Chapter 18 Retracing the Past
Jason's POV
I stood there in the middle of an unknown room. There were people all around me. There was I was tied up by vines. Grape vines? I looked over there was a centaur kneeling beside me and he didn't look happy.
Then there was an middle aged man with a beard and a beer belly. He looked as if he was bored. He reminded me of a god I once met. My memories were scattered everywhere! I could barely remember my name. What happened to me? I couldn't even think straight. Was I at an enemy camp? Did they kidnap me? I couldn't even remember the last thing that happened to me. I look over and there she was.
The girl I been having dreams of. She stood there with her chocolate colored hair and dark skin. Just like in my dreams. These dreams weren't like the ones you had with a crush or your dream girl mainly because I never meet this girl or even seen her until now.
She stared at me in the eyes with me returned her stare. Even her eyes seemed to change colors. They went from green to blue then to brown. She looked stunning. My heart was racing. It wasn't from an attraction it was because the dreams. I remember that I lived at a place called Camp Jupiter. I stood there as praetor with some girl. I couldn't remember her face was fuzzy to me. I had terrible nightmares to warm heart wrenching dreams about this unknown girl. In one of the nightmares I stood with a boy I just met the other day. His name was Percy. He had a look of pure joy on his face like he was about to see a long time friend. We were walking towards a seaside cliff. There stood a girl with curly blonde hair and the girl that appears in my dreams. Then they realized we were there and they both gave us looks of happiness.
Percy ran towards the girl with blonde hair and she ran towards him too. Right when they were about to meet she completely changed her stance and hit Percy in the head with a dagger on her belt. He fell backwards in shock. Then the earth...it grabbed his arms and feet. They sunk in. He tried to fight back but it wasn't working...I look at the girl and she returns the look. We run towards Percy to help but a force was holding us back. I couldn't move my body. My feet sunk into the ground as did the other girl.
We stared in shock as the blonde haired girl raised her dagger to the bleeding Percy on the ground.
How could this happen? Then I awoke. I was glad that I didn't finish the dream. Maybe it was just a night mare.
But for demigods it didn't work that way. We were never safe even in our dreams.
As I store at the girl with the chocolate brown hair, I heard someone groan and get up behind her. I noticed that there was another person under a blanket sleeping on a chair. As she stood up I felt a chill run down my spine. There was the blonde headed girl in my dreams. She didn't look anything like she did in my dream. She didn't have the look of evil on her face instead it was covered in innocence and curiosity. You wouldn't think she could ever have a evil glare in her eyes.
Then after all the thoughts running through my head someone spoke and broke my concentration. It was her. She walked up to me as I struggled to get free. The vines started to wrap around me tighter.
"Stop Mr. D! Your hurting him."
Then the man with the beard had a look of surprise on his face. That man was Mr. D. It seems as if no one ever told him to do something.
"What did you just say Popper?" He asked.
"It's Piper. Please let him go. He won't cause any more trouble. I promise. "
Her name was Piper...Then the vines started to loosen little by little. I stood up and then the centaur stood up as well. He looked at my face and asked me one simple questions.
"Who are you?"
I racked my head for answers trying to think of the answer myself. I finally figured a few things out.
"I'm Jason Grace. Son of...I don't know."
Then Mr. D laughed.
"So you're the son of I don't know? That's a new one. You're lucky I didn't turn you into a dolphin when you flipped over my table."
I looked him in the eyes for just a second and I saw ancient powers flowing through him. Could he be a god?
The centaur then cleared his throat and there was silence once again.
"Well Jason I am Chiron, the activities director of Camp Half-Blood. Now Jason you say that you do not know who you are the son of but are you trying to say that your father is a god?"
I nodded my head.
"Then you are like us. You are a demigod just like all of us. That explains why you were all tattered and burned when Annabeth found you."
He looked at the girl with blonde hair for a second. That must of been Annabeth. A feeling stirred in my gut but I held them back. Then Piper walk towards me as Annabeth followed.
"We found you at the gates of camp. All your clothes was burned and tattered. Do you have any idea how you got there?"
I looked down and saw that she was right. All my clothes had holes and burn marks. I was even wearing armor. It wasn't normal armor it was golden. It gave off a faint glow but whatever happened to me caused the armor to crumble and break. Then I remembered Piper asked me a question.
I shook my head no and she frowned for a second.
"Well at least your safe for now. " She said.
Chiron then walked back to an empty shell on the floor and in a second he looked like a regular mortal in a wheel chair.
"Well we must learn more but for now Piper you and Annabeth get some rest. Mr. D and I will explain Camp Half-Blood to him. Maybe we can jog his memories."
Mr. D gave a sigh and walked back to the table and took a hand of cards.
I saw Piper frown even more but she quickly hid the frown with a faint smile.
"Okay Chiron. Come on Annabeth we should probably take a shower and get to our classes."
"Yeah I guess."
Then they both started their way to the door.
Before they left Chiron said one more thing.
"Remember we have Capture the Flag today!"
"Of course!" They both yelled at the same time.
Annabeth's POV
I walked off towards the Athena cabin exhausted. This whole Aphrodite and Jason situation made my head hurt. When I don't know exactly why but when that boy Jason saw me he had a glare in his eyes that said he didn't trust me at all. Not like when strangers meet for the first time this was different. He had a look that almost told me that I was his enemy even before we met.
What did I do? What did I do to deserve that kind of hate? I didn't know and I hated when I didn't know. It gave me a terrible feeling in my gut. I walked into the Athena cabin and saw my bed. It was to irresistible to resist.
Five minutes. Then I'm going to class.
I feel down on my bed and I couldn't help but fall asleep. It's like everything that happened drained me out.
After all the visions and dreams that I had so far this was by far the worst dream I ever had. Trust me I seen a lot. I mean the visions from my mother and other gods and goddess gave me nightmares already but this gave my stomach a terrible chill. It wasn't like a true nightmare that showed me visions of my enemies and dangers to come but it was instead of Percy.
I was in the middle of a cave. Judging from the walls it must of been freezing. There were icicles and snow covering the walls. In the middle of the cave was a fire. It was about to go out. It was just a small flame now and then I realized there was a sleeping bag on the ground. It looked stuff. Like there was two people in there instead of one which made it stretch some. Well it made sense that they would huddle together for warmth. So I understood if there was two people in there. The cave must of been freezing and they were trying to stay warm. Although they wouldn't last long unless they were rescued soon.
Then there was a flash and the whole room lit up. Ice and snow were melting off the walls. There stood an amazing bright red sports car! If I was right it was the Lamborghini Spyder. I could tell by the logo on the front bumper.
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzziiipppp.
The sleeping bag was unzipped and then he came out.
I couldn't help but stare. There he was again. His sea green eyes and cocky smile. Then his messy black hair. There was my Seaweed Brain. As I stared at his face I realize another Ummm interesting fact. he didn't have his shirt on. He was more muscular and a little bit taller than last time I saw him. I wanted to talk to him but I knew it was a dream. I couldn't even if I tried. Then my face started to sink as I saw him bring out a girl in a toga. Her face was pale white she had long flowing black hair.
He laid her against the wall. I felt a surge of jealousy rise inside me. I fought it back. I remember my promise I made to myself. My world wasn't only about romance. I felt my mother's words burn into my head. You have been smart and wise to follow me now do your duty my child
I had other things to deal with. Why did I have to have this dream! Anyways he probably was in the sleeping bag with that girl because they had to stay warm but why did he have his shirt off?!
Oh I fought the urge to yell at him even though I knew it was a dream. Then before I could see anything else the vision changed. We were in the sports car this time over the earth's atmosphere! It was amazing! I could see the continents down below. I was in the passenger seat next to a teenager. I looked at him for a second to realize he looked like Luke! He was sleeping listening to a radio station. The music sounded like twinkle twinkle little star but it was sung by some German women.
I looked at the backseats and then I felt anger rising in me again. There was the same girl sleeping in the back. Normally that wouldn't of bothered me but she was sleeping on Percy. The jealousy inside was at it boiling point. I wanted to wringe her neck but the scene changed one last time.
We were falling! Falling wouldn't of scared me usually but were falling from the car that we were just in! We were falling straight from the Earth's atmosphere! I look over and there was Percy again strapped onto the girl with a parachute. Okay that was normal. That guy that looked like Luke only had one parachute...
Then I look at Percy and see him smiling as if he was having fun. Oh that Seaweed Brain goofy as always.
I found myself smiling. Moments passed by as we fell closer and closer back to Earth. I look down at the ground for one second and in the corner of my eye I saw a terrible sight.
She kissed Percy! It wasn't on the lips it was on the cheek but that broke me. I just wanted to wake up from the nightmare. Then my wish finally came true. I loud horn bellowed outside my cabin. I needed to get the nightmare out of my head. I felt betrayed. I know that I left him to come here but I was going to go back. I was going to visit him again. I couldn't leave him forever. I wanted to see him again but now I don't know anymore. Did he just forget about me. After everything we been through? That stupid seaweed brain.
I looked out the window and saw that it was almost dinner. That meant one thing. Capture the flag was coming up!
Piper and Nico told me that every Friday the host a game of capture the flag. It isn't a friendly game though it is meant for real life demigod training. We could use our own magic weapons and shields. I looked at my belt and saw the dagger that I received. I almost always kept it at my side but now I started to despise it. I took it off at the thought of what happened in my dreams. How could he do that to me.
It's as if he forgot about me. As if we never happened. I looked back at all the times we shared and the goofy moments that always made me smile. Now they were memories of dread.
"Stupid Seaweed Brain."
I muttered. Then I put the under my pillow and walked out of the Athena Cabin. Everyone must of been at dinner. When I walked up to my table I was greeted by my fellow children of Athena. They were just like me. They were smart and intelligent. They were wise just like our mother. They were even already planning our battle strategies for the game.
I sat down and ate some food so I wasn't completely exhausted for capture the flag. I noticed the boy, Jason, sitting with Chiron and Mr. D. His golden armor was switched with bronze armor and his burned clothes were replace with a orange Camp Half-Blood t-shirt. If everyone wasn't talking about capture the flag then they were talking about Jason. He just appeared at camp in a flash. Literally. I understood their curiosity.
After the time for dinner was up Chiron announce the capture the flag game was going to begin soon. I itched with excitement.
It was the Ares, Demeter, Hermes, and Hephaestus cabins on the blue team. Now the red team would include the Athena, Aphrodite, and of course the Apollo cabin. We took Jason on our team because the Ares cabin thought he was to 'weak.'
We were at a disadvantage because the blue team had the bronze, the Ares cabin, and the technology, the Hephaestus cabin. Although we did have one thing. We had the brains. So we had to think about this logically. Malcolm told our team the battle strategies as Piper and I went to the weapon room so I could salvage another weapon. Piper already had a weapon just like mine, another dagger. Hers however is somewhat special. Her dagger is known as Katoptris. It means Looking Glass in Greek. Although what was so special about this dagger was that it was owned by Helen of Troy! It was made up of celestial bronze and had a hilt made of polished wood.
We managed to find a dagger about twenty inch dagger inside the weapon shack. It was the best we could due for now.
We strapped on our battle armor and walked to the forest where capture the flag was held. When we arrived Chiron was explaining the rules. Jason was back in his golden armor except without the kinks and holes. The Hephaestus cabin must of fixed it for him. They wanted to take Jason on the team but the Ares cabin refused. Jason didn't have any weapon though. Piper walked up to him and said hey.
"Hello. "
They were awkward around each other for a second until Piper finally broke the silence.
"Ready for capture the flag?"
Jason smiled.
"Of course. Those Ares cabin kids will regret what they said about me. Chiron explained the game and the rules of camp to me. So I'm ready for this."
I forgot that Jason never played capture the flag just like me. My head was just spinning. I was filled with adrenaline.
When Chiron was finally done explained the teams went to their positions. Piper and some Athena children hid in secret locations around the flag. Apollo's cabin counselor, Will Solstice stood next to his second in command/best friend Brian. They both notched an arrow and gave a smirk to the other team members. The Apollo cabin would ambush the attacking Ares campers as the Athena and Aphrodite hold them off at the middle.
Jason and I were suppose to be recon for the team.
I waited for the horn to sound and in a matter of minutes that wish came true.
The horn sounded and the games have begun.
Jason's POV
I sprinted towards the location I was assigned by the Athena children. I was suppose to border the lake while the other campers went through with the other plans.
I hid behind a tree nearby the river. I scanned the area with a sword I was given to use for now. My golden armor still was faintly glowing. The Hephaestus cabin told me that my armor was different from anything they ever seen. They managed to fix what they could and replace the broken pieces.
I could tell the original pieces from the new repaired ones.
After fixing and readjusting my armor I got the feeling that everyone at this camp doubted him. He was on watch duty for an enemy that may not even show. The strategy seemed full proof. Knowing the children of Ares they would foolishly charge straight ahead with the Hephaestus cabin backing them up with their inventions.
I couldn't let my guard drop. They could still be coming in from anywhere. I had to hold off any blue team members that managed to penetrate our defensives.
Time ticked by as I heard the battle on the blue team enemy lines. Then it went silent. Was the battle over? Did we win? No we didn't win yet. The horn wasn't blown to alert that our team has won.
I worried that something had happened until my worries became reality. There they came a group of about ten campers in armor started across the river. What could I do? I hid from them waiting for the perfect moment. The leader seemed to be a girl with a spear that seemed electric. A feeling started tingling inside of me when I saw the electricity flowing from her spear. She was followed by a group of five Hephaestus cabin members and four Ares cabin members. The Hephaestus cabin members started setting traps as the Ares member guarded them. How did they managed to get pass our ambush? Did they actually send a second team instead of sending their main forces to retrieve the flag straight ahead. These had to be there best members on the team if they were sent.
As the girl was barking orders and traps were being set, I quickly lit a faint signal smoke and threw it as far as I could from my location.
I found my chance when she they turned their backs to set more traps on the other side of the lake. I left my hiding spot and raised my sword. She didn't seem to have any weak spot on her armor on her back. I saw a chink in her armor. Right above her breast plate there was a vulnerable exposed area. If I could defeat her and take her hostage maybe they would back off. They wouldn't let their leader get hurt or would they. I would just have to last until reinforcements arrived. I charged straight forward at their leader. Right when I was a few feet away from her she realized that I was coming for her.
"Your after me squirt!"
I raised my sword to her breast plate and she quickly blocked with her spear. I pulled my blade back and shoved her with the flat side of my sword. She fell backwards and four Ares campers surrounded her. Then she quickly barked more orders.
"No leave the pipsqueak to me. He is pig chow."
With that she stood up and the Ares camper cleared her way towards me. She raised her spear and charged. I managed to dodge and slam my hilt into her chest plate. Then with a quick kick she was on the ground. I fell on her with my blade to her neck. I had her. Well I thought I had her.
She laughed.
"HAHAHA YOU FELL FOR IT!"
Then I saw her spear wrapped around her hands. The spear head pointing at me. With that a lightning bolt shot at my chest and I flew back a few yards. The shock was pulsing through my body. I was stunned.
I felt two campers on the blue team grab my arms and bring me up to my feet.
"I told you. I knew we didn't need you on our team. Your just a pathetic nobody. I don't know who you are but I can tell you that you are trash. Remember my name. Clarisse...La...Rue...Daughter of Ares."
Then there was an arrow that shot forward and hit one of the Ares campers holding me up. I fell to the ground still stunned from the lightning strike to my chest. I look up and there they were.
There was Will and Brian. They both had arrows in their hands and an arrow notched ready to fire.
"Let him go Clarisse or the next arrow is in you." I heard Brian say.
"Yeah Clarissa you can't be that dumb." Will added.
Then I heard a laugh from the girl who must of been Clarisse.
"Do you think two of you can defeat nine of us? You have two arrows. Even if she hit dead center on any of us that leaves seven more! I'm sure you can't beat all of us! The rest of your team is still holding off our distraction in the middle of our field! You thought we would just send all our forces straight on but you underestimate the children of Ares! We have you beat. YOU...CAN'T...WIN!"
I barely stood up and glared at Clarisse and the rest of the blue team members. I charged her again even if I was still stunned. Big mistake. She lowered her spear and there was another strike in my chest. One more and I was done for. Will shot his arrow and Clarisse batted it away at the last minute with her spear. Brian shot his and managed to land it in her shoulder. Her armor protected her though.
Then they quickly notched another arrow.
I stood up again. I wasn't going to fail. I wasn't trash. I'm not a pathetic nobody!
The electric energy that once stunned me was giving me strength. I wasn't stunned in pain I was stunned because it was feeding me power. I felt it surge through my body. Clarisse lowered her spear yet again and fired another electric shot. I used my sword to block. It broke in two pieces when it connected with the shock. I threw it aside and let my instincts take over. There was a burning sensation in my shoulder blade. I look over and there was a golden coin attached to the side of the shoulder armor plate. I grabbed it and I felt the urge to flip it. With a flip I caught it in my arms and there was a sword made of gold. In my head I knew what it was. It came back to me. It was Imperial Gold.
Clarisse was shocked. I charged as Will and Brian started to take out the other nine campers.
I dodged her spear and she was charging me. I side stepped and took my blade and lashed at her.
She dodged my first swing but my second connected with her arm. There was the graze. She looked at me with rage and tried to stab me with her spear. Right when it was about to connect I grabbed the spear head.
"I'M NOT TRASH! YOU ARE WRONG CLARISSE LA RUE. REMEMBER MY NAME. JASON GRACE, SON OF..."
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
There was giant lightning strike right where I was standing. I looked over at the fried armor on Clarisse. She fell backwards at the shock.
"I am the Son of Jupiter. The king of Olympus. Gods of the sky."
Enjoy the chapter going back to Reyna and Percy's story! Unless you want to another chapter of Annabeth and her adventures at Camp Half-Blood. Leave a review and just ask! Please leave a review, favorite, and follow until next time guys!
-FF15
