Chapter 16

At Camp-Half Blood

Below half-blood hill the small army of Camp Half-Blood stood battle ready. On the top of the hill stood three figures wearing earthly brown hoods with golden lining, an army of 500 blood-thirsty monsters behind them.

By now most of camp was able to figure out one of the three was their only chance of survival, Perseus Jackson. The camp cabin leaders knew one was most likely Thalia Grace, their very own spy. But who was the third? More importantly, who was who?

Finally the one in the middle took off his hood to reveal Percy in all his glory. Except, it wasn't exactly Percy. Something was… different. Instead of the happy care-free sea green eyes he was known for, his eyes were cold and calculating, like an Athena child with green contacts. His sea green eyes were now a dull green and his lopsided grin was now pressed in a firm line.

Next to Percy the other two figures seemed to shift slightly as the whole of camp tensed at the site of Percy. Some sneered as others looked nervous. Those who looked nervous have obviously seen Percy in action.

Percy smiled that same cold smile he used earlier that day. Then as he spoke that one single word, and all hades broke loose.

"Attack." Percy's voice was emotionless and somehow seemed scarier than speaking in a harsh, cold tone.

With that one word all the monsters on top of the borders rushed down at once, breaking through the camp borders, the campers rushing at full speed towards the intruders. Metal clashed and screams ripped through the air, neither team getting the upper hand.

To the left Jason fought in the skies, calling lightening to his side as he battled a hydra with a few other campers. Hazel rode atop a snow white Pegasus, sword in hand as she charged a pair of hell hounds. Frank flew around as a dragon, spitting fire at his enemies. Leo stood with his hammer in one hand and a ball of fire in another as he fought another hell hound. Piper was leading the Aphrodite cabin to some of the other monsters where they charm spoke them into killing themselves or surrendering.

From atop, the Apollo cabin was firing arrow after arrow into the enemy's lines. The best healers were down in the infirmary as Chiron brought the fallen campers. Slowly the camp reached the upper hand as more and more of the enemies ranks turned to dust.

Somewhere in the crowed Percy stood there with his force shield of tainted air, watching the mayhem he had caused. No, it wasn't your fault. Kronos made you.

Yes, but you gave the order.

But you had to. Didn't he? Was this really his fault? Percy scanned the battlefield again looking at the familiar faces in the crowed. Noticing some of the fallen he used to call friends. Noticing that he just ended lives. And for what? A plan? A plan he wasn't even sure would work? War is inevitable, Percy knew this. But it didn't have to be like this. Did it?

The other two hooded figures seemed to have disappeared. Annabeth was nowhere to be found and no one but Percy knew where Nico was. Of course, Percy knew where the other two figures went. They went to look for Annabeth of course.

In the forest

"You can't just leave them out there fighting for their lives!" screamed Annabeth.

One of the hooded figures, female probably, let go of Annabeth's wrist. "Listen we don't have much time." She took off her hood to reveal Thalia.

"Annabeth," the other person spoke. "We had no way to stop this battle but we're going to help you win it. We just need someone else to fight with us. If someone from our side see's us fighting for you guys then this whole plan will be for nothing and you'll have lost Percy for nothing. "

Annabeth stood there confused. "What do you mean 'loose Percy'? And why does your voice sound so familiar?"

Thalia and the mysterious figure shared a glance before he went a removed his hood revealing Luke.

Annabeth's mouth dropped open in a silent scream of shock. "L-L-Luke?!"

Luke grinned. "Miss me?"

Suddenly Luke was on the ground groaning in pain. "What was that for?"

Annabeth had judo flipped him the moment she regained herself from her shock. "For being on Kronos side in the last war and for being alive and not telling me."

Thalia laughed at the exchange between the two. It was finally the three of them again.

Luke sighed, shaking his head as he stood up. "Like the old days?"

Thalia grinned while Annabeth nodded. "Like the old days."

Thalia took out her shield and spear, as Luke took out his sword. Annabeth grabbed her dagger and together they all ran into the battle. Keeping to the edges as not to be seen they slowly took out monsters one by one. The ranks were going down and soon this battle would be over.

Luke turned to Annabeth. "We gotta run. Time to go."

Thalia nodded while Annabeth frowned before nodding too.

"Alright." She said. "Just be careful, and look after Percy for me."

It wasn't until Thalia and Luke slipped into the center of the battle, hoods up, next to Percy did she remember what Luke had said about 'Loosing Percy'. She had been so excited about Luke, she completely forgot about Percy. Annabeth couldn't help but feel slightly betrayed by the idea that they probably meant to skip that subject.

While Annabeth was lost in her thoughts she didn't notice the hell hound the snuck up behind her. Suddenly she found herself on the ground, a sharp pain in her left shoulder and a hell hounds teeth right in her face. She looked to the right to see her dagger out of reach. This is the end. She thought.

Center of the Battle

The monsters were almost all gone, but fallen campers still littered the ground. Camp Half-Blood and Camp Jupiter lost a lot of demi-gods today and it was only against 500 monsters. Imagine facing the whole army along with Gaea and Kronos. They needed Percy, and everyone knew it.

Meanwhile Percy along with the two other hooded figures casually walked around, deflecting anyone who dared to come at them. Suddenly Percy tensed as he looked to his right to see a hell hound towering over Annabeth.

"Stop." He said. His voice wasn't loud, or demanding, but it held so much authority immediately everyone froze to look at him.

Percy casually walked up to Annabeth as others finally noticed their leader on the ground, with a snarling Hell hound standing above her. "Annabeth!" Piper's voice was herd across the field.

Percy stood next to Annabeth looking down at her. He squatted down next to her and said, "You know, it's not too late to join me."

Annabeth growled at him. "I'll never join you. You're no better than Luke."

One of the hooded figures flinched at that, but no one paid it any attention. They were all too focused on the scene before them. The daughter of Athena and the son of Poseidon, the two who even though were supposed to hate each other, ended up falling in love.

Percy scowled as he stood up and turned around. His face was expressionless but his eyes gave him away. They were full of a deep, deep pain. Then he said the two words no one ever thought he'd say, "Kill her." And with that, he walked away.