Chapter 4- Welcome to Camp Jupiter

"Do you always try to kill people when they blow their nose?"

Rachel Elizabeth Dare

Two people were standing at the entrance gates of Camp Jupiter, talking to each other about their plans for today evening. They were two Camp Jupiter legionnaires assigned to Guard Duty till evening. A slight breeze was waving past as the two legionnaires passed the time. Generally, there weren't many threats near the camp, so they were a bit laid back. However, that was all about to change.

A few blocks away, two Empousai were preparing a stealth attack and a small sea monster lurking in the river nearby, ready to strike. The Empousai signalled to her sister before rushing in. A few feet away, the guard on the left saw the monster slithering towards them. He immediately pushed his friend away and took the full force of the Empousai as he drew his blade to fight back. The other guard immediately got back up and took out her spear to help but found herself occupied by the other Empousai. Within a few seconds, she was in a fierce duel with the monster. Back to the first guard, he recovered quickly and swerved to the side before shoving his blade, sending the Empousai to the pit. He immediately backed away and sounded the alarm for backup.

The other legionnaire wasn't doing too well. The Empousai was fast and managed to avoid all her attacks. She moved a few steps back before deciding to sidestep and use the spear's midrange to attack her right guard. The Empousai smirked, dashing at the girl, and her claws stabbed her in the shoulder through her armour. The girl fell, her shoulder throbbing with the weight of her armour. She watched as the Empousai stalked towards her, her smile large, but then stopped mid-step, her face scrunched in pain as she suddenly disappeared. Behind her was a young boy, around eleven or twelve, with dark black hair and sea-green eyes. She eyed the kid curiously, not recognising who this person was.

The kid immediately turned around; he could sense an unfriendly presence in the lake, ready to strike. He turned to the other guard.

"You have a bow?" Percy asked. The guard took off his helmet as he nodded. Then, he pulled out some sort of handle, which expanded into a bow.

"Sure do," he responded

"There's a monster lurking in that river. I'll explain later," the kid said in response to the other guy's raised eyebrow. "I'm going to attack it head-on, but I'll need support from afar, or it'll destroy both of us. Attack it in any weak spots you find while I attack it head-on," Percy explained. The boy, identified as Michael, nodded in understanding as he studied the person before him. He had long black hair, sea-green eyes and a cold, stoic look. Michael had seen that exact look elsewhere but couldn't remember where. He readied his bow as he signalled his partner to get behind him.

Percy took a deep breath. He knew Lupa was standing nearby in case he needed support, but he needed to prove himself. She wouldn't be happy if he relied on her help. The legion would be here soon, and Percy would put on a show for them. He tapped his ring, summoning Interitum as he awaited the monster.

A few seconds later, the river churned as the monster revealed himself in all his glory. Percy couldn't quite identify the creature, but he readied himself. He leapt into the river, and the water responded to the son of Neptune as a tendril of water rose and carried him upwards. He jumped off on the creature's neck and drove his blade through. The monster roared in response and spat some green substance in his way, which he narrowly dodged over.

"Poison," Percy thought. "Just great. The fates must really have it in for me,"

The creature readied his claws to grab Percy when Michael launched an arrow into his eyes, giving Percy a window to dodge. He jumped downwards onto the tail before raising his fists and hitting the air. Instantly, the river copied his movements, using full force to push the monster, making him stagger and lose balance. Unfortunately for Percy, that meant tumbling down face-first onto the concrete ground.

"Got any ideas?" Michael asked as Percy tried coming up with a solution.

"Hey, if we can't attack it from the outside, what about the inside?" Michael wondered. Percy looked at him questioningly before an idea struck him.

"That's it!" Percy said as Michael turned to him. "I need you to get him to open his mouth. Attack him continuously till he opens his mouth. Leave the rest to me," Percy dashed before Michael responded. He took a breath before readying his bow again.

Percy took the same approach, rising up the water but landing on his shoulder. Meanwhile, Michael kept laying his assaults on the creature. Finally, Percy saw a bit of exposed skin on the side of his neck on the other side.

"Shoot the neck!" Percy shouted, and immediately two arrows lodged themselves in the target. The creature let loose a shout in pain, and Percy got into action. He knew this was risky and could end up harming him, but that was nothing new in the life of a demigod. Almost like muscle memory, he felt the familiar tug in his gut and the taste of metal formed in his mouth. The sky darkened in response, ready to obey and let loose its destruction immediately. Percy tugged, and a divine arc of lightning heeded his command and struck directly inside the monster's mouth. Percy noticed another bolt of lightning readying, which confused him as that wasn't his doing. Percy stabbed the creature in the neck and jumped off before the second bolt struck him. Percy looked back and saw an even larger strike of lightning follow his one directly inside the monster, finishing it off ultimately.

Percy turned around to see a large group of people watching him in awe, with some looks of admiration and a few of fear. Then, he heard a voice behind him.

"Legion, I bring you a new recruit. This is Perseus Jackson, the son of Lord Neptune and champion of Lady Salacia. I have been training him for seven years at his patron's request, but now I believe it is time for him to join the legion. Take my word as his letter of recommendation and Salacia's," Lupa addressed the legion.

Two people stepped forward, both of them had a cape, signifying their Praetorship. The woman was called Cassandra Waters, or Cassie as she preferred. The man was named Davidson Katters, or just David. They both studied the son of Neptune, who just had a neutral look on his face.

"Centurions!" called Cassie as the legion made paths for five people. They were the officers of the legions that had authority under the Praetors.

There was Centurion Gina Heaney of the First Cohort, the Primus Pilus. Next to her was Centurion Kyle Tanner of the Second Cohort, the Pilus Posterior. Then came Centurion Aidan Tank of the Third Cohort, the Princeps Prior, and Centurion Jake Smith of the Fourth Cohort, the Princeps Posterior. Lastly came Centurion Julia Queen of the Fifth Cohort, the Haustaus Prior.

"We have a new recruit, Perseus Jackson. You have all witnessed his skill first-hand. Now you must all decide which Cohort he is to be taken in. Take into consideration that he has the endorsement of the Mother of Rome and the Queen of the Seas," Cassie continued

"You have five minutes to decide," David finished. Two minutes later, Centurion Julia Queen stepped forward and spoke

"The Fifth has spoken Praetors. We shall take Perseus Jackson into our Cohort and provide him as Probatio. Then, after a year, we shall take him into the legion unless he has a valour of service," Julia determined.

"Anyone wishes to oppose the motion?" David asked, and there were no challenges.

"Then it is passed. Perseus Jackson you may join the Fifth Cohort," Cassie spoke.

Instantaneously the legion responded with their foots hitting the ground. They banged their shield while saying, "Aye, Perseus Jackson," before breaking up into groups and heading back into camp, some eyeing him curiously. Amongst one of them was a blond kid, Jason Grace. He never knew he had any other family left after Thalia. He wanted to see what else he could find out about his cousin.

Percy walked over to his new Centurion, and she smiled at him.

"You look like you need a bath Perseus," Julia told him. Percy gave her a small smile.

"Lupa ran me here without a break. Truthfully I only found out a few hours ago that I would be admitted into the legion. Also, I like being called Percy if you don't mind," he replied.

"Ok Percy," she tested the name. She was confused as to why a young boy like him had such a guarded look. He looked as if he was expecting an attack at any moment. "Do you want to get a bath now? The bathhouses should be empty at the moment," She asked him.

"Yes please," he replied.

She motioned him to follow her.

Percy walked into Camp Jupiter, his eyes widening as he looked around. The camp had such a beautiful look to it. All the buildings looked to be made of pure, pristine metal, and the evening sun burned across the pink sky. Julia laughed at Percy's face as he looked around the camp.

"Welcome to Camp Jupiter Percy," she spoke as Percy's face had a slight smile on his face. Julia was glad to see he was capable of smiling. They walked past the barracks and reached the bathhouse. Percy had some clothes provided to him by Lupa in his backpack.

"When you're done, join the Cohort at the barracks over there," she pointed at the barracks for the Fifth Cohort. Percy nodded, and Julia started walking away

"Ma'am", Percy called as Julia turned back

"Thank you for taking me in," Percy spoke quietly to Julia as she observed him.

"Of course. Now go on," she laughed as Percy walked in.

Percy walked towards the Fifth Cohort Barracks, feeling refreshed after taking a warm bath for the first time in years. Lupa typically had him bathe in the river downhill to where he was raised. Not that there was anything wrong with bathing in the river. Being the son of the Sea God, it felt comforting to be in his father's element. But he was a human as well, and he did appreciate a nice hot bath. He entered the barracks and was met with many new faces. He felt uncomfortable around so many new people, and Julia noticed that.

"Cohort. This is Percy, our newest recruit. I'm pretty sure many of you saw him in the battle earlier. Make him feel welcome everyone," she addressed the Cohort. "Now most of you need to go for a bath so you are all dismissed,"

Quite a few of them got up to get ready for a bath, and Percy just found himself a quiet space in the corner and got out a book that Lupa gave him. He was pretty absorbed in the book; he didn't realise that a certain blond had approached him.

"Hi there," Jason spoke to him. Percy looked up and met Jason's eyes as the son of Jupiter sat beside him. "My name is Jason. Jason Grace," he said as he held out his hand.

Percy looked at it for a moment before shaking it back.

"Percy. Percy Jackson. Well technically Perseus, but I prefer Percy," he replied. Jason looked his cousin up and down. He seemed reserved and had a cautious look in his eyes like he was determining whether Jason was a friend or someone that needed to be put down.

"So, you trained with Lupa for seven years?" Jason asked, trying to make small talk.

Percy put down his book and turned to Jason.

"Yeah. Apparently, Salacia and my father wanted me properly trained before I joined camp. So, I've been alone with Lupa since I was 4," Percy replied as Jason nodded in understanding.

"I know what that's like. Juno took me at birth and handed me to Lupa when I was two. I've been with her till I was eight," Jason told him.

"Juno?" Percy asked

"Yup. I'm the son of Jupiter, champion of Juno," he told Percy and watched his eyes widen slightly in shock. Lupa had never told him that there was another child of the big three. And he also realised one more thing.

"That was you earlier. You summoned the large bolt to help me," Percy said, a grin on his face to Jason's delight.

"Yup," Jason said back, a matching smile on his face.

"Thank you, I owe you one."

Jason shook his head. "Don't worry about it. You defeated it anyways. I just gave you a hand."

They both fell into silence for a few moments. Jason realised Percy would return to his quiet, closed-off demeanour if he didn't try to continue the conversation.

"So how good are you at fighting," Jason asked curiously. Percy shrugged.

"Fairly decent. Lupa taught me a lot. A lot more than expected and that's probably because of Salacia. But still need a lot more practise to be as good as I want to be," Percy replied. Unfortunately, they were both interrupted by the sound from afar.

"Time for dinner," Jason spoke. "Come on, I'll introduce you to the others."

Author's Note: 2330 words, not too bad. I wanted to mainly capitalise this chapter on Percy's entrance to Camp Jupiter and also a budding friendship between him and Jason like I did the first time I wrote this. His friendship with Jason will be one of the main points in this story, something I didn't write properly the first time around so let's hope I can do better this time.

Only one review so far, but that's fine. I guess I need to write more to draw more attention. If any of you have 10 seconds to spare and review, much appreciated.

Guest: I want to try and release one chapter a week at the very least. That's the hope. I have exams until June 24th, so timings may go mismatched here and there, but at least once a week is the hope. I will try twice a week, though, if possible.

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