The journey to the West Coast was anything but peaceful. The Seven, accompanied by Clarisse and Will, faced relentless dangers at every turn. Their path was fraught with challenges that tested their strength, resolve, and unity.
Dangers Along the Way:
As they traveled, they encountered a hydra lurking in the forests of Kentucky. Its many heads hissed and snapped at them, but with coordinated attacks and clever strategies, they managed to defeat the beast. Annabeth's absence was felt keenly, but each member of the group stepped up to fill the gap.
Further along, in the deserts of Arizona, they were ambushed by a pack of hellhounds. The monsters' glowing red eyes and snarling fangs made for a terrifying sight, but the Seven fought valiantly. Nico, wielding his Stygian iron sword, sent many of the creatures back to the underworld. The others used their unique abilities to fend off the attackers until the hounds finally retreated.
As they approached San Francisco, they were assailed by rogue spirits and minor deities angered by their intrusion. Each fight drained their energy, but they pressed on, driven by their mission and the camaraderie they shared.
Finding Bob:
After days of arduous travel and battle, they finally arrived at a small community college on the outskirts of San Francisco. Exhausted but determined, they spread out to search for Iapetus, or Bob, as Percy remembered him.
It was Leo who first spotted him, mopping the floors in one of the college's main buildings. Dressed in a janitor's uniform, Bob looked surprisingly content, humming a tune as he worked. His silvery hair and glowing eyes were unmistakable.
"Bob!" Percy called out, relief washing over him.
The titan looked up, a broad smile spreading across his face. "Percy! Friends! What brings you here?"
"We need your help," Percy said urgently. "Nyx is rising, and you're in danger. We have to get you somewhere safe."
Bob's expression turned serious. "Nyx... that is troubling. But I have made a life here, helping people. I cannot simply leave."
Before Percy could respond, the air around them grew cold. Shadows lengthened, and an oppressive feeling settled over the college. The sound of growling and the clatter of claws echoed through the hallways.
"We're not alone," Hazel said, her voice tense.
The Ambush:
Monsters poured in from every direction, surrounding the school. Hellhounds, empousai, and dracaenae emerged from the shadows, their eyes glinting with malice. The Seven and their allies formed a tight circle around Bob, weapons at the ready.
From the depths of the shadows, a deep, terrifying voice rumbled, sending chills down their spines. It spoke in a language none of them could understand, but the menace in its tone was unmistakable. Even Bob, a titan, seemed shaken.
"We need to get out of here," Percy said, gripping Riptide tightly. "Now."
The group fought fiercely, their combined strength just barely holding the monsters at bay. Bob used his immense strength to clear a path, but the creatures kept coming, seemingly endless.
Just when it seemed they might be overwhelmed, Percy saw an opportunity. "This way!" he shouted, leading them towards an emergency exit. They fought their way through, Bob's massive frame shielding them from the worst of the attacks.
Outside, they regrouped, breathing heavily. The monsters were still coming, but they had a moment's respite. The voice, however, continued to echo in their minds, a haunting reminder of the danger they faced.
"We can't keep this up forever," Calypso said, her face pale but determined. "We need a plan."
Percy nodded, his mind racing. "We'll figure something out. But first, we need to get Bob to safety."
With the monsters hot on their heels and the ominous voice lingering in the air, the group set off once more. Their journey was far from over, and the stakes had never been higher.
Chapter 7: The Sacrifice:
The tension was palpable as the monsters closed in, their snarls and growls filling the air. Percy knew they had to act quickly or risk being overwhelmed. He turned to Bob, his expression resolute.
"Bob, you need to teleport half of us to Camp Half-Blood," Percy said, his voice steady despite the chaos. "Nico, you take the other half with shadow travel."
Bob nodded, understanding the urgency. "I can do that, Percy. "Same," said Nico.
Bob and Nico quickly began organizing the group. Bob took Hazel, Frank, Piper and Clarisse, while Nico prepared to shadow travel with Leo, Calypso, and Will. Percy stood at the front, Riptide in hand, ready to keep everyone safe.. Bob flashed his group out leaving only Nico and his group.
The Attack:
Just as Nico was ready to shadow travel all of them out a monstrous claw slashed through the air, catching Percy off guard. The blow sent him sprawling to the ground far from the rest of the group, too far from the shadow Nico was using to escape, blood pouring from a deep gash in his side. Hazel screamed, and the others cried out in shock and horror.
"Percy!" Leo tried to rush to his side, but Nico held him back, his face twisted with pain.
"Don't move Leo! I have to concentrate or I'll kill all of us in transit." Nico screamed
With tears streaming down their faces, the group reluctantly stepped back. "Get up Percy!" Nico pleaded But Percy could not stand "Please…" Nico's voice cracked
"Go, Nico. keep everyone safe!" Percy said grimly.
Nico activated his powers, teleporting the demigods away into the shadow. Percy watched as his friends vanished, their desperate expressions seared into his mind.
The Final Stand:
Alone now, Percy struggled to his feet, clutching his side. He managed to get to one knee before the monsters closed in, their eyes filled with bloodlust. He could barely lift his sword. He activated his shield and felt the refreshing sensation of the ocean, he raised Riptide, determined to take as many of them down with him as he could.
The deep, terrifying voice from before echoed again, taunting him. Percy gritted his teeth, refusing to let the fear take hold. He fought with every ounce of strength he had left, slashing at the monsters as they swarmed around him.
The Voice Materialized. It was a woman in Black, translucent. Her black eyes and Raven hair shined with a dark light. Light withered and died around her. "Nyx?" Percy moaned through his pain. The woman smiled "Not yet. Little hero." She raised her arms and the world went black.
Back at Camp Half-Blood, the atmosphere was somber and tense. Bob and Nico's groups arrived safely, but the absence of Percy weighed heavily on everyone. Hazel paced back and forth, her mind racing with a thousand thoughts and fears.
Nico, exhausted from the shadow travel, slumped to the ground. "We have to go back," he said, his voice weak but determined. "We can't leave him there."
"We won't!" Clarisse roared, her eyes blazing with resolve. "We will get him back. He can't be gone!"
Leo stepped forward, his face grim. "We need a plan. And we need to regroup. Percy wouldn't want us rushing in blindly."
Bob, his expression filled with sorrow and guilt, spoke up. "I will help. Percy is my friend. We will save him."
Despite their determination, the reality of the situation was stark. Percy was in the hands of the monsters, and they had no idea what fate had befallen him. But they would not give up. They would fight, and they would find him.
Chapter 8 ~ Captive:
Percy awoke a captor. Strange, he thought he was surely going to be eaten. His head was throbbing he was wounded badly and losing a lot of blood.
He hadn't been taken easily or without significant casualties to the enemy, but judging by his current state he'd say they didn't appreciate that very much. His right eye was swollen shut. His left leg and also three ribs were broken. Every breath he took was agony and caught upon his lips.
"I've been worse off, ill be fine." He whispered to himself. "Shut it" came a gruff, and unkind voice. "Or I'll eat your liver, child of the sea." Percy looked up and saw the biggest Cyclops he's ever seen.
Now is my chance he thought to himself. Gather information. Not exactly what I had in mind. I thought i'd have a captive, not be one.
"What do you want anyways?"
"What is with these Primordials? Always trying to destroy everything. What does Nyx want anyways?"
The Cyclops looked offended. He struck Percy, causing his other eye to swell up.
"Watch your tongue mortal, my mistress will be respected."
"That's enough now" a feminine voice said. "We need him conscious." The lady in black glided to him. "So are you Nyx or not?" Percy asked. "Not," said the woman in black, at least not….
"Yet." Percy interrupted her and rolled his eyes, "I heard you say that already, remember?" said Percy
"Then who are you?"
"I am her avatar. I embody her will and power up here, at least until she escapes Tartarus that is."
Percy shivered. "What are you planning?" Percy asked.
"A return to the old ways. The same as all my kin. Gaia, Than Pontus, and now I. Do not think I've forgiven you for what you did to my brother and sister."
"Hey, me and Pontus are cool. I convinced him peacefully!" Percy stated indignantly. Nyx scowled. He always had a soft heart. To content. Giving control of his realm to lessers.
Poseidon may control the sea but my brother is, the sea." We have watched lesser beings inherit from us, not what we once owned, no far worse, they inherited control of us.
Each time you or Poseidon will the sea to obey, you strip away the freedom of choice from my Brother. And worse you have severed the consciousness of my beloved sister. Same as her husband, Ouranos." I will not allow this to stand. Humanity, nature, the gods, all these parasites will be wiped clean. And Chaos shall rise once more. The Age of the Primordials will come again!" Her smile was malicious and cruel. "I suppose I couldn't convince you to surrender peacefully and return back home to your Brother?" Percy asked Hopefully. "No Perceus, no you couldn't" She sighed. Annoyed at Percy's ability to ruin such good melo drama with his folly.