The Bitten Hero

Chapter 5 - The Return

- Percy's PoV -

I was walking, very slowly, in the direction of the camp once known as Camp Half Blood, but is now the glorious Camp Olympia. I truly did want to return, I just wanted to prolong it as long as possible as to reduce the pain I cause the ones I love, or loved. To this day, I didn't want to cause them any pain or distress, I guess loyalty is still my fatal flaw, and I'm still loyal to the campers, the Gods, my father.

As I approached the border, I contemplated who I would talk to, who I would let past my newly built walls and barriers. Who I would tell my true name to. Once I was past the border, I noticed all the changes. There was still the Big House with its stunning bright shade of blue, clearly repainted and expanded as to accommodate the two leadership teams joining into one. The cabins were all there, however there were now 5 large buildings to the side of them, most likely for the ones who wished to live in the cohort system, instead of in their Godly parent's cabin. The amphitheatre, had been expanded largely, as well as the Dining hall. They had even managed to add the architecture of New Rome to the camp, probably Athena and her children's doings. Either way, the border must have been expanded to accommodate all of the adaptations to the camp. On the edge of the border of camp, by the beach, I noticed a burial, it must have been mine as Hestia - my adoptive mother - told me they put up a burial for me in the camp.

Walking down the hill, the campers stared at me, some even glared, they must have recognised me as the one who brought some new kids to the camp every now and then. I guessed it was because I had a hood on and it was done so that you could only see my mouth and chin, from every angle, however I could still see out of it perfectly with my 20-20 vision. A few onlookers smiled at me, they were the ones I gave a new home to, the ones I introduced the camp to.

I walked towards the Big House, I hoped to see Chiron, my first mentor, the man who was there for me through all my quests. As I got to the porch, the Olympians flashed in - Hades and Hestia recieved their thrones after the Giant War -. They must have guessed something was unusual with me, and my scent.

I turned around, not bothering to bow at them, as they didn't deserve my respect. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Athena trying to figure me out, and Aphrodite was checking me out as if it was normal and I was just another man for her to hook up with. Whilst, right in front of me was a fuming Zeus, however I did notice that my father wasn't amongst them...

- Annabeth PoV -

Longingly, I stared out of the window, just thinking about what I've been through. I had finally accepted Percy's death 20 years after he dissapeared. Sometimes I do second guess it, as there is still some hope that he is alive. But he can't be, not after all this time. His spirit just hasn't made it to the underworld yet, thats all. I do wish he was still alive, with all my heart I wish it. I just want him to still be here to comfort me when I get angry, or upset, or mad. But he isn't, not anymore. I have, in fact, tried to love again, its what he would have wanted after all. But, they aren't the one, they aren't right for me, they just are not him. They aren't my Percy.

I know I'm ament to be some huge role model for the younger campers, I'm ament to be this hero who managed to survive two wars and even get the heart of the bravest hero of all time. But ever since he left, I haven't felt like that person any more.

We tell his story every week, at the wednesday night campfire. Its a quest a week, most have heard his story over a dozen times already, but they love to listen anyway. Its always emotional, because everyone just loves him. Even the Gods turn up to listen, and they sit with their children. Poseidon never shows up though, because its just too emotional for him to go through it every week. Only on Percy's birthday, where we say the entire story of the greatest hero of all time, does he arrive. Every camper to have heard his story thinks of him as a legend, a true hero, especially as he turned down Godhood twice, to try make the world a better place, and even camp a better place for the future generations to come. Some do think he is just a story, one made up by the God's to encourage us, to give us hope. But most, they know he is true.

A lot of people praise me for managing to capture such a wonderful man's heart, but I sometimes regret falling for him. After all, it led me to be in such pain now that he is gone. And, to make it worst, we don't even fully know what happened to him, which is such a thing that it drives me crazy...

I was in such a deep thought process that I didn't realise anyone had walked in, until my brother, Malcolm cleared his throat. He had also recieved immortality as a one-off to help enlarge camp so that we could join them, without having to relocate.

"Annabeth!" Malcolm screamed into my ear to get my attention.

"What?! Oh, hey Malcolm."

"There's a new camper, you are needed at the Big house"

I said my thanks and walked, wondering whom the child would be of now.

As I walked over to the Big House, I noticed everyone staring at the newcomer who walked through as if they knew exactly where to go. Thats when I recognised them, it was the one thats been bugging us for years, always dropping a new camper off then disappearing into the woods. We have tried everything to talk to him, but every time he escapes our grasps. He has even out smarted the hunters on numerous occasions. All Gods have sworn to not know who he is, so he is a true mystery.

And now, he is just strolling through the camp so casually it's actually annoying.

Thats when I saw the Olympians flash in, right behind the guy. But he didn't bow, he just turned around as if it was a casual meet up with his mates. Zeus looked furious at his lack of manners, whilst the rest of the camp bowed down to the mighty beings in front of us...

A/N: I DIDN'T REALISE THIS MANY PEOPLE WOULD READ IT, LET ALONE LIKE IT! Thank you guys so much, just wow! I'll try update soon.