Percy's POV:
Zeus gave me three days to get my things and leave. And to say goodbye because it will take me about one minute to grab everything I have and skedaddle. What can I say, I'm a light packer. To bad it all went to Tartarus before the first day was even over. I promise that this time it wasn't my fault... Entirely... Mostly... I may of had something to do with it but, it was something that needed to be done. Ok fine, it was my fault. Every last bit of it. How about let's start from the beginning.
After getting inviting to stay with my father at his palace, I was lip locked. I tried to form word but, my mouth kept opening and closing like a fish out of water. Ironic, right? Anyway, I stood there for a whole thirty minutes making a complete fool of myself, you know, like I do. So, I finally managed to free my voice and let it all out. "Since when do you two work together!?" Probably shouldn't of been my first question. "Aren't you two supposed to hate each other!?" Still way off point.
"Don't get too ahead of yourself, nothing has changed between us. It's actually you that made this scenario to play out the way it did." Poseidon answered.
"Oh good because that clears things up!" I slightly shouted back with my hands being tossed over my head.
"Just consider it as a thank you for all that you've done." Athena answered cryptically.
"And that would be?" It is safe to say that she didn't answer me back and vanished before I could ask another question. "Damn it... So what now?"
"You get your things, say goodbye, and come with me." Poseidon answered with glee. Really? He couldn't even hide the fact?
"Wow, sounds so simple when you put it that way. But, what I meant is what about my family? I lost something incredibly important to me today and you're acting like it's no big deal. They are the most important people in my life and I just lost them. I don't want to lose any one else." Sounds really cliché when I think about it now.
"What do you mean by anyone else? Who did you lose?" That's right, he thought I was dead until recently so he has no way of knowing.
"Can we talk about this later? It's just that... it's not easy to talk about."
"I understand. Just know that I am here when you want to." Thanks dad.
"So, I can no longer talk to my family... What about Khione?" I can trust him. Right?
"Khione? What does she have to do with this?" His tone was calm but, his stature changed to on edge.
"It's just that she is also my sister and all, does the punishment include her? Wait, didn't you notice the snow falling with the trident when you claimed me?" I wonder if a goddess gets special treatment.
"Well, she is a god and like most cases the rules tend to bend in favor of us. And the thing about being claimed was I simply thought you had an affinity for the colder spectrum of water. It has happened before when people went to explore the poles but, I didn't expect for you to be in a relationship with the goddess of snow... This changes things." I didn't really like the sound of that.
"Changes things like?" This really peeked my interest.
"You don't need to worry about that. Not yet anyway. For now just go on and do what you need to do for the next three days. On the last day I'll be waiting on the shores of camp personally." Leaving in a breeze of sea air making that short conversation with my father end. He sure left quickly after I mentioned Khione. In my experience that doesn't tend to be a good thing. Also I had a ton more questions to ask and he just left. Well, he is a god after all so it ight be something else entirely.
Next thing I did was get off of Olympus and dive into the nearest fountain I could. Water traveling back to my family, I was met with a chorus of hugs and questions about my journey. I answered them the best I could because they nearly overwhelmed me with their words alone. I then told them that this was the last time I'll be able to see for who knows how long. Surprisingly they were understanding of the situation. "I got an idea! Since I can't talk to you guys I'll have Khione do it for me! Technically I'll still be with the lines of my punishment!" We cheered and enjoyed ourselves until the sun started to rise. Saying my goodbyes I water traveled directly into the lake of Camp Half-Blood.
Since it was still early in the morning not many people were up and about. I did however see that Jessica was sitting on the deck and decided to swim over to her. "Hey Jessica!" She must have been deep in thought because she nearly fell into the lake when I called out.
"Percy!? What was that for?"
"Sorry bout that. I just wanted to say hi." That upset her.
"Oh is that it?"
"Not really. I came to get my things and say my goodbyes to everyone at camp." Of course I had to put it bluntly. It wouldn't of made it easier if decided to sweeten it.
"Wait! You're leaving!? But why!?" Jessica grabbed my hand and desperately asked.
"Because I'm banished that's why." I calmly put it.
"What did you do to pull that off!?" Her tone didn't change from the upset one. She just got louder. So I told her about my quest and how at basically every turn there was something I did to upset someone powerful. She kept cutting in and frankly it was sorta annoying but, I can say I would've done the same thing if the roles were reversed. Once I finished she looked across the lake at brought her knees to her chest and rested her head on them. "Sooo, I won't ever see you again?"
"That's just it, I don't know... I wish I could say something that would give you some reassurance but, I can't. However, since I still have until after tomorrow, why not make the most of it?" I should not have said that. If I didn't then who knows how everything would have turned out.
"Sure... How do you plan on doing that?" She never let's a detail slip past her, does she?
"I'm not entirely sure. I guess I could-" I stopped talking and saw what would cause this trip to end abruptly. It was across the lake, so casual like it was nothing. I could have just ignored it and played out the next couple days and confront the situation on the third day but, I'm not one to ignore something as big as that. I could not risk it turning worse. But, I may have done that myself. I bet there is already a plan at play and if there is, it'd be best if I confronted alone.
"Percy, what's wrong? What are you looking at?" I barely registered what she asked and jumped to my feet. At this point, it would have been too easy to sit back down and just enjoy the company. Too bad the easy way had to take a back seat for this one. I chose to dive into the lake and swim swiftly to the other shore ignoring Jessica completely. I didn't even say to stay put or anything for that matter, I just left her. I am soo stupid. "Perrccyy!" She kept calling out and I still elected to do this myself.
When it was happening, I honest to the gods didn't notice that she decided to follow me on my endeavor. I was too focused on my thoughts. I was played, played from the beginning. Who put me on edge since I first arrived? Who's the one that was there during the Winter Solstice? Who was the one that gave me cursed shoes? Who's voice was it that I heard in my dream? Luke. It was all Luke. From the very beginning...
As soon as I saw him, I realized that was the voice from my dream. The voice that talked to the Titan Kronos and tried to kill me. I saw him walk into the woods and followed him. He didn't just try to kill me but, Grover as well. Even Annabeth, the person that was closest to him and he tried to kill her. Not only that but, I bet he summoned that Chimera back then. I don't remember seeing him until after that thing showed up.
I caught up to him at Zeus's fist and he simply sat there looking at me with a devilish smirk. Sword in hand and clearly ready for a fight. "I knew my ruse was up the moment you weren't killed on Olympus. You're too smart for your own good."
"Thanks. But, I won't let you leave. Not after all the crap you pulled from under the campers noses. Aligning yourself with someone so despicable. What happened that made you stoop so low? How pathetic!" Clearly I hit a nerve because he started circling around me.
"You don't understand Percy, apparently no one does! Come on Percy, join me and we can make the world a better place. A place like you imagined before. Where no more neglect and unclaimed children can happen. If you come it will all be possible."
"Why? Because some powerful entity told you so? Are you that dumb?" At this point we made a half circle and he stood where I did and I where he stood. Of course now had to be the moment that Jessica decided to jump through the brush and unexpectingly into the arms of the one I'm here to fight. Luke grabbed hold of her and brought his sword to her neck. He had the audacity to laugh a little.
So here we are, at the exact moment where everyone is caught up until now. Now Luke has leverage.
"What now? Are you going to risk her little life to take me down? Or are you gonna be a good little boy and throw your sword?" I decided on the ladder and tossed my sword off to the side and rose my hands. If only I paid more attention earlier. "Sorry to cut this short but, I have somewhere to be." Apparently everyone has to be somewhere to be. Why can't people just finish a conversation? "Oh, and just if you decide to follow me..." How clever.
"Don't move Jess!" I commanded and she nodded. I looked around the floor at saw not one, not two, but three pit scorpions. One at the foot of Jessica and one on front of me and the other behind me. Luke let go of her and disappeared into the forest. I doubt I was going to be seeing him anytime soon. Can't worry about that now I have to figure out a way out of this. One where we all live. I know my reflexes are quick, the question is are they quick enough to take out Riptide and slice three pit scorpions before they get a chance to inject us with their venom. Killing the two around me and the one in front of Jessica. It doesn't look like she has a weapon on her and I doubt she is trained enough to help.
My flute won't do and any sudden move will trigger them. I have to make it count. Quickly drawing the pen, the scorpions were already in the air. The true form of Riptide barely forming as they neared us both. They're fast... We will get out of this...Not like last time... Today is going to go differently. You can count on it.
I barely turned five years old not too long ago so, I wonder what the fates have instore for me this coming year. I hope it is good. So here I am, acting like any five year old would. Having fun with some nymphs and playing around like I did the day before and the day before that. It was the only break I got from training since it was my birthday recently. Though I'll have plenty of that a little bit later. Yet, something was slightly off, I couldn't see Ismene any where. It's not like her to not join is in our endless journey of stupidity and fun. In fact, she would probably be the instigator.
To be honest I didn't think about it much. I played all the games possible. Tag, hide n' seek, seek n' hide, apple on the head, wrestling, and our most recent addition, the suicide game. Now that games was a doozy, basically you play rock paper scissors and the loser at the end get's pummeled by a wave. Safe to say no one drowned but, it was a stupid game that we played. A very stupid game.
Then afterward I went back to my normal routine of training. It was absolutely exhausting and it left me with no strength to even lift my head up. Seeing shadows rush past some trees in the distance, my curiosity got the best of me and I wanted to check it out. So waddling on my shaky legs I made my way over to where the shadows past over and I didn't like what I saw. Broken branches and matted up grass, which to any hunter means something real came by here and it was big Judging by the almost invisible footprints it left behind. Now I am extremely perplexed. Ha! Big word!
Anyway I followed the tracks and continued was about to guestimate what and how much things were out here when I took notice to an eerie silence overtook my home. The woods never become quiet, nothing from the little mites in the grasses to the birds singing in the trees. Only... when it has something to say. And the message was clear. A threat has arrived and scared everything stiff. The only thing I heard was my very own heavy breathing as I prattled along the trail left behind.
"..." No. Wait. I definitely heard something just now. "..ee.." There it is again! Where is it coming from? "He... eee…" From directly in front of me. I went forward as fast as I could, still slow. I continued and the voice got louder crying desperately out for help. "Please help meee!" It continued for a few minutes and my waddling turned into jogging with a limp For that was all that I could manage at the moment. My voice was too dry to say something in return. Ironic for a water boy.
All of a sudden the cries cut out. Only to be drowned in the growls and laughs. I can only guess one thing. Cyclops. Gods, I hate those things. My legs were burning up and I leaned up against the trunk of tree. I only need a second. "I thought you said he'd come? Some hero!" A chorus of laughs erupted and that did it for me. No more breaks. No more rests. Just go. "Seems like he won't be coming..." No, I am. I am coming. Almost there. "Too bad, I would've loved to eat him too."
My body couldn't get over the feeling of anxiety and worry that came over me. A sheer weight of guilt plundered my soul as I thought I wouldn't reach them in time. I am scared. So scared. Will I be able to make it time? What if I am out-gunned? Maybe a trap? What if I die doing this?
Stop thinking like that! Come on! I got this, I got this, no more doubts. Doubts won't do you any good. Just hold on for one more moment. I promise everything will be alright. Dying for someone else, no biggie. I am absolutely willing to.
I can see a group of five through the maze of branches, that's them. In a small clearing, surrounding something in front of them all. Hunched over. A small group of Cyclops way too close to home. Getting closer, I step over a log and finally see what's get them so attentive and hunched over through a crack in the pack.
The beasts licked their fleshy lips and grabbed a handful of meat from the skewer. They were little bits and pieces, fried to a crisp. They placed a pile of burnt meat and bone on their dirty hands and drooled over it. Their pudgy hands clenched what they could grasp and stuffed them into their mouths. He licked his fingers, smeared with cream and oil. I wanted to throw up. They crunched on another handful of boned meat. These... These demons acted like pigs in a pen when eating. Some pieces were too thick to chew with their mouths closed, not that they was concerned. I gagged and heaved from the scarring nightmare in front of me. The leader smeared his fleshy cheeks with his scarred arms and was about to speak.
Deep down I know, I know who it was. I don't want to believe it. Nooo… It can't be... Ismene. I'm so sorry.
A wave of tears streaked down my face as I let out a primal wail, only growing in volume. Letting every single organism know that I was pain. I let out a cry of thousands, thousands of voices in suffering. Let it be known that I am in total sorrow. Let the skies and waves carry my heartache across the globe and beyond. Through the depths of the sea, to peaks of mountains, every crack in every valley and gulley. Making every ear and heart listen to my demented wail. It hit like Chaos itself threw a punch at my broken spirit, making me fall down to my knees. The collapsing weight overtook my grieving body and I knelt over. Grasping the dirt and grass while my tears soaked the soil with my pain. I slammed my fists into the ground and continued to wallow. My body and mind went numb with rage, pain, fear, and hurt as my screams pierced the heavens above.
Slowly getting off of my knees, I barely registered the earth shaking in harmony with my pain. The skies darkened and shadowed my emotions to the t. I lifted my chin and gazed upon their faces. Oh, the faces of these young cyclops in front of me. Mirroring those of true terror and horror that was about to fall upon them.
I don't need a weapon. I am the weapon.
Percy, short for Perseus. It means to destroy. I will absolutely obliterate them from existence. Send them to the darkest reaches of Tartarus and leave them to rot. Too frightened to even get the idea of returning. I will become their worst nightmare. I am their worst nightmare.
Jumping forward I extended my arm and clasped the heart of the leader in an instant. The literal heart of a monster. My own hand went straight through his flesh and tore it's way to past his ribs with a crunch to grab the beating heart of the one who ate my family. The one I'm supposed to take care of. Clutching my arm shut, the only sound was a splat, his body dissipated into gold dust. I didn't relish in the kill, I didn't wait around for them to make a move. No. I sped forward and used my bare hands to stab, tear, pry, and impale them to bits.
It happened so fast that they couldn't even let a screech out. My arms soaked in blood that wasn't my own.
They made an enemy out of me. A decision with severe consequences.
I got my revenge... And yet, I'll never see Ismene again. She doesn't carry a soul like mine... She will be reborn into something else. Somewhere else.
I never experienced grief this bad before. It all started when I lost my mother, my world and my hero. It sneaked up on me quietly and took me under its arms in an instant. That was years ago but, my last memories of her were pure and blissful. The way a baby views the world. Not yet aware of the pain. However, with Ismene, I'll always recall the dismemberment and horrors of her burnt body before the beauty she once held. Before her playful nature always got us in trouble. Every memory played like a song in my head, repeating itself for what seemed like forever. I was lost mostly because I had lost a big part of me. I couldn't get that part back and I wanted it so bad as my life longed for it but, it was all gone, vanished in thin air. I can't say it got better but it did get easier. At first, I thought grief was something bad that takes you ten feet under but soon I learned that it was just the price we had to pay, for loving someone.
I was raised to be believe I was some sort of hero. That they are made to win their battles. Always show up and save those who need saving. Kill the bad guy in the end and live happily ever after. That heroes go and do the right thing for the sake of others. That heroes aren't supposed to lose-
That day I lost. I lost more than most people my age. But I'll be damned if I lose today! With my fully formed sword I swung.