This is a Percy Jackson and Hercules Crossover Fanfiction Only.
AN: this story is inspired by Gamer of Olympus by AeroJester203.
An amusing notification popped up, indicating that I had conducted an experiment and found my hypothesis to be incorrect. Though it was a lighthearted jab, I still gained a point in wisdom for my efforts.
The game often had a humorous edge to it, which kept things interesting.
I chose to ignore the distractions around me and decided to focus on pressing the advantage I had, particularly if mental exercises could help me earn points too. That was the reason I had approached Annabeth and asked her for a round of chess. Looking at the Sprint ability again, I realized that it would nearly double my speed. With my current stats, my SP was at 2600, considering my existing VIT and DEX. This meant I could operate at full power for fifty-two seconds if I drained my entire energy bar from maximum to exhaustion.
I quickly calculated the answer to a math problem I had created in my mind without needing to write anything down on paper.
This mental exercise earned me an increase of 1 to my Intelligence (INT).
I acknowledged this gain with a nod, noting that I now had a total of nine points. I needed only one more point to complete the first half of my goal before shifting my focus entirely to improving my physical stats. To clear my mind and refresh myself, I turned on the faucet and splashed some cold water onto my face to wash away the sweat. Since it was still evening and Cabin Eleven's shower time would not arrive until morning, this small act felt like a much-needed reset. After feeling a bit more invigorated, I headed back to my cabin to change into something more comfortable.
After dinner, I made my way to the grounds between the cabins, where Annabeth had already set up a table and a chess board. She sat on one side with the white pieces, giving her the advantage of making the first move. Almost immediately, she launched an attack on my side, swiftly capturing almost all of my pieces while leaving only my king untouched. When she skillfully maneuvered her pieces to put me in checkmate, I felt a sense of urgency and asked her for a rematch since I hadn't gained any points from the first game.
Hiro and Hector quietly observed the chess match taking place between me and Annabeth. Neither of us noticed the two camp counselors standing off to the side, fully engaged in their own conversation about our game. They leaned in closer, exchanging comments about the various moves we made and the mistakes both of us seemed to miss.
"Did you see that last move Annabeth made?" Hector remarked, shaking his head slightly. "She had a clear chance to take his queen but didn't even notice."
"Yeah, and look at how quickly he moved his knight," Hiro added, his brow furrowing in concentration. "He should have thought that through a bit more. It left him wide open for attack."
Annabeth, catching a bit of their chatter, turned to them with a curious expression. "Hey, what are you two doing over there? Why are you watching us so closely?"
Hector smiled, his tone light and friendly. "We're just trying to understand how well you both are playing, and what kind of strategies we might teach you to improve."
Annabeth raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Strategies? Like what?"
Hiro chimed in, crossing his arms thoughtfully. "Well, after a few games, we'll give you both some tips on tactics and planning your moves. It's all about thinking ahead and anticipating what your opponent might do next."
Annabeth nodded, looking back at the chessboard, contemplating their words. "That sounds interesting. I could definitely use some help in that area."
As the game continued, it became clear that both me and Annabeth were making more mistakes than we realized. Hiro and Hector exchanged silent glances, their expressions filled with a mix of amusement and determination. They were eager to help.
After a few more moves, Hector stepped in and offered a suggestion. "Okay, how about we pause for a moment? Let's say you're considering your next move. Think about how it affects not just this turn but the next several turns as well."
Annabeth turned to him attentively. "So, you mean like predicting what my opponent might do after I make my move?"
"Exactly!" Hiro responded enthusiastically. "And remember, it's often beneficial to play defensively, especially if you're not sure of the next best move."
With each passing moment, the game became a learning experience not just for Annabeth but for me as well. The camp counselors planned to share more insights on strategic thinking and problem-solving techniques, making sure we knew the importance of each decision on the chessboard.
Feeling a new sense of determination, I glanced at Annabeth and said, "Let's keep playing, but let's also think about their tips. I want to get better."
Annabeth smiled in agreement, her competitive spirit reignited. "Let's do it! I'm ready to take on whatever they throw at us."
As the game resumed, the involvement of Hiro and Hector transformed it into a valuable lesson on strategy and teamwork, setting the stage for future games filled with improvement and insight.
Annabeth graciously agreed and reset the board. However, she didn't recycle her opening moves from the previous match. In this round, the one piece I managed to capture from her turned out to be a cleverly laid trap. Just a few moves later, once again I found myself pinned down in checkmate. Annabeth informed me that this would have to be our last game, as she had other commitments.
Determined to earn at least one point from this encounter, I changed my strategy. This time, instead of following a set plan, I began to move my pieces differently, opting to move my king one space at a time. Annabeth appeared surprised by this tactic but quickly warned me it was not the best choice. She started to maneuver her pieces around to block my path. While I was concentrating on trying to win, I suddenly noticed that one of her pieces lined up perfectly with my bishop. Seizing the opportunity, I captured it, causing Annabeth to blink in surprise before she ramped up her efforts with a competitive gaze.
Despite her attempts to regain control of the game, I managed to maneuver my king behind her line of pawns, which allowed me to start capturing her pieces from that corner of the board. Unfortunately, one of her pieces managed to eliminate the bishop I had used and successfully trapped my king, leading to her victory once again.
As the notification popped up on my screen, I let out a quiet sigh of relief. However, that relief was short-lived when a second message appeared.
Your unconventional approach caught an opponent who is typically very strategic off guard.
You gained 1 to Wisdom (WIS).
You turned your most critical piece into an aggressive tool, which Annabeth begrudgingly respected, though she was not pleased by the outcome.
You lost 5 reputation points with Annabeth Chase.
I closed the notification windows and looked over at Annabeth, who was giving me an intense stare.
I shrugged sheepishly in response, a hint of embarrassment creeping onto my face. "That was an amazing game, and you really need to think outside the box," I said, trying to sound confident despite the weight of the situation. However, my honesty came at a cost, and I watched as the screen registered another loss of five reputation points. The disappointment stung a bit, but it didn't last long.
Hiro and Hector chimed in, eager to add their thoughts to the conversation. "You know," Hiro began, glancing over at me and then back at Annabeth, "Her mother really likes people who can think outside the box." Hector nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it's true! She's always encouraging unconventional thinking. That's how she comes up with those awesome strategies, especially in chess."
The mention of chess resonated with both of them after they finished playing chess on a table outside of Cabin Eleven. I remembered them telling me how both Hiro and Hector had beaten her mother several times at the game. They had clearly earned her respect. The way they spoke about her made it evident that they admired her skills and intellect. It was as if they were sharing a secret sauce for success, something that Annabeth should consider.
I listened intently as they continued. "Every time we play her," Hiro added with a grin, "we know we have to bring our best ideas and strategies. Otherwise, we just don't stand a chance!" Hector laughed, leaning back in his chair. "Exactly! If you don't think outside the box, she'll just outsmart you every time."
As the conversation unfolded, I could feel the mood shift. Annabeth, who had been feeling a little put off earlier, seemed to grow more engaged. I noticed her eyes darting between Hiro, Hector, and me, contemplating their words. My earlier reputation loss faded away, and I could see the points returning, a little surge of hope rising within me.
She continued to hold her gaze, packed up her chess set, and deliberately turned away to head back to her cabin. It seemed that Annabeth was not accustomed to being surprised, a fact I noted with mild amusement.
Brushing off the situation, I checked the status of my current quest. I verified that I had accumulated over ten points, successfully completing the first objective. This meant that the next two days should be dedicated to developing special actions and improving my physical conditioning.
"I can't believe how much these INT points are throwing me off balance," I thought while scratching my head in confusion. "I never saw myself as slow-witted, but back then, I would have just called this whole experience exercise. I guess it's true what they say—nothing ventured, nothing gained. I really don't want to miss out on anything just because I'm not smart enough."
The following morning, I felt a wave of relief wash over me after taking a hot shower that eased the soreness lingering from yesterday's workout and my study session with Annabeth, which had surprisingly earned me an INT point during my previous studies. It was now time for the first physical activity of the day: wrestling. Unfortunately, Clarisse was in charge of the session, and I could already sense her eyes on me, her smirk hinting at a challenge.
As the session started, she walked us through the basic stances and various grappling techniques. We were paired up to practice these moves, where I learned about Ancient Greek Wrestling. The information suggested that my combined Strength (STR) and Vitality (VIT) would determine how well I fared against my partner. I managed to keep the match reasonably balanced, and during the struggle, I even earned a point in Vitality, which kicked off a Bonus Objective for my quest.
However, Clarisse had a different plan in mind. She called me up as her "volunteer assistant" to show everyone how to escape from a hold. The next few minutes were filled with me trying to push her off, and in the process, I gained a Strength point from the repeated effort. But every time I tried, she effortlessly knocked me down or trapped me in various holds. The last one involved her sitting on my back and pulling my leg until I had no choice but to tap out.
"Wow, this is not exactly what I had in mind for my first experience with a woman on top," I joked as I got back on my feet. I decided to activate my Flirt skill. The only way to gain levels in it was to use it, as the Help menu explained. Plus, it was a great way to turn the tables on Clarisse and embarrass her a little in front of the others. "I'm totally up for another round!"
Clarisse frowned slightly—her expression tight as laughter erupted from some of the older campers. Yet, she refused to back down. "You find me, and I'll be more than happy to tie you up like a pretzel, punk."
"Sounds like a blast!" I responded with a cheesy smile, making her turn to leave as even more kids burst out laughing. Even if they were laughing at my expense, I felt accomplished for souring Clarisse's win. Shortly after lunch, a message popped up.
[Although you lost the physical fight, you stood your ground and fought back verbally. You also made everyone laugh in the process.]
You gained a 10 reputation with Clarisse
You gained a 10 reputation with Camp Half-Blood
After lunch, it was time for canoeing, where surprisingly, I found myself excelling even though I had never canoed before. I earned a Dexterity point by smoothly maneuvering the boat with my paddling strokes. It felt natural to steer and navigate, even though I didn't gain a new skill from it. I noticed the counselors watching me closely over the past few days, likely trying to figure out what my godly parent might be based on the skills I displayed. This probably wasn't exactly what they had in mind for a son of a god.
In my free time, I made the decision to seek out Clarisse. I wanted to accept the challenge she had thrown my way. Even though I knew I didn't stand much of a chance at winning, I believed that putting in extra effort could help me gain some valuable stat points. Additionally, I had been thinking of a new skill I wanted to try out, and I felt the safest way to test it would be with her. I figured there wouldn't be any hard feelings between us, which made it the perfect opportunity.
Once we met back in the arena—this time without her friends who were staying at the cabin—we both started to prepare for the match. Clarisse looked at me and questioned, "So, Jackson, what made you think it was a good idea to just walk up to me? I'm not going to back down, but I was only half-serious about a rematch."
I casually replied, "Training is training," as I twisted and stretched my back to get ready. "Who better to practice wrestling with than my instructor?"
She shot back with a playful yet pointed remark, "And why do you think I'll actually teach you instead of just pounding you into the ground?"
As I got my shoulders warmed up, I reflected on the thoughts that had been circulating in my mind ever since my first real encounter with Clarisse after she put me through her hazing ritual. With her teaching the course and also challenging me again, it struck me how much I had changed. The boosts to my Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma were clearly making a difference. I might not have noticed these changes if it weren't for this unusual power I had gained.
"Because you're not a bully," I stated confidently.
Clarisse looked momentarily shocked by my response. I pressed on, "Clarisse, I've encountered bullies before and dealt with them. I've seen them pick on me and even Grover since I met him. They go after those who seem weak, alone, or like easy targets. You are clearly not that kind of person. When does being a bully ever seem fun if there's no real challenge involved? If you wanted to pick on someone, you could easily go after the kids from Cabins Four or Ten. Honestly, with your strength, I bet you could even overpower Annabeth in a fair fight if you really tried, along with probably ninety-five percent of the other campers."
I couldn't help but smile as I added, "Just because you're the biggest, strongest girl around doesn't mean you're a bad person."
At that moment, I could see that Clarisse was flustered, clearly unsure of how to respond to my words.
The decision you make next holds significant weight for how your future interactions with Clarisse LaRue will unfold.
In front of me stood Clarisse, the daughter of Ares, wearing a perplexed look on her face. The setting sun cast a warm glow around her, making it seem as if she had a faint blush. At least, that's how I interpreted it, as she might have wanted to save face after whatever just happened.
Without much delay, Clarisse shook off any lingering surprise and got into a wrestling stance, signaling her readiness for a challenge. "You'd better be prepared, Jackson," she warned, her tone sharp. "It sounds like you're calling me soft."
"Clarisse," I replied, adjusting my stance to match hers, "just because someone has standards doesn't mean they are soft. And it's clear your muscles are anything but soft. Trust me, I know—I just spent the last part of class up close and personal with them."
With that, she charged at me, challenging me further. "How about I give you a reminder, then?!"
I realized pretty quickly that trying to overpower her in a direct grapple was not a good idea; the last time we faced off, I learned her strength and vitality far surpassed mine. Plus, she had the advantage of height over me. To make my plan work, I needed her to bend down a bit. Instead of confronting her head-on, I focused on dodging her advances, using the heels of my hands to redirect her attempts to grab me. As she toyed with me, I evaded a bearhug—thanks to my shorter stature—and leaped onto her back, attempting to apply a chokehold.
I was aware that my technique wasn't the best, and she didn't seem too concerned about my move as she began to work her fingers under my arms, preparing to break free. Just as I was wrestling with my thoughts, a notification box appeared in the corner of my vision, indicating that our fight had activated the Focus Interface feature.
Before I could react, Clarisse managed to heave me off her and tossed me over her shoulder like a javelin, sending me crashing onto my stomach. The impact knocked the wind out of me, and before I had a chance to get back on my feet, she swiftly wrapped two of her limbs around my neck from the side. I felt her muscles tighten around my throat, making it hard for me to breathe. In that moment, I realized my neck and head were caught between her thighs, which might have embarrassed me under normal circumstances. However, I was too focused on trying to escape her hold to feel anything other than the urgency to squirm free and regain control.
"Pro tip: Legs are stronger than arms if you're trying to choke someone out, even if arms give you more power against a smaller or equally-sized opponent," Clarisse instructed with a tone that dripped with smug confidence, her words reaching me even though I couldn't see her. As she spoke, I felt her tighten the grip around my neck, increasing the pressure to an uncomfortable level. I struggled against her hold, my hands frantically trying to pry her limbs apart, but the strength she exerted was formidable. Realizing I was losing this battle, I reluctantly tapped out, my hand moving weakly against her arm as a signal for her to release me. With a slight shift, she let go, and I gasped for breath, relief washing over me.
I took a moment to recover, inhaling deeply as I gently touched my neck to check for any bruises that might form. After ensuring my skin was intact, I pushed myself up from the ground into a shaky standing position. "Wow! Haa… You really don't hold back," I remarked, still trying to catch my breath.
"And neither do you," Clarisse replied sharply, her tone firm and unyielding. "While that kind of move is fine in Greek wrestling, I honestly didn't expect you to try choking me out like that."
I recalled our first encounter and shrugged defensively. "I told you the first time we met: If I fight fair against you, I'm going to lose."
Her lips curled into a smirk, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "And don't you forget it. We'll see how well you do in Capture the Flag with real weapons. Princess and her cabin have teamed up with Cabin Eleven, which means we'll be on opposite sides."
"Sounds like a date," I shot back playfully. "I'll make sure to bring my shield, sword, and the best armor I can find."
At that, Clarisse's eyebrow quirked in a way that suggested she wasn't entirely pleased with my teasing. She quickly grabbed me in a headlock and playfully rubbed her knuckles against my head, delivering a noogie that sent me into fits of laughter. "What is that supposed to mean?! Take this seriously, gods-damn it!" she demanded, though the corners of her mouth hinted at a smile.
Despite the rough treatment and the friction burn I was sure I'd end up with, I found her reaction hilarious and couldn't stop laughing until she finally let me go. As we prepared to part ways, a thought popped into my head, and I turned to her, curiosity getting the better of me. "Hey, Clarisse? Just humor me for a moment. When I first arrived here, why did you single me out for that initiation? I can't imagine you do that for just anyone. You seemed even more eager for the fight after I slipped away rather than just finishing up."
She paused, considering my question, and I could see the gears in her mind turning. The truth loomed between us, and I was ready to hear what she had to say.
She regarded me for a brief moment, a cautious arch of her brow hinting at her skepticism. With a grunt that seemed to emit from deep in her chest, she said, "Hmph, the word going around camp is that you might be Big Three material after taking down that bull. Personally, I don't see it, but at least you aren't completely useless."
Her words, while not exactly warm or kind, held a strange kind of respect. It was a backhanded compliment, but I could appreciate her attempt to acknowledge my efforts. It seemed clear that the term "Big Three" carried weight in our camp, and I made a mental note of it, recognizing it as possibly significant.
When the call for dinner rang throughout the area, signaling the end of our training session, we made our way out of the arena. As we walked, we separated to join our respective cabins. I went through the ritual of burning our offerings, as I made an offering a customary gesture of gratitude, and then settled down for dinner. My mind drifted to the star shining brightly above, a familiar focal point that helped me pull up the notifications I had accumulated while we ate.
One notification stood out, a direct result of my interaction with Clarisse. "You reached out to Clarisse as a person without calling her value as a warrior into question." This acknowledgment felt satisfying, especially since it noted my effort to connect beyond mere combat skills.
The notification continued, indicating a boost to my reputation with Clarisse LaRue. "You gained a 200 reputation with Clarisse LaRue." This was great news and indicated that I was making progress in building relationships within the camp, an important factor in our community.
Another notification popped up, announcing the initiation of a spar. "Spar initiated." This was an exciting development, as it meant I would have the chance to learn from someone skilled in Ancient Greek Wrestling. Such training was bound to be beneficial, as it promised to enhance my abilities significantly.
In the midst of these notifications, a playful thought crossed my mind: "Bob, weave, and float like a butterfly!" A light-hearted reminder to keep my movements agile and graceful. As I processed the information, I noticed that I had gained a 1 to my dexterity, a small but welcome improvement.
Then, I received another message, this one especially notable. "You've created a new skill through a special action." It was titled "Chokehold (Lv. 1)—Active," and it caught my attention instantly. The description explained that even though it might be considered a dirty move by some, it was a legitimate technique in various martial arts. The notification detailed how mastering the technique would depend on the quality of my execution.
"MP cost: 0; SP cost: 20 per second," it stated, outlining the necessary resources for using this skill effectively. The mechanics were clearly laid out: my strength would be compared against my target's vitality, adjusted for grappling success, while also receiving boosts from my training in Ancient Greek Wrestling.
With this information flooding my mind, I felt a mixture of excitement and determination. The path ahead was lined with opportunities for growth and development, and I was eager to rise to the challenge ahead of me.
The skill I encountered granted a significant boost to the target's Vitality points, particularly when it came to any martial arts techniques that involve chokeholds. This enhancement would make it increasingly challenging for an opponent to escape. If the hold was maintained for longer than fifteen seconds, it would render the target unconscious, a useful but potentially risky move in a fight. Furthermore, if the chokehold was sustained beyond four minutes, it could lead to fatal consequences.
As I contemplated the skill, I couldn't help but reference the legendary tale of Hercules. He had famously triumphed over the Nemean Lion through pure strength and strategic chokeholds, making me realize that while this technique is a last resort, it could be instrumental in certain critical moments. Shaking off those thoughts, I returned to my meal, continuing to read through the updates on my progress.
Then came a notification stating, "You are in over your head, but pushing as hard as you can to restrain a stronger opponent." This was followed by a welcome plus one to my Strength and Vitality points. It seemed my efforts were paying off, as my skill in Ancient Greek Wrestling increased to Level 2.
My attention shifted back to the sparring session with Clarisse LaRue, who appeared to be enjoying our wrestling match quite a bit, both for the physical challenge and perhaps for the playful banter that accompanied it. I earned an additional twenty points in reputation with her, which seemed to indicate that my performance had impressed her, or at least added to her enjoyment of the encounter.
As I took another bite of the delicious, thinly sliced cheese on my plate, I noticed the somewhat cheeky wording of the notification about my spar. It felt like it was teasing me, and I decided to set that aside for later contemplation. I continued to review the last few notifications in the sequence.
The next message informed me that I had conceded defeat against Clarisse in our sparring match, but I had given it my all and learned valuable lessons through the experience. This acknowledgment rewarded me with 100 experience points and an additional twenty reputation points with Clarisse. It was also noted that my Flirt skill had increased to Level 3, which hinted that there was more to our playful interaction than just wrestling.
As I took a sip of my blue soda, I felt a moment of reflection wash over me. The sweet, fizzy drink was refreshing, but it also made me think about my actions, especially when it came to using Flirt. Clarisse, who seemed to have a good sense of humor, was able to keep up with the playful banter; she understood that it was all in the spirit of fun and games, a kind of verbal sparring that was meant to be taken lightly. However, I knew that not everyone might realize that, and I didn't want to send mixed signals to anyone else around me. Flirt definitely had its uses, though, especially as a way to sidetrack those who could be considered rivals—those I wouldn't mind keeping on my radar but didn't want to engage with too seriously.
Later, as I joined the group gathered around the campfire for our sing-along, I took a moment to check in on my quest status. I had gotten so caught up in everything that I lost track of my progress, so checking now felt necessary and a bit exciting.
Main Objective: Gain 12 stat points from special actions [Complete]
Secondary Objective: Create three new skills from special actions (2/3)
Bonus Objective: Gain 10 additional physical stat points from special actions (6/10)
Seeing this information made me smile. I was really close to finishing all three objectives, and with tomorrow still ahead of me, I felt confident that I had plenty of time to wrap things up. The training I had been doing was starting to show results, and my stats were reflecting all the hard work I had put in.
After enjoying some delicious s'mores and soaking in the warmth of the fire and good company, I decided to head back to my cabin. The evening was still young, and I wanted to spend some quiet time reading. I picked up The Iliad and dove back into its timeless pages, losing myself in the epic tales of heroes and battles before finally drifting off to sleep, ready to tackle the challenges of tomorrow.
On Thursday morning, after finishing breakfast, Annabeth abruptly informed me that she needed to cancel our usual study session. She mentioned that she had something else planned for the morning. I shrugged, feeling a little surprised but also curious about how to fill the unexpected free time. Without much hesitation, I decided to focus on improving my Sprint ability, a skill that I hoped would help me become faster.
As I started my training, I kept an eye on the SP bar, which displayed my energy level in the corner of my vision. I noticed how it steadily decreased with each passing second, losing a chunk of energy as I continued to push myself. I managed to run most of the way around the perimeter of the cabins, but eventually, I had to pause to catch my breath. I made sure that my SP did not reach zero, but I still felt the need to slow down to a lighter jog. I considered how exhausting it felt even at a lower energy level and shuddered at the thought of what it might feel like to hit an Exhaustion status.
Despite my efforts, I could tell that my speed had noticeably improved. This was true both during my sprint sessions and in my general ability to run. After my SP bar had recovered a bit from my earlier efforts, I decided to take another sprint. Once I was finished with that, I stopped completely, taking a well-deserved break to breathe and recuperate. As I relaxed, I noticed two messages pop up in front of me, informing me that I had leveled up my Sprint ability and received an additional point for my VIT, or Vitality. I quickly dismissed these notifications, feeling a sense of accomplishment wash over me.