A/N: How's it going everyone! Yes yes, I am still alive and kicking.
I do apologize for the very long time gap, of course if you've been here since the beginning you know it happens. But I really am sorry the reason was due to some conflicts happening causing me to finally bite the bullet and editing the chapter myself. So if there are some editing errors please do forgive me.
Besides all of that I do hope you enjoy the chapter, we are nearing the end of the New Sparta arc and will be shifting towards the retrieval arc and let me tell you know… the next arc is going to shift the story more than it already has.
Chapter 24: A Rude Awakening
Two out of the three days had swiftly passed for New Sparta, marked by a mix of highs and lows. Notably, a significant portion of families embraced the city's offer, transitioning into proud citizens. Many wasted no time, promptly departing to dismantle their old lives, while others chose to remain, ready to embark on a fresh start.
Regrettably, amidst the positive momentum, a few families opted to decline the offer, opting to rejoin the mortal populace. Their rationale was rooted in the belief that blending in with the masses was a preferable choice to "painting a giant red X on their back and living under the gods," as articulated by some of the departing families. Despite this setback, a silver lining emerged— the children of these families chose to stay, a heartening outcome that both Ajax and Percy had fervently hoped for.
The city's de facto leaders, with a sense of contentment, bid farewell to the departing families. Their decision to let them go stemmed from a profound understanding – forcing individuals to follow a cause they didn't genuinely believe in was a breeding ground for corruption and disdain. While they possessed the ability to convince these families to stay, they recognized that doing so would merely result in coerced compliance from the hesitant and that was hoping for the best.
This was not the vision Ajax and Percy harbored for New Sparta. Their aspiration transcended mere acceptance; they sought a city fortified in strength, with citizens whose allegiance was born out of genuine faith rather than compelled submission. The essence of New Sparta, they believed, lay not in the number of followers coerced into obedience but in the unwavering devotion of a community united by shared values and belief in a common cause.
~~~SCENE~~~
As the third day approached, signaling the imminent commencement of the paides' mass training, New Sparta buzzed with frenetic energy. The cityscape mirrored a whirlwind of activity, with new citizens endeavoring to carve their niche within the community — be it in a role that best suited them or determining the ideal residence in the ever-expanding city. Simultaneously, the returning and newly arrived demigods grappled with acclimating to the transformations that had reshaped the familiar landscape.
In the absence of the cabins, demigods now cohabited with their families in the newfound homes, or in the case of those without family, found solace in their temporary homes. The adjustment proved overwhelmingly positive for most demigods, relishing the opportunity to be in a place where they felt genuinely secure, surrounded by their families. It was a blessing akin to the favor of Tyche herself.
Yet, amidst this harmonious transition, there existed a notable exception — Drew Tanaka, the daughter of Aphrodite, stood as the solitary demigod harboring discontent with the changes. For her, the altered dynamics of the city failed to evoke the same sense of approval that resonated with her peers.
Contrary to Drew's expectations, her father didn't shy away from the idea of becoming a citizen of the city; instead, he eagerly embraced the opportunity, selecting one of the new, modest homes for them. In a whirlwind of activity, Brian swiftly transitioned, shuttling between their old and new homes, packing his SUV with all he could salvage within a mere twenty-four hours.
Drew, however, found herself resenting the change, not because her father had prioritized her over his work after many years of neglecting her, but because she was now compelled to navigate the complications of living with her father while at camp. No longer could she assert her dominance over her siblings or delegate chores at her whim. The proximity of her father, now just a short distance away, felt stifling. The life she once relished was replaced with the obligation to maintain a semblance of harmony, lest she entertain the notion of joining the military as an alternative. The prospect of a life reshaped by these new dynamics weighed heavily on Drew's shoulders.
A brilliant idea materialized in Drew's mind, one so clever it promised flawless execution. Recognizing that living independently in New Sparta required being either an adult or one of the leaders within the forming military, Drew acknowledged that she wasn't the former, and becoming a leader was out of the question. So, she hatched a simple plan: seduce one of the four men and secure a living arrangement with them. Drew believed that a bit of flirting, teasing, and promises of intimacy could easily resolve her predicament and grant her the independence she sought
The conundrum lay in deciding which guy would be the target of Drew's plan. Malcolm? She quickly dismissed the notion, skeptical that a son of Athena could spark the excitement she sought in a relationship, despite his newfound attractiveness. The prospect of him being a bore in bed deterred her.
Luke? Perhaps a year ago, but the chances were now a resounding zero. Drew had once entertained the idea until she observed the son of Hermes, even more handsome than before, trailing behind Annabeth Chase like a lost puppy. It didn't require a child of Aphrodite to discern that Luke was thoroughly enamored with the girl. Despite the absence of a formal relationship, Drew could see that Luke was unquestionably captivated by Annabeth.
With Malcolm and Luke ruled out, Drew's focus now shifted to the remaining two candidates: Ajax and Percy. These two not only led the military but were also the clandestine puppeteers behind the city's operations. While Heracles and Chiron maintained the façade of authority, it was evident to both old and new residents that Ajax and Percy were the real decision-makers.
Moreover, they effortlessly ticked off every item on Drew's rather succinct list of potential boyfriends— possessing bodies that could make a swimsuit model feel insecure and a level of attractiveness that rivaled even the children of Aphrodite. Drew couldn't deny the overwhelming allure she felt toward them; from their hair to their faces, everything seemed nothing short of perfection. The prospect of pursuing either Ajax or Percy seemed increasingly tempting for Drew.
The obstacle in Drew's plan came in the form of Ajax and Percy's current girlfriends—Thalia and Clarisse. While Drew didn't know much about Thalia beyond her stint as a tree and her divine lineage as the daughter of Zeus, it was clear that Thalia possessed striking attractiveness, even causing Drew to briefly consider pursuing her. However, the lack of public displays of affection between Thalia and Percy led Drew to believe that their relationship lacked genuine love, suspecting a dull and unfulfilling private life.
'She's probably a pillow princess,' Drew speculated, her thoughts echoing her skepticism about the depth of Thalia and Percy's connection.
Then there was Clarisse, whom Drew initially mistook for someone else. The Clarisse she remembered was a formidable and unfriendly figure, bordering on being a man with long hair, save for her nudity. Yet, the Clarisse of the present was a striking embodiment of strength, akin to Wonder Woman with a touch more muscle and dirty blonde hair. Drew couldn't deny the transformation, leaving her with conflicting sentiments about her former perception of Clarisse.
The unexpected transformation in Clarisse's appearance left Drew baffled, but she remained undeterred from her plan—until a chance encounter shattered her resolve. Earlier in the afternoon, as she roamed the former campgrounds, Drew stumbled upon Ajax and Clarisse secluded in an intimate moment, enjoying each other's company. Witnessing their genuine connection, Drew realized Ajax was off the table, leaving Percy as her remaining option.
Now, standing in the garden in front of the city's main building known as 'The Apella,' where governmental affairs were conducted and Heracles, Chiron, and the two sea monsters resided, Drew contemplated her next move. The stakes were high, and she couldn't help but feel a mix of determination and uncertainty as she pondered how to approach Percy and execute her plan.
Drew kept herself occupied, feigning interest in the statues and flowers that adorned the garden, silently noting the likely involvement of the meticulous Katie Gardener. Before her thoughts could drift into a tangent about the child of Demeter, the massive doors of the Apella swung open, releasing a dozen individuals into the open air. As Drew discreetly moved behind a statue, she observed that half of the group consisted of mortals, while the other half comprised the military leaders.
Remaining patient, Drew waited for the group to disperse. Her anticipation turned into a sly grin when she witnessed Percy exchange a few words with Thalia. To Drew's delight, the black and blue-haired Spartan nodded before striding away. The opportune moment had presented itself, and Drew prepared to make her move.
Seizing the moment, Drew decided it was time to make her move. Adjusting her attire to reveal a bit more cleavage and a slightly shorter skirt, she emerged from behind the statue. With deliberate steps and a seductive sway to her hips, she closed the distance toward the unsuspecting Percy. As she neared him, Drew executed her plan flawlessly, 'tripping' and throwing herself forward, seemingly in need of rescue.
Regaining her composure, Drew wore a look of faux embarrassment. "Oh my gods, I'm so sorry. I didn't realize where I was..." she began, only to halt mid-sentence as her gaze shifted from Percy to the amused eyes of Thalia Grace. The doe-eyed expression transformed into confusion as Drew found herself caught in a situation she hadn't anticipated.
Drew's confusion deepened as she glanced at Percy, who observed the situation with a raised eyebrow. Thalia swiftly addressed Percy, "It's nothing, my love. I'll see you in your home soon," emphasizing the endearment. Percy's raised eyebrow lowered, his eyes gleaming with amusement as he simply nodded and walked away.
Left alone with Thalia, Drew realized the gravity of the situation. The secluded garden provided an intimate setting where no prying eyes could witness the unfolding events unless they entered through the sole entrance. Drew found herself in an unexpected and somewhat awkward situation with Thalia, unsure of how to navigate the aftermath of her failed plan.
Thalia, still holding Drew to prevent her from falling, inquired, "Drew Tanaka, is it?"
As Drew stood up, leveraging herself against the daughter of Zeus, she found herself peering upward at Thalia. The significant height difference became evident, with Drew standing at five feet six inches compared to Thalia's towering height, likely at least five feet ten.
"Yes, how do you know my name?" Drew asked, a sense of curiosity mixed with lingering embarrassment in her expression.
Thalia cast a smile down at Drew before leaning down, her hands casually behind her back. "Why shouldn't I know the name of the one trying to steal what's mine?" A subtle flash of electricity passed through Thalia's eyes, adding a hint of intensity.
Caught off guard, Drew felt the color drain from her face. Trying to salvage the situation, she played dumb, responding, "I don't know what you're talking about."
Thalia's smile widened at Drew's attempt to feign innocence. "You might be a daughter of Aphrodite, Drew. But anyone could see, you're looking at Percy like your next piece of meat…" The words hung in the air, creating an unspoken tension between the two.
Thalia, recognizing Drew's speechlessness, pressed on. "You know, Clarisse noticed you checking out Ajax. I'll say this now, she is very overprotective of him."
Drew, attempting to maintain composure, questioned, "Is it wrong to check out someone?" Despite her measured tone, the expression on her face betrayed a different story.
"Of course not. I would be lying if I said I didn't notice nearly every female and even male checking out Percy," Thalia responded, maintaining a calm demeanor. However, she leaned in closer to Drew, her lips almost touching Drew's ear. "The issue is you trying to fuck him." The blunt words hung in the air, punctuating the seriousness of the conversation.
Drew felt her legs grow weak, desperately trying to maintain her composure. To her surprise, Thalia had already started walking past her towards the exit of the gardens, leaving Drew alone to collect her thoughts. It took a few minutes for Drew to regain her composure and think straight once again. The absence of an immediate threat was reassuring, signaling that she might have been too overt in her approach and needed to reconsider her strategy.
Nodding to herself, Drew took a step toward the exit, only to be interrupted by a voice behind her. "So, you're the infamous Drew Tanaka." Startled, Drew spun around, losing her balance in the process. Just as she began to fall, her arm was caught by an unexpected savior.
Drew looked up, silently thanking her mother and Tyche, finding herself in Percy Jackson's unexpected embrace, holding her up. In the midst of her failed plan, somehow, she had stumbled upon an unexpected encounter.
"That's me," Drew responded huskily, allowing a hint of her charm-speak to seep out. She maintained her hold on Percy's hand, subtly snaking it up to grasp his forearm. She noticed Percy's eyes glancing at her arm before smirking and making eye contact once again. 'Bingo,' Drew thought.
"I was wondering when I would finally meet you," Percy said.
"Well, here I am. Do I exceed any standards you might have had for me?" Drew inquired, allowing a touch more charm-speak to color her words.
Percy's smirk transformed into a full grin. "They've far exceeded."
"Oh? Is that so? How about we go somewhere, and you can just show me how much so?" Drew suggested innocently, subtly amplifying her charm.
"Oh? But what about Thalia?" Percy responded, his tone beginning to reflect the familiar sound of someone ensnared by charm-speak, intoxicated with desire.
Drew fought back the urge to sneer, maintaining her composure as she took a step forward toward Percy. "What about her? I could do so much more for you than she could," Drew asserted, unleashing her charm-speak at full power.
"Is that so?" Percy inquired, leaning closer to Drew.
She bit the corner of her lip, a sly smile playing on her face as Percy closed the distance.
Percy's hand gently touched Drew's chin, tilting her head upward. When he was mere inches away, his expression shifted from one of lust to condescension. "Why would I leave Thalia for you when I can have her and your mother at once?" The words hung in the air, the tables turned as Percy revealed he was immune to Drew's charms.
Drew was left speechless, her mouth hanging open in shock as Percy continued to speak.
"To share a bed with Aphrodite's child and not her after she offered would be foolish," Percy stated before standing up straight, releasing Drew's chin. He began to walk at a slow pace in front of her. "I have to give it to you, Drew Tanaka. To have Thalia confront you on your failed conquest, and then to try it again only minutes after? That takes some bravery. It's possibly the most foolish thing I might ever witness, but it was brave."
Drew stood there, a mixture of embarrassment and disbelief written on her face as Percy's words lingered in the air. Her attempted conquest had not only failed but had also been laid bare for Percy to see through, leaving her exposed in more ways than one.
Drew's shock and confusion were abruptly replaced with defiance as Percy labeled her actions as foolish. "She's nothing compared to me, be mine," Drew commanded with an intensified use of Charm-speak, pushing her abilities to a new extent.
Percy, however, halted his pacing, and Drew grinned, expecting her influence to take hold. Yet, Percy's head turned to her, and with a single command, "Silence," he wielded his authority with such power that Drew found herself dropping to a knee and looking down at the ground. The weight behind his voice and the sheer authority of his command compelled her submission, her very soul bending to the force of his will.
Percy continued his pacing, looking down at Drew before calmly stating, "It was rare from where I came from to have a child of Aphrodite so untrained be so skilled at charm-speak. I expect great things from you, Tanaka." His tone, now composed, contrasted sharply with the authority he had wielded just moments ago.
Drew felt Percy walk past her, but she refused to move. "Training begins at six in the morning tomorrow. I expect to see you there, Tanaka."
A minute passed before Drew summoned the courage to stand. Unbeknownst to her, she was sweating profusely, and her breathing had become heavy. The single command from Percy had shaken her, causing her to submit without a fight. As she contemplated the events, one thought echoed in her mind, "I need him." The unexpected turn of events had left Drew realizing that she might have met her match in Percy.
~~~SCENE~~~
The highly anticipated morning arrived for the city, marking the commencement of the journey toward becoming a Spartan. In the middle of the barracks, the soon-to-be Paides' stood around, unsure of how to conduct themselves. Some lingered by themselves, while others engaged in hushed conversations with small groups.
As the clock neared five fifty-five A.M., there was a sudden change in the atmosphere. Simultaneously, the forty-odd Paides' rushed out of their barracks, creating a chaotic scene. Mortals and demigods who had been standing in their way were either shoved aside or nearly trampled over as the Paides' hurried to get into formation in front of their building. The air buzzed with anticipation as the training was set to begin.
Amidst the chaos, a loud exclamation cut through the air. "What the fuck!" shouted a large and muscular demigod who had been shoved to the side, losing his balance and falling to the ground. As he stood up, he sought out the one responsible, only to be caught off guard by a boy barely at the height of his chest, standing at attention.
"Why the fuck did you shove me for?" the angered teen shouted towards the younger boy, who completely ignored him. It was as if the older demigod was transparent, and the younger one could see right through him. Several seconds passed in silence before the demigod, undoubtedly a child of a battle god, spoke up again. "Don't act like you can't hear me!" he shouted, raising his fist towards the younger one. The tension in the air escalated, hinting at a potential confrontation.
The Paides' in formation remained stoic, undisturbed by the unfolding scene. Onlookers, however, displayed a mix of emotions, with some already moving to intervene and separate the loud and obnoxious demigod from the younger one.
"You touch my Paides' and I will personally fuck you!" a booming voice echoed from the distance.
All eyes, except for those of the Paides', turned toward the source of the new voice. Six full-fledged Spartans emerged, adorned in their battle gear. With helmets off and armor illuminated in their respective colors, they commanded attention and respect. The appearance of the seasoned warriors signaled that they were prepared to maintain discipline and order among the trainees.
The obnoxious demigod redirected his attention to the source of the booming voice and froze. It was Ajax, one of the Spartan commanders, who had issued the stern warning. Typically, the defiant teen would challenge any threat thrown his way, but he had witnessed firsthand the consequences of challenging the Spartans.
On the first day of the three, another demigod, a child of Ares, had challenged Ajax when the teen questioned Percy's and Ajax's authority. Ajax had grinned and offered the demigod a chance to fight. Falling into the trap, the demigod had accepted the challenge, and the outcome had not been in his favor. The memory served as a stark reminder of the power and skill possessed by the seasoned Spartans.
"Get the fuck away from my Paides'!" Ajax commanded, jolting the defeated demigod back to reality and prompting others to disperse quickly.
The Spartan leaders stepped between the demigods and the Paides', forming a line with Percy and Ajax in the middle, flanked by two generals on either side. "About face!" shouted Ajax, prompting the Paides' to turn away from their barracks and face the other demigods. The show of discipline and order conveyed the Spartans' commitment to maintaining control and enforcing authority.
The Spartans swiftly turned to face the large group as Percy issued commands. "I want three groups! One of demigods that knows their parents, one that doesn't, and finally the mortals," called out Percy. Movement began at a slow pace, prompting Percy to shout, "WE DON'T HAVE ALL DAY!" The urgency in his voice spurred everyone to move as quickly as possible.
After two solid minutes, three groups had finally formed. The first, the smallest, consisted of mortals with a total of twenty-three members. The second group comprised demigods who knew their parents, numbering fifty-one. The third and largest group consisted of demigods who did not know their parents, totaling one hundred and twenty-eight. The organization marked the beginning of the rigorous training each group would undergo to transform into Spartans.
In total, there were two hundred and two potential Spartans, a number that pleased Percy. According to information from Clarisse, Luke, and Malcolm, the average number of campers at certain times had been around a hundred, with some years reaching a hundred and fifty. The recruitment efforts and the news spread by Zeus to have lower gods send their children to the city had proven successful.
Malcolm quickly informed Percy that nearly a hundred of the demigods who were unaware of their parents were first-year arrivals, ranging from ages eleven to seventeen. Additionally, there were a handful under the age of eleven. Percy took this into account and had the younger kids engaged in learning military tactics and strategy, cleverly disguised as children's games. Only the Spartans and Fredrick Chase were aware of this plan, as they intended to use the younger group as an experimental cohort to evaluate their performance compared to their older counterparts in a few years.
"Half-bloods that know your parents," Percy began, addressing the demigods. "Split up into groups of ten, with one group of eleven." As they started to form their groups, Percy reiterated, "I DO NOT want you to be with your siblings! There shouldn't be more than two siblings in a group!"
"With the mortals, split up into groups of four, with three groups of five. Finally, with the half-bloods that don't know their parents, split into groups of twenty-five, with three groups of twenty-six!... YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE!" Percy concluded with a shout, prompting the groups to swiftly organize themselves.
Ajax approached Percy, asking, "You think you got it from here, brother?" The Spartans continued to demonstrate their seamless coordination and leadership as the training session progressed.
"Yeah," Percy affirmed with a small nod, his attention fixed on the forming groups.
Ajax nodded in response and turned around. "Alright! Columns of two facing east!" he barked out to the Paides'. The Spartans in training swiftly fell into formation, responding seamlessly to Ajax's commands.
As some onlookers paused to observe, Percy shouted, "DON'T LOOK AT THEM! YOU GOT TWENTY SECONDS!" The urgency in Percy's voice propelled the onlookers to refocus on their own tasks, doubling their efforts in response to the directive. The discipline and efficiency demonstrated by the Spartans set a high standard for the training session.
As the twenty seconds elapsed, Percy issued his next command. "I now want one group of the mortals, one with the parents known, and one without to form into one group! There should be five groups by the end! YOU HAVE THIRTY SECONDS!"
Thirty seconds later, five groups had successfully formed. "NOW, I want you to get into formation! I want there to be four rows going horizontal! YOU HAVE THIRTY SECONDS!" Once again, the seconds ticked away, and the groups managed to arrange themselves into formation. It was a bit messy, but Percy acknowledged that it was a work in progress that would improve over time. The training continued with a focus on discipline and order.
"Good, congratulations! You have now created your new family!" shouted Percy. "You will live with them for five days of the week. During those four days, you will eat with them, train with them, you will even shit and piss with them if need be!" Percy paused to let his words sink in.
"Let me say this now... I don't give a shit who your parents are. I don't care if one of you is a child of an Olympian and the other is from some lesser god. In my eyes, you are all nothing more than Paides' until you become Spartans. THEY ARE YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS! THEY ARE NOT YOUR COMPETITION! If they fuck up, then you fuck up. If you succeed, then they succeed. If one of you is getting in trouble, then you all are. You are all the same as of now. Is that understood?" Percy's commanding voice resonated, emphasizing the importance of unity and solidarity among the newly formed groups.
A mess of affirmations and grunts echoed from the crowd. Percy shook his head and reiterated, "Let's try this again... IS THAT UNDERSTOOD!"
This time, a more synchronized chorus of 'Yes' resounded.
"Good, now you will have a commanding officer to guide you from here on! Their word is the final word! If they say jump, you jump until they say that's high enough! Do you understand?"
Another resounding shout of 'Yes' emanated from the crowd, solidifying their acknowledgment of the authority and structure within their new family units.
Percy nodded and directed his attention to his four generals, giving them a nod to step forward towards the groups. In a seamlessly coordinated manner, the four generals approached their designated groups without hesitation or second-guessing. It was as if the selection had been pre-planned.
As Thalia stood before her group, a predatory grin overtook her expression, especially when making eye contact with a certain daughter of Aphrodite who appeared paler than the goddess Melinoe.
Percy took a deliberate step forward, followed by another, slowly making his way towards the final group, arms behind his back. Despite the satisfaction he felt seeing the reactions of his Paides', he maintained a stoic expression as he stood in front of them. The air was charged with anticipation and expectation.
Percy surveyed the scene, nodding to the Spartan generals on his left and right before turning his attention to the final group. Almost instinctively, the five Spartans leading the classes began screaming out commands to their respective groups of Paides'.
Each class officer had a distinctive command, offering specific instructions and comments to their trainees. Thalia, for instance, moved between her formation and squatted down next to one of them who was struggling with push-ups. She observed the demigod's efforts and, when the trainee finally looked up, gritting her teeth, Thalia grinned and whispered, "I own you now..."
A/N: I know short chapters and all of that. They are a pain, but I've come to realize chapters like this are crucial to the story. World building, character building. All of it to lead into a more impactful story.
Anyways, please if you can, leave a review of what you liked about the chapter, what you would like to see in the future, anything really. And of course if you haven't already please follow and favorite the story.
I am also going to begin replying to reviews on following chapters to answer any and all questions if so.