AN 6/13/15: Hey, so thanks for the feedback to the two of you who had replied thus far. It is greatly appreciated. Here is this update. I just got back from the barn (I ride horses for those of you who haven't looked at my profile), and inside one of the large covered ring buildings by the stables I found two baby birds. They were so pretty and young, but their nest had fallen from its place and onto the ground. The one was already dead, wings spread out like it tried to fly, its sibling was by it on the ground too. It was alive still, but its leg looked broken, and that was just what I could visibly see. It was opening its beak weakly, almost like "Help me, mama". It was so sad.. we ended up bringing them out to the grass in an open area to let the one be in peace and go comfortably. I still feel like I should have done more but I could only so so much. I think I am going to include them somehow, maybe, in an upcoming chapter I am writing for a later part in this series.. if only to be able to figuratively give them a proper send off and due respect. It was heart breaking to have to find them and see them. I ended up crying while I was on the horse but we can only do so much... Anyway, I hope you guys had a better start to your weekend, and sorry for the wall of text up here. I just felt I needed to bring them up, as a respect kind of thing, in its own way. I hope the first one went quickly and the its sibling will go without any pain.
"Allison, would you come with me for a moment?" Chiron beckoned me before dinner ended and we slipped away into the Big House. I wasn't entirely sure why he wanted to talk with me right now, Capture the Flag was about to start and we had to get geared up, but I had followed anyways. I hadn't had the chance to talk with him after what I heard from Grover by the lake earlier, but now wasn't the time to start a conversation about it. I followed him through the house and into his office, looking around at the walls and seeing a collection of pictures of his past students dating all the way back to the 1800's by the look of it. Before then were paintings of demigods.
"What did you need Chiron? The game is about to start." Chiron was at his desk, he had opened a drawer and pulled out a small box. It was a simple little thing, like you would see people put jewelry in. He then turned to me and held it out.
"I found this earlier today, I thought you might like to have a look." I eyed the box for a moment before taking it. I slowly opened it, glancing at him curiously, a small glint of hope daring to ebb its way into my mind.
Inside was a familiar silver and black bracelet, one that I thought I would never see again. Then there was the silver circular base with its Pegasus charm in its center, the familiar words engraved into its face. I pulled it out by the cord gingerly, placing the box on the desk. I tugged at the pendant. In my hands was now the knife I had used on my last mission. I clutched it in my hand.
Below where the necklace had been was a picture that brought tears to my eyes. It held the image of two kids, no older than twelve. The boy had light brown hair and bright blue eyes, the other was of myself. His arm was slung over my shoulder and we were both laughing at something happening behind the photographer. He had his golden looking celestial bronze sword sticking out of the dirt next to him, hand resting on the hilt. You could see the leather of our camp necklaces around our necks.
"Nick," I murmured. I looked up at Chiron and he was looking down at me sadly. "Chiron, I don't.." I didn't know what to say. Here were three pieces of my old life, tangible real items: my trusted weapons and a picture of me and my best childhood friend; the one who I had died to protect. The two of us had been thrown neck deep into war together. We were so young, after we were in it we stuck close to each other. In a world so messed up we had to, being put into that kind of position really had an effect on us. There had been so little hope back then, whole nations were tearing at each other's throats. Kids should never have to live through war, but that was one of the horrors of human life. Countless children through the world's history had lived through the atrocities of war, their childhoods taken from them so early. Forcing them to grow up too soon.
I slipped my bracelet over my wrist - it still fit perfectly. I then turned my dagger back into its necklace form and put it over my head, adjusting the slip knots so it was at a decent length. Seeing these again made me think of all the bad times. The tough exterior I had been holding onto for so long finally broke. It was like a dam breaking, Chiron saw this and pulled me into a hug. I just stayed there, letting it all out for I don't know how long. I had pent up so many things, keeping that exterior firm to keep myself going.
"I can't believe you kept these after all these years. Thank you, this means so much to me." I whispered after I had calmed down enough.
"I had a feeling that their work was not quite done yet." He said as he patted my back, his words eerily similar to my last conversation with Nick. I stepped back and put the picture in the box for safekeeping, briefly wiping my eyes, already putting back up that exterior. I stored the box in my back pocket.
"Well then, let's play some Capture the Flag? I can go for some kind of release right about now, maybe beat up a few monsters in the woods even." He nodded. It was nice to have something familiar again, even if it came with a bit of a sour note. I wouldn't be able to use them, not without letting it be known who I am.
I ran back out to where the campers were gathered, all of them choosing their weapons and armoring up. I made sure I had my steel knife concealed on my person, you never know when you might need it. I ran up to the blue team's tables and found Percy. He was trying to put on his armor with little success, the straps coming undone whenever he moved to fix another.
"Here, let me get that for you." He looked back at me, just realizing my presence.
"Oh hey, Allison! Thanks. Hey, are you okay? Your eyes look a bit red."
"Yeah, I'm just fine Percy. Come on, let's win this game." I finished the last strap on his armor and moved on to strap on my own chest plate after grabbing a sword and helmet from the table on my way. The helmet was a bit big but it would work.
As we were moving toward the group of campers who had finished gearing up, Luke walked up to us. He looked kind of intimidating in his armor, sword sheathed at his side. He looked like he had played a lot of these games before.
"Are we really supposed to use these?" Percy asked, still unsure about the whole concept of using actual weapons, gesturing to his gear.
"Unless you want to get skewered by your friends in cabin five. Here, Chiron thought these would fit you guys." Luke handed us two shields, both with a big caduceus in the middle. Percy was having some trouble holding his up while Luke said, "You two are going to be on border patrol."
"Blue team, forward!" Annabeth yelled from the front of the group. Everyone cheered and shook their swords, getting psyched up for the game and followed her down the path to the south woods. The other team was yelling taunts at us as they headed north. I saw Clarisse whispering to some of her siblings, eyeing Percy and I. Let them try. I glared right back at her.
I noticed Percy had trotted up to the lead and was talking alongside Annabeth. They had a brief conversation, then she pushed ahead, leaving Percy to drift back to where I was. He explained what Annabeth had said about Clarisse and where we would be guarding. We were soon lead to a little creek that gurgled over some rocks, then were left alone as the rest of the team scattered into the woods. It was a warm, sticky night. The woods were dark but there were fireflies around the bushes and near the leaves of the trees. After a minute or so the conch horn sounded and the game began.
Apollo kids passed us by a little ways away, running through the forest with practiced ease, their bows held at the ready as they entered red team's territory. Aside from that brief sighting, Percy and I were alone with the cicadas being the only sound to accompany the distant sound of clanking of metal from the different fights.
"I feel like such an idiot, we're just standing here." Percy complained, but it was more of a passing comment. Then, out of the darkness came a low, canine growl from somewhere close by. Percy looked at me and I got into a better fighting position, raising my sword and shield, steadying my stance. It felt like we were being stalked. The hairs on the back of my neck began to rise. Percy raised his shield too but then the growling stopped, the presence retreating.
"Allison.." Just then on the other side of the creek the underbrush exploded, fireflies spiraling away from the crash zone. About seven Ares kids came yelling and screaming out of the dark with Clarisse at their lead. How the heck did they approach that quietly? They're Ares kids!
"Cream the punks!" she screamed. She was brandishing a five-foot-long spear, its barbed metal top flickering with red electricity.
"Move!" I shouted to Percy. He jumped out of the way as I launched my shield at the group. It spin through the air frisbee-style and struck one kid in the helmet, making him topple over and the two kids who were behind him fall like dominos before they could stop themselves.
"Watch the spear, Percy! I'll take Clarisse, you guard and knock out as many as you can!" I shouted to Percy, we went back to back as the group closed in around us. They had a murderous look in their eyes.
"Wow, does the newbie think she's all that? Calling out orders? Hah, you got lucky with my siblings earlier, punk. I've been here for way longer than you. You think you can take me on?" Clarisse taunted, her pig like eyes glaring through the slits of her helmet. There was no help in sight. Damn it all, they set us up here to pull her away from the game! I cursed under my breath.
"No, I've got a bone to pick with toilet boy here, he's going to pay for his little water trick! You four keep Miss. Macho away. You three guard me and get your butts off the ground for Zeus's sake!" she ordered. Soon I found myself trying to keep away four attackers while I watched Percy battle Clarisse, two of her brothers throwing in taunting strikes every now and then. I heard a loud POP! and saw Percy fall back out of the corner of my eye, his shield falling away, his arm looking stiff. Clarisse had her spear out as if she had just hit him with it. She and her brothers were laughing at him and one slammed Percy in the chest with the butt of his sword. This situation was bad, there was no way I could keep this many Ares kids off without a miracle.
"Give him a haircut," Clarisse laughed. "Grab his hair." Oh, she is so dead. I could feel the shadows gathering around me, probably making me look more menacing I figured once I saw two of the Ares kids I was fighting step back a bit, eyes widening. Screw this, I need my knife. I ducked under a thrust and snatched my steel knife out from its hiding spot. I have to get to him. With the addition of my knife I made quick work of two of my opponents, knocking them out with hits to the head. I hit a third in the back of the legs with the broad side of my sword as I turned to block an incoming strike at my arm. The boy fell to the ground, clutching his leg. I had acquired a few scratches and minor cuts, but I didn't pay them any mind. Even with this I was still getting overwhelmed, I was way out of practice from what I used to be against this many fighters. I was still basing some of my decisions on my old standards of ability so that ended up getting me hit more times than necessary.
I saw Percy manage to get to his feet, raising his sword, but Clarisse slammed it aside with her spear and sparks flew. I saw Percy's arm go slack, his other moving with difficulty.
"Oh, wow," she taunted. "I'm scared of this guy. Real scared."
"Just you wait Clarisse, once I get over there you are going to wish you were facing the rest of your siblings!" While I was distracted one of my opponents slashed the back of my right leg, it was the boy on the ground. I stumbled and held back a cry, ducking to avoid another strike.
"Hey! No maiming! The flag is that way, why don't you go get it?" Percy yelled after seeing me falter. My other two opponents tried to take advantage of my slipup, one managing to hilt slam my stomach but I quickly went on an all defensive battle strategy after I scrabbled back up. My right leg stung like crazy and I could feel the cut very well. My stomach ached from that hit too, even if it was muted from my armor, these kids were pissed.
"Yeah," One of the siblings who was beating up Percy said, "But see, we don't care about the flag. We care about the kids who made our cabin look stupid."
"You do that without our help," Percy retorted. Smart move, Percy. Very smart: provoke our attackers even further. I felt like I could whack him in the back of the head for that later, hard. One of the boys I knocked out was now up again and fighting me. Thick skull..
Clarisse and her buddies went at him, he backed up toward the creek, scooping up his shield and trying to raise it to block. Clarisse was too fast though, her spear struck him straight in the ribs. He would have been impaled had he not been wearing his armor. I saw electricity arch from the spear and into Percy. One of the siblings slashed his sword across Percy's arm, leaving a good sized cut. Percy looked woozy from seeing his own blood.
"Oops," The guy sneered. "Guess I just lost my dessert privilege." Once I get Chiron on your butts that will be the last of your worries, kid. He then shoved Percy into the creek, making him land with a splash. I suppressed a grin, that had been exactly what we needed. I worked on trying to finish off my own opponents, kicking at the downed kid I had knocked in the legs for good measure as I saw Percy get up and lay the beat down on his attackers. I disarmed my opponent and hit him in the head with the flat of my blade and knocked out the downed kid with my knife. I then brought around my sword and nailed the other kid in the back of the head again with the flat side of the blade. Both of them crumpled to the ground. I made my way over to where Percy was just in time to have him snap Clarisse's spear like a twig.
"Ah!" She screamed. "You idiot! You corpse-breathed worm!" Percy shut her up by smacking her between the eyes with the hilt of his sword. She stumbled back and landed in the creek.
"Serves you right, Clarisse." I told her as I heard elated screams. Luke ran past us toward the boundary line with the red team's banner lifted high. He was flanked by a couple of Hermes kids, I recognized Ethan on the left. The Ares kids who we had battled were struggling to get up after waking up and Clarisse muttered a curse.
"A trick!" She shouted. "It was a trick!" The ones who were able to stand staggered after Luke but it was too late. Everybody converged on the creek as Luke ran across into friendly territory. Our side exploded with cheers as the banner shimmered into the Hermes flag. People from our team picked up Luke and paraded him around. I looked to Percy's arm to see his cut had been almost healed. Just what I was counting on. I leaned on Percy, taking the weight off my leg and put my knife back so it wasn't visible. Chiron cantered out of the woods and blew the horn, we had won.
From next to us came Annabeth's voice, "Not bad, heroes." We looked but she wasn't there. "Where the heck did you learn to fight like that?" She asked us. The air shimmered and she materialized, holding a Yankees baseball cap like she had just taken it off. "Then you, Allison, holding off and taking down four Ares kids for that long in your first game, impressive."
I scowled, she was the one who had put Percy and I up as the distraction. The two "newbies" in their first week as bait for the lead Ares campers. An amazing welcome.
"You set us up," Percy had caught on too. "You put us here because you knew Clarisse would come after us. Then you sent Luke around the flank, you had it all figured out."
She just shrugged, "I told you; Athena always has a plan."
"A plan to get us killed. Look at that cut on Allison's leg, that's because of your all mighty plan!"
"I came here as fast as I could. I was about to jump in, but.." She shrugged again. "You didn't need help." Then she noticed Percy's previously wounded arm. "How did you do that?"
"Sword cut, what do you think?"
"No. It was a sword cut. Look at it." The blood was gone and all that was left of it was just a slight white line that itself was fading.
"I-I don't get it," Percy said. I have a feeling we will find out soon." I said, trying to ease the tension. Annabeth looked at me quizzically, then told Percy to step out of the water. He tried to protest but she got him to step out, shifting my weight onto my other leg as he left.
Once he stepped out of the creek a wave of exhaustion hit him. He almost fell over but we steadied him.
"Oh, Styx.." Annabeth cursed. "This is not good. I didn't want.. I assumed it would be Zeus.."
"What's so bad about-" I was cut off by that growl again, but this time it was much closer. A howl ripped through the forest. The campers cheering instantly died. Chiron shouted, Annabeth drew her sword as I started to push Percy behind me, pulling out my sword and grabbing my knife to throw if needed. Then on the top of the rocks just above us, a massive hellhound the size of a rhino appeared. Its lava-red eyes zeroing in on Percy. Nobody moved except for Annabeth, who yelled at us to run. I went to shove Percy out of the way as Annabeth tried stepping in front of the hellhound, but it was too fast.
It leaped over Annabeth and hit us head on. I stumbled backward, landing on Percy partly and ended up taking the brunt of the attack. The hound's razor-sharp claws ripped through our armor. I heaved my sword around to cut its head off as a cascade of thwacking sounds sounded from the direction of the campers. Clusters of arrows sprouted from its neck as my sword cleaved into it. The hound fell dead on the ground beside us.
"Di immortales!" Annabeth said. "That was a hellhound from the Fields of Punishment. They don't.. they're not supposed to.."
"Someone summoned it," Chiron said while quickly gathering medical supplies, nectar, and ambrosia for us. I groaned and rolled off Percy, one hand supporting my weight and the other pressing against the cuts and a particularly bad gash. "Someone inside camp." Luke came over, banner in his hand forgotten, his moment of glory gone. Clarisse yelled about how it was our fault, but she was quickly shushed as Chiron came over.
"Percy, get in the water." I whispered. He started to ask why when Annabeth cut in from above us.
"You're wounded," Duh. "Quick, Percy, get in the water." She had the same idea as me.
"I'm okay." He insisted, starting to get up.
"No, you're not. Chiron, watch this." Chiron looked up from treating me to see Percy step back into the creek. The cuts on his chest started closing up, some campers gasped. If only I could heal like that. My wounds were quickly becoming more painful as the adrenaline wore off. The cut on my leg was now covered in dirt too.
"Look, I-I don't know why," He started trying to apologize, but they weren't watching his wounds heal anymore. Everyone was now staring at the glowing green trident above his head. I smiled knowingly, he was finally claimed.
"Percy, um.." Annabeth pointed up. He looked just in time to see the fading trident.
"Your father." Annabeth murmured. "This is really not good."
"It is determined," Chiron announced. All around us campers started kneeling, even the Ares cabin, albeit grudgingly.
"My father?" Percy asked, completely bewildered.
"Poseidon," said Chiron. "Earthshaker, Stormbringer, Father of horses. Hail, Perseus Jackson, Son of the Sea God."
Thanks for reading, have a nice weekend and week until I see you guys next.