantage. He whipped around Poseidon's head, pulling out Nteméntor at the last second.
The curved blade of the scythe cut Poseidon's neck, spilling ichor into the water.
For a split second, Percy feared it wouldn't work. As Poseidon continued to look furious, and unworried, and as he reached out to crush Percy-but then his eyes widened, and he crumbled.
Percy floated there for a second, unsure of what to do. He twirled Nteméntor, which returned to its pendant-state, and slowly hovered out of the water. He dried himself immediately, and let the feeling of triumph overtake him.
Until he realized that his cabin was now ruined.
"Damnit."
Percy dared a trek back to his cabin, groaning once it came into sight.
Yup. Ruined.
Damnit.
Percy huffed, blowing a lock of hair out of his face. It could have been worse, yes. Really, it was just like some really authentic Halloween decorations had been placed around his cabin. A deep gash was cut along the top and front of the cabin, a clean cut that almost went all the way through the wood, and sliced through completely in some places.
Percy walked up to the gash, running his fingers across it. His hand came back wet. Water. That was...nice? Shaking his head, Percy walked away from it. It was an annoyance. He'd like a place to sleep, afterall.
Where was he supposed to go now? He had to come up with a story, as well. And he wanted to get out of the open air soon. Bust-Boy might be around, though usually he wasn't near enough the cabins to see much.
Pinching the bridge of his nose, Percy let out a slow breath. A moment later, he almost smacked himself. He'd just bunk with Jason for the night. They'd let everyone know in the morning. They couldn't do much about it now, anyways.
Well, that wasn't true. They could get an IM going, and contact the gods, or let Bust-Boy to go let them know, but Percy was hoping Jason's sleep-riddled mind would overlook that.
Percy made it over to Cabin One, which wasn't very far from Percy's own cabin. Much bigger though, much to Percy's amusement. And then there was Hera's right next to it, just as big, which was empty.
It was humorous.
Percy knocked quietly on the cabin door. Then again, louder, realizing belatedly that Jason was probably asleep. They were slightly far from the other cabins anyway. The noise wouldn't travel too far. Percy knocked again after there was no answer.
Eventually, he heard some shuffling. Then he realized, oh yeah, he needed to look disappointed and panicked because his cabin was ruined, meaning his father was dead.
He almost didn't get himself set in time. But then the door swung open, and he was able to face Jason with the appropriate emotions adorning his face. Such a handsome face, if he did say so himself.
"Percy? Why in all of Pluto are you here in the middle of the night?" Jason spoke, voice raspy and scratchy from sleep. Percy shuddered. Damn hormones. That wasn't appropriate for a world-ruler.
"My cabin is ruined."
Since his head was ducked, because Percy was an amazing actor and knew this was how to act, he did not see Jason's reaction, but could hear the intake of breath.
"Oh, Percy...c'mon, we'll deal with it tomorrow." Jason beckoned him inside the cabin, speechless. What was he supposed to say? Jason shuddered as Percy passed him. If this...thing, that was killing everyone else, got to one of the big boys...no one was safe. Poseidon was dead. That meant anyone could be next. Hades. Zeus. Who knew anymore?
"There isn't another bed." Percy murmured, pulling Jason out of his fuzzy thoughts. Jason blushed. He hadn't realized, he was still in shock.
"Oh, uhm-"
"I'll sleep on the floor, it's fine. I'd rather sleep here on the floor than in my cabin on a bed…" Percy gave a small, watery chuckle.
"No, wait-"
"It's fine, Jason." Percy sat against one wall, knees pulled close to him. He stared at the ceiling. "Funny. I realized that Aphrodite, Ares, Athena, all them were killed...but I didn't think my dad would go, you know? Being one of the big three...it's almost like I thought he was invincible." Percy sighed, putting his head in his hands.
Jason sat next to Percy, shoulders touching. For an awkward moment, Jason floundered like a fish, before he put his arm around Percy's shoulders in comfort. Sighing in exhaustion, Percy leaned against Jason tiredly. Again, Jason was at a loss, but eventually awkwardly laid his head on top of Percy's, which was on his shoulder.
They fell asleep like that, Percy will an evil smile on his face, and Jason feeling awkward but helpful.
Percy woke up with a creek in his neck and some Zeus-drool in his hair, but it was worth it. He stretched, waking up Jason in the process. He watched Jason's face out of the corner of his eye, watching it transition from confusion to grim realization.
Jason rubbed his face. "We need to have a camp meeting."
Percy nodded, looking down at his hands. "Hey, I'm sorry man. We'll figure it out."
"Yeah...hey, what did the other kids do? Ares, Athena, Aphrodite? Aren't they still in their cabins?" Percy asked, realizing that he honestly had no idea. He hadn't been paying attention.
Jason raised an eyebrow. "Athena is still in their cabin, but Aphrodite is in the Artemis cabin, and Ares went to Hera. Those were the only ones that didn't have anyone in them."
"I'm sure the gods and campers were happy about that."
"Yeah. Don't get me started."
"Well...let's get that town meeting set up, I guess."
"Let's." Face grim, Jason rose.
Half an hour later, the camp was gathered in the arena. Jason, Percy, Nico, and Leo stood on the bleachers, with Bust-Boy off to the side, campers spread out in front of them. Percy did his best to look solemn, and he thought he nailed it, but he wasn't sure.
"I'm sure you're all aware of what happened last night." Jason started. "Last night, the Neptune- I mean, Poseidon cabin was ruined. You all know what this means." Jason took a breath. "We've done what we can so far. Which isn't much. So, we need to do something else. Obviously, we can't do much. But, I was thinking...we should send Terminus, to see if he can get Artemis to send her hunters to camp. If nothing else, we might be able to help them find something to kill whatever is killing the God-"
"It's Jackson! There's no question! We already know it is!" Drew shouted from the back, rage filling her eyes. "He goes batshit crazy, vanishes for over a year, and thens come back, and all the Gods are dying! It's obvious! Everyone thinks so! If we just kill him, none of this would be happening!" She screamed. She fought her way to the front of the crowd, but several campers held her back. "Just do it! We all know it's him!" Tears started to stream down her face. Everyone stared at her in shock, or uneasiness, shifting unsteadily.
Percy decided that killing her was not the best thing to do at the moment, and instead stared at her in watery shock.
"Drew! You know that isn't true!" Jason shouted back at her, recovering from his shock. "Why would Percy kill his own father? You've known him longer than I have, and even I know from interacting with him that Percy would never betray the camp! After all the times he's saved everyone, saved the world, you think he's going to ruin it all?"
"He's insane! He'll kill us all!"
"Come along darling, I think you need to calm down." Terminus broke in, restraining Drew. He lead her away. "Some siblings, please follow me. I'll be leaving once I can to contact the hunters." He called over his shoulder, marching a struggling and screaming Drew away.
"How…" Percy murmured, hardly loud enough to be heard.
"Percy, don't listen to her, okay? She's upset because of Aphrodite." Nico said quietly. Percy looked at him, offering him a shaky smile.
"Thanks, Neeks."
Nico didn't bother to correct him.
The meeting ended, and half an hour later, Terminus left. Campers took shifts watching the boundary, conscious that it was vulnerable now. Percy did his duties about camp, but he could feel the shift. He could sense the lingering uneasiness in the air. The fear of the campers was tangible. It made Percy restless. He so did not need this.
Damnit, Drew! Yes, the seed had already been planted, but Drew had watered it and given it steroids. Now he ha to deal with the consequences. He didn't much care what happened to her now. He knew he couldn't kill her, that would be too suspicious.
Stupid Aphrodite children. Percy walked into the big house. No one ever went in there anymore. Half of it was ruined, caved in on itself. The other half was fine, but still, no one wanted to venture within anymore.
He climbed the steps into the attic. There had to be something in there, wouldn't there?
The trap door creaked on its hinges as he flung it open. Dust swirled like a wind devil, causing Percy to practically hack up a lung. Nothing had changed. The only difference from his last visit was that the corpse of a statue was no longer up here.
Determination shaky, Percy resolved to ruffle through the many boxes until he found something worth saving.
Almost immediately, he found something that made him freeze. It was sitting neatly on top of one of the boxes, with only a little dust on it.
Annabeth's hat.
Cheering quietly, Percy grabbed it, shoving it on his head. Instantly, he vanished. Percy cackled. This was amazing. It was disorienting to not be able to see his own body parts, but so worth it.
Still cackling over his find, he continued to look through boxes, motivated by his early luck.
An hour passed. Two. Eventually, he got tired after not finding thing of significance. He was pretty sure he was scarred for life, with some of the weird shit he had found. He was yawning when his hand knocked something over.
A small glass vial rolled across the floor, almost falling out of the attic, but Percy lunged and managed to stop it mid-roll. He examined it carefully. There was a very worn label, hardly legible.
Persuasion dust.
Percy stop breathing for a second. The bottle was about as big as his pointer finger, filled with a silver dust that seemingly moved on it own. Staring at it in shock, Percy sat back.
The possibilities.
Laying down, Percy laughed to himself.
