Ch51
Percy thought it was supposed to be a calm day with him just hanging out with Rachel but that came to an end for him when Triton interrupted their little date with a knock on the window. "Little brother come our father requests your assistance."
He nearly jumped out of his seat. "Oh gods!"
Triton rolled his eyes. "Come on we don't have all day."
He sighed and turned to Rachel. "Sorry I got to go."
To his surprise Rachel hugged him and kissed him on the cheek. "Be safe."
His face reddened and not just because Triton had a smirk on his face. "Y-Yeah." As soon as he stepped out of the car Triton grabbed his shoulder and in a flash of light he felt himself be transported.
The next thing he knew he was under water. The seabed stretched endlessly in every direction, a dim, eerie glow filtering down through miles of water. Ancient stone pillars, half-buried in sand and coral, rose like relics of an age long forgotten. "Dad!"
Poseidon who was flanked by various soldiers and sea creatures turned to him and nodded while across from him was a large powerful deity. It reminded him of his father but it felt older and more powerful
"Oceanus," he muttered.
"Say nothing," Triton whispered. "Father just wants you to observe."
He only nodded as they swam to their father's side.
The god's gaze was dark and unreadable, his presence filling the water with a weight that pressed down on his chest. He shifted slightly, feeling a chill that had nothing to do with the cold of the deep. Beside him, Poseidon was calm, steady, as if the centuries-old rivalry simmering beneath the surface of this meeting was nothing more than a formality. Triton's jaw was clenched, eyes flickering warily to their guest.
Oceanus's voice echoed, a deep, rumbling tone that resonated through the water. "I will refrain from joining Kronos if you surrender certain territories to me in both the Atlantic and the Pacific."
Territory is this what it's about? He looked at Triton who gave him a look to not talk
The words felt like a wave crashing through him, carrying with it an unspoken weight. Giving up that territory meant a shift in power, a scar carved into Poseidon's realm that would take ages to heal. He glanced at his father, watching for a sign of hesitation, a flicker of doubt. But Poseidon's expression didn't waver.
"Agreed," Poseidon said, his voice like a current of steel. "We'll make an oath on the Styx."
The dark gleam in Oceanus's eyes deepened, and he extended a hand. Both gods repeated the oath and a tremor passed through the seabed, an oath both unbreakable and absolute.
Once it was done, Oceanus turned his gaze on him. There was something predatory in those eyes, as if he were being dissected with every blink. "Tell me, young demigod," Oceanus said, his voice thick with curiosity, "why do you fight? Why waste yourself in a war that will outlast you?"
A chill brushed his spine, but he didn't flinch. "Because it's the right thing to do," he said, keeping his tone steady. "Kronos' rule… nothing good can come from it."
Oceanus chuckled, a sound as ancient as the tides. "A demigod with principles, you don't see those very often. Well good luck if you decide to go against my brother Poseidon." Then, with a last lingering gaze, he faded into the shadows of the ocean, leaving only silence in his wake.
Well that was something. He reminded him of his father for a bit but more calculating.
"You'll need to be ready," Poseidon said quietly, his eyes shadowed. "Read the Great Prophecy.
A pulse of apprehension stirred in his chest, but he nodded. "What about you and Triton?"
Poseidon's gaze drifted toward the murky distance where Oceanus had vanished. "We'll watch him. Oceanus is bound by the Styx, but I trust little where he is concerned."
He nodded. "I'll be here if you need anything."
His father nodded and snapped his fingers and the next thing he knew his body was being propelled upwards.
Alabaster sat in his seat in the newly made conference room as the mood in the room. It was a nice room with a modern aesthetic, bright lights, and a large projector screen. Frankly if it had been any other time it would have been a great place to have a meeting, but now all the campers in the room wanted to look anywhere but at Percy.
"Well that's the Great Prophecy," Percy said softly as he set the paper down.
"Prophecies may not always be direct with what they mean," Chiron said firmly. "Things could happen that we aren't aware of."
"There is never one path to anything," He muttered. Mother I really hope Percy doesn't perish in this war. He wouldn't let his first friend perish, he would do anything to make sure Percy survived.
Percy sighed and shook his head. "Enough of this. What else do we need to discuss?"
Chiron pressed a button on a remote and the wall behind Percy lit up with the image of a large and powerful storm with various lights flashing around it. Squinting he could make out claws and talons. "Typhon," he muttered as he noticed a few gods battle the creature, it was then he saw her. At first it was a flash of green but he recognized his mother's torches anywhere. Mother! A bit of pride swelled up inside of him as he saw her briefly strike the creature.
"The gods are fighting Typhon off," Annabeth said.
Percy frowned. "Then who is guarding Olympus? Kronos is mobilizing his army as we speak."
There was an awkward silence in the room as all the cabin heads looked at each other. "Olympus has many powerful wards and protections," Chiron said uneasily.
"It won't be enough," he said. Everyone turned to him as he looked up at each and every cabin head. "Trust me even the strongest protections can break and the strongest wards can have a weakness. If we want to make sure Olympus is safe from the Titans we will have to do it ourselves."
There were murmurs in the room. Chiron's face tensed while Percy and Annabeth remained silent. "Well what are we waiting for?" Clarisse asked as she stood up. "We need to prepare now." With that she stormed out of the room while Chris Rodriguez awkwardly followed after her.
Percy nodded. "Yeah she's right we need to prepare now."
With that the meeting was ended and everyone slowly left the room. He quickly got up and followed Percy out of the room. "Hey it's going to be ok," he said trying to sound reassuring.
Percy only nodded as they headed back to the Poseidon Cabin his gaze conflicted. "I really was hoping to visit Rachel on her cruise, but I guess this is important."
"There will be other opportunities," he said meeting Percy's gaze. "If Olympus fall there won't be anymore vacations at all."
"Yeah true." Percy met his gaze his sea green eyes were a mixture of anxiety and determination. "I'll need your help, I'll need everyone's help."
"Don't worry everyone will be there for you." He scanned the area and leaned in closer. "Are you really going with Lou and Bianca?"
Percy nodded. "Yeah. I figure I'll need all the strenght I can get."
He nodded. "I know it won't be easy but I know you can do it." If anyone cat the blessing of the Styx I know it can be you.
"Uh hey guys." They turned around to see Annabeth with a clipboard in her hands. "It's time for cabin inspections."
"Yeah sure come on in," Percy said.
It was awkwardly quiet as Annabeth entered the Poseidon Cabin and began to scribble away on her notepad. "It's hard to believe you both came here only a few years ago," Annabeth said softly as she scribbled some notes on her notepad.
"Yeah it's been a while," Percy said.
Annabeth turned and looked at Percy, her eyes looked as if they were debating something in her mind. "Well you barely passed your inspection." With that she turned around and exited the Poseidon Cabin.
"You know half the time I think she dislikes me or wants to be my friend." Percy scratched his head.
He shrugged. "Girls can be weird. Anyway let me know if you need anything."
Percy nodded and grabbed his backpack. "I'm going to get ready."
As soon as he exited the Poseidon Cabin he took a deep breath and pushed the emotions down inside of him. Everything I care about is at stake. He blinked his eyes to get rid of the wetness, deep down he didn't want to lose anyone.
He went over to the Hecate Cabin which floated about the river. Mother when this is all done your cabin will be on the land just like the other cabins.
As he walked up the steps the door opened and Annabeth exited. "You guys clean up well," she said.
"Thanks." Nothing that a bit of mist magic couldn't hide.
"You know I remember when you and Percy first arrived here," Annabeth said as she walked down the steps and stared at the river. "Percy was a scared little boy and you looked angry at everything."
"Yeah well when your family is constantly disrespected it happens," He said. Deep down he knew that he had changed since his time coming here. For the first time he had a stable place to stay and he even made a few friends. "But yeah things have changed."
"This camp has been my homes for years now," Annabeth said as she met his gaze. "It's been both of our homes and right now it's in danger."
He met her gaze and could feel what she was asking. "Percy can use both of our help. Not all my siblings are fighters but they'll put their lives on the line for this camp, for our mother."
Annabeth extended a hand. "I look forward to working with you all."
He shook the hand and met her determined gaze. "As do it."
The daughter of Athena turned around and left as she continued on with her inspections. He decided to walk around to calm his nerves. A sense of unease hung in the air as he walked through the camp and found Ethan by the fire pit shining his katana. "Everything ok?"
Ethan nodded as his katana glistened in the light of the flames. "Just getting ready. You nervous?"
"A little," he admitted. He stared the hearth and felt the warms of the flames. "But we'll show them all here what are out mothers can do."
Ethan sheathed his sword and looked up at him. "I'll have your back if you need anything."
"Same here." The two stood up and high fived each other.
That night he dreamt of a powerful storm. Typhon was devouring and destroying everything in his path while various bright lights flew around him blasting him powerful beams of energies. He could recognize them, the Olympians as they flew in the sky throwing everything they had at Typhon.
"The crossroads are here Alabaster." His mother's voice echoed in his head as he saw her fly through the sky with her torches in hand as she struck Typhon. "Only you can choose the path for your future."
He awoke the next morning with a knot of anxiety inside of him. Sitting up on his bed he picked up his deck of cards and shuffled them. Percy. Lou. Please be ok.
"Hey have you see Lou?" Balthazar asked.
He got up and put his cards away. "She's helping Percy with something important."
Some of his siblings looked at him curiously but got the hint and didn't ask him anything else. The mood at the camp was even tenser than before and got even tenser once people realized that Percy wasn't there.
"Mr. Torrington have you seen Percy?" Chiron asked as they finished up breakfast.
"No but he's ok," he said as he met the centaur's gaze. "He'll be back don't worry."
Chiron looked and nodded. "I see. Well your aunt requested that everyone meet at the amphitheater."
"We'll be there." As the centaur left he noticed Annabeth look at him with a curious look in her eyes. I wonder what she would think to Percy's little quest? Probably that it was foolish and risky but he was glad she cared about Percy in her own way.
After breakfast all the campers gathered around the amphitheater. He stood up front with the other cabin heads between Ethan and Annabeth while in front of them Chiron alongside Daedalus, Circe, and Medea.
His aunt stepped forward. "Me and Circe have helped Lady Hecate place various protections around the Empire State Building but the enemy find various ways to break them." Medea looked at the crowd and motioned to Circe and Daedalus. "Worry not for us three will be there to assist the camp."
Some campers murmured but he could see the relief in their eyes. "They'll definitely be helpful," Annabeth said softly.
Daedalus stepped forward. "I did my best to train you all now it'll be time to put it to use and show the enemy what heroes are made of!"
The crowd of demigods cheered just as Circe stepped forward. "Alright now the Hecate Cabin will write protective runes over you all." She clapped her hands. "Alright everyone get in a line by cabin."
With that they all got up and the various campers formed lines. He grabbed a sharpie and went over to the Athena Cabin where Annabeth was first in line. "You ready for this?"
Annabeth nodded. "This will be the biggest war we've fought."
He looked at her as he finished marking her up. "Then we'll especially need Athena's wisdom in this fight."
Annabeth nodded and their gazes met. "Yeah and Hecate's guidance.