Disclaimer – It has come to my attention recently that I unfortunately do not own any part of Percy Jackson Cinematic or Literary Universe or the characters that belong to that entity. One can dream I suppose. Although I did visit the Empire State Building once … but I solemnly swear I did not steal any lightning bolts.

Anyone who is looking to provide support and get access to early chapters for my stories or see my original content, please visit Pa t-reon / FavoriteAuthor

On that note, a big thanks to my newest patrons – Andy S., ProfoundMagician, Kazock, Jose, and Bonk! I do not know if I would be as motivated without the support.

This story is dedicated to Simone Weyner, for her support.

Chapter 1: The Game of Death

On the night Percy arrives at Camp Halfblood, things go a little differently and something awakens within him. Something unexplained. Percy discovers the Game of Death. Read along as Percy makes old and new friends, fights and saves both monsters and the Gods. One this is for certain, when you are playing the Game of Death nothing is certain. AU, Slow-Burn, Gamer aspects, Percabeth Percemis

"Percy," his mother urgently whispered, her voice tinged with panic, "he's going to charge any moment now. When he does, I need you to jump out of his way. While he's charging, he won't be able to maneuver quickly."

Percy's eyes widened in alarm as he tried to grasp the impending danger. "Mom, how do you know … how am I supposed to …"

"Focus, Percy! Do you understand?" she interrupted, her tone now louder and more resolute.

Slowly nodding in acknowledgment, Percy gazed into the swirling mist that enveloped them, the atmosphere thick with tension. The approaching thunderous steps of the bull-like man-creature vibrated in the air, signaling it was getting closer … much closer.

Before Percy could voice another question, a deafening bellow echoed through the air, drowning out any other sound, signifying that the creature had found them, as Percy heard its pace accelerate as it closed in on them.

Time seemed to elongate for Percy, each passing second feeling like an eternity, while the beast's thunderous strides intensified, causing vibrations that rattled his teeth. He knew with a gut-wrenching certainty that the creature would reach them in mere seconds.

Seeming to realize the same thing and understanding the imminent danger, Percy's mother acted swiftly. With urgency in her grip, she grabbed Percy's shoulder, dropping Grover's body, and drew close to him, her words a desperate plea. "Okay ... now! Run, Percy, run!" With a forceful shove, she propelled him backward.

For a fleeting moment, Percy hesitated, torn between his instinct to protect his mother and the impending threat charging towards them. The bull-like man-creature emerged through the mist, a mere twenty feet away, its presence serving as good motivation.

Reluctantly, Percy pivoted and sprinted a few strides away. Glancing back, he witnessed the bull-man pausing, its gaze darting between him and his mother. The creature's sinister black eyes radiated malice, deciding on who to go for first.

Apparently making up its mind, Percy watched as the bull-man lowered its head, and began to charge, its lethal charge with razor-sharp horns aimed directly at his chest. At that moment he heard a frantic cry escaped Percy's mother, piercing the chaos. "Now!"

In that heart-stopping moment, realizing his opportunity, Percy seized the opening. At the last possible moment, he jumped to the side, narrowly evading the charging beast as it thundered past him, although he was close enough to have felt the creature's searing breath as it past by.

Percy's felt a brief moment of relief as he heard the frustrated roar of the bull-man, frustrated that it had been unable to anticipate the boys agile evasion. However, the glimmer of satisfaction faded from Percy's face as his attention swiftly shifted, his heart constricting in dread at the sight unfolding before him.

The beast, despite its failed attempt to grab Percy, persisted in its path, fixated now on his mother. She had hurriedly propped Grover against a tree, bravely attempting to draw the creature's attention away by waving wildly and shouting at the monster.

From his vantage point atop the hill, Percy frantically scanned the surroundings for anything that could be of aid, a plan, or an object that could help him. But amidst the downpour and the mist, the only thing he could see was the distant glow of lights coming from a farmhouse … the very farmhouse his mother had mentioned to him … but it was to far away to offer any immediate help to the current situation.

Realizing there was nothing he could find to help, the urgency of the moment snapped Percy's focus back to the current threat, as the bull-man's primal grunts seized his attention, compelling him to refocus on the ominous monster. With a renewed sense of dread, Percy watched as the creature bounded forward once more, homing in on his mother.

At the last possible moment, Percy's eyes widened in surprise as he watched his mother attempt to evade the beast's grasp, mirroring his own last second maneuver. Yet, just as she leaped away, the bull-man's monstrous arm lashed out, seizing her by the neck with a vice-like grip, refusing to fall for the same trick twice. A deep, malevolent chuckle seemed to resonate from the creature as it stood to its full height, towered over her, effortlessly lifting her struggling form.

The sight of his mother trapped in the ruthless clutch of the monster sent an icy shiver coursing through Percy's veins. A strangled cry escaped his lips, choked with anguish. "Mom ..."

Her pained gaze flickered up at him, briefly halting her futile struggle against the creature's suffocating hold. She managed to force out a final, urgent command amidst her constrained breaths. "Run, Percy, run."

A surge of helpless fury coursed through Percy as he watched the monster, consumed by rage. His heart pounded in his chest as he stood frozen, horrified, witnessing the tightening grip of the monster's fist around his mother's neck. Yet, before his disbelieving eyes, his mother dissolved before his eyes … melting into a golden light. Percy froze staring at the afterimage of his mother, burning into his vision. Feeling the horrow of watching his mother disappear before his eyes.

"NO!" Percy's anguished cry echoed in the tumultuous surroundings, a raw expression of grief and disbelief.

However, a surge of familiar emotions began to surge within Percy, overpowering the initial waves of fear and despair. Anger, raw and potent, replaced the overwhelming sadness he had been feeling. Slowly but surely, a renewed sense of strength coursed through his once-numb limbs … the same rush of energy he had felt when he watched Mrs. Dodds sprout wings and talons before trying to attack him.

Percy's eyes narrowed with determination as he saw the bull-like creature scanning the area, its attention shifting towards Grover, who remained defenseless against the tree where Percy's mother had left him. A chilling realization struck Percy like a … like a lightning bolt. He knew he couldn't afford to stand idly by, or Grover might suffer the same fate, somehow disappearing into the same golden light that had consumed his mother, leaving Percy utterly alone.

Summoning every ounce of courage he could muster, Percy knew he had to intervene, to divert the creature's attention away from Grover's vulnerable form. "Hey! Ugly!" His voice rang out, infused with equal parts desperation and confidence. Waving his arms wildly, he attempted to catch the attention of the beast. "Hey you stupid cow! Look over here!"

For a fleeting moment, a fraction of a second, a flicker of a smile played across Percy's face as the monster's attention pivoted towards him, momentarily startled by the unexpected insults. But Percy's happiness was short-lived as the creature decided it would be more fun to go after a standing foe, and started running directly towards Percy.

As the monstrous figure closed in on him, Percy's mind raced, trying to assess his limited options, realizing that the monster was moving much too quickly to try and dodge this time. With a gut feeling, Percy braced himself to execute a daring maneuver … one he doubted the bull-man would anticipate him trying, likely as even to Percy it seemed like a dumb idea driven by desperation.

Instead of dodging to the side as expected, Percy leapt straight upward, a peculiar sensation enveloped him as time seemed to slow, granting him a surreal experience where everything around him slowed down. In that fleeting moment, Percy's foot connected with the creature's head, propelling him airborne over top of the monster and allowing him to vault over the monster, landing safely behind it.

Percy, was surprised as the bull-man, as he witnessed it careen headlong into a nearby tree with a bone-jarring impact, unable to react to the unexpected maneuver. Momentarily disoriented from the collision, the creature staggered back, dazed and disoriented, clutching its head in a futile attempt to regain composure.

Seeing an opening, Percy seized the opportunity without hesitation. He leaped onto the bull-man's back, gripping its intimidating horns tightly, raining down blows upon the creature from the position atop the monster.

Initially caught off guard by Percy's unexpected assault, the bull-man's confusion turned into amusement as it let out a sound that sounded like laughter, a mocking response to Percy's futile attempts to subdue him. However, undeterred by the laughter echoing around him, Percy remained determined, channeling every ounce of determination into his relentless assault.

"Where's my mom, you monster? What did you do to her?" Percy's voice reverberated with a mix of rage and desperation, demanding answers from the malevolent creature before him.

The bull-man's laughter like response abruptly ceased, replaced by determined attempts to grab hold of Percy, who, realizing the futility of his punches against the formidable foe, halted his assault and focused on avoiding the large hands that were attempting to grab him. He sensed a stirring behind him and turned his attention briefly, realizing Grover was beginning to stir from unconsciousness.

"The ... pen ..." Grover's groans cut through the tension like a knife. Percy's mind momentarily stalled, caught off guard by Grover's mumbled words about the pen. However, the memory of the pen's transformative power, turning into the sword that had dissipated Mrs. Dodds, flooded back into Percy's mind.

Attempting to Balance carefully atop the bull-man, Percy cautiously maneuvered, ensuring he maintained his hold on the creature's horn while evading its attempts to seize him. Fumbling urgently in his pockets, his fingers desperately sought the pen's familiar shape, hoping it would help him.

Finally, his hand closed around the pen, clutching it tightly as he retrieved it. In his haste in withdrawing the pen, however, Percy's grip on the bull-man's horn faltered, slipping gradually as he struggled to pull out the pen.

Percy's heart raced as a whirlwind of events unfolded in a split second. He felt the sickening sensation of completely losing his grip, falling backward from the bull-man's back. At the same moment, his eyes widened in astonishment as the pen, appearing to respond to the threat … or his desperation, underwent its familiar change. In an awe-inspiring spectacle, the pen elongated and transformed once more into the sword, materializing in Percy's hand just as he began to plummet downward.

The sword, while expanding seemed to possess a will of its own and pierced the monstrous creature's flesh between its ribs. Percy was taken aback by the unexpected turn of events, almost losing his grip on the hilt as he descended, but he managed to wrench the blade free just before he completely lost grip on it and then crashed heavily onto the ground.

The bull-man's deafening scream shattered the air, reverberating with agony as it attempted to twist and inspect the spot where the sword had impaled it. Frantically clawing at the area in a futile attempt to alleviate its pain, the creature began to undergo the same disintegration process Percy had witnessed with Mrs. Dodds earlier.

Percy's chest heaved, caught between the conflicting currents of relief and apprehension, while his eyes cautiously swept the surroundings, half-expecting yet another threat in this surreal sequence of events. However, the once chaotic environment now yielded only an unsettling silence.

Exhaling a long breath, Percy struggled to make sense of the lightning-fast cascade of occurrences. The abrupt disappearance of the menacing creature left behind a turbulent whirlpool of emotions within him—a heady mix of triumph, disbelief, and an unsettling sense of lingering uncertainty as to the fate of his mother.

Suddenly, a searing pain sliced through Percy's head, causing him to stagger and nearly lose his balance. He winced, gripping his skull as though it might split open at any moment. His entire body wanted to collapse in pain and despair, to surrender to the overwhelming agony that threatened to engulf him entirely.

However, catching sight of Grover's figure nearby, Percy knew he couldn't stop just yet. Summoning what remained of his strength, he willed himself to ignore the pain and move, taking shaky steps toward his friend to ensure he was alright. But … the weight of recent events, coupled with the emotional turmoil, proved too much. Barely managing to make it halfway there, Percy's legs gave out, unable to support him any longer. Exhaustion surged over him like a crashing wave, forcing him to the ground as his body finally began succumbing to the overwhelming fatigue.

As Percy tumbled to the ground, his gaze caught sight of the distant farmhouse that had previously caught his attention. In the fading light, he made out two distinct silhouettes gradually approaching him, coming up the hill, their figures becoming clearer as they drew nearer.

The first figure, a boy slightly older than Percy himself, emanated an aura of intensity that was etched into his determined expression. The second figure, an astonishingly attractive girl with cascading blond hair framing her shoulders, advanced toward him with a poised demeanor, … a drawn bow in her hands. Their scrutinizing gazes bore down on Percy as they stood over him, observing his condition.

"Come on, Luke," the girl remarked with a hint of admiration in her voice, "that was quite the fight we just watched."

The boy named Luke chuckled, a lighthearted grin adorning his face as he raked a hand through his hair. "Oh I'll admit it. It was even more impressive than the one from the Hermes kid last month. This kid's luckier than he realizes. Think you can handle him while I help the other?"

Percy attempted to interject, to voice his confusion or gratitude, but before he could utter a word, an inexplicable sensation swept over him. It was as if … something within him shifted, a subtle yet undeniable change.

A stirring sensation starting deep within Percy's body began. He wasn't sure how to describe it, as it eluded any description, beyond simply saying it was unlike any feeling he had ever felt before … it felt like every nerve ending was on fire … a sensation that despite its intensity, was strangely invigorating. However, it was more than that … it felt like his very soul had been stirred to life for the very first time.

In what seemed an eternity yet likely lasted no more than a fleeting moment, as the boy and girl had not moved, his mind filled with a song that resonated within every fiber of his being. As he listened it was unlike any song he had heard before; it was a combination of beauty and terror that swept through him, threatening to overwhelm him. It made him want to celebrate wildly, to dance in joy and shout at the heavens, while also simultaneously instilling an inexplicable dread that urged him to seek refuge and hide away from the world forever.

Then, in an instant, a profound stillness descended, stopping not only the music and the surging sensations that had continued through all his nerve endings but everything around him. It was as if time itself had come to a standstill, freezing the world in an eerie, suspended animation. Percy's gaze swept the surroundings, observing nature itself arrested in motion—the girl staring down at him, a confused look on her face, a rabbit caught mid-leap, an owl hanging suspended in mid-dive—everything rendered motionless by whatever had happened.

And then suddenly, amid this strange freezing of time, three lines of glowing red text materialized directly in front of Percy's bewildered eyes, an inexplicable and alarming apparition that caught his attention.

Congratulations of your fight and welcome to the Game of Death

Would you like to play the game?

Yes or No

And that was the last thing Percy saw as he completely lost consciousness.

Kind Regards,

FavoriteAuthor

Up Next: Time to Play the Game

Author Note – I hope you enjoyed the first chapter of my contribution to the 'Gamer Story' genre, unlike some stories the Gamer aspects in these chapters will not be in the forefront. Most chapters will only have brief mention of stats or rewards and will instead focus on the story itself.

I hope you all liked the start to the new story, and I look forward to hearing your feedback. This is a story I have been looking forward to writing for a very long time.

Thanks to those of you out to those of you who enjoy my stories, I promise to keep updating the stories as long as you enjoy them, and a special thanks to those of you who have taken the time to leave feedback or reach out to me directly. All feedback is welcome (hopefully constructive!) Looking forward to hearing what you think!

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