That was... curious. If my dad hadn't given the pearls to the Hephestus cabin, then who did. Maybe that would be a mystery to discover later on another day. We continued our talks after that although not for long because Zeus, judging by the thunderclouds appearing, was getting increasingly annoyed by my presence.
Death to the sea-spawn, I guess.
I had asked him if he could visit Mom and me sometimes but apparently the ancient laws were pretty clear about that not being allowed. Though dad did mention that he liked fishing and surfing so I guess I had two new hobbies to try out. Olympus knows I will need those if what those strings of fate were showing me actually came to pass.
The return to camp was quick, not only because I picked up that armored car of mine and literally ran over any monster trying to get between Grover, me and camp. I think one of those monsters was an emposa or whatever they are called. I didn't care. They all died under my cars wheels anyway. Though there was this one weird thing, looking like a little goblin with weird monochrome colour's that somehow survived the initial run over. So instead of continuing forward I slowed down, put the car in reverse and ran that thing over again. Somehow through whatever magic it could do it survived that aswell so I stepped out, bound with a rope I had lieing around and dragged it behind us while I continued to drive toward camp.
What can I say, I was done for this summer. No more playing nice with people playing dumb. By the time we arrived at the camp boarder, Grover was throughoutly scared of my driving style, that thing in the rope gone and my patience went with it. I just wanted to enter Camp, detransform Annabeth, maybe put a small curse on Luke and then get to bed. Mysteries and more could wait for another day.
But as much as I wanted to do those things, camp disagreed.
As soon as we entered, with a very confused and groggy Annabeth by our side, the campers erupted in cheers. It was like they had planned a suprise party. Everyone asked us about what happend, what monsters we faced and how we survived the underworld. By the time I was finally, or atleast almost alone, everyone but me and Clarisse.
"So, what really happend? Ethan and I had a few talks while you were gone and I don't think you would have left those lotus eaters alone as easily as you made them believe." she said.
I got curious and also very cautious. I know I trust Ethan and the others a lot but I still needed to know what he had told her first.
"What did you two talk about?"
"Why do you care?" she replied.
"Because that might change how I answer you."
Clarisse thought for a minute. Then gave me the quick breakdown.
"Mostly about how protective you are about people, mostly other children and how you rescued Ethan and some other campers from a kidnapping. Though he didn't tell me much about what happend to those kidnappers. If you ever find them, let me have a piece of them. No one hurts my family."
So that was what they spoke of. Though it seems that Ethan still kept my more bothersome secrets to himself.
" Dead." I said and before Clarisse could react I continued with:" Both the lotus eaters and the kidnappers."
She leaned back. Curiosity and relieve visible on her face.
"Well, damn. I suppose I didn't know you Had it in your."
"Yeah."
"Anything else i should know?"
"Probably..."
"But you don't know what?"
"Right on target."
Silence was the only answer I got. Then it was followed by her leaving rather suddenly.
"We'll talk some more tomorrow. It's already late. See you tomorrow." she said as she walked towards her cabin.
I spend a few more minutes by the fire until, suddenly, the strings of fate stired. I saw Luke sneaking out of cabin 11 and approach me from behind and stabbing his sword through my back. Then suddenly, I heard a twig somewhere in the path behind me break. I stood up slowly, allowing my blood to flow back into my legs as i began to move forward, carefully monitoring Luke as he silently followed me. The strings hummed with certainty. Every step I took, regardless of how carefully I chose, led me right into the sword pointing at my back. I knew I wouldn't escape Luke today. Flashes of the future showed themselves in rapid succession as I determined the optimal outcome. What would allow me to survive a fatal stabwound without revealing my secrets to Luke? I couldn't defend myself as that would show that i knew he was there but i also couldn't allow hin to actually kill me as it would reveal my semi-immortality. So, since i couldn't dodge or block it, why not just get stabbed and pretend my body was slightly different by telling the medics later on? I mean, why not use my fathers titles as an excuse. Most people probably wouldn't even blick and just accept it as a "Percy Jackson-Thing".
The strings hummed in agreement and I suddenly knew what to do. Silently I begann to chant. Using Magic to overlay an Illusion of my real body, one that easnt Just visible but also audible. It supressed my continued chanting as I slowly called onto my base-evolution. My hearth not only chanting position but two more joining its thrum in my chest. My spine changed, becoming stronger and more resistent to damage.A small, secondary brain formed within a folded space, protected by my spine.
My lungs changed aswell. I nolonger needed them to work on full capacity to remain alive. It would be fine even If someone were to take out 1,5 of both of my lung. My demonic and cursed bloodlines allowing for increased healing while also combining their effects with the elven side of mine to Increased my ability to survive harsh injuries and ensure my eventual and quick recovery.
My titles, such as the Sovereign of the Undead protecting me by essentially turning me into an undead. Well, thats as much as i can prepare for being stabbed. But hey, as Long as Luke doesn't know about half of the stuff i'm doing right now, he won't be able to send me into an rarely death.
Almost as soon as I came to a stop, Luke lunged. His sword first piercing through my skin, then being redirected once it hit my spine, making the blade tear through my left lung before exiting out of my chest between my ribs.
Blood splattered as Luke stood over me, looking down with distain in his eyes.
"You were supposed to die, Percy. Why couldn't you do just that? YOU WOULD HAVE DIED A HERO!" Weirdly the emotions I saw on his face weren't what I Had expected. There was a possesiveness and desperation that just didn't fit him. "Tough luck, Asshole. You going to Finish the Job now or what?" "No. He's going to bleed out anyway, so why should i dirty my sword any fruther?"
With those parting words, clearly not directed at me, Luke left. But not in the direction of His cabin. Instead he walked to and out of the camps protective boarder.
And with that I knew my adventure at summer camp was over. At least for now. But Most importantly, I need a....
Suddenly a
*ROOOAAAAARR*
interupted my thoughts. It was loud and reverberated through the entire camp. Windows rattled and the trees shook. It sounded like deathitself Had decided to visit. What followed it was a chorus of deep and gravely growls. The undead and chimeran wolves no doubt.itself Had decided to visit. What followed it was a chorus of deep and gravely growls. The undead and chimeran wolves no doubt.
Wait, wasn't that Abraxas? Why would He do that for no reason? He's going to wake up the entire camp!
But it was to late. Within seconds the Ares cabin was awake, armored and out of their cabin. Next to follow were the Aphrodite and Hephestus cabins. One cursing about "Who ever interupted our beautysleep will die!" and another cursing about interupting an importantly Project and "testing it out on the next thing that crosses my path." The next one to be present were the Apollo cabin. Bows drown and medical supplies at the ready. By that point how ever, Clarrise Had spotted me. Within mere Moments she crosses the distance and kneeled besides me. Checking my pulse and starring at me as If I was dead....
Oh right, i still didn't have a pulse. Forgetfull me.
I spoken up. If just to avoid landing on a funeralfire.
"So, you going to call for a medic or am I supposed to stop my bloodflow until I'm actually dead?"
"FUCK YOU JACKSON! MEDIC! OVER HERE, STAB WOUND THROUGH THE CHEST!"
Huh, well, at least now I know why those familiares and mosters of mine made such a ruckus. Guess I will have to reward them soon. Wonder If that world travel will help?