Chapter 2
Percy POV
I'm at Montauk watching the waves lapping against the shore. I want to cry. So bad but I can't it's-it's like I don't have tears left anymore. The grief is too great. Instead all I feel is numb. The food tastes like cardboard. Water tastes like metal and anyways I eventually end up throwing up whatever I eat so it doesn't even matter.
I just buried my parents and little sister today. She was just a year old. My mom and Paul were also married for just above a year. And now? Now they're dead all because of me. Because Tartarus wanted revenge on me. I shake my head to clear my thoughts and suddenly I feel tired. Bone-tired. Like if I fall asleep I'll never wake up and sometimes I hope I do. Never wake up that is. Join my friends in the afterlife. The only reason I'm even living is because I promised Thalia and Nico that I wouldn't do it. Even if I'm already dead. From the inside I mean.
I head to the cabin breathing in the familiar smell before falling asleep praying for a dreamless sleep but when do I get what I want?
*Dream*
I'm on the battlefield, killing the monster's of Gaea's army left and right, my eyes stone cold and stormy, my mouth set in a half-snarl that I'm told terrifies the monsters, demigods and even some gods. I forget about them continuing slashing. Suddenly towards my left I hear two very familiar voices cry out and in an instant I snap my head towards them to see a sight I'll never forget and which will always haunt me.
Jason has a spear impaled through his heart lying beside Piper who has a dagger through her's. Leo's cry of grief is lost as he is drowned by some rogue demigods.
Hazel is killed by a Giant meanwhile another takes Frank's stick and throws it into the fire as the light in Frank's eyes fades and dulls.
Then I turn around searching for Annabeth, my Wise Girl only to see her being stabbed in the back by Gaea. I rush towards her as her body goes limp in my arms. She looks at me one last time before murmuring, "I- I love you Percy. Live for me." Then her beautiful grey eyes lose the light in them and flutter close for the last time. I can feel rage building inside me. Gaea killed my friends now she will pay.
I gently lay Annabeth's head down before turning to face Gaea. Fury and Hatred rolling off me in waves. As I start to walk towards her the Earth starts shaking and around me a huge hurricane forms. Lightning strikes illuminating the scene in a ghastly light. I stalk towards her allowing the water to seep inside her. I hear her scream in agony as she is being ripped apart.
I lift Gaea above the earth with the power of my hurricane. Lightning flashes electrifying the water as Gaea and I engage in a duel to death. We fight on with deadly speed, our blades and bodies becoming a blur of speed each trying to find a weakness. Finally I manage to disarm her and stab her right in the heart.
She crumbles in a bone chilling scream and I collapse to the ground sobbing, and mourning the loss of my friends and my Wise Girl, my best friend and the love of my life. Her last smile as she gazed at me still etched on her face as her eyes stared unseeing. I hope she found peace.
I can vaguely feel arms grabbing me back but I can't see anything my vision is blurry and swimming and the world sways around me as my vision turns black.
*Dream over*
I wake up breathing heavily, cold sweat clinging to me and my throat feels raw probably due to all the screaming I was doing. I sigh and sit up tiredly rubbing my eyes. Pushing the memories back I get up and decide to train for a while to release some of my pent up anger and frustration and guilt. Granted the practice grounds I have here aren't much but I absolutely cannot stand the thought of returning to camp.
After the war was over the Romans and Greeks were on warpath. I remember how it went down.
*Memory begins*
I was still grieving over my friends' deaths when the Gods transported me back to Camp. I arrived to see Romans and Greeks standing face-to-face in full battle armors. Octavian the freak was rallying them up. I took a deep breath and shouted, "Stop!"
Instantly every head turned towards me. I had used my Commander's voice which left no space for disobedience so even though I was sweaty, bloody and my clothes were in tatters they all looked to me.
I continued with my voice, "Greeks and Romans do not fight. You are one. If anybody dares to fight step forward and fight me. Believe me campers you do not want to be on the receiving end of my wrath today."
Instantly everyone lowered their arms most looking relieved to do so. Octavian then stepped forward saying, "Why should we fear you son of Neptune?"
I gave him a death glare and I swear both of the armies took a step back. Octavian himself took two steps back, I smirked at him and continued, "Today I watched my friends and the love of my life murdered in front of my eyes, by the Earth Mother, Gaea. You want to know what I did to her, Octavian?"
There are audible gasps and faint murmurs of No! When I say that the rest are dead.
Everyone waits with baited breath including Octavian himself. I must look crazy right now but I don't care. This is my home and it will not be destroyed.
"I duelled her to death and killed her. Ripped her apart piece by piece, limb by limb. So if you want to mess with me right now by all means be my guest and we'll see how long you last."
The horrifying silence following my speech lasted for a full two minutes, you could practically hear a pin drop. I glared at them before saying, "I thought so."
With this last word I walked up to my cabin slamming the door behind me. Leaving them staring at me dumbfounded.
I buried myself in my cabin for 5 complete days. I didn't eat. I didn't sleep. I didn't care. I'd lost my will to live. Everything I cared for taken away. They tried to come get me out for the first three days but eventually left figuring I'd come out when I wanted to.
On the fifth day I woke up and was flashed to Olympus. I tried hard not to look around as that would only make me cry. Annabeth was everywhere here, I could see her thoughtful eyes and furrowed brow drawing the Grecian columns, the way she'd stay up all night to finish Athena's temple, the incomprehensible ranting in the middle of the night when I had to coax her to get some sleep. All of it now gone. She was the Architect of Olympus. She had designed everything here. I take a deep breath before bowing to all the Gods.
Zeus then booms, "Perseus for your contribution and bravery in the Giant War, we will grant you three wishes."
I nod my head already deciding,
"My first wish is that a portal be created from Camp Jupiter to Camp Half-Blood.
Second I wish that you interact with your children more. Make them feel loved and wanted.
My last wish is to be left alone, if you want to contact me you can come but I'm tired of all the fighting and would appreciate if you refrain from giving me any more quests or such. Thank you."
They all nod their heads sadly and Zeus snaps his fingers saying that my wishes have been granted before leaving in a flash of light. The rest of them exit one by one giving me pats on the back and a few words. Even Athena who says, "I know I may not have acted like it but I'm happy that Annabeth had you. She really did love you and I can see why."
Shocked, I look at her she simply laughs although it's a sad one, and pats me on the shoulders before leaving. Apollo and Hermes each give me a hug before leaving too. Finally only Dad remains. He walks over to me and flashes us to my cabin. We sit down on the bed in silence before he asks me, "How are you son, really?"
And that's when my dam breaks, tears start flowing down my face and Dad crushes me into a hug cradling my head into his chest as I sob into his shirt. He runs his hand through my hair softly murmuring words of comfort to me. Eventually exhaustion catches up to me and my world fades to black as I drift off still in my dad's arms.
The next say I wake up from a dreamless sleep no doubt courtesy of dad and silently thank him. Then I quickly pack my bags. I can't stay here. There are too many memories. I decide to return to my mom's place. As I walk out everyone stares at me whispering I don't pay any attention to them.
Suddenly three blurs hit me and I stagger and tense before recognizing them and relaxing. It's Nico, Thalia and Reyna. I apologize to them for letting their siblings and friends get killed while they look at me like I'm crazy and say that it wasn't my fault despite that, I know deep down that it was. It was my fault if only I'd have been stronger, faster or better none of this would've happened. I then tell them of my decision they don't protest but agree on the condition that I'll keep them updated.
Then I say my farewells to the rest of them and Chiron. I know he is sad to see me go but I have seen too much. He bids me off with tears in his eyes. I leave and for once don't look back.
*Memory ends*
I stare at the punching bag in front of me imagining Gaea's face in front of it. I punch and kick with all my force and just within a few kicks and punches it goes flying off.
I sigh to myself and go for a swim. I tense up noticing the presence of people around me. Six, I'm guessing but I decide to leave it be for now. Like everyday head to the Valley of Heroes, a cemetery for the heroes who died during wars.
I silently touch the graves of the friends I have lost over the years. Silena, Beckendorf, Ethan, Lee, Luke and the rest. So many brave souls dead because of my mistakes.
I sigh making my way towards six graves. Piper, Jason, Leo, Frank, Hazel and my Wise Girl, Annabeth.
I place a flower in front of their graves and apologize for not being able to save them. Cautiously I tense as I feel two people approaching me. I extend my senses and can feel 4 other people. One has a godly aura. Anger courses through my veins as I think of my wish to be left alone.