In The Trenches And In The Battlefields

by DeusOlympus

Percy Jackson, Son of Poseidon. That is how the demigods knew him. Back in 1914, he was known as Sgt. Perseus Konstans Jackson of the British 15th Brigade. Follow Percy's journey in "The War To End All Wars", his 'death' and waking up as a 10-year-old boy in the year 2004, and his journey as the adopted son of his own grandniece as he defend Olympus and his friends from the Titans

5. Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Death of A Soldier

3rd Person's PoV

Jan is very impressed, yet at the same time mad. The engländer had been charging towards the German trench, and everyone, including Jan, had been shooting at him for what felt like a long time. How is he still alive, Jan don't know, but it certainly is impressive. Still, he is very mad. The guy had managed to kill more than twenty of Jan's comrade and wounded ten more–he even wounded Jan's best friend, Hans–even while getting shot at.

This guy is definitely strong, Jan thought angrily. But is he strong enough to not die from a bullet to the heart, Jan thought, as he aimed his rifle. Jan waited… and waited… and then, he pulled the trigger.

The man fell, the bullet striking his heart. Jan's comrade cheered. Then, one of them exclaimed, "That was the 'Engländer' Sergeant Perseus Jackson!" Everyone fell silent, shocked. Then, they cheered Jan's name. He felt pride, but also a small hint of awe. The Perseus Jackson. He had killed him. He has killed him.

Jason's PoV

6th of May, 1915. I was helping Thalia preparing lunch–Sally and Peter are out, and I've requested a day-off from training–when someone knocked on the door.

"Yes?" I asked the man on the other side. "My name is Corporal William Henry Stevenson, and I am the second in command to Sergeant Perseus Konstans Jackson. Are you Jason Grace?" the man, William, replied. "Yes. What can I help you with, Corporal?" I asked.

"I am here to inform you of the death of Sgt. Perseus Konstans," he replied, his voice laced with regret. As soon as I heard him say Percy's name, I gasped. "Percy is dead?" I asked, not believing my ears. "I'm sorry, sir, but yes, he is dead," William replied regretfully. Tears started to fall from my eyes. Percy, my best friend, my brother, is dead. "Thank you for informing me, sir. I… Thank you." "I am sorry, sir. I am also ordered to give you this," William said, handing me a medallion.

"Sergeant Perseus will be posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery in defending Hill 60 from German attack," he said, "and also the title Hero of Nery, for fighting in the battle of Nery. I am honored to have him as my superior officer. The award ceremony will take place in forthnight," he finished. He then stepped back, gave me a salute, and returned to wherever he came from.

I stepped back in and closed the door. Then, I sobbed loudly.

Thalia came, confused and asked me what is happening. I told her what William just told me. She gasped, then cried. We cried for the death of our best friend. We cried for the death of our brother. We cried for the death of a hero.

William Henry Stevenson's PoV

I'm having a bad day. A really, really bad day. My superior, Sgt. Percy, just charged at the German lines with another three of my comrades. Before that, I had to go through fifteen minutes of yellow, poisonous cloud of gas. Things couldn't get any worse, right?

Wrong. Sergeant Percy just charged at the Germans, getting showered with lead. His khaki uniform is ripped everywhere, his tanned face scarred, his legs bloody, and his black hair turned brown due to mud. And maybe a bit, no, a lot of blood.

He turned around once. I think he is looking at the yellow smoke–the Germans gassed us again–that is engulfing us. His green eyes bloodshot from lack of sleep, due to the bombardment that has been happening for the last five days. His cheek is red due to blood, and even more bullets grazed his body. I can see him turning back, shooting at the Germans.

Then I saw something that made me want to run to Percy's–he kept insisting–aid. As if time slowed down, I watched as a bullet lodged itself in Perse–Percy's– chest. He fell face down. A wave of sadness hit me. Sgt. Perseus 'Percy' Jackson, is dead.

3rd Person's PoV

It's a sunny day in Hyde Park. King George III is speaking with Lord Kitchener when a private came up to them and said something. Both men nodded, and Lord Kitchener started reading something.

"His Majesty, King George the Third, has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned Soldiers and Non-Commitioned Officer of the 15th Infantry Battalion, in recognition of most conspicuous bravery displayed. Sergeant Perseus Konstans Jackson, Private William McHenry, Private Henry Johnson, and Private John Richardson. On the fifth of May, 1915, the German army gassed and attacked Hill 60, south of Ypres. The three men survived the initial attack, and has shown bravery by being the only men to counter-attack the German army. All three men died in combat. Unfortunaely, due to the location of their death, their bodies had not been able to be recovered. The War Office had decided to build a small monument by the hill, to commemorate the three brave men. The Victoria Cross shall be given to their family. I ask to come forward, Mrs. Susan McHenry, Mr. Robert Johnson, Mr. Charles Richardson, and Mr. Peter Blofis."

The four people's came forward. Someone brought a plate and handed the King a medal. He then gave the medal to Mrs. Susan. He repeated it until the four peoples held the four medals.

The King then saluted. Everyone saluted back, and the King entered his car. The car then sped off, and the event is over. The four men had been honoured. Their death had made the rest of the men in the 15th Infantry Batallion feel honoured. Then again, they did not choose the battle of Hill 60 as their most important battle for nothing.

Chapter finished. I'm not the best at writing emotion, so I'm sorry if it doesn't feel right. See you in the next chapter.

Farewell,

DeusOlympo