The Roman Avenger (Percy Jackson)

Chapter eight

Chapter 8

My body was exploding with pain, I felt like someone was taking acupuncture needles and driving them in hundreds of points at a time. It was worse than holding up the sky. I felt like I was being burned alive. I was losing the fight and my will to live. I was just about to give into the pain, before I saw a scene flash before my very eyes. It looked to be futuristic by the way I saw myself, I was alone in a park, looking maybe 15 or 16, I stared out onto the New York harbor that lead to Manhattan island. It was a beautiful sight from this park, and it felt so peaceful.

A beautiful young woman came to my side, that I instantly recognized. She put her hand on my chin and kissed me on the lips, "Come back to me Percy. Please don't give up. You can do this!"

Suddenly Jason, Nico, Bianca, Hazel, Thalia, Annabeth, Luke, and some of my closer friends at Camp Jupiter came to me. They all yelled at me to wake up, and I didn't know what to do. I couldn't speak, I couldn't even move, I was immobilized. I concentrated my hardest and tried to push away the pain that never ceased. I tried to run away from the bright lights that were in my vision. Then everything went black once again.

I awoke in a unfamiliar throne room. It was grand, large, over sized, at first I thought I was at a different judgment table. I figured my father had put this together. But as I looked into the face of my cousin, I knew I must be on Olympus. All eyes were on me, but my friend Apollo was the one who had my attention. I felt up towards my face noticing my hood was still on, I groaned quietly, "How am I alive?"

Apollo shook his head slowly gently saying, "I have no idea, you've been out for about two hours now I guess. Your will to live is incredible. I showed up as I felt the black fortress crumble. When I got to you, you were almost dead. I thought for sure we were going to lose you, but you just kept fighting through it. I am amazed you are up already."

I nodded tilting my head back against the pillow, "Thank you Lord Apollo."

I heard a loud noise go off and Apollo disappeared from my line of vision. Reyna was now at my side helping me sit up. I was on a small makeshift cot that had all kinds of stuff hooked up to me. She gently unhooked me and help me stand. She walked me to the center of the room and helped hold me up. I said, "My sincerest apologies Lord Zeus, but I fear if I bow I may just fall over, but you have my show of respect."

Zeus nodded slowly, as if contemplating how he was going to kill me. He says, "Remove your hood demigod you stand in the presence of the gods."

I shook my head, "Forgive me lord Zeus, but I keep it on to hide the pain of my past. I ask with the up most respect that after everything I have done for Olympus today, that I at least be able to keep my hood on. I will tell you anything you want to know, but I prefer not to have people stare at my scars."

I looked at several gods to see most eying me curiously. None more than Athena and Aphrodite though and both were for different reasons. Artemis said evenly, "Its the least we can do father."

Zeus nodded his head, "Very well. Now who claims this boy?"

Poseidon prepared to stand up, but my father showed up with the two familiar black armored warriors, "I do brother."

My father strolled forward in all black combat armor just like my now recognizable brother and sister. Zeus bellowed, "You broke your oath twice!"

He glared at Zeus, "As did you! I see Thalia and Jason Grace over there, at least I abided the ancient laws in doing so!"

Zeus summoned his master bolt, "Choose one of your children to die Hades, only one may live!"

Hades grinned, "Then I choose Hazel!"