(Authors Note: Disclaimer - Rick Riordan owns the Percy Jackson and the Olympians franchise, including all characters and storylines. This story will be split into the 3 parts, each with anywhere between 10 and 20 chapters
PART 1: The City Of Gold
CHAPTER 1: And So It Begins
Footsteps fell upon a thin sheet of snow, just a few days into the month of December and the lake was already frozen over. The sun was beginning to rise, over the forest that stood on the east side of the lake. A tall, cloaked figure, ambled across the ice, being careful not to crack the surface. As he reached the edge of the lake, he extended his arm towards the forest in front of him, it connected with an invisible force, revealing a shimmering shield. After a moment, the area where he touched, glowed green and separated, allowing him to enter. The man continued walking for another 10 minutes before he stepped into a clearing, in front of him was the gate to a city.
A wooden sign was staked into the ground, the words aionios chrysos written on it. The man took a quick glance at it before marching forward and pushing open the gate. He walked through the streets, his mind entirely focused on his report. Without sparing a moment to converse with the merchants and the traders, in the streets, he headed towards the castle, located in the center of the city.
He nodded at the guards and showed them his pendant, they took a glance at it, before moving out of the way and granting him entry into the castle. The man's strides grew bigger as he navigated his way through the corridors before finally stopping in front of the throne room. He took a deep breath before pushing open the doors and walking towards the throne. About 5 steps from the dais, he stopped and knelt down.
There was a figure sitting on the throne, his body shifted from the state of a ghost-like being to a man with dark hair, ebony eyes, and pale skin. He held a stygian iron sword in his left hand, as his right hand clutched the armrest on the throne.
" Rise Acrisias, what tidings do you bring?" The being on the throne asked.
" Lord, I wish to inform you that our forces on the eastern coast are prepared for battle and are growing restless. Every moment that passes is another opportunity for the Olympian ilk and their spawn to become aware of our plans and attempt to foil them. I am aware that you said that we would wait until the solstice and attack while the gods are all busy, leaving the demigods isolated and vulnerable to our attack, however even with the aid you have granted us, it is difficult to hide an army of this size." the man said looking up, his eyes fixed on the sword, which was being raised.
" Very well, send the message to invade the camp. Leave no survivors, however, I do warn you, if the Olympians arrive and this invasion fails, you will be held accountable and the loss of all those allies, will be on your hands. It took a great deal of negotiating to receive those forces from Tartarus, he was adamant to participate in war after Gaia was defeated while the doors of death had been open for an extended period of time, giving her an endless supply of monsters to be a part of her army." the man on the throne said, rising and walking towards the kneeling man.
Acrisias stood up and stared at him for a moment " Lord Erebus, I will not fail you, the Greek camp will be destroyed by nightfall.
* * * * * FRAGMENTS - PART ONE * * * * *
A tall, tanned boy with jet-black hair sat on a beach, his eyes gazing lovingly at the girl lying beside him.
"Annabeth, do you think we'll be able to live the rest of our lives out in peace?" he asked softly.
She glanced up at him "I would hope so, two wars in a single lifetime are enough, don't you think?"
"It's just that I've grown used to constantly fighting, going on quests, being on the run. It feels weird for it all to have stopped, not that I am complaining, but it's an observation," he replied.
"Even if something like that happens again, it doesn't need to be us on the front lines, there are two camps, countless demigods, and legacies. I am not saying we don't do anything, but it wouldn't have to be our fight. Percy, we are leaving for New Rome in a week, enjoy our time here, don't stress." she told him, as she sat upright, reaching back to brush sand off of the back of her shirt.
Percy smiled "Yeah, I'll miss this place."
The couple stared at the water, watching the waves lap against the sand. The son of Poseidon used his powers to form a picture composed of water droplets, depicting a heart.
The moment was interrupted by a scream that pierced through the air. Percy automatically reached his hand into his pocket and pulled out Riptide, uncapping it as it burst into a celestial bronze sword, standing up immediately. Annabeth got up from the sand and grabbed the dagger laying on the sand, a few meters from her.
The couple sprinted towards the path to camp, as another scream rang through the air. As they reached the clearing, where a large number of cabins stood, they saw monsters slamming into the barrier, its blue shield fizzling, as the army on the hill ran into it repeatedly. As the shield began to weaken, demigods ran in and out of the cabins and the armory, equipping themselves with weapons and preparing for a battle.
Percy and Annabeth quickly joined the group, as Chiron galloped towards the two demigods, a bow in his hand.
"This army of monsters appeared not 5 minutes ago, it appears they are trying to force their way through the barrier, I am afraid that in a few minutes, it will collapse and they will gain entry into the camp," Chiron explained, gesturing towards the barrier.
Annabeth grimaced "I think the best way for us to handle this draw them away from the cabins and into the forest and towards the lake. It will be much easier for Percy to drown them, with a water source nearby. It will also cause less destruction. If we can get archers into the trees, to shoot the monsters down, once we get them into the forest."
Chiron looked unsure about the idea " We have no clue what they want, isn't it too great a risk to abandon the main area of the camp?"
Annabeth shook her head, "Their numbers are too much for us to use conventional methods, if Nico is able to summon the dead, that will give us better chances."
"Chiron still didn't seem to approve but he nodded, consenting to the plan, before galloping away to tell the archers to retreat into the trees, and for the other demigods to start moving toward the forest.
Percy quickly kissed Annabeth before he started moving towards the hill. It wasn't long before the barrier collapsed and all hell broke loose.
A/N Well what do you think? This story is just getting underway, I have already written the next 4 chapters, so expect about 1-2 updates per week. Please review and favorite the story.