Chapter 5: James

Butch had not been too happy when he discovered that not only was he not going to a party, but that he hadn't played in the football game at all. He almost tried to attack Thalia (who'd had ambrosia and whose hand was finally shrinking back to normal size) and I, until Chiron grabbed him by the shoulders and sat him down hard. While he explained the truth to Butch, I excused myself and went inside to use the phone.

When I got through to my Mom, I jumped right in, "Hey, Mom, listen, I'm at camp right now. Since it'll take a while to get back to the city, I was wondering if Thalia and I could stay here the night."

"That's fine," she said. "By the way, honey, Paul's brother is bringing you the car tomorrow, so we'll have to come get you in the morning."

"What time is he bringing the car?" I asked.

"Around one," Mom answered.

"Aw, man," I said. "I was going to go see a movie matinee with Annabeth then."

"Sorry, Percy," Mom said. "But your step-uncle wants to see you. You haven't seen him since the wedding, and you know how much his kids like you."

I sighed. "I know. Can Annabeth at least come over and meet him?"

"Sure," Mom said. "I'm sure they'd love to meet Annabeth."

"Alright." It wasn't as good as being able to just be with just Annabeth, but it was better than not seeing her at all. "I'll call Annabeth, talk to her about it. When are you going to come get me?"

"Pretty early," she said. "We'll pick you and Thalia up around eight. See you tomorrow Percy, love you."

"Love you, Mom."

After calling Annabeth and confirming the change of plans, I exited the room, and started back out, when I heard a voice. "Johansson, is that you?" I turned. It was a pudgy man in a Hawaiian shirt with curly black hair and the smell of wine. I knew him anywhere.

"Mr. D," I said with a fake smile, "a pleasure as always."

Mr. D grunted. "Flattery is one of your smarter moves, boy, you should stick to that. What are you doing here? I thought I only had to put up with you during the summer. It's September, Peter. You've stayed far too long."

"Don't worry, sir," I said. "I'll be gone by tomorrow."

"And another thing," he said. "I know I'm supposed to support you heroes and all, but I don't think I can stand it if you bring many more newbies here."

"Well you're going to have to. Not only are you under Zeus's orders, but there's a lot more coming soon. Mr. D, listen, just deal with it. The size of the camp is going to continue to increase as you gods actually claim all your children. I'm sure that you'll find some way to cope."

"Watch yourself," he said as his eyes began to blaze with purple fire, "unless you want to find yourself a dolphin or being driven insane."

"Percy?" a voice said, before I could get myself into more trouble by making another sarcastic remark. I turned. Standing there was Nico di Angelo. He had ditched the air force jacket for a black leather one, but otherwise he looked the same as always. "What are you doing here?"

"Nico? I could ask the same. I thought you'd end up living here after you finished your cabin, but the last few times I've been here you weren't around."

Nico glanced from side to side. "This… isn't the best time to talk."

"Am I interrupting something?" Mr. D asked sarcastically. "I don't take well to being ignored."

"Forgive us Mr. D," Nico said politely. "Perhaps you would like it if Percy and I got out of the house?"

He grunted. "Fine. Get outta here di Angelo, and take Johnson."

As we exited back onto the porch, I asked, "He remembers your name?"

"Being the Ghost King has its privileges, even here at Camp Half-Blood. Why are you here?"

"Just brought in a Half-Blood from Goode. Why are you here? You're never around. I'd thought you were going all lone-wolf again, or that you'd decided to go live with your dad in the underworld."

Nico shook his head. "The underworld is no place for the living, even for one who is so closely tied in with death as I am. I can stay there for long periods, but even I cannot stay there forever. As for lone-wolf, do you think I have much of a choice? I terrify everyone here, even the birds are scared of me."

"I'm not scared of you," I piped up. I wasn't exactly super close friends with Nico, but neither was I scared of him. I actually felt kind of sorry for him.

"Of course you aren't scared of me," Nico said. "You're Percy Jackson. You defeated Kronos in combat, and you bear the curse of Achilles. Why would you be scared of a runt like me? No, of course you aren't scared of me."

"I – I didn't realize it was still so bad. I thought people would respect you more when you and your dad helped save Olympus. I mean… well, Hades can be in Olympus anytime he wants again, instead of just on the winter solstice. I thought you'd be treated well, too."

Nico snorted. "Do they respect me? The other campers? Yes, they respect me, the same way the rabbit respects the fox, or the deer respects the bear. They respect me, but it's a respect based entirely off of fear. But look, I didn't pull you out of there to have a chat to talk about how alone I am. I'm not trying to garner sympathy. I actually need your help."

I brought my eyebrows together. "With what?"

Nico glanced around. We'd descended into the cabin area, and were approaching his obsidian cabin. As we approached, the torches around it lit up with eerie blue fire. Nico held open the door. "We'll discuss inside. The other campers wouldn't take too kindly to what I'm about to tell you."

Confused, I walked inside. The interior was lit by the same blue flames, casting everything in half-shadow. Just like any other cabin, there were several bunks, and just like my cabin, it looked like only one was in use. The black walls were very plain. The only place that anything had been put on the walls was next to the bed I assumed was Nico's, where a black and white picture of Nico, Bianca, and their mother hung. Sometimes I forgot that Nico was from a time long ago, a time when children of the elder gods were not a broken promise. I saw something else that caught my eye. A back door to the cabin. I walked towards it. From the cracks around the door I heard a strange rushing sound.

"Don't open the door," Nico said as he shut the front door. "It's not just the back door of the cabin. I built this cabin with one door, and no secret rooms. So imagine my surprise that the first time I enter the cabin, there's that other door."

"Where does it lead?" I asked.

"At first, I thought it led to the Underworld," Nico said. "I know now that's not the case. But that's not why you're here Percy. Take a seat," he said, pointing to one of the empty beds. I sat down. The bed was actually very comfortable. Nico sat across from me. "Okay, what I'm about to tell you… would not be favorable in the eyes of the other campers. My father has a lieutenant."

"Okay," I said. I wasn't sure where this was going, but I was curious, and a little bit apprehensive.

"His lieutenant is named Thanatos," Nico continued. "Thanatos… is the embodiment of death. Now, Death is a god. The souls of the dead don't just show up at the entrance of the underworld. Thanatos takes them, and guides them there. Just like the other gods, Thanatos has desires, and just like the other gods, Thanatos can fall in love."

I thought I saw where this was going now. "No," I said. "You've got to be kidding me."

Nico shook his head. "I'm not. Thanatos fell in love with a mortal woman. And they had a child, named James. And… well… James has the peculiar ability to uh… well… if someone bothers him, they have the tendency to die mysteriously."

I felt chills run down my back. "You mean to tell me you want to bring this kid to camp?"

Nico hesitated, then nodded slightly. "I… believe that I can teach him to suppress and control this ability. It's… well, it's an involuntary ability. It's not that he tries to kill these people, they just kind of… die."

"Nico, that's crazy! We can't bring someone that dangerous to camp!"

"That's what everyone says about me!" Nico yelled, passion rising in his voice. "Percy, people here fear and hate me! You're the only one who really knows and understands me!" Tears were building up in Nico's eyes. "James! He's lost everything! His mother grounded him once – she died! Can you imagine how that made him feel? He needs help! He needs to learn how to control his power! And I want to help him see that he doesn't have to be an outcast – that if there are two of us, outcasts together, then it's not so bad." At that Nico broke down and started crying.

I put my hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to… I didn't… I'm sorry."

Nico wiped his nose, trying to pull himself together. "I thought you'd be willing to help me go get him, because, you know, he might be kind of scared, and you could probably calm him more easily than me."

"I will," I promised. "Do you really think you can teach him to control his powers?"

Nico nodded. "Yes. I've spoken with Thanatos. I know how to teach him to control his powers."

"Alright," I said. "I'll help you. When do you want to go get James?"

"Tomorrow," he said.

Of course, I thought. Tomorrow. Everything was tomorrow. Getting my new car, seeing my uncle, a date with Annabeth (kind of). But I had already promised Nico I'd help, so help I would. I just had to find a way to make it to everything. But I nodded, telling him to come to the apartment in the City whenever he was ready in the next day.

Too many things in one day is always a bad thing. That Saturday was one of those days. Thalia and I had to wake up around seven to get picked up by mom. Then, when we got back home, I took a shower and got ready for Annabeth to come over (she'd be arriving about an hour earlier than my relatives).

Unfortunately, I fell asleep on the couch while waiting. I didn't even notice I was asleep. That was, until, soft lips, that could've only been Annabeth's, brushed mine, followed by a voice saying, "Wake up Seaweed Brain."

My eyes flickered open. Standing in front of me was Annabeth, the most beautiful girl in the world. She was smirking, slightly, and her gray eyes were laughing at me. Her blonde hair was loose, which wasn't something I was accustomed to, but I liked it all the same.

"Hey, beautiful," I said, sitting up.

I heard a gagging sound from behind me, and turned. Standing there was Thalia. "Good grief you two. Get a room." I felt my face get a little hot. Just her saying that had triggered a thought. I glanced back at Annabeth, who was blushing too. Thalia leaped over the back of the couch and landed next to me. "Seems as if I've struck a nerve," she chuckled. "Well then, I suppose I'll leave you two lovebirds be."

"No need," came another voice. Nico emerged from the hall leading towards my bedroom. Oh for Poseidon's sake, I couldn't have two minutes alone with my girlfriend? "Percy, I'm ready to go."

"Go where?" Annabeth asked. Damn, I'd forgotten to tell her.

"Um…"

"You didn't tell Annabeth," Nico said, raising his eyebrows. "Hm. Shocker."

Thalia snorted with laughter. "Nico, right? Nice one."

"Thanks," he said. "You're my other cousin, Thalia, yes?"

"Percy, what's going on?" Annabeth asked.

"Uh, yeah," I said. "After I called you, Nico asked me if I'd help him with something, and before I knew when he was planning on coming… I kind of promised I would…"

Just then, the doorbell rang. Mom, came into the living room, glanced at the four of us, slightly taken aback, then turned to the door. "Your uncle and cousins must be here early," she said to me, then opened the door. The first thing that happened, was two red headed kids slammed into me.

"Cousin, Percy!" they cried in unison. They were twins, nine years old, one a boy, one a girl. Exactly the same height, both wearing glasses; their names were Keith and Jenna.

"Hi," I said.

"Percy," said my uncle, Arthur. He was a tall, thin man with hair the same color as his kids, but thinning. "Good to see you. Who are all these?"

"This is Thalia and Nico," I said. "They're my dad's niece and nephew; siblings." Thalia and Nico glanced at each other, probably both thinking, 'Did he really just say we were siblings?' "And this is Annabeth, my girlfriend." She smiled, shaking my uncle's hand.

"Hello," he said. "I'm Arthur, and these are my kids, Keith and Jenna." They smiled; Keith had a gap between his front teeth.

"I'm sorry," mom said. "Lunch won't be ready for another hour."

"It's fine," said Arthur. "We'll wait. Socialize with the kids. By the way, where's my brother?"

"He's at the market," mom said as she entered the kitchen. "Actually, Arthur, could you lend me a hand?"

"Of course, Sally," he said, and entered the kitchen, leaving the four of us to entertain the two kids. I managed to pry myself free from their grasp at last. "So…" I said, "you kids ever play Crash Team Racing?"

They looked at each other and shook their heads. Thalia grinned wickedly. "Well," she said. "I'll teach you two how to play."

Annabeth leaned towards Nico and I. "Go get your stuff done," she whispered. "Just be back in time for lunch." She kissed me good bye and turned back to Thalia and the twins, who were getting out the PlayStation.

Nico and I snuck back to my bedroom. "Where are we going?" I asked.

"Not far," he said. "James is here in the City. Central Park to be specific." He climbed out of my window onto the fire escape. "I figured we could take a cab, spare me the energy from shadow travel in case we have to fight."

"Cab?" I said. "Forget that. The subway will be much faster."

The trip was fast. Finding James, wasn't so bad. The aftermath… well that was the tricky part. Nico and I stepped out of the subway into the sunlight. We crossed the street into the park. "So, how are we going to find him?" I asked.

"Easy," he said. "The kid radiates death. Finding him is going to be like finding the sun on a bright day. At least for me."

"So, why am I here again?" I asked.

"To help me keep him calm," he said. "Plus, his aura is as apparent to monsters as it is to me. If there are any big monsters, I'm going to need you to fight them off while I take care of James."

"So you brought me along as a body guard?" I was starting to think that his outburst yesterday had just been a ruse to make me say yes to helping him out.

"Well," Nico reasoned, "his aura is really strong, so he'll attract some powerful monsters. And, you know, you're invincible and all."

We were getting pretty deep into the park at this point. "You little snot," I said. "You tricked me because you didn't want to do any work."

Nico looked offended. "I did not. You remember what sleeps in this park as well as I do. Look, the reason I brought you, is because James is one of the very few with the capability to wake him up."

"Wake who up?"

"You know who, Percy. You were the one who defeated him; you're the reason he's inside a tree."

"What are you talking about," I said. But just then, we emerged from the tree line to a very familiar pond. I could imagine an army of monsters going around either side of the pond. I could practically see Hyperion walking across the top of the pond. And sitting on the shore with his feet in the water, was a boy. He had quite pale skin, and very dark hair. He wore plain jeans and a plain black t-shirt. His shoes and socks were sitting next to him. His socks were plain white ones, his shoes were black Nikes with neon green soles and laces.

He had heard us coming. "Who are you?" he asked. "And why are you here?"

"I'm Nico," Nico said. "I – uh… I know your father. He and my father were business partners. My friend and I have come to take you somewhere where you won't have to be alone anymore."

"That's bull shit," James responded. "And besides, even if you were telling the truth, people around me have the tendency to die. Why would you ever bring me near other people?"

"I can teach you to control that," Nico said. "I am not all that different from you. I've been alone for a long time too. But you don't have to be alone if you have me. I'm practically your older brother."

"But you're not," said a new voice. Nico and I spun around, James stayed where he was. From the tree line emerged Helen. "Hello there, Mr. Jackson. And, Nico, right? A pleasure to meet you. That boy, James, has a very special ability, as you well know. What you might not know, is that the real reason his father sent you, the real reason you're here, is because it's been eating away at his life force. Every time someone dies because of his powers, he dies a little too. His father sent you because he is about to die." At that I turned back to James, who had spun around. His eyes were a startling orange color. His nose was crooked in two places.

Helen continued, so I turned my attention back to her. "He is very near death now. So I thought of a clever thing to do. What better way to lose his last bit of life force, than to use him to awaken Hyperion from his slumber? If I make him kill the tree around Hyperion, then Hyperion will once again be free. And he will tear you apart."

Nico and I both drew our swords. "You'll have to get past us!" I snapped.

"But I have," said Helen's voice behind us. But that was impossible; she was in front of us. I half turned. There was another Helen, picking up James by his elbow. "I can be anywhere and everywhere," said another Helen, from off to the side. "Some of the benefits of magic," the Helen in front of me said. "Now, if you'll excuse us, we have a Titan to free."

Helen grabbed James. Nico lunged towards him, but another Helen came out of nowhere and nearly decapitated him. Nico ducked underneath her blade and parried back. I went to go get James from the Helen that was dragging him off towards the trees, but the real Helen cut me off. "Sorry, Jackson," she said. "Not today."

Our swords banged together with a clang. I didn't have time for this, I had to save James. I felt a tug in my gut as a huge wave surged up in the reservoir and crashed over Helen and I. While she was disoriented, I ran towards the Helen that had James. "Sorry, Helen," I said. "Not today."

I tackled her to the ground, and she, James, and I landed in a twisted heap. Helen kicked me off her, into the sword of the Helen I had blasted with water. Her blade shattered across my back, and I screamed in pain. That had been dangerously close to my weak point. I slammed my elbow back into Helen's stomach. The Helen that had James was moving again. I made to chase after them again, when the Helen behind me teleported around to my front and blocked me off, pulling another sword out of thin air.

As I fought to get past Helen, Nico was trying to hold off the onslaught of his Helen, who was using magic blasts to attack and distract him, whilst she danced circles around him. Suddenly, all three of the Helens chorused, "Too late!"

There was a huge blast of fire from the tree line and a scream of agony from James. I looked up in horror and alarm. The smoldering remains of a tree surrounded a figure dressed all in gold and radiating so much heat, that I felt like I was standing next to the sun. James lay on the ground in front of the figure, motionless. All three of the Helens snapped back into one Helen, who knelt before Hyperion. "Lord, Hyperion," she said. "Welcome back. The Titans are rising again under new leadership. We need you."

"Of course you do," Hyperion said. He glanced up, and I felt his gold eyes gaze at me with hatred. "You. You shall die, now."

I raised my sword higher and prepared to summon a hurricane. Nico was slowly edging his around Hyperion to get to James. I had to stall for him. James could be saved yet, with some luck. Hyperion began to move towards me, but Helen stood and held out an arm. "My lord, Jackson cannot be killed at the present. He bears the Mark of Achilles." Hyperion glared at her, and Helen added, "Which, of course you know. But today is not the day to fight Jackson. Return to Mt. Othrys, my lord. There, you shall be fulled briefed."

"Very well," Hyperion said. Then he looked back at me. "Mark my words, boy, you will pay."

I had just enough sense left to know that he was about to teleport, so I shut my eyes quickly and waited. When I opened them, Helen had approached me. I brought the tip of my sword up to her throat. Nico was kneeling next to James performing CPR.

"Easy, Jackson," Helen said. "I just thought I should tell you that this was another test. You failed this one. Don't worry though, you'll have plenty of opportunities to bring your grade point average back up. Or not. I suppose it all has to do with how well you study. So long for now." With that, she disappeared. I dashed over to Nico, who had stopped CPR. His face was stony.

"He's gone," Nico said. "I-I failed."

"No, Nico," I said. "I failed. I'm sorry, I should have been able to stop Helen. What's the good of having the Mark of Achilles if you can't save the day. But, come one, we need to go. I'm sure that James will rest easily and happily in Elysium."

I was very subdued for the rest of the day. That had been awful. I had seen so many demigods die, but James hadn't even been able to defend himself. It was almost like he hadn't really resisted. And the trouble was, the more I thought about it, the more I was convinced I was right. James had wanted to die out of some wish to make amends with those who had died because of his unique and dangerous powers.

I got the keys to my new car. My uncle and cousins would be staying the night, so they got my room whilst I slept on the couch. I was so miserable, thinking only of James dying, that I hardly noticed when I slipped into sleep. That was, until my dream started.

I was standing in the Olympian throne room. None of the gods were there, and it was quite dark. The hearth had burned down to just a few coals. Standing next to the hearth was a very tall man wearing armor that looked much older than Greek armor. He had a long gray beard and long gray hair. His eyes were golden.

"Hello, Jackson," he spoke. I recognized that voice. The man was Kronos.

"Kronos," I said. "It's you! Somehow, you survived, and now yu're leading the Titan into war only weeks afteryour defeat. You just don't know when to give up."

"I assure you," Kronos said, "I have nothing to do with these Titans. They believe me dead as much as you do. Or did. Now that I am speaking with you, you begin to suspect that, perhaps, my consciousness survived. And you would be right. Where my consciousness is though… that will surprise you. But do not worry about that now, Jackson, you're too thick to work it out anytime soon anyway." He winced. "This looks like the end of our little conversation. I grow weary. Sweet dreams Jackson."

I awoke with a start.