WISDOM BETRAYS THE SEA

by Nadeen Nolek

Betrayed by Annabeth in in the closing battle, Percy and his remaining TRUE friends must somehow find the strength to rise up and retake Olympus. Percy will have to struggle between whether he wants to believe he can make Annabeth see the error of her ways, or whether any affectionate feelings he had may have been replaced by a desire to bring Annabeth to justice for her treachery

2. Labor Camp Demigod

-CHAPTER 2-

Labor Camp Demigod

Have you ever had one of those places that is one of your most favorite in the world and you'd love nothing more than to stay there indefinitely, but then unfortunate events make those dreams a reality in the form of a never-ending nightmare? Well, that's how I felt about my stay at Camp Half-blood for the past two years. After the Titans conquered Olympus, their armies, lead by none other than my dear treacherous former friend, Annabeth, marched to Camp Half-blood and captured it with hardly a fight.

After Camp Half-blood was conquered, the Titans rechristened the Place "Labor Camp Demigod", and the warden of the labor camp was-you guessed it: Annabeth. Annabeth's flaw was hubris, deadly pride. Her greatest dream was that she could rebuild the world and mold it to her liking. Annabeth spent the first year of the new Golden Age advising Kronos on how best to torment us. Overseeing the demolition of Olympus and a remodeling and improvement of Mount Othrys was her idea, and Kronos loved it so much, he allowed her to personally arrange the labor camps.

Take Poseidon's realm, for instance. She left the demolition of Poseidon's stuff to Tyson and the cyclopes that followed him into battle and had me help the Telekhines develop of a new underwater palace for Oceanus. After tortorous hours at work, Tyson would be set loose in the forest and be hunted for two hours. I didn't know what the other demigods were suffering, but I could guess that I had it worse.

What was the most insulting is that the cabins were turned into prison cells, "where everyone could at least feel some semblance of home", as Annabeth told us. Apparently I still held a special place in her black heart, as she took the liberty of gathering everything that was a memento of our years together and putting them in "Cell Three" as my cabin was called. I had the Master Bolt, the Golden Fleece, she clipped off my grey streak from holding up the sky, a piece of Zeus' Fist, and an old piece of wood from Poseidon's throne with the names of every Titan-alligned demigod with her own name at the top.

She took it very seriously. She had two Laystragonian watch me day and night, and any time I tried to do something, they alerted her, after which she would personally lash me for every offense I committed at the end of the day. I have to tell you that my undying rebellious streak left me with at least eight lashings a day.

I new I couldn't give in. I wouldn't give in. Why? Because, when last I overheard, a handful of demigods escaped into hiding, taking my mom and stepdad with them.

It was on August 18th on my 18th birthday that I would receive a bitterly appreciated gift.