Eventide
PART TWO: nautical

chapter thirteen: the twelfth degree


Pelagios, the horse greeted him. He turned, scanning the horizon a last time before turning his attention to Anévin.

"And what news do you bring, Anévin?" he asked. The stallion dipped his head in the direction of the one Percy had recently been facing.

The Danje approaches. One more moon and they shall be upon us.

A nod of confirmation. "I know," he said. "My shadows have been watching them closely. They will surround us."

The only way out is to fight?

"I hate to say this, but we don't have a choice. The council voted. We're going to be fighting until one of us falls.. or, of course, one could surrender." Above them, the sky darkened and swelled, grey clouds swallowing the light. A storm was coming: an omen, perhaps.

Very well, my lord. Shall I be bringing any messages to our majesties? Percy thought about it for a second; his instincts drew his eyes toward the tiny figures in the distance. If he looked hard enough, he could just make out the tents and the men.

"Tell them.. Tell them to be prepared," he said finally. Turning his eyes toward the sky, he stared at the storm. Something twisted in his stomach, and suddenly, he had an inkling of a thought that he would not be here by the end. Whether he was to see it or not, the end would happen without him. "I may not be here by the end of the battle."

The horse was silent for a moment. As you wish, my lord, he said stiffly. Percy just nodded.

Three hours later, Haroi found him sitting perched on a low stone wall, watching as the troops marched closer. He was skipping stones into the ocean. Percy sensed him before he spoke, and the way his footsteps fell were as familiar as his own heartbeat.

"Pelagios, sir," the other boy said, just to annoy him. Without looking, he threw a stone backwards, successfully hitting him somewhere, though he didn't know where.

"Ow, Perce!" Haroi cried, swinging his legs over the wall to sit next to him. "That hurt, you know." He rolled his eyes.

"I told you not to call me sir, Carter," he reprimanded. "but obviously you can't follow instructions."

"Whatever. Just came to tell you your shift's up. I get to take your place, and you can go run off and do.. do whatever you commanders of large armies and allies in a war do." He bid a good-bye to his friend before turning back to the city.

The guards at the gate nodded as he passed them, pushing open the black iron gates and heading towards the castle. It was beautiful, stretching tall into the sky. Pires decorated the roofs, and vines crawled up the pale walls. He'd always liked the planet Æcör. It reminded him of home.

Æcör was an ocean-based planet, meaning the people here based their lives around the ocean, not unlike Poseidon's realm. While they lived on land, the Æcörians had a set of lungs and a set of gills, and webbing between their fingers and toes. Other than the obvious differences, they lived much like many people lived. They had schools, jobs, and work to do.

Of course, there was also the inter-galactical council. It was a fairly new thing, maybe two to three hundred years old, formed to keep peace between planets. However, like the situation they were in now, this didn't prevent wars from happening on planets, or worse, people raising in rebellion against the council.

As he walked towards the castle, he had to admire it. The walls were made of sea stone, pieces of shell and other things embedded in the rock. It was surrounded by a moat of sorts as an extra precaution, but he didn't see the practicality in this. Everyone on the planet - in all the kingdoms, cities, and villages - were of the same descent, and had the same abilities. A moat wouldn't do much.

He had to pause to stare at the windows. Made of sea glass, they depicted scenes from great battles or the kings of the olden days.

Before he could push open the doors of the castle, there was a tingling feeling. He could feel the fabric of the universe stretch and ripple. He rested a hand on the door and spun around, raising an eyebrow at the "intruder."

"Iricus," he greeted, smiling at the young woman. She was a new recruit, so he took the chance to study her. She was short, much shorter than him, but her small size gave her an advantage. And she could move fast. She had dark hair and light blue eyes, the kind of eyes, he noticed, that were the trademark of the children of Zeus.

"Commander," she said back, respectfully. As a tradition, she put her right hand over her heart and knelt on one knee, bowing her head before looking back up. In response, he put his own right hand to his heart and bowed at the waist.

Respect was one of the first things learned in the army.

"What d'ya have for me, girlie?" He asked, extending a hand and lifting her to her feet.

She bit her lip. "Lord Chaos told me you wouldn't like this - of course, I wouldn't know, but he said to inform you that you are being withdrawn from Æcör." He froze.

"What?" The word came out harshly.

"He also says not to worry. Lieutenant Mova will be taking your place; there are apparently more important matters to intend to." His lips thinned in displeasure. The Æcörians had welcomed him almost as one of their own, and he'd come to this planet one too many times.

"Very well," he said, lip curling. Mova, bless her heart, had once been the princess of Kali - the kingdom he was currently stationed in. (Though it had been maybe four hundred years.)

She bowed and lifted a black dagger, slicing through the air. A portal appeared, and she stepped into it, the universe closing after her. Percy took out his own, but before he left, he raised his right wrist. The sleeve of his shirt fell back to reveal a watch, numbers blinking.

He pressed a finger to the screen, letting his fingerprint scan. ACCESS GRANTED. A blank holographic screen popped up, and he spoke into it.

"Contact all members of the Midnight 09 squad." Immediately, new words scrolled across the screen. PLEASE STATE YOUR MESSAGE.

"Midnight 09 squad, this is Pelagios. I am being withdrawn out of Midnight 09, and Lieutenant Mova will be taking my place. Remember your duty, and know that I believe in you." Ew, how cheesy. "Thank you. Nous veros the Adelis Patronus." He then pressed a button on the side of his watch, turning it off.

"I'm coming, Chaos," he muttered, grabbing his own dagger and slicing at the air.

He bumped into Annabeth as he was about to enter the missions building. She smirked at him wordlessly, and he felt the corners of his lips tug up before settling back into a frown. She took his hand, and together, they stepped in.

The missions building was only one building out of the seven that surrounded the temple of Chaos, and it had to be one of the smallest. Inside, office pens were set up - not unlike a building back on Earth. There were many people talking into their earpieces, and even more people typing away on a holographic screen. He ignored them and turned to the right, walking down a long hall to the meeting room.

Chaos was already seated, as were Zoe, Luke, and Ethan. He slid into the spot to the right of Chaos, who was sitting at the head of the table. Annabeth seated herself next to him and leaned back in her chair, stretching out.

To pass the time, he studied the table. In the center was a golden symbol that resembled a compass rose. The circle in the center was much more intricate, painted with symbols and runes, each one representing a different planet. Runes were etched into the table next to the seven arrows.

Chaos cleared his throat, and he looked up.

There were nine other people in the room, and with surprise, he noted that they were the original ten. The ten of them that had first been called to join the Fellowship of Chaos.

"You are wondering why I have gathered you here today. I am going to be straightforward; I am hoping to send all ten of you and twenty soldiers of your choice to Earth."

A beat of silence, and then everyone was talking over each other.

"Silence," Chaos commanded, and they did as he said. "I have yet to inform the gods; you will appear there and tell them yourselves." He paused for a moment before looking straight at Percy.

"Erebos has awoken. As we speak, he is on Earth, gathering to him an army, one even greater than Gaea's. He is most certainly more clever than Gaea; he has studied his opponents, studied the gods. Olympus has fallen prey to the comfort surrounding them. Already, the Greeks and Romans of Earth are building a new Golden Age, and Erebos is planning on becoming the darkness in the light."

His speech was met with stunned silence. Percy's mind reeled in horror. Those years ago, in the Void; he'd been warned by Aithêr. He could recall the ancient being's words - There is always darkness in light, Destroyer. Just as there is always light in darkness.

He hadn't understood. For all his knowledge, centuries' worth, he hadn't guessed.

"You will return to Earth as soldiers as the Fellowship. You are not to reveal your identities - and this may very well be one of the hardest things you will ever do. You know the cost of this, and I know you understand the consequences that have befallen you."

"Yes, sir," echoed around the room.

"Good. One of the messengers will be sent to Olympus, and you will prepare to leave tomorrow at Earth's first light. Upon arriving, report to Olympus. That is all the instruction I will give you. Dismissed."

"Yes, sir!" they cried, and Chaos disappeared with a crack, leaving the ten of them alone and wide-eyed. He stared at them, heart pounding in his throat, the onset of emotion torrenting over him like a tidal wave.

Earth. Camp Half-Blood. Camp Jupiter. Olympus. Home.

Home, to Sally Jackson-Blofis, who he hadn't spoken to in almost two thousand years. Home, to the rest of the Seven, who had moved on with their lives. Home, to Camp Half-Blood with the sweet-smelling strawberry fields and always filled with noise.

Holy mother of gods.

Annabeth grabbed his hand, and then he was kissing her, his hands on her back. She was gasping a little when he finally let her go, and it was then he threw his head back and laughed.

How cruel the Fates were. How incredibly cruel.


After an hour of discussion, the ten of them stopped and regarded each other. He saluted them in respect before drawing his dagger and slicing through the air. First light - by Thrae standards that wasn't very long.

He flew out of the room, mind still spinning. They had agreed upon certain things, and the fact that each of them were to choose two soldiers to return to Earth with had been one of them.

"Iricus!" he called, stalking through the building. The girl appeared in front of him, clutching a few papers in her hand. She raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, Commander Pelagios?" He almost groaned out loud before snapping back to attention.

"I'd like you to retrieve Haroi off of Midnight 09, please, and Lunéla off of.. Aegis 00, I think she's on. Have them return to their quarters and pack. Tell them.." he trailed off, thinking. "Tell them that the kingdom has yet to come." He could see that his message confused her, but she bowed anyway.

"Thank you," he told her, and she nodded, disappearing. After she left, he sighed, running a hand through his already messy hair and left for home.

Percy's duffel bag was half-full when Annabeth appeared in the doorway. She smiled at him, and he paused, staring at her. Even after all these years, she was still the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen. Her hair was tied back in its signature ponytail; she was wearing this fancy dress that he had never seen on her (and yes, she looked good in it.) Over that, she'd put on a breastplate made of celestial bronze and had also accessorized with gauntlets.

"You look nice," was the only thing he could think of saying. Somehow, the armor worked.

"Thanks," she said, coming in to perch on his bed. "Want a muffin?"

He blinked at her. "A muffin," he repeated. She showed him the blue one she was carrying, and he shrugged, grabbing it and stuffing it in his mouth while continuing to pack. Chocolate chip - yum.

"Not that I'm complaining," he said hurriedly. "but why are you here?"

In answer, she lifted up the piece of dark cloth she'd been carrying. As it unfolded, he noticed it was a cloak. Not his old cloak, though, not the one he'd worn in battle until all the fighting had torn it apart.

It was midnight black, though when she passed it to him, it seemed to shimmer in the light faintly. Embroidered on the back was the Fellowship insignia, and the next thing he saw took his breath away. Overlapping the symbol in the center was a green trident.

"Gods above," he whispered. "This is practically shouting our identities." Annabeth rolled her eyes and punched him in the arm - which, by the way, hurt.

"You idiot. The trident is for Thalassa, remember?"

"Oh."

She rolled her eyes again at this. "Whatever. Finish packing." He continued doing so, finishing within minutes. He zipped it up and slung the bag over his shoulder, standing up. Annabeth stood from her perch on his bed. He smiled at her, taking her hand.

"Ready to go?" she asked, a smile gracing her features. His stomach twisted a little.

"Not really," he told her, and she laughed, pressing a kiss to his cheek.

"Come on," she said, tugging him out of the room. Together, they stepped outside; Annabeth drew her Obsidian dagger and cut through the air. It made a ripping sound, the sky looking as if it had parted, revealing a scene: the halls of Olympus.

He squared his shoulders, took a deep breath, and flipped up the hood of the cloak. Then having exchanged a look with his girlfriend, they walked to the other side together, not looking back.

The portal closed behind them soon after, the familiar sound of the universe sewing itself back together not bothering Percy at all. Haroi was already there as he'd requested, looking slightly uncomfortable.

"Hey, man," he said, letting go of Annabeth's hand and coming to greet him. The other boy pulled him in for a bro hug.

"Nice place," Haroi said, clapping him on the back. He let out a low whistle. "The Greeks know how to design their mountains."

Annabeth smiled. "Thanks," she said dryly. "I designed it."

He looked around with a feeling of deja vu. He'd last stepped foot in this place about two hundred years ago, attending Piper and Jason's wedding - though in secret. As always, the palace was clean and polished, made of gleaming marble and glistening jade. Columns were inlaid with silver and gold. Patterns spiraled across the floor; the ceilings reflected the sky.

Rip. A presence appeared behind them. Multiple, actually.

"Oh, you've arrived already." Ethan's voice echoed around them. "Only people not here yet are Silena and Beckendorf."

Zoe sighed. "They are probably packing. Silena spends quite a large amount of time on her clothing."

"Got that right, Zo," Beckendorf commented, stepping out of a portal. He was hefting three bags; Silena stepped out from behind him, carrying another one.

"We're all here, then?" Annabeth called, and confirmation rose. He cast a glance over the group. There were the ten 'originals': He himself, Annabeth, Silena, Beckendorf, Zoe, Luke, Ethan, Bianca, Michael, and Lee. The twenty soldiers stood close by - his picks, Haroi and Lunéla, and then the others: Gail, Hunte, Sol, Rez, Kait, Orion, Hyll, Riśa, Lynne, Aravis, Cor, Ona, Ken, Alyss, Jay, Rin, Maye, and Ness. He nodded at them, and Annabeth pushed open the double doors to the throne room.

Their hoods were up before the gods could spot anything. He glanced at Annabeth's shadowed face - still clear to him - and offered her his arm. She rolled her eyes but took it, smiling.

"Welcome," Zeus called stiffly, the twelve Olympians in their human forms. "I expect you are of the Fellowship of Chaos."

"Yes," he replied, stepping forwards. The gods assessed him - he wondered what they thought of the strange person who had answered, keeping his identity hidden under a cloak with a strange insignia.

"I am Pelagios," he said, still making no move to bow.

Luke coughed. "Commander Pelagios," he said pointedly, wearing a wicked grin. Percy shot him a glare; Luke knew he hated formalities.

"And I am Commander Alithia," Annabeth said smoothly, as if nothing had ever happened. One by one, the other of the original ten introduced themselves - title and all. Afterwards, the soldiers stepped forward, only saying their names. Unlike the higher-ups, they wore nothing to conceal their appearances.

Before anyone could speak, Athena spoke up. His face heated at the sight of her, but he'd made his peace with her actions. It wasn't her fault, really, and he liked where he was now, anyway.

"Do you not bow to us?" she asked softly, but it wasn't a hostile question. Instead, her voice only held curiosity.

"No," he said curtly. "When joining the Fellowship, we are expected to cut all ties between any of our peoples and to pledge ourselves to Chaos and Chaos only. We don't disrespect you."

"Hmm," she hummed. "Very well."

Zeus cleared his throat and stood from his throne, gesturing towards a different chamber. "It's time to speak of what you are truly here for."

Percy nodded and signaled for the others to follow the Olympians to the meeting room. As he did, he thought he saw a flash of bright eyes from a distance.

When he paused to look, the person had disappeared - but not before he'd caught a glimpse of her. The corners of his lips tugged upwards.


Bo-oring. But ugh, do you know how hard it is to come up with names from off the top of my head? Do you spot any names that you recognize?

(I actually stole Alyss and Jay from my other fic, and the mist upon the hill. Didn't mean to.)

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achieving elysium