Work Text:
Traitors Seek Power
The funniest thing about betrayal? You never see it coming. Not because the signs weren’t there. But because the one holding the knife. Is someone you had once turned your back to. So the pain is two fold, once for the initial blow that caused the physical or emotional wound. The second pain. That comes from seeing just who is holding the blade.
-Betrayal-
It was the final days leading up to the fight in the Acroppolis, something had been off. They had the plan with the Physician’s Cure set and ready to go. Hazel tricked everyone into thinking Piper had it when Leo swiped it. So he could cheat death by returning to Calypso. Something that personally both Hazel and Frank thought was stupid. Sure they were gonna go along with his plan, but in truth… neither Roman thought it was a good idea.
Why go back to a known rapist willingly? It didn’t make sense! She must’ve used some magic on the son of Hephaestus. Yet neither Roman spoke up as they weren’t too familiar with Calypso and whenever they had tried to talk to Leo he not only shut them down but insisted that it was the only way for the prophecy to pass without any of them actually dying.
The thing is though, prophecies involving death always come to pass, one way or another. You cannot cheat fate out of their pound of flesh.
“I don’t think he’s gonna get it Haze,” Frank whispered as they snuck to hide out in his bedroom on the Argo 2, since the others were elsewhere. Well Jason and Piper were on watch on the deck right now as they went through the air.
“But what can we do, he’s gonna risk all of our lives Frank,” Hazel hissed. She finally got her second chance at life and she didn’t want it stolen by some selfish Greek! Percy isn’t like this! By the gods Percy is someone who would’ve been against it the entire time if they more or less didn’t tell him until after they finally got the cure. Something that apparently Piper purposefully used her Charmspeak to force the god of medicine into making the cure. He didn’t want to, his immortality is tied to not making that cure!
“It’s not like we can take it from him, I mean we can, but what are we gonna do with it? I don’t wanna use the cure if I die in battle.” Frank tells her.
“Neither do I, it’s an honorable way to die and respectable for a demigod.” Hazel agreed with ease. It wasn’t just their Roman nature, both demigods understood what sacrifice was. Leo does not. Sacrifice means going and doing it even when you know you’ll die. Like Hazel did when she took down Alcyones before he could fully rise, or Frank when he was burning his life-stick during the quest to free death.
They accepted the consequences of their actions and what they could lead to. Leo? Leo just wants to get with, what is now, a child predator and call it romance.
“Then perhaps children of Rome, you should be asking yourselves. Are you willing to let Leo Valdez die, to ensure the Prophecy is completed and no one else can be lost?” Three voices spoke as one within the bedroom and turning the pair found three old ladies sitting on Frank’s bed! They were … knitting something with beautiful sea-green and golden colored thread. It was… oh Hazel couldn’t describe the feeling she got looking at the colors. Neither could Frank, it was like they were looking at something that was going to be more than the pair of them combined.
It took a minute for both demigods to register who these three ladies were! The Fatae! The Fates! The Morai to the Greek but they are the weavers of fate in the tapestry of life. Before they could bow the trio shook their heads. It wasn’t necessary.
“Just answer the question, young ones.”
Frank looked at Hazel and she back at him, they knew what the answer was. Sure it was cold especially since they’ve all bonded more or less during the entire trip. But ever since their grab for Nike/Fortuna. Leo and Piper became obsessed with cheating death. Like they could get a ‘perfect happy ending’ if they did things this way. But that’s not how life works. Let alone war. They know what the right thing to do is, not because of duty, but because in the end. Neither demigod wants to fight fate. They tried before and it killed or nearly killed them. Percy Jackson taught them to face fate with their heads held high.
Even if it means you might die.
“We would let him die,” Hazel whispers softly not knowing if anyone was around outside to hear them.
“To run from fate is to run from death, you can try but you’ll never win.” Frank agreed.
The trio nodded in approval.
“Good, now go and fetch the cure, but do not get rid of it. Someone is scheming and we do not like it. Ensure the cure remains on one of your bodies and use it when the time is right.” The Morai ordered.
Both Romans swallowed but nodded in consent to the order given. They don’t know what the weavers know, but whatever it is, they made a personal visit to question their faith. Still it wouldn’t take long to get the cure from Leo just before the fight on the Acropolis.
Hazel had it on her person, and Piper didn’t have it. Neither did Leo. These two children would learn why the fates hate to be cheated.
-Betrayal-
Percy whimpered as he curled up on his personal bunk on the Argo 2. Ever since the bullshit with Polybotes nearly killing him, he’s been getting sicker. HE wanted to see Ascelpius, aka the god of medicine, but noooo it had to be Leo, Piper, and Jason who got to go! So what, Piper had some spirit in her body, he did previously and apparently ‘he’s fine’ and ‘doesn’t need medical attention’. It’s a load of Minotaur shit!
Jason has had multiple head injuries, ok makes sense WHY HE should be checked out. But oh? Percy feels like crap from nearly dying of poison and he’s ‘all better now’ so he doesn’t need help. UGH! By Khaos Percy is tired of all the bullshit where apparently he gets hurt but no one gives a flying fuck! Jason wasn’t even fucking concerned when Percy admitted he was willing to die because of what he had to do to survive the pit!
He also overheard Annabeth and Piper’s conversation… how he needs to be put on a leash. He left before he heard more, but Gods he hates this! Why! Why couldn’t Hera use someone else? Anyone else! He’s tired of this.
He feels like no matter where he turns everyone is suddenly ready to stab him in the back. But … Why?
Why is he feeling this way?
He doesn’t feel like this with Hazel and Frank. Yet when he’s around Jason, Piper, Leo, or gods even his own girlfriend! He feels like they’re trying to… to undermine him or something?! For fucks sake, Leo yelled at him for ‘not keeping his promise’ to ‘free Calypso’! Does that fucking idiot not understand she’s a rapist?! That she-
Percy violently shook his head before he destroyed the plumbing again and got the asshole son of Hephaestus mad at him again. Honestly, how could people as amazing and nice as Beckendorf and Jake be related to someone so cold? Leo might have fire powers but he’s a seriously cold dude. Percy can’t even comprehend it. Leo can’t even take a joke at his own expense and pointedly bullied Frank because he was insecure. Lost memories or not Percy saw that clear as day.
Then you’ve got out of control McClean! Bitch uses her charmspeak to the point of insanity! Jason’s so wrapped up in it he probably can’t even tell what his own opinions are anymore! It’s why Percy can’t trust him, he’s too weak to the Aphrodite girl’s powers. And Piper? Piper doesn’t care who she hurts as long as she gets her way. He saw that with Bacchus back in Kansas. He and the god were exchanging classic barbs like friends, and she has the fucking balls to charmspeak a god?! She’s insane! Big fucking deal she ‘banished’ the Edilons. No she didn’t. The oath she crafted was weak as hell and easily could’ve been worked around. Whose to say those fuckers won’t come after them once the quest is over?!?!
She’s a stupid little girl that never should’ve been on this quest to begin with! She will get someone killed. Whether it’s her or one of their friends or anyone back at camp? Someone will die and he will blame her for it.
Heaving a sigh Percy’s thoughts moved onto the last person he can’t trust anymore.
His girlfriend.
Gods should he even call her that anymore? She-gods she tried to make him promise to never use his new powers. Powers that if he had at age 12 he could’ve survived his poison experiences much more easily! Extracted them and used them on his enemies! Khaos it would’ve been so much easier to have this power when fighting in the Battle of Manhattan! He could’ve used a mass paralytic on the enemy demigods and monsters and their forces couldn’t have been so decimated!
He saved their lives in the pit. Yet she believes she knows best on how he should be using his powers? She doesn’t even have the same powers he has, gods he doesn’t even know if Athena even bothers to give her kids powers to help them fight monsters. Since apparently according to ‘the oh so wise Annabeth’ all of Athena’s children are meant to be the best at battle strategy. Yet he’s seen Malcom and her other sisters all enjoy their hobbies and crafts, things Athena is also known for just because he’s not book smart doesn’t mean Percy can’t look shit up himself.
Percy frowned and thought about why their families kept fighting. And despite the love he has… quickly fading as it is… for Annabeth. He can’t keep this up anymore. She always claimed it was because of Athens and Medusa… but before he was kidnapped Percy asked Poseidon himself.
Dad explained it wasn’t the city itself, or the incident with Medusa, the pair of them enjoying intimacy was consented, but the location should’ve been different. It was something far more personal than a mere, and quite common for the time, contest to be a city’s patron god/goddess. The incident in question? Athena had killed her sister, Triton’s daughter, Poseidon’s granddaughter. They’ve long debated if it was murder or just an accident. Either way Athena killed Pallas and after that day she was banned from the sea and they couldn’t forgive her. Because she never took responsibility for her actions.
That is why their families hate each other.
Percy had wanted to confront Annabeth on it before he was kidnapped by Hera. Now? Feels stupid to ask. Not because he doesn’t believe she’ll tell him the truth, but because it feels pointless when she already believes she ‘knows’ what the truth is.
Besides… when this war is over… he’s going to take a break from Annabeth and from quests. He… he needs time to figure out who he is outside of the quests and the gods. And without his ‘amazing girlfriend’ more light a high maintenance rich kid who can’t comprehend that a nice date is just peaceful time spent together and with pure heart made into the effort of the date. He knows she won’t take the ‘wanting a break’ all that well given the… Judo Flip in front of the Romans which nearly sparked a fucking war! How someone is supposed to be ‘so wise’ and yet cannot read the room of a serious situation is beyond him.
Percy elected to scream into his pillow to vent his frustrations before calming down enough to have a clear head. The acropolis is where this is gonna take place. Hopefully they’ll survive long enough to hold back the giants while Nico, Renya, and Gleeson make it to Camp with the Parthenos.
-Betrayal-
The battle was intense, let alone the tension when Annabeth, Piper, and Percy found where Poseidon had struck the earth with his trident to craft the fountain. Percy flatout told the serpent/monster king that his people were stupid. An olive tree is instant gratification, a salt-water fountain would’ve made you think to understand how to use it. Especially since it could’ve been used for mass communication, distilling to make salt as a spice for food, let alone the raw divinity that came from said fountain could still be felt even millennia after it was removed. They took raw divine power and spat upon it. It’s pathetic.
Annabeth and Piper got mad at him for his opinion and he told both to shut it. He has a right to his own opinion on the matter, Poseidon being his dad or not, he can feel latent divine energy. If they can't then it’s just a skill issue. Still Annabeth mentioned ending their family’s feuds, and Percy said no.
“Sorry ‘Wise Girl’ but your mom killed my niece. Whether it was a genuine accident or a murder it doesn’t matter, she still killed a child of the sea and refused to admit her mistake. Her pride cost her the family that raised her. So until she admits fault she lives with her mistake, always.” Percy told her.
“What? I researched Athena. She never killed anyone from the sea, just some no-name nymph who wasn’t even a god!” Piper snapped at him.
“And your calloused bullshit is why I don’t even like or trust you McClean. You’re an arrogant child who never should’ve been on this quest to begin with.” He tells her.
“I have every right to be here, you uncontrollable monster!” Piper snaps at Percy. “Using poison to attack a goddess! You’re insane and should be put on a leash!”
“You’ve been nothing but a hindrance and deadweight to everyone here.” Percy snapped at her. “So what you’re using your voice, all it takes is a quick strike to your throat and you’re useless. You can’t even use the blade you have. You are not a frontline fighter. Aphrodite children do stealth assassination missions not fight on the front lines, those that do are of Aphrodite Areia, Aphrodite the Warlike. Of that, you don’t have that specific epitaph.”
“You know he’s not wrong,” The snake king added as he was out of the spell Piper used with her singing, because she got distracted. “Out of all of you the ones who were deemed the weakest links were the daughter of Aphrodite and daughter of Athena. Word travels fast when you’ve gained the attention of the Pit himself.”
“I survived his hellscape,” Annabeth snapped back.
“Hah! More like you hid behind and used the son of Poseidon to escape. You didn’t even have a weapon until meeting Damasen! And even when you had a weapon, you didn’t do anything helpful. You still relied on the son of Poseidon. You’re a parasite who latches onto others to take their glory for yourself.” The king countered. He, like many in Gaea’s army/allies, heard about what happened in the Pit. How the girl claimed she conquered/survived the primordial’s domain. When in truth she leeched off the true reason or rather person who survived the Pit. “You might’ve used trickery to make me help you. But it doesn’t matter. One way or another girls, your actions will catch up with you.” He smirked coldly. “I wonder how much your personal worlds will implode when that happens?”
“How much further to where we need to go?” Percy demanded.
“Not far.” He answered immediately and with respect to the son of Poseidon. While he and his people hate Athena for abandoning them to humans. Let alone didn’t approve of Poseidon due to the saltwater fountain. But this one? He earned the respect of the Pit himself. One should recognize power when they see it and respect it. Lest that power be used on them.
As for the two girls? They crave power, and would do anything to keep it.
-Betrayal-
After that disaster in the place where Poseidon’s fountain once stood, the trio made it up the Athens Acropolis and were hidden for now, but Percy and Annabeth were quickly found out. Their blood and ‘sacrifice’ would be used to awaken the earth mother, as long as a daughter of the gods and a son of the gods spilled blood on the ancient grounds, the ceremony would be complete.
Thankfully with Piper not found out, and Annabeth being the first on the chopping block, the daughter of Aphrodite worked quickly in tandem with their allies to launch a surprise attack. Without gods it would be nearly impossible to win, but as long as they survived and bought time. That’s all that would matter. So they fought long and hard, Percy took several bad hits but kept getting up, though his head hurt a lot when he was slammed into a column.
Annabeth took a nasty hit and ended up bleedingly badly from her leg, and obviously it spilled onto the earth. Not good. Now the guys had to be extra careful.
Thankfully though soon the gods arrived, Percy wasn’t sure when but they did and with them came the hope and the relief that Nico, Renya, and Gleeson arrived in time with the statue. The gods were united and no longer at war between the pantheons. Nike was no longer split between her two forms and helped the gods fight for victory against the giants.
Percy and his dad handled their own enemy while each member of the seven took care of the giants with their respective parents. It felt like they could win this thing without waking Gaea.
However, as he thought those words, someone noticed Percy was bleeding and a single drop from his nosebleed hit the dirt.
The earth shook violently.
Gaea had awoken.
“For fucks sake Jackson! Can you ever be useful?” Leo snapped at Percy. “First you didn't keep your promise to Calypso and now you woke up Gaea?!”
“Watch yer tongue boy.” Hephaestus snapped at his son. “Jackson has done more fer the Pantheon than any of you lot ever have.”
“But he left her-”
“What? He left behind a known and infamous rapist who uses her magic to force men to agree to what she wants? Not even caring if said ‘men’ are children?” Aphrodite demanded of the son of her husband.
“Plus Jackson only vouched for neutral titans or those who aren’t against Olympus. Not those who were against us. If they swore allegiance to us even if to avoid punishment we accepted as it meant they couldn’t join the next enemy of Olympus.” Ares or Mars… honestly hard to tell which he was being currently. “And that particular daughter of Atlas is far too loyal to the titans and their previous reign. She also would continue her actions she does on her island to any heroes sent her way. Only difference is she could force innocent people into being with her and assault who knows how many men and women just to get what she wanted.”
“So next time boy get yer facts straight before ye try defendin’ a monster with a pretty face.” Hephaestus chastised his son.
“But Percy-” Piper tried to defend her friend only to be snapped at by Apollo.
“Is suffering a severe concussion likely when he hit something hard at a fast speed.” Apollo said as he quickly healed Percy and ignored Annabeth who had a much more serious injury.
“Marble pillar by a giant,” Percy sighed as he was healed. “Thanks Apollo.”
“You’re welcome Percy, anything for the Hero of Olympus.” Apollo assured as Artemis smiled and handled doing basic healing for Annabeth as she wasn’t necessary given she fell quickly to an injury and caused the first half of the awakening to happen.
“What do you mean Hero of Olympus? That’s Annabeth not Percy.” Piper spoke up.
“Oh? And just who exactly is saying that?” Zeus spoke up and demanded his eyes cold and hard as he looked out over the female demigods in question.
“That would be my idiot daughter,” Aphrodite stated as she looked at Piper in pure disappointment. “It seems we have someone trying to steal the properly earned kleos of the Hero of Olympus.”
“Indeed,” Posiedon looked at Piper and Annabeth in barely disguised disgust at the pair of girls. “Tell me child of love, why do you claim that Athena’s girl is the Hero of Olympus? When that title belongs to my son.”
“Becuase she is! She’s the one who led the demigods to victory during the war!” Piper snapped back. Before she could say more she was silenced by her own mother.
“Enough! We do not have time for this, the Earth Mother has moved to attack the camp.” Zeus informed.
“And I take it you can’t help.” Percy asked sarcastically.
“We cannot, because someone decided to do the stupidest plan imaginable which led to another schism and left us defenseless during a war with an ancient enemy.” Zeus glared at his own wife. She tried to stand tall about her choices but he would not be swayed. “Your actions violated laws against the Hero of Olympus as well as multiple interpantheon laws we put in place to prevent any modern schisms.”
He then turned to Apollo who looked very scared.
“As for you my son, while your descendant got incredibly power hungry and greedy and was far too easily swayed by the Earth Mother’s words. That is not why I am mad at you. I am mad because you’ve been neglecting your duties for some time now. Specifically Prophecy Domain, let alone the many others which reflect how … poorly America is right now.” Zeus told his eldest son who winced. Yeah he’s in trouble. “We’ll go over your punishment once the war is done and the earth mother is put back to sleep. Hephaestus, how does the ship look?”
“My son did a lot of work on it, and it’s well made but I can see why it kept breaking so easily. Even now there’s no way it can get them back to America in time even with your most powerful tail winds.” The forge god informed his father.
“I was afraid you’d say that. Looks like I’ll have to slap you all back.” Zeus sighed. It’s not the safest way to travel but it is the fastest which is what they need.
“... Please tell me he’s joking,” Percy whispered to his dad.
“He is not, but it’s the fastest way back to Long Island and to the camp.” Poseidon assured.
“Joy,” Percy sighed as they got to work quickly to get onto the ship and strapped down. Once secured, Zeus grew into his largest form Percy’s ever seen and with one hell of a pitcher’s throw. Shot them at beyond break-neck speeds back to America.
Percy had a really weird feeling the entire time too.
Like… like something bad was gonna happen.
-Betrayal-
They landed in time… more or less landed… to help rally the Romans and the Greeks. Jason flew to Renya while Hazel and Frank flanked him. Percy landed with a crash into the lake but arose on a wave over to his fellow Greeks who cheered like their savior had arrived. Which… ok flattering… but at the same time. They have a primordial and her army to stop.
Jason and Renya called the Romans to arms and in a specific fighting form. But that’s not the Greek way.
“What’s up my bitches and bastards! Who's ready to remind these monsters why we survived the Battle of Manhattan?” Percy called out to the Greeks who roared at his words. “Alright Greeks! Let’s win this war!”
Ok, not his usual style of talking but ya know what? He wants his friends energized to decimate the enemy. And oooo decimate they did. Monster after monster went down to their blades and powers. Percy even began summoning a hurricane to prevent enemy arrows and thrown weapons from hitting the campers or Romans.
Yet that feeling he had before was getting worse.
Like something bad was gonna happen to him or someone he cared about.
He tried to ignore it as the battle was quickly turning into their favor. Until the primordial finally decided to show her earthen face. Piper, Jason, and Leo on the back of the newly reforged or rather fixed Festus, went up to fight the primordial goddess and lull her back to sleep.
With the trio doing that, even though Percy himself has storm god powers. He isn’t asked to help. Oh well. They wanna play heroes and potentially die. Fine. But he’s still gonna support from the ground. Percy did his best doing all he could to save demigods and legacies and nature spirits. He saw one of Apollo’s newest kids, a little girl named Grace, no older than 7. She was alone with a hellhound stalking towards her.
Percy reacted and went to protect her. He refused to let a little girl die today because she got caught up in this attack. He passed by Nico who was sending skeletons to help get the demigods and legacies back across the border and to safety. Frank and Hazel were working in tandem, using Arion to ferry kids into camp quickly. They were close to Grace but not close enough to handle the hellhound. Percy closed the distance, Riptide at the ready as he destroyed the monster only to gasp as something shot through his back and pierced his heart.
There was a scream… maybe more than one… an explosion… his body went down… why… why is … why is his vision going dark? Who… who shot him?
-Betrayal-
The Fates watched on nearby as things went into motion. Hephaestus’ boy was flying high into the sky with the earth mother now asleep planning to blow up her consciousness. It would work as he used the Greek fire mixed with his own divine blessed flames. His suicide plan would work. The only issue is that the part where he’d be revived on Calypso’s island… would not happen. Sure his oath was worded to return to Ogygia again… never said he’d have to be alive when returning.
If things had been progressing differently the trio would’ve humored Leo and let him go back. Likely taken Jason or Piper instead another day. However, things are not progressing in that way. Not since McClean and Chase contacted Chiron using a cellphone to the Hero Trainer’s personal cellular device. They told him a bastardized version of what happened within the Pit. Claiming Perseus was a danger and no different than the monsters of the immortal prison.
Conversation in Question:
“Are you two certain?” Chiron asked over the phone. “Are you positive that Perseus is becoming more monstrous and not-”
“I am sure Chiron! He almost killed a goddess! He’s out of control and I can’t keep him leashed anymore.” Annabeth whimpered, playing the victim oh so easily to the centaur.
“Annabeth I know you’re concerned, but such accusations are serious.” Chiron warned her. “If you’re wrong and the Hero of Olympus isn’t turning into a monster-”
“She’s not wrong!” Piper screeched to the centaur using charmspeak to shut him up. “Besides, she's actually a good person and not like that monster! Annabeth deserves to be the Hero of Olympus not Jackson!”
Chiron was quiet for a moment. “Alright, if you all make it back alive we can make it look like an accident. Maybe even friendly fire if the war is still going on against the Romans.”
Both girls sighed in relief. “Thank you Chiron, we’ll come back alive.” She assured him.
Call End
Because of their little ‘plan’ the fates had to intervene. Thankfully protecting the thread of an ascending god supersedes their divine headache with their roman counterparts. The fact Levesque and Zhang were loyal to Jackson made it easier to convince them of not messing with their tapestry. Fighting fate merely means they will collect another day and one that might be sooner than they think.
They watched as Chiron shot at Percy who saved Apollo’s youngest girl. The same moment Valdez finished his plan. The screaming came from Levesque as she ran to Jackson with Zhang providing cover. The son of Mars turned into a dragon and snapped at Chiron, breaking the horse’s legs in retaliation for his attack against Perseus. Levesque brought out the Physician’s Cure just as Atropos cut the life cord of their Hero. Thankfully, the girl was quick to administer the concoction within moments of Perseus breathing his last breath and little Grace quickly ripping the arrow out the back of the hero who saved her.
The potion went down his throat, the trio brought forth more thread and reconnected it. Perseus would live. He’ll be out of it for a while as that was a direct hit to his heart. The potion always works but it takes time to heal the injuries that lead to a person’s death.
“Medic! We need a Medic! Friendly Fire!” Levesque screeched which brought forth Apollo’s best healer child.
Solace ran over and began healing Perseus to speed up the process of the Cure his older brother the God of Medicine made. Chase tried to come over to ‘help’ only to be snapped at by Zhang and her leg broken by the Roman. She tried to call foul, only for the male Grace and Praetor Renya to arrive and demand answers.
“I saw it all!” DiAngelo called out. “Chiron shot Percy on purpose! It was friendly fire like Hazel said.”
“Liar!” Chase shrieked.
“The only liar here is you Chase,” La Rue snapped back. “Turns out while you were done the Head Councilors did some work, Ms Trojan Horse.” She spat at the girl.
“You lied to the campers all new from after the war trying to push your narrative and tried to steal Percy kleos.” Rodriquez snapped.
“You even tried to force Chiron to do your dirty work!” Tanaka snapped out. “I was in the infirmity when he got that mysterious phone call. Turns out when his favorite has a cellphone he gets one so she has a direct line always to him,” She spat out. “I heard the charmspeak Piper did. I heard how you both lied about Percy turning into a monster. It’s disgusting, you never deserved him Chase. He was too good for a spoiled bitch like you.”
“I AM THE REASON HE IS A HERO! I CREATED HIM! I CRAFTED HIM INTO THE PERFECT WEAPON! ME! I DESERVE HIS KLEOS AND HIS OBEDIENCE!” Annabeth shrieked out. Unfortunately for her the gods had been listening in. So it also means they saw and heard what came next.
“She’s not wrong!” Piper yelled out to the large group using charmspeak to shut them up. “Besides, she's actually a good person and not like that monster! Annabeth deserves to be the Hero of Olympus not Jackson!”
“Is that so Piper McClean/Annabeth Chase?” The booming voice or rather voices of several gods echoed out over the hillside. Any remaining monsters ran for their lives. The deities appeared and did not look pleased as they glared at the girls who attempted to murder their Hero.
Apollo and Asclepius were quickly helping Solace tend to Jackson. Poseidon and his brothers stood over the traitor brats as their sisters tied down and gagged Chiron.
“Who are you? To decide whom we give the title of Hero of Olympus to.” Zeus demanded of the girls.
“Who are you? To call my son a monster for surviving a place mortals are not meant to survive.” Poseidon glared and was ready to smite the pair.
“Who are you? To call the hero of the gods a weapon ‘you created’. He was forged by his own experiences, not because of you. You did not teach him any of his fighting styles nor did you teach him any form of battle strategy. All of his ideas were his own to fix your pathetic plans.” Hades snarled. Reminding them all that Perseus didn’t need Annabeth. She needed him.
“You can’t hurt me.” Chase smirked like she had an ‘special armor’ that protects her from their wrath.
“Oh? And why is that kleos stealer?” Demeter demanded looking at Annabeth as if she was nothing more than a piece of garbage in her wheat fields.
“You hurt me, you hurt Percy.” She smirked as if she didn’t already lose him the moment she decided to betray him for her own gain.
“Don’t sound so certain Chase,” Jackson spoke up as he was sat up by the two male healing gods.
The Fates smile and watch on as the campers and gods had rounded on the traitors. What a wonderful sight, and oh Perseus was awake the whole time? Now that’s going to be an interesting thing to see.
-Betrayal-
The brief moment Percy was with Thanatos the god of death merely waited over his dead body, Leo was with him. The Latino boy was confused as he should’ve been going back to his body which should be with Calypso. Percy was just trying to process what was going on.
“You won’t be going anywhere, Perseus. The ladies three have decided you will be revived and not Hephaestus' son.” Thanatos assures.
“What! But my promise-“ Leo snapped, not looking happy about this.
“Will be kept by your dead body. You won’t be allowed to return. Calypso used you to try and escape the island.” Thanatos told him. “Something that isn’t just against her punishment but against the weave of the fates themselves.”
“Then why does Jackson get to go back?” Leo demanded as Percy watched the latino arguing with the god of death.
“Because an ascending godling is more important to our pantheon than some lovesick fool who cannot tell when he’s being manipulated by magic.” Thanatos replies, usually he’s calm but he isn’t pleased with the son of Hephaestus and his blatant bullying to the Hero of Olympus.
“I’m not even gonna ask on that,” Percy spoke up finally as he felt his soul returning down to his body as the cure did its work. With some extra help healing his body from the hands of Will, and then eventually Apollo and Ascelpius.
He heard the words of Annabeth calling him a weapon she forged, how Drew overheard the call with Chiron to Annabeth and Piper and the pair using the hero trainer to kill Percy. All because he ‘couldn’t be controlled’ anymore. Piper even claimed he didn’t deserve his title?
His dad and uncles were right! Who the hell do these two think they are?! They’re two power hungry girls who cannot fathom that their betrayal hasn’t just hurt him. It’s affected both camps! Percy is a general for the Greeks and briefly a praetor for the Romans! He has positions of authority and they think just murdering him would ‘automatically’ give them power or some shit? That it ‘automatically’ gave them his kleos?! No. No it doesn’t.
“Don’t sound so certain Chase,” Pefrcy spoke up as he was sat up by the trio of healers around him. “After all, I had already planned to break up with you once the war was over. I’m done with your twoface bullshit.”
“Yeah right, you need me Seaweed Brain,” She snapped back easily in denial.
“No. I don’t. Both times in my life when I was without you on quests not only did I do fine. I succeeded with a lot less headache and bullshit to deal with.” He countered whatever feeling he had left for her had died upon his rebirth. “You’re not a good partner, nor a good quest partner as your desire for kleos is disgusting, and also you’ve never been a good friend.”
“How dare you!” She shrieked but couldn’t get close thanks to Frank covering him still. Well, that and Nico summoned skeletons to hold her down since she first flinched to move towards Percy. “You would’ve died without me!”
“That’s funny, cause I’m pretty sure I just died because of you.” Percy snapped back but his eyes were hollow. He was done. “Do what you want to her. I’m done protecting her.”
The gods grinned viciously. As if they finally could get rid of an annoying thorn in their sides. Oh well, whatever they do it isn’t Percy’s concern anymore. He isn’t Annabeth’s keeper now. She made a mess. She can get out of it on her own.