Responses to my reviewers-
Scarlet Nightshadow- It's Percy! What did ya expect? XD
Varrick- I still feel bad about it though XD
Brsrkfury- Sowwy XD
Guest- I like you! Thank you! XD
Adi- Awwww thank you.
I don't own the Percy Jackson/Heroes of Olympus series. {Though I wish I was as talented as Rick Riordan, I'm not xD}
Silena's POV-
All the campers were in their cabins at exactly 9:00 this evening, due to the new curfew instated. But as a mandatory order, Beckendorf and I were to take shifts on watch during the night.
Though I wished Beckendorf could be with me, I know that it's best that at least one of us is getting rest and preserving energy. Deciding to take two watches rather than one, I settle myself against a tree, my senses on high alert.
But that promise is a little bigger to keep than I expected. By the time the first watch shift ends, I'm just about ready to curl into a ball and call it a night. It's so boring keeping watch, but I'd rather do this than be fighting in another battle.
My eyes begin to droop a little when a shimmering form begins to appear in front of me. I can see Luke and he smiles a little once he can see me too. IMs are becoming a little static every now and then, it's scaring me slightly.
"Hey." I say with an underlying hint of a question. It's nearly 11:00 at night by now, what is he doing Iris Messaging me now?
"Hey. Just checking in to see if anyone is planning on seeing Percy after Zoë. Everyone else is too busy with guarding, like you I see. So I'm gonna call Zoë to tell her, she's probably had enough of just sitting there." He says, reaching up to end the call.
Oh no. Nonononono. My OTP is on the verge of becoming canon and I will not have this boy ruin it. Watching the two of them slowly gain feelings for one another better than watching all the Nicholas Sparks movies, which is saying a lot. Those movies are amazing.
"Do not call Zoë." I say quickly, using my charms peak without realizing it. Luke's hand freezes in the air.
"Why not?" He asks in concern, his hand still frozen in air. I barely pay attention to what I did as I try clearing my thoughts.
"Because Zoë needs to be with Percy right now." I say, smiling. "You remember when she volunteered almost immediately to go first?" I ask and he slowly nods. The clueless look on his face makes me roll my eyes in frustration. "Well..." I say.
Luke raises an eyebrow. "Well what?" He asks, extremely curious now.
"As a daughter of Aphrodite, I can sense when someone is either falling for someone hard or is suffering from massive heartbreak. Percy... Well he hasn't changed in over 600 years from the aura of pain, except for the occasional flicker. Those flickers only occurred whenever he was alone with Zoë." I say, trying to get Luke to realize where I'm going. He is nodding slowly, but gestures for me to continue.
I puff out my cheeks in exasperation. "When we came here, I could finally sense that Percy has some strong feelings for Zoë. He doesn't realize it now, but he is falling hard for her." I say and Luke's eyes widen.
"But Zoë is-" Luke starts, but I cut him off.
"I wasn't finished." I run my fingers through my newly changed red hair. Luke quiets down instantly. "Zoë, dear gods, it's like she has no heart. She never had an aura of love nor heartbreak. Until," I giggle a little. "Her and Percy started becoming good friends. There are times when I can see sparks of love in her eyes whenever Percy makes a joke or just smiles!" I exclaim, swooning slightly as I remember. Luke raises an eyebrow.
"They need to be alone. Or," I smile wickedly when I get an idea. "We can see what happens without them knowing." I say.
"That's impossible!" He exclaims. I shake my head as I close my eyes and pray to my mother.
Mom, I know it's been so long since I've done this. But I believe both you and I will benefit from this. I need to borrow one of your seeing mirrors to find two of my friends. I pray silently and I hear a tinkling giggle in response.
Anything for my little girl. She says in my head before a mirror appears in my lap. I grin happily and I show it to Luke through the Iris Message.
"Don't you think they'll get mad at us if they find out we've been spying on them?" He asks and I shrug.
"They won't know unless we tell them. Are you going to tell Percy we did this?" I ask.
Luke shakes his head and I grin brightly. "Good. Now," I hold up the mirror and I think of the hospital in Chao's castle. The image pops up and I smirk a little at the sight. I show Luke what I see and his eyes widen comically.
Percy's POV-
I hate sleeping, I really do. I hate it with all of me. The weight in my body that feels as if I'm stuck on my bed for what seems like forever. The nightmares that follow behind the closed eyes. Every single thing.
I. Hate. It.
I need to wake up. I need to. This sleep is thankfully more restless than actually succumbing. I block out the nightmares as best I can as I struggle to open my eyes. I'm slowly gaining awareness of my surroundings and I feel that familiar burn in my abdomen and a feverish chill coursing through me.
But when I hear the words "Damn you, Perseus Jackson." That is the final push to get me to open my eyes. The room is dark, so I know it isn't Apollo's infirmary. But a small smile stretches across my lips once I figure out that I'm home... Well mostly since I'm in the hospital alone.
At least that's what I think before realizing someone's holding my hand. Look to the side of me and I see that it's Zoë.
Her dark brown hair curtains over her face as she holds my one hand in both of hers and her forehead presses against my hand. She looks more younger when she's asleep, and I can feel my heart skip a beat by just looking at her like this.
But I know she would kill me if she found me staring. I wish I didn't have to, but I gently move my hand out of her grasp and I shake her awake with the same amount of gentleness.
"Mm, five more minutes." She mumbles sleepily before grabbing my hand again like it's a teddy bear. I stifle my laughter at this side of her, it's absolutely adorable.
"Zoë." I whisper hoarsely. She groans again and sits up, her eyes still closed and still holding my hand.
"Thy said five more minutes, Perseus." She mumbles, but no more than two seconds later her eyes snap open.
"Hi." I whisper and she just stares at me, not responding. "Zoë?" I ask quietly in concern. She blinks and shakes her head before facing me again.
"How do you feel?" She asks in concern, her dark brown eyes wide.
"Like I just got hit with a missile in the Arctic." I whisper, laughing a little but it results in a fit of coughing. Zoë looks in me in concern as I finally calm down. I close my eyes for a moment as I wait for my breathing to return to normal.
"Do you need water?" She asks quietly and I open my eyes again slowly.
"I'm okay, but thank you." I whisper, this time not as hoarse thankfully. Zoë nods slowly, but keeps her eyes on me as if I'll disappear into thin air.
"Stay here. Thy shall be back." She says before getting up. She's about to walk away when something stops her. She looks down and sees our intertwined fingers. Both of us blush madly at the sight.
"I... I'm sorry." I whisper, pulling my hand away. Zoë looks at me, her blush bright even in the dimly lit room. She turns and walks away without another word.
I can't help but look down at my hand, the one that was holding hers. I wish I didn't let go, not yet.
Zoë comes back with a black comforter and places it at the end of the bed for a moment before facing me.
"Do you wish to sit up?" She asks and I nod a little before beginning to prop myself up. My stomach burns in white-hot pain and I try to not let Zoë know how much it hurts by clenching by jaw and biting the pain. But she gently helps me up, grabbing pillows from the bed beside us to prop me up.
Once I'm up, Zoë grabs the blanket once more and lays it over me. I hold the blanket close to me, just realizing how cold I really am. Zoë places her hand on my forehead, probably taking my temperature.
"The fever has broken at some point of the evening, which is good. You should be good to go in at least a few hours." She says and I nod slowly. She walks away again only to return with a glass of water.
"Drink." She orders and I crack a smile, reaching out and taking the glass.
"Yes ma'am." I say with a little sarcasm before taking a few sips. Zoë smacks me upside the head lightly, but is smiling as well. When I finish the glass of water, Zoë takes the glass and places it on the nightstand beside my bed.
She settles down into the chair again and she faces me again, her expression serious. "If you ever does something like that again, thy will hunt you down to the ends of the universe. Understood?" She asks and I nod quickly. She grins wickedly.
"But," She leans forward and pecks my cheek. "Thank you for saving Thalia." She says softly and I can't help but be lost for words. Electricity hums through my veins as I'm filled with energy. She kissed me. Even if it was only a small peck, my thoughts scatter and my words die on my tongue.
Her eyes widen a little as she realizes what she did as well. It's obvious that she's trying to put together some kind of explanation, but I beat her to it.
"She's like a sister to me. I would do anything to keep her safe." I say and relief blooms in her dark eyes. She nods slowly, her smile coming back little by little.
I look out the window and I see the vast amount of stars in the sky. I sigh in relief at the sight.
"I never realized how polluted Earth was until I went back for the first time after I left." I say quietly.
"Now thou know why thy was furious at the mortals." She says and I look at her, nodding. "But not even the Earth's constellations a millennia ago compare to Paradíso's starry night tonight." I raise an eyebrow and she chuckles quietly.
"Wipe that look of your face or thy will slap it off." She says and I laugh a little.
"Don't have to tell me twice." She laughs and punches my arm lightly. I pretend to act as if it hurt me gravely, holding my arm and my face an expression of mock hurt. Not a second later do we both burst into laughter. It felt nice to just relax for once, to not have to worry about being killed if I let my guard down for a spilt second.
I lean back against the pillows once we both finally calm down. But then I frown at how uncomfortable Zoë chair looks. Without a second's hesitation, I take a pillow from behind me and I place it behind Zoë and against the back of her chair. She looks at me in bewilderment and I just shrug a little.
"What are you doing?" She asks in alarm.
"You looked uncomfortable and I felt bad since I have a bunch. Do you want another one?" I ask with genuine concern and her eyes soften a little.
"Percy, you are hurt, you need to make sure you heal properly and as quickly as possible." She says and I shake my head.
"I'm healing quick enough. Like you said before, I'm going to be ready to go in at least a few hours, and I am not going to be selfish enough to lay back in pure luxury while you have to sit in that chair." I say. Zoë groans and buries her face in the edge of the bed. I look at her confused. "What did I say?" I ask.
"You are not making this any easier, Jackson." She mutters into the bed. I raise an eyebrow.
"Making what easier?" I ask. Zoë sighs and shakes her head, not looking up. "Zoë, what's wrong?" I ask quietly.
She sighs before sitting up slowly, not exactly meeting my eyes. "You know about how Hercules was the main reason for thy becoming a huntress. Thy believed that every man was the same, arrogant, greedy pigs. And then... Then thy meet you." She smiles sadly. "Thy respected thou for your bravery and selflessness right before thy left the Earth to join the stars. Then Lord Chaos found thy and saved thy. Thy am forever in his debt. But... After a few years, thy became curious in how thou and Lady Artemis were doing. Chaos showed thy a glimpse of thou. Y-You were sitting at the Poseidon table, alone and not making eye contact with anyone because they would cast nasty glares at you. But you managed to keep a small self-encouraging smile throughout it all. You can watch as all everyone dumps thou for someone worse, and yet? You manage to keep a smile and prove thou cannot be broken by this. I... I admire you, Percy. And..." She trails off finally, looking down at her feet.
I stare at her with wide eyes. But I manage to find the right words as I open my mouth. "And?" I ask softly, my curiosity getting the best of me. She sighs again, but her dark eyes meet mine.
"And thy believe, after all these years, thy believe that maybe, j-just maybe, there may actually be a man in this universe who is kind enough, selfless enough and sweet enough to be someone thy can possibly love." She whispers, never breaking eye-contact with me. Is she talking about...? No, no it can't possibly be me. Is it? But by just looking in Zoë's eyes, I can feel my heart beat faster in my chest with the realization that it is me.
I open and close my mouth a few times before words finally stumble out. "I never thought I would find someone who understood me for who I am and why I do the things I do. Then... Then I meet you. You can talk to me about anything, you understand the reason why I don't let that many people in, you understand me. You are kinder than you think, Zoë. You have shown me that there are people in this world who I can give my heart to and not have to worry over the bitter thought of losing everything again." I say quietly, not even realizing what I'm saying before it comes out. "I think I am ready to take a chance again. I am willing to take that chance though, for you." By the time I finish talking, Zoë has tears sparkling in her eyes, almost like her own little stars.
Before Zoë has the chance to say anything, I lean over to her and I do the most craziest thing I could do. I kiss the former huntress.
If a single peck on the cheek could cause me to be electrified, then an actual kiss is a nuclear explosion. All of my worries, all of my anxiety falls into the background as Zoë slowly kisses back. This is the greatest feeling, the old wound in my soul is slowly starting to stitch itself together, slowly but surely, and I feel better than I have in over 600 years.
Zoë is the first one to break away first. Our faces only millimeters apart as we stare at one another. A small smile tugs at her lips as she looks at me. I don't think I've seen anything more beautiful.
"Percy?" She asks me quietly, snapping me out of my thoughts.
"Hm?" I say and I see the sly smirk in her smile.
"Stop staring at thy like that." She says. I raise an eyebrow at her in question.
"Like how?" I ask and she laughs a little, her warm breath tickling my nose.
"Like thy am the Mosa Lisa." She says and it's now my turn to laugh.
I gently move away a stray hair from her face as I meet her eyes once more. "Well, you are far by more beautiful than she ever was." I say quietly and a blush rises to her cheeks.
"Shut up, Jackson." She says.
I roll my eyes and smirk. "Make me."
"Easy there. Thy am not that easy to fool." She says but kisses me on the nose. I laugh a little before sitting up on the bed, the slight burning in my abdomen getting to the best of me. Zoë's expression turns serious as she looks at me.
"We need to keep this... Whatever this is or what it's going to become, quiet for now." Zoë says and I sigh before nodding in agreement. With the war coming very near, there is no room for this announcement.
"I agree, that would just throw everyone off their game..." I say, but then a thought hits me. I remember what Annabeth told me. If she found out that Zoë likes me back, she would go berserk. Why am I even thinking about Annabeth? She made it clear she doesn't love me anymore. Stop thinking about the past and focus on what's in front of you! I mentally shout to myself.
Zoë grabs my hand and traces her thumb in invisible shapes against the back of my hand. I smile at her and she smiles back. "Then we shall wait until Order is defeated before announcing our relationship." She says. I nod in agreement before a small yawn escapes my mouth against my will.
"You need to rest." She says and I shake my head.
"I'm fine." I say before having to bite back another yawn. The look on her face is all that's needed to show that she knows exactly what I tried hiding.
"No, you are tired." She says and her eyes soften slightly. "Please?" She asks softly.
How can I say no to that? It's like an even cuter version of my puppy dog eyes. Sighing quietly, I finally nod. "Okay. But I have one request." I say and Zoë raises an eyebrow, gesturing for me to get on with it.
I open my mouth to respond, but I close again, trying to find a way to say this. "Will you stay with me?" I ask, my voice becoming a little quieter. I haven't asked for the company of someone else in so long, it feels so foreign to ask it.
Zoë smiles and nods before leaning forward and kissing my cheek. "Thy didn't plan on leaving anyways." She says before scooting her chair over so that she is right by my shoulder. I move over as best I can to the edge of the bed before leaning back. Zoë rests her head on my shoulder a little hesitantly, but stays where she is. I squeeze her hand lightly before closing my eyes and going back to sleep.
And for the first time, I willingly welcome the darkness.
Third Person POV- {A/N- Warning, just a wee bit of pure gore coming up. Please don't vomit or pass out. XD}
Silena and Luke weren't the only ones watching.
In a room that would make any serial killer go crazy for or any saint vomit, sits a single man.
The room's walls were covered in curtains of rusty chains, splatters of blood and splinters of bone weaved through the chains. Broken knives or shattered swords were drenched with dried blood as they dangle from the ceilings. Child skeletons as well adorned the ceilings, the ones who were killed because their parents did not stay loyal to their master. The black marble floor has swirls of milky white throughout it, like milk in black coffee. But what ruins the hypnotic floor is the pools of crusty blood, sweat and tears everywhere.
In the center of the room sits a massive throne, reaching easily 50 feet high. It's structure was created by the bones of the man's enemies and as glue, their brains mashed together with paste. As a plush cushion, skins of those same enemies sewed together and as for the stuffing? Don't even ask.
The man sits lazily on the throne, his long legs dangling over one of the arm rests as he leans against the other arm rest. His once stark white hair is cleanly cut, but stains from dirt and ,not surprisingly, blood have made his hair look as if it were an old white sock. His eyes made the illusion that he has no irises, but rather just little pupils, but in reality, his eye color is naturally white. If he only changed his color scheme from white to black, he would look exactly like his dear brother, Chaos.
He takes a small glass sphere from the pocket of his silken white robes. The sphere is no bigger than a clementine, but it swirls with white and grey mist within.
But what he sees is more than just mist. He sees two people, one of which is Order's greatest threat, cuddling together before going to sleep.
A thin, creepy grin spreads across Order's face as he watches. "Perfect." He purrs quietly to himself. With the wave of his hand, the image disappears and he stuffs the glass sphere into his pocket.
Jumping gracefully from his chair, he stands in the center of the room. "Children!" He booms demandingly. In a matter of seconds, the twins and Saxon appear.
"Father." They say in unison as they bow to him. A smug smile stretches across his face.
"I have another mission for all three of you." He says simply. All three of them exchange a glance out of the corners of their eyes.
"But Father, the prince is-" Lilith starts.
"Silence you filthy brat!" Order spits venomously. Lilith flinches slightly and bows her head in a silent apology.
"Now," Order continues as if nothing has happened. "I need all three of you to return to Earth, bring as many soldiers as you want and create whatever plan you can devise. But I ask you succeed in only one thing." He says, that mad smile creeping along his thin, pale lips once more.
"Bring Zoë Nightshade to me." He finishes. The three children nod and exit without another word. The second they all pass through the chains, Order cackles in laughter.
"Oh foolish brother. This is why you should make sure to give your powers to someone who doesn't fall for the weak link." He laughs hysterically, feeling stupid for ever thinking he might lose this war.
Oh contraire, this universe would finally rule under the rightful ruler. And nothing will be able to stop him once he does exactly what his evil mind has in store.
So... Hi. Sorry this took forever. But y'all got lucky cause I only had to go to school Thursday and Friday. I don't have another break till late May I think.