Disclaimer:
This is a work of fanfiction based on Heroes of Olympus by Rick Riordan and The Rising of the Shield Hero by Aneko Yusagi. I don't own any characters, settings, or ideas from the original series. All rights belong to their respective creators. Original characters and concepts introduced in this story — like Seren, Leora, Darin, Mira, Caius, and others — are my own creation. This project is something I've directed and written myself. I used AI tools (like ChatGPT) to help draft and organize some sections, but every creative decision — from the plot and pacing to the character arcs and emotional moments — was made by me. No profit is being made from this story. It's purely for entertainment and to share a new take on two worlds I love.

The light faded — not all at once, but in jagged pulses, like the last sparks of a dying fire.
Percy staggered, the ghost of Annabeth's hand still clinging to his, fingers slipping away into nothing.

He reached out instinctively — but there was no one there.
Just empty air and the heavy silence of a massive stone chamber.

For a moment, all he could do was stand there, heart hammering against his ribs, the loss of her so sharp it might as well have been a knife between his ribs.

Then the smell hit me.

Old wood. Fresh stone. Candle wax. And something underneath it all — the metallic bite of fear.

I cracked open my eyes fully and groaned.
Last time I woke up somewhere unfamiliar, I was stuck in a Cyclops's cave with a splitting headache.
This...this felt worse somehow.

"Sword Hero," someone said.

I sat up slowly, my fingers tightening around a sword I didn't remember picking up. It wasn't Riptide. It didn't feel right in my hand. Heavier. Hungrier.

Around me stood three other guys, all about my age.
One held a shield.
Another a spear.
The last one had a bow slung over his shoulder, looking way too confident for someone just yanked into another world.

"Welcome, Cardinal Heroes," a voice boomed from the far end of the room.

Great. A king. Because my life hadn't been complicated enough already.

The man — decked out in red and gold robes, a crown perched on his thinning hair — gave us a long, appraising look, like he was buying horses.
Not a fan.

"You have been summoned here to save our world from destruction," he said, voice rich and rehearsed. "From the Waves of Calamity."

I shot a look at the guy with the shield. He looked about as thrilled as I felt.
Naofumi, my brain supplied. No idea how I knew that. Maybe a gut feeling. Maybe some demigod sixth sense.

The king continued, "Before you embark on your sacred duty, we must know the names and origins of our champions."

One by one, the others stepped forward.

The bow guy went first. He placed a fist over his heart in some dramatic, knightly gesture. "Itsuki Kawasumi. High school student."

Next was the spear guy, flashing a grin like he was on a magazine cover. "Motoyasu Kitamura. College student."

I realized they were all Japanese — the accent, the formality, the names.

Then it was my turn — and judging by the way the king kept glaring, it was supposed to be someone else, some guy named Ren maybe — but instead, everyone looked at me. Lucky them

I hesitated. Half a second too long.

"Percy Jackson," I said. "Seventeen. Uh...student. Fighter. Traveler."

Not a lie. Not the full truth either.

The king's eyes narrowed for a breath, then moved on like he hadn't noticed.

Naofumi stepped forward last. His voice was tight. "Naofumi Iwatani. College student."

The king nodded, apparently satisfied.

"Very good. Now, understand this: you are Cardinal Heroes. You cannot fight together — the sacred weapons interfere with one another. If you remain too close for too long, your growth will be stunted."

I frowned.
Separate us.
Divide and conquer.
Demigod instincts flared at the back of my mind, screaming trap.

"You will each form your own parties," the king said. "We have prepared many willing adventurers to assist you."

That metallic taste of fear came back, sharper this time.

The king's smile didn't reach his eyes.

The king's speech wound down like a dying clock.

"Heroes, step forward! Volunteers, choose your champion!"

There was a rush, like Black Friday at Macy's.

Motoyasu got mobbed first — mostly by women, shocker.
Itsuki pulled a decent crowd too, a bit more serious-looking.

Naofumi stood awkwardly by himself. Alone.

I felt the urge to step toward him — but before I could move, a group of five people peeled off from the main crowd and approached me.

"Sword Hero," the lead guy said, dropping to one knee with a little too much theater. "It would be our honor to fight by your side."

He was a knight — probably not much older than me. Short brown hair, sharp green eyes, a smile that was more teeth than warmth.

"Name's Seren," he said, offering a hand. "You lead, we follow."

Next to him stood a woman in crimson-trimmed robes, armor peeking out from underneath.
Fire mage, by the looks of her.

"Leora," she said simply, studying me like I was a piece of gear in a shop window. "Specializing in offensive magic."

Behind them lingered three more:

A dagger-twirling rogue — Darin.

A soft-spoken cleric — Mira.

A cocky archer adjusting his bow — Caius.

Not much.
But at least I wasn't alone.

"Alright," I said, forcing a smile. "Let's make it official."

[SYSTEM MESSAGE: Party Created - Sword Hero Party]

A small window blinked into existence. I flinched instinctively. Gods, magic, monsters — I'd handled all of that.
But a video game HUD? That was new.

Seren laughed a little too easily. "You'll get used to it, my lord."

I hated that title.
"Just Percy," I muttered.

They nodded, but the way they looked at me didn't change.
Like they were seeing a weapon, not a person.

I caught Naofumi's eye across the room.
Still alone.

My gut twisted. I knew that feeling.
Knew it way too well.

Before I could move, the king clapped his hands.

"Heroes, you are dismissed to receive your equipment. Prepare yourselves."

A steward ushered us into a side chamber before we could leave.

"You will each receive starting funds and equipment for your journey," he said, his nose wrinkling like he smelled something unpleasant.

A bag of silver coins was pressed into my hand — heavier than it looked. A set of basic chainmail armor followed, clinking awkwardly against my sword.

Seren and the others buzzed around me, already discussing merchants and upgrade shops like it was Christmas morning.

Across the room, Naofumi collected his pouch and shield.
No sword. No armor.

Just that simple round shield, faintly glowing, strapped to his arm.

Nobody even tried to hide it — the way the court nobles looked down on him.
Like he was already a failure.

Before the tension could settle too deep, a young woman with fiery red hair and too-bright eyes broke from the crowd.

"Myne Sophia," she said with a bright curtsy. "If it pleases you, Shield Hero, I would like to join your party."

Naofumi looked stunned — then relieved.

I caught the tail end of Myne's smile.
It didn't reach her eyes.

My gut twisted again.
Something's wrong.

But I said nothing.
Maybe it was just nerves.
Maybe I was just tired.

The king waved his hand lazily.

"You are dismissed for today. Rest well. Tomorrow, you begin your sacred mission."

That night, I slept in a bed too big for me, in a castle that stank of false smiles, surrounded by strangers.

And I dreamed.

I saw her — Annabeth — standing on a crumbling cliff, reaching out.

I ran toward her.

The ground split open. A canyon of darkness yawned between us.

"Percy!" she screamed.

I dove —
Our fingers brushed —
And I woke up, heart pounding, sweat cold on my skin.

"I'll find you," I whispered into the empty room.

"No matter what it takes."