Chapter 24: I Dunk on a Monkey
The two crocodiles were enormous. The one Percy didn't recognise looked to be large enough to fit two people on its back and was a pure white albino, whose pink eyes seemed mired in confusion as Percy and the other crocodile exchanged pleasantries. The other crocodile was slightly smaller, and looked more like your typical Nile crocodile, and its yellow eyes were wide open in shock.
"Is that really you Percy?" Petsuchos asked, and Percy was stunned once more that he could understand the beast, but figured that it had something to do with the croc being a water creature and therefore belonging to his fathers domain.
"Yeah, it's me. You've gotten so big since the last time I saw you." Percy reached out tentatively but the crocodile didn't pull away as Percy rubbed its snout, "How have you been?"
The croc showed off his teeth in what looked like a terrifying version of a grin, "I love it here. Phillip keeps me company and we protect the house from intruders."
The albino, whom Percy assumed was Phillip, nodded its snout in agreement, matching Petsuchos' grin with one of his own.
Percy heard Axel whispering frantically to Scarlett from the safety of the edge of the pool, "Is he talking to the crocodiles? They tried to eat me earlier!"
"I've learned to stop being surprised when he does stuff like this. I went to McDonalds with him and the pegasi that came with us left in a conga line." Scarlett whispered back.
"What are you doing here Percy?" Petsuchos asked, clearly concerned, "We were told to be on guard for intruders. Are you one of them? You're with one of them!"
The croc motioned with its snout towards Axel and Percy contemplated if it would have been easier to leave the son of Ares or son of Hebe or whatever he was in the trash compactor.
"I came to see Carter," Percy lied. Well technically it wasn't a total lie, he did plan on seeing Carter again, but the crocodile questioning whether or not they were supposed to eat him didn't need to know that Percy was well aware Carter wasn't here.
"Carter isn't here, he lives in Egypt now. He's a pharaoh but…" The croc trailed off and looked off into the distance.
"Hey, what's wrong?" Percy asked, wondering how much Petsuchos knew about the potential civil war that was supposed to be brewing.
The croc sighed, "People here have been saying a lot of mean stuff about Carter. They say he has gone crazy and they need to stop him to get him help. I haven't seen him in a long time but I know he isn't crazy, I'm worried about him. And I'm worried the people here are lying to us about him."
Percy didn't know how he went from almost getting eaten to comforting a distraught crocodile in the space of like five minutes but he figured that dealing with a sad crocodile was better than dealing with a hungry one.
"That's why I'm here," he told the croc, "I heard that stuff too and wanted to check on him. But the people here locked me up before I could ask."
"We need to save Carter! Together we can for sure get to him." Petsuchos roared.
"I agree," Percy nodded, "But first I have to rescue my friends. They were kidnapped by a bald Russian guy, any idea who he is?"
Petsuchos seemed to discuss something with Phillip in Crocanese before turning back to Percy and shaking his head, "We heard that they were throwing a big party for someone, we had hoped it was Carter but he never showed. If you want to know who he is you should ask Khufu."
"Who is Khufu?"
"He's the monkey that lives here, he also protects the house from intruders. He is probably on the basketball court right now, which is on the floor above us."
"Good to know," Percy murmured, but then he began to hear yelling from inside the mansion as it became clear that their break out from the trash compactor had been discovered. "Ah shit, I don't think I have time to meet your monkey friend."
Petsuchos looked at the mansion before whispering something to Phillip who nodded his snout in agreement. Then they both turned back to him. "Give us your shoes," Petsuchos growled, "When Phillip and I get asked if we know where you went we'll spit up your shoes. They'll think we ate you so you'll have time to talk to Khufu."
"You'd do that for me?" Percy asked, stunned at the hospitality he was being shown by the crocodile.
"You and Carter saved my life all those years ago, and because of that I got a home and I got friends. These people have been saying horrible stuff about Carter and I want them to be wrong, and my best chance of finding out is if we go to rescue him. The sooner you save your friends, the sooner we save Carter!"
Percy couldn't keep the grin off his face as he wrapped his arms around the crocodile in a hug. "Thank you Petsuchos, I'll be back as soon as I can." He turned to the stunned demigods by the side of the pool, "Quick, take off your shoes and throw them to the crocodiles, they're gonna make it look like they ate us."
Scarlett shrugged and began to take off her shoes, "Better it looks like they ate us than they actually eat us."
Axel's jaw dropped, "They're gonna help us? They tried to eat me earlier."
"You just didn't have my effortless charm," Percy grinned, "Now hurry, they're gonna look for us."
He kicked off his shoes underwater and handed them to Petsuchos, who grabbed them in his mouth. Scarlett and Axel threw theirs in the pool as well and they were swiftly snapped up by
Phillip. He jumped out of the pool and willed his clothes dry, doing the same with Axel and Scarlett so there would be no trail of water for the Egyptians to follow.
"Follow me," he motioned, running towards a line of bushes where they could hide for a moment. They made it just in time, diving behind the bushes as a group of Egyptians burst through the poolside doors.
"They broke through the upstairs window so they must be around here somewhere!" A woman's voice called out, motioning to the others to spread out and look. Percy was able to spy through a small hole in the bushes, keen not to make any sudden movements that would give away their location.
Suddenly though Scarlett stiffened, and Percy glanced back to see her eyes rolled in the back of her head as she fought to keep down a sneeze. She grabbed her nose and looked at Percy and Axel in fear as it seemed like the sneeze was about to win. Percy's heart pounded as it looked for a moment like she might lose the struggle, but then the urge passed, and Scarlett's face relaxed. Percy couldn't stop the wave of relief that rolled across his shoulders and quickly turned his attention back to the pool, where Petsuchos and Phillip had swam towards the Egyptians.
They took turns spitting out the shoes in front of the woman, and the woman's distress seemed to melt away, her scowl being replaced with a smile. She petted the two crocs and yelled at the people that had come with her to follow her back inside. A few moments later the door slammed shut behind them, and Percy let out a sigh of relief. He turned to Scarlett with a raised eyebrow.
The daughter of Hades shrugged, "I have allergies."
"I was this close to throwing you off the roof," Axel warned, turning back to Percy, "What now?"
Percy grinned, "Now we find the monkey."
The trio made their way across the patio, doing their best to hide in the shadows except for a brief thumbs up from Percy to the two crocodiles. Petsuchos had told him that Khufu was on the floor above them, which meant they had to somehow climb up a full floor. Not that that would be much of an issue after Percy's jump out of the trash compactor. If he could carry them out of there, climbing up a single floor with them on his back would be a breeze.
They moved to a wall out of view of the windows and the two younger demigods hopped on his back again, and before long he began to climb. He did his best to do it as slowly as possible, trying to avoid making any unnecessary noise, and the experience he had had of climbing the lava wall as well as the cliff face back in camp came in handy. Plus, hopefully climbing the wall like a monkey would put him in the right mindset for when he came face to face with Khufu.
As he pulled the group onto the next floor with a final heave they took stock of their surroundings. They were on a small patio, with a shattered window above them suggesting that that was where they had fallen from. The shards of glass had been collected in a pile on the far side, and in the middle of the patio a baboon was casually playing basketball.
His movements were surprisingly coordinated as he dribbled back and forth, weaving through the invisible defenders. With a swift motion, he launched the ball into the air. It spun, gracefully arcing towards the basket. The baboon let out a victorious cry as the ball swished through the net with a satisfying sound.
"Monkey got moves," Axel noted.
"Awwww he's so cute," Scarlett squealed, "Can we meet him?"
"That is the plan," Percy muttered, "I have no idea how we are going to talk to him though."
The three approached the baboon slowly and Percy did his best to look as disarming and no-threatening as possible, holding open his palm as he approached. The baboons' ears perked up, and suddenly the monkey spun around at them, hissing and baring their teeth. The baboon had golden fur and a rainbow coloured nose, the same colour that its butt had been. Percy also noted that it was wearing a purple Lakers jersey, and did his best not to hold it against them.
"We're friends," Percy announced, "We just want to talk."
The baboon snarled in response and held the basketball threateningly, as though he was about to launch it at them. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, the aggression disappeared from its face, and he dropped the basketball. Suddenly its agile fingers began moving with purpose, forming intricate signs, and Percy realised the baboon wasn't looking at him, it was looking at Axel. Glancing to his left, he saw Axel making similar signs with his fingers, and seemed to be actively communicating with the monkey.
"You know sign language?" Percy questioned, impressed.
"My sister was deaf, I've known it since I was a little kid," he replied, continuing his conversation with the monkey, "I'm explaining to him that we are friendly and that the crocodiles sent us."
"So this is Khufu?" Percy asked. Axel translated and the monkey nodded in affirmation. "Ask him if he knows where the others are."
Axel complied but Khufu bared his teeth aggressively as he responded, "He says that we are intruders and he needs to report us. He also said that covered his basketball court in glass."
"Umm, tell him we're sorry about the basketball court but that we came here to see Carter."
The monkey's face seemed to relax at the mention of Carter, but then quickly exchanged signs with Axel.
"What's he saying?" Percy asked.
"He says that he will help us because he's worried about Carter too, but only if we play basketball with him to make up for showering him with glass when he was playing earlier."
Percy nodded, "Okay, so go play basketball with him."
"I don't know how to play basketball."
"What do you mean you don't know how to play basketball?"
"I played football growing up."
"Like soccer or like football."
"Like football, I played defensive lineman in high school. I beat my first monster by tackling it into the bleachers when it interrupted one of my games."
"And what, you were a one-sport athlete?"
"Let me guess, you were a swimmer?"
Percy grinned, "Duh, but I was also on the water polo team, the frisbee team, a dodgeball extraordinaire AND I play basketball from time to time."
Axel shrugged, "Then it looks like you're playing him, unless Hades girl is the next LeBron James."
Percy raised an eyebrow, "You mean Michael Jordan?"
"Uhh no, I mean LeBron James." Axel countered. Khufu gestured excitedly at the mention of Lebron James, signing something to Axel. "See, the monkey agrees."
"Yeah cuz he's a monkey AND a Lakers fan, not that those two aren't one in the same."
Khufu started baring his teeth again and began signing angrily at Percy.
"Yeah I'm not gonna translate that, there are children present." Axel muttered.
"Beelzebub says you're both wrong and Zion Williamson is the goat." Scarlett offered.
"Tell Beelzebub he's on drugs, I have no idea who that is" Percy told her, and Axel frowned at first before accepting that Percy had been locked in ice for twenty years, "Alright fine, tell the monkey I'm ready to kick his ass."
Axel translated and Khufu roared in excitement, throwing the ball to Percy before running into the middle of the court.
"This is for the Knicks," Percy declared, stepping out onto the court and facing off against Khufu as Scarlett and Axel moved to the side.
The atmosphere crackled with tension as th match began. Percy dribbled the ball, his bare feet slapping against the concrete. Khufu mirrored his movements, his agile limbs showcasing an unexpected finesse.
The ball danced between Percy's fingers as he made his move, attempting to navigate past Khufu's agile defence. The baboon, however, proved to be a formidable opponent, matching Percy's every step with uncanny precision. Back and forth they went, a pattern of dribbles and feints echoing softly across the patio.
As the game progressed, Percy and Khufu engaged in a battle of skill and strategy. Percy's height allowed him to shoot from a distance, but Khufu's swift reflexes made him a challenging defender, and often just as Percy thought he had won himself a yard of pace, the monkey was there to shut him down. He tried using speed instead, to dart past the baboon and get through to the hoop for a lay-up, but Khufu had clearly spent years playing the game, and countered Percy's raw athleticism with experience and patience. Percy eventually managed to grab a point, diving backwards to hit an impressive shot from downtown. Now it was Khufu's turn though.
The baboons dribbling was unlike anything Percy had seen before, and he could just about keep up with where Khufu was, let alone the ball. In one particularly impressive move he sent Percy one way and dribbled another, sending Percy sprawling to the ground where he watched the baboon hit a lazy lay-up.
"Oh it's on," Percy gasped.
The two went back and forth, relentless in their determination to beat one another. For a moment the threat of the world hanging in the balance seemed to fade, as Percy genuinely enjoyed the 1 v 1. He hadn't played in a while even before he took a twenty year nap in the ice, and the feeling of playing lifted a weight off of his shoulders. With the score locked Percy signalled to Axel, "Next score wins."
Axel translated to Khufu and the baboon nodded in agreement, grasping the ball firmly and beginning his dribble. He looked for an opening, moving laterally across the court looking for an opening. The defining moment came as Percy, sweat glistening on his forehead, seized a bounce that was a little heavier than Khufu intended, and darted forward to steal the ball from out of the baboon's hands. With a burst of speed, he sprinted towards the basket as Khufu pursued, a blur of fur and determination at his heels. The court seemed to shrink as Percy approached the basket, the tension mounting with every step.
In a spectacular display of his athleticism, Percy leaped into the air, defying gravity as he soared towards the basket. Khufu jumped, but was nowhere near close enough, and could only watch as Percy executed a breathtaking dunk. The ball thundered through the net and bounced down onto the floor, coming to rest as Percy dropped down beside it. Percy and Khufu exchanged sportsmanlike nods and the baboon, though defeated, wore an expression of respect.
Axel and Scarlett clapped softly on the sidelines, but based on their expressions they were ready to actually get to the rescuing part of the plan. Axel exchanged signs with Khufu briefly before turning to Percy.
"Khufu says to follow him, he's going to lead us through an air vent above the dining hall. Apparently a meeting is taking place there and we can find out what's going on."
"Works for me," Percy nodded, and the trio of demigods followed after the baboon as he walked over to the corner of the court, removing the grate to an air vent large enough to fit them in one at a time. Khufu went first, followed by Percy, then Scarlett, and Axel brought up the rear.
The narrow passages twisted and turned, their metallic surfaces cool to the touch. Khufu, surprisingly adept at navigating the confined spaces, led the way with agile grace. Percy crawled through on his stomach, keenly aware of how close he had been to being squished by the trash compactor. The rhythmic sounds of breathing filled the vent, and soon the temperature became significantly hotter than it had been out on the patio of the Brooklyn night. The silence other than the breathing was only punctuated by the occasional chittering of Khufu as he scampered ahead.
The occasional shafts of light filtered through the ventilation grates, illuminating Khufu's fur and creating a dappled pattern on the metal surfaces. Percy tried to look through them to see more of the Egyptian mansion, but the grates were small and he wasn't able to see much. The baboon's gestures, a combination of excited chitters and subtle movements, served as a guide through the intricate maze. Percy followed Khufu willingly, although after all the traps that had been set for them over the past day he was cautious about letting his guard down around the monkey. He was determined not to be tricked again.
As they progressed, the air vent widened and Khufu held up a hand. Percy didn't need to understand sign language to know he was telling them to stop. He held a finger to his lips and then gently removed part of the grate beneath them, filling the narrow corridor with the sounds of celebration.
Percy shuffled to the side to allow Scarlett and Axel to pull up alongside him, and together the three peered over the edge to look down at the scene below.
Elijah sat at the head of the table, chatting with the Russian man on his left and a bald woman to his right. The bald woman had the same tattoos as the Russian, and Percy once again felt as though he had seen the tattoos somewhere before. Further down the table more bald, tattooed individuals mixed with what appeared to be the regular occupants of the mansion, and Percy even spied Rich at the end of the table opposite Elijah. He didn't seem to be as excited as the rest of the table in taking part in the festivities, and instead spent his time whispering quietly with the woman and young girl beside him who Percy assumed was his wife and daughter.
Percy took a deep breath and really focused on listening, trying to discern the conversation between Elijah and the two tattooed individuals.
"-hate that it took so long for us to come to an agreement," Elijah was saying, "I've been trying to get this deal done for a while now. I'm excited it's finally in motion."
"You know I like you," the woman replied, "But at the end of the day we were only going to make a move if there was something you could offer us in return. You gave us the girl and promised access to the prison. It was simply too good an opportunity to pass up, and because of that we can finally help each other."
"Your soldiers are renowned across the circles powerful enough to know about them," Elijah said with a chuckle, sipping on some wine, "I look forward to the day when I can reward you properly for you help, and I will be able to do so with the full riches of Egypt at my disposal."
"All we ask is that you give us access to the prison in Memphis. It is far more cautiously guarded than the one in the Antarctic."
"It would be my pleasure. I can promise it will be one of my first acts as pharaoh. It is important when one achieves power not to forget the people that got you there."
"You vill make a great pharaoh," the Russian added, "But I still have my concerns. Have your people found Percy Jackson and his accomplices yet?"
"I sent out people earlier to find them. They reported to me that they jumped out of the windows into a pool of hungry crocodiles. All that was left of them was their shoes."
The woman giggled, "Perfect, another loose end tied up. Now you can finally smile, Dmitri."
"So you're telling me zat Percy Jackson, ze son of Poseidon, jumped in a pool and died to a couple of crocodiles. I am sorry but I am not buying zat. You had ze opportunity to kill him and you chose to parade him around like some sort of prize. No von ever beat Percy Jackson by underestimating him. If your mistake led to his escape- "
"They are not ordinary crocodiles, Dmitri. One is a Shabti and the other is a symbol of Sobek's power. They are fiercely loyal to the Nome and are trained to kill any and all intruders, in fact they attacked the witch and the son of Zeus earlier." Elijah reassured him.
"Hmmph," Dmitri seemed unimpressed, but nonetheless leaned back in his chair and sipped from the wine that had been laid out before him, "Is zis all you have. Vine?"
"We have some vodka in the back," Elijah offered.
"Vat makes you think I vant vodka. Is it because I am Russian? You racist."
"But Dmitri," the woman questioned, confused, "I thought you loved vodka?"
"Of course I do," Dmitri spat, "But I do not vant him to think that I only vant vodka because I am Russian. I vant vodka because I enjoy vodka."
"O-of course," Elijah reassured once more, "I will make sure we get our best for you." He gestured to one of the servants hanging around the edge of the room who quickly disappeared into a backroom.
The woman giggled, "I'm sorry about Dmitri, he is just stressed."
"Of course I am stressed," Dmitri huffed, "I have to fight against the First Nome vile you sneak off and get to do all ze fun stuff."
"We all make sacrifices, Dmitri," the woman warned, "We all have our purpose in bringing about the Earth's next golden age. And it begins with you winning Elijah the throne of Egypt."
"Elijah," Dmitri began cooly, "Since you seem so keen on underestimating your enemies, are you underestimating ze forces of ze First Nome?"
Elijah's smile slipped away for a second, revealing a scowl underneath that he quickly covered up, "They are strong, but the attack has already begun. Rebel forces are fully engaged against the First Nomes defences. Your arrival with your troops will swing the battle decisively in our favour. And while that is happening I will take Vesper and the witch to the entrance to the three hundred and sixtieth nome."
"And from there," the woman whom Percy now assumed was called Vesper continued, "We will break the chains of our mistress in Antarctica and bring about the golden age once more."
Percy frowned, remembering the world map that Apollo had pulled out by Rachels bedside. Her finger had been tracing what they assumed to be the locations of the imprisoned Annunaki. He keenly remembered that one of them had been in Antarctica, and as he looked down at the tattooed scalps of the people below him he remembered where he had seen them before…on the walls of Hadad's prison before he had been locked in ice.
A wave of nausea overcame him and he forced himself back from the edge of the grate, taking a moment to catch his breath. These people were part of the Annunaki cult, the same one that had attacked Piper, the same one that had attacked him on the train, and now they were trying to free the Annunaki that was imprisoned in Antarctica. They had tried to get Piper and failed, and it seemed as though they had switched their attention to using Alice instead. He took a couple long deep breaths, before motioning to Khufu to close the grate. He had no idea where Thalia, Alice, and Jett were being stored, but at least now he knew what he was up against.
This time Axel led the way as they crawled out, and as Percy shuffled out of the narrow vent he took in a deep breath of Brooklyn's night air. As Khufu was the final member out of the vent, he replaced the grate before looking back and forth between Axel and Percy for what to do next.
"You okay Percy?" Axel asked, "Looks like something they said shook you up in there."
Percy nodded, "Yeah, I had no idea what we were up against until now."
"These guys are the rebels that Rich warned us about aren't they?" Scarlett asked, looking up at Percy, "I thought he was on Carter's side?"
Percy shook his head, "I think he is, but there's not a lot he can do when Elijah has all these people here to help."
"The Russian was the one who took Alice, Jett and Thalia, I say we go kick his ass and find out where they are." Axel stated defiantly.
"I'm all for kicking their ass," Percy agreed, "But these guys aren't you run of the mill human traffickers or anything like that. They're part of a cult."
"Like the Flat Earthers?" Axel asked.
"There are people who believe the Earth is flat?" Percy replied, frowning.
"Wayyyy more people than you think!"
"Huh, interesting. But maybe less 'believe the earth is flat' and more 'want to revive an ancient race of beings that will take over the world and wipe out the human race.'"
"Annunaki." Scarlett said, more a statement than a question, "We need to stop them."
"I agree," Percy breathed, "But the question is how?"
Axel began signing something to Khufu who growled in response, but Axel persisted and eventually the baboons' hostility faded. He seemed confused for a moment before signing something back to Axel.
"Khufu says that he didn't know they were going to betray Carter. He wants to help."
"The monkey has got basketball skills AND loyalty. Must be one of a kind." Percy mused.
"What's the plan Percy?" Axel asked.
"You've been asking me that a lot," Percy responded pointedly, "I thought we weren't friends?"
"We weren't," Axel replied, narrowing his eyes, "But we are now."
"Oh, you sure Jett is going to like that?"
"I'm not Jetts lapdog, I can think for myself. And I watched you almost sacrifice yourself to save me. Whatever you might consider me…I consider you a friend."
"How do you know I wasn't just trying to save Scarlett?"
"You could've left me…you didn't."
"Percy," Scarlett began, pulling on his arm, "He wants to help."
"I'm sick of getting betrayed. I don't want a knife in the back because Jett asked him nicely." Percy said, his ice blue eyes piercing into Axel's brown ones.
"I don't know how I can make you trust me," Axel started, "But I know your stories, and I know your legacy. I will follow you wherever you go if it means I can save my friends."
"And if Jett asks you to betray me for his own benefit?"
Tension hung in the air for a moment before Axel finally replied, "Then I would be more than happy to tell him to get stuffed."
Percy offered out a hand, and Axel gladly took it. "Sorry, I just have to stop trusting so easily. I keep getting punished for it."
"My word is my bond," Axel replied, "I won't betray you."
"I believe you, let's hope this time it works out."
Scarlett looked back and forth between the two of them, "Well this is adorable, but do we actually have a plan?"
Percy grinned, "Of course I have a plan. Have you guys ever ridden a crocodile into battle?"
The three demigods and Khufu jumped down onto the lower patio, where the two crocodiles were waiting for them. After explaining the plan to them they were both on board, and as they climbed out of the pool Percy couldn't help but marvel at the size of them both. As he jumped on top of Petsuchos, Khufu jumped on after him. Since Petsuchos was the smaller of the two Axel and Scarlett both got on Phillip.
Uncapping Riptide he summoned a tendril of water up towards him and coated himself in it, feeling a shiver run down his spine as it hardened into armour around him. His skin may not be invulnerable to magical weapons, but hopefully his ice armour gave him the level of protection he was going to need for this fight.
With a battle cry the two crocodiles charged through the doors, sending glass flying and a couple of servants scrambling as they began racing through the mansion towards the dining room. Percy and Khufu led the charge, and as they smashed through the dining room doors Percy let out a battle cry.
The reaction inside of the room was utter panic. Most dove for cover while Dmitri, holding a brand new bottle of vodka, stood stunned as the bottle slipped from his grasp and shattered on the floor. Elijah's face fell and for the first time since they had met seemed lost for words. The woman, Vesper, sprinted towards the back of the room and slipped through one of the doors.
"I knew it!" Dmitri screamed, "You don't underestimate Percy facking Jackson!"
"Where are our friends?" Percy yelled from atop Petsuchos.
"Dmitri go!" Elijah yelled, "I will finish off Jackson. Join the battle at the First Nome"
"I don't trust you to beat him," Dmitri snarled, "You told me zat ze crocodiles were ze death of him. You were wrong then, and you are wrong now."
The Russian pulled out a broadsword seemingly out of thin air and turned to Percy, "You dare to threaten Enlil's plan?"
"Enlil can suck my balls!" Percy replied, leaping off the back of the crocodile and swinging at the Russian. Sparks flew as the two whirled at each, dancing across the move in a whirlwind of steel.
"PERCY!" Scarlett screamed, and Percy had just enough time to spin around and catch the edge of Elijah's curved blade with Riptide. From over Elijah's shoulder he could see Axel fighting a couple of the Egyptians. Scarlett also jumped down to join the fight, shadows spinning around her as she fought against one of the Annunaki cult members. Meanwhile the crocs tore through the room, led by Khufu, attacking Annunaki members left and right.
As Percy danced back and forth between Dmitri and Elijah he spotted a third attacker coming from his right, but before he could spin around to block their attack someone else blocked it first. Percy looked up to see Rich grinning at him.
"Glad you're alive," he yelled.
"I am also glad I'm alive," Percy yelled back with a grin, turning his attention back to the attackers.
"Defenders of the true Pharoah!" Rich called out, "Now is your time to fight!"
All of a sudden a number of servants poured through the doors, joining the fray alongside Percy and the other demigods. The numbers, initially heavily favouring Elijah and the Annunaki, began to shift.
"TRAITORS!"Elijah screamed.
"The only traitor is you," Rich spat, launching an attack with a staff towards Elijah. The two became locked in a brutal struggle, giving Percy the chance to turn his full attention towards Dmitri.
"So you're the guy who spends all day riding Enlil?" Percy asked.
Dmitri grinned, "Just as ze Lieutenant of Artemis will spend ze rest of her days riding my soldiers, ay?"
Percy growled and launched himself at the Russian, moving with a speed and ferocity that had Dmitri struggling to keep up. Riptide became a blur and within moments Dmitris swings and blocks became both heavy and predictable. With a hefty shove Dmitri was sent staggering, and with a move Luke had taught him a long time ago Percy twisted Riptide and sent the Russians sword clattering to the ground.
"Time for answers," Percy snarled, levelling his sword against Dmitris' throat, to which the Russian responded by spitting at him. "Where are my friends?"
Dmitri laughed, "If Vesper knows vat she is doing, then zey are in Egypt."
Percy moved forward, dropping Riptide to the ground and landing a heavy punch square to Dmitri's face, sending up a spray of blood as a crack indicated that he had succeeded in breaking his nose.
"Where in Egypt?" he growled.
Dmitri laughed, "Zat is not for me to know."
Percy punched him again, this time in the stomach hard enough that the Russian began coughing up blood, "I will beat you until there is nothing left but that shitty little accent. Where are they going in Egypt?"
Dmitri spat a blood filled clot on the floor, "Zat…is not…for me…to know."
Percy grabbed him by the throat squeezing until he felt the muscles begin to crumple under his grip, "Give me one reason not to kill you."
"My death means nothing," Dmitri choked, "Ze King of Kings vill rise once more and he vill exact vengeance in my name."
Percy loosened his grip slightly and pulled the Russian closer, "Let me explain something to you. I'm Percy fucking Jackson, and the reason I am going to let you live is so that you can warn Enlil that I'm coming for him. He can run, he can hide, but I will spend every waking moment doing everything in my power to ensure that he remains nothing but a bad memory. He thinks he's the King of Kings, tell him the Kingslayer sends his regards."
Percy threw the Russian to the floor and watched as Dmitri crawled away, cradling his broken nose and massaging his windpipe. Across the room the remaining Annunaki members began to flee, one of them grabbing Dmitri as they did so, while the Egyptians that had sided with them either joined them or held their arms up in surrender. Elijah, recognising the battle was lost, sprinted off to a corner and appeared through a secret door. Rich sent a couple people after him, and instead of following him himself turned to begin rounding up the defeated enemies.
Percy walked up to him, "Thought you had betrayed us for a second."
"I was betrayed," Rich sighed, "And I led you into a trap. I'm sorry I didn't do anything sooner, he threatened my wife and child."
"Nah I get it, I once went into the Underworld to get my mom back. I understand doing anything you can to protect your family. But that's why I need to know where they took Thalia and the others."
Rich sighed, "They were being held by our Duat entrance for when the Annunaki were going to head to the First Nome. If I were a betting man I would say that Vesper has already taken them there. Apparently they're already in the midst of the civil war."
"I heard that too. I thought Carter was your friend."
"He is, my support hasn't wavered, and he needs help," Rich said pointedly, giving Percy a knowing look.
"Oh don't worry, I decided to get involved the second I knew the Anunnaki were getting involved."
Rich smiled, "I was hoping you would say that."
"Are you coming with us?"
The magician shook his head, "I'm not much of a combatant, and I want to spend time with my family. I just got back, it would feel unfair to leave them again after such a short time. But I will ensure that the rot is rooted out of this Nome, and it will be a bastion of support for Carter Kane. And for you."
Percy nodded, "Then I guess I will see you on the other side."
"You've made a friend for life Percy Jackson," Rich said, stretching out his hand.
"Next time I'm here you owe me a full tour of the place," Percy told him, shaking his hand.
"Sounds like a plan. Besides, you'll have to bring this back." Rich headed off towards the far side of the room where the fireplace was located, and hefted a large Egyptian style shield emblazoned with a coat of arms off of the wall. He walked back and offered it to Percy, "When you get to Egypt the Pharaohs forces are going to need to know whose side you're on. No better way of doing that than by using a shield bearing the coat of arms of the House of Kane."
Percy took the offering and was surprised by how light it felt, especially considering the way it seemed like Rich had struggled. It being lighter for him would definitely come in handy in the midst of battle, maybe it was time to finally start using his strength to make the small advantages count.
"Any other advice you've got for me?"
"If you want information on the Annunaki your best shot is the library. Be careful though, based on what I heard at dinner they'll be sending their people there too"
"That is good to know…" Percy mused, "They said they're trying to get to Antarctica. Where will they go?"
Rich rubbed his chin, "Duat portals can be created anywhere, but I would assume the portal will be deep behind rebel lines at a place where the Duat is strong. But you'll have to ask Carter or Zia where that place is. I haven't been to the First Nome in years."
Percy nodded in understanding, "Alright, show me where we're going."
Rich led the way as Percy, Axel, Scarlett, Khufu, and the two crocodiles followed. Signs around the house showed the Annunaki cult members had left in a hurry, and as Percy looked through at the front door he could see the doors had been left open, indicative of the rush in which they had left the place. They entered a short corridor, and the crocs were forced to follow in single file. AT the end of the short hallway was a flickering purple portal.
"OMG are we in Minecraft? We're heading to the Nether!" Scarlett squealed in excitement.
Percy didn't know how exciting heading into a warzone was, but he decided not to burst her bubble.
"I have no idea what's on the other side, but be prepared for anything." Rich warned them.
"Thalia is on the other side," Percy said defiantly, swinging a leg over Petsuchos and mounting the trial, "That's all I needed to know."
Behind him Axel and Scarlett mounted Phillip. Khufu signed something to Axel before jumping on after Percy.
"Khufu says next time we're back you owe him another basketball game." Axel laughed.
Percy glanced behind him at the baboon, "So basketball is your sport, ay? Now it's time for me to show you the sport I'm best at…war!"
And with that he hefted up his new shield and Riptide, gave a nod to Rich, and yelled a battle cry. Petsuchos let out a roar and charged forward, with Phillip and his riders in tow. The Twenty-First Nome disappeared behind them as they were surrounded on all sides by the purple portal.
Author's note: I told you I was going to work on getting these chapters out sooner. Hope you enjoyed the chapter and I am pleased to report that we are heading into a juicy part of the story. I've noticed a lot of complaints about Percy's power level inconsistency and it's been noted, I will do my best to keep it more level over time, and I hope you can forgive me that part of it is to advance the story in the direction I want it to go.
On another note, I watched the Percy Jackson premiere and thought it was brilliant. Felt like the first episode was a little rushed, everything seemed to happen very fast, but the second episode was phenomenal, with very few complaints. What do you guys think about it?
Last but not least, please review. If you like the chapter review, if you hate it review. Even if it's just to say a couple words that you enjoyed the chapter. Those who comment, even the critics, I really appreciate it. It gives me motivation and feedback and I can't thank you enough for the support.