Ahlan Wa Sahlam Ya Habibi. I am sorry it took me long to upload this new Chapter but I have college and it really knows how to keep me busy.
The last chapter is soon to be uploaded and I am working on it. I have decided about the ending. Bad news for Percabeth fans but hope you will not hire mercenaries to kill me for that. I have given enough thoughts to the reviews and have came with the ending. I want to make it different from other stories. Hope you will appreciate that. One more thing, the author loves you.
Enjoy.
Percy's POV
After breakfast all of the campers gathered in the fighting arena to watch the new Sword Master, The Percy Jackson teach campers sword fight lessons. Looking at the crowd Percy couldn't understand what was the deal? Why were some many people there in the arena? Surely not all of them were sword fighters and Percy could judge that easily, not even half of them were sword fighters. Maybe they were there to watch his ass being kicked. Percy could handle it so he ignored the stares and examined the crowd.
No time to waste, he thought. Percy cleared his throat and raised his voice. "Hi everyone. I am Percy Jackson, your new sword master. From now on I will teach you sword fight. I hope that Clarisse has taught you enough." "Enough to kick your olympic butt" a boy shouted from the crowd. Percy smiled. "Come forth half Blood". They boy stepped into the clearing proudly. He was well built, lean and muscular. Dark brown eyes with brown hair, military cut. "Son of Ares", Percy said. "Whats your name?"
"Its Kyle" he replied. "He is the best swordsman in the camp." Another Ares kid offered. Kyle straightened up in pride. "Good", Percy patted his shoulder and walked back to the middle. "I can beat you easily you know". Kyle commented on him. Percy smiled. "Maybe".
"What about a duel? Then we can decide who is the best".
"Tempting but no thanks." Percy said without looking back.
"Out of practice? Or maybe you are afraid that you will get your sorry butt kicked in front of your old family?" He raised his voice with each word.
Percy turned around and pointed at Kyle. "You really know how to tempt your opponent. You sure you wanna fight?"
Kyle drew his sword in response. Percy sighed and walked to the middle. "You've got 10 minutes to defeat me boy so make every blow count."
Kyle smirked. "Don't need that much time." He advanced and Percy examined his foot-work. His held his sword high and lunged at Percy. He brought down his sword with all force at Percy but Percy side-stepped quickly. Kyle stabbed at Percy but he dodged the attack and slapped Kyle's face playfully. He slashed at Percy but this time Percy did a somersault and got out of reach. Kyle groaned in frustration and kicked Percy and again Percy dodged it and swiped the feet of Kyle and he fell. While Kyle was down Percy looked at the amazed crowd and saw Annabeth smiling at him, Percy got distracted and didn't see Kyle getting up. Kyle stabbed at Percy's thigh and the last moment Percy trapped the flat side of the sword between his palms and snapped it in two with the flick of his sword. Kyle backed up in amazement and the campers gasped in awe. "H-How did you do that?" He asked in disbelief.
Percy scratched his ear. "I am sorry. I will make you a new one I promise."
Kyle's looked at Percy like he was speaking a different language. "What? No that's not what is important. The sword. I mean that was very hard and sharp. How did you do that? I have never seen a move like that before. You broke it in two like it can made of soft wax."
Everyone was looking at Percy in shock and horror. Great! Now i look like a creep to them, Percy thought. The look on campers' face was embaressing him. "Practice I guess." he replied sheepishly. "I didn't plan to break your sword at first but then I saw something and... look i will make you another sword m sorry."
"Percy sword isn't the issue at all." Clarisse replied. Her eyes were still wide with shock.
"Then why are you guys looking at me funny?" Percy asked.
"Percy, Kyle- Kyle is the best swordsmanin the camp after me and you defeated him in less than 30 seconds." Clarisse answered.
"What?" Percy asked in disbelief. He felt proud, of course that he was still the best swordsman in the camp but the fact that the new campers were less trained and less organized made him wonder that in case of enemy attack on camp in future will they be able to defend themselves and the camp from invaders? Wow, here is my happy thought of the day! Percy though. He cleared his throat. "I mean, if he was the best fighter among you, then we have a lot of practice to do."
"You are definitely the best sword fighter of the millennium Percy Jackson. I just wanted to see it myself". Kyle offered his hand with a genuine smile. Percy shook his hand with any hesitation. "you aren't bad either Kyle. Just a little more practice and you will master the techniques. You need to keep your sword low while attacking the enemy, this gives you more options, either to stab, jab or slash and watch those footsteps or else the opponent was judge your move. Your guards are low like mine but we will work on that." Kyle smiled and nodded in response. "Sure".
It was time to start the proper class so he turned to the crowd. "Here is the schedule for you. 30 minutes drill after breakfast to warm you up. 200 push ups, 200 chin ups and sit ups and 2 mile jogging."
"What?" A girl asked in disbelief.
"You heard me!" Percy replied. "you gotta build stamina cutie" The girl was definitely Aphrodite girl, cute but not Percy's type.
She blushed and some campers snickered.
"There will be no concessions of any sort for any one. Clarisse! Please make sure that they run around the camp perimeter at least 5 five times. I will go get my stuff from cabin." Percy was about to leave when Annabeth stepped into the clearing. The other campers walked out of the arena. "What are you doing here Chase?" Clarisse asked.
"I- Chiron sent me to check up on Percy. He said that he might need to erect new obstacles in the arena fro sword fight lessons."
"I will be back" Percy said to Clarisse and headed to beach. He knew Annabeth will follow him, he knew her well enough and he hated himself for that.
On reaching the beach he turned around and came face to face with her. How could she still look him in the eye? After all she did to him. He loved her more than anything in his life, definitely more than his own life and she didn't even hesitate to choose between him and another camper. For the first time, looking at her confidence and determination, Percy wondered. Random thoughts came to his mind like flashes of light. 'What if she broke up with me because I wasn't paying her enough attention.? I was not with her when she needed me and couldn't do enough for her. She wanted someone permanent for her and unfortunately I tend to die every once in a while'.
Their eyes met and there was nothing to say for once. The spoke to each other silently for a while. There were emotions, a lot of them. Anger, frustration, sense of betrayal, hurt, sorrow and somewhere among them was the happiness to see each other again. Surely the sensation was brief. There was no room in his heart and life for something like love and romance, not for 'her' at least.
She didn't break the eye contact. "Hi Percy".
Percy had the sudden urge to yell at her, 'HOW CAN YOU STILL DO IT?' But with great effort he came up with "Hi".
"Long time no see". She gained confidence.
Percy looked at the sea. "Yeah. Been busy lately with hunt and stuff." He didn't want to talk, obviously but he didn't want to look like a coward and run either.
She nodded. "Yeah, me too. I just came yesterday, was in California. They told me that you were coming so I came to see you."
Percy gave her an annoyed look. "Why?"
She rubbed her neck, a sign of nervousness. "I wanted to meet you. To see how you are doing."
"You meant to say that how was I doing after you dumped me and left to seek love in another man's arms?" Percy spat at her.
Her shoulders slumped. "Percy please. I thought you might have forgot that."
Percy turned red in anger. "Really Chase? Would you have forgot if you were in my place? Tell me what would you do if someone who promised to grow old with you cheats on you? Someone that you trust with your life backstabs you and chose a newly befriended person to be his partner over you? Would you accept that and go on? Tell me Chase! Would you forgive that person?" Chase not Annabeth, wise girl or owl face. Only Chase. That's how he wanted to show her that who she is to him now.
Annabeth lost her confidence. "I am sorry Percy. Please try to understand. I was alone and scared with all the war and stuff and you weren't there for me."
"That's your excuse? How pathetic Chase. I wasn't there with you because I was protecting you from the enemy and in return you screw another guy. You know I am amazed that how did you get the nerve to talk to me."
"Percy please..." She tried to protest but Percy left for his cabin.
Percy went back to the arena with his bag and taught the sword fighters to master some techniques. They were already tired after the warm up exercise so Clarisse wasn't surprised when they passed out with exhaustion after an hour of practice. Someone had to fight the dummies, why not Percy? Besides, it was a good method to let out his anger without hurting anyone, exclude hay sacked dummies if they count on your list as living beings. Percy hit the button on his bracelet and his spear appeared on his hand. He swung it with all his might and hit the dummy's head. The tip of his spear went through it and hit the ground. He jabbed at a dummy and kicked another one. The dummy went flying and during the flight Percy threw his spear and hit it. He let all his anger on the poor dummies. He heard footsteps behind him but he kept going. The head of the last dummy hit the floor with a thud.
"Wow Jackson. I hate to say it but you have improved very much. Guess I can't kick your butt around anymore Remind me to stay away from you when you are angry."
Percy turned around and smiled at his former rival, Clarisse La Rue. "I am not angry."
The corner of Clarisse's mouth curled up in a smile. She looked much better when not cursing and sneering, Percy thought. "Could've fooled me Jackson. You may have turned immortal or trained to be a guardian but you are still the same person, pure of heart and honest. Lying isn't your thing".
Percy shook his head. "Well those who needed to understand it never did. No matter how my character, I was abandoned in the end."
Clarisse pursed her lips. "Percy no one abandoned you. We are family, all the demigods living in the world, greeks or romans. We fight for each other and care for each other, no one should feel alone and unwanted." Percy fidgeted with his spear.
Clarisse examined Percy for a few seconds. "I know that its none of business but I have to speak on this matter. Jackson I have been in this camp since I was a baby girl and I know Annabeth since that time. What she did to you is unfair and unjust. But we humans do make mistakes. But the difference between a wise and fool is that fool regrets his decision but wise tries to correct it. She is doing the right thing please give her a try."
Percy shook his head. "You don't know Clarisse what I am going through right now. My heart is begging me to rush to her and hug her. To tell her that I forgive her for what she did because I love her more than anything and can't avoid her anymore. I wouldn't say it out loud but I still love her can't you see? You know why? Because my love for her was unconditional and infinite. It had no boundary. The other part of me hate her for what she did. You know only those can be hated the most who were once loved. It is so painful for me, to love her and hate her at the same moment."
Clarisse shrugged. "Then leave the bad part. Stop hating her. If you have feelings for her then give her a second chance."
Percy smiled. "Did Beckendorf get second chance?"
Clarisse frowned. "What?"
"You heard me," Percy said. "Silena betrayed him just like Annabeth betrayed me."
"She died a hero Percy!" Clarisse exclaimed incredulously. "She betrayed no one!"
"You are saying this because she was your friend Clarisse. She knew that Luke won't spare the camp and Half-Bloods yet she helped him. She spied on us just because Luke was charming and he had asked her? Any other excuse but not this. As much as I appreciate her final decision, but I never forgave her for that. Just like Beckendorf, Annabeth is not going to get any second chance."
Clarisse was speechless. As much as she loved Silena she knew that the deaths of campers in Titan War were mainly Silena's fault.
Percy put away the spear and turned to Clarisse with a calm expression. "Leave my problems to me Clarisse, you guys have your own issues to deal with."
Clarisse nodded. "Yeah. Hey listen I just forgot to tell you something. Some campers will be coming today. Like Jason and Reyna"
"Anything serious?"
"No. Just come to the Big House when you are called and please Percy don't bring any weapons. We don't want bloodshed". Clarisse smiled and turned to walk away.
Percy frowned at the last sentence. "What do you mean by that?"
"You'll see that too", Clarisse replied back.
After lunch Percy went for surfing. He didn't know that so many campers did surfing until he noticed that there were no boys, only girls. Being the kelp head he didn't pay any attention and dived into the water. Being the god of sea and waves he didn't need a surf-board, water turned itself into solid board for him to stand on. He surfed for almost half an hour. The girls were all looking at him and taking pictures with their cameras. The attention made him uncomfortable and he headed back to the beach.
"Hello there." The voice belonged to a girl, almost of Percy's age. She had a lot of make up on, her hairs were braided on one side and she had lopsided smiled. She looked exactly like Piper but the similarity ended there. She was pale white. Daughter of Aphrodite, Percy guessed.
"Hi" Percy said. "Umm.. do I know you?"
The girl smiled at Percy. She was definitely beautiful but Percy was no interested in love games anymore. "The name is Daphine".
Percy looked around to make an excuse to get away and caught Annabeth glaring at Daphine angrily. Percy felt the urge to make Annabeth angrier. And he turned to Daphine with a smile. "Hi Daphine I am Percy Jackson." Daphine smiled widely. "Of course you are dummy. Everyone knows you here".
Percy frowned. "They do? I mean yeah I am an old camper."
Daphine ran her hand through Percy's arm length. "Wow you have nice body. Umm can you take your shirt off? I have to see your body."
"What?" Percy asked in shock. Then he saw Annabeth narrowing at Daphine. "Of course," Percy exclaimed in enthusiasm and took his shirt off.
Daphine's eyes widened when she saw Percy shirtless. Even Annabeth blushed. "Its perfecto" Daphine said with a grin.
Percy smirked. "You like it?"
Daphine nodded vigorously. Some girls took pictures of Percy. "Can I touch it?" Daphine asked staring at Percy's abs.
"Sure" Percy tried not to sound annoyed. Why would a girl like to touch his abs. What's the big deal in having pack abs?
She ran her hand through Percy's chest. Percy smiled and she blushed. Percy saw Annabeth standing up from her spot, to play it more like real he put his shirt on and stepped back. "Listen Daphine, um I have to go now. Will see you later?"
Daphine looked a little disappointed but managed a smile. "Sure. After dinner meet me right here at 9."
Percy smiled back. "Will do". 'Since when did I like to make people jealous?' He asked himself on his way to hi cabin.