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.

Percy's POV

They led us to a smaller room after the throne speech — someplace quieter, with heavy wooden chairs and a round table that looked like it hadn't been dusted in a century.

"Take this time to coordinate among yourselves," one of the knights said, bowing stiffly before slamming the door shut behind him.

Good. Maybe now we could finally get some real answers.

I sank into a chair. It creaked under my weight like it might give up on life any second. Fitting.

The four of us stared at each other for an awkward moment.

"Well," Itsuki said, clearing his throat, "maybe we should introduce ourselves properly?"

"Sure," Motoyasu said, lounging back lazily.

Itsuki stood up a little straighter. "Itsuki Kawasumi. Seventeen. High school student."

Motoyasu grinned. "Motoyasu Kitamura. Twenty-one. College student. Big into sports and games."

Naofumi's turn. He shifted awkwardly. "Naofumi Iwatani. Twenty."

All eyes turned to me.

I gave a lopsided shrug. "Percy Jackson. Seventeen. Uh...student, fighter..."
I hesitated, brain racing.

Should I mention the wars? Probably not. Might scare them off. Or maybe they wouldn't believe me.

"I'm a war veteran," I said.

Out loud.

The words just kind of...tumbled out.

Itsuki blinked. Motoyasu leaned forward like he hadn't heard right.
Naofumi just stared.

I coughed. "Long story. Bad vacations. You don't want to hear it."

Silence stretched out a little too long before Itsuki awkwardly picked up the thread again.

"Uh, anyway...has anyone heard of Emerald Online?"

He launched into some explanation about VRMMOs and RPG mechanics. Motoyasu jumped in, bragging about another game that was "basically identical to this world."

Naofumi frowned thoughtfully but stayed quiet.

I tuned out half of what they were saying. My mind was racing.

Alternate versions of Earth? Games? Japan?
None of them mentioned Olympus. Or gods. Or monsters.

I wasn't just pulled into a different country — this wasn't even my Earth anymore.

No Camp Half-Blood.
No Chiron.
No Annabeth.

The thought hit me like a sucker punch to the ribs.

My fingers tapped restlessly against the table. I muttered under my breath, "I just need to find someone first..."

Motoyasu and Itsuki didn't even blink, too busy arguing over game mechanics.

But Naofumi noticed. His eyes flicked toward me — sharp, quiet, understanding.

He didn't say anything. Just filed it away.

I respected that.

"Since this world basically runs on RPG mechanics, it should be easy to level up if we play smart," Itsuki said.

"Yeah," Motoyasu agreed. "We'll be unstoppable with the right parties."

I kept my mouth shut.

I wasn't sure which would be worse — the monsters from the Waves or the people sitting at this table.

Annabeth's POV

Cold stone. Damp air. Voices too loud, too close.

I blinked awake in a cage, my wrists chained lightly to the wall behind me. A thick metal collar dug into my neck, the runes along it faintly glowing.

"Get up, demi-rat!" someone snarled.

I struggled to my feet, body aching, my memories a blurred mess of light, falling — Percy — and nothing.

The merchant moved on, shouting prices at a passing noble. I barely heard him. My focus was on the children crammed into cages beside me.

One girl, her ears pointed like a fox's, huddled against the bars, feverish and trembling.

Raphtalia.

I didn't know her name yet. But something in me told me I should protect her if I could.

Magic pressed against my mind — heavy, suffocating, draining my strength. My connection to my divine blood felt a million miles away.

Still, I gritted my teeth.

Percy was here somewhere.
I could feel it.

And when he found me — not if, when — we'd break these chains together.

"Word is, the Shield Devil's gonna be desperate," a gruff voice said nearby. "He'll be in the market soon. Might pick up a few of these brats."

I closed my eyes.

Hang on, Percy.

I'm still fighting.