(6 months Later- Percy and Thalia are 16, Nico is 15)
I had just finished up training Thalia, Nico, and Zoe, and I was gassed. They had all managed to defeat me one after another, sword on spear. Granted it was my weaker weapon, but it was still a big accomplishment. Truthfully, I think they are ready, and I no longer need to train them separately.
The campers are in the best shape of their lives as well and we will continue to train them every day. A few months ago, I had decided to give each camper a day off during the week. The intermediate campers got Saturday's off and the elite campers got Sunday's off.
There are roughly fifteen hunters and most of them are in the intermediate class, but four of them: Zoe, Phoebe, Atalanta, and Victoria are in the elite class.
Surprisingly there has only been one or two little skirmishes between the hunters and the campers, but they were both easily taken care of. The hunters answer to no one except myself, Thalia, Chiron, and surprisingly on occasion Nico. Obviously, they listen to Zoe and Phoebe as well though.
I took a quick shower and got ready for bed. Today was my sixteenth birthday and there was still no news from the titan army. Two of us have now reached sixteen against all odds, and only Nico remained. I was beginning to think that maybe all of us will turn sixteen and then have a huge advantage, but I wasn't naïve enough to think we would be that lucky.
Shaking my head of those thoughts I decided to get some sleep.
When I awoke, I decided that we would take the day off and I had a little surprise for everyone.
I headed to the big house and quickly found Chiron inside.
"Perseus my boy I was just about to call for you, I have a mission that I need you and a small group to go on" he said.
I looked at him shocked, but quickly regained my composure, "what is it and when do we leave?" I asked.
"You will leave tomorrow, and the gods have discovered a bunker that contains a great amount of celestial bronze weapons and armor that could greatly aid us in the war. The gods are restricted to retrieve them so you must. I am asking that Thalia stay here so we have one leader here, other than that your companions are yours to decide. And Perseus, be careful, we don't know if the titan army knows about it or not, so you must be prepared for a battle just in case. The bunker is nearby in New Jersey" he said trying to garner my reaction.
I was deep in thought for a minute before I slowly nodded, "I don't like the idea of splitting up with Thalia, but I will if I must" I said to him.
He nodded and I continued, "now the reason I came down here, I am going to give everyone the day off and we will hold a capture the flag game tonight, only it will be different since we beat the hunters the last time. Me and Thalia will be captains and choose cabins, and after they are chosen we will pick hunters so the teams are well balanced and it is fair."
He smiled and nodded, "that is a good idea Perseus, I am not sure how thrilled the hunters will be, but it should be interesting" he said with a mysterious glint in his eyes.
I nodded and left. I decided to go to the beach to think about who I would ask to come along with me on this mission before I let everyone know that there would be no training today.
Line Break
I had decided to bring 10 people. Three hunters, and two from the Apollo cabin. They would be good from a distance, and we would have healers. I then decided on Nico, and Annabeth naturally, as they were some of the best fighters. Myself makes eight, and I needed two more. I decided to leave Clarisse out since I wanted her here to help Thalia run the camp.
It should only be a few days, but it would still be helpful to her. I then decided on Connor and Travis Stoll, the sons of Hermes. It was a good mix I thought.
All of a sudden I heard someone clear their throat and saw Thalia behind me with the campers and hunters ready for training to start.
I hadn't realized I had been thinking for that long. Apparently I had lost track of time.
"Yes, um, no training today, you all have been doing great. Take a day off and relax. Attendance at lunch is mandatory though" I called out, and everyone looked relieved that there was no training.
Thalia walked over giving me a questioning look, but I just told her I would explain later.
"Annabeth, Nico, Connor and Travis Stoll, Lee Fletcher, Michael Yew, Zoe, Victoria, and Atalanta please stay here for a moment, everyone else is free to go" I said as everyone took off except the people that I named.
Once it was just the ten of us and Thalia I explained what was going on, "alright guys, Chiron has a mission for me. I have to go collect celestial bronze weapons and armor and I need a small group to accompany me. That is where you guys come in" I said looking around at everyone. When no one spoke up I continued,
"Thalia will have to stay here to run the camp" I said, and she looked about ready to argue but I cut her off, "I don't like it either, but those are Chiron's orders" I said to her sympathetically.
"The rest of you have a choice, accompany me tomorrow, or stay here. I won't think less of you if you do. I picked each one of you for a reason though" I said and I saw them all exchange glances.
"Annabeth will be able to create us a flawless plan and she is skilled in battle. Nico is a great fighter and can use the shadows to our advantage. Zoe, Victoria, and Atalanta are very experienced and can fight in close combat or from a distance. Lee and Michael provide excellent aerial coverage and are great healers. Finally, the Stolls are decent fighters, and are very quick and sneaky. They will be able to scout the bunker with Nico before we go in" I said out of breath looking around at everyone.
"Wow, I'm surprised Percy. It's a small group, but that's a surprisingly good plan" Annabeth said with a smile.
I returned it, "We will have to be prepared for a possible battle as well as there could be part of the monster army there, and maybe even a titan" I said seeing some people become nervous.
I smiled, "nobody said this would be easy my friends, we are battling for the fate of the world, and the brunt of the war hasn't even begun yet. So, who's in?" I asked looking around hopefully.
Nobody responded at first and I got nervous, but eventually Zoe said she was in, and slowly everyone else nodded their agreement.
"Good, we leave first thing tomorrow. Be prepared, pack light, but not too lightly. Zoe see if you can get your hands on a few enchanted backpacks so it will be easier for us to carry the weapons and armor back. I will see you all at lunch" I said. Zoe nodded and followed everyone out of the clearing.
I turned to Thalia, "I'm sorry you can't come. Chiron was adamant in that you were needed here. I left Clarisse out so she can help you here, and I left Phoebe out so the hunters have one of their leaders. I will call if we need backup though" I said somewhat sadly.
She nodded, "It's okay, I will be fine here, just make sure you come back in one piece" she said seriously.
I nodded and she flashed away. I decided to go for a quick swim before lunch.
Line Break
After I exited the lake I headed to the mess hall. I noticed most people were already there. I took a seat by Thalia and Nico and started eating. After a few minutes I noticed everyone was here, and I looked at Nico, "watch this" I said with a smirk as I threw a huge fireball into the fire pit causing a small explosion and a huge flame to waft into the air.
I walked to the head table and stood up on top of it. "Campers, tomorrow me and a select few campers and hunters will set out on a mission, the details are not important, but just know that Clarisse will be aiding Thalia with training for a few days" I said and whispers broke out among the campers.
I tried getting them to quiet down, but to no avail. I looked to Chiron and he shrugged giving me a wink. I smiled and threw a huge ball of fire into the old table Thalia used to sit at making it explode, effectively garnering everyone's attention.
"SILENCE" I roared making everyone gulp and quiet down. "Sorry for that Thalia" I added with a smirk. She just waved me off.
"Anyway" I continued, "after lunch we will be having a capture the flag game, which is why training was cancelled" I said and everyone cheered.
Once it quieted down I continued, "this won't be any ordinary game though. You have all trained and progressed immensely, and while the hunters are amazing warriors, they are just vastly outnumbered" I said. No one seemed to know where I was going with this so I continued,
"Because of this, Thalia and myself are going to be captains. We will each pick until the cabins are all on a team, and then we will pick hunters. This way it will be an evenly matched game" I said as everyone looked around shocked.
Some of the hunters began shouting arguments, but I raised my hand, and they immediately quieted down. I would have to compliment Artemis on their obedience later.
I smirked, "what's wrong hunters, we are all on the same team in this war. It'll do us all some good to start working together now, and seeing who best fights with who" I said. Nobody had an argument for that, seeing the wisdom to my words.
"Good, meet by Zeus' fist in one hour" I said hopping down and rejoining Thalia and Nico.
An hour later everyone was gathered around Zeus' fist. I looked at Thalia, "heads or tails?" I asked smiling.
She looked thoughtful for a moment before saying, "tails." I pulled out my coin and flipped it, catching tidal wave in sword form. I smirked, "heads it is" I said.
She scowled. "I'll take Hades cabin" I said as Nico joined my side.
She smiled, "I'll take the west woods, with Zeus' fist, and I'll take the Athena cabin" she said smirking.
When the cabins were all picked, I had Hades, Ares, Demeter, Apollo, and Dionysus cabins. Thalia had Athena, Aphrodite, Hermes, and Hephaestus cabins.
The hunters would be picked in a snake order, Thalia picks one, I pick two, then she picks two, and so on.
She chose Zoe, unsurprisingly, and I was torn. Phoebe was the best available, but Atalanta and Victoria were a deadly duo. That would also put Zoe and Phoebe together though, which also wasn't wise.
"Alright I choose Atalanta and Victoria" I said, much to the shock of everyone. I gave them both high fives and we smirked. I had grown pretty close with the both of them. Thalia chose Phoebe and Diana. She was a good fighter, and would probably be moved up to the elite class soon.
Once everyone was chosen Chiron gave the usual spiel; no killing, keep maiming to a minimum. He would be the battlefield medic and we each had fifteen minutes to devise a strategy and get ready.
I vapor traveled up to a tree and placed the flag in the crook of a branch. It was hidden but still visible, so it was a good spot.
I jumped down and gathered everyone around me.
"Alright, we are going to go for a simple strategy. Nico and Clarisse, I want you making a wide berth around towards the flag on the right side. Atalanta and Victoria you guys on the left. I want you four getting to the flag with minimal contact, can you do that?" I asked.
They all nodded and continued, "Once you get there it should just be you and Thalia if I'm right. The rest of the hunters, and Apollo campers' you guys provide aerial support. Find a good tree to perch in and stay hidden." They all nodded.
I smiled, "Alright, Ares cabin, you guys will be the brunt of our army. You guys will be the group going in straight on. Your job is to contain. Let no one through and be vicious. You guys are our main defense. Demeter and Dionysus cabins will join you in the middle, but you will lead" I said to which everyone nodded.
"Demeter cabin use the plants and trees to your advantage" I said. They all smirked and nodded.
"I'll guard the flag" I said smirking evilly.
Line Break
I sat perched in a tree right across from the tree with the flag. I heard footsteps and grinned. All of a sudden three girls sprinted into the clearing. I smirked when I saw Zoe, Annabeth, and Phoebe.
They didn't see me so I shot a huge column of flames at them.
They saw it too late and gasped. Of course, I wasn't aiming for them it just created a huge wall of fire between Zoe, and Annabeth and Phoebe. They cursed and I sent a column of flame at the tree with the flag.
It hit the ground and circled around the tree, effectively blocking the girls from the tree. I jumped down and landed on a knee.
I looked up and grinned, "hey Zoe" I said with a smirk.
She took her hairpin and it elongated into a beautiful sword. Anaklusmos I mouthed. I nodded at her and charged. I sent an overhead strike at her hoping to overpower her, but she just ducked and rolled out of the way.
She slashed at me quickly before I could turn around and her blade bounced off my skin. She cursed and scowled at me. I smirked and said, "Sorry Zo."
I charged at her and we went back and forth for a couple minutes. I stayed on the offensive, but she was managing to block everything that I threw at her. She might have beaten me when I had a spear, but she was no match for me with a sword, no one was. I slashed a shallow cut on her arm and she shot me a glare.
She kicked me back and started to charge at me. I smirked, I would get her here. I started running and slid right at her, trying to trip her. She jumped over me as expected, and I reached a hand up grabbing her ankle. Her eyes widened and she crashed to the ground hard.
I wasted no time before lunging towards her and putting my sword point to her back. "Yield?" I asked. She reluctantly nodded and I got off of her. I helped her up then cursed and realized Annabeth and Phoebe were still there.
I turned and noticed the fire was put out and Phoebe was climbing the tree while Annabeth was nowhere to be seen.
The hairs on the back of my neck stood up and I whirled around and brought up my blade and heard a clang. Just in time too, I thought. I pulled away and backflipped, extending my foot and kicking open air. I landed and looked forward as Annabeth shimmered into existence. Her invisible hat that I kicked off sitting a few feet away.
She charged at me and I barrel rolled to the side of her and grabbed the knife from her leg holster as I rolled by. I whirled around and chucked the knife towards the tree.
It embedded in the tree right above Phoebe's hand and she yelped. My smile turned into a frown as I saw her use it to her advantage and get up to the branch with the flag quicker.
I ducked a sword aimed at my throat and I cursed myself for forgetting about Annabeth. We exchanged a few blows and Phoebe dashed away with the flag.
I cursed and threw a fireball at Annabeth before turning and running after Phoebe. I knew I wouldn't catch up to her in time so I stopped and threw a fireball at her. It sailed past her and created a wall of fire in front of the stream, which was the boundary line.
She never broke stride as she dove through the flames and into the stream. I cursed as I heard a whistle signaling the game was over. A second later I saw Nico sprint across the stream with their flag.
Nico walked over to me, "Come on Perce, what happened? Couldn't defend the flag from a few girls?" He asked teasingly.
I scowled at him, "You had four people going for their flag while they had three, what's your excuse?" I asked threateningly. He wisely kept his mouth shut, but my sister didn't.
"Haha, it's because I used my brain kelp head" Thalia said. "I knew you would only send a few, so I did the same. I knew you would be too stubborn to let anyone else cover the flag though, so I had the hunters minus Zoe, and Phoebe, staked out in the woods by the flag, providing cover. After that it was easy" she said smirking.
I scowled, "Thalia's team is victorious, you all have the rest of the day to do whatever you please" Chiron said before galloping off to who knows where.
Everyone filed out, exhausted after the long game. I decided to go get showered up and pack my bag before dinner, so I could get to bed early. I just hoped this mission went smoothly.
When I got back to my cabin I saw something on my bed. There was a note from Hestia, it read: Perseus, this is an attachment for your belt. There are three hunting knives and five small throwing knives. I know they will be of use to you in the future. Thalia also received these from me.
I looked at them in shock, they were beautiful. The hilt of each knife had a tiny flame emblem on it and I mentally thanked Hestia.
I was accumulating quite the arsenal of weapons, I now had my sword, spear, shield, bow, and these knives. I knew I was fortunate to have a patron like Hestia.
Line Break
I arrived at the big house to see the three hunters and Annabeth already there. Shortly after Nico arrived and then everyone else filed in. Connor arrived last with a smirk and tossed me the keys.
"Zoe did you find a few enchanted backpacks?" I asked. She nodded and I was relieved. That would be one less thing we would have to worry about. Hopefully this would go down without a hitch
We started to walk towards the van and I turned around with a smirk and looked at everyone, "So" I said mischievously, "who's driving?"
"I'll drive Perseus" Zoe said. I smiled, "It's Percy. PER-CY" I said with emphasis. She just shrugged.
"Well, since you don't know the difference between Perseus and Percy, I don't think I can trust you behind the wheel of a car" I said jogging ahead a little bit to get out of her reach.
The Stolls burst into laughter, "Percy, you kill me, you really do. Let me drive" Travis said. I cringed, "hell no" I said laughing. "I want to get there in one piece" I said.
I looked around, Nico wouldn't do, and Annabeth's ego would inflate if I chose her. I was about to take over and do the driving myself, but shrugged and tossed the keys to Atalanta. Zoe looked at me with an offended look and I just stuck my tongue out at her as I high fived Atalanta.
We all filed in, the Stolls, and Lee and Michael were all in the way back. Annabeth, Nico, and I were in the middle, and Atalanta, Victoria, and Zoe were in front.
The ride was quiet for the most part, everyone making small talk here or there.
About an hour in Connor asked innocently, "Atty, are we almost there?" The people in the back erupted in laughter, and I saw Atalanta's eyes look back in the rearview mirror, and she looked like she wanted to castrate him.
"Never call me that again, boy" she spat. He was about to retort, but I turned around and glared at him. He wisely kept his mouth shut.
I turned to Atalanta, "ignore him, he's just messing around" I said with a smile.
She glanced back at me, "you're lucky I like you Jackson" she said with a smirk.
"Damn straight" I said laughing. We drifted back into silence for a while after that little exchange.
Eventually my eyes became heavy, and I closed them, drifting off to sleep.
It felt like only a few moments before I was awoken abruptly by someone cursing. I looked around and saw Zoe cursing and the van slowing down.
"What happened?" I asked.
"I'm not sure, I think we have a flat tire" Atalanta said, clearly pissed off.
"Nice job, you should've let me drive" Zoe barked at her.
"That would've changed nothing" Atalanta retorted angrily.
"It would have because I wouldn't have gotten a flat tire" Zoe screamed. Atalanta was about to respond, but I cut them both off.
"ENOUGH" I yelled. "Who cares what would have happened if you were driving Zoe, because you weren't, alright. So, who cares. Atalanta, it doesn't matter if it's your fault or not. Both of you be quiet. We'll have to make the rest of the journey on foot. I think we're pretty close" I said, garnering a glare from both girls.
Before the car had fully slowed down, I kicked the door open and dove out into a roll and stood up looking around.
Once the car came to a stop, everyone else filed out. I looked around at the surroundings. We were on the side of a highway, and if I was right it was just a mile or two through the woods to the bunker.
I turned to everyone, "alright, Nico and the Stoll's will scout ahead from here, and tell us what they see" I said forcefully, leaving no room for debate.
The Stolls scurried off, and Nico followed behind, slower, and sticking to the shadows.
After a few minutes Nico returned, "about a couple hundred yards up. Percy, you're going to want to see this" he said scowling.
I looked at him questioningly, but he didn't give anything away.
I began walking forward, and everyone followed behind. I saw a figure walking towards us in the distance, and Nico joined me at the front. I held up a hand, showing I wanted them to stop. I then walked forward with Nico at my side, and after a few moments Zoe joined us as well.
When we started getting closer I saw the figure was Beckendorf and he was holding a white flag of truce.
I scowled, "you better have a good reason for being here, otherwise your days as a breathing man are numbered" I growled out.
He gulped, "Percy, I'm here under a flag of truce, please just relax and hear me out" he said quickly.
I growled, "that's Perseus to you. Come on let's hear it then, we don't have all day" I growled out. I had little patience for this, and it was already getting to be late afternoon. I wanted to get this done before it got dark.
He sighed, "I want to make amends for my mistakes. I wasn't actually a traitor. Silena said that we could be together, and Kronos would give us everything we wanted. Just a peaceful life. She said if I joined her and Luke it would save lives. Lives of demigods. She lied though. She's just power hungry and she used me" he said looking at us hopefully.
"Don't trust him Perseus, it is a trick" Zoe said quickly. I held up a hand stopping her, and gestured for him to go on.
"I volunteered for this mission so I could get away. We are supposed to ambush you when you get to the bunker. There is an army of monsters, and a titan, Koios I believe is his name" he said seriously.
The titan of the north, and a powerful one at that. I cursed silently and looked up at him, "how do we know this is the truth and you're not still with them and trying to trick us?" I asked.
"I swear on the river styx that everything I told you is the truth. There is an army of monsters, and a titan waiting, and I wasn't originally a traitor. That I just want to make amends and I swear loyalty to Olympus" he said as thunder rumbled overhead.
I waited a few seconds just to be sure, but then grinned and extended my hand towards him. He shook it with a smile. I squeezed his hand hard and pulled him in close. I leaned down and whispered in his ear, "if you betray us again, there will be nowhere that you will be able to hide from my wrath" I said menacingly, making him shiver.
He nodded. I stepped back and smiled again, "good to have you back Beck" I said throwing an arm around his shoulder and walking back over to our group.
"You will be able to prove your loyalty in the coming battle" I said seriously, to which he nodded. I was about to explain the situation to everyone, but all of a sudden the Stolls ran through the tree line and crashed into us. They fell to the floor panting heavily.
They quickly got back to their feet. "bunker" *pant* "monsters" *wheeze* "surrounded" *pant* "titan" Connor and Travis got out in between breaths. I sighed.
"What?" I asked.
They composed themselves for a second before continuing, "we scouted ahead and saw an army of monsters surrounding the bunker, about a hundred strong maybe two. There is also a titan, but I'm not sure which one" Travis panted out. "Is that" *pant* "Beckendorf?" he asked with a confused expression on his face, finally recognizing the burly African American boy.
"Yes, it is, and I will explain later. That titan is Koios though" I said, and he nodded.
I gestured for everyone to gather around me in a circle. "Alright here's the plan, I got a couple jars of Greek fire in my pack that the Stolls can use. I want Beckendorf to be a wildcard. They don't know he is with us now, so we will use that to our advantage" I said looking around.
They nodded so I continued, "I want Lee and Michael in the trees covering us, and I want you three up in the trees too" I said pointing at the hunters. They looked like they were going to argue but I cut them off, "at least at first I want you to be up there. You are excellent fighters so let's use that to our advantage. If it starts going bad, or when Koios decides to show his face you three can join in" I said to which they reluctantly nodded.
"Me, Nico, and Annabeth are going to be going after the brunt of the monsters, as well as connor and Travis when they finish with their bombs. Of course, I'll light up a couple dozen monsters as well and Beckendorf will join the fight at some point. I'll leave it up to him when he wants to join in" I said, once again everyone nodded.
"When Koios shows his face, I will take him one on one. If I start getting overwhelmed Nico will come and we will fight him together. If the three of you" I said pointing to the hunters, "are still in the trees and you see Nico come aid me, that is when you will come down and help Annabeth with the monsters" I finished.
"Sound good?" I asked looking at Annabeth. She was deep in thought for a moment, "ummmm yeeaahh" she said slowly. "Actually, yeah that is pretty good. I like the plan we have with the hunters. Gives us a little element of surprise. The only thing I want to change is that I think that Beckendorf should join the fight when you go to fight Koios" she said.
We all nodded, "everyone ready?" I asked. I received ten nods and led the way through the woods until we were a couple hundred yards away. I saw the monster army and got an idea. I grabbed a huge boulder and lathered it in tree sap.
It was extremely heavy, "hey Beck, chuck this as far as you can. Try to get it to land in the middle of the army" I said to which he nodded. He picked it up, got a running start and heaved it forward. I marveled at his strength, but shook my head of that thought.
I threw a huge fireball of Greek fire at the rock and the sap acted as a conductor as it was engulfed in flames and landed in the middle of the army setting dozens of monsters on fire. I flipped my coin and caught my spear before shooting a column of flames at the front lines incinerating a dozen of them.
I saw jars of Greek fire fly over my head and explode, setting monsters ablaze left and right. I sprinted forward and charged into the monster lines, ducking diving and stabbing my way through the monsters. Nico was at my side and soon we were in the middle of the army, back to back taking them down in packs.
I noticed arrows picking off monsters here and there. I noticed Annabeth carving a path through the monsters, much slower than Nico and I. The Stolls were farther back behind her, struggling to defend themselves against so many enemies.
I turned and saw a huge being that was roughly twenty feet tall, and had white and blue hair. "Koios" I growled. He wasn't looking at me though.
I heard some explosions and figured Beckendorf had just joined the fight. I followed the titan of the north's eyes and saw them locked on Lee Fletcher. I looked on in shock as he threw his spear and it soared through the air with deadly speed and accuracy.
I did the only thing I could think of; I threw my own spear and prayed. It soared and clipped the back of his spear sending both of them to the ground.
I breathed a sigh of relief and summoned my shield. I turned and bashed a hellhound that was jumping at me, teeth barred.
"Nico, watch my back" I yelled as I turned back around and cursed as I was weaponless for the moment. I looked over at Koios again. He had a sword in his hand and another spear.
He grinned and took a step forward and let it fly. It was like slow motion and I screamed, "LEE watch out!" It was too late though and the spear embedded hard into the tree.
The spear was embedded into the tree, right through Lee Fletchers heart, his head slumped. Immediately dead.
A.N. This will be my last update until summer as I have finals and shit to do. Let me know what you thought of this chapter. Next chapter will finish up this mission and the titan war will start. Remember to go on my profile and vote in the Poll.