The demigods made their way across the field, avoiding the gory remains of the sheep and all the feces that remained. They finally got to the Golden Fleece and immediately felt calm and healthy.
"It really is powerful," said Clarisse. Percy and Luke could only nod their heads. Clarisse pulled out a large bag and carefully took the Golden Fleece of its branch, folded it neatly, and put it away. The demigods smiled and turned to leave when they heard another voice.
"Going so soon?" They looked back and found another figure standing behind the tree. Luke squinted at him before his face showed recognition.
"Ethan? Ethan Nakamura?" The demigod scowled.
"Oh it's you, Luke. You're right. I'm surprised you remembered me. Nobody ever remembers the unclaimed." Percy continued to stare at the newest demigod. Luke just smirked at Ethan.
"That's not true! We all will remember Perce here," he said. "Won't we?" Clarisse nodded enthusiastically. Percy just rolled his eyes at them.
"It's no matter," said Ethan. "You three cannot be allowed to leave this island. Not alive at least." He gave them such an evil smile that even Clarisse shivered. Luke frowned and walked towards him.
"What are you doing, Ethan?" Ethan pulled out his sword. Percy and Clarisse both pulled theirs out as well. "You don't have to do this. Come back to camp. Just because you haven't been claimed doesn't mean nobody cares about you." Ethan frowned.
"It's too late, Luke. I have bound my services to someone far more powerful than the gods. War is coming and I will be there to see Olympus fall." Luke glared at Ethan and unsheathed Backbiter. Ethan put his fingers in his mouth and whistled. From behind the boulder came four empousa. Without warning Ethan swung his sword at Luke's head which was parried away. While Luke battled Ethan, Clarisse and Percy charged the empousa.
One leaped into the air and tried to land on Percy's back while another lunged for his belly. Percy sidestepped and watched in amusement as the empousa crashed into each other. Percy's eyes grew firm, however, and he attacked the monsters with incredible vigor. Blood spewed everywhere and soon both empousa exploded in puffs of dust.
Percy looked over and found that Clarisse had managed to defeat both of her empousa as well. That left Ethan. Luke seemed to be holding his own and so Percy and Clarisse just watched, waiting to come to their friend's aid. Luke managed to land a strike on Ethan's side, causing him to stumble. Luke stepped closer to disarm him but Ethan swept his legs out and kicked Luke to the ground. Percy and Clarisse charged and Ethan, seeing no other alternative, turned and fled to the edge of the island. Percy's eyes glowed with determination and he focused on causing Ethan to trip. He managed to succeed barely causing Ethan to trip, but somehow the demigod managed to regain his footing and got to the edge.
Ethan turned back at Percy and Clarisse while Luke ran to catch up.
"This won't be the last time we meet, fools. I will have my revenge." With that Ethan jumped off the side of the island. The demigods rushed to see what happened but all they saw was ocean water.
"One will be lost to a heart most rotten," said Percy. Clarisse's eyes widened.
"I guess the prophecy didn't really mean us then. Who was that, Luke?" Luke sighed. They began walking back towards their ship, the fleece securely tucked away in Clarisse's bag.
"That was Ethan Nakamura. He was in the Hermes cabin a couple months ago, before Perce came to camp. He disappeared into the woods and nobody has seen him since. We all just assumed he had been eaten or killed by a monster. Guess he got himself mixed with some bad people. Who do you think he meant when he said someone more powerful than the gods?" Percy and Clarisse shrugged.
"Maybe Kronos or the Giants but they have been dead for centuries," said Percy.
"Well we can figure that out when we return to camp. Come on. The tree is still dying and we need to get back and save Camp Half-Blood before it's too late." Percy and Luke followed Clarisse back to the Birmingham.
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Two days later the three demigods arrived back at Camp Half-Blood. Instead of stopping in Baltimore they decided to just go directly to camp. They made it back to shore and saw their ship disappear in a red glow. Apparently, Ares wanted his ship back. The three friends walked up to the Big House and found Chiron, the counselors, and a man that Percy didn't recognize, sitting around the ping pong table having a meeting.
"We don't have much time," said Chiron. "If they don't come back soon with the Fleece then camp will fall." They decided to make their dramatic entrance right then.
"Do not fear, oh great Chiron," said Luke, smiling dramatically. Everyone turned and cheered for the three heroes. "We have found the Golden Fleece and brought it back." Chiron gave them a tired but appreciative smile.
"I cannot thank you enough. The last few days have been very hard. We've been missing a couple of the unclaimed campers from the Hermes cabin. We think that there was a spy at camp and that he convinced people to leave. We don't know where they went. But first, Charlie, please take the Fleece and place it on the tree. Argus should be waiting there." Percy frowned, thinking hard.
"We found a demigod in the Sea of Monsters. He claimed to have aligned himself with a power greater than that of the gods." Chiron frowned. He looked like he had aged several years all of a sudden.
"I'll meet with the council," said the man Percy didn't know. Chiron must have noticed his confusion.
"Percy, this is Dionysus, Olympian god of wine and the camp director." Percy bowed to the wine god, which oddly brought a smile to his face. "Mr. D, this is Percy Jackson." Dionysus just waved his hand.
"I must be going then." Dionysus walked out of the house to go who knows where. Chiron dismissed the meeting but motioned Percy to come closer. Luke and Clarisse patted Percy on the back and left for their cabins to get some much needed rest and relaxation. Percy followed Chiron back into a different room of the Big House.
Chiron, in his wheelchair form, wheeled himself behind a large mahogany desk and motioned for Percy to sit in the empty chair in front of him. He picked up a pen on his desk and played with it absentmindedly.
"I've noticed your eyes have changed, Gabriel. Did you have another memory?" Percy nodded.
"I'm sure Clarisse will fill you in on everything that happened, but our first night in the Sea of Monsters I had a memory while I slept. It was of me fighting Porphyrion and killing him to end some battle." Chiron dropped the pen in his hands.
"Percy, Porphyrion is the king of the giants. His death ended the Giant War." Percy's eyes widened.
"You mean I saved Olympus and defeated the giant king?" Chiron nodded.
"I never knew that. That war occurred a century before I was even born. Gabriel is also the god of humility. Makes sense that he never mentioned anything to me. Are you positive that you are Gabriel, Percy? Is it possible that you are just his son or legacy?" Percy shrugged.
"I haven't finished seeing all of Gabriel's memories. I think I am though. I am beginning to feel different. Like I have a great power within me just waiting to be released." Chiron nodded.
"Just keep me posted. If you have another memory let me know." Percy shook Chiron's hand and left. He made his way back to the Hermes cabin and found his bed laying just the way he had left it. In minutes he was fast asleep.
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The night is always dark. Shadows exist in the absence of light. In every corner of the room not a trace of light was to be found. Ethan walked up slowly to what he was told was a sarcophagus laying in the center of the room. Above him he heard the primal yells and squeals of hundreds of the vilest monsters imaginable. No matter how much hate Ethan had in his heart, being on the Princess Andromeda made him shake in terror.
Ethan stuck his hands blindly in front of him hoping not to run into the sarcophagus. After a few minutes of searching the pitch black room, his hands rested on a metal box. The metal was cold. Not the kind of cold you feel when metal hasn't been used in a while. It was the cold of death. The cold one feels seconds before their soul flees to the underworld. Ethan sucked in a breath and pushed what he assumed was the lid off of the box. A dark gold light reflected into the room. Ethan looked up and fell backwards tripping over himself at what he saw.
Chained up on the wall in front of him were the dead bodies of several of the demigods his spy at Camp Half-Blood had managed to convince to come. Their heads hung and Ethan could see traces of blood run down their necks and down their bodies.
Weak. Ethan felt a voice penetrate his mind. All of them were weak. Are there no worthy spawn of the gods left? Ethan gulped. Answer me!
"I-I-I don't know! I haven't been at camp in a while! I've been working on trying to capture as many demigods out in the world and force them to join us," Ethan stammered out. Ethan felt the presence in his mind grow furious. "But I've seen a few demigods that will be worthy, my Lord!" The anger receded.
Where are they now?
"At camp, my Lord," said Ethan. He closed his eyes expecting to be chained up on the wall beside the others.
Gather your spies. We will force those demigods to join us. Or they will die. Ethan nodded and turned to leave. Nakamura, wait. Ethan stopped, but didn't look back. Fail me again and I will bring you pain so unimaginable you will beg for Tartarus.
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Percy woke up the next morning and found that Luke was gone. Must be at the Big House filling Chiron in on what we did. Percy got himself up, washed up, changed, and made his way outside. It was already much later than he was used to waking up but he decided that one day wouldn't hurt him much. He didn't really feel that hungry so he decided to swing by the Big House.
He walked inside and found Chiron, Luke, and Annabeth all talking with a girl Percy didn't recognize. The girl had jet black hair much like Percy, but when she looked at Percy he noticed her eyes were a bright blue. Look just like Zeus's eyes from my memories. Must be his daughter. Wonder why I haven't seen her before. The group seemed to notice Percy standing there.
"Perce! Come here and meet my friend, Thalia!" Percy walked over completely ignoring Annabeth's glares and shook her hand. Her handshake was firm. Much stronger than he expected. She looked like she had just woken up from a coma. Not that he would know what that would look like.
"Percy Jackson, nice to meet you."
"Thalia Grace, daughter of Zeus. I hear I have you to think for my rescue." Percy looked at her confused.
"Percy five years ago, Luke, Annabeth, and Thalia here came to camp. Unfortunately, about fifty years ago, Zeus, Poseidon and Hades swore an oath not to have any more children. When Hades found out Zeus had broken his oath, he sent hundreds of monsters out of the Underworld after Thalia. They almost made it to camp but Thalia was mortally wounded. Zeus took pity on her and turned her into a pine tree." Percy realized what was going on.
"You were the pine tree on top of Half-Blood Hill?" Thalia nodded weakly. "So when the Golden Fleece was put on your tree it healed you completely?"
"Yeah it did," she said. Percy smiled warmly.
"Well it's nice to meet you." Thalia returned his smile. Luke put his arm around her.
"Thalia here is probably the most skilled fighter I know." He put his finger on his lip. "Actually on second thought, she's the second most skilled fighter I know." Thalia glared at him.
"Oh and who is number one?" She demanded. Luke's smile faltered.
"Well Percy here single handedly defeated the minotaur and helped us defeat an enormous cyclops defending the Golden Fleece as well as standing up to the Scylla." Chiron and Thalia looked at Percy in awe. Even Annabeth seemed mildly impressed. Percy just blushed.
"Luke and Clarisse did the actually fighting with the cyclops and I nearly died with the Scylla." Chiron shook his head and gave Percy a knowing smile. He was showing his true colors. Annabeth looked him over.
"You seem fine. You lying now?" Percy frowned at Annabeth.
"Apollo healed me. The Scylla bit my arm to the bone. Luke and Clarisse patched me up." Luke shuddered.
"Trust me. It was one nasty wound. He got blood all over my favorite shirt too!" Everyone except Annabeth laughed at Luke's pout. Percy just punched him in the shoulder making him laugh. Annabeth just crossed her arms and glared at Percy. She was really taking the loss at capture the flag really hard.
"Luke, why don't you and Annabeth show Thalia around camp? She still hasn't really seen anything yet." Luke smiled and pulled Thalia to her feet. Percy said goodbye to the daughter of Zeus and Luke and watched as the three of them walked out.
"Chiron, can I ask you something?" The old centaur smiled.
"Of course, Gabriel. You can ask me anything." Percy gave his mentor a playful scowl.
"Do you think I should tell anybody about my memories?" Chiron looked thoughtful for a moment.
"I think you should keep this to yourself. At least from the other campers until we figure out whom the spy is. I know you trust Luke and Clarisse but we can't be too careful." Percy nodded, understanding. "But if you ever run into Hestia I don't think it would be bad if you mention it to her. But under no circumstance should you tell Zeus or the other Olympians. I don't know how the rest will react but Zeus has become blinded by his love of power. He would probably kill you the second he heard of your dreams just to make sure he stayed king of the gods. I don't know if you saw it in your memories but Gabriel was the king of the gods before he left Olympus." Percy nodded once more and thanked Chiron. His stomach growled and he walked over to the dining area for some breakfast. There were only a few campers sitting and eating, none from the Hermes cabin. Percy was glad. He needed some time alone.
Finishing his breakfast he thought about the quest. He knew that the ambrosia and nectar would heal a demigod over time but too much would burn them from the inside. It should never have healed him the way it had. Well it wasn't just the godly food. Sacrificing food to himself seemed to work wonders. It meant one thing. He was fully god and fully man. He didn't know how it was possible but it had to be true. Then a thought struck him. The gods were not allowed to involve themselves with mortal affairs due to ancient laws. By being a demigod he was able to live in both worlds. It was the perfect balance. Percy smiled.
I am Gabriel, god of balance, fate, and humility. He still didn't have all of his memories, but one thing was for sure. He finally came to terms with his dual aspect. He got up from the table and decided that it would be good for him to take some time to learn the art of healing. So instead of going to the arena where he spent most of his time, Percy went to the infirmary.
The next few weeks at camp went by quickly for Percy. Summer was almost over and today he would return back to his mom's apartment in Manhatten. He missed her. Sometimes it was hard to believe that it had been two months since he had arrived at camp. It had been the best summer of his life. Percy had never really felt that much different from all the other kids aside from his ADHD and dyslexia. But those things never really stopped him from doing well in school. Or at least as well as he could do. Thinking back on it, he laughed when he realized that the one class he always got an A in was Ancient Greek Mythology. Apparently, his godly-self had the good sense of giving him a limited knowledge of Greek mythology in order to pass school.
Percy looked around his bed and in his chest to make sure he had everything. He didn't have much. His sword and shield were on his wrist and all of his clothes were in his backpack. Finding nothing else he walked outside and made his way to Half-Blood Hill. Chiron was waiting along with Argus and the other campers that were going home for the year. Percy didn't see Luke, Clarisse, or even Thalia around. The four of them had become inseparable since they had returned from the quest. Clarisse was still a bitch at times, and Luke was incredibly immature but they were Percy's family. But now he was going to see his true family.
Percy said goodbye to Chiron and got into the van. He watched the miles fly by and soon the van stopped in front of his mother's candy shop. Percy thanked Argus and walked inside. Percy could smell the stove on in the back, a thick, creamy smell of chocolate being made.
"Mom! I'm home," called out Percy. He heard a clang from the back and smiled. His mom could be quite clumsy at times. Sally came out from the back, her blue apron stained with sugar.
"Oh, Percy! You've grown so much!" Sally hugged her son. Her tight hug nearly squeezed the life out of Percy. He tried to say something but she was hugging too tight. She let go and cupped his face in her hands. She gasped. "Your eyes! They're gold," she said staring. Percy smiled faintly.
"Mom, I think we need to talk." Sally nodded and removed her apron, turned the sign on the door to closed, and walked Percy behind the counter where two stools were stacked in the corner. She got them out and placed them for them to sit and talk.
"You want to know about your father, don't you?" Percy shrugged.
"Not really. I mean I was when I got to camp. I couldn't believe I was a demigod but after everything I saw and the movie that they showed us made lots of things make sense. But then Chiron, you know Chiron right?" Sally nodded. "Well Chiron gave me a gold watch," he said holding up his watch for his mom to see. "When I put it on I collapsed. When I was out, I had a dream. Well it turns out the dream wasn't a dream at all but a memory. Apparently I am actually a god named Gabriel. I don't really know what is going on or how it's possible though. I was hoping you could tell me what's going on." Sally smiled.
"It happened eleven years ago. I was working here in the shop when a tall man walked in. He had black hair and eyes like molten gold. He talked with me and explained to me that I was a clear-sighted mortal. He then told me who he was. He said his name was Gabriel, the oldest of the Olympians. He told me that war was coming and in order to protect the world he had to do something never tried before. He told me he would give me a child that would have all of his power and memories. I never realized he actually placed himself or at least his essence into me. I got a letter from him explaining everything about the real world and in the letter he told me that one day you would find all of your memories and would bring the world back the way it should be. I don't know anything else, sweetheart." Percy smiled.
"Thanks mom. That's more than enough. I had another memory later on a quest and I know who I am now. I just don't remember everything. I don't really have any powers either. I guess as I get more memories the stronger I will grow." Sally hugged her son.
"Just remember that god or not you will still always be my baby boy." Percy kissed her on the cheek.
"I wouldn't have it any other way."
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Percy hated his new school. His blood ached to be out and training with his sword, not sitting in basic college algebra. His dyslexia made it extremely difficult to pay attention. His teacher kept rambling on and on but Percy didn't hear anything. He was too busy doodling sketches of his shield on his paper. The shield was plain with absolutely no design on it. He figured that once he found a design he liked he would give it to Charlie Beckendorf, from the Hephaestus cabin, to fix his shield.
"Percy!" He groaned. "What is the answer to number thirty-five on the homework?" Percy stared down at his homework. Forty-five x times nine. Percy finally recognized the voice. It was his god of fate aspect telling him the answer. Well it's technically I giving the answer so it isn't cheating, he thought. He looked up and saw his classmates snickering expecting him to get the wrong answer. Even the teacher had a pleased look on his face.
"Forty-five x times nine," Percy said. He sat back in his chair arms crossed. Check, he thought with a smile. The teacher frowned and glared at him.
"Did someone give you the answer, Jackson?" Percy just shook his head and pointed to the empty desks around him. It was obvious nobody gave him the answer. Nobody even wanted to go near him. Before the teacher could respond the bell ending class rang. Percy, like always, was the first person out. He practically ran to the cafeteria to avoid being caught in a crowded hallway. He made his way over to his normal table and sat down by his only two friends. They were demigods from camp too and were the only ones at this school that understood him.
"Hey Perce, how was math?"
"Awful. But I did manage to get one question right." Travis Stoll's draw dropped.
"You got a question right? In Haas' class?" Percy gave him a smug smile.
"No way. Percy here doesn't know one from two," said Connor, Travis's twin. Percy glared at the snickering twins. The people at the tables nearby glared at them. Of course it didn't stop the sons of Hermes from laughing. Even Percy cracked a smile. It was hard to have fun in such a dreadful place. Of course the happiness didn't last long.
"Percy Jackson!" Percy and the twins turned to look at who had called his name. Standing by the doors of the cafeteria were three of the largest men Percy had ever seen. Travis and Connor jumped to their feet and Percy joined them, though he didn't know why. "We here to get you. Come with us or we kill you and friends." Percy tilted his head at the man's broken grammar. It sounded familiar.
"Laistrygonian Giants," whispered Travis. Percy paled. The voice reminded him of the cyclops from the Sea of Monsters. "They don't usually come this far south." Percy frowned. He looked around the cafeteria and just noticed that they were alone with the three giants. The leader stepped forward holding what Percy thought was a dodgeball.
"You come, demigod?" Percy pulled out his sword and shield.
"Not a chance in Hades," he said. The giant growled and threw the dodgeball at Percy.
A/N: Sorry this chapter came so late. It was a long day and I didn't have a lot of time to really sit down and write, but here we go with chapter 7. Thanks for all the reviews, favorites, and follows. I appreciate them all. Hope this chapter is just as enjoyable. Keep on with the reviews. And thanks to everyone who voted in the poll. It helps a lot with how the story will progress. Tomorrow will hopefully be a free day to sit and write so I might come out with two chapters much longer than I've written before. Thanks again!