Chapter Four: What We Left Behind
June 18th 2011 - 6 days before the Feast of Fortuna, 1900 hrs, Portland, Oregon, United States - Percy Jackson
"What will happen in Alaska?" Percy pressed, his eyes fixed on Phineas.
"Many things, Percy Jackson," Phineas grinned, "Many things."
"What about the Doors of Death," Percy changed the topic, having decided he wasn't going to get anything else about Alaska from the seer, "How do I close them."
"You?" Phineas burst into laughter, "You don't, Percy Jackson. Immortal or not, you are only a demigod. Not even the Gods can close the Doors of Death in their full might, it is impossible."
"For me?" Percy said sternly, "Maybe, but I've done the impossible before, many times over."
"Very well then," Phineas said with a bemused expression, "You shall find the one who holds the answer in due time, Percy Jackson. Seek out to him, find him, and you will know."
"And just who is this person I need to find?" Percy inquired.
"You will see it in no time, Percy Jackson." Phineas' reply came smoothly.
Percy made to leave, before Phineas stopped him again.
"Before I forget, Percy Jackson," Said Phineas, pointing his finger opposite him, "See that red-haired Harpy? Take her with you, I have decided to make things even more interesting by giving you her. Maybe, you even stand a chance against Terra now, no matter how slim your chance is, Percy Jackson."
By the time Percy, Zoë, Hazel and their newly acquainted Harpy Ella had put enough distance between themselves and Phineas, the sun had already set. They decided to call it a night, and camp in Portland, too exhausted to carry on moving after the day's events.
"Why do you think Phineas led us take Ella?" Hazel whispered to Percy. The daughter of Pluto had quickly taken a liking to the Harpy, after keeping reassuring her that she was safe and Phineas was gone. Zoë on the other hand, was a whole different story. It didn't take an Athenian brain to figure out that the ex-huntress spent far more time putting arrows between Harpies' eyes than being civil with them, judging from the disdainful expression on her face.
"I don't really know," Percy shook his head, "I saw her in my dream, and Phineas seemed to think she is valuable somehow. Whatever it is, I just hope she can help us."
"You don't think…" Hazel started, "That Ella is a fortune-teller or something, do you?"
"Not a chance," Percy stiffed a small laughter, "Ella is special, we all saw that. She's certainly very intelligent in her own way. But still, it doesn't make sense. Phineas said we could potentially win the war with Ella." Percy said, sparing a discrete glance at the said Harpy, "But I just don't know, how can a Harpy possibly topple the tide of the war like that?"
"And the one Phineas spoke of," Hazel asked, "You honestly have no idea who it could be?"
"The Doors of Death…" Percy muttered, for a moment, Hazel could read uncertainty in his eyes as they settled on her. The son of Vesta then shook it off and told Hazel, "No."
Percy was keeping something from her, Hazel knew it instantly, and somehow, it was related to her. But Hazel knew better than to press Percy for something when the son of Vesta is not keen to give it.
"Okay," Hazel said sharply, turning her heels away, "I'm going to rest now, wake me up when it's my turn to keep watch."
"Hazel," Percy called her quickly.
Hazel turned back to look at him with a raised eyebrow, "Anything else I can do for you?"
"About what Phineas said," Percy said hesitantly, "What happened with Alcyoneus, you know it wasn't your fault, right?"
"Sure." Hazel murmured hastily and walked away.
Percy sighed silently at Hazel's retreating figure, it had been a long day for all of them, and the daughter of Pluto probably took it worse physically than both him and Zoë. Casting a glance at the said ex-huntress, who'd found herself a secluded spot on the branches of a tree, covered by shadows and the dark night, her hands on her silver bow, to make sure she's okay.
Percy led out an exhausted sigh, "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." Came Zoë's curt reply.
"Listen… about earlier…" Percy started, but Zoë cut him off.
"If you are referring to the kiss," Zoë said, and Percy blushed, surprised at her such bluntness at the topic, "Don't worry about it, I don't plan on killing you for it and I forgive you. Just don't do it again."
Something inside Percy's chest sunk, he couldn't identify the feeling, "Yeah, sure."
Someone might as well hit the pause button then. For a while, neither of the pair spoke, the atmosphere around them was so uncomfortable that Percy started to fidget.
"Do you remember the conversation we had right before we left New Rome?" Zoë asked, finally breaking the silence.
Percy nodded grimly, he remembered it too well.
June 18th 2011 - 6 days before the Feast of Fortuna, 1930 hrs, Praetor's Penthouse, New Rome, Camp Jupiter - California, United States - Reyna Ramírez-Arellano
Reyna led out a very un-Reyna like high-pitched scream. She wouldn't be too surprised if half of New Rome heard her. Percy blushed furiously when he realized what was happening on the other side of the Iris Message.
"Sorry!" Percy said in embarrassment, before covering his eyes while Reyna tried to cover her body with as many bubbles as possible in her bath so quickly that put Mercury to shame.
Double checking to make sure the bubbles had her covered up, Reyna coughed awkwardly, drawing Percy's attention. "Is there something you want?"
"Umm- Oh yes, yes," Percy muttered, his cheeks still flushed, "We know now for certain there is definitely an army headed your way. Led by the Giant Polybotes, I believe. They will be there by the Feast of Fortuna."
"Thanks for telling me that Percy," Reyna replied while praying to Bellona that a towel would just pop up and wrap itself around her. "But the Legion's scouts had already confirmed this just before you called."
"Oh," Percy said, now feeling incredibly stupid, "How's everything going on in New Rome then."
"Just great," Reyna said sarcastically, "Someone tried to human torch me this morning in the Senate. As it turned out, Octavian was not acting alone as we hoped. We just confirmed fourteen senators to be spying for Terra, and I would be an idiot to think there isn't more in the Legion and the city."
Percy nodded thoughtfully, "It would make sense, Zoë and I were suspecting someone higher up must have been feeding Terra intelligence, otherwise Luke would never have been able to slip his ship into the city undetected like that. Now that you mention it, it was probably one of those senators. How are preparations coming along, by the way?"
"Slow, but progressing," Reyna said uneasily, Percy did not miss the flash in her eyes, "We've mobilized as many willing retired legionaries as possible. We suffered heavily during the attack, but the ranks are being filled, and defense infrastructures are being re-installed and reinforced. I just hope it will be enough."
Percy gave her a grim nod and quickly recounted his encounter with Phineas, the fighting, the bet and the answers the seer had yielded to him. At the end of it, Reyna gave him an unreadable look.
"Only you Percy Jackson," She muttered, shaking her head in disbelief, "I don't know whether to call you brave or stupid."
Percy flashed her his most charming smile, earning a roll of Reyna's eyes in return.
"Is there anything else I should know about?" Percy inquired cautiously, Reyna shook her head.
"Goodbye then."
Percy's imaged vanished, and Reyna led a silent tear fall.
On the other side of the Iris Message, Percy nodded at Zoë gravely.
June 18th 2011 - 6 days before the Feast of Fortuna, 2200 hrs, Festus - Washington, United States - Leo Valdez
Leo growled loudly as he slowly blinked, his eyelids parting. His vision was blurred, Leo could only see blackness. He blinked again, and slowly, his vision cleared, his senses kicked back in.
Almost immediately, Leo wished they hadn't, because everything hurt.
"I am so going to kill Percy after this." Leo grumbled, he tried to roll on his back, but had to bite down a scream when tearing pain shot through him.
"Easy there, repair boy," A light chuckle entered his ears. Leo's eyes drifted to the source of the sound, and he found himself staring into a pair of blue eyes. He blinked, and they were green. "You took a pretty bad hit."
"What happened." Leo managed to choke out, his throat was on fire. Gods, he would kill for some water right now.
"The ship blew up, like you said," Piper answered, offering him a small smile. Her hand reached into her pocket and the daughter of Venus pulled out a small square of Ambrosia. "Here, it would make you feel better."
Leo accepted the Ambrosia gratefully, and his felt better instantly. Piper him a small flask of Nectar, which he downed in one swallow. It tasted glorious, and Leo's aching muscled burned considerably less.
"We took out the entire pack of werewolves," Piper gave him another warm smile, "Not even Lycaon made it out. It would probably buy us enough time to lose them from our tail even if Thanatos is still being held by Terra."
"Where's Jason?" Leo asked, his throat wasn't smoking anymore, which was good news, though his voice was still dry.
"He tried to wait up for you," Piper said, "But he exhausted himself, he used too much power to fend the werewolves off. You scared us, you know. I couldn't see you anymore, Festus couldn't find you either. Jason picked you up after the blast and carried you back to Festus. By the time you two were back, Jason was already dead on his feet."
Had Leo not been too exhausted to even think, he would have felt guilty, but instead he only managed a nod, "How long have I been out?"
"Two hours?" Piper shrugged, "Didn't exactly keep track of time while you were unconscious."
Leo tried to sit up, but Piper placed a firm arm on him, keeping the son of Vulcan on his back.
"Don't even think about it," Said Piper, and Leo didn't have the strength to fight her, "You are still too weak."
"Where are we going tomorrow?" Leo inquired, his voice was strained, "Now that Lycaon is dead, our only lead is gone."
"Not necessarily," Piper said thoughtfully, a concentrated look on her face, "Jason has an idea, though he passed out before he could finish telling me what it is. I think it might have something to do with Lycaon's attack. How was he able to slip onboard the most advanced war machine New Rome has ever built? Someone must have answers for that."
Leo nodded again, not fully understanding what Piper was suggesting.
"Rest now," Piper said sternly, "I'll take watch tonight - don't even try to argue with me, both you and Jason need the rest for tomorrow."
Leo opened his mouth to protest, but Piper beat him to it. Sweet, melodic voice left her mouth and before Leo knew what was going on, he was already fast asleep.
June 18th 2011 - 6 days before the Feast of Fortuna, 1930 hrs, Chicago - Illinois, United States - Thalia Grace
"Alright girls, looks like we aren't going to find anything else tonight, let's set up camp," Thalia announced, before turning to her lieutenant, "Phoebe?"
Phoebe nodded at Thalia and followed her into the Lieutenant's tent with a strode, while the other hunters were busy setting up tents and tending the wolves.
"We've been tracking Lycaon's pack for months now," Thalia started, "And yet we are still no closer to catching him, bastard literally vanished on us in Chicago. You are our best tracker Phoebe, what do you make of this?"
"Lycaon was in Chicago," Phoebe said, "We followed him all the way here. But our sweep across the city came up with nothing, which I don't understand, not even the trace of one werewolf was found. He must have already left Chicago then."
"Yes, but how?" Thalia asked, puzzled, "It's as if Lycaon knew we were coming, and got away before we could reach him."
"I don't know," Phoebe shook her head, "I could try to trace movement of magic in large quantity or any significant energy surge, we might find something."
Thalia nodded, deep in her thoughts.
"Yo Thalia!" A loud voice came from behind her, almost causing the daughter of Zeus to jump. She whipped her head around, only to find Percy beaming at her. "Hey Phoebe."
Phoebe offered Percy a polite smile, before excusing herself from Thalia's tent, leaving the two cousins alone.
"Percy?" Thalia said in surprise, finally giving the image of her cousin a good look. Percy looked visibly exhausted, his raven-black hair was as messy as ever, Thalia would make shadows under his eyes - yet, but exhaustion filled his eyes, along with a shade of something Thalia had trouble reading. "What are you doing here? Is this for your quest?"
"Listen Thalia," Percy nodded, he looked severe and grim, "You haven't heard from Nico lately, have you?"
"Piper McLean."
Piper gasped as she looked into Katoptris.
"Surprised demigod?" The deep, powerful voice haunted. A black cloak covered every inch of the man's figure. Piper could barely make out the man's eyes, they were two pitch-black swirls, like black holes. Piper was unable to look away.
"You should consider yourself lucky," The man snorted, "Usually I do not show myself before inferior beings. But with you, I shall make an exception. Tell me, is this the first time you have seen me?"
"No," Piper answered truthfully, her eyes were still locked onto the mans', like the pull of an invisible magnet, "This is the second time."
"Impressive," The man nodded, "Not many mortals could say they have seen me, so few that I could count with one hand. The last one had been years ago, I believe. Your Gods know things didn't turn out well for that girl."
"You must be confused as to why this is happening." The man continued, Piper could only nod, "Usually, your subjects would not be aware that they are being watched on the dagger Katoptris, I, however, am much more powerful than them, far more powerful than the magic of your dagger, therefore the case does not apply to me."
The man waved his hand, and Piper was shown the image of a young man. He was a tall figure, who looked to be in his early twenties, with sandy blonde hair and light blue eyes. A noticeable, long scar could be seen across the length of his left cheek. He was talking to a girl, she was moderately tall, with honey blonde curls that would have made many of her siblings jealous. Her eyes were stormy grey, different from any pair Piper had ever seen, and they seemed to be glaring at the man. With a jolt, Piper realized the girl was struggling.
"That is Luke Castellan," The man continued, "Son of Hermes, or Mercury, as you Romans call him. He is the one responsible for the attack on your city."
Piper couldn't help but gasp, her eyes still locked on the man's. It felt strange as if the sound was pulled out of her throat forcefully, when she tried to keep it down.
"It all started when two cousins wrestled for the Golden Fleece, the son of Poseidon and the Lightning Thief. And now it has final come, the foes shall meet again. Do you see it, Piper McLean, it is written in their fates, they are mortal enemies, as they always will be, struggling against each other throughout the course of their lives."
Piper's eyes widened.
"And now you have realized, I hold great power in my hands, I can wipe out your enemies with a wave, or your Gods, the choice is yours, Piper McLean. What I do, it is entirely up to you."
"Why are you telling me this?" Piper asked, shocked, "Why me?"
"Because, Piper McLean," The man chuckled, "You are a lot more significant than you believe yourself to be, among your legion of ants. It only takes one second and I can alter the course of this war you have coming your way."
"Are you going to help us then?" Piper asked, she thought the hope in her voice was stupid, no matter how tiny it was.
"I see no reason to intervene," The man replied smoothly, "I have stood and watched for so long, your world, even if it is to crumble, will have no effect on me. A powerful being like myself do not get interested very often, and yet this war interests me, you interest me."
"You have royal blood in your veins, Piper McLean, that is the reason this dagger shows itself to you, that is the reason you can see and converse me. Impress me, and I might yet lend you a hand."
AN: Hey guys, sorry for the delay in updating, I'll try to stick to my weekly update schedule this time. This is a transitional chapter more than anything else, and many things mentioned here are setting the scene for the future, I do have a bigger picture in mind. Also, notice the bits and pieces I've been dropping at the end of each chapter in Italic? I'd pay very close attention to them if I were you. By the way, I've got a poll up on my profile, so if you are reading this, please check it out. Thanks again for reading, it means a lot to me, and I appreciate any form of feedback, comment or criticism. Enjoy your day! :D