Alright, I know it's been ages but both my Beta and I have lives of our own and we don't always have the chance to write or edit. I am sorry about the wait but I can't promise it'll never happen again. I'm in my last year at school and it's pretty hectic, add on my job and archery and I'm not left with much time.
As always: Reviews, constructive criticism and ideas are much appreciated. Flames will be laughed at. Possible minor HoH spoilers and OOC.
DISCLAIMER: As much as I want to, I do not own PJO or HoO or any of its characters etc. They all belong to the genius that is Rick Riordan
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Percy opened and his eyes. Darkness. That was all he could see. It wouldn't have made a difference if his eyes were open or closed, the darkness was absolute, and the darkness was everything. He tried to move his hands but stopped when he felt the chains rubbing on his damaged wrists, his head dropped as he remembered where he was.
"The Fallen Hero returns," a deep voice range out. "The Prince of the Sea, Twice Savior of Olympus, the Forsaken of the Gods, Bane of the Titans and Giants. You have quiet the list of titles Perseus," the voice continued. The voice sent chills down Percy's spine.
"Tartarus." Percy muttered.
"Ahh! He remembers!" the Primordial said with false excitement. "I promise you boy, we'll be seeing each other real soon, until then: I have a gift for you." His voice faded with a cruel cackle as a different place materialized around the son of Poseidon.
Percy looked around and was met with the all-familiar sight of Tartarus and the river Acheron flowing beside him. Silence smothered everything around him for so long that when he actually heard something, it startled him.
"I have something special planned for this session Perseus," Kronos said, making a gesture to the black sword he was carrying. Percy remained silent.
"Not in the talkative mood? That's alright, I've always preferred the screams of pain and death over conversation." The Lord of Time said with a sadistic smile. First Kronos pulled out a Stygian Iron dagger and moved around behind Percy, the son of Poseidon heard him clap and Hyperion and Atlas both appeared oneither side of Percy. The Titans grasped his arms and forced him onto his stomach, pressing him into the sharp ground. Percy grunted in pain as he felt the stones digging into his skin, it really did feel like broken glass. What happened next, though, put shame to the stones. Percy roared out in pain when Kronos pressed the blade into his back, slowly and deliberately carving something there, across his shoulder blades. It wasn't just on the surface either; Percy could feel the blade scratching into the bone beneath his muscle. Percy bucked and heaved but the combined strength of Atlas and Hyperion was too great for him and he was helpless against the cruelty of the Lord of Time.
"Get him on his knees." Kronos snarled once he had finished. The other two Titans dragged him upright, blood pouring from the wounds in his back, and Kronos stood before Percy.
"Perseus Jackson, at my feet where you belong," Kronos snarled. "Now that you have experienced the cut of a Stygian Iron blade, it's time for you to feel the bite." Kronos drew his black sword, which Percy now realized was also made of Stygian Iron. Kronos grasped the handle and drew it back before plunging the blade into Percy's arm. Blood spurted out of the wound, further soaking the already blood-soaked black ground. Kronos withdrew the blade before plunging it almost immediately into Percy's thigh, blood poured out and Percy knew that an artery had been severed. Meaning he would die from blood loss in a matter of minutes.
"I'm sorry Annabeth." Percy muttered as his vision began to darken. Next thing Percy knew, he was looking down at his body from above and he could see the damage that Kronos had caused, carved across his back was "The Hero's Fate". A growing pool of blood decorated the ground around his body. Percy looked away from his own corpse and towards Kronos; who was staring right back at him.
"You've nowhere to go Perseus, so I suggest going back to your body before we force you back in, and believe me; it will be much easier for everyone if you go back voluntarily," Kronos snarled. Percy obliged and drew closer to his body, he touched his arm and suddenly he felt like he had been hit by Zeus' master bolt. Percy groaned and opened his eyes; he was lying on the ground in a pool of blood. What just happened? He thought to himself. Almost as though he had read Percy's mind, Hyperion replied.
"You died, but down here there's nowhere for your soul to go, neither Thanatos nor Hades have any power here so you re-entered you body."
Percy painfully climbed to his feet and stood unsteadily; ignoring the blood pouring from his shoulder he faced his tormentors. In his weakened state Percy didn't see the fist until it was too late to avoid it, and he collapsed to the ground
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Percy woke suddenly, jolting upright. His entire body tensed as adrenaline coursed through his body. He clenched the sheets in his fists as he slowly brought his breathing under control again. That dream. That memory. The first time he died in Tartarus, the first of many. Percy shivered and he realized he was covered in a cold sweat. Percy climbed outof bed and stood unsteadily, he placed his hand on the wall to steady himself and looked around the room. His gaze fell on the beautiful blonde lying on the bed. Percy watched her sleeping peacefully for a minute, something that had escaped him since his escape from Tartarus. Taking a deep breath to steady himself; Percy walked out of the bedroom, dully noting that it was still dark and walked outside.
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Annabeth woke slowly. She lazilyopened her eyes as she stretched while still lying in bed. Her eyes quickly adjusted to the dawn light that was flooding the room in a beautiful red-orange colour that made Annabeth feel relaxed. She lay unmoving for several minutes, lost in thought as she stared at the ceiling of the cabin. Suddenly, Annabeth realized that something, or more specifically, someone was missing.
"Percy?" the daughter of Athena called out, when no response came Annabeth climbed out of bed and quickly searched the small cabin for any trace of her boyfriend. Nothing. Annabeth stood in the kitchen, not caring that her hair was messy or that she was still wearing the short shorts and tank top that she had slept in. After a minute, a thought struck her and she cursed her morning-stupidity. She rushed to the door and gazed out over the beach for Percy. There. She spotted him standing knee deep in the water, watching as Apollo began his journey across the sky.
Annabeth was awe struck for a moment. Percy looked almost like his old self, almost. He looked so relaxed and carefree, almost as though he had never been to Tartarus. The scars that covered his torso were a stark reminder of where he had been though; even from here Annabeth could read the words carved into his back. What stopped Annabeth though, was to look of pure peace that Percy wore. Slowly, Annabeth made her way towards him; she was just getting within arm's reach and was planning how best to scare him when she heard him talk and was again taken aback by the calmness of his tone.
"You're really going to try and deck me when we're standing in water?" Percy said, Annabeth didn't reply because she realized he was right, not the best idea she'd ever had. Percy turned with a small smile on his face.
"Not the best idea you've ever had Wise Girl," he said, Annabeth still didn't reply.
"What's wrong?" Percy asked as he closed the distance between them, a frown beginning to crease his brow.
"Nothing, it's just; that's the first time I've seen you smile since we got here," Annabeth said with a smile.
"It's a beautiful day and I've got a beautiful girl in my arms, why shouldn't I smile?" Percy asked, the small smile creeping back onto his face as he wrapped his arms around the grey-eyed girl. Annabeth beamed up at him, not caring that he was a good deal taller than her.
"I think it's time to go back to camp." Percy said after a minute of just enjoying the feel of holding Annabeth in his arms.
"Are you sure Perce?" questioned Annabeth, not sure if he was ready for it yet.
"Yeah." the son of Poseidon said.
"There is going to be a lot of questions."
"I know, but it's pretty much my home and the campers are my family." Percy said sincerely.
"Well aright then, we'll go after breakfast." Annabeth said decisively.
"Come on then, let's eat" Percy said, he grabbed Annabeth's hand and together they walked back to the cabin.
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An hour later and they were nearing the Camp borders. Annabeth glanced at Percy who was sitting next to her in the passenger seat of her silver Ford Focus while she drove. The son of Poseidon was staring out the window. He was obviously trying to hide it but she could tell that he was worried about seeing everyone again. She could see a few beads of sweat on his forehead and his fists were clenched.
"Percy?" She asked gently, to which he simply grunted to show that he was listening.
"Are you alright?" she asked. Percy was silent for a while before he responded.
"Yeah, I- I'm fine Wise Girl" he said quietly.
They drove in silence for a while longer until a massive pine tree came into view. Annabeth pulled up on the side of the road and they climbed out of the car.
"Is Thalia here?" Percy asked as he gazed up the hill to Thalia's Pine tree.
"I don't know," Annabeth replied. "I wouldn't be surprised if Artemis brought her here."
Percy nodded in understanding, "and Nico?"
"Probably, he still disappears occasionally but he's been around a lot more since you left." With that, the couple began making their way up the hill, Percy trailing slightly behind the daughter of Athena.
"Percy," Annabeth stopped them beside Thalia's pine. She turned to Percy and placed a hand on his chest. "I should warn you, there are going to be a lot of questions, and there're a lot of younger campers who think you're literally a legend; your name and story have been told to them same as Perseus' or Odysseus' " Annabeth began walking again but stopped and turned again, seeming to remember something, "and watch out for Blair Killian, he's a son of Zeus and, well; he's- well you'll see when you meet him." Annabeth grabbed Percy's hand and led him into camp. When they reached the top of the hill a loud roar made Percy fall into a combat stance and whip out Riptide; what confronted him slightly confused him at first. A large dragon curled around the base of the pine tree, it's head tilted slightly as though considering whether or not to eat him. Percy slowly lowered Riptide and cautiously took a step forward.
"Percy! Wait!" Annabeth called, Percy didn't seem to hear her so she grabbed his arm and pulled him back. "Percy, Peleus is not very friendly anymore. He has been known to attack campers before."
Percy considered the copper scale dragon before him. Peleus had grown remarkably, where before he had only just been big enough to encircle Thalia's Pine Tree, now his tail was long enough to circle it multiple times and the top of Percy's head was about at the dragons shoulder. Percy's sea green eyes met the dragon's cold yellow eyes. Percy shrugged Annabeth's hand off and took a step towards Peleus again. Said dragon roared a challenge at Percy, Percy's eyes blazed bright green for a second and Peleus backed up. The son of Poseidon's eyes lit up and washed the dragon is a green light. Annabeth stood watching in fear for Percy, mixed with awe and confusion. She distantly heard yelling and a clap of thunder but she shrugged it off; assuming it was the campers. Peleus' yellow eyes briefly flashed the same green as Percy's and then he lowered his head and snaked his reptilian head towards Percy. Percy reached out a hand and touched the dragon, gently stroking his snout. Peleus closed his eyes and nuzzled into Percy's hand. Annabeth clapped a hand over her mouth when Percy did this. A rumbling sound came from Peleus' chest; both Percy and Annabeth were confused as to what it was at first.
"He's purring!" Annabeth exclaimed with a laugh.
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A loud roar echoed through the camp. Peleus, Chiron thought. The dragon had been so promising and dedicated to his job at first, but since Percy's banishment even Peleus hadn't been the same, more violent towards both monsters and demigods, even the Gods themselves at times. And he was too big for the campers to remove him without suffering devastating consequences. Another earth-shaking roar brought Chiron out of his thoughts and he decided to see what was going on, and if necessary, subdue the dragon to save a new campers life. When the old teacher neared the camps border, a large crowd of campers greeted him. Curious to see what was happening but not wanting to get too near to Peleus.
"Chiron, what's going on up there?" asked Jason, making his way through the crowd to the old Centaur.
"I don't know, lead the campers away, just in case." Chiron ordered. Jason nodded and raised his voice to be heard over the noise.
"Alright everyone! Back to Camp!" his comment was met by a storm of protest, Jason made a clap of thunder. "Now!" he yelled, everyone gradually moved away. Jason followed them as the last of the campers left until it was just Chiron. He made his way towards Thalia's Pine expecting the worst.
"What's going on here?" he called, then he recognized the blonde girl. " Annabeth?" he asked in a slightly confused tone, "who's this?" He called out after seeing the raven-haired boy that was petting Peleus who had his eyes closed and looked calm. Annabeth turned to see Chiron in his wheelchair, looking exactly the same as he had when the Seven set off; he was immortal after all, looking at her is both delight at seeing her and confusion as to who the dark haired man was. He looked around 20 years old, far too old to be a new camper, the old centaur thought to himself.
"Chiron!" the daughter of Athena shouted happily. Chiron smiled, she hadn't sounded like this since Percy left. Percy, the centaur thought and gazed at the man whose back was still too him. The last time Chiron had seen Annabeth, she had been informing him of her leaving to rescue the son of Poseidon. That man, could he-?
"Percy?" the teacher called out, the man tensed and slowly turned. Chiron gasped when he saw Percy's face, then he saw the green eyes. Once so full of fun and a sense of joy, they were now full of pain, regret and power. The raw power that Chiron could see in those sea green eyes took his breath away.
"Percy, what-? Never mind, let's get you inside." Chiron said, knowing it would be a hectic few days for the son of Poseidon.
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VERY, EXTREMELY IMPORTANT NOTICE!
I need someone willing and able to help with the writing of a prophecy, I suck at rhyming and pretty much everything related to prophecies. I really do need help with this, if you don't want to become directly involved then feel free to leave a part of the prophecy as a review or PM, any help would be greatly appreciated.
As for chapter 14, it's on it's way but there's gonna be a lot of reunions and not much is gonna happen, just thought I'd warn you. After that, if I can get a good prophecy written the the action is going to pick up :)
BigSchwart Out :D