Eventide
part one: civil

ch. two: the brightest stars


Percy had no idea what in the world (well, universe, okay) he was doing. To be more precise, he felt like he was cramming for a test without actually knowing the subject, trying to take in information he probably would forget in the long run. Chaos had been lecturing him for the past few minutes, but it was like him with Annabeth- he just didn't listen.

"Wait," he said. "Okay, can you, like, sit down and explain everything?" Chaos sighed.

"Fine. Let's start from the basics. What you do know." Percy nodded. "I told you I strive for balance, keeping the scales at the same level. What we did today: I led you here, to Thrae, to show you the truth. You passed out and went through some rather, ah, unpleasant memories-" At this, Percy winced.

"-because it was a brain overload. You woke up, and then I caught you up on chaos. We tested you, and you passed with flying colors. You proved your loyalty to your friends. You proved that you had the motivation to do things. You then proved you could make the choice to do what was for the better, and that you knew sacrifice and duty. And lastly, you proved you would keep going, no matter what. So now, you are the commander of the not-really-existing Fellowship of Chaos. And now we will continue recruiting, and then add to the city." He simply sat there, taking it in.

"Fellowship," he asked, raising an eyebrow. "Really?"

"You have the strangest questions, child. But yes, the Fellowship. I thought the Army of Chaos sounded a bit clichè, to be honest, sort of cheesy, and a fellowship means a companionship, a group of people who share interests, feelings, and emotions, which you shall, sometime in the near future."

"Sure," Percy said. "Why not. You said training, right?"

"It is not so much training. More like... I shall gift you with a few perks of being commander." He stared.

"Um... what?"

"I will train you to be stronger in one single domain, and also add some extra powers that would be beneficial." Percy grinned. That sounded pretty cool.

"What about Annabeth?" he asked. He couldn't very well leave her alone.

"What about her?" Chaos asked, her lips curved in a smirk. Percy raised both his eyebrows this time. It wasn't like the girl didn't know what he wanted.

"Okay, okay," Chaos conceded. "She is a powerful one, and I do see... Yes, you will have to send her a message somehow." He couldn't help but grin. With Annabeth by his side, no matter how cheesy it sounded, he felt like he could do anything, almost.

"But Athena," he protested. "She'll kill me if she finds out." The creator hummed for a moment, pondering the new obstacle.

"Well, you don't always have to send an Iris-Message, Perseus. You have many... friends, I believe." He nodded, still not quite getting her hint, but whatever.

"Now, as for your powers... We are going to have to go back into the Void, child." He shuddered, thinking of the memories.

"Will the visions happen every time?" he asked.

"Unfortunately so." He groaned and reluctantly trudged after her, dreading what he would see next. The two walked in a silence that Percy found just a bit too empty for his taste. And, well, he actually wanted to know more for a change, because this world was too vast and too intriguing for him to not ask questions.

"So," he started."Is there... Are there any other life-bearing planets?" Chaos cast him a sideways glance.

"Yes," she permitted. "There are." Seriously? That was all she was giving him?

"Care to explain?"

"No, thank you for the offer, though." He curled his lip. So this one had humor, not unlike his own, but it was weird having a normal demigod conversation with the essential creator of the universe. The thought in turn made him smile, the corners of his lips pulling up despite the earlier feeling of distaste.

"Can you tell me anything at all?" Percy asked, starting to get frustrated. It seemed that the more questions he asked, the more riddles were shot back at the speed of light.

"Look, Perseus." There was a harder edge to her voice now, a firm tone. "The reason I am not telling you now is because when you receive your powers, I will be gifting you with knowledge of the cosmos as well, therefore there shall be no more explaining during my part." Not the answer he had been expecting, but at least he knew he didn't have to ask anymore questions. The path fell to silence once again, and it was with relief that Percy spotted the grey steps leading to oblivion. But then he remembered what awaited him, and he chewed the inside of his cheek. He wondered which memory would be brought to the surface, what agony he would have to endure again. The girl dissolved again, fading into thin air.

Sucking in a deep breath, he clambered down the steps slowly, trying his hardest not to fall. He usually wasn't very good when it came to going down stairs the easy way.

The transition to black was easier this time; but maybe because Percy had done it once before. Or, maybe, it was simply because he knew this was a battle he wouldn't dare to win. Either way, the memories rose to the surface, raw and undefined, freed from imprisonment.

Two days. It took him two days to finally crack and two days to decide. He knew he was taking a huge chance with this. That he was going to obliviate any bridges he had built. But, he told himself, he couldn't very well stay. It hurt, watching Annabeth move slowly, as if she were moving through sap as life leaked out of the edges. It hurt being so close to her. It hurt seeing the owls stare at him, yellow eyes unblinking as they followed him. It hurt like nothing had hurt before, because he was alone in the ocean, drowning in his own home.

He zipped up the small backpack filled with the meager possessions he kept at camp. Toiletries, some money, all the clothes he kept, his armor and shield, all the photos he could find, and paper. Lots and lots of paper. He didn't know what he was going to do with it, just that he was going to use it. Picking Riptide up from his table, he let himself have a last glance at his home. The beds were clean, the walls glimmering in soft light, and the small fountain sprayed water like it always had, except for the last time he had caused a little... accident. It looked like it had years ago: long and low and solid, perhaps a bit lonely, with sea breezes drifting through the open windows from the docks. Then he bid farewell to it, resting his hand over the sea-softened stone and feeling it pulse as if the cabin was alive.

He stuck his pen in his pocket as he skirted behind cabins, as to avoid the harpies. Being reported to the Big House in front of Chiron; not fun. Of course, there was the alternative of being eaten, but those were only the harpies trained by Mr. D. Something hooted, and he slammed against the ground, hoping that he looked like grass. He probably didn't, at any rate, but he was trying. An owl swooped above his head, claws extended, glaring at him. He glared back. The stupid birds.

Somehow, Percy made it to the porch of the Big House without being completely mauled. He didn't exactly know what he was doing there- saying goodbye? He left the Minotaur horn on the small table, where someone could find it. Just so they knew he hadn't abandoned them, that he hadn't been kidnapped by a psycho hippie lady, because the last time that had happened, not everyone was pleased with the results.

Then he turned and ran blindly into the place he'd always been warned about: the forest. (Though they jokingly called the Forbidden Forest as a Harry Potter tribute.) He crashed through the trees, not caring where he was heading, where he would end up, but that he had to get out of there. His home had become a prison, cold, dark, and suffocating, as if every wall was pressing in on him. He would go insane if he stayed there any longer, at Camp, with the pitying looks and soft voices, the happy-go-lucky demeanor and changing moods, the owls on one side with Annabeth on the other.

Percy ran until he couldn't run more than he had already, his breath evening as he pushed branches away from his face. It was colder now, and Percy pulled the jacket tighter around himself. So running away wasn't a smart idea, but he wasn't exactly the sharpest knife in the drawer. For all he knew, he could be in gods freaking Nebraska. It didn't feel like New York anymore... Had he crossed water? He struggled to remember the past- what? Minutes? Hours? He had run blindly, his emotions surging out of him, pushing him on.

Some part of him woke up then; he blinked blearily at the emptiness. As he sat up, the images kept pressing in on the part of him still dormant.

He walked around. It wasn't too bad. He would find out where he was the next day. For now he'd stay here. Percy grabbed a low-hanging branch from a tree and climbed up, ignoring his aching muscles. He rested there, in a small nook where the branches met, staring at the stars and connecting constellations.

"You're awake." The voice sounded in his mind and out loud. He winced and nodded.

"Sorta, I guess." The memories took over again; he didn't have the energy to fight back against it.

He woke up to someone hovering over him. Swearing, Percy yelped as he fell out of the tree. Pain flared up his hands and his left side. He swore again, trying to get up. He blearily pulled out his sword and swung randomly, eyes searching for the figure.

"Peace, child. I am your friend."

"Oh, yeah?" Percy yelled, circling. "Then why don't you show yourself, huh?" A man stepped out from behind a tree, grinning.

"Prove it," he hissed bitterly. "I can't trust anyone. All I know, you could be working for Athena." The name was bitter in his mouth, like the taste of copper. The man chuckled. On closer inspection, he didn't look like anyone Percy had seen before. Dark, slicked-back hair, like Disco Darrin had, white skin- literally, white skin, paler than... not to be racist, but worse than American white. It was like Nico except this dude had been dunked into a bucket of paint. He wore a suit that seemed to shift colors so fast it made him dizzy. He stopped looking at it. In a way, this being reminded him of Prometheus, powerful, not exactly friendly but not an enemy. He flicked his hand and a rip appeared, like a literal rip in the sky. It was like the sky was made of fabric, and this dude had just cut through it. He didn't want to know what the being could do to him if he got angry.

"I am Chaos." There was no emotion as this was stated. Percy looked at the guy.

"Uh... What?"

"You know, Chaos. Creator of the universe, blah, blah, blah." Percy scratched his head and laughed mockingly.

"Hardy har har. Who are you?"

"Chaos." He ran a hand through his hair and thought about it. Why should he believe that this person created the universe? Then again, something told him. This being just ripped the sky open. Like he created it. Okay, so it sort of made sense... ?

"Uh," Percy said, awkwardly getting to his knees. "Do I, like, have to bow? I just fell out of a tree." Chaos shook his head no.

"I want to recruit you." He held out a finger against Percy's protests. "You'll be bringing balance to the universe. I will send you on missions, and yes, some of them will include being on Earth. You will be able to come back."

"My friends-" Percy protested.

"-are strong, level-headed people who had to cope with you being gone for eight months. They shall be fine. Besides, you will be helping them, watching them, too. Guiding them to a better future."

"What if... What if I don't believe you?" The rebellious side kicked in. Chaos just shrugged.

"You don't have to. You can turn, walk away, pretend this never happened. You can go home. At this point, you can do whatever you want to do. Or, you can join me. You can help your friends, help influence the gods, too, and, well, you can save Annabeth as well, you know." Percy fumed. Annabeth. The name struck a cord in him, and he tried hard not to think of holding her hand as they walked through hell. He could feel himself accepting it, slowly nodding.

"Okay," he said, trying to keep his voice light. "I'll join you. Humor me."

"Simply pledge yourself to my cause. Repeat after me: I-" In the distance, a hunting horn sounded. He frowned. It sounded familiar. Chaos kept going.

"-pledge myself to Chaos. I fight for-" Footsteps, soft ones, pounded against ground. Percy looked around. Who was coming?

"-the balance of the universe. I turn my back on believing in one world to believe in many more. I-" Yells cut through the air. Chaos didn't seem to notice.

"-will do my best and help those in need. I give my service to you, and I give my life to those who cannot fight for themselves. I choose to devote myself to balance and the prospect of good." He swallowed, glancing at the trees.

"I pledge myself to Chaos. I fight for the balance of the universe. I turn my back on believing in one world to believe in many more. I will do my best to help those in need. I give my service to you-" He stopped, his throat suddenly dry. "-and I give my life to those who cannot fight for themselves. I choose to devote myself to balance and the prospect-" He was cut off by a voice.

"Percy?" He turned, the words stuck in his throat. Thalia. She stared at the scene and took a step forward, her eyes shining. Behind her stood Artemis and the Hunters, gaping.

"Percy," she said, her voice low. "Whatever you're doing, please, don't. Percy, please." He turned back to Chaos. When Artemis saw the man, she gasped. Chaos looked back calmly.

"Choose." He gestured at the Hunters. "Finish it or leave." Percy looked back at Thalia, who stared at him, her eyes pleading.

"I..." Percy looked at Thalia again. "For my family," he said, turning back to Chaos.

"I choose to devote myself to balance and the prospect of good." Chaos nodded, though Percy didn't feel any different. He just felt tired, exhausted, like all of his willpower had been drained out of him. The sky darkened, and a rip appeared, swirling stars on the other side. He slowly backed towards it, though he kept looking back at his almost sister. His cousin. His friend. A force field rammed between them, shimmering. He put his hand on it, and Thalia matched his movement, the cousins' hands touching through the force field.

"Holy Hoover dam French fries!" he cried.

"That's a new one," Chaos commented. The girl faded like she had before, dissipating into nothingness, if that was even a word. His head pounded, his throat dry. When was the last time he'd eaten, or had water? Something glowed softly, and when he looked up, he just stopped thinking about it. A soft orb of light hovered in front of him.

"Um, Chaos? Is this supposed to happen?"

That is what will be your powers. You will have utter control over a single domain and possible powers over other domains as you grow stronger. I decided that power over the entire Pontus-Poseidon domain would be easier for you as you already have the sea running through your veins. Earthquakes, storms, shape-shifting even. Percy punched the air.

"Ha-ha, Frank! Beat that!" His moment of victory was short-lived.

Try not to go unconscious, child.

"Wait, what do you mean, uncon-" The orb shot straight at him, sucking into his chest. It was warm and cold, and Percy felt like he was free-falling, trying to catch himself before he hit the ground. It felt like when he ate too much ice cream and then sitting there trying to catch up, his brain hopelessly moving through honey. Then his vision cleared.

Percy cracked his knuckles, stretching out. It didn't feel very different, but when he closed his eyes and concentrated, he could almost feel pure, raw power buzzing in the back of his mind. If he reached to use it... A rush of warmth spread through him, an adrenaline rush, and then Percy was reliving one of the worst and most embarrassing moments of his life.

He had turned into a freaking guinea pig. Again.

"Um," he tried to yell for help, but all that came out was gibberish. It had been bad enough years ago when Circe had done it in front of Annabeth, but now he was seventeen and in front of the creator of the universe. Great.

Just reach for the power again, child. Remember what it feels like to be human. He couldn't tell if there was a layer of amusement in the voice, but he concentrated. He thought about standing on the Argo II, next to Annabeth and his friends, laughing as he stared at the sea. How content he'd been then, just him and his friends and the sea. Nothing else. Percy cracked open an eye. He could feel himself changing, his fur fading, the tiny claws changing back to human hands. Then, he was back again, staring in horror at the spot where he'd been.

I did not expect you to change into a guinea pig, Perseus. Okay, so now he was being teased. He flushed. But there was power behind it, and you did well. And as for knowledge... Wait, what? Percy had no time to think as knowledge of the universe was crammed into his mind. He saw planets, saw people, saw Earth and Gaea, saw a person, hand outstretched, fading into the background. Chaos, then. Finally, the images stopped. He blinked, once, twice.

"You didn't tell me everything," Percy noted dully, pressing a hand to his forehead.

No, I did not. That is for you to find out. You need to experience it, not just know it. Perhaps, child, we should get started?