Percy Jackson and the Incarnate- 1: The beginning

CHAPTER 1 POV: Percy Jackson

To say I was excited would be an understatement. Tomorrow was my first day at the college in New Rome. After all the wars and prophecies, I finally could settle down with my love Annabeth and go to college as planned. I really wanted a degree in marine biology so that I can help out my dad in Atlantis. I was so excited; I had organized my room neat and clean and prepared my bag for tomorrow.

YEAH! You heard me right. My room; neat and clean!! Expert procrastinator prepared for tomorrow in advance!! Annabeth had a minor heart attack and decided to banter with me. "Holy Athena! Percy is this really you?", she said after seeing my room.

Unfortunately, the rooms were not co-ed so we had separate rooms that were a few blocks apart. Curse the management for allotting our rooms. My room was a small one with a double-decker bed and two desks.

I had been living in my dorm for more than three months now, wanting to acquaint myself with the college and spend some quality time with my Annabeth in New Rome. We had a blast. As the year neared its beginning, the hostels were starting to be filled with a lot of demigods, both Greek and Roman.

But I was slightly curious. My supposed dorm mate was yet to arrive. I asked Annabeth if she had any idea who my dorm mate could be. She shrugged off saying that I would be lucky if I got the dorm to myself, which was a fair point.

I woke up early, which was a rarity, and went to Annabeth's room. A week ago, I would just barge into her room demanding her presence ( Not in an authoritative way like drama-queen Zeus, but mockingly), but Annabeth had two more roommates now and I would not want myself to be hit with another set of heels again (That was embarrassing and Annabeth was literally ROFL). I knocked on the door and a familiar voice answered.

"Coming", Annabeth said as she opened the door.

"Hi Wise Girl! Care to join for breakfast?", I asked and gave my patented lopsided grin (just kidding!)

"Sure! Seaweed brain.", she said and gave a quick peck in the cheek. " Wait for a moment"

She came after a minute wearing her Yankees Baseball Cap just in case and Camp Jupiter T-shirt. We put our arms over each other as we went to the bakery and get some breakfast. After eating, we decided to go to the camp.

As we passed the Victory Arch, we were greeted by the familiar face of Terminus. After bowing to him and declaring our intentions, we went to the barracks which has been expanded after the war against the triumvirate. We met a few of our roman friends before we went to the temples.

At the crossroads, a statue of Jason pointing towards the temples as a Pontifex Maximus was erected to honor him. His results bore fruit as temples of various minor gods dotted the landscape. I let out a small sad sigh, reminiscing my time with Jason when he saved me from Polybotes by bargaining with Kymopoleia.

Annabeth, knowing me very well squeezed my hand in solidarity. After a small smile, we went to my father Neptune's temple. It was renovated and I was happy for my dad. The Romans now started to respect him and my uncle Hades, or Pluto in Roman form, at the level of Jupiter and Mars. After paying respects, we went to Minerva's temple, and after Annabeth offered her respects to her mother, we went to the dining hall of the camp, where we met the praetors, Frank Zhang and Hazel Levesque.

Boy! They were a dynamic duo. It had been just about six months since the battle against the triumvirate, but the camp was reconstructed to its former glory. The temples were constructed as per plan. The Fields of Mars were now dotted with a lot of forts and Trenches for the upcoming war games tonight.

Frank saw us and waved his hands in acknowledgment. Hazel, who sat next to him, beamed in joy. We went and sat next to them.

"So! New beginning. Tomorrow you would go to college. Feeling relieved to be out of prophecies? ", Frank nudged.

"Yes. I am so relieved, to be out of danger. At least for a few years.", I exclaimed.

"You of all deserve it, Percy! You too Annabeth! It is no joke to survive two huge prophecies.", Hazel exclaimed.

"Yeah! Maybe, you are right.", Annabeth thought.

"No! Do not jinx us please!", I pleaded mockingly, and the three burst a fit of giggles.

"Sure. No jinxing. Say, are you going to the games tonight?", Frank asked.

"Uh Sure. As spectators.", I beamed.

"Good. See you at the games. We are the referees.", Hazel said with a hint of pride and I may say, exhaustion. The six months were super tedious and it was a miracle that they found some time to sleep.

"Good for you. Say, I have a question!", I suddenly said.

"Ask away.", Frank said.

"Is there a chance you know about my roommate? I mean, he should be a demigod, and if he has not appeared yet.... I am actually a bit nervous for him.", I said.

"Sure. I shall ask. I know the principal of the College. I shall ask her about the demigod. Your concern is valid.", Hazel said.

"Hazel, tell me about the demigod. I shall appoint some legionnaire to look out for the demigod. He shall have to enter via the tunnel, no other way.", Frank said calmly and ate his breakfast.

"Let's go for a walk by the river, Wise Girl.", I said and nuzzled her.

"Fine. Fine. Let's go.", she said as we went to the little Tiber. The river flowed at a brisk pace as they reached the banks. They started to walk along the bank when they started a conversation.

"What is the matter Seaweed brain?", my wise girl asked.

"Nothing."

"Don't you dare lie to me! You are a terrible liar. Tell me. What is bothering you?", Annabeth asked.

"I had a Dream.", I sighed.

"Percy?!", she asked calmly, "-tell me about the dream? Is it related to......?", she trailed off.

"No. Not related to the pit. I was surprised because this dream was a pleasant dream. No monsters.", I said calmly. But I was surprised by the dream myself.

"What did you see in the dream?", Annabeth asked me.

"A bright light. A light brighter than Apollo, if I may say. As I got adjusted to the light, I heard a tune. I have never heard this tune before, but it was soothing. It calmed me down. And for someone with ADHD, it was a shock.", I said, reminiscing the dream.

"You? calm? What next?", Annabeth asked with her calculative grey eyes, trying to deduce whatever I was describing.

"Then, I saw just a conch. A conch, Annabeth. But it looked extraordinary. It had a gold lining. I haven't seen a conch like that. It looked different from the conches we used.", I said.

"Then?"

"I am coming for you.", I said.

"Wait! The voice said that to you?", Annabeth asked. I nodded.

"Was it like vengeance? Was it like to get revenge?", Annabeth asked in worry.

"No. This was friendly. I felt at ease as if I was with my best friend. I felt, calmer and happier.", I said. I couldn't even see what emotions Annabeth's eyes showed. They were swirling with many.

"I sure hope the dream comes true if it makes you calmer. Seaweed brain.", she said and our eyes met. And involuntarily, our distance reduced as our lips connected. It was a slow kiss, that is more reassuring and calming than passionate and let's say lusty.

A blast near the tunnel interrupted us and our heavenly experience was cut short. Instantly, I took out riptide while she took out the drakon-bone sword as we went to the cave.