Percy slept better than he had expected. He attributed it to the long and stressful beach raid. Still, sleeping in a middle of a war had always been difficult for him. He woke up early and quickly dressed. A bowl of assorted fruit sat on a table in the elaborate tent. Percy couldn't help but feel out of place in the lavish surroundings in the middle of death and the crying wounded. He wandered out among the low tents where the majority of the soldiers slept. When he reached the edge of camp, he looked over the lay of the land. They sat atop a low hill looking over a valley. A jagged crack marred the earth stretching into the distance. The entire land looked devoid of vegetation, and what vegetation there was, looked like it was barely holding on. A large encampment covered the valley. The beginning of the crack was heavily surrounded. Percy squinted as he searched the camp for any sign of Nico.
"This will help." A deep voice said beside him as a long looking glass was handed to him. Percy looked over to see Poseidon handing him the telescope.
Percy took it and stretched it out as he searched the horizon looking for any sign of Nico. "I don't see him." Percy said worriedly.
"And you won't. They'll keep his location a secret for as long as possible." Poseidon nodded.
"They seem to be awfully protective about the entrance to the pit. Why would they be protective of that?"
"It is now like a type of fortress. We'll know more when we get down there."
"Do we know how they are getting out?" Percy asked.
"Can you see the length of the pit? Poseidon asked.
Percy looked through the telescope and followed the pit as far as he could into the distance. He saw something sticking up in the air but he couldn't make out what it was. "What is it?"
"Their way out." Poseidon said grimly.
"That's going to be a battle. They have the entire pit protected."
Poseidon nodded sagely. "Get some breakfast and prepare for battle." Poseidon paused for a moment. "I know you will want to lead your troops into battle, but consider letting them do the fighting." Percy looked at him, but before he could argue, Poseidon held up his hands in surrender. "I know you are a soldier first, but consider the future of Atlantis."
Percy sighed in defeat. "I'll try to be careful."
"I suppose that's the best I will get. Come on, time to get ready for battle." Poseidon sighed.
Percy tore his gaze from the enemy's camp and followed Poseidon back to his tent. A large spread covered the table. Poseidon immediately dug in while Percy suddenly wasn't very hungry.
"Eat." Poseidon commanded. "You will need your strength."
Percy knew he was right as he grabbed some bread and choked it down with an apple and some water. He picked at the grapes until Frank showed up. He dressed in the official armor of Atlantis with the emblem of the trident. It looked like the rest of the armies armor except that his had a crown above the trident, signifying that he was royalty. Percy tugged at it uncomfortably. He felt it put a target on him more than anything else.
"How's our guest?" He asked Frank.
Frank glanced at Percy causing him to shift uncomfortably. "I haven't seen Hazel this morning."
"What do you mean?" Percy turned to look at Frank.
Frank never got to reply. Poseidon strood in looking in a foul move. "Zeus's army is going to cover the right. He wants Atlantis in the center."
Percy processed this. Front and center is where all the focus will be on, especially with Percy at the front. "I'm bait." Percy stated simply.
Poseidon exploded at the words. "If he thinks that he can decimate my army, my future, and then take all the glory, . . ."
"Hey, we're tough. Not as tough as the Spartans, but tough. We can do this. Besides, I make great bait." Percy smiled.
"That isn't funny." Poseidon grumbled.
"Unfortunately, I've had a lot of practice." Percy said wryly.
"The troops are waiting to be addressed. I think it will have more meaning coming from you."
"Right." Percy sighed.
"Your highness." Frank said as acknowledgment that he was done.
He pulled at the armor, testing it and then strode purposefully out of the tent. "Attention!" General Ramirez called out. The army of Atlantis was lined up before him. It was a powerful sight. He got the feeling that they were expecting something from him, a miracle, maybe. Percy thought of all that they had left behind. Atlantis still didn't feel like his home, but he knew it was theirs.
"I know that you are thinking about your loved ones at home. I know that that there is no other place you would rather be, than with your wife, your children, your parents, your sweethearts. But we are not. We are about to face a cruel and unforgiving army that would like nothing better than to destroy your home. The only thing standing between them and your families is us. And I am not going to back down and let them anywhere near our home. They have already taken one of our own, an Olympian who had already fought against them once. We will take back what is ours and send them back into the pit where they belong!"
The soldiers roared fiercely in response, as Percy strapped his helmet on and mounted Blackjack. He noticed Poseidon looking on with a neutral expression. Percy looked for any sign of Annabeth or Hazel but he couldn't locate them in the sea of soldiers in front of him. He drew his sword and nudged Blackjack forward.
Blackjack was antsier than usual as he neighed and kept moving in a restless way. Percy guessed he was as anxious to get into the fight as he was. "Steady." Percy soothed in a low voice. General Ramirez was behind him as they made their way to the front of the army. Percy could see the other Olympian armies lining up along the hill with him. They had the high ground, which would give them an advantage, but they were in the enemy's territory.
Frank and General Ramirez rode up on either side of him. He scanned the enemy below him. They were a rough and disheveled army, but it made them look all the more vicious. Percy could feel the hatred of the army that had risen from the pit. Percy had no doubt that they would fight ruthlessly. He gripped his sword and looked down the line. Zeus, stood with Poseidon along with all of the other kings and Queens of Olympus. Athena looked especially displeased. Percy shifted uncomfortably as she caught him looking at her and glared ferociously back. But Percy refused to look away. Zeus raised his hand as though he were about to start the games. Percy gripped his sword. When Zeus dropped his hand, Olympus' army surged forward with Jason in bright gold armor leading the way. Aries' army was close behind. Percy eyed the entrance to the pit pointed at it with his sword and roared as he surged toward it. A deafening roar followed him as the army of Atlantis followed him. Arrows began whizzing around him. Blackjack moved erratically, but determinedly forward as arrows rained down on them. Percy kept his shield raised in an attempt to stop the arrows. He could hear screams of pain and death around him. He was almost to the front line when he saw several sharpened poles lowered. Percy knew this was to be expected but still had to fight the urge to bring Blackjack to a complete stop. Blackjack, however sped up and leapt over the poles as if he were flying. Percy was nearly unhorsed when they landed. He slashed at the enemy. Between him and Blackjack, they were a fearsome team. Percy looked around to see that the line of poles had been broken and the battle raged around him. His men were dying. Percy could feel the crushing weight of desperation around him. Percy fought hard to protect Blackjack and his men around him, slashing at anything that didn't resemble an Atlantian soldier. He realized that they were being crushed in on all sides.
"To me!" Percy called out to his soldiers. "Rally to me! Form up! Shields up!" His soldiers formed up around him with Frank among them. Percy dismounted and joined their ranks, standing next to Frank, as they protected themselves and stabbed out at their enemy, pressing in on all sides. Percy and Frank looked at each other. He knew this was the worst situation they could find themselves in. But he also knew that the rest of Olympus' armies were out there. Surely they wouldn't abandon him to die. Then again, what better way to get rid of the legend. Percy shook the thought out of his head. "Hold the line! Steady! Stay strong!" Percy encouraged his men as well as himself as he stabbed an enemy soldier pressing in. A soldier next to him cried out in pain and fell, leaving a gap. Percy and the soldier next to him quickly closed the gap. He could feel his feet slipping beneath him. Their circle was growing smaller and smaller. Blackjack was neighing loudly, clearly uncomfortable with the situation. Just when Percy was beginning to lose all hope, the army that had been slowly crushing them, suddenly turned to fight a golden army. It was as if light had broken through a dark cloud. Percy began fighting back with every survival instinct he had. Before he knew it, the enemy was beginning to panic and retreat. His army was spread out and not doing so good. Then he saw Blackjack. He had several cuts along his backsides and one among his chest. Percy gripped his sword in anger.
"Percy!" Jason called out to him as he rode up on a gray dappled stallion. He looked like he had been through his fair share of battle as his once golden armor was covered in mud and grime.
"Thanks for the help!" Percy said genuinely.
"Don't thank me. Thank her." He nodded behind him.
Piper peaked out from behind him. "You look awful."
"Thanks." Percy replied ryly.
"Your highness," Frank called out, "they're retreating along the pit!"
Percy looked to see the army indeed retreating, right into an enclosed structure; however, the gate was never closed and taunted them.
"They left the door open." Piper noted.
"Looks like a trap." Jason scrutinized the building.
"I have a feeling that's where Nico is." Percy squinted at the building as if it would help him see what lay beyond.
"We're going in aren't we." Jason gripped his sword.
"Frank, get the wounded to the medics. Make sure Blackjack finds Tyson. He'll know what to do." Percy ordered, never taking his gaze off the building.
"Your highness. . ." Frank began to object.
Percy snapped his intense gaze on Frank, hoping he caught the warning.
"Percy." Frank tried again.
"You have your orders. Tend to the wounded." Percy tried to express how important it was that his men be taken care of.
"Your highness." Frank said morosely.
Piper slid gracefully off the horse. Then Jason dismounted.
Percy looked at Blackjack and said, "Find Tyson."
Blackjack stood still for a moment, staring at him, then nodded once and trotted off.
"Last chance to back out." Percy glanced at Jason. Not that he wanted him to, but wanted to give him the option.
Jason gave him a friendly grin, then turned to a small troop of Olympian soldiers that had gathered around, and ordered, "Surround the building and take out any enemy you see. We're going in. For Nico!"