Another chapter!

THE UNFORGIVEN

CHAPTER TWO: SECRETS TO KEEP

"Compromise where you can, and where you can't, don't. Even if everyone is telling you that something wrong is something right. Even if the whole world is telling you to move, it is your duty to plant yourself like a tree, look them in the eye, and say, 'No, you move'." - Peggy Carter

PERSEUS

Percy was not having a good day.

He woke up to the faint hum of voices and the smell of something sharp and antiseptic. His body ached all over, and his head felt like it had been split open. He squinted against the dim light and realized he was lying on a cot in a spacious tent. The canvas flapped softly with the breeze, but the murmurs outside were unmistakable. - people talking, their words hurried and urgent.

He sat up, groaning as his ribs protested. He glanced around the tent. A pitcher of water and a bronze plate sat on a wooden table beside him, along with folded clothes. Someone had patched him up, though the faint throbbing in his temples reminded him of the fight.

The fight.

The memories came rushing back in a flood: the Telekhines, the bloodbending, and the way their bodies had collapsed like broken puppets. His stomach churned. He felt sick, not just from the physical strain of the battle but from what he'd done. From the way it had felt too easy.

"It's not my fault," he murmured under his breath, clutching his head. The mantra didn't bring much comfort now.

The flap of the tent rustled, and Percy instinctively reached for his pen-sword, but it wasn't an enemy coming into the tent. Instead, a tall, broad figure ducked inside. Frank. He was out of armor now, dressed in a simple purple shirt and jeans, but the tension in his shoulders hadn't eased.

"Hey," Frank said, keeping his voice low. He held up his hands in a placating gesture. "Easy. You're safe. We're in Camp Jupiter."

Percy exhaled shakily, letting his hands drop. "Hazel?"

"She's fine. Healing. She wants to thank you, when she's up for it," Frank added with a small smile. "You saved her life."

Percy shrugged, but the motion sent a lance of pain through his side. "Seemed like the right thing to do."

Frank studied him for a moment, his babyish face oddly serious. "The others are waiting to meet you. Word spreads fast when Venus shows up and drops a bombshell like that."

Percy's heart sank. "What bombshell?"

"That you're her son."

Percy stared at Frank like he'd just announced that unicorns were real. "Wait, what? No. She said I was the son of Neptune. Water guy. That's my thing. Not… love."

Frank hesitated. "That's not what she said. The whole camp heard her."

Percy's head swam. He gripped the edge of the cot. A son of Venus? It didn't make any sense. But then again, nothing about his life did anymore.

Percy may not have his memories, but he did know he had to fit in here. He had to survive. He couldn't let the Romans know who he was if that was what Venus wanted.

"Right," said Percy, flashing what he hoped was a convincing smile. "My mistake. I'm just a bit out of it, y'know?"

Frank didn't look convinced, but he nodded slowly. "Yeah, guess that makes sense. It's a lot to take in." He hesitated, glancing toward the tent's entrance. "The others are waiting. Reyna - our praetor - wants to meet you. Official introductions and all that."

Percy's stomach churned. He didn't have the slightest idea who this Reyna was, but the way Frank said her name made it clear she wasn't someone to take lightly. He ran a hand through his hair, trying to center himself. Fitting in was priority one. If Venus wanted him to play this role, then he had to at least try.

"Lead the way," Percy said, pushing himself to his feet. The room spun briefly, but he steadied himself against the cot.

Frank studied him with a frown. "You good? You look like you're gonna keel over."

"I'm fine," Percy insisted. He wasn't, but admitting weakness didn't seem like the smart move right now. "Just lead on, Big Guy."

Frank blinked at the nickname, then huffed a quiet laugh. "Alright. Try to keep up."

Before they could go, the flap opened again. This time, it was Hazel. She was pale, with dark circles under her cloudy golden eyes, but she was standing. Her curly cinnamon hair framed her determined face as she fixed Percy with a grateful smile.

"Hey," she said softly, limping to a nearby chair. "Wanted to see you. Thank you for saving me back there."

Percy waved her off. "Don't mention it." He paused, glancing at her arm. "How's the shoulder?"

"I've had worse," Hazel replied, her smile tightening.

Percy held up his hand for a high five. Hazel ignored him. "Dude," he said. "Not cool."

Hazel tilted her head slightly, her expression confused. "Uh, what are you doing?"

Frank frowned as Percy lowered his hand from the awkwardly attempted high five. "Uh...you know Hazel's blind, right?"

Percy blinked, confused. "What?"

Frank gestured toward Hazel, who was sitting calmly, her cloudy golden eyes giving no indication she was following their conversation visually.

"She's blind, dude. Has been since..." Frank trailed off, glancing at Hazel.

Hazel waved it off. "Since birth. It's fine, Frank. I'm used to it."

"Oh."

Frank snorted, shaking his head. "Smooth, new guy."

Hazel laughed, a soft and surprisingly warm sound. "It's okay. I've had people do worse." She tapped the chair beside her. "You're still the one who saved my life, so you get a pass for now."

Percy relaxed a little. "You're welcome, I guess. Glad you're okay. And thanks for not holding my...uh, awkwardness against me."

Hazel smiled again, but there was something cautious in her demeanor, like she was sizing him up. "You're different, you know," she said quietly.

Percy froze. "Different how?"

Hazel shrugged, wincing slightly as the motion pulled at her injured shoulder. "Hard to explain. Just...you feel different. Your presence, I mean."

Frank cleared his throat. "Alright, enough of the cryptic stuff. Reyna's waiting, and if we keep her waiting much longer, she's not gonna be happy."

Hazel nodded and pushed herself up from the chair, leaning slightly on Frank for support. "Guess I'll see you around, Percy."

Percy watched her go, his mind buzzing with questions. Different? What was that supposed to mean?

Frank gestured for him to follow. "Come on, new guy. Let's get this over with before Reyna decides to come find us herself."

"Who is Reyna, anyway?" Percy asked as he fell in step behind Frank.

Frank didn't look back as he spoke. "Our praetor. She's... well, she's in charge. Keeps the camp running. And trust me, you don't want to get on her bad side."

There was something in Frank's voice, an edge of admiration, fear, and maybe guilt, that made Percy hesitate. "That scary?"

Frank stopped walking and turned to face him, his usually soft expression unreadable. "Scary doesn't cover it. Reyna's been leading this camp since she was barely older than us. She's smart, disciplined, and ruthless when she has to be."

Percy raised an eyebrow. "Sounds like a real party."

Frank huffed, almost a laugh. "She's not unfair. But you're new, and the Romans... we don't take outsiders lightly. You'll have to prove yourself."

The weight of that hit Percy like a wave. Prove himself? He didn't even know who he was, let alone how to impress a war camp.

They walked in silence for a while until Frank added, almost as an afterthought, "And don't lie to her. Reyna... she always knows."

Great, Percy thought. No pressure or anything.

Percy decided a change of conversation was in order.

"Dude," he bumped Frank's shoulder. "You so like Hazel."

Frank's face turned crimson. "What? No, I-"

"Yes you do, it's so obvious."

Frank tried to recover his composure. "Whatever. Just keep your focus. Reyna's not someone you want to annoy."

"Got it. No annoying Reyna," he said. "But don't try to change the subject."

"Shut up."

Percy grinned, clearly enjoying Frank's embarrassment. "Come on, man. It's pretty obvious."

"Is it?" Frank asked, but his face was in his hands.

"Yup. We can all see it."

"Who's we? Hazel's blind."

Percy just chuckled. "She might be blind, but she's not oblivious."

Frank groaned. "Great. Now I'm the camp's worst-kept secret."

Percy patted him on the back. "Hey, don't sweat it. It's pretty normal to have a crush on someone."

"Normal?" Frank said, raising an eyebrow. "I'm pretty sure I'm anything but."

"Yeah, normal. And at least you're not making it awkward for everyone. You're handling it fine." Percy's grin widened. "Besides, it could be worse. She could not like you back."

Frank spluttered indignantly. "She doesn't-"

Percy's grin only widened as he waggled his eyebrows. "Hey, look on the bright side. If she doesn't like you back, at least you'll have a good story to tell. And if she does, well, that's even better."

"Thanks, Percy. That's really comforting."

"Glad I could help."

They arrived at the Principia, where Reyna did, well, whatever Praetors did.

They reached the entrance to Reyna's quarters, and Frank took a deep breath before knocking. The door creaked open, and Reyna's stern face greeted them.

"Ah, Percy Jackson and Frank Zhang," she said. "Come in."

"You don't need to act like you're executing us," Percy said.

"I'm the Praetor. I know you're new to all this, but I am the one in charge here."

"Uh huh." Percy didn't sound convinced. "Seems like a pyramid scheme."

Whatever Reyna thought Percy would say, that was apparently not it. "That's not what a pyramid scheme is."

Frank tried to suppress a smile at Percy's boldness, but Reyna's gaze was now fixed on him. Oh well, it was his funeral.

Percy raised an eyebrow. "Ok, maybe not a pyramid scheme, but you have child soldiers!"

"It's a legion, Percy."

"A legion of child soldiers," said Percy.

Reyna rubbed her temples. "How are you so annoying?"

He flashed a grin. "I try."

Frank had never heard anyone speak to Reyna like that, and truthfully he felt slightly left out. Was this some form of weird flirting?

Reyna focused on him. "What did you say?"

It was at that moment Frank realised he was unfortunate to have said that last bit aloud. He gulped, suddenly aware of the awkward silence that had fallen. He glanced at Percy, who was looking far too pleased with himself.

"Uh, nothing," Frank said quickly. "I was just, uh, admiring Percy's ability to make things interesting."

Reyna's gaze shifted back to Percy. "Interesting is one word for it. Let's focus on the matter at hand."

Percy tilted his head, still grinning. "Sure thing. What do you need to know?"

Reyna sighed, trying to regain control of the situation. Frank wasn't sure she had ever seen anything like Percy. To be fair, he hadn't either. "I need a detailed account of your powers and how you used them today. We need to understand what kind of threat you might pose, or if you can be of help."

Percy's grin faded slightly, but he still looked casual. "I don't think I'm a threat. I just did what I had to do to get us out of that mess."

"I'm not saying that," Reyna said, her tone softening just a bit. "But the more we know about your abilities, the better we can prepare for what's coming. Venus mentioned something about 'unleashing Death,' and I need to know if there's any truth to that."

Percy's expression grew serious. "I understand. My powers… They're tied to water. I can manipulate it in various ways, which is why I was able to handle the Telekhines the way I did. But I didn't know I could… use them to that extent."

Reyna nodded, taking in the information. "And your connection to Venus - does that mean you have other powers, or is it just water?"

Percy shrugged. "I'm not sure. My memory's kind of hazy."

"Hazy?" Reyna raised a singular eyebrow. It was kind of uncanny.

Percy nodded, looking a bit uncomfortable. "Yeah, hazy. I don't remember much about my powers or even my past, really. It's all a bit mixed up right now."

Apparently that wasn't enough of an explanation. "By mixed up you mean…"

"I mean I can't remember anything before I woke up at the wolf house."

"That's pretty standard." At Percy's incredulous look, Reyna rolled her eyes. "The wolf house part, not the whole amnesiac bit."

"Right." Percy said.

"Let's focus on why you're here," she said, her tone shifting to businesslike. "I need to understand more about what happened today. Specifically, your powers and the nature of your involvement in the battle."

Percy raised an eyebrow. "I don't see why that's relevant. We beat the monsters, right?"

"We?Youbeat the monsters, and I'd like to know how."

"I killed them." Percy said simply. "What more's to it?"

"Well, according to Probatio Zhang over here, there was a swarm of Telekhines."

"Hold on," Frank said. "I never said that."

"Am I wrong?" Reyna's expression held a hint of something dangerous. Frank sunk back into his seat.

Percy looked at Frank, betrayed. He gave a small, apologetic shrug.

Percy looked back at Reyna, his expression guarded. "I just did what needed to be done."

Reyna nodded. "I believe you, but understanding the nature of your abilities and their limits will help us prepare better."

"And if I refuse?"

"Truthfully, nothing," admitted Reyna."But refusal makes you unpredictable. That, in a camp like this, is the fastest way to find yourself isolated, or worse."

Was that a threat? From the way Reyna was studying him, it might've been.

Percy held her gaze, refusing to flinch. He didn't know who he was supposed to be, but he knew one thing: he wasn't going to let anyone walk all over him.

"Well, I guess I'll just have to deal with it, because I'm not telling you anything."
Frank was watching the interaction wide-eyed, looking back and forth between them like a game of ping-pong.

Reyna's jaw tightened. "You're awfully bold for someone who just arrived here."

Percy shrugged, keeping his posture relaxed even as the air grew tenser. "Call it a personality flaw."

Frank shifted uncomfortably, clearly debating whether to step in. Reyna's gaze flicked to him, then back to Percy. "You're making this harder than it needs to be, Jackson."

"Am I?" Percy shot back, his voice steady. "You want me to be part of this camp, right? Maybe trust is a two-way street."

Reyna leaned forward slightly, resting her hands on the desk between them. "Trust is earned here. You don't walk into Camp Jupiter and demand it."

"Not demanding," Percy replied. "Just saying, you might want to give me a little slack. I saved Hazel, didn't I?"

Frank winced. Oh no.

Reyna's expression darkened. "You think one act of heroics makes you untouchable?"

"I think it's a good start," Percy said, leaning back.

Frank cleared his throat, finally deciding to intervene. "Uh, maybe we could… take a step back? Cool off?"

Reyna didn't take her eyes off Percy. "Your friend here has a lot to learn about how things work in New Rome."

"Maybe," Percy admitted. "But I'm a quick learner."

The room was silent for a beat too long.

Finally, Reyna straightened, crossing her arms. "Very well, Jackson. If you want to learn the hard way, I won't stop you. You'll report to the Fifth Cohort immediately. Prove yourself there, and maybe I'll reconsider."

The way she said 'report to the Fifth Cohort' made it sound like a punishment.

Percy stood, giving a mock salute. "Yes, ma'am."

Frank groaned under his breath. "Oh gods, Percy, stop."

Reyna's lips pressed into a thin line, and she gestured toward the door. "Get out of my sight before I change my mind."

Percy didn't need to be told twice. He turned on his heel, leaving the Principia with Frank trailing after him like a reluctant puppy.

The moment they were outside, Frank smacked Percy lightly on the arm. "What was that?"

Percy raised an eyebrow. "What was what?"

"You challenged the Praetor's authority! Are you trying to get thrown out to the wolves?"

"Relax, Frank. She'll come around."

Frank stared at him like he'd grown a second head. "You have no idea who you're dealing with, do you?"

"Not a clue," Percy admitted cheerfully.

Frank groaned again, rubbing his temples. "We're so dead."

"Speak for yourself," Percy said. "I think I'm doing great so far."

Frank gave him a long, exasperated look before muttering, "You're impossible."

Percy clapped him on the back. "Come on, Big Guy. Let's go make some friends."

Frank sighed but followed. "You're gonna be the death of me, I swear."

THE UNFORGIVEN

Percy was currently getting ready for a magical tattoo while a probably insane dude burned the entrails of stuffed pandas.

Ok, some context would probably be nice.

It had started with Reyna's little punishment - being assigned to the Fifth Cohort, the so-called leftovers of Camp Jupiter.

Percy hadn't really understood what that meant until he arrived at their barracks and met the eccentric centurion who introduced himself as Dakota, and introduced the Cohort as the 'Geeks and Greeks'.

And speaking of Greeks, the ghosts (yes, apparently the war camp was home to literal ghosts) were adamant that he was a Graecus, or Greek.

Anyway, back to Percy's not-very-fun situation.

Dakota had handed Percy a goblet of Kool-Aid, gestured to the smoke-filled shrine room, and cheerfully announced, "Welcome to initiation, new guy! Time to prove you've got what it takes to be one of us."

Which, apparently, involved standing shirtless while some guy named Vitellius inscribed magical runes on Percy's arm, getting him ready for his tattoos in a few hours.

Not to mention the fact that Vitellius was a ghost.

All while a literal dumpster fire of stuffed animals burned nearby, filling the air with the scent of singed polyester and despair.

That was the work of the augur, a scrawny blond boy named Octavian.

"Hold still," Vitellius grumbled, his translucent hands surprisingly firm as he jabbed the stylus into Percy's skin. "This isn't just decoration, you know. These marks will bind you to the legion. Honor, duty, loyalty - all that good stuff. Not that you seem like the loyal type."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Percy muttered, biting back a wince as the stylus sparked against his arm. "Does this always smell this bad?"

"It's symbolic," came a smug voice. Octavian.

He glanced over to see the blonde guy with sharp features and an air of self-importance. He was dressed in a bedsheet- sorry, a toga, and held a stuffed animal by one limp paw - an unfortunate teddy bear, judging by its scorched fur.

Vitellius admired his handiwork. "Now you're ready to get a tattoo!"

"Great," Percy said, flexing his fingers. "So, what now? Do I get a secret handshake or something?"

"Better," Dakota said, grinning. "You get to clean up the panda guts."

Percy groaned. "Fantastic. Best day ever."

"So, uh, what does the tattoo actually do?"

Vitellius gave him a withering look. "It marks him as part of the legion, obviously. It'll strengthen his connection to the camp, and-"

"And it means he can't run away," Dakota interrupted. "If he tries, the tattoo will start to burn. Like, really burn."

Percy blinked. "Seriously?"

"Seriously," Dakota confirmed, still grinning. "Welcome to Camp Jupiter, buddy. You're one of us now - whether you like it or not."

He looked back at the smoldering remains of the stuffed pandas and shook his head. This place just kept getting weirder.

Octavian looked over Percy again and again, and every time he did the augur looked more and more angry. "What have you done?"

Percy blinked. "What?"

"You forsake your name, your destiny, your fate! You were meant to die!"

He was starting to think these Romans just had it out for him. "Excuse me, what?"
Octavian's voice only grew. "A half-blood of the eldest gods,"

Percy's blood ran cold. The augur only continued.

"Shall reach sixteen against all odds!" Octavian's voice cracked with hysteria as he gestured wildly with the charred teddy bear. "And see the world in endless sleep! You were meant to fall, to fail! You were supposed to meet your end in sacrifice!"

Percy's stomach twisted, the words hitting him like a sucker punch. He had no idea who this guy was or what his problem might be, but the prophecy Octavian was ranting about? That was his. His battle, his burden, his past - wasn't it?

Even if he didn't remember it.

Percy clenched his teeth. "And you know this how?"

Octavian waved the teddy bears. Or whatever remained.

"By dissecting teddy bears?" Percy asked, eyebrows raised.

Octavian shot him a withering look. "They're ceremonial offerings. As the augur of Camp Jupiter, I have been entrusted with the sacred duty of interpreting the gods' messages through these rituals. It's a great responsibility, not that I'd expect you to understand."

"Right," Percy said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Totally sacred."

"You think this is funny?" Octavian hissed, his eyes alight with something unhinged. "The prophecies are clear! Your very existence throws off the balance of… everything! You are a walking catastrophe!"

"Yeah, I'm sure get that a lot," Percy said, rolling his eyes. "Look, I don't know what your problem is, but yelling at me over a dead teddy bear isn't going to help."

Vitellius snorted from behind him, still carving into Percy's skin. "He's always like this. Bit of a drama queen, isn't he?"

"Silence, spirit!" Octavian snapped, pointing the shredded bear at the ghost like it was a weapon.

Dakota, who had been standing awkwardly to the side, finally decided to step in. "Uh, Octavian, maybe dial it back a bit? He's new. And alive. Let's not scare him off before he's had a chance to survive initiation."

Octavian glared at Dakota like he'd just suggested they sacrifice an actual panda. "Do you have any idea who this is? What he represents? He's a danger to us all!"

"Danger?" Percy said, his voice rising. "I just got here! I didn't ask for any of this!"

A voice cut through their argument. "That's enough!"

Said voice belonged to the Praetor, who had just walked into the room, looking pretty unimpressed.

Reyna strode in, her expression as cold and unreadable as ever. "Octavian, stand down."

"But, Praetor-"

"I said stand down," Reyna repeated, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Octavian reluctantly stepped back, though his glare at Percy remained as fiery as the sacrificial flames.

Reyna turned her attention to Percy, her gaze assessing. "I understand you've had a… challenging welcome to the legion."

"Challenging is one word for it," Percy muttered.

Reyna's lips quirked ever so slightly, almost a smile. "Consider this your trial by fire. If you can survive the Fifth Cohort, you might just survive Camp Jupiter."

Percy raised an eyebrow. "Good to know I'm starting at rock bottom."

Dakota winced, but Reyna didn't flinch. "Then you'll have nowhere to go but up. Now finish the rites and report to the Field of Mars. We have duels in an hour."

"Duels?" Percy was sure he looked genuinely excited, because he was - fighting was maybe the one thing he knew he was good that.

As she turned to leave, Octavian shot Percy one last venomous look before following her out.

Percy exhaled and turned back to Dakota. "Is everyone here always this happy, or did I just hit the jackpot?"

Dakota gave him a sheepish grin. "Welcome to Camp Jupiter, Percy. You're gonna love it here."

"I'll take your word for it," Percy said, his tone dry. "But if I end up getting sacrificed to save a stuffed animal, I'm haunting all of you."

"Good luck with that!" Dakota said, as suddenly a huge amount of people swarmed in, shouting 'new guy's getting a tattoo!' and rushed in with all the excitement of a fifteenth century child being told they were being taken to their first public execution.

Getting a magical tattoo in front of a large crowd of soldiers was not Percy's idea of fun.

He stood shirtless in the middle of the shrine room, which somehow managed to feel both cramped and cavernous. The room was packed with people, members of the Fifth Cohort who were clearly here for the entertainment value, Dakota sipping his eternal Kool-Aid, and Vitellius, the grumpy ghost, still working on Percy's arm with all the grace of an annoyed tattoo artist.

At least the stuffed panda fire had burned down to smoldering embers, sparing Percy the worst of the polyester stench. Small mercies.

The legionnaires, though? They were loving this.

"Looking good, Graecus!" someone called from the back.

"Betcha he cries," another chimed in, earning a chorus of laughter.

Percy resisted the urge to flip them off. Barely. He was trying to play it cool, but between the sharp jabs of Vitellius's stylus and the burning stares of the crowd, his patience was wearing thin.

"Almost done," Vitellius muttered, his translucent form flickering slightly. "If you'd just stop squirming-"

"I'm not squirming," Percy shot back, biting back a wince as the stylus sparked again.

"You're squirming internally," Vitellius retorted. "It's very distracting."

"Yeah, well, excuse me for not being thrilled about getting stabbed by a dead guy."

That earned a snicker from Dakota, who raised his goblet in a mock toast. "To the newest member of the Fifth! You're really fitting in, Percy."

Percy glanced around at the laughing, jeering crowd. "Sure. I feel right at home."

Vitellius finally straightened up, inspecting his work with a critical eye. "Done. At least for now. Try not to mess it up before the ink sets."

Percy flexed his arm, wincing as the new tattoo burned faintly against his skin. The design reflected his godly parent - his fake one, that is. A dove was marked in black on his arm, surrounded by a laurel wreath and the letters SPQR.

It felt... heavier than it should, like it was more than just ink.

"Congratulations," Dakota said, clapping him on the back. "You're officially one of us. Now go grab your armor and get ready for duels."

"Duels?" Percy perked up. "What kind of duels?"

Dakota grinned. "The kind where you try not to die. We're a war camp, this is what we do for fun."

As the crowd dispersed, Percy couldn't help but notice Octavian lingering by the door, his eyes still locked on him with that same unsettling look.

Whatever the guy thought he saw in Percy, it wasn't good.

Well, too bad for him, Percy thought, rolling his shoulder. He wasn't about to let some stuffed-animal-burning maniac tell him who - or what - he was.

He had bigger things to worry about. Like surviving his first duel.

THE UNFORGIVEN

The Field of Mars was aptly named. Percy hadn't seen this much fighting since… well, he couldn't actually remember.

The wide expanse of dirt and rock was dotted with makeshift arenas, each surrounded by cheering legionnaires. Some were sparring with wooden swords, others clashing in full armor with real weapons. Smoke curled up from nearby forges, mingling with the tang of sweat and iron in the air.

Dakota clapped Percy on the back, startling him. "Don't worry, new guy. These duels are mostly for practice. Nobody's supposed to die."

"Supposed to?" Percy asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, you know, accidents happen." Dakota grinned like that was the most reassuring thing in the world.

Reyna stood at the center of the field, flanked by two hulking metal dogs. She raised her hand, silencing the crowd. "Legionnaires! Today, we welcome a new recruit to the Fifth Cohort. Let's see if he's worth the ink we've wasted on him."

The crowd roared, a mix of jeers and cheers. Percy's stomach flipped, but he forced himself to stay calm.

Reyna turned to him, her gaze steady. "Jackson, step forward."

Percy stepped into the largest arena, the gravel crunching under his boots. He tried not to think about how many people were watching, or how many probably wanted to see him fail.

"Your first opponent will be Gwen," Reyna announced.

A short, stocky girl with a shield almost as big as her stepped into the ring. Her blonde hair was tied back in a braid, and her confident smirk told Percy she wasn't going to go easy on him.

"Good luck, Graecus," she said, raising her gladius.

"Uh, thanks," Percy said, gripping the borrowed sword Dakota had handed him earlier. It felt heavier than it should, the unfamiliar weight throwing off his balance.

Reyna's voice rang out. "Begin!"

Gwen didn't waste any time. She charged forward, shield raised. Percy barely had time to lift his sword before she slammed into him, knocking him back a step.

"Focus, new guy!" Dakota shouted from the sidelines.

Gritting his teeth, Percy dodged her next swing, his instincts kicking in. He sidestepped her shield bash and brought his sword down in a quick arc. Gwen blocked it easily, but her smirk faltered.

"Not bad," she admitted, circling him.

"Thanks," Percy said, sidestepping again. "I think."

The crowd cheered as they clashed again, swords ringing out. Percy's movements were clumsy, but there was something familiar in the way he dodged and struck, like his body remembered something his mind didn't.

And then she stabbed downwards into his thigh. Percy internally braced to have a sword sticking out of his leg, but it never came.

Instead, Gwen's sword bounced off his leg like it was made of iron.

What?

Both Percy and Gwen froze for a moment, staring at his unharmed leg. The crowd fell silent, the ringing of the deflected blade echoing in the air.

"What in Hades?" Percy muttered the curse instinctually, staring down at his leg like it had betrayed him. He wasn't bleeding - there wasn't even a scratch. But his pants were torn, and the blade was solid metal.

But Percy wasn't going to question his luck. As Gwen swung wide, Percy ducked under her arm and slammed the flat of his blade against her shield. The impact sent her stumbling, and Percy pressed his advantage, knocking her sword from her hand.

The crowd erupted in cheers and boos as Reyna raised her hand. "Enough!"

Gwen laughed as she picked up her sword. "Not bad. You might actually survive here."

Percy grinned, panting. "High praise."

But Reyna wasn't done. "Next opponent!"

A tall, broad-shouldered guy with a scar running down his cheek stepped into the ring. He didn't bother introducing himself, just raised his sword and grinned.

"Great," Percy muttered.

This fight was harder. Scarface didn't give him time to think, his strikes fast and brutal. Percy barely managed to block the first few blows, his arms already aching.

"Come on, Graecus!" someone shouted. "Show us what you've got!"

Scarface feinted left, then slammed his shield into Percy's side. Pain exploded through his ribs as he hit the ground, gasping for air.

The crowd roared, and Percy's vision blurred. But as Scarface raised his sword for the finishing blow, something inside Percy snapped.

He threw his sword at the guy, making him dodge, giving Percy time to run a few metres back and pull a pen out of his pocket.

Scarface jeered. "You gonna write me to death?"
"Not quite," muttered Percy, uncapping the pen to reveal a bronze xiphos.

Scarface frowned, but charged nonetheless.

He rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the strike, and lashed out with his sword. The blade caught Scarface's leg, sending him stumbling. Percy was on his feet in an instant, his movements faster, sharper.

Scarface swung again, but Percy ducked under the blow and slammed his shoulder into the guy's chest. Scarface howled as if Percy's skin was iron, and hit the ground hard, his sword flying from his hand.

The arena fell silent as Percy stood over him, his sword pointed at the guy's throat.

"Yield," Scarface grunted, glaring up at him.

Percy hesitated, the weight of the sword in his hand suddenly feeling heavier. Then he stepped back, lowering the pen-blade.

Reyna's voice broke the silence. "Enough. Jackson, well done."

The crowd erupted, some cheering, others grumbling. Percy didn't care. His arms ached, his ribs throbbed, but he was still standing.

Reyna approached, her expression unreadable. "You fight well, Jackson. But remember, strength alone won't win battles. Strategy and discipline will."

"Noted," Percy said, wincing as he rubbed his side.

"Rest up," she said, turning to the crowd. "Tomorrow, we test him in the war games."

Percy groaned. War games? Great. As if today hadn't been enough fun already.

Dakota appeared at his side, grinning as he handed him a fresh goblet of Kool-Aid. "Welcome to Camp Jupiter, Percy. You're doing great."

Percy took the goblet and stared out at the Field of Mars, the cheers of the legion ringing in his ears.

His skin was iron, everyone and their resident ghost hated him, he had to participate in war games, he had a fake godly parent to boot, and he had no idea how far his powers could go.

The man without his memories sipped his Kool-Aid.

This was only the beginning.

So... what did you all think? Yes, despite Reyna and Percy's... rocky relationship thus far, this will still be Preyna.

Review responses:

Robotdocter: LMAO, this is like the third time you've reviewed a fic of mine without realising I wrote it. Thanks, and I hope you liked this chapter!

PhantomFuryJP: Thank you!

snaklusosdude16: Who said he can't use his powers?

thelordoptimus: Haha, thank you so much! The whole Venus thing is going to get explained soon.

Guest: Yup, just how it is with this fic ;-;

Vallier2417: Well, here you go! Glad you liked it!

That's all I have to say, I'll probably update Eternity soon, assuming I don't get killed by exams, so look out for that.

Adios!