Percy Jackson and the Incarnate-5: The Mahayudha

CHAPTER 5 POV: Percy Jackson

I stood shoulder to shoulder with Justin and Annabeth, as we oversaw the horizon. The three days were coming to the end and we were expecting the war to start at dawn. All of the demigods were prepared. The Hephaestus and Hermes Cabins setting up traps, Ares Cabin warming up and polishing their weapons and the Athena Cabin discussing strategies.

But there was one secret. A secret known to me, Annabeth, Hari, Hecate and her Children. When the secret is revealed, this would be a huge surprise. Hari was nowhere to be seen. I didn't know when I would require a chariot. But his inputs in strategies are unorthodox to say the least.

As the sun rose, the war conch blew. A huge army, full of monsters from Greek Mythology and Hindu Mythology combined were arranged. Leading them were the Titans and Indrajith himself. I didn't know what to expect, but Hari said that he was a formidable enemy.

We arranged our army. The Roman camp had arrived. So did the Army of Chaos. All looked ready. But the enemy was a literal ocean. How they managed to bring them out of Tartarus, only they know.

I looked at Hari, who looked at the army, specifically at one particular person. He wore a black turban and black robes. He had a limp and had a very cunning smile. I shivered. He looked like an expert manipulator and reminded me of Octavian, but hundred times worse.

"Shakuni..", Hari muttered under his breath. Had I not had any training to sharpen my senses, then I would have not heard it.

"What?!? How??", I asked in disbelief.

"I guess I have an idea how.", he said grimly. At that time, Shukracharya, Kronos and Shakuni came forward. Hari instinctively went forward. I wanted to come but he stopped me.

"Bring me the daughter of Bellona.", he said. Reyna, who was a few feet away, heard it and she came. Thalia gave her a serious look. She looked fidgety next to Hari. Maybe, his bad name in the Thalia fiasco preventing her from believing in Hari.

"Why should I come?", she asked annoyed.

"Correct me if wrong, but wasn't Bellona the Goddess of War? And I heard that Treaties were signed; both for war and at peace at her Temple?!", he asked. She stiffly nodded.

"This happens before a war. A last-ditch effort to find a common ground. Rare, but few wars, very few wars were averted because of these negotiations.", he explained.

"We know we cannot find a common ground. Why then attempt?", I asked.

"Do your Dharma or Duty. It is for them to accept or reject. Until they reject, we talk the language of peace. The minute they reject, we shall talk the language of war.", he said confidently.

Reyna glanced a look at me. She looked nervous. She wanted support.

"Hari. Let me also come.", I said firmly, also gave a mind message, 'I am looked upon as the leader of the forces. Let me also come.'

"Fine.", he said as we three went to the center where Shakuni and Shukracharya stood waiting.

"A last chance to back off and surrender.", Shukracharya said angrily.

"Never!", Reyna bellowed.

"Young blood! Ah! Enthusiasm!! Cruel that you were forced to fight at a very young age.", Shakuni said in false sympathy.

"Oh! Don't worry. They are battle hardened. And they are as old as Abhimanyu when he was killed!! Pity that there is no Dronacharya to construct a Chakravyuh!", Hari returned with mock sympathy. Shakuni looked at him with anger, but mastered a poker face as he folded his hands in greeting.

"You must be Hariharan Sivakumar! A pleasure to meet a worthy opponent.", he said with a fake smile. Hari returned a fake smile.

"So, the war shall be fought!!",Kronos bellowed, and then looked at me, "You are going down this time!! Sea spawn.", he roared at me.