Betrayed But Never Forgotten

Introductions (part 1)

Annabeth's pov

    

I linked my fingers with Percy's, and together we walked to the throne room. We had sent our earthly possessions ahead to the Chaos cabin – which I had designed myself. When we arrived at the throne room, I realized Percy and I were the last ones there.

We had agreed to use code names until someone chose to reveal themselves:

Percy: TortureAnnabeth: AlphaClaire: OmegaPiper: CharmLuke: StealthZoe: ArrowBianca: StarSelina: BeautyCharles: Ignite

"Now that you're all here," Chaos said, sending a pointed glance toward us (which Percy returned with a death glare), "I will teleport you to Olympus. You may reveal yourselves if you wish, but your hoods and cloaks are there for a reason."

We all nodded and pulled up our hoods. Everyone wore pitch-black cloaks except for Percy and Claire, whose cloaks had striking purple trim. Chaos teleported us directly into the middle of the Olympian throne room, where, typically, the gods were arguing among themselves. The cabin leaders were present too, and I felt Percy tense beside me. All our old "friends" had apparently been granted immortality, as they were lounging at the bases of their parents' thrones, looking bored.

I watched Percy freeze as he surveyed the room. A faint black aura began to surround him, and for a moment, I genuinely feared he might level the entire planet.

Our arrival went unnoticed by everyone except Hestia and Artemis. Artemis studied us intently before making eye contact with Hestia. Hestia nodded, and Artemis spoke up, "I think we have visitors." No one heard her over their bickering. Artemis rolled her eyes and shouted, "Stop arguing! We have visitors."

The room fell silent as all eyes turned to our cloaked figures. I had to admit, a group of mysterious hooded strangers materializing in your throne room would be unsettling.

"Who dares interrupt this meeting?" Zeus demanded, raising his master bolt threateningly.Percy stepped forward. "I am Torture, son of Chaos, King of Darkness, Loyalty, and the 

Forgotten. I am the assassin of Chaos and commander of the Chaos warriors. I possess power greater than all the gods combined. We're here to help you in the coming war. Don't mess with me or my warriors, or you'll find yourself in Tartarus."

As Percy stepped back, a voice called out, "Yeah, right. No one's more powerful than me, the hero of Olympus." The room murmured in agreement. Percy turned toward the source, his death glare searching until it landed on Jason Grace.

"Watch your mouth, boy, or you'll find yourself face-to-face with Chaos," Percy growled, sending a wave of darkness throughout the room. Everyone paled as they glimpsed their greatest fears. I placed my hand on his shoulder – some things frighten even the bravest of us, and I knew projecting terror in a room this size drained his energy.

"You dare threaten the hero of Olympus?" Zeus roared, hurling his bolt at Percy's back while he was turned. Everyone except our warriors gasped, thinking Percy was done for. But just before it struck, Percy caught the bolt without even looking. The room fell silent in shock while I smirked beneath my hood.

"Maybe don't throw weapons at your allies unless you're prepared to die yourself," Percy warned icily.

"How do you know there's a war coming?" Athena asked. I growled at her voice.

"The missing campers, the threats you've received – it all adds up. You're facing war with Tartarus himself," I explained. Everyone gasped while Zeus visibly paled.

"How can we trust you?" Hermes asked cautiously. I noticed Luke shift his weight at the sound of his father's voice.

Just then, a voice behind me responded, "Because if you don't trust them, you've made a grave mistake."

I grinned. Right on time.

Dun, dun, dun. Cliffhanger time