XV

The Pantheon War

"YOU KILLED A HALF-BLOOD!" Percy shouted at Jace through the Iris message (apparently the shadow hunter finally figured that out).

"The war has begun." Jace stated gravelly. Percy was breathing heavily with barely controlled rage.

"Well, who was it?" Percy demanded.

"I don't know some Aphrodite girl, Asian, teenager, hot…" Jace rambled scratching his head in thought.

"You don't even know the name of the girl you just murdered?" Percy asked in disbelief his eyes a blaze with fury. Jace felt terrible and didn't really blame Percy for being mad at him, but he also felt like this really wasn't his fault at all. It's not like Jace personally murdered this girl.

"Sorry" Jace said trying to ease his friend's anger. Percy just scowled and fiddled with his pen and paced the room, his face scrunched up in thought. Suddenly, he stood erect as if electrocuted.

"Birei" he whispered.

"What?" Jace asked confused. Percy just turned and glared at him.

"Birei Lee." Percy clarified. "She must have been the one you killed. She lived in the city." His eyes swirled with emotions anger, disgust, and surprisingly remorse. Jace was starting to get annoyed.

"Why do you keep saying you? As if I was the one who killed her." Jace growled annoyed and crossing his arms. Percy just glared at him angrily.

"You were there Jace. You knew it was wrong, and you could've done something. You could have at least tried to stop them from killing her." Percy spat.

"What was I supposed to do? Did you expect to me to reveal everything? They would've killed her no matter what I said, and then my efforts would have just put me in the silent city and you would have lost your only ear to the Clave!" Jace retorted angrily. Percy just looked away his fists clenched as if he was about to punch something.

"Doing nothing and just letting it happen means her death is still partially your fault." Percy insisted quietly. Jace's face scrunched up into a scowl. What was Percy's problem? Jace didn't have to be telling him all this. He could just let the Clave destroy Percy and his camp. Didn't he realize how dangerous it was for Jace to even be speaking with him right now?

"Was Birei your friend or something?" Jace spat. Percy just turned his stormy gaze to the shadowhunter once more.

"No not particularly, but she was one of the nicer Aphrodite kids." Percy said morosely.

'Isn't a child of the love goddess supposed to be all nice and well lovable?" Jace asked curiously.

"Aphrodite kids are pretty, but that doesn't mean their personality has to be all sunshine and rainbows. Love can be interpreted in many different ways." Percy said just leaving it at that. Jace nodded he could relate to that. Jace remembered the clave mentioning that they targeted the Aphrodite purposely thinking that "the death of love" so to speak would really be a knife to the heart of the demigods and maybe instill fear in them. The thought was so evil Jace started to wonder if the clave still had good intentions, or if they're aggression was completely unjustified.

"Do you have any idea when you're going to come attack us?" Percy asked bluntly. Jace winced when he said you again, as if Percy had already decided Jace was the enemy. Jace tried to cut him some slack considering his acquaintance was murdered, but it still struck a chord in his heart.

"I don't know. They're still looking for you, and I think they're going to rid the city of Half-bloods before they attack your camp directly. When they do attack it'll be devastating, a clear decisive warning to you to not even try to counter attack." Jace said.

Percy was silent for a long time, as he continued to fiddle around with his pen. Percy's ADHD always acted up when he was angry and nervous. His eyes had darkened and seemed to have a misty look in them like they did when he told Jace about his nightmares, or like when they talked about their hopes and dreams for the future and Percy joked saying "If I live that long." It was a warrior's gaze. The one where it was always a mixture of emotions sadness, anger, regret, and fear. The kind of look in their eye that tells you they're about to do something heroic yet dangerous, and probably stupid.

"I'll turn myself in, it's…" Percy began but whatever he was going to say next was interrupted by Jace.

"Absolutely not you can't that's suicide." Jace rambled. Percy just got angry and turned on the shadowhunter.

"How many more have to die!? How many more are going to get killed before someone does something to stop this!?" Percy shouted Jae imagined steam coming out of his nostrils like a bull. "I'm sorry Jace but it's up to either you or me to end this, and it's going to be me since you clearly don't know where your loyalties lie." Percy spat harshly. Now Jace was mad. He was tired of making excuses for this moody half-blood, no one calls Jace a traitor that was the greatest insult of all.

"MY LOYALTIES!?" Jace thundered. "Did you expect me to just completely forget about my world and join your side? If you did then you really are a seaweedbrain." Percy visibly reeled back at this. No one called him that except Annabeth because, it was a friendly nickname. If anyone else did then that meant they really were calling him stupid, and Percy hated it. He'd been called stupid all his life by bullies, and to hear one of his friends call him that cut deep. Percy looked away with a conflicted expression on his face and didn't speak again for a long time. When he did he refused to look at Jace in the eye.

"I'm not talking about the loyalty to your people. I'm talking about loyalty to your own personal morals what is right and what is wrong. Sometimes what your people say/do isn't always the right, and that is when you make your choice. Trust me I know going against your family isn't easy and you'll get in trouble, but if you don't listen to your gut feeling then you and everything is lost. You have to make a choice you can't stay in limbo like this forever." Percy finished tiredly turning to look Jace in the eye. Jace didn't know what to say. He wanted to be angry, but a part of him knew that the son of Poseidon was telling the truth. Percy massaged his temples, and sighed.

"I may not be the smartest, or strongest hero in the world but I always know what's right. I'll Talk to you later Jace." Percy finished waving his hand through the mist.

"Percy wait! You can't…!" Jace yelled reaching out but the image had already dissipated away and the shadowhunter was left alone in a steaming hot bathroom with nothing but his thoughts.

Percy stepped away from the fountain in his cabin, his hands shaking and his mind going a million miles an hour with all the different possibilities the next few days may have in store for him. Percy wasn't scared of turning himself in and possibly dying. He was scared of going into this completely alone. All the heroic stuff he's done in the past he's always had friends by his side in some way. The only time he didn't was in Mt. St Helens, which was ironically one of the main reasons the shadowhunters were after him in the first place.. This time when he confronted the enemy he had to do it alone. Percy couldn't risk the lives of his friends. Besides Jace said all the clave really wanted was Percy himself. They wanted to make an example out of him, as if to say "We killed your leader. Now you have no hope of stopping us." It was such a typical bad guy thing to do, and Percy was so used to that situation it just made him livid.

Percy fell onto his bed and ran his hands through his hair in an attempt to make them stop shaking. Was he ready to do this? Or should he just stay here and lead his friends into battle? The longer he waits more half-bloods will be killed and each death will make him feel guilty like he should've done something to prevent it.

"Stupid loyalty." Percy muttered to himself his hands curling into fists again. He hadn't felt this torn since the first great prophecy when he held the dagger in his hands and had to make the choice, or when he let Annabeth drive away on that scooter wondering if he'd ever see her again.

"Annabeth" he thought aloud, he should talk to her she would know what to do, or tell him no to go through with this. Either way he could at least get some comfort from her before he decided to do something completely rash and Percy-like.

"Hey" Percy said nonchalantly as he leaned against the door frame of the Athena cabin. Annabeth was busy rummaging through blueprints and scrolls looking for ways to prepare the camps defenses and come up with battle plans. Annabeth looked up at him and gave him a weary smile.

"Hey Seaweed brain." she greeted. Percy smiled back and shook his head wondering why he ever started thinking such a stupid nickname was endearing. He walked over and hugged her from behind as he gazed at the mess of papers on her desk.

"Found anything useful?" he asked avoiding the reason why he came over there in the first place. Annabeth immediately went into a long spiel about weapons, battle formations blah blah that Percy hardly tuned into. Instead thinking about how he was going to talk to her about his plan, and how nice she smelled among other things.

"Anyway did you need something? Because I know you didn't listen to any of that." She mock glared at him kissing his cheek where his head was resting on her shoulder. He just grinned and moved away from her before frowning again.

"Jace just contacted me. The shadowhunters killed an Aphrodite camper. I think it was Birei Lee, but that's just a guess since those monsters didn't even bother to learn her name before they killed her." Percy spat as vile filled his mouth. Annabeth looked shocked and looked down with sadness and anger.

"They've already started." She whispered fists clenched.

"Yeah he told me some other stuff too." Percy began as he told her about their entire conversation. Annabeth listened intently her steely grey eyes processing the information already coming up with solutions and ideas.

"I think I need to just give myself up to them. I'm the one they want maybe they'll listen to what I have to say, or at the very least stop killing everyone once they have their true culprit." Percy began. He was expecting her to throw a fit like Jace did and call him an idiot, but what she did next really surprised him.

"We'll go together. Even if they are of a different pantheon I think they would listen to what a child of the wisdom goddess has to say. Besides if you go alone you'll probably just end up offending them." She said with a smirk and a playful shove. "We should bring along Piper to, she could be useful."

"I don't think we should take Piper if the Shadowhunters' catch on to her charm speak all hopes of getting them to trust us is out the window." Percy said. "Besides Annabeth this is my fight they want me. These aren't monsters and Gods. I-we have no idea what were really going up against I can't risk them hurting you." He grasped her hand bringing it to his mouth and kissing her knuckles. He Looked into her eyes imploringly using the "baby seal" eyes. Annabeth just ripped her hand away in, and glared at him angrily.

"Di Immortals Percy! We went through freaking Tartarus together, you can't be seaweed brained enough to think that I would just sit by while you go off and sacrifice yourself!" she yelled at him crossing her arms. "I'm coming with you whether you like it or not, besides I have done some research on these nephilim so I do have an idea of what we're going up against. Thank you very much." She spat as she stamped her foot and lifted her chin up in superiority. Percy gave her a small grin. The old mischievous look was starting to resurface in his eyes.

"Wipe that smirk off your face! You didn't really think you would go off and face the enemy without me did you?" she asked with a raised eyebrow. His cheeks started to turn red, and his grin only widened. Before she knew it Percy ran up and engulfed her in a hug, burying his face into her neck. She tried pushing him away, but it was only half-hearted she could never stay made at him for long. She reached up and ran her hand through his thick, disheveled hair and kissed him when he brought his head up to face her.

"Your head is full of Kelp." She complained as they broke apart. "Come on let's make a plan for tomorrow." Suddenly all business again.

"So how long do you think it'll be before we see them?" Annabeth asked. She and Percy were walking along a sidewalk toward his apartment. They were holding hands as they surveyed the area. Their senses on high but at the same time they looked inconspicuous just your average couple.

'I'm not sure, just keep your eyes open." Percy replied scanning the crowd taking in all the sights of New York. New York City was probably the worst place for an ADHD kid to live. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, and most distracting with all the lights, sounds, and antics of the people on the streets. However when you're a demigod NYC was the best place to grow up, because that way you get used to chaos, and are better able to pin something/or someone out and focus.

Such as when Percy noticed the first shadowhunter. He noticed the buff male, dressed in all black, wielding a glowing blade about two blocks away. Unfortunately the guy saw Percy too, and the hunter quickly disappeared probably going to alert all his friends.

All it took was Percy to tense slightly for Annabeth to tell that they've been spotted. Immediately she slipped her knife from the sheath on her forearm. Percy tightened his grip on Riptide in pen form. They came upon a deserted street corner, and Shadowhunters just began pooling in out of nowhere. In a matter of seconds the demigods were surrounded. Percy ignored the instinct to move out in front of Annabeth. She wouldn't appreciate it, and he knew she was more than capable of defending herself. Once she actually dislocated his shoulder when she judo flipped him during capture the flag.

Jace stood off to the side. His seraph blade out ready for attack. He stared at Percy his expression guarded, yet his eyes revealed everything. He didn't believe it when Alec found him in the Institute garden with Clary.

-Flashback-

Clary and Jace were sitting in the greenhouse. They sat next to each other with twin easels painting a pot of peonies (or rather Clary was painting them, Jace's looked more like colorful blobs). She was trying to teach him the fundamentals of sketching, and shading, but Jace's heart wasn't really in it. Instead he just kept watching her, and letting her lean over and fix his painting. Whenever she did this he would sneak in a kiss.

They were currently in a passionate make-out session when Alec busted in on them. The archer was red faced and disgusted, but he quickly shook out of it.

"You two get suited up. They got a lead on Jackson." He said urgently. Clary's eyes widened in shock.

"What kind of lead?" Jace asked skeptically. Wiping paint off on his jeans as he stood up.

"The kid just appeared on our radar, as if he hasn't been in the city this whole time. They called for backup because he's not alone." Alec said already walking away to get ready. Jace swallowed uneasily as he followed his brother out with Clary trailing behind him.

Jace didn't know whether to feel scared, or angry. Percy blatantly ignored his warnings to stay away, and was in the city obviously turning himself in. There was no other reason why he'd be in the city despite all of Jace's warnings. On the other hand Jace was terrified this was the moment Percy had warned him about. This is when Jace had to make his choice and he still wasn't sure what to do. Randomly Jace thought back to one of the stories Percy told him about.

"A single choice shall end his days"

That was a line from one of the half-blood's prophecies. No wonder Percy was so adamant about Jace's loyalties. Even though that prophecy had already come to pass, Jace couldn't help but think that line related to his situation now. If Jace didn't decide it could very well mean his friends life…

-Present-

Percy scanned the shadowhunters counting them, while his brain rapidly picked out possible weaknesses and escape routes. Annabeth was doing the same beside him probably running through the plan over and over in her mind.

When Percy's eyes met Jace's they held each other's gaze for a couple of heartbeats before Percy turned away from him. That short time was all they needed to convey their emotions, and for Percy to know with depressing certainty that Jace made his decision.

"Surrender now demigods and you won't be harmed." Adam barked stepping forward brandishing his blade defensively. Percy uncapped Riptide, lips curling up into a small smirk when he saw some of the shadowhunter's flinch at the sudden appearance of riptide.

"There has been a misunderstanding between our realms. We would like to discuss this with your leaders under a flag of truce, in the intention of future peace. We believe you should have the decency to grant us this request seeing as you have already executed one of our own, when we haven't exhibited any aggression towards you. In fact to be frank, we demigods didn't even know of your existence until the attack on Birei." Annabeth said smoothly her grey eyes steely, hard, and challenging. She stood straight, chin up, the image of confidence.

Adam and the rest of the shadowhunters looked taken aback by her response. They weren't expecting this teenager to deliver such an intelligent and indisputable challenge.

"Who are you?" Adam asked carefully. Annabeth frowned slightly. "Oh sure they know Percy, but not me? Typical." She thought annoyed. She brought her chin up higher.

"Annabeth Chase daughter of Athena and official architect of Olympus." She said proudly daring anyone to challenge her. Percy nodded beside her as if to say. 'Yeah that's Annabeth don't mess with her." She felt herself get a little giddy inside, at his support but her demeanor never faltered.

"Well Miss Chase our animosity isn't towards you exactly, but your friend here Perseus Jackson." Adam said spitting Percy's name. Percy narrowed his eyes, and tightened his grip on riptide.

"I'm afraid whatever you have against Percy falls under our discretion. That and the fact that you killed one of our own means that you have triggered the attention of all the demigods not just Percy here." Annabeth insisted. Adam frowned getting annoyed by this insolent teenager.

"Perhaps you'll have a chance to plead your case to the Clave, but you'll be taken as prisoner. I'm sorry but those are our orders. Now you can either come quietly or not, although I can assure you there is no way you can escape. I'm sure a child of Athena can see that." The shadowhunter mocked with a smirk. Annabeth sighed and glared at Adam with her best death glare. It was the glare all children of Athena shared. A look that said whatever you do, no matter how hard you try, you'll eventually be brought down because Athena never fails.

"If you attempt to take us as prisoner the demigods of both Camp Jupiter and Camp Half-blood will declare war upon you." Annabeth said as a last ditch effort while raising her knife in defense. Percy tensed beside her, and placed his thumb on the cap of his pen. She noticed that he seemed to be staring hard at one of the shadowhunters in particular. The shadowhunters just stared at Annabeth trying to scare her, but their glares were nothing compared to a monsters. If it wasn't for the half-bloods battle senses they wouldn't have noticed the slight nod of Adam's head signaling the rest of the shadowhunters to attack.

Percy stepped forward slashing riptide, startling the shadowhunters so bad they jumped away from him like the plague. Annabeth ducked, and twisted among the barrage of swords coming at her as she managed to stab each of her attackers in the crucial points on their bodies. Percy and Annabeth had no problem fighting against a small army, however they were used to fighting monsters who die instantly these shadowhunters were much hardier and with each one they knocked out it seemed as if there was another to replace the last one.

Soon they began to tire, but the shadowhunters numbers were dwindling. It looked as if the demigods would've been able to get out of this alive until Percy noticed a whole new cohort of Shadow hunters running towards them and finish the job. Annabeth watched them approach with a knot in her stomach, she looked up at Percy who stood beside her. His arms were covered in scratches, and he was breathing heavily. He met her gaze, his eyes shining with bravery yet there was an undertone of hopelessness and anger. They looked at each other for about two seconds before taking each other's hand and began running in retreat.

Percy being a New Yorker had no problem leading Annabeth through the busy sidewalks, back alleys, and across streets while running full speed. He was heading towards the Hudson River. Once there he could either fight off the rest of their pursuers single-handedly, or just jump in with Annabeth. Percy didn't think the shadowhunters were dumb enough to try and pursue a son of Poseidon in his domain.

They were about a mile away from the river, Percy could already feel its filthy waters as they dashed towards it. All of a sudden Annabeth cried out and stumbled Percy reeled backward in the abrupt stop. Annabeth's head was down and she clutched her side. When she looked up her face was a mask of pain. Percy rushed towards her and gulped down fear as he saw an arrow sticking out of her side. Percy could see the archer about 50 yards away another arrow already notched in his bow strings. The rest of the shadowhunters were quickly advancing upon their prey.

Percy growled as he felt waves of anger and power crash within him. He carefully scooped up Annabeth in his arms despite her protests and rushed on to the river. He set her down and felt the familiar tug in his gut as called upon the river. When the shadowhunters were close enough Percy unleashed his fury.

*Jace POV*

When one of our archers shot Annabeth that's when things started to get bad. I had never seen such fury in Percy's eyes. It was a feral, murderous look of complete and utter rage. For a moment I just stopped running and actually felt a flicker of fear stir in my heart at that look. When we cornered them at the river Percy was ready.

"Touch me again and I'll show you the full extent of what I can do." Percy's words rang through my mind from when we first met, as I thanked my lucky stars that I never pushed him over the edge.

Adam and the others didn't make it within thirty feet of the shadowhunters before they were swept aside with a massive wave of nasty river water. The others just stared in shock for a moment before coming after Percy. He was hardly fazed as water swirled around him like a mini hurricane, as he cut down shadowhunters easily and without mercy this time.

It looked as if we were going to lose until one of our guys who was fighting with Annabeth started to overcome her. She let loose a yelp when the half-angel wrestled away her dagger and held her with a sword to her neck.

Percy heard her and immediately turned to help her, his storm which had already started to fade, almost completely dissipated at her distraction. That was his mistake. Adam saw his chance and took it as he took a stab at the demigod.

"PERCY DUCK!" Annabeth screamed before she was quickly silenced by her captive. With lighting fast reflexes Percy managed to dodge enough to where the sword missed his heart, but instead imbedded itself into his side. Annabeth's scream cut through the air as she struggled against her captor. However, she didn't get very far as she was already dizzy from the pain of the arrow in her side, and the sword was digging dangerously into her neck.

Percy stepped back clutching his side in pain and shock as the blood started to seep through his fingers. My body went rigid and my heart raced. This was the moment. The moment Percy warned me about. The moment where I had to make a choice. I'd dismissed his warnings and delayed it for as long as possible, but now it was staring me right in the face. Let Adam finish Percy off or attempt to save him and in the process maybe save future lives on both sides.

"A single choice…"

Adam raised his sword to strike, and I stopped thinking. Several things happened at once the water behind Percy surged forward to meet the strike just as a clang rang through the alley as Adams sword met mine. For a moment everything was silent as everyone stared in shock. I took that as my advantage and quickly disarmed Adam and put my sword to his throat. I didn't even think about how my actions could get me killed. Adam's eyes were so wide I thought they'd pop out of his head.

"Stop doing this mindless murdering of humans. This goes against everything we stand for. Beings that are less human than demigods get the decency of a fair trial. Why should we deny halfbloods of this basic right? What we're doing is wrong. I didn't sign up for this. If this is what the clave has broken down to than I want no part of it." I growled looking Adam right in the eye, and everyone else's. My gaze softened as I caught Alec's confused look. I owed him an explanation, but for right now Percy and Annabeth's lives were on the line.

I stepped back, and stood by Percy. He was on his knees both hands clutching his side as he sat in a growing puddle of his own blood. He looked up at Jace his expression dazed and uncertain.

"Y-y-you saved me?" he stuttered breathlessly in shock.

"Not yet" I answered offering a smile.

"I'm not going to let these two die, before they had a chance to explain themselves and neither should you." I said as I reached down to Percy and pulled him up to his feet. He wobbled but I put my arm over his shoulders. Suddenly Alec threw his bow to the ground and rushed forward to my side.

"Jace's right, this isn't nephilim justice this makes us no better than demons." He said standing by Percy's other side. The guy holding Annabeth let her go as she staggered over to us. He walked up to stand next to us.

"My little boy died of sickness when he was only two years old. His loss was the greatest pain I've ever felt. I won't allow the parents of these demigods feel that same pain." He said. Slowly others dropped their weapons and came to stand by us. Soon Adam and his followers were outnumbered.

"This is treason! You will all suffer for this!" he growled but no one listened as we began rushing away.

Percy was barely conscience as we rushed back to the institute. Annabeth was more aware than him and refused to leave his side as them barged through the halls of the institute to the medical wing.

I finally made my choice and I felt like the weight of the world was lifted from my shoulders. I just hoped I wasn't too late.

A/N- Wow I think that was my favorite chapter I've ever written! so many feels