A/N: UnBeta-ed chapter. Still, enjoy. Sorry for the very slow update :(

CHAPTER 05
Turning Back on Every Thing

1 year later after the Giants war…

CAMP HALF BLOOD, CANOE LAKE

Percy sat on the edge of my bed, staring at his tote bag which contain all necessary item he need. Extra weapons, clothing, pictures, nectar and ambrosia. He was scared and worried of what might happen. In this kind of situation, he can't help but to think of the future. People might be wondering what kind of quest the hero of Olympus will be doing. If they're really thinking that way, forget it. Forget everything you know because none of it matters anymore. Percy no longer needed. Yes, he's planning on leaving the camp but he still need time to think because if he did leave the camp, where can he possibly go to? Camp have been the safest place for him to live. Leaving the camp will be like offering himself to the hordes of monster. Percy wasn't clear about his own decision but he have to leave. Too much has happened and it is hurting him. No longer anyone care… they have someone else to admire… someone else to respect… someone else to have as their leader…

Flashback

It has been three months since the war. The camp finally returned to its joyous state. Everyone was able to move on and continuing with their lives. Percy felt great. He was standing on the boat house that Annabeth designed. The side facing the lake was opened. It was nice to see everyone smiling again. Jason and the gang has returned to the Roman camp to settle the issues they had. He look around himself, he looked at everyone whom he'll be spending with for who knows how long. From afar, a blonde haired figure was running. It took a moment before Percy realized that it was Annabeth and she's running towards him.

"Percy!" Annabeth shouted, still running. Her face was flustered and looking a little bit worried.

"What is it, Wise girl?" Percy said, trying to smile.

Annabeth stopped in front of Percy, both hands resting on her knees, catching up her breath. "There's…" She said while pointing to the entrance of the camp.

"Hey… breathe, relax." Percy said. "What's wrong?"

Annabeth stood straight. "Follow me!"

Both of them ran off towards the entrance. Along the way, Annabeth explained to Percy what has happened.

"Son of Poseidon?!" Percy thought was racing. How old is he, where was he from and lastly, how in the Hades did he survive on the outside?

When they reached the main entrance, they saw a satyr beside a boy.. looking roughly around 17 or 18. The boy clothes were covered in dirt and and something that suspiciously look like a blood. Percy approached him…

"Who are you?" Percy asked the boy.

"Eric… Eric Lee, son of Poseidon" the boy said.

"And you know this how?" Percy asked.

"He was claimed just yesterday." The satyr spoke.

Percy smile. Of course he was happy. It's really nice to share a cabin with someone. Especially Eric, since they share something in common. Boy, he was wrong… so wrong.

A month has passed. Eric and Percy were at the arena practicing with sword against each other. Percy was proud of him. He was his best student and he learned fast. Just last week, he returned from his quest where he defeated the Hydra. Annabeth and Eric best friend, an Apollo kid named Cruz went for the quest. Eric wanted Annabeth to follow because he needed her smart capabilities. Percy figured it was fine since Annabeth herself was aching to go on quest and she's strong enough to defend herself.

As our sword clash against one another. Percy took a step back and readied myself. That's when he saw Eric winking at something behind Percy. Percy turn around just in time to see that Annabeth was blushing and looking away.

"Take this!" Eric shouted as his sword came down on Percy. Percy was surprised and dodged as fast as he could. The tip of his sword managed to slashed Percy chest. Percy took a fall and held his chest which was bleeding a little too much. He was groaning in pain.

"Never get distracted, Percy." Eric said smugly as he threw his sword upward and catch it back.

"What the hell, Eric!" Percy shouted at him. For that moment, Percy was angry. Even in time where he can easily strike Eric, Percy wouldn't because he didn't want to hurt anyone in a practice match. "Can't you just hold back? I always did that for you!" I said, a little more frustrated.

"Come on, Percy. Nothing a little water could heal… you're being over dramatic." Eric said as a matter of fact.

Percy thought for a while. Maybe he was being too dramatic. Percy stood up and pick up his sword.

"Ah well, forget it… I'm bored already." Eric said and turned to walk out of the arena. As soon as he was at the edge of the arena, he stopped. "Oh! One more thing. I'm definitely not like you." Eric said as he pointed his sword at Percy.

At that moment, Percy was furious. Percy just watched him as he left with Cruz. Percy went to the canoe lake to heal his wound. For some reason, Percy was thinking that this wound would never be healed.

CAMP HALF BLOOD, DINING HALL:

Chiron blew the conch, signaling the time for dinner. Percy pick up his tote bag and put it under the bed. He went out. Everyone was either running or walking towards the mess. As Percy stepped foot into the mess, Everyone was looking at me and mumbling something… most probably about him too. Percy ignore them and walk past the Ares table.

"Keep walking, Prissy…" Clarrise passed off a remark.

For sure, Percy was offended but he didn't want to cause more trouble than there is now. Percy took the furthest seat as he reached Poseidon table. Eric was at the other end with another Poseidon kid, Ted. Ted is 8 and he joined the camp just last month. Of course… like everyone else, they all went to Eric. The only friend Percy could count on are Thalia, Grover, Nico and the kids at Roman camp. However, none of them are here. Ever since the war, Grover left and only returned once. For Thalia, she had to accompany Artemis on her hunt and never really had time to return. Percy IM-ing Nico once in a while and the Roman kids are just to busy without their own thing at camp. Percy was pretty much lonely here.

Chiron went to the front and raise his glass. "Children! I have an announcement to make!" Chiron said as he turned to look at me with sad eyes.

"Due to some circumstances, Eric Lee will now become the counselor for Poseidon Cabin." Chiron said.

Percy was shocked. Everyone was cheering with and exception of Annabeth who is just clapping and looking at Percy with pity. Percy hate that look. After everything he have done, this is what he get. Percy couldn't stand the atmosphere anymore. Percy stood up and left. Just as he was about to leave the mess, Zeus and Poseidon arrives at the mess. Everyone was quiet and Percy turned to look.

"Eric Lee! Come forward!" Zeus bellowed. Eric went forward.

"You have done tremendous quests and also save camp half-blood. For this, Poseidon have asked that you are to be rewarded. So, the gods have come to a anonymous vote to have you, Eric, an immortal."

Everyone was quiet for a moment and then burst into cheers. Percy stood at the side shocked.

"Thank you, Lord Zeus!" Eric said, smiling. With that, Zeus return to Olympus.

"Congratulation my dear son." Poseidon said to Eric.

"Thank you, father!" Eric replied.

"Anything for my favorite son." Poseidon smile widely at Eric.

Eric return the smile as Poseidon went off. He turned to Annabeth, walk to her and kisses her. Everyone was going 'ooo!' and then went to cheer again. Percy was devastated. It was too much. Percy went back to the cabin and took his tote bag. Before leaving, Percy went to the beach, just to see the place for the last time. After that, Percy stood watching the waves. There was so much anger…

Flashback

Percy was so happy. It was the first time he was genuinely happy since the war. Jumping and humming as he move on to the beach. Percy had a surprise for Annabeth. A big one. When he reached the beach, Percy was the one that gotten surprised. A big one. At the usual spot where Annabeth and him always hang out, sat Annabeth… together with Eric. They were holding hands and suddenly, they kissed each other.

"Annabeth!" Percy shouted!

Both of them turned around. Annabeth was shocked but apparently, Eric wasn't. Percy was confused, betrayed by the one he love most. He didn't stay any longer. He walked away.

"Percy! Wait!" Annabeth caught up to Percy and pulled his hand. Percy pulled away.

"What were you thinking, Annabeth!" Percy raised my voice at her.

Annabeth began sobbing. "Percy, I'm sorry! Ever since the war, you're never the same. You may smile and laugh at certain thing but it was never real for you, you know that. Most of the time you were always feeling down and I just don't know what to do with you. Eric… Eric is always there to cheer me up… Percy, please!"

"You know what, WISE GIRL. All of this is stupid!" Percy took out a ring from his pocket. "This… THIS! Everything is just stupid!" Percy said, emphasizing on the word stupid and throwing the ring into the sea.

"No, Percy!" Annabeth shouted.

"This is over. You and I. We're over!" Percy said as he walked away.

"You're losing everything, Percy!" Eric shouted. Percy stopped. "There's still one more thing. A duel…" Eric continued

Percy turned and saw that Eric was already holding a sword. Percy reached out for Riptide in his pocket.

"ARGH!" Percy shouted as he charged toward Eric.

CAMP HALF BLOOD, ENTRANCE:

Percy stood at the entrance of the camp, holding Riptide. He went to the pine tree. Peleus saw him and snorted. Percy hold Riptide to the tree. He remembered again the day of his duel with Eric. Other camper was gathering at the beach. Percy wasn't thinking much. He was just swinging his sword. Eric managed to disarm Percy and have his sword pointing at Percy. Percy was down on his knee. Facing the sand, he was defeated. Cruz, Eric best friend, stood beside Eric. Cruz was mentioning on how now that Percy is defeated, Eric would be the leader of the camp. Anger clouded Percy judgement. Percy grabbed riptide and stab Cruz in the stomach. Percy regretted that moment.

"Until the day when I know I won't lose. Until the day when I'm worthy again to hold you. I bind you to this tree." Percy mumbled a few Greek prayers. "Guard it well, Peleus." Percy said. Peleus just snorted.

Percy took one last look at the camp. With that, Percy said goodbye and left...

A/N: Looking for beta reader. I'll try to update whenever I have time. Work have been overwhelming. I hardly had much time to spend with my friends and family. So, motivate me by reviewing! Criticism accepted but flaming will be ignored! Again, PM me for Betareader position!

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