Brotherhood

Chapter Five

A/N: Hello there! Again, like I said in the previous chapter, I need your suggestions, guys! I'm open for any war scenes, ideas, etc. Just PM me.

Again, I'd like to thank my beta, Chasing Laughter. Without her, this story would be strange and not-so-good at grammar. So thanks.

BTW: I'm terribly sorry if I posted this a little late. I was on vacation, so no wi-fi. But I'll post this as soon as I can.

War. That was the last thing we needed after defeating Kronos. What was I supposed to do now? Jump into the ocean, swim to my father's domain, and prepare there? There had to be a way to stop war from coming.

"Chiron," I said, after an awkward silence, "What happens now?"

The centaur looked right into my eyes. For a moment, he was silent. Then he spoke, his tone graver than I'd ever heard it. "Percy, the gods are in serious trouble. Never before have I seen such a reason to start a war. But what worries me now is the fate of Camp Half-Blood."

"You mean it could break up because of the war?"

He gave me a nod, small and sad. "Yes, child. The other gods will have to choose sides, and their children will fight alongside them."

"But Chiron, I thought the gods couldn't interfere with their children's lives. But this whole war's starting because one of my siblings killed one of Zeus' kids!"

"Percy, ever since the gods granted your wish, a lot more than you wanted has changed. When they were told to notice all of their children, that old rule was officially written off. The gods can now take active roles in their children's lives."

I let that sink in for bit. My heart was racing. This war would mean that some of my friends would become my enemies. "Chiron, what will you do?"

"I —" He straightened up a little. "I might need to go to my cousins, Percy. They will need help in this threat."

"You're just going to run off just like that?"

"I will not leave you all like that. I've already planned for camp to end this weekend. I will start my journey then."

"You're closing the camp?"

Chiron sighed. "Yes, Percy. I'm sorry. But this war —" He paused. "This war may be a very bloody one. Maybe even the bloodiest I've ever seen."

My heart sank at his words. "Chiron, what can I do?"

"What do you mean?"

"We need to stop this, before any blood is shed."

He shook his head. "Percy, please. You can't stop the gods. While you were at Capture the Flag, I spoke with Zeus, trying to talk some sense into him. But he wouldn't budge."

"Wait, what were the children of Zeus doing all the way here in Long Island anyway?"

Chiron didn't meet my eyes, looking out of a nearby window instead. He fidgeted a little. "They were here to kill you and Brad."

I forgot how to breathe for a second. "What?"

"They were here to kill the sons of Poseidon, namely, you and Brad."

Then the war has definitely started, I thought. "Chiron —"

Chiron interrupted me. "It's been a long day, Percy, and I'm sure you're tired now. We'll discuss this another time. Go back to your cabin and get some rest, okay?"

I nodded. Chiron led me out of the Big House, and when I was about to leave for my cabin, he said, "Percy, this is only the beginning. Do not despair. War is horrible, but there will always be a time when all may start anew. Do not worry for your friends, for I am certain that they will be there for you. I for one do not plan on joining the war actively, but I will support you if ever I get a chance."

I smiled. "Thanks, Chiron." And on that happy note, I trudged toward my cabin.

I looked around the whole camp. It was hard to believe that this place would be split up. Friendships would be broken when the gods chose their sides. I had to hope that Athena would take Poseidon's side, but that was actually highly unlikely.

I walked away from the camp, towards the ocean. I needed a quiet place, somewhere and some time to think. The ocean was great for that, since I was a child of Poseidon.

As I walked toward the shore, I noticed someone else was there. I moved closer and realized that it was Brad.

He was throwing stones in the water and willing the water to bring back the stones. As I walked up, he jumped, completely caught off-guard.

"Percy!" He shrieked. "Didn't see you there. You scared the heck out of me."

"Sorry," I laughed. "What are you doing here?"

He shrugged. "I don't know, really. I guess I had some sort of feeling that I should come here. Something called me."

"Called you?"

Right at that moment, someone came out of the water. In the dim moonlight, the silhouette was hard to determine.

"Hello, Percy. Hello, Brad. You've grown tall," the silhouette said.

I squinted a bit to see who it was, although I think I already had an idea. It was my dad, Poseidon.

"Hey, dad." I smiled. I looked over at Brad. His face was rolling through a lot of expressions, like he was trying to figure out whether to be shocked or happy or angry.

"Dad?" He finally managed to say.

Poseidon chuckled. "Yes, Brad. After all these years."

"Eleven years, and you finally show up?"

Brad seemed to look a bit hurt. I knew the feeling, so I tried to reassure him a little. "Brad," I said. "Dad couldn't visit you because he broke a promise by having you."

"A promise?"

"Now, now," Poseidon said. "I will explain later, Brad. But for now, I have to get you both to safety."

That caught me off guard. "Safety?" I exclaimed.

He nodded. "My brothers have gone mad. Both of their children are after the two of you. I must bring you to my kingdom. The rest of your siblings are there."

Siblings. "But dad —"

"Now, Percy. I do not want you to be in danger."

"What about my friends? I don't want to leave them. What about the camp?" I asked, in desperation.

Poseidon sighed. "Percy, we'll just have to hope they join our side. I am sure they will support you and us. If they don't… I do not want to hurt your friends, son, but it is war. If they are the enemy, they must be defeated."

I shook my head. This was worse than I'd imagined. "Why are we having this war, anyway? Why, dad?"

"I do not want war, Percy. But I must defend myself."

I sighed heavily. This war was just bringing me to despair. I didn't want to fight my friends.

Poseidon placed his hands on my shoulders. "Percy, you must come with me. I do not want you to get hurt, much less killed."

I nodded, giving in. "Alright."

Poseidon took both of our hands. "Close your eyes." Then we disappeared into the night, right to Poseidon's realm.

Sorry this chapter was short and kind of suck-ish. But I was rushed.

I promise you this: I will make the next chapters better!

Thanks.

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