Chapter 18
Percy POV
I vapour travel to Camp desperately trying to control my emotions and mind, being ADHD does not help at all. I reach the boundaries and pet Peleus on my way in. I quickly stride across Camp grounds greeting campers on the way, they don't try to stop and talk clearly noticing I'm in a hurry. But I can see that they're glad to see me back it calms me in a way.
I quickly reach the Big House and head in, Chiron is sitting in his wheelchair form. I'm glad to see that Mr.D is nowhere to be seen. Chiron looks up startled but his face breaks out in a smile when he sees me and I can't stop a smile forming across my face too.
"Hello Percy, you're back soon." Chiron greeted.
"Hey Chiron, yeah, something's happening, again." I replied as I dropped into a chair near him.
Chiron gave me a soft look saying, "It's alright Percy, what's happening?"
I look up and start, "I just received a message from Thalia, she says that monster attacks have become more frequent and that their numbers are increasing as well. Just today there was an attack in Central Park and it was huge. Me and Thalia both thinking that there is something huge coming, and I have my strong suspicion about who is rising and if, if I'm right then we're doomed."
Chiron looks troubled, "I fear you're right Percy, even my brothers have informed me that there are more attacks, Mr.D has been called to Olympus once again. Tell me your suspicion Percy."
I take a deep breath, "Well, I think it's-"
Suddenly Travis runs in, I shoot him an annoyed look but he pants, "Rachel's giving a prophecy, hurry up."
I look at Chiron, dread already filling me up nevertheless I follow both of them to Rachel near the campfire. She is just spouting the prophecy when I make my way to the front.
Green smoke envelops her as the ancient voice says,
"A Titan slayed wakes, backed by revenge,
Weapon of a defeated deity wielded by the great hero,
A single choice to decide the world's fate
The son of Poseidon shall pick his own way, for none does him great."
There is a stunned silence filling the area as everyone turns to look at me. I can feel myself on the verge of panic as everyone looks at me pity in their eyes. Suddenly a girl's voice shouts, "Stop. Stop looking at him with pity, he is not going to die."
I feel a hand around my shoulders leading me away from the stares of the campers. I take a deep breaths reining in my panic and turning my head slightly to look at my saviour.
To my surprise it's Clarisse. She notices me looking and at my shocked expression laughs out, "What punk? You're my friend and you are not dying. Not on my watch."
I smile at her sadly, "Don't make promises you can't keep Clarisse, I'm at peace with dying. I don't mind dying as long as the ones I care about are safe." It must've been the wrong thing to say as she stops abruptly and grips my shoulders tightly, turning me around.
"You listen to me Jackson. You're not dying on me, I can't see you dying too, Jackson." Her eyes look glassy and a tear silently slips out. I don't acknowledge it instead gathering her in a hug. She resists it at first but then hugs me back just as tightly.
I whisper softly, "I'll try not to die."
She pulls away giving me a stern look, "You had better not, Jackson." We both pull away when I hear Thalia yelling my name. We both chuckle at her loudness and I squeeze her shoulder once before parting ways.
I reach Thalia shouting, "Hey cuz, ready to save the world again?" I try to keep my tone light and fake some enthusiasm but it obviously doesn't come out that way because she just gives me a hard look before tackling me in a hug.
I can feel wetness on my shoulders, although I'm shocked I don't say anything instead choosing to rub her back in a vain effort to sooth her.
"Why's it always you Percy? Looks like you can't catch a break." Thalia tries to joke but like me her voice wavers. I pull away leading her to Hestia's cabin. Her cabin is always warm and makes me feel better. I don't want to go in mine, too many memories.
I open the door and step inside instantly relaxing, I can see Thalia relax too. We sit there drinking the silence for a while before Nico appears.
"Hey Death Breath." Thalia and I greet. Nico nods back but it's clear his mind is on other things.
"So I heard. What's the prophecy?" I don't want to tell but there's no point in hiding it from them, they'll get it out of me anyways so I recite,
"A Titan slayed wakes, backed by revenge,
Weapon of a defeated deity wielded by the great hero,
A single choice to decide the world's fate
The son of Poseidon shall pick his own way, for none does him great."
"Huh. So it's clear that it's about you at least." Nico states.
"Oh joy. Another poem of my death." I reply sarcastically.
Nico narrows his eyes at me but doesn't say anything. Thalia who'd been unnaturally quiet says, "So the hero here is definitely Percy, but who's the Titan? You've defeated a lot of them over the years."
I think hard and I think I know, but I'm afraid to say luckily at that moment Katie pokes her head in saying, "C'mon guys conference room."
I sigh and we follow her, none of us say a thing. When we reach in everyone immediately looks at me then looks away again. I sigh for what feels like the 100th time that day before dropping into an empty seat beside Clarisse with Thalia to my left and Nico to her left.
Chiron begins immediately, "So we already know who the prophecy refers to," everyone once again turns to look at me. I sink into my seat avoiding everybody's eyes, Thalia and Clarisse both place protective hands around my shoulders.
"Who is the Titan then, any idea?" We look at each other uneasily before I decide to speak up,
"I think it's Kronos," before anyone can interrupt I continue, "It makes sense, his essence was scattered, the rest of them are reforming again bit by bit but it will take them a long time to. Don't ask me how I know. He's backed by revenge, this can mean either the monsters who were defeated or Gaea but Gaea won't wake for a lot of centuries at least, and I also have another one."
Everyone looks shocked before Nico says, "That does make sense actually." Uneasily everyone nods. Chiron looks at me asking, "And who is you last suspicion?"
I take a deep breath, scrunching my eyes shut for a moment, pushing back the memories, his evil laughter, and the screams out of my head. Another deep breath and I reply, "The Pit, Tartarus." I whisper the last part and yet it sounds too loud. There is a deafening silence around the room.
It is shattered when suddenly everyone starts making noises of disbelief.
"No it's not possible, how will he even form a body?" There's a chorus of agreements. It's getting louder and louder with everyone yelling and Chiron trying to quiet them. I can feel a headache building finally I can't take it.
I stand up and harshly yell, "Shut up everyone." Instantly the silence returns I slowly sit down and start talking, "He can take a human form, do not argue I've seen it. He wants revenge, we killed his wife and Annabeth and I managed to escape him."
Nobody dares to interrupt me but one stupid person yells, "How do we know you're not lying and that you aren't on the other side, with them. How do you know all this about Titans then?"
All of my friends immediately glare at the boy, even Chiron. Thalia has electricity cackling around her fingers. I shoot them all a look, saying let me handle this.
I turn to the boy and give out a bitter laugh, "I've lead to wars, I've watched countless friends die, I watched the love of my life die, killed by Gaea. After that I ripped Gaea apart piece by piece. Does that confirm my loyalty? Oh wait, you know what I'll just show you," I pull of my t-shirt and there are audible gasps around the room, "You see this scars, I've been through literal Hell, James, See this brands on me, they're the marks of whoever has tortured me in Hell, and yes that includes Tartarus. He tortured me in human form. I've killed all the Titans and watched them reform. That's how I know they're reforming."
I look around the room, daring anyone to contradict me, no one does. Most of them including my friends have tears in their eyes. I look James in the eyes saying, "I hope you're happy that I proved my loyalty, now excuse me. I'll come back tomorrow."
I grab my shirt before anyone can stop me I give a quick nod to Chiron before leaving, he nods back although I can see the sadness in his eyes. Thalia suddenly latches onto my arm when we're outside saying, "You know Chiron is going to ask us right? Do you want me to not tell or-?"
I reply, "Tell him everything and if Clarisse asks tell her too. Just tell them to not mention it to everyone. I'm going now. Don't follow me I'll be back tomorrow."
With that I vapour travel away, to the only place I can at least feel a little closer to Annabeth. I sit there for some time. I check my watch noticing that it's 2 am now and head back to the tower.
I appear back in the tower, in the living room scaring the crap out of Tony who's sitting there staring at the TV which has some random movie playing.
"Hey Perce." He greets, I'm thankful that he doesn't ask anything else, I'm not sure I could answer right now.
"Hey." I reply, my voice is still tight, Tony looks over with concern but I shake my head. He gets the message and instead he gets up heading to the kitchen. I hear him pottering around and a few minutes later he returns with two cups in his hands.
He silently hands one to me. I take it and see that it's hot chocolate. My eyes start tearing up, and suddenly I'm really glad that I have someone who'll understand that I just need to be assured. I place the cup down for a moment, Tony looks at me questioningly instead of saying anything I squeeze him in a tight hug. He stiffens at first but then wraps his arms around me tightly not pulling away.
It feels good to be comforted for once and sigh in content as Tony pulls me to his chest running a hand through my hair and humming softly, "Good night kid, sleep. I'll be right here." The effect of his hand running through my hair, the soft sound of humming and the exhaustion from the day lulls me into sleep.