Chapter 5
"Percy!" Annabeth exclaimed worriedly, "Are you okay?!"
Percy stared up at her with glazed eyes. He wasn't sure what had happened, all he remembered was coming to check something out before someone or something knocked him out. His vision blurred, causing Annabeth to drift around in his eyes, it seemed like there were multiple versions of her. His hearing was muffled and echoed at the same time, her voice played back constantly.
He sat up, Annabeth helping him as he did so. The back of his head hurt, but it wasn't a sharp pain like he'd been stabbed or cut, it was dull, like someone had hit him with something like a baseball bat.
Annabeth knelt down next to him, "Percy, look at me."
He tried looking at her, but his eyes refused to work. There were visions of Annabeth in front of him, to his left, then to his right.
Annabeth took his face in her hands, "Can you talk?"
"I-I think so." He murmured.
Annabeth let out a sigh of relief, "What happened to you?"
He rubbed the back of his head, "Someone hit me with something. I don't know."
Annabeth's look of concern turned to one of rage.
"Who?" She growled, "Who did this?"
"I don't know, they snuck up on me." Percy said.
Annabeth glared towards the direction of the camp, "This is bullshit. I don't care what you did, hitting you is one thing, but assaulting you with a weapon is completely different. Come on, I need to get you to the infirmary, you might have a head injury."
Percy held onto her as she helped him to his feet. She was gentle with him, something he wasn't really expecting. Once he was standing, she put on of his arms around her shoulders and started walking with him.
Percy wasn't sure what was going on, but it seemed like parts of his body refused to work. He could barely see through his blurry eyes, his head pulsed with pain, and his hearing remained muffled. His legs refused to work, Annabeth was doing most of the moving for him.
Then his legs gave out from under him. He fell forward, nearly slamming his face into the dirt. Annabeth caught him before he could hurt himself.
"Percy!" She guided him onto his hands and knees, "What's wrong?!"
Percy couldn't respond as the metallic smell of blood filled his nostrils. He tried to look up at Annabeth as warm liquid flowed from his nose and onto his face.
Annabeth's eyes widened as she saw what was happening to him. The blood just kept on coming.
"Oh my gods!" She backed up, "Stay here, I'm going to go get Chiron!"
Percy watched as she sprinted back to camp. He could hear her screaming for help as she did so. He tried to hold on to consciousness, if he blacked out, he wouldn't know what would happen to him. He worried he might not even be able to wake up if he passed out.
Yet he could feel his strength waning. His limbs grew weaker and number by the second, his vision grew dimmer. He tried to crawl forward, if he could crawl to camp, then he'd get some help, but crawling was proving to be easier said than done. He could barely move.
A few minutes later, Percy heard the sound of a horn blowing at camp. He knew what that horn meant, there was an emergency. That must've meant Annabeth had made it to Chiron and he raised the alarm. He had no doubt they were rushing towards him as fast as they could.
A wheeze tore itself out of Percy's chest as his arms and legs gave out, his face roughly scratching against the forest floor. He laid there, barely breathing. He had a feeling Chiron and the rest of camp wouldn't be able to get to him in time.
Luckily, he could still move his head. He looked up, hoping to see someone. The trail looked empty, but he could hear the sound of people running. He watched as Annabeth, a group of campers carrying a stretcher, and Chiron all started appearing onto the trail. Their figures were small but he could make them out.
"We're here, Percy!" Annabeth's voice called.
Percy wheezed before his vision went black.
Ω
Percy drifted in and out of consciousness. He barely knew what was going on anymore, all he could see was the ceiling of the camp infirmary. He felt the cot on his back as his head rested on a pillow that was so soft that it threatened to lull him back to sleep. It had already done that plenty of times.
"Shit, stabilize him, now!" Will's voice yelled, "We're losing him!"
Percy at first wanted to say he was fine, but then he realized he was struggling to breath. It was like when he had the flu and one side of his nose was clogged, but this time both nostrils felt clogged. He could barely take in any fresh air.
"There's no major head trauma, I don't know what's wrong with him!" A Apollo camper panicked.
Percy's vision started to clear and he could finally see what was going on. Will and two other Apollo campers surrounded the cot, they worked hurriedly to try to treat him. One of them was busy drawing blood from him while Will and the other camper tried to help him breath. Annabeth stood in the background, her eyes full of unshed tears.
"For fucks sake!" Will yelled, "Get the emergency respirator!"
"On it!" The camper next to him rocketed to his feet and sprinted towards one of the crates in the infirmary. Percy watched as he rummaged around before coming back with a black tank with a face mask attached to it.
"Put it on him!" Will exclaimed.
Percy barely reacted as the camper pressed the face mask to his face. He took a breath and nearly cried out of relief, he could breathe. The air was cold and fresh in his lungs. It felt euphoric, no drug on the planet could feel this good.
"Will, I got the blood sample." The camper drawing his blood said as he packed up the kit.
"Great, go put in the lab, we need to test it to see what the hell is going on." Will ordered.
The camper walked out of the room, past a now crying Annabeth. Percy really wanted to tell her that everything was fine, but he knew that'd be a lie. Everything wasn't fine, he had nearly died in front of her. He knew full well that this wasn't some minor injury that he had, something had nearly killed him.
"Take the mask off, let's see if he can breathe without it." Will said.
The camper slowly pulled the mask away from Percy. He prepared himself for the struggle of breathing but surprisingly, the next few breaths came easy to him. He sighed out of relief, along with Will and the other camper.
Will rubbed his forehead, "Man, that was stressful." He turned to Percy, "Perce, you need to tell us what happened. Annabeth said someone hit you with a blunt object."
Annabeth walked over, her face still stained with tears. Percy met her eyes before looking at Will.
"Yeah, someone hit me in the back of the head with something." Percy admitted, "I don't know who, they snuck up on me."
Will rubbed his chin, "Do you know what they used?"
Percy thought back to the incident, he remembered something that felt oddly like the butt of a sword hitting him. He'd been hit in the ribs by sword butts before, he knew what they felt like and that was exactly what it felt like when he got knocked out.
"A sword. Someone hit me with a sword." Percy said.
Will got a confused look on his face, "Well, whoever it was, they weren't trying to kill you, otherwise they would've just stabbed you. I just don't get why they'd attack you though."
"Yes, you do." Percy said.
Will looked at him, "What are you talking about?"
"Come on, Will. Everyone at camp has been blaming me for everything that's been going wrong for the past few days, it was only a matter of time before someone decided to try to hurt me."
Will sighed, "I hope it isn't someone from my cabin. I already told them not to retaliate against you over the whole arrows thing."
"They already did, remember my table?" Percy asked.
"That wasn't us." Will said, "I asked after dinner who thought that was a good idea and none of them owned up to it. They thought it was funny but they all swore they didn't do that."
Annabeth knelt next to him, "It couldn't have been any of my siblings either. I was mad at you, but I forgave you yesterday, and so did Malcolm. None of my siblings would do this, they know how much you mean to me."
"Well, that leaves about 80 or so campers." Will said, "I'll go tell Chiron what you told me. We need to find who did this, this is crossing the line."
Annabeth and Percy watched as he left the infirmary, leaving them alone in the huge room.
Annabeth turned back to Percy, "Listen, Percy, I was thinking over the past few days about everything that happened, you know, me yelling at you over the chariot, and well, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be that harsh, I was angry over losing and getting hurt that I ended up taking it out on you and I really shouldn't have."
Percy shook his head, "Annabeth, I'd love to say that everything is fine, but it's not. Someone is out to get me, I'm telling you."
Annabeth leaned forward, "Who?"
"I don't know!" Percy said with frustration, "But someone is doing all this shit to me and I don't know who."
Annabeth scratched her head, "Well, I don't have any clues." Percy started to get out of the cot but Annabeth stopped him. "Are you sure you're fine?" She asked.
"Annabeth, stop worrying, I'm fine." He dismissed.
He wasn't sure what Will had done but whatever he did, it definitely worked because he could see clear as day and his hearing was back to normal. His limbs felt fine, his legs didn't feel like they were about to give out or anything. He could stand and walk without Annabeth helping him.
Annabeth walked next to him as they walked out of the infirmary.
"Well, I'm not letting you go into that forest alone, next time you decide to go, tell me." She said, "Seriously, Percy, you have no idea how scared I was when I found you like that."
"Next time, I won't let someone sneak up on me." Percy said with a dark look.
Ω
"No, I think we should send the Hermes cabin around to their left flank. Clarisse will try to come from the right since there isn't any water there and the last thing she wants is to run into you." Annabeth said as she drew on a map of camp with a red Sharpie, "That means most of her manpower is going to on our right."
Percy uncapped the blue Sharpie in his hand, "But she'll have someone defending the left flank since she already thinks I'll be there."
Annabeth smiled, "And that's why you and me and aren't going to follow them. What I think we should do is follow the Hermes cabin," She drew a line of their path, "Then break off before they reach the creek. Then we go between their flank guard and main defenses."
"Then we'll just make for the flag." Percy finished.
Annabeth leaned over and kissed him, "That's right."
Percy had started to move on over their little fight, as much as it hurt that she accused him of being negligent during chariot inspection, it hurt more being apart and angry at each other. They'd talked in his cabin and figured that what happened had already happened and being angry at each other wouldn't help them. Annabeth had already apologized for her harshness and had finally listened to Percy's side of the story.
In fact, she hadn't only listened to his side of the story, but she'd even listened to his theory that all the incidents thus far, were by the same person who had a grudge against him. He thought she'd shoot his theory down, but instead, she was impressed. She'd offered her help in figuring out the culprit, but she also warned him that while the rest of camp did feel bad for what had happened to him in the woods, they still blamed him for all the previous incidents.
Percy knew it would take something drastic to prove he wasn't the one who caused all these issues, whoever was actually responsible had to slip up eventually. He figured that must've been why he was attacked, he had to have been getting too close for comfort.
"Okay, let's figure out—" Annabeth was cut off as she started to lean towards the map. A knock at the door caused both demigods to look over.
Percy got up from the floor, where they had decided to start their capture the flag planning. He made his way to the door and opened it, revealing Piper.
"Piper?" Percy said, "What are you doing here?"
"Chiron called a emergency counselor meeting. I went to go find Annabeth in her cabin but I figured she was here with you." Piper said.
"Sure, we'll be there in a bit." Percy said as he got ready to go back to Annabeth.
"Before you go," Piper said, "Are you, like, okay? I heard about what happened."
"I'm fine, Piper." He smiled, "Really."
She bit her lip, "Okay, well, if you need anything, my door's always open."
Percy nodded and gave her a smile before closing the door. He turned and walked towards Annabeth, who sat cross-legged on the floor.
"What was that?" She asked.
"Chiron called a emergency meeting." Percy said as he picked up the map and rolled it up before setting it on his bed, "We should get going."
When they finally arrived to the rec room of the Big House, Percy was surprised that he and Annabeth were actually late. Everyone was already in the room, everyone from Katie Gardner of the Demeter cabin all the way to Jason. They all sat around the pool table, chatting idly amongst each other.
Clarisse got up from where she was sitting and approached Percy, "Hey, can we talk for a minute?"
Percy glanced at Annabeth.
"I'll save your seat." She said.
Percy nodded and walked with Clarisse to a corner of the room.
Clarisse turned to face him, "Listen, I heard about what happened to you. I swear I didn't do it, I asked everyone in my cabin as soon as I found out and none of them have said anything. I've done everything short of beating a confession out of them."
"It's fine." Percy said, "We'll find out who did it."
Clarisse nodded and walked back to her seat. Percy went and sat next to Annabeth, who nudged him, "What was that about?"
"She was just telling me that she asked around her cabin, none of them admitted to anything." Percy said.
Annabeth was about to say something when Chiron walked into the room. His hooves clopped against the wooden floor as the door shut behind him. He stopped at the front of the pool table.
"I'm sure you all are wondering why I called you here, well, I assure you it is of grave importance." Chiron said.
"What's going on?" Jason asked.
Chiron had a troubled look on his face, "Zeus has called me up to Olympus to deal with a incident."
Everyone started murmuring amongst themselves, a incident on Olympus didn't sound good. Percy looked over at Annabeth, who looked at him.
"Um, sir, what incident?" Travis asked. Connor sat next to him, drinking a Capri Sun.
"Demeter's staff and Ares's shield are missing." Chiron said.
The silence in the room was deafening. Everyone stared at the Centaur.
"Missing?" Jason spoke up first, "How?"
"They were stolen." Chiron said, "Someone snuck onto Olympus during the celebration over Gaea's defeat and managed to steal both items."
"How'd they not notice they were missing?" Nico asked. A few counselors jumped, he'd barely said anything to the point some people hadn't noticed he was there.
Chiron sighed, "Fakes had been planted in place of the real things. I suspect magic was involved."
"Fakes?" Percy asked.
Chiron nodded, "Replicas enchanted with the magic aura of the real thing. They looked similar and felt similar, but they weren't capable of the power that came with the real items. Ares found this out the hard way when the fake shield shattered in a fight with a Drakon."
Clarisse didn't look at all concerned for her dad's well-being, not that Percy blamed her.
Chiron continued, "Both gods have gone mad without their symbols. Demeter has stopped blessing crops around the globe, the nature spirits are doing what they can but we estimate that we have about 8 weeks before famine sets in."
"Can't we do something?" Katie asked, "I mean, me and my siblings know plenty of agriculture magic."
"There aren't enough of you." Chiron said, "However, our problem is bigger than bad harvests. Ares is threatening total war amongst the nations. We are officially on the brink of World War 3. His threat is already being seen around the world."
"How?" Piper asked.
Chiron rolled a crystal across the table. Percy hadn't seen it before, but when it came to a stop, a burst of light emitted from it, before showing a video above it. Then he realized it wasn't a video, it was a live feed.
A armada of gray warships sailed through the sea, their hulls cutting the water. A squad of fighter jets roared overhead. Chinese naval flags fluttered behind the ships.
"Are those…Chinese?" Clarisse asked.
"Aye," Chiron confirmed, "It's not just them either."
The feed changed, this time showing a battalion of U.S Marines preparing defenses on a beach. Tanks aimed their guns towards the beach while helicopters buzzed overhead.
"There are more, but I think we all understand." Chiron said as the crystal stopped showing the live feed, "Zeus has seen it fit to call me and Mr. D to Olympus. He has also declared no one is to leave camp, anyone who does is to be suspected."
"What about satyrs bringing people in?" Percy asked, "We still need to send out satyrs to find half-bloods."
"Satyrs are permitted to leave camp, half-bloods are not. Any half-bloods who come in must not be allowed to leave." Chiron said, "Now before I depart, I am appointing one of you to be in charge of camp."
Percy had a feeling he was going to be picked, he knew camp and had experience leading them after all. A few eyes glanced at him.
"I believe Jason is the best choice at the moment." Chiron said.
Everyone's jaw dropped as they stared at Jason, who looked surprised but not at all opposed to the idea. He stood and said, "I'll do it."
"What the hell?" Percy stood up, "Why not both of us?"
Chiron sighed, "Percy, I did plan on choosing you but after everything that has happened, I feel some campers would not be okay with you being the leader. Also, Zeus ordered that this be so."
Percy wanted nothing more than to slap the king of Olympus upside the head. He didn't want Jason in charge of the camp simple because he never forgot that message that Hektor had shown him. He didn't want Jason anywhere near a position of power.
"I can do this." Jason said, "I think it's best if I do this alone. I mean, no offense, Percy, but I really don't need help to lead."
Percy sat down, he didn't like this but he couldn't fight it, "Fine."
Chiron nodded, "Very well, I'm glad that's resolved. I will take my leave, you are all dismissed."
Everyone got up from their seats and bowed. Chiron turned and walked out of the rec room, followed by the counselors. The only ones who remained in the room were Jason, Percy, and Annabeth.
Percy turned to Annabeth, "I can't believe Zeus would do something like that."
"I can." She said, "Zeus is a asshole."
Percy shook his head, "Whatever, let's go back to my cabin, we need to finish planning."
Percy got ready to leave when Jason walked over. The blonde Roman stopped just a few feet away from him.
"Hey, Annabeth, is it fine if me and Percy talk in private?" He asked.
"No, actually, it isn't." Annabeth said, causing both demigods to look at her. She stared back, "I'm not leaving Percy alone, not after what happened."
"Alright, fine." Jason said, thought he didn't look too happy about it to Percy, "I think it's best you stay in your cabin, at least until I get everything cleared up."
"Dude, I'm not staying in my cabin." Percy said, he had the right to walk around camp or go wherever her pleased.
"Just do it, Perce, don't make this difficult. It's for your own good."
"What about capture the flag?" Percy asked.
Jason bit his lip, "I can't let you play. If something happens, it'll look bad for you."
"That's bullshit! You're sidelining me!" Percy accused.
"Yeah, that is bullshit!" Annabeth exclaimed, "You can't suspend Percy from capture the flag, he already got suspended from the chariot race!"
"You two need to be logical, if anything bad happens and Percy is remotely involved, then everything will get that much worse." Jason said impatiently.
"No, you just want to keep him out the game since you're on the other team." Annabeth said, "You can't do this, it's cheap."
"Well, it doesn't matter. Chiron left me in charge and I say Percy can't participate. You don't have to like it, but that's how it is." Jason said as he started walking out of the rec room.
Percy wasn't done, however. He ran after the son of Jupiter and found him outside the Big House, "I'm still playing, Jason!"
Jason stopped and turned to look at him, "No, you aren't. That's final, don't make a scene."
"Fuck no, I'm still going to play no matter what you say." Percy said, "What you're trying to do is cheat and I won't let you!"
Annabeth appeared behind Percy, "If you won't let him play, then me and my cabin aren't playing either!"
Jason gritted his teeth, "What is wrong with the both of you, I'm trying to help you!"
The campers outside started forming around the yelling match. By now, Jason was clearly frustrated, his face was in a deep-seated frown and his fists were clenched. Percy and Annabeth both were resistant glares at the son of Jupiter.
"I don't care what you say, you're not keeping me from playing." Percy said, "And you can't keep me locked up in my cabin."
"Well, until Chiron says otherwise, you're staying in your cabin." Jason said, "It has to be this way."
"Like hell it does!" Percy yelled.
"You know what, Annabeth, can we talk about this in private?" Jason asked, "I mean, clearly you aren't ready to talk otherwise you'd see I'm trying to help you."
"Whatever you have to say to me, you can say it out here." Annabeth said.
Then something weird happened. Jason twitched a little, his fists clenched and unclenched as his body trembled. Percy's glare turned into one of confusion as he watched the son of Jupiter. Then as suddenly as it started, it stopped.
Jason walked towards him and climbed up the steps. Something about him was different, Percy couldn't tell what it was.
In the background, the campers watched the two sons of the Big Three, Hektor and some other guy watched along with the crowd. Percy noticed people had quite literally stopped everything they were doing to watch them. Hektor had a crumpled piece of paper in his hands, a satyr had a volleyball, and a few other half-bloods had their bows slung over their shoulders.
"We're causing a scene." Annabeth said, "Let's take this inside."
Jason leaned in and whispered in Percy's ear, "You might think you're strong and you don't have the follow the rules, but you can't do shit. Just admit it, I'm better than you. That's why you lost so many people defending Olympus."
"You motherfucker!" Percy shoved the son of Jupiter.
"Hey, woah!" One of the campers yelled.
"Chill out!"
"The fuck, Percy?!"
Annabeth quickly wrapped her arms around Percy to prevent him from socking Jason, who twitched again before he walked like a robot into the Big House.
"Calm down, Percy." She whispered in his ear, "Don't let him get the better of you."
"That piece of shit—"
"Let's talk in your cabin." Annabeth said, "You can tell me everything there."
A/N: I know Jason's behavior seems pretty bad in this, but i promise he had good intentions up until he started twitching. Only hint i can give for the twitching was that there was magic involved.