"You never know. Maybe when we're dreaming…

We're more lucid than when we are awake."

― Katherine Yeboah

CHAPTER 6: NIGHTMARES

Percy slung his rucksack over his shoulder. Weapons, clothes, god food and toiletries all packed and ready to go yet he took his time to leave the guest bedroom. He wondered if he would ever see this room again, sleep on that bed or sit on the desk chair on the far side. He wondered if he could ever come back.

They were on their way to save Annabeth Chase.

The same girl Thalia mentioned as his girlfriend.

Percy never expected he'd have some sort of relationship before his life in Camp Jupiter. He should've known though yet he the thought never came up. He liked it here in New Rome. He liked how there was a city filled with demigods, protected and free to do whatever they wanted because they never had to worry about monsters attacking them when the legion was just based right beside them.

He never knew such luxury even existed. Demigods were always on the run, always hiding from monsters, always looking behind his shoulder, sleeping with one eye open just to be safe.

And that's when he realized that's about as close to a memory he's ever had about Camp Half-Blood. He shook his head, cringing away from the sudden onslaught of familiarity. He strode out the room without a backward glance.

Downstairs, instead of the usual daughter of Bellona waiting for him, Hazel and Frank beamed at him, each holding their own rucksacks. Percy raised his eyebrows.

"What's with the packs?" he asked.

"You didn't think we'd just let you go off on your own out there, did you?" Franks said.

"Does the Greeks know about this?" Percy asked. He actually wanted them to come. He didn't want to be surrounded by people he doesn't even know. But what about the Greek? It's their ride. He didn't want to have Hazel and Frank's efforts to go to waste just because the Greeks told them there wasn't enough bunks in their humongous flying warship.

"Yeah, they do. Thalia and Jason were cool about it." Frank said.

"But it could be dangerous." Percy said. "You don't have to come with—"

"We're coming with you, Percy. We're friends. We look out for each other. Besides, Nico told me we were both part of the Seven so I think we were meant to be on the quest, too." Hazel told him.

Percy nodded. "And Reyna?"

"We ran into her on our way here. She seemed okay with it." Frank said with a shrug.

Percy seemed disappointed of not having a private farewell with her just before they left. He wanted to say that he didn't want this, he didn't want to go, that it was all the prophecy's fault and that whole vengeance hungry goddess about to exterminate all of humanity, her main priority being the half-bloods. And let's not forget the damsel in distress, daughter of Athena.

He smiled at them and said, "Thank you."

"The world needs saving again anyway." Frank said, shrugging minutely.

Percy sighed and turned to walk out the door. "Let's get this over with."

The Legion was dressed in full regalia, spread across the Field of Mars. The centurions filed in a neat pile behind Reyna, who stood nearest to the eight demigods departing for Greece with her automatons. Thalia, Nico, Piper, Jason, Leo, Hazel, Frank and Percy all stood, packed and ready to sail at the foot of the Argo II's platform. She looked foreboding with the purple cape and the golden armor but Leo didn't seem to mind one bit about Reyna's preference to be terrifying and respectful at the same time. He could appreciate that. For a moment, Reyna looked his way and he grinned. Reyna returned a smile briefly before looking away.

"Romans," Reyna called out, her voice ringing throughout the vast open field. "We have gathered to witness the departure of our praetors and their companions on a quest to save the Greek leader, Annabeth Chase, and defend our camp from the goddess, Gaea. May the gods bless them in their endeavor."

Octavian stepped forward with a Care Bear and ripped it open from the guts.

"Troubling times are upon us!" He announced. Percy couldn't help but roll his eyes. They were on another suicide mission to save the world. Of course, it'll be troubling times. "War is coming and danger lurks at every corner! There will be traitors!"

All eyes snapped to Octavian. He seemed to grow even more confident and Hazel glared at him.

"He has to be making this all up," Frank hissed at Hazel. She nodded in agreement.

"He's trying to turn us against each other. He's the traitor." She murmured back.

Thalia, who stood right beside them, raised an eyebrow. Hazel shook her head and mouthed, "Later".

"And there will be.. death." Octavian seemed to falter in his interpreting of the fuzz that was the stuffed animal's entrails. Murmurs rose from the crowd. Octavian frowned at the innards then shook his head and stepped back, hissing a forced, "Good luck, dear friends."

"Dear friends, my podex." Dakota murmured through his goblet of Cool Aid. The murmur wasn't as silent as he'd thought and Octavian glared daggers at the red lipped centurion.

"Thank you," Jason told Octavian nonetheless. Octavian looked unsure and opened his mouth to say something but closed it shut again. He nodded stiffly at Jason and went back to his place behind Reyna. One by one, the demigods filed up through the platform.

Except for Percy, who strode toward Reyna and kissed her on the cheek.

"I'll be back. I promise." He said.

"I know." Reyna said.

Thalia looked away. She knew all too well he never breaks his promises.

Percy was dreaming. He knew that.

He was in the pier again. Percy knew he needed to remember this when he woke up. He needed to. This was important. This is the key to saving Annabeth's life. He leaned down, knowing that's where he'll find her, encased in this glass coffin underwater.

"Annabeth?" he called, waving away the mist.

"Percy. I told you not to come for me." Annabeth said and she sounded worried and weak.

Her face appeared and it took everything he got not to punch against the frail looking but hard as rock glass again. She was beautiful. As beautiful as the last night he remembered seeing her last. Her lips as pink as he kissed them last except now, they looked parched and cracked. Her eyes grey and intense as he remembered and it burned right through his soul, skimming through his face, as if Annabeth was sculpting him in her mind.

"Trust me, I tried. You'll have to blame Thalia for that. She insisted I tag along. In fact, everyone did." Percy said. He realized why he'd been reluctant to join them in the first place. Annabeth was in danger. The mere statement should have sent him running sword first through the baddie that took her.

"This is Gaea's plan, Percy. She plans to lure you here. She's using me as bait. Turn around and head for Camp Half-Blood. Get as much help as you can. Don't worry about me." she insisted. Like before, her lips didn't move. She seems paralyzed in some way and it sent a river of rage down Percy's spine. Whoever did this was going to pay.

"You can't tell me what to do, wise girl." He countered as he shook his head. "If it were me in there and you out here, would you stop worrying about me?"

"I never stop worrying, Seaweed Brain." She said softly, admitting his point.

"See? What I tell you? Now, tell me how to get you out of here." He asked and that's when the dream shifted.

It was dark and someone was angry. A low lit fire cackled in the center of the clearing. Trees provided as cover to whoever it was standing there. She had long dark hair and her skin was pale against the moonlight and the low lit fire.

"You told me he'd be with me! You told me he was staying for good! You lied to me!" she raged.

Percy would recognize Reyna's voice anywhere.

"Patience, dear." A woman's voice hissed in the air. "He promised he'd come back and he will."

"But he wasn't suppose to go." Reyna said, her tone darkening. "I should've been on that quest so I can end Annabeth Chase's life."

Percy felt his blood run cold.

"Ease your storm, child." The woman said again, amused. "All will be well. In fact, Percy has found his way back here."

"Where?"

"Right there."

Percy knew he'd been spotted and he chanted on his head, Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!

Reyna gasped and turned toward him, face horrified.

"The boy is dreaming. He truly is as powerful as they say." The woman continued.

"Percy, I—" Reyna stammered.

"You want to kill Annabeth." He stated.

"Please, I only wanted to—" Reyna rushed to explain, taking a step forward.

Percy stepped back. "No, I heard you. I know." He said. Reyna's face grew even more horrified.

"The son of Poseidon must not know our plans, child. He will ruin everything. You know this." The voice prompted.

"What should we do?" Reyna sounded helpless.

"We make him forget." The voice hissed. Percy could practically picture it salivating.

Percy sunk into the earth where he stood. His face barely on the surface.

"NO! REYNA!"

"I'm sorry, Percy." Reyna said and Percy saw the sickly green that shrouded her eyes, weaving through her, controlling her. "I need you."

And he was submerged it complete darkness.

He woke up trembling, Riptide uncapped in his hand.

Footsteps raced outside his door and it burst open, revealing the faun called Coach and the entire other seven demigods in the ship. Percy should've was furious for the sudden invasion of his privacy but the first thing that came out of his mouth was, "Who the hell is stirring this ship?"

Leo raised an eyebrow and relaxed from his fighting stance. "It has a built in autopilot." He said.

"We heard you call out. What happened?" Jason said.

"Nothing. I don't know." Percy mumbled, embarrassed.

"Did you have a nightmare?" Piper asked.

"No, I'm fine. Get out!" he snapped.

"You mind your tone, you little brat. I take no yelling from demigods your caliber, got it?" Coach reprimanded.

"Fine. Just let me go back to sleep." He snapped more quietly this time. Nico looked at him suspiciously and Frank and Hazel glanced at each other worriedly.

"Come on, guys," Thalia spoke up. "Let's give him some room."

They all left and Percy flopped back onto his pillows.

He knew he screamed in his sleep but for some reason, he can't remember why.

AUTHOR'S NOTES:

Sorry it took so long, guys. Been so busy with school and stuff. But hopefully, I can catch some time during our break to write more. See you until then. Comment and stuff.