After capturing the flag and revealing that Percy's father is Poseidon. The camp got a bit colder. The next morning after Friday, Percy was moved to the Poseidon cabin, leaving me alone. Also, the other campers avoid Percy like the plague. They were talking behind his back about the hellhound incident. I could hear from their tone that they were scared.
And they chalked it up to since, Percy, being the son of a powerful god, their stench attracts even more monsters than the average demigod. The only ones that are still hanging out with him are me, Luke, Grover and, surprisingly, Annabeth, who is giving one-on-one Ancient Greek lessons. Even Clarisse and the Ares campers are steering clear away from him, though I could see Clarisse shooting him a dirty look from time to time. He told me one morning that he'd preferred to be hated than ignored. And I could understand that.
I felt bad for Percy; he was getting used to camp. He was slowly regaining his groove after Sally's unfortunate passing, but now he was isolated and treated like an outsider. Like me. While I empathized with Percy, there is nothing I can do or help him, aside from being his friend. As for me, since Saturday is full of free time, I spent half of the day training.
I can accomplish a hundred pushups, sit-ups, squats and other hard workouts far more easily now. At least I wasn't sounding like a dying raccoon when I finished it. Luke told me that because of the healing waters of the lake and forcing me to compete against half-bloods skyrockets my progress. The water cuts the time for healing my muscles, and my motivation makes me focus on getting stronger. And I felt great, I took immense pride in beating two Ares campers by myself.
Granted, I may have played dirty, and in a usual straight-up fight, I would lose badly. But I definitely feel myself improving. Still, remembering the campers in my team looking at Luke like a hero, the quiet reverence for Percy. It stirred jealousy within me. I know I should be happy for Luke and take pride in what I've done, but it still couldn't hurt to be recognized.
Still, it motivated me to train even harder. Luke was busy training Percy one-on-one so I'm left to my own devices, training physically by swinging my swords at an invisible enemy, basic workout, using weights and then running around. Training for seven hours straight, every hour, with a ten-minute break. By the time I was in my seventh hour, I was starving and my muscles felt like jelly, and I was seeing two.
I dragged myself to bathe in the healing water, to let myself heal my injured muscle. I stayed there for about an hour. By the time I left, I was already feeling better, granted my body still feels like it weighs a ton, but I don't feel like my bones are melting. I went to the workshop to make more daggers, and Beckendorf was there to help me make blueprints for a new weapon I could use. While my gladius really helped me out, it really doesn't feel right for me.
So I was trying to brainstorm ideas and make concepts about a new weapon. The problem is that I wanted to have a magical weapon, using metal like celestial bronze. After all, while my gladius can be used decently against a demigod, as they are still half-human, the problem is that monsters can only be killed using magical weapons. But unfortunately, I can't because mortals aren't worthy or not important enough to touch my human hands. Which is bullcrap, now, I don't have a feasible option to defend myself against monsters.
It was annoying, but I kept brainstorming in my hand as I grabbed the hammer and brought it down upon a heated sword. Then I had dinner, eating with Luke as Percy is forced to sit at his own table, and I'm not allowed to sit at any other table other than my own cabin. Which doesn't sound like good team building or friendship. After dinner, Percy wordlessly hands me a paper before stomping away.
It was a newsletter:
BOYS AND MOTHER STILL MISSING AFTER FREAK CAR ACCIDENT
By Eileen Smythe
Sally Jackson, her son, Percy, and orphan boy Clay Brandon remain missing one week after their mysterious disappearance. Their family's badly burned '78 Camaro was found last Saturday on a rural North Long Island road, its roof torn off and its front axle broken. According to investigators, the car had flipped, skidded several hundred feet, and then exploded.
The Jacksons brought along Clay Brandon, who is a close friend of Percy Jackson, to a weekend vacation to Montauk but reportedly left in a hurry under unknown circumstances. Small traces of blood were discovered inside the car and at the crash site, but there were no other signs of the missing women and children. Residents in the area reported seeing nothing unusual at the time of the incident.
Ms. Jackson's husband, Gabe Ugliano, stated that his stepson, Percy Jackson, is a troubled child who has been expelled from multiple boarding schools and has shown violent tendencies in the past. Not only that, Clay Brandon is said to be a bad thug who causes trouble at school and is a bad influence on Percy.
Police have not confirmed whether Percy Jackson or Clay Brandon is considered a suspect in Mrs Jackson's disappearance, but investigators say they have not ruled out the possibility of foul play. Below are the most recent photos of Sally Jackson, Percy Jackson. Unfortunately, we couldn't recover any recent photos of Clay Brandon, as the orphanage he was staying in misplaced his file and photos. Authorities urge anyone with information to contact the toll-free crime-stoppers hotline.
Oh, it seems the piggy misses his wife. Probably because he can't do crap without relying on Sally. What a rude little fat idiot, I wished the minotaur had gotten him instead of Sally. Still, this means Percy and I have to lie low. While we didn't do anything, it would be hard to explain without sounding completely crazy.
And I have no doubt the piggy would do his best to make us look bad. So until this whole mess is over, Percy and I have to stick by camp. I ripped the paper as I wanted nothing more but to break Ugliano's nose.
***
The day after, I was once again training alone, just finishing my hundred sit-ups when I spotted Grover and Percy walking to me.
"Hey," I say with a heavy breath.
"Hey," Percy responds.
"Mr. D wants you and Percy to the big house," Grover said with a nervous tone.
I wiped the sweat on my face and asked, "What for? I don't mind, but I didn't do anything wrong."
"No, nothing wrong, it's just that Chiron insisted that your presence is needed."
Percy, next to him, shrugged. Obviously, not knowing why he's getting summoned either. We walked to the big house in awkward silence. On the porch, Mr. D sat at a pinochle table, still in his questionable deadbeat dad fashion sense. Chiron was sitting in his fake wheelchair, looking at us with a weary expression.
"Oh, you've finally come, Peter Johnson and you brought your sidekick: Caleb Brandy."
"It's Percy Jackson and Clay Brandon, sir." Percy corrected with pursed lips, barely keeping his annoyed tone out of his words.
"That's what I said, didn't I?" Said Mr. D. "Bah! It doesn't matter. If I had my way, I would cause your molecules to erupt in flames. We'd sweep up the ashes and be done with a lot of trouble. But Chiron seems to feel this would be against my mission at this cursed camp: to keep you little brats safe from harm."
"Spontaneous combustion is a form of harm, Mr. D," Chiron said in a polite but hard tone.
"Nonsense," Dionysus said. "Boy wouldn't feel a thing. Nevertheless, I've agreed to restrain myself. I'm thinking of turning you into a dolphin instead, sending you back to your father."
"Mr. D—" Chiron warned.
"Yes, yes." Mr. D rolled his eyes. "I'm jesting...for the most part."
He gets up, stretching. "Well, I must be off to Olympus for the emergency meeting. If the boy is still here when I get back, I'll turn him into an Atlantic bottlenose. Do you understand? And Perseus Jackson, if you're at all smart, you'll see that's a much more sensible choice than what Chiron feels you must do."
He then looks at me. "Oh, and do keep your human pet on a leash."
I frowned, but didn't say anything. I knew better than to speak my mind. Besides, it should be reversed, the number of times I get in trouble because Percy can't help himself talking slick back, and both of us getting in trouble. Mr. D snapped his fingers; one second he was ethereal like a hologram before vanishing completely. Leaving only a faint scent of grapes.
"Okay, what's going on here?"
"Patience, Clay," Chiron said, giving us a tired smile. "I'll explain everything."
Percy and I looked at each other. Grover, on the other hand, shifted uncomfortably. We sat on a couple of plastic chairs and waited for Chiron to tell us what was going on.
"Percy...what do you make of the hellhound?"
I could see Percy shudder in the corner of my eye, and I don't blame him. With just a single swipe from that thing, it sent me flying like a pebble.
"It scared me." He said, surprising me, that he was so honest about it. "I probably would have been dead if you hadn't used your arrows to stop it."
"You'll meet worse, Percy. Far worse, before you're done."
"Done... with what?"
"Your quest, of course. Will you accept it?"
"Can we have the details first?" I asked.
"Indeed, the hardest part about this..." Chiron cleared his throat. "As if you two may have noticed that ever since last Christmas, the weather has been unpleasant. Do you know why that is?"
Percy shook his head. I scratched my chin, and suddenly it hit me.
"Some gods are fighting."
Percy's eyes widened. "Zeus and my...father."
"Correct."
"They are fighting something valuable, aren't they?"
Chiron, Grover and I blinked in surprise. I raised a brow at my friend and crossed my arms, "How did you end up in that conclusion?"
Percy rubs his hair, a little embarrassed, then he looks tense as he explains it. "Ever since Christmas... everything's been off. Annabeth overheard something about a theft. And I've been having these dreams..."
Grover practically vibrated where he sat. "I knew it!" he blurted.
Chiron shot him a stern look. "Calm yourself, young satyr."
But Grover just shook his head like a puppy refusing to sit. "It has to be his quest! It has to!"
Chiron exhaled slowly, rubbing his beard the way he does when he's thinking hard. "That isn't for us to declare. Only the Oracle can name a hero's quest."
Then he turned to Percy—dead serious, and kind of sad.
"But Percy... you're right to be worried. Your father and Zeus are in the middle of their worst fight in centuries. Something incredibly important was stolen. Something powerful enough to start a war. A lightning bolt."
"A lightning bolt?" I frowned. "Can't Zeus make more, being the god of lightning and everything?"
Chiron shakes his head. "Thin,k Clay, what would be so valuable to Zeus that he would start a war. It's not just a lightning bolt."
My face scrunched up as I tried to sort through my memories of learning Greek myth. I remember vaguely how Zeus and his siblings beat the Titans thanks to the help of their powerful weapons. When it hit me, my mouth dropped agape.
"The masterbolt is missing!?"
"Stolen, but you are correct. The masterbolt, the symbol of his power, the same kind of firepower that makes even the most powerful nukes look like firecrackers by comparison."
Percy was awed. "Who could have stolen it?"
"That's the question, isn't it. But according to Zeus, the lightning thief is you, Perseus Jackson."
Percy's mouth fell open, and I was too. Percy, stealing the masterbolt? It sounded like a terrible movie comedy idea. Percy is anything but a thief. Maybe if Hobofi is involved, then yeah, it might be her. But Percy Jackson?
He's not even slick enough to sneak out of the dorms to grab some snacks in the cafeteria!
Chiron leaned forward. "During the winter solstice, at the last council of the gods, Zeus and Poseidon argued again—petty things, old grudges. But afterward, Zeus discovered the bolt was gone. Taken right from the throne room."
I even felt my stomach drop at that.
"He can't believe another god stole it outright," Chiron said. "That's forbidden. So Zeus thinks Poseidon convinced a mortal hero to do it. And now... Poseidon has claimed you as his son, Percy. You were in New York during the holidays. You could have reached the Empire State Building. Olympus."
Percy's face went pale. "But I didn't—"
Percy cut himself off, paler than a sheet. I quickly opened my mouth to his defence.
"Whoa, isn't he jumping the gun a bit?" I say with a tiny, frantic panic tone in my voice. "We can clear Percy's name easily, with you, Grover and me, we could tell them that Percy-"
"Clay, while your reason is sound. Unfortunately, when the lord of the skies gets worked up, he becomes-"
"A dummy?" I growled out.
I heard thunder rumble from a distance, but I didn't care. Zeus was accusing my friend of a crime he didn't commit and wouldn't listen to his alibi. I was angry, perhaps hearing about Thalia's story and now Zeus...wait, that thunder struck when we were driving back to camp. That...little. I grit my teeth and clench my fists.
He was the reason our car crashed; if he hadn't struck the car, maybe Sally would still be alive and safe.
"Er-Clay, I think you should calm down. While I understand being a little heated, calling Zeus that isn't going to help Percy." Said a nervous Grover.
Chiron nods. I wanted to lash out and scream that I can call thunder fart whatever I want. But I stopped myself. They're right, getting mad won't do anything but hurt Percy's case. I took a deep breath and forced my anger to the back of my mind.
"While I do agree, Zeus is being a little unreasonable currently, Poseidon did try to unseat his throne once."
"Oh yeah, right." Percy chimed. "Something about a golden net?"
"Yes, Poseidon, along with a few other gods, trapped Zeus and wouldn't let him out until he became a better ruler. This, however, made Zeus never trust Poseidon. Poseidon denies stealing the master bolt. He took great offence at the accusation. The two have argued for months, threatening war, and you've come the proverbial last straw."
Percy threw his hands up, face full of panic and disbelief. "But I'm just a kid!"
Grover leaned forward, hooves tapping anxiously. "Percy, if you were Zeus, and you thought your brother was already plotting to overthrow you, and then he suddenly admits he broke the sacred oath after World War II and fathered a super-powerful kid, wouldn't that make you paranoid?"
A super-powerful kid who can't even pass algebra. But while I wanted to deny it, Grover is right, I would be paranoid, still, it doesn't change the fact that Zeus is ignoring a large amount of context!
Percy groaned. "But I didn't do anything! Dad—Poseidon—he didn't actually steal this master bolt, did he?"
"Most reasonable observers agree that thievery is not Poseidon's style. But the Sea God is far too proud to try convincing Zeus of that."
I crossed my arms. "So we're dealing with god-level pride issues. That's always great for world stability."
Chiron continued, "Zeus demands the bolt be returned by the summer solstice—ten days from now. Poseidon demands an apology by the same date."
Ten days. My stomach twisted. Even I could tell that was a disaster timer.
"I hoped diplomacy might prevail," Chiron said sadly. "But your arrival has inflamed Zeus's temper. Now neither god will back down."
Grover swallowed hard. Percy looked like he wanted to faint.
Me? I wanted to get a snack and pretend I wasn't hearing any of this.
"Unless someone intervenes," Chiron said, "and the master bolt is returned to Zeus before the solstice... There will be war."
I gulped, my hands feeling clammy and sweaty. "How bad would it be?"
"Imagine nature at war with itself," he said. "Olympians forced to choose sides. Destruction, carnage, millions dead. Western civilization becomes a battleground so massive it makes the Trojan War look like a water-balloon fight."
Chiron looks at Percy with a sombre, yet serious expression. "And you, Percy Jackson, will be the first to feel his wrath. And since Zeus has a history of being petty, you might also be reduced to cinders, Clay Brandon."
Percy and I froze, our hearts hammering. I knew something big was happening in the background, but I didn't expect it might just lead to the end of the world.