Pretty happy with how this turned out! Bit short, but it felt natural.
CHAPTER TWO: A PLAN OR TWO
Realistically, Percy should have been freaking out. But he wasn't.
Because he had a plan.
Percy didn't think he was manipulative, per say - he preferred to say he was resourceful. There was a difference, right? Sure, Athena had once told him that wisdom sometimes meant knowing how to bend situations to his advantage, but that wasn't manipulation. It was strategy. A fine line, really.
Ok, maybe it was manipulation.
But it wasn't like he liked doing it. Usually.
And besides, with parents like Poseidon and Athena, how could he not be good at reading people and adapting to the situation? The sea was ever-changing, and wisdom didn't always mean playing by the rules. Sometimes, you had to bend them a little.
Like right now.
He stood just out of sight behind the Egyptian exhibit, watching Ms. Dodds' remains as if they would jump at him. Okay, Percy, think. What's the best way out of this?
He had to get to Camp Half-Blood. (Yes, he knew about it - not much he didn't know about the Greek world, courtesy of Athena.)
But Grover was his assigned protecter, meaning he'd try and tell his mom. So Percy needed Grover to come with him. He had a few plans, one of which may or may not have been knocking Grover out and dragging him along to camp.
But the situation solved itself.
Just as Percy was weighing the pros and cons of his somewhat extreme plan, Grover appeared around the corner, panting and wide-eyed. "Percy! Where've you been? We need to-" Grover stopped mid-sentence when he spotted the crumbling remains of what used to be Ms. Dodds. His eyes widened in horror. "Oh gods... what did you -?"
"Nothing!" Percy cut in, quickly shifting gears. He had to appear helpless. "I didn't do anything! She just... turned into this Fury thing and attacked me. I defended myself."
Grover's panic only intensified, and Percy realised he had to act fast if he didn't want things to spiral further. He'd learned long ago that letting people fall apart when monsters were involved never ended well.
"Look, I know this looks bad, but we can figure it out together," Percy said, keeping his voice steady and reasonable. "We need to get to Camp Half-Blood. You know it's not safe here anymore. Let's go."
Grover blinked, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. "You... you know about Camp?"
Percy shrugged, pulling out Riptide and twisting the cap back on to hide the sword, hoping Grover wouldn't say anything. "Yeah, I know more than you think. But right now, none of that matters. We need to leave."
It was a gamble, laying all his cards on the table like this, but Percy had a feeling Grover was too rattled to question it. And sure enough, Grover just nodded numbly. "Okay... okay, yeah, let's go. We need to find your mom."
Rule number one: if you make yourself seem small, people are more likely to underestimate you.
It was time to put that to the test. "Oh no, my Mom's…" he searched for the words.
Putting on the waterworks always worked, right?
Grover's face fell. "She's dead?"
Percy nodded, smirking internally. This was too easy.
He allowed himself a small, satisfied smile as they headed for the exit. Manipulation? Maybe.
But he'd do it again in a heartbeat.
Percy wasn't proud of it, but he'd learned early on that people reacted better to him when he played the part. With Grover in full panic mode, Percy leaned into the helpless act just enough to get the satyr moving.
As they walked out of the museum and into the fading light of the afternoon, Percy kept an eye on Grover. The satyr's nervous energy radiated off him in waves, and Percy knew he had to keep control of the situation if they were going to get through this. They still had to reach his mom, and if Grover fell apart before they got to Camp Half-Blood, things would get messy fast.
They reached the street, and Percy decided to test his luck further. "So… what happens if we don't make it to camp in time?"
Grover glanced at him, wide-eyed, and Percy could see the gears turning in his head. "We have to," Grover stammered. "If we don't, the monsters will keep coming. You're not safe, Percy. None of us are."
Percy nodded solemnly, even though the wheels were already turning in his mind. Monsters weren't the only thing to worry about. There were gods, demigods, and who knew what else in the Greek world. He needed more information, but he knew better than to push Grover too hard. Let him sweat a little first.
For now, Percy played his part - strategic, manipulative, resourceful. He wasn't about to admit to himself just how good he was getting at bending people to his will. But in a world like this, survival came first, and he was already a step ahead of the game.
Scratch that, Percy wasn't just ahead of the game - he was winning it. And he was more than willing to embrace what needed to be done.
Because if there was one thing his parents taught him, it was this: The rules were there for a reason, but they weren't made for people like him.
The sea didn't ask for permission to bend the shore, and wisdom didn't always follow the beaten path. That was his inheritance, a combination of raw power and cunning insight, and he wasn't about to let either go to waste.
He glanced at Grover, who was still visibly shaken, but at least moving with some purpose. The satyr was muttering something under his breath, probably about how bad things were about to get. Percy wasn't really listening, though. His mind was already two steps ahead, planning for what might come next.
"I know a shortcut," Percy said, breaking the silence as they turned a corner. "We'll get to Camp faster this way."
Grover frowned, glancing nervously at the unfamiliar streets. "But… but the road back to your apartment-"
Percy cut him off, voice firm. "We don't have time for that. Trust me. Unless you want Ms Dodds to come back?"
He wasn't about to let Grover realize how much of this was improvised. Not yet. Grover needed direction, not more panic, and if Percy had to create that sense of control, so be it. He'd figure it out as they went.
The streets grew quieter as they moved further from the museum, and the weight of what had just happened - the Fury, Ms. Dodds, and whatever else was waiting for them - settled on Percy's shoulders. But unlike before, he didn't feel overwhelmed. He felt clear-headed, focused.
They crossed an empty street, the lights from the city growing faint as they entered a quieter part of town. Percy's senses were on high alert, attuned to every shadow and sound. He knew they didn't have much time. Every second they spent out here in the open was another chance for something worse than Ms. Dodds to show up.
Grover's voice wavered. "Percy, what if- what if more of them come? What if we can't-"
"They won't," Percy said, cutting him off again, his voice cold and certain.
"Why not?" Grover asked, wide-eyed, glancing around nervously.
"Because I won't let them." Grover fell silent, not entirely reassured, but quiet enough to follow Percy's lead without further question.
As they continued walking, Percy felt the tug of something deep inside him - not fear, but something far more dangerous: a sense of control. He wasn't just using raw power anymore, he was just being… smart.
And it felt good.
Because he had a plan.
And if there was one thing he was good at, it was making sure he came out on top.
After a couple of hours - Grover was not a fast walker - they found themselves nearing camp.
Just as they neared the crest of the hill, Percy's instincts flared - something was wrong. The air felt too still, too quiet. He glanced at Grover, who was staring ahead, oblivious.
The borders of Camp Half-Blood were only a few steps away. Safety was so close Percy could practically taste it. But then, the ground trembled beneath their feet.
Grover froze, his goat legs wobbling. "Did you-?"
The trees behind them rustled, then snapped. Something massive was moving through the woods. Fast.
Percy's heart leapt into his throat. "Run!" he shouted, grabbing Grover by the arm and pulling him forward.
They bolted for the border, but before they could take more than a few strides, a deafening roar tore through the forest. Percy whipped his head around just in time to see the towering figure of a half-man, half-bull charging at them, its horns gleaming in the fading light.
The Minotaur.
"Grover, move!" Percy shouted, though he could feel the panic rising in his own chest. Grover stumbled, his legs giving out under him as the massive creature closed the distance in seconds.
Without thinking, Percy reached for Riptide, uncapping the pen and letting the celestial bronze sword materialize in his hand. The Minotaur's massive bulk loomed closer, its snorts turning to a furious roar as it barreled toward them, its hooves pounding the earth like thunder.
Grover scrambled to his feet, but his eyes were wide with terror. "P-Percy, we can't-"
"We can," Percy muttered, positioning himself between Grover and the monster. "Get to the border. I'll hold it off."
There wasn't time to question the plan. Grover hesitated only a moment before limping toward the boundary as fast as he could, leaving Percy to face the beast alone.
The Minotaur's charge was unstoppable, but Percy stood his ground, tightening his grip on Riptide. He only had one shot at this. The creature's horns were low, aiming to skewer him as it thundered forward. Percy dodged at the last possible second, feeling the air shift as the Minotaur's horns whistled past his face, narrowly missing him.
"Come on," Percy shouted, adrenaline surging through him. "I'm right here!"
The Minotaur snorted in frustration, skidding to a halt before whirling around, its red eyes locking onto him. Percy darted to the side, keeping the massive creature focused on him while Grover neared the border.
The Minotaur charged again, and this time Percy didn't have as much space to dodge. He leapt out of the way, but one of the beast's horns caught his shirt, ripping the fabric and sending him tumbling into the dirt. His sword clattered out of reach.
"Percy!" Grover shouted, but Percy couldn't focus on him now.
His body ached, but there was no time to register the pain. The Minotaur snorted, preparing for another charge. Percy's eyes flicked toward Riptide, but the sword was too far. He needed another plan, fast.
His eyes darted to the trees, then to the massive boulders that littered the area just outside the border. An idea clicked into place.
"Come and get me, you overgrown cow!" Percy taunted, forcing himself to his feet and running straight toward the largest boulder he could see.
The Minotaur roared in fury, its hooves pounding the earth as it charged again, faster this time.
Percy stood in front the boulder, knowing the Minotaur wouldn't be able to stop in time.
The Minotaur loomed closer, closer… then Percy put on his cap, making him invisible.
And sure enough, the creature smashed headfirst into the rock with a sickening crunch, shaking the ground with the impact.
For a moment, everything went still.
Percy peeked around the edge of the boulder, breathing hard. The Minotaur lay crumpled on the ground, its chest heaving. It wasn't dead, but it was dazed, stunned by its own momentum.
But that wasn't good enough for Percy. Riptide was already back in his pocket, and he took it out once more, severing the cap from his head as he stepped back into view. Percy's eyes narrowed as he stared down at the dazed Minotaur. He didn't want to give the monster a chance to recover and come after them again. They were too close to Camp Half-Blood to risk it.
With a quick flick, Riptide extended into its full celestial bronze form, gleaming under the fading light. Percy gripped it tightly and approached the creature cautiously, knowing that one mistake could mean disaster. The Minotaur groaned, shaking its head as if trying to clear its vision.
"No second chances," Percy muttered.
With one swift motion, Percy brought the sword down, striking the Minotaur's neck. The celestial bronze blade cut through effortlessly, and the creature let out one final groan before it disintegrated into golden dust, leaving only its horns behind.
Percy wiped the sweat from his brow.
Grover wheezed. "You did it."
Percy stood at the border, catching his breath. Finally, he turned to Grover, who was still lying in the grass, panting.
"We did it."
"That... that was close," Grover said.
Percy laughed, though it came out shakier than he intended. "Yeah. Too close."
They had made it.
As they crossed into Camp Half-Blood, Percy's heart raced. He knew about the camp, but still.
A vast expanse of lush greenery stretched out, dotted with cabins, each representing a different god or goddess. The air was alive with the sounds of laughter, training, and the faint melodies of campfire songs drifting on the breeze. The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm golden glow over the camp.
"Welcome to Camp Half-Blood," Grover said, gesturing grandly as if revealing a masterpiece. "This is where demigods come for training, safety, and to live."
Percy took it all in. He had always felt like an outsider in the mortal world, never quite fitting in. But here?
It felt like home.
"Is it always like this?" he asked, a grin creeping onto his face.
"Pretty much!" Grover replied, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
As they walked further into the camp, they passed by a group of campers practicing archery. A girl with dark hair and an impressive aim shot an arrow that landed perfectly in the bullseye. A few feet away, another camper was lifting a huge boulder over his head like it was a feather, flexing his muscles for the cheering crowd around him.
"Whoa," Percy breathed, feeling even more out of his depth. "Are they all… like me?"
"Yeah, demigods," Grover replied, looking slightly worried. "But not everyone is a child of an Olympian."
"Cool." He turned to Grover. "So, what now? Where do we go?"
"We need to check in with Chiron, the camp director," Grover said. "He'll help you settle in and make sure you're safe. After that, you'll probably want to meet some of the other campers."
They approached a large, rustic-looking cabin that stood out from the others, its doors wide open. A centaur, half-man, half-horse, stood just inside, his wise eyes scanning the camp.
"Ah, Grover," he called. "Percy."
Percy raised an eyebrow. "Mr. Brunner?"
Chiron smiled warmly. "It's good to see you again, Percy. I'm glad you've made it here safely."
"Um, yeah, thanks," Percy replied, feeling slightly out of his depth. "I didn't know you were… well, you know, a centaur."
Chiron chuckled lightly. "It's a common misconception. But as you can see, I am indeed a centaur."
"Should have figured it out," Percy grumbled.
The centaur laughed. "Welcome to Camp Half-Blood," he said warmly. "You're safe now. Come inside."
As Percy followed Grover and Chiron into the Big House, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was going to happen.
Immediately, he noticed a man lounging on a plush chair at one of the tables. He was dressed in a garish Hawaiian shirt, complete with sunglasses that obscured his eyes, and he looked completely disinterested in the world around him. He had a glass of wine in his hand.
"Mr. D," Chiron warned, "your restrictions."
"Silly me," muttered Mr. D, waving away the wine in favour for Diet Coke.
He was a middle-aged man with a wreath of grape leaves in his hair and a distinctly bored expression on his face.
"Grover," he said, his voice dripping with disinterest. "You brought a new demigod for once. How... delightful."
"Uh, yes, Mr. D," Grover stammered, fidgeting nervously. "This is Percy Jackson. He just fought a Minotaur and made it to camp."
Mr. D raised an eyebrow. "A minotaur? Someone under your protection fought the son of Pasiphaë?"
Percy felt a surge of pride at the mention of his encounter with the Minotaur, but it quickly faded under Mr. D's scrutinizing gaze. The god's tone was laced with skepticism, as if he was weighing Percy's worth.
"Uh, yeah, that was me," Percy said, trying to sound more confident than he felt. "I mean, it was kind of a last-minute thing."
Mr. D leaned forward slightly, his sunglasses sliding down his nose just enough for Percy to catch a glimpse of his eyes - dark, purple, and unreadable. "Impressive," he said, his voice still lacking enthusiasm. "Not many can boast about tangling with the Minotaur and living to tell the tale. But surviving a monster doesn't mean you'll survive here."
Percy's stomach twisted at that comment.
"Chiron," Mr. D continued, leaning back in his chair. "I assume you have plans for our new friend? Or shall I let him wander around aimlessly until he trips over something fatal?"
Chiron's expression remained calm, his eyes steady as he faced the god. "I have every intention of helping Percy adjust, Dionysus. He'll be in good hands."
"Dionysus?" Percy said. "Like the god?"
Mr. D, or Dionysus, apparently, took off his sunglasses and sighed. "Is that so hard to believe, boy?"
"Maybe it is."
Grover looked plenty scared for Percy.
Mr. D's expression darkened. Percy could almost feel the tension crackling in the air. "Let's not test my patience, shall we? I'm not here to babysit demigods, especially ones who seem oblivious to the danger lurking around every corner."
"I'm pretty sure you are here to babysit demigods."
"Alright, that's it." Mr. D said. His eyes glowed purple, alight with flame. "Do you think you can just waltz in here and make snarky comments?" he said, his voice low and dangerous. "You might have survived a Minotaur, but that doesn't mean you're invincible, boy. You have much to learn about this world - and my patience is not unlimited."
In Dionysus' eyes, Percy saw people screaming out in madness, sailors drunk, tearing people apart.
But he wasn't going to back down. He was much too prideful for that.
Percy's grey eye seemed to shimmer, and his green eye glowed. "You think you can scare me with your little tricks?" Percy shot back, his voice steadier than he felt. "You're just a drunk god."
Mr. D's smile was sharp, a glimmer of something predatory in his gaze. "Oh, you're a son of them. Wonder how they managed that?" Their was a veiled threat there. "Ah, I like your spirit. But trust me, you have no idea what you're up against. This world isn't just filled with monsters; it's filled with gods who won't hesitate to turn you into a trophy or a plaything."
Percy clenched his fists, but kept quiet.
"Enough," Chiron said. "Percy, Annabeth will give you a tour of camp."
"Who?"
Just as Percy asked, the door swung open, and a girl stepped inside. She had striking gray eyes not unsimilar to his one and curly blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail.
"Annabeth," Chiron said, nodding toward her. "This is Percy Jackson. He'll need a tour of the camp."
Annabeth crossed her arms and looked Percy over, her eyes lingering on his mismatched ones. "So, you're the one," she said, a sort of challenge in her voice. "The one who took down the Minotaur."
Percy gave a small shrug, trying to seem casual. "Yeah, I guess."
She snorted. "You don't guess you defeat a Minotaur. You either do it or you don't."
Mr. D waved a dismissive hand. "Yes, yes. Let the girl give him the grand tour. Perhaps it'll tire him out before he causes any more trouble."
Annabeth ignored Dionysus and gave Percy a once-over again. "Follow me," she said, already turning toward the door without waiting for a response.
Percy glanced at Chiron, who gave him an encouraging nod. "She'll show you what you need to know."
With that, Percy hurried after Annabeth. The camp seemed like a maze of secrets and dangers, but if he was going to survive here, he'd have to learn fast.
As they stepped outside, the sun was high in the sky, and the camp buzzed with activity. Percy had to jog to keep up with Annabeth's brisk pace.
"So," Percy said, trying to break the ice, "what's your deal?"
Annabeth glanced over her shoulder, her expression unreadable. "My deal? I've been here longer than most. I've seen plenty of demigods like you come and go. Some make it, some don't."
"Thanks for the pep talk," Percy muttered, but Annabeth seemed unfazed.
"I'm just being realistic," she said. "If you want to stay alive, you'll need to know how things work around here. And rule number one - don't expect much from the gods. They're not like your mortal parents. They don't care about fairness or feelings."
Percy nodded.
"Come on," Annabeth said, her tone softening just a bit. "I'll show you the cabins. You'll find out who your parent is soon enough."
Rule number two: always act clueless.
Percy blinked. "Parent? You mean…?"
"One of the gods," Annabeth confirmed. "If they haven't claimed you already, they will. Then you'll know where you belong."
"Right," he said.
Just then, a burly girl with a camo jacket slung over her shoulder marched past them, barely sparing them a glance. Her arms were crossed, and she had an air of authority about her.
"Hey, Clarisse," Annabeth called out, her tone neutral but with an edge Percy didn't miss.
The girl - Clarisse - stopped and sized up Percy, her eyes narrowing. "This the new kid?"
Annabeth nodded. "Yeah. Percy Jackson."
Clarisse snorted. "Great. Another newbie." She looked Percy up and down. "Hope you're ready for a good ol' camp welcome."
Percy raised an eyebrow, but before he could ask what that meant, Annabeth quickly stepped in. "Clarisse, don't even think about it. He just got here."
Clarisse cracked her knuckles, grinning. "We'll see about that. I heard he killed the Minotaur. He has to be a good fighter."
Percy raised an eyebrow, but Annabeth grabbed his arm and steered him away before Clarisse could cause any more trouble. "Ignore her," she muttered. "She's from the Ares cabin. They've got a reputation for being... aggressive."
"Yeah, I kinda noticed," Percy replied, glancing over his shoulder as Clarisse gave a two-finger salute then walked off, still smirking.
Annabeth led him further into the camp, past the rows of cabins, each one distinct in style. Some were elegant, others rustic, and one looked like it had been carved straight from stone. Percy couldn't help but feel out of place as they passed campers who eyed him curiously.
Finally, they stopped in front of a simple cabin with a trident symbol over the door. It radiated an aura of power.
"This is the Poseidon cabin," Annabeth said, her voice a little quieter now.
Percy's was about to make a comment about how obvious that was, but he had to be clueless. "Poseidon?"
"Yeah. God of the sea and all that."
"Right." He said. "Who's your godly parent?"
Annabeth perked up. "Athena. Goddess of wisdom, battle strategy, and crafts. My mom."
Percy nodded, though something about the way she said it made him feel like he should be impressed. He quickly switched gears to stay in character. "So... wisdom and strategy. That explains the whole know-it-all vibe."
Annabeth raised an eyebrow, but there was a small smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. "If you end up being a son of Athena, I'm never letting you forget it."
If only she knew.
"Anyway," Annabeth said. "You'll learn quickly around here. You'll have to if you want to survive."
Percy glanced back at the Poseidon cabin, then at her. "And if they don't claim you? What happens then?"
"They will," Annabeth said firmly. "They always do. You just have to wait."
"Right," Percy muttered. "So… who's cabin do I stay in until I get claimed?"
"The Hermes cabin. It's a bit… crowded."
Percy raised an eyebrow. "Crowded?"
Annabeth nodded. "Yeah, the Hermes cabin takes in all the unclaimed demigods. Until your godly parent claims you, that's where you'll stay. It's kind of a catch-all."
Percy glanced over at the cluster of cabins, some much larger and grander than others. "Hermes... the messenger guy?"
Annabeth smiled. "And the god of travelers, thieves, and... well, a lot of things. His cabin reflects that. It's full of demigods waiting to be claimed."
Percy felt a pang of nervousness at the thought of being stuck in a packed cabin with a bunch of other kids. "Sounds like fun," he said, his tone a little sarcastic.
"Luke will show you the ropes. He's the head counselor for Hermes cabin. You'll be fine."
Percy wasn't sure if she was trying to reassure him or herself. He sighed. But for now, he had to play his part. "Lead the way," he said.
Annabeth gave him a small nod and started toward the Hermes cabin, Percy following close behind.
He was playing a game of gods and monsters, and Percy was going to win.
Chapter over! How'd you like it? I tried to make Percy more manipulative, a true child of Athena. He'll get claimed next chapter, so look out for that.
Review responses:
PhantomFuryJP: Thanks so much!
Eothr Si'lan: No, thank you for the idea!
Vallier2417: Haha, glad you like this one as well!
Anaklusmos404: Thank you! Didn't think anyone would catch the mention tbh. I went back and fixed chap one. Also, I edited the last chapter for The Boy Who Died. Thanks again!
Guest: Nah, I'll probably keep the eyes how they are. Thanks for the suggestion though!
Robotdocter: Thank you so much man! You're too nice lmao, I always look forward to your reviews.
: Thanks!
That's about it. What should the pairing be? Can't be Annabeth, cuz they're literally siblings. Maybe Clarisse? I dunno.
Anyway, see y'all next chapter!