AN: Sorry for the wait, some things cropped up and I lost motivation to write for a few days. But after watching The Croods, I decided to start on this Chapter the following morning, so here it is! This may be my last chapter for August, or perhaps if I find time I'll get to write Chapter 6 for September. Cheers(:
PS: Frank and Hazel are in the roman Camp, and let's just say Percy doesn't visit Camp Jupiter often. Blackjack and Arion became friends and Blackjack conveyed the message Percy asked him to because he knew Frank & Hazel aren't very comfortable in the Greek world, and he didn't want to trouble Artemis by making her make an extra trip and explaining the situation a 2nd time. But let's just end it here, shall we? Frank and Hazel are living in New Rome, they know Percy left but decided to listen to him and not look for him because they trusted Percy that he knew what he was doing. So… the two aren't going to be involved in this story, sorry!
Percy POV
There, stood my old friend, Bob, smiling evilly and menacingly in front of the River … Lethe.
Bob couldn't have turned evil… I wiped his memories off in the same river over a year ago. But… the way his aura sent chills up my spine and the smug look on his face told me otherwise. I wasn't sure how he turned evil, but I had a pretty good feeling he got his memories back. And he was back with a vengeance.
With a rough push, I was brought to the feet of Bob, or Iapetus, at the banks of the River Lethe. Down here, I had a better view of the churning river with water blacker than ink, not that I was complaining about my previous position. When I looked up to the figure towering over me, I have to say, the dirt and grime looked much friendly than the death glare and mischievous glint in Bob's eyes. Determined to fight to my last breath, I tried to push myself up to no avail, since I was still bounded by those darned shackles. I grunted in annoyance and proceeded to prop myself up on my knees, up to a kneeling position. Just as I was about to push myself up on the ground, a strong kick was sent to my exposed gut, sending me flying a few feet back and landing on my back. I cursed myself for kneeling in front of someone who wants to kill me, as I curled up in pain. I was completely vulnerable to any attack Bob could throw at me, and the fact that my energy was drained did not help at all.
"So, the great Hero has finally arrived." Bob stalked towards me, taking slow, provocative steps, attempting to induce fear and nervousness in me. Oh no, not anymore. I stared straight into his merciless eyes in defiance, unwilling to show any more signs of weakness. "Oh I wouldn't try fighting back if I were you… Though I may not be as strong as I used to be, let's not forget I was once the ruler of the Underworld… So technically, you're in my territory. These soldiers don't obey me as much as they do then, but I still got some tricks up my sleeves." Bob said emotionlessly, cracking his knuckles as he did so.
He stood right in front of me, bending down so that we were at eye level. "Are you surprised by my return?" Silence. "I take it as you are. But allow me to remind you, I'm the Titan of Pain and Violent Death. You shall respond when I ask you a question…" He fished a spear out of nowhere and pierced it through my foot, anchoring it on the ground. I clenched my fists and bit on my tongue, shaking from the pain. I wasn't a genius or anything, but 3 stabs to my body were bound to be unhealthy. I wasn't at breaking point yet though, so I don't give in that easily. My eyes were out of focus as I tried to contain my pain and shake myself out of the physical torture.
"Alright enough squirming like a baby, let's get on with this. Do you know how and why I'm after you? I got my memories back; all of it… I remembered how you dragged me into the Lethe and used me after that to save your pathetic life. I was forced into servitude for the Olympians, but my mother saved me. Yes, you heard me right. Gaea helped me gain my memories back but you put her back in her slumber!" Bob spat in disgust, his fists shaking in rage. I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little scared about what he would do to me. That's what happens when you have no energy left and are in deep pain. Though I admit there was nothing for me to live for, I wasn't ready to die yet. I just made new friends with Artemis and I promised Thalia I would return. Even if it means losing my foot or my arms, I must make it out of here. I can't let them down. Not anymore…
"Oh not to worry, Jackson. I won't kill you. I'll just give you a bath in the Lethe and make you my servant. Warrior, commander, whatever. You," he pointed, "will be the start of an uprising, and I will make sure you kill your loved ones yourself without even knowing…" Bob gave a sinister laugh, rubbing his hands together as though waiting to get his hands on a prized possession — Me… I gulped as I desperately thought of plans to get me out of this situation. I can't let him do this to me. I must protect them. Using my one foot, I backed myself further away from him, which only earned me an amused chuckle from Bob, before I was picked up like a rag doll.
"Throw him in, boys."
"Wait! Aren't you going to exact revenge on me yourself? What's the whole purpose of this if you're not the one who erased my memories? Or are you too weak? Huh, Bob? Oh, oh! I know! You're scared of the Lethe…" I taunted, as a last resort. If he could just get close enough, I may be able to drag him down with me… Like before. The same trick may not work twice, but if he allows rage to take control… And if he loses his memories again, he won't have an evil plan in store for me. Bob, or should I say Iapetus, was shaking in fury, his eyes bloodshot and deadly. His spear had grown longer and sharper, but was being dragged across the uneven ground with his left arm, while his right arm reached out and lashed at my throat. I was choking, but if Bob noticed, he showed no signs of it and only continued to tighten his grip.
Tears were welling up in my eyes from the lack of oxygen. Instinctively, I wanted to claw my throat and lungs out but my hands were still shackled. I was slowly losing consciousness, and I knew it. We were approaching the water… My eyes, though bulging in pressure, widened, as the realisation struck me. I had to do this fast, and now, because I only get one shot at this. I lose the opportunity and it's game over for my life… and my friends'.
Though I wasn't making any attempts to control the water, the river seemed to have sensed my presence and was getting agitated. It was rushing faster and louder than I last remembered, and being this close to it was not safe. "If one drop of that water gets on you, you'll start to forget who you are." I could tell that the water was desperate to reach out to me, to finally wet me after I cheated my way across with Thalia and Nico previously. And it would finally get its chance, because a part of me knew I wasn't getting out of this without a price. A small one, in my opinion.
I squeezed my eyes shut, my face turning pale and ghostly from his strangle. I had overcome my fear of drowning, which was similar to choking, and if it weren't for that, I probably would have died in his dead choke already. Just as Bob was about to launch me into the calm water of the Lethe, his grip on my constricted throat loosened. I took that as my cue and shot my legs up from their lifeless and hanging positions, hooking around Bob's neck. I ignored the pain that shot up from my left foot, my brain already numb from the injuries I sustained. It wasn't an easy task and I was severely lacking concentration, but my determination to protect Artemis sent a new surge of energy into me veins, allowing me to set about this task with renewed vigour. Did I say Artemis? Ugh, no time for this now… I couldn't afford to get distracted at such a crucial and life-threatening situation, so I focused my remaining 'energy' on the rough and slimy neck of Bob, twisting my body then my legs towards the river. Bob didn't even have the chance to retaliate, but it also meant that I was meeting my fate. The turning effect propelled both of us forwards, causing us to fall right into the River Lethe…
Once my body made contact with the rushing water, my injuries began to heal slightly, but even with my enhanced water powers, I couldn't as much as manipulate the water an inch, thanks to the accursed celestial bronze chains. I had willed myself to stay dry, but it was a lost cause. I felt the grip on my neck loosen until it was no more, and the neck between my ankles slip away just as the effects of the water from the Lethe kicked in. The beginning.
Memories of my demigod life flashed past. A smiling face looking down at me; the birthdays my mum celebrated with me and us eating blue food; the night we went to Montauk and my life changed; my first quest with Annabeth and Grover, in the animal truck; Hades and my mum in his palace; my duel with Ares; Grover in a wedding dress; Tyson saving me from the mechanic bulls; Annabeth, Tyson, Clarisse and I on CSS Birmingham; Annabeth and I swimming away from the Sirens; Chiron saving me from Luke on Princess Andromeda; Thalia when I first saw her under the tree; Nico and Bianca at Westover Hall; the first time I saw Zoë and Artemis; my fight with Thalia; Rachel at the Hoover Dam; Thalia when I found out she was afraid of heights; Bianca when we lost her; the sight of Artemis holding the weight of the sky; Zoë and her last breath; the Labyrinth with Annabeth, Tyson and Grover; my first kiss with Annabeth; Calypso on Ogygia; the fight against Kampê; my mum and Paul on my 15th birthday when Poseidon visited; Beckendorf when he triggered the explosives on Princess Andromeda; Silena and Clarisse with the drakon; my bath at the River Styx and the image of Annabeth pulling me out of the canoe lake; Hades coming to our assistance along with Nico; my mum and Paul fighting outside the Empire State Building; the ruins of Olympus; Luke stabbing himself in his Achilles' Heel; my underwater kiss with Annabeth; the time I spent with Annabeth while we were together; Frank and Hazel at the entrance to Camp Jupiter; saving the golden eagle standard of the Twelfth Legion; our adventures aboard Argo II; the sight of Annabeth in Arachne's cavern; scenes of Tartarus; the battlefield of the Giant War; my training with Dad and Triton; Annabeth and another boy kissing; the New York skyline zooming past; Thalia when she saw me after I awoke; Artemis' hair and her hug in the infirmary; Aphrodite's advice; Thalia's conversation; the night I spent with Artemis I thought I would never… forget…; Bob's sly and evil smile.
Just as every image of my life was being extracted from my mind, the face of a single person stayed intact. But my mind failed to comply with me, and I couldn't identify her… before it was too late.
Swoosh!
Rocks of different shapes and sizes were littered on the ground around me, and the sound of river water was just a few metres to my left. Where am I? Hold on, who am I? I was confused. I didn't know what was happening, and what to do. My surroundings are completely foreign and I have no recollection of where I might be. Darkness looms at every corner, but just across the river stood… an army of skeletons at attention. Live ones, if I may add. Now, I'm freaked out… I got up on my hands and spun a full circle, trying to figure out any clues as to where this place was and what I could be doing in a creepy place like this. My eyes came to rest on a man lying down on his back not far from where I was. Perhaps he can give me my answers! I strode towards him in hurry, anxious to get out.
"Excuse me, sir, do you know where this place is?" I asked politely, careful not to provoke a stranger in an unknown territory. While this man turned towards me, something at the back of my head warned me. I wasn't sure why, but it just told me I had to be careful. That was when I saw the look in his eyes. It was subtle, but I could tell that his eyes concealed the cruelty and devious personality he has, or had. Though his overall appearance didn't look like some sort of street gangster, he looked much worse. It was as though he was some sort of evil mastermind plotting to take over the world with a death ray or something. He can't be trusted. I trusted my gut instinct, and before the man could even answer, I sent a roundhouse kick straight to his temple. Oops… Apparently, I used a little more force than necessary to knock him out, because he was sent tumbling into the river. Oh well, the current is so strong it would be pointless trying to save him without drowning myself. If he didn't look so suspicious, I would have dove right in to save him, but unfortunately for him, he was.
I sighed and looked around me in all directions. I was lost and had enough questions to handle… Why would I forget who I was? Thinking alone gave me a strong enough headache to make me hold onto my head like the world was ending. I didn't understand… What is wrong with me? It was as though my brain wanted me to stop trying to figure out my past, but at the same time it was fighting against this urge. I gave up and began to walk in a random direction, away from the skeletons, hoping to find a way out of this hellhole.
After walking for what felt like hours, or days, my feet finally brought me to… another river. I scratched my head in frustration as my jaw dropped. I somehow felt drawn towards it, as though something or someone was urging me forwards, though I don't know why I would want to find another river. This is hopeless. I've been avoiding weird looking… things ever since I left the location I woke up in, desperate not to be seen. They didn't look friendly, and I doubt they could speak in a language I would understand without first killing or eating me. Some were even translucent! I mean, what kind of sick joke is this? I decided not to debate with myself further to save me from a massive headache, but scanned my surroundings to make sure no one could see me. Once I made sure of that, I took off to the banks of the river.
As I got closer, pain emanated from my heart, as though it held a sorrowful story. But, what does such a disgusting river have to do with my past? Did someone die here? The river was filled with a variety of objects, ranging from plastic dolls and litter to… bones? I shuddered at the thought of what happened in this river and was prepared to leave when a voice called out to me.
"Wait! I've been expecting you." Her voice was high-pitched, but I couldn't decipher where it came from. If I didn't know any better, I would say it came from within the river.
"Um… Who are you? And where are you?" I asked out loud, not in any specific direction.
"Patience, young hero. You seek answers, do you not?" Upon hearing the word 'answers', I replied without hesitation, a little louder and faster than needed. I whispered a sorry before I waited for her response. At that moment, a young girl emerged from deep within the water, causing me to jump up high in the air in shock and disbelief. What. The. Heck. I was getting paranoid. Why is this place filled with weird and inhumane… living things. It makes no sense for any of this to exist.
"Calm down, I understand that you're extremely confused, but fear not. This is normal, and you'll come to realise that soon enough. I can't answer all your questions, because I have no business to interfere with Lethe's domain."
"What do you mean? Who is Lethe? And where exactly am I?" The girl looked calm yet stern, though I could tell that she was trying her best to appear as kind and caring as she could towards me. Her eyes shone with hidden frustration, but it isn't one of hatred, rather, sadness and weariness. Her facial features were well defined, a smile clinging onto her cheeks albeit slightly forced. Her untied hair hung loosely over her shoulders, covering her ears from sight. As she walked towards me, her arms swayed back and forth in sync with her feet, a little too orderly. As she neared me, I could sense a powerful aura emitting from her, as though warning me not to try anything or I would definitely regret it.
"Maybe I should have given this more thought. You are, after all, not the brightest. Here, maybe this will help you." She gently placed her finger on my forehead, and a rush of information flooded my mind. More specifically, information regarding Greek Mythology. Hold on, Greek… It was right then and there, did I understand where I was and what was going on. Styx has given me knowledge about the Greek world, and how it exists. It didn't explain everything, but at least now I know where I am right now — In the Underworld, at the River Styx. I was at the River Lethe, which means… Oh no. It all made sense now. An evil dude sitting near me with an army of skeletal soldiers opposite the bank, and me without my memories. Like Styx said, I wasn't the brightest, but I can make do with common sense. I put two and two together, and came to the conclusion that the evil dude must have tried to erase my memories after capturing me. But why me? And his face… I can't identify who he was, but it didn't matter now. Hopefully, I won't have to meet him again. Or would I?
"I can't tell you who you were, but the Fates must have something planned out for you. Now, the reason why I wanted to see you is because I have a gift for you. It's nothing to be afraid of, though some may see it as a blessing, others may think it's a curse. You see, ever since Zeus gave me the honour of being a biding oath, I've bid my time. They have been breaking their oaths for millennia, but because they are gods, they are not exactly as punishable and are able to get away scot-free. The time came when Zeus himself broke the oath and bore a demigod daughter. She paid dearly, even if it wasn't her fault. Oh, don't be so shocked, she's fine now actually. You saved her. But, that's not the main point. You are born of a broken oath as well, but the fate of Olympus fell on you. I can't divulge any more information regarding your past, except this. You bathed in my river, and succeeded. I was sceptical about your existence, but I have to say, you surprised me, along with many others. You were worthy of my blessing and gained my respect because your loyalty is stronger than I've ever witnessed in centuries. Your bravery and selflessness makes you a foolish warrior, easy prey to your enemy, but you managed to overcome your limitations. Now, I know you have a role to play in the future, but you will be alone when you leave the Underworld and no doubt cause a lot of trouble because of your nature. You will have to start training from scratch, unless your powers dulled the effects of the Lethe. Nevertheless, I wish to bless you, once again, with invulnerability." She stared at me intently as she spoke, analysing my reaction to her words. It wasn't much, I wore a flabbergasted expression throughout her explanation, and my mouth was wide open, welcoming flies.
"The convention is to have you imagine one spot on your body that will remain vulnerable, and this is where your soul will anchor your body to the world. You have to keep sight of something, or someone to keep you mortal, but seeing that you have no memories whatsoever, it'll be impossible for you to survive. Hold your breath while you picture that one spot on your body and I'll do the rest." I imagined the point somewhere below my naval, a place that only a misdirected kick would hit. (AN: This is random and I'm not sure if it's even logical/smart)
Styx touched my forehead and I was engulfed in a cocoon of water from the River Styx immediately. Contrary to the original method, I didn't feel pain or turn into ash, but only warmth and comfort as the water rushed over my body. It revitalised my strength and my feet no longer felt sore from the walking. Soon, the black water evaporated and I felt as though every inch of my body was covered in iron skin, except a particular spot below my naval. It was sensitive, but somehow not as much as I thought it to be.
"Thank you, um Lady Styx." I bowed, unsure if she was used to formality like this. I heard a soft chuckle before she waved me off, but I could see hesitation in her eyes. I could tell that she was contemplating on whether or not to tell me something. Before I left, I asked her if there was anything bothering her, but she shook her head and sent me a smile before disappearing into the river again. Little did I know, my Achilles' heel is indeed special…
3rd Person POV (up in the mortal world)
At Sally's apartment
Sally was pacing about her living room, anxious about her baby boy. Percy had indeed grown to be taller than her, matured through the various quests and battles, but to her, he was and will forever be her baby boy. The images of Percy as a toddler entered her mind, calming her instantly as she took a seat on the couch. The way Percy would wrap his tiny hands around her fingers, and giggle whenever she tried to bathe him… Even as a child, he brought joy to those around him. But she had to keep him safe from the dangers of the Greek world by living with Gabe. Those were dark times, but Percy eventually saved them from him. When she heard that Percy had disappeared before the Giant War, she was worried sick. She refused to eat for days, just waiting for his news, but it didn't come for months. Paul had finally gotten her back on track while Annabeth grieved with her, and it was only when Percy had called her in Alaska did she relax. Now, she knew something had gone wrong. Though Percy didn't visit her a lot after realising that his scent grew, he always sent a letter to let her know he was fine. But over a week has passed, yet no letter came. When Annabeth IM-ed her earlier, the concerned look on her face told her something was amiss. She tried to call for Poseidon, but he didn't reply. She was kept in the dark, and she didn't like that.
"Sally, I'm sure he's fine. He may be on a quest and can't reach you." Paul sat down beside her, rubbing her shoulder comfortingly.
"Maybe, but something just doesn't feel right. You know, I think I should have signed a contract with the gods to make sure they tell me anything that happens to Percy…"
"Sally, look at me. He will be alright. Since when has Percy let you down? Okay, never mind that, he has but that's not the point. Percy will find a way out of whatever trouble he is in. He's strong and old enough to do that now, and we have to trust him. Okay?" Sally nodded grudgingly, still reluctant to let it go, but fell asleep under the immense pressure and worry she was under. Paul laid her down on the couch and covered her with a blanket, before kissing her forehead. "Rest well, Sally. He'll return to us soon enough."
At Camp Half-Blood
Annabeth woke up to the sound of a girly scream coming from her right as she tossed about, annoyed that she was brought out of her dreamless sleep. The memories of yesterday came back to her as she recalled what she heard. Percy jumped off 600 floors, which meant that he jumped off Olympus. That night… Annabeth scolded herself for breaking Percy and she knew that she was ultimately the reason behind his suicide. Attempted suicide. He had left notes for some of his friends, and she vaguely remembered the revenge they said they would get for him. A shiver ran up her spine as the thought of being cornered by all of them ran through her mind. Annabeth was brought out of her thoughts as the person next to her screamed again.
"What!" Annabeth snapped, irritated. She turned, and was met with the face of her half-brother, Malcolm. He was terrified and was as white as a sheet. Annabeth was confused why her brother would act like this, until he pointed towards her neck. Children of Athena are mostly scared of only… spiders.
"Where is it! Where is it!" Annabeth shrieked, as she panicked and jumped out of the bed, crashing onto the floor. In the past, she would be rooted to the spot as though she was soldered onto a metal plate. After the mental torture she suffered in Arachne's cavern though, she was now capable of moving in sight of a spider. Malcolm, on the other hand, was as still as a stone, but his finger had changed direction, as it followed Annabeth's neck.
Annabeth frowned as she didn't understand what Malcolm was trying to say. Snickers were heard from behind them as girls from Aphrodite burst out rolling on the floor at the duo's expressions. It was hilarious from an outsider's point of view, but not so much for the two children of Athena. Finally, one of the girls decided to be helpful and passed her a mirror, to which she didn't know what to make of it. Instead of helping her, the girls decided to leave, some shaking their heads at the confusion of the daughter of Athena.
"Um, Malcolm, I don't see any spiders… Oh my gods! Ah!" Annabeth began, while her hands fidgeted, until the reflection from the mirror in her arm was shown on the full-body mirror in front of her. She screamed as she saw the 'spider' on the base of her neck, a very lifelike one actually. When she finally failed to get it off, she calmed down and took a closer look, only to realise it was drawn on her skin. She was terrified and extremely pissed off, but she managed to make her way to the washroom in a vain attempt to get rid of it.
"It won't work, you know. Permanent marker lasts for a week before it can be washed off," the Stoll brothers emerged from the entrance of the infirmary while they tried desperately to hold in their laughter. "That'll teach you to mess with Percy. Oh and good luck sleeping in your cabin. Unless you want to sleep here, though I'm quite sure I saw a spider lay its eggs somewhere…" they left the sentence hanging, before they burst out laughing when Annabeth planted face first onto the floor after tripping herself as she tried to lunge at the two brothers.
The two brothers high-fived and swaggered out before Annabeth could throw something at them, Travis whispering to Conner. "When do you think she'll figure out ambrosia does the trick, eh?" A frustrated shout followed them as they took off, planning to prank one of the 'lucky' cabins of the day.
Nico POV
"Nico! Wake up now! It's urgent!" a voice yelled in my mind, but I was too tired to care.
"Ugh, 5 more minutes." I grunted, wanting to savour the company of my pillow.
"Nico! Act your age, will you? I may have leads on Percy but I need you at my palace right now!" I was up in a jiffy as I heard Percy's name, not mine, and realised that my dad was looking for me. I ran into a shadow unsteadily, still under the effects of a long nap. My sleeping senses told me it was still early, but I knew my dad wouldn't call me if the situation weren't dire or serious.
"Yes, father?"
"I see you've finally woke up. I have some… grave news to share. Now, if you were awake, you would have noticed something wrong in the Underworld. But since you're already here, I shall just tell you. Iapetus has disappeared from his post."
"What! What do you mean he disappeared? Did he go wandering around again?"
"Well… Hold on, did you say 'again'?" I nodded, telling him about the various occasions I saw Bob loitering about the Underworld, but didn't think much to it because I thought he was just curious. Hades took a deep breath, before he said in a very serious tone.
"Son, did you perhaps think that he might have been trying to find a way to escape? If Iapetus found out who he was, then he would have tried to run away from my realm, since he can't teleport away just like that! I had my guards check his rest area and found certain sketches of corridors that would lead him out of the Underworld, and it seems that he has found out how, or he wouldn't have disappeared now. The route he has planned out is currently under maximum security, but I can't shut the exits. I need you to find out where he is."
"Oh… so you're suggesting that he has regained his memories?" My dad gave a grim nod, as I tried to think in Bob's perspective. Where would I go to first, if I found out I was serving the very people I'm against? Think, Nico, think! Nothing. Ugh, why must my fatal flaw be 'holding grudges' and not 'curiosity', 'seeking knowledge' or something smart! Holding grudges… Wait a second, oh no.
"Dad. I think I know where he might be. Percy erased his memories in the River Lethe. If Iapetus got his memories back, it would be the number one place he would want to go to, and possibly seek revenge."
"Yes, yes. You're right." Dad brought his hand up to his chin, and continued. "That explains some disturbances. Go to the Lethe and check if Iapetus is there. Do not, under any circumstances, take him on. Call for me if he is there, but report back to me if he's not."
"What about Percy?"
"Bring him back if you see him, but don't risk it if Iapetus is still there. We'll discuss about Percy later." I nodded while running, shadow-travelling to an area near the Lethe.
What I saw confirmed my suspicions, because in front of the banks stood at least a hundred undead soldiers. If Bo—Iapetus can summon that many to attack Percy while he was asleep, there's a high chance that he might have been captured… I was beginning to think if being a heavy sleeper comes with being the child of a Big Three, though Hazel never had that problem. As for Thalia and Bianca, well, I never got the chance to find out but I guess the Hunt makes sure you do wake up on time. I focused my thoughts on the Lethe again, but I froze as I caught sight of… blood. Red blood that stained the ground. No… It can't be. I started running towards the Lethe without second thoughts, not caring about the soldiers. I could easily dominate the control Iapetus had over them, so I decided to command them to return to my father's palace for questioning. When I reached the river, a familiar sight greeted me. A groggily looking Titan was sitting on the banks, exploring his surroundings and picking up random stones to throw at the soldiers. (AN: Bob ended up on the same side of the river as the soldiers because he was thrown in twice) I face-palmed but remembered about Percy. Bob wouldn't know since his memories obviously got wiped off again, but the soldiers may.
Dad, Iapetus is here, but his memories are gone. About a hundred soldiers are here too, could you get them back quickly? I spoke to my dad in my head, and said person and soldiers vanished in darkness. This was urgent, and asking my dad to flash them there was the simplest and fastest solution, much better than for me to command them to march back. I shadow-travelled back to my dad's palace, my heart beating faster and faster by the second.
"Dad, I saw them at the River Lethe, but I suspect Percy was injured or… No, thank gods I don't sense his death. There was blood near the river, and it has to be Percy's, because it isn't ichor. I think the soldiers would know what happened, but I haven't tried communicating with them yet."
"Blood? I'll try, though these soldiers are older than the usual ones, so I won't be able to get everything out of them." Dad called one of them forwards while he shrunk down to human size, before he placed his hand on its forehead. His expression changed into concern and regret before he let go and shook his head. "I should have seen it coming… Gaea gave Iapetus his memories back, but he has been feigning ignorance for the past few months, sneaking off and trying to summon soldiers like these to one day capture Percy. It seems he has succeeded. Percy was injured but managed to drag Iapetus into the river with him while still bounded by celestial bronze chains. If my guesses are right, I believe his memories may have been… erased as well. Celestial bronze chains restrict our powers, and given Percy's health then, I doubt he would be able control the water. I do not know after that, because this lazy soldier tuned out." Dad tried with another soldier, but got the same results.
"Dad, could it be because their 'master' lost his memories and concentration, plus they're harder for us to control, so we can't get the rest of the story?" When dad didn't reply, I continued. "Should we tell Thalia and the rest about this? They'll want to know if we have any leads on Percy's whereabouts…"
"No. It'll only wreck havoc and cause unnecessary trouble. They may even intrude my realm to search for Percy. We will tell them after we make sure what we have seen and guessed isn't just speculation. For now, try to find more clues, and return to camp. I meant to tell you this earlier, but Iapetus' situation was graver. I managed to detect Percy's presence in a forest in Canada. It was weak, but I'm quite confident he had been there. Check it out tomorrow and let me know if there are any important clues. Don't let anyone else find out, especially the daughter of Zeus. "
I was disappointed, not just because of my dad's plan, but also because of what happened to Percy. It was too much to take in. Just a day ago, I was told he had jumped off Olympus and disappeared after waking up. Now, before I can even find out why or where he could have gone to, he just had to lose his memories and run off. Why did Percy's life have to be that messed up? After witnessing all that he has gone through, being trapped in a hotel full of fun and games without needing to care about the world seems to be much luckier. Sadly, it's my turn to look for my brother now, like how he did back in Rome. With a sigh, I went back to camp, to catch up on some last minute sleep before meeting Thalia. I still wanted my answers… and sleep.
Thalia POV
Yawn. I woke with a stretch, cracking my bones as I twisted about. After a few months of being with the Hunt, my body clock had begun to attune to our schedule, and I was always one of the first to wake up since. Unless I was out cold or depressed, like the time when I found out Percy jumped off Olympus. I still can't get that out of mind. It was an act of insanity and I couldn't help but shake my head while chuckling. My dream with Percy last night brought a smile to my face as I remembered his promises. He will return to us soon, once this blows over. And we can continue with our demigod lives, just like we used to. I really missed the memories we shared as cousins, no, siblings. But I knew he had to do what he had to. It's for the future, and his health. I can't keep putting my interests ahead of him; he has had much more to suffer.
After washing up, I decided to look for Artemis to ask how her 'little talk' with 'young Perseus' went. Her expression was comical when she realised she misunderstood me, and being in her 14-year-old form only made it cuter. Sometimes, she really acted like any young teenager would. Though it was very rare. Before Percy's incident, the only time she acted that way was when we were around some baby animals, or a few fluffy jackalopes. As I reached the beach, a wide smile found its way up my face.
Artemis was lying down on the sand with a completely carefree and happy look. Her hair was being blown by the sea breeze, and grains of sand covered her arms, but she wasn't bothered by it. Though I didn't want to disturb her bliss and the peaceful look she had, it made me curious as to what could have made her so joyful. It was at times like this was sneaking up on her a safe idea, because she would be too busy trapped in her little cocoon of happy thoughts to notice or pull out her bow.
I plopped down next to her and gave my sister a hug, startling her and causing her to blush…? I eyed her suspiciously, but all along with a smile. She avoided my gaze and continued staring out into the sea.
"What is it, Thalia?" Artemis' voice cracked a little, and her eyes darted from me back to the sea continuously in anxiousness. Now, I was dying for the answer.
"Milady, why are you so nervous? And why were you so embarrassed when I hugged you all of a sudden? It's not like you haven't hugged us before…" I asked suggestively, my eyebrows raised.
"It's nothing, Thalia. And I was just surprised that you managed to sneak up on me that's all. Is there anything else?" Artemis cleared her throat and looked me straight in the eye, her silver orbs shining in warning. Not wanting to push it, I went back to the original question I had in mind, not knowing that they were connected.
"Actually milady, I was wondering what you and Percy talked about last night. If you wish, I can tell you what we talked about last night, then you tell me. Please?" I begged, clenching my hands together and giving her my puppy dog eyes. I really wanted to know, plus I knew milady would be interested in knowing too. Artemis kept her cool and after much mental turmoil, she gave in.
"Fine, but it doesn't mean that I will tell you everything." Yipee! I was jumping in joy in my mind, before I proceeded to tell her the details of my chat with Percy, careful to leave out the part about us hugging for so long and me crying like the world was going to end soon. Actually, it would if I found out he disappeared without a word. I had a feeling Artemis knew we hugged, or at least cried, but even if she did, she made no comment.
"… Then, he asked for you and you know the rest. Now it's your turn!"
"Okay, where should I begin. After I woke up in this beautiful forest, Perseus came to me and talked about you. End of story." Artemis ended in less than 10 seconds and gave me a satisfied smile, as though it was completely right for her to sum up her entire night with just one sentence.
"What! But… That doesn't count!" I whined, feeling cheated of my feelings. I pouted and turned away from her, upset that she would do this to me. I allowed one tear to fall, but made sure she saw it. From the corner of my eyes, I saw her soften up and look slightly guilty, before she rolled her eyes and sighed. Wow, I never knew how much of a weapon crying is for a girl!
"Ugh, you know, Thalia, you can't always use that trick of yours now that I know of it. But I shall let this slide once because I know how much of a terrible time this is for us— I mean you." I grinned and faced her, giving her another hug and hurrying her to tell her story.
"The forest Perseus brought me to was indeed beautiful, unlike no others I've been to on Earth. I'm not sure how he got the idea for it, or maybe because a part of my mind was picturing it, but anyway, the moon was at its brightest and trees of the right height surrounded us, tall enough so that others couldn't see us from faraway, but short enough to expose anyone hiding among it. It was very peaceful, like the beach at night without the crashing of waves. It was calm and soothing, and I felt relaxed for the first time in months. You know, all the stress of the Hunt and my family creating unnecessary ruckus. The usual… So, Perseus came up to me, but because he looked scared and wary, I decided to play a prank on him. What? The Ancient Laws don't forbid me from joking or being friendly now, do they? I just sent some jackalopes onto him and his reaction was priceless. We ended up laughing for gods know how long, and when we were done, the tension was gone." Artemis had a dreamy look on her face, as she recalled the events of last night. Percy amazed me, because he really outdone himself by making milady smile that way. No one has managed it, and the best I ever got was a short laugh, nothing more. The way milady said it made it sound so… so… I can't find the right word for it. Romantic? Yea right, the moon would explode when that day comes. Unforgettable. Yes. That's it.
"Then, he asked me about the two of you. He apologised for not asking me before he promised to visit you, and talked about how it was inevitable for him to leave though it pained him to hurt you. I was shocked he would even think about asking me, much less if I would be angry that he promised you something like that. I did allow him to, so don't need to get so worked up, but his next question…"
"Oh, what did he ask? What did he ask?" I asked like a little girl on Christmas waiting for presents to be given out. I was that excited, yes. Artemis was tentative about telling me, so it must have been personal. I felt bad for making her feel that way, and was just about to tell her it was okay, when she continued.
"He… He asked me why I was sad when he left." I sat there, wondering what she replied him then. She couldn't have turned him into a jackalope in a dream… I think. "I just told him how he was different and why I grew to respect him. You should know that, you've known him longer than I have, and you're definitely closer." Hmm, I guess I didn't expect milady to spare him when he asked such a sensitive question.
"Then he pleaded with me to keep the jackalope joke a secret, but as you can see, I just told you. He mentioned about…" Artemis was getting red. And it wasn't receding. The 'red' I'm referring to isn't the 'rage'-red, but more of the 'embarrassed'-red. I knew better than to ask her, so I kept silent while she continued her story. "After that we um, we just chatted about camp and the gods. Then I woke up and you came." She obviously skipped a whole part… Perhaps she'll tell me one day. Hopefully.
I nodded in understanding. "Thanks for sharing, milady. I know it wasn't easy for you do so. And also, thanks for understanding Percy; he's really having a Hades of a time right now and the Fates haven't exactly been kind to him…" I looked down, as the thoughts of Percy's life dampened my mood. "Shall we head for breakfast?" I asked. Artemis was still a deep shade of red, but she was a goddess and it wouldn't affect her health anyway. I smiled at the possibilities of the reasons behind her behaviour, but I was careful not to voice my opinions or I would be one of the few female jackalopes of Artemis'. As I skipped my way to the dining pavilion, I thought about Percy. I can finally eat at peace now, knowing that he will come back some day, and that he will talk to me soon. Of course, I was so wrong, not that I knew then.
My sisters had begun filing in during breakfast, but Artemis left soon enough. "Thalia, Nico is back at camp. I believe he has some questions for you, and I think he deserves to know. Do look for him when he wakes up, will you?" Chiron trotted away after informing me, his tail whisking left and right as he left. It's been quite some time since Nico and I had a good chat, though I'm not sure if I should tell him everything… But if Chiron thinks I ought to, there must be a reason. To others, it may be just mere thoughts, but I knew better. Chiron subconsciously figures out puzzles and his presumptions often lead to greater results. Or in this case, more clues about Percy… I made up my mind and decided to wake Death Breath up so we could get it over and done with as soon as possible. If I didn't leave camp soon, I'm not sure if I can hold myself any longer when I see the root cause of this mess.
AN: Ok, I'm going to end this chapter here. I can't find the inspiration to write and this chapter was written over a span of a week, so it may be choppy. Each scene wasn't completed at one go because my mind was (and still is) messed up. I can't really think and process my thoughts right now for me to write properly. I apologise if my writing isn't well done, because I for one think so. It isn't up to my standard, not that it's high in the first place… I'm not sure when I'll be able to start on the next chapter, because I don't have the mood to write when there's so much going on right now. Some personal matters and school-related issues to handle. Sorry, but I may be off for some time. If I do get a sudden epiphany and strong desire to write, I will. (And it'll obviously be of similar or longer length!) But I can't see that anytime soon though. Thanks for the support so far, and not to worry, I won't give up on my first fanfic(: Just give it some time!