Ch37

Percy sighed as he looked at Rachel's number on his arm. Everything had happened so fast but Rachel seemed alright. "So Circe and your Aunt are both at camp now?"

"Yeah they set up a workshop and everything," Alabaster said from the front seat. "They are helping Chiron with the camp defenses while Mr. D is out of town."

"Out of town? What's he doing?"

Alabaster sat in his seat and folded his arms. "He's trying to find allies among the other minor gods."

"Oh." He looked towards the ground of the car. Olympus doesn't change easily. Yet deep down he could understand their frustration at being constantly mistreated. "Are things better for your mom?"

"Somewhat," Alabaster said softly. "More gods are paying attention to her and Nemesis. But others…are still undecided, at least that's what I've been told."

"Oh. That's too bad," he muttered. "Any news from the labyrinth?"

"No. No signs of the enemy so far but everyone is on edge," Alabaster said softly. "The enemy is making their move, a lot of the minor gods are keeping quiet."

Well I figured not every minor deity has received the support of others. His stomach turned at the thought of who might be going over to the enemy's side. "If only we could've done more." He knew what it was like to feel as if the world didn't want you. As a demigod the camp should be a place for all children of the gods not just the major ones.

"You did all you could," Alabaster said. "Change never comes easily." The son of Hecate shuffled his cards. "Oh my aunt wanted to know if you would like to have your chakras opened?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Chakras? Like ninja stuff?"

Alabaster sighed. "No. We have potential deep down inside of us, our divine potential from our parents." The son of Hecate paused. "If you want she can help you access it."

"I see." He shrugged. "Well frankly your aunt does a lot of cool things. So longs I'm not turned into a guinea pig why not."

When they arrived at camp he noticed a few skeletal guards walking around. "Your aunt's?"

Alabaster nodded. "Yeah. She's been busy with the defenses come on."

As they entered the camp he noticed more skeletal soldiers and what appeared to be various shadow figures moving in the woods. In the distance he could see a large tent that gave off an otherworldly glow.

As he entered the camp he noticed various campers wearing weapons their faces tense as they walked around. In the distance he could see large mound of scape metal lying on the ground. "Did the Hephaestus Cabin get more scrap metal?"

Alabaster shook his head. "It's an old mechanism that Lou took down last winter. Me and some of my older siblings have been busy removing all the curses, we'll try and see if we can fix it up."

He shrugged. "Wow cool. Hopefully it doesn't kill us."

Alabaster laughed awkwardly. "Me too."

It was then a familiar dark haired girl ran up and hugged him. "Percy!" Lou Ellen said as she wrapped her arms around him tightly.

"H-Hey Lou," He said as he hugged her back. "Missed you too." He swore he saw Alabaster roll his eyes.

"You both are back early? I thought you both were going to the city after the orientation?" Lou asked.

Alabaster sighed. "Remember you told me about Bianca's brother? Well he attacked us."

The color drained from Lou's face. "What?"

"Yeah he attacked us but we managed to push him back," he said.

Lou shook her head. "Oh gods. I'll send Bianca an Iris Message, I'll be right back." With that she quickly ran back to the Hecate Cabin.

He raised an eyebrow. "She seems close to Bianca." He met the girl once and she seemed alright though a bit reclusive.

"They were friends on their quest," Alabaster said "By the way someone is here to see you."

"Really who?"

Alabaster led him to the to the Poseidon Cabin where he was greeted by a big hug. "Percy!"

"Tyson!" He hugged the cyclops back.

"I'm so happy," Tyson smiled. "Ethan, Lou, Alabaster always play with me and now you are here again."

"I'm glad to see you too," He walked in and saw that the place was not only clean but also renovated.

That was when he saw Ethan, he was sweeping in the middle of the room. "Hey Ethan!" The son of Nemesis turned around and he realized he was wearing an eyepatch. It took him a moment to process it, his friend looked a bit more edgy with it on. "Wh-What happened to your eye."

Ethan smiled at him and gently touched the eye patch on his eye. "Just a trade. Is everything clean enough for you?"

"Yeah. Everything is spotless what do you mean by a trade?"

Ethan shook his head. "Not important. It's something I chose and something I wanted." He paused and traced his eyepatch. "It'll be worth it."

Suddenly there was a knock at the door. "Hey I'm here for the inspection," S sailenaid with a smile.

"Great come on in,"

The daughter of Aphrodite looked around and smiled. "Looks good Percy full marks."

"Thanks." He waved at her as she left. "So are you guys going to stay here or in your cabins?"

"I'll stay here more peace and quiet," Alabaster said as he avoided his gaze and began to shuffle his cards.

He shrugged. "Well glad to have you. I'm going to check up on Grover."

After unpacking a few things he walked out into the camp and passed by various campers. He saw Clarisse and Annabeth outside the infirmary both looking glum so he pretended to not see them and continued onward towards the woods where he found Grover resting against a tree.

"Hey nice to see you again."

Grover's eyes lit up. "Percy!"

The two quickly hugged each other. "How have you been G-Man?"

"Tired," Grover sighed. "Ever since Pan left me in charge I've been having to deal with a lot of satyr things."

"I see." He scratched his head. "Does Pan help out or are you by yourself?"

"Oh it's just me," Grover said. "Pan does occasionally come out to give me advice but I want to do this for him."

"I get that," he said as he looked around the forest. "Things seem tense here, have there been any fights or anything?"

Grover shook his head. "No but everyone is on edge…Annabeth has been having dreams about Luke and the labyrinth."

He raised an eyebrow. "Really? I thought we took out most of the enemy's bases down there. Though to be honest we could've missed a few places."

The satyr avoided his gaze as a cold wind brushed through the area. "I know you and Annabeth don't really get along but if she asks for your help could you help her?" Grover asked.

He sighed. "Well it depends on what she wants but she better fix her attitude and not just with me."

Grover sighed. "I know. Annabeth…her pride is strong but she has a good heart deep down."

"I'll believe it when I see it," he said. "How are the children of the minor gods?"

Grover paused. "Many are hesitant while others haven't come so far."

A cold wind brushed through the area. He shook his head. "It's not fair that they are treated in such a way. This camp could be better."

"I know," Grover admitted. "It's not fair, none of it is."

His gaze drifted to the dark sky. "I'll do all I can to make things right, to make sure everyone is treated with respect."

Later that evening he found Alabaster and Ethan in the Poseidon Cabin. "I need to tell you both about something," Alabaster said as he closed the door and muttered something in Latin. The door and windows glowed green as a faint barrier could be seen.

"What's up?"

Alabaster sighed and looked at both of them. "My mother gave me another quest that may help us, help the camp." He took out one of his mistform cards and green smoke came out of it revealing a handsome young man in Ancient Greek attire. "Icarus introduce yourself."

Icarus smiled. "Hello demigods. I am Icarus, son of Daedalus."

"Daedalus like the labyrinth?" Ethan asked.

"The very same," Icarus said. "I was sent here to find my father."

"Your father? He's alive too?" He asked.

"He is and the enemy is apparently hunting him," Alabaster said his green eyes flashing in the mist.

"The enemy seeks the labyrinth to destroy your camp and undermine Olympus," Icarus said. "That is why they want my father."

"Well where is he?" Ethan asked.

Icarus looked to the ground his face turning solemn. "He is hiding somewhere…I fear the enemy may kill him or offer him something he can't refuse."

"Like what?"

Icarus met his gaze. "My father has always feared death. The enemy could help him achieve his goal."

He sighed and sat on his bed. "Great another thing to worry about."

"How can we find him?" Ethan asked.

Icarus folded his arms. "My father will be found only when he wants to be found. He'll show up sooner or later I know it."

"We'll keep an eye out for him," Alabaster said.

That night he dreamt he was on the beach the sound of waves and the smell of the ocean calmed him. He saw a man in Greek attire looking down at a young woman in a Greek dress, it took a moment to realize he recognized the woman.

That's Medea. He stared at the woman in shock, she looked younger and even more beautiful than he could've imagined.

"Medea my love I know it must have been hard to murder them," the man said.

Medea's gaze watered. "My brother was always kind to me. He must have had-"

She was cut off by a kiss by the man. "Medea do you love me?"

Medea nodded. "I do Jason," she said softly.

Jason? He looked at the man and couldn't help but think of various playboys he knew at school who flirted with girls for things they wanted.

"My love we'll be together forever," Jason said with a soothing voice. "Your family never understood us." With that he kissed Medea one last time.

His stomach turned as he watched the scene. Knowing how this story would go he wanted more than anything to tell her to run and leave. No one deserves to be manipulated like that.

The next morning Chiron organized a capture the flag session. "Alright everyone we need to prepare for any and all situations. This won't just be any ordinary capture the flag, treat it as an actual battle." Chiron stepped forward, "The Poseidon Cabin and their sub cabins will fight with the Hermes and Apollo Cabins. While the Athena and Ares Cabins will fight with the Hephaestus, Demeter, and Dionysus Cabins. Now prepare!"

"Alright how should we do this," he said as he gathered the other cabin heads along with Ethan and Alabaster.

"We'll provide enchantments to defend the flag and the area around it," Alabaster said. "Lou and the Stolls can also help provide guerilla movements. The Apollo Cabin can provide long range support."

"Sounds good." The other campers around him nodded in agreement. "Ethan do you and Alabaster want to come with me to raid their flag?"

Ethan looked at him, his eyepatch seemed unnerving in the shadows. "Sure." Alabaster took out his deck of cards and nodded in agreement.

With that they quickly got ready and organized their positions just as Chiron's horn blared in the distance. "Alright lets go."

Ethan nodded gripping his spear tightly while Alabaster had his cards in his hand. The son of Hecate muttered some words and a green aura enveloped them. "That should help with concealment," Alabaster said as they walked through the woods.

The sun shinned brightly as they made their way through the woods. Gripping Riptide in has he carefully scanned the area as they advanced forward. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Ethan frown into the distance. "Hey you ok?"

"I'm fine," Ethan said. "Just nervous." The son of Nemesis looked around with his one eye, if he had difficulty seeing he made no indication of it.

"Can you see alright?" Alabaster asked.

Ethan's posture turned rigid. "I'm getting used to it."

It was then that he heard the sound of a branch break. Alabaster muttered something in Latin and a few of his cards flew from his hand and blasted green flames.

"AHH!" Annabeth Chase screamed she fell down and her cap fell off.

He swore as a bunch of the Athena Cabin emerged from the woods their spears drawn. Annabeth quickly drew her knife. "Get them!"

Ethan gripped his katana's hilt. "I'll take care of her you too take care of the rest."

Alabaster shuffled his deck as green smoke enveloped him. "Lets go!"

One of Alabaster's runes hit him and suddenly a jolt of energy spread throughout his body. Gripping Riptide he charged at the first line of the enemy and easily took them down as Alabaster's cards rained fire from above.

The son of Hecate drew his golden sword and came to his side just in time to block a spear that was aimed at his back. "Thanks."

Alabaster blocked another spear before blasting another camper back with a rune. "No problem. Looks like Ethan is holding up well."

He turned and saw Ethan battling Annabeth, the daughter of Athena was dodging his sword with ease but at the same time had trouble getting in closer. "We'll help him if he needs it." With a snap of his fingers Alabaster's cards blasted the remaining campers down with a wave of green energy.

Suddenly Ethan pointed his katana and drew it as a strange aura enveloped him. "Grudge!" The son of Nemesis said in Ancient Greek.

The air around Ethan shimmered and the area around them turned a few degrees colder. Suddenly, Ethan took the shape of a middle aged Asian woman. Annabeth froze; her brow then furrowed her body shook as she glared at Ethan's form with contempt her body shaking as rage built up inside of her.

"Not now sweetie your father needs to work," Ethan said in a woman's voice. The air around him seemed to blur as Ethan smiled. "Stop bothering him and go to sleep."

The daughter of Athena's brow twitched as her gaze filled with anger. "AHHH!" Annabeth let out a frenzied roar as she charged at Ethan while unleashing a few profanities.

"Ethan!" But the son of Nemesis only smirked as met Annabeth's knife. She swung it ferociously ignoring Ethan's attacks as they made contact.

Annabeth charged blindly at Ethan just as Alabaster muttered something in Latin. He winced as Annabeth's leg twisted in an unnatural way, she screamed as Ethan slashed her on the left shoulder knocking her to the ground.

Ethan removed his spear as his form reverted back to normal. "What? It's a new power up, I turn into the person they hate the most."

Couldn't argue with that. "Come lets-"

The sound of a blaring horn caught there attention. "Wait what?"

Alabaster smiled. "Lou wanted to do something sneaky, I guess she succeeded."

"The winners are the Poseidon Cabin and their allies," Chiron said.

They all let out a loud cheer. On the ground Annabeth Chase slowly stood up and glared at Ethan as he turned back to his normal self. She had tears in her eyes which bore into the son of Nemesis with such hatred he thought she was going to attack Ethan. Instead she turned around and stormed off.

"Percy may I speak with you?" Chiron asked.

He nodded. "Sure."

They passed through various trees where they could see Zeus' fist in the distance guarded by a platoon of demigods and skeletal warriors.

"Percy war is coming soon," Chiron said. "The camp must be prepared, we need a leader." The centaur looked at him calmly. "You have a lot of experience Percy I would like you to share that with the other campers and train them."

He did a double take. "Me? I-I don't know I'm not exactly a teacher. Besides we have you."

"But you have experience and have fought the enemy first hand," Chiron said. "I'll help around too but the camp needs a leader and you are one of the most experienced demigods around here."

He looked at the ground his heart racing in his chest. Chiron's words resonated with him. "Fine I'll do what I can but I've never lead an army."

Chiron chuckled. "With practice anything can come easier."

He only nodded as a bit of anxiety flared up inside of him. I've never lead an army. Besides he didn't know most of the campers well.

As he walked towards his cabin he found Ethan shinning his katana by the fire pit. "Hey that was some power of yours."

Ehtan nodded. "I'm just helping my mother punish hubris and help people back on their correct path."

"I see." He sat across from Ethan, something about how he said those words made the hairs on his neck stand up.

Ethan stared at the firepit. "You know my grandfather used to tell me stories of the gods of Japan." His voice was soft and melancholy as his eye flickered in the flames. "He often said she had immense beauty and a gaze that could light an unextinguishable fire to punish the wicked." Ethan paused. "I wish to bring balance to this world and help rid it of evil. I know it is what my grandfather would want of me."

He stared at Ethan, frankly he didn't know much of this talk of Japanese gods but he could tell it meant a lot to him. "I think you're already a great hero. Many people have left but you are still here and that means a lot to me."

Ethan smiled. "Thanks. You're a good friend Percy, not everyone notices people like me."

He looked up at the sky. "People have looked down on me all my life, I know what it's like to be invisible." He paused and looked down at the flames. "Chiron wants me to help train the campers, can you help me?" It was an idea that came to his head, he knew Ethan was a good fighter and he worked with him a lot.

Ethan looked at him and nodded. "Sure if you want me to."

"Yeah why not. You're a good fighter." The two hung out by the flames of the hearth before it was time for them to go.

That night he decided to retire early and fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. He found himself on a familiar cruise ship overlooking the waves. "They won't get away next time," Nico muttered as he paced the deck of the Princess Andromeda.

He noticed Luke looking out at the sea his face tense as if he were in pain. "Percy Jackson is a tough enemy."

"I won't let him beat me again," Nico declared sounding as if he were a kid telling his hero he will do better in school. "I'll destroy all those who oppose Kronos." The boy clenched his fists his body shaking as his eyes shinned madly. "They'll pay, they'll all pay for brainwashing my sister! They'll pay for their crimes they did against my family!"

He raised an eyebrow. Am I supposed to be scared of this kid? Nico seemed deranged and a bit bratty but looking into his eyes he could see a madness that sent a shiver down his spine. Whatever this kid's history with the gods was he didn't know if he should be scared or not. He seems like a crazy brat.

Luke turned and went over to Nico placing a hand on his shoulder. "You'll get your sister back. Lord Kronos rewards his followers for their loyalty."

He could've sworn he saw Nico's face redden. "Th-Thanks."

Luke smiled tensely. "My family was also hurt by the gods." His face flashed with anger. "They've done nothing but toy with humanity as their own play things." His body shook. "I-It's for the best." Luke took a deep breath. "The camp was a good intention but is fall for us to build a new one."

Nico perked up. "So are we really going to use the Princess Andromeda to attack the camp?"

Luke sighed and turned to face the water. "Most likely. Unless of course we find Daedalus."

Nico's eyes widened. "I'll find him! We'll attack the camp from land, sea, and underground if we have to!"

Luke nodded his face betraying no emotion as he peered off into the seas. "We'll strive for an overwhelming victory one way or another."

AN: Since ships have been brought up I do intend to keep this story gen though I have been flirting with the idea of shipping Percy with a child of Hecate but as for now I most likely will keep the romance out of the story.