The Mark of Athena Chapter 6: Percy
"Alright we don't have much time," Percy said. "You guys know the plan, let's get going!"
"Yeah that's great and all, but we have a small problem." said Leo, without the usual humor. "We have one ship."
As soon as those words sunk in, everyone on the Argo II deck groaned.
"Well what do we do?" asked the usually shy Frank. "We need to go save Nico and Camp Half Blood."
"Leo, you're our transportation guy, you got any ideas?" asked Jason.
Jason had known Leo long enough that the second Leo had told them about their problems, Jason knew he would already be looking for solutions.
"I've thought about it man, and all I can think of is that we need the help of an old friend." replied Leo.
"What is it? We're kind of in a hurry, man!" said Percy impatiently.
Leo looked at Annabeth. "Remember that Hellhound you told me about? Mrs. O'Leary? I've thought about it, and the most efficient way to get Percy, Grover, Frank, and Hazel down to the Underworld is if they shadow travel. Then the rest of us take the Argo II to Camp Half Blood, and if we pray to Zeus maybe we can get there a little faster."
"Sounds good to me." Agreed Percy. He turned to Annabeth. "Don't say anything," she said, doing her best to hide her sadness that she was going to be separated from Percy again. "Just promise me you'll return? All of you?" She said as she looked at the group. "We promise." said Percy, forcing a smile. Then he addressed Grover. "You know you don't have to come with us, man. Satyrs and underground places and all." Grover just took a shaky breath, and simply said, "Your my best friend Percy. I'd follow you anywhere."
"How touching," came a voice. Everyone turned to see who it was.
"Octavian!" Jason reacted the quickest, drawing his sword and stepping toward him.
"How did he get on board?" asked a stunned Leo. "I triple checked the enchantments to keep the ship safe!"
Octavian smirked, his rage from earlier gone. "Gaea has given me great strength and magical powers." He said. "Powers demigods like you could never dream to achieve." He seemed different, thought Percy. Almost like... "Like Luke," he whispered. Everyone turned to Percy. "Octavian, listen to me. Gaea is using you in the same way that Kronos used my friend Luke. She doesn't care for you, she'll destroy you as soon as she's done using you!"
"I don't care about any of that," replied Octavian. "All I care about is seeing the Romans, and the Greeks, all destroyed!"His voice getting louder with each world. "You ridiculed me in the past. Now you'll pay for it, starting with you four." He pointed at Percy, Hazel, Frank, and Grover. "Gaea has your friend Nico captive, and one of you will traded your life for his."
"Octavian," Jason began. "You don't have to do this! You can still-"
"Shut up!" Yelled Octavian. "You had your chance to take me on the quest but you chose her!" He said, pointing at Annabeth. "You are all going to pay for it with your lives. Every time you get closer to Rome, Gaea will challenge you, and every challenge one of the seven will die. Until only you're left, Percy. The demigod Gaea hates most. Then, as you're surrounded by Gaea's forces, and as you look at all your friends lying defeated, you will look back and regret the day you first came to New Rome!"
"We won't let you do this!" said Percy.
"We'll see." Said Octavian. With that he threw his hand forward, casting a spell which opened up the ground under Percy, Hazel, Frank, and Hazel, sending them toppling down into Tartarus. They all landed hard on the packed dirt ground. Groaning, Percy stood up. "You guys alright?" he asked, helping them up.
"Not the softest landing I've ever had." said Grover as he stood up.
"Same." Agreed Hazel.
They looked around. As far as Percy could tell, they were on a flat plain, that was covered in pitch black darkness except for some light coming from a small torch that Octavian was holding, a little ways out in front of them. To Octavian's right, was an hour glass large enough for a person to stand in. In fact, there was a person standing in it, and that person was Nico, pounding on the glass as sand from the top half of the hourglass poured onto him. Soon he would be completely buried
Octavian smiled at them, and said, "Guys! Glad you could make it!Were going to play a game, and the rules are simple." He pointed at the hour glass. "I'll let Nico go when one of you is dead. If you take to long, the sand will bury Nico, and then he'll be dead. Let the game begin!" he said cheerfully. Percy thought he had to be crazy.