Annie Chain and the Olympians: The Anomaly of the Sky

Chapter 5: Two Weeks Pass Unfortunately Quickly When Waiting For War

Two weeks flew by. The deceased heroes prepared us the best they could for war. They had us working as much as possible.

I let Percy keep Riptide, again using a regular demigod blade that Poseidon had blessed. Percy was more familiar with Riptide anyway, and I didn't want to use his sword when he was here.

Percy taught sword fighting lessons with Luke, forcing the campers to block their attacks. Percy was the greatest swordsman in three hundred years, Luke a close second, so we had our work cut out for us there. Piper and Annabeth worked together to teach dagger fights. Thalia, Reyna, and three Apollo kids (Will, Kayla and Austin) taught archery. Clarisse taught with spears.

The other demigods helped out too. Leo Valdez, when not attached at the hip with Calypso, and his siblings, Beckendorf, Nyssa, Jake, and Harley, were making weapons with their new half siblings. The Athena cabin was constantly strategizing. The Hermes cabin was setting traps out in the forest. The Huntresses of Artemis assisted with the traps and prepared their own.

The demigods were busy preparing for the war. We were busy preparing to fight for camp. I heard from Percy that the Romans were coming down to us too. Camp Jupiter's numbers were a critical part of the Greco-Roman pantheon. We needed their army. Hera and Ares traveled to CJ themselves, as Juno and Mars, their patron gods, to bring them to CHB. It was incredibly important that we were fully protected, and, considering the gods were more constantly in their Greek forms, (also considering the Anomaly had literally already proven to be capable of getting into Camp Half-Blood's borders) the gods decided that CHB was going to be their focus point for us demigods.

They wanted all their children in one place. They wanted to be able to look down from Olympus and see us in one area.

Maybe they even wanted to protect us all in one place.

The Romans arrived after the first week of preparations. They easily blended into the lessons with us, and by the last day, we felt somewhat prepared. Kind of.

Tensions were running high, of course. Our army was made of hundreds of ADHD, hyperactive, children of the gods. We weren't very good at being optimistic and calm.

The final night of preparations, Mr. D. and Chiron watched, both looking absently horrified, as demigods ran around, some literally in circles, double, triple, and more times, checking everything. Lupa, the Roman demigod trainer, the wolf goddess, watched as well. She had taken a human form for once, and sat beside Chiron. Her yellowish eyes pierced the Roman demigods with maternal worry.

Flashes of bright light signaled the arrival of the other gods. They must not have been expecting the flurry of activity because upon their arrivals, I saw them freeze and stare in confusion.

They weren't involved in the actual preparations from the Titan or Giant Wars, so I guess they just didn't know how the half-bloods got ready for war.

Zeus eventually stepped forward. "Demigods, rest."

The movement died instantly. I watched as the other demigods turned to look at the gods, fidgeting nervously. I knew I was doing the same.

"Your war preparations are set. Tomorrow, the Anomaly wishes to see Zeus' throne left for him. We won't let him." Athena gave a reassuring smile.

I saw Annabeth nod encouragingly. She looked at ease, which I guess was normal since she already fought two wars and would just be returning to Elysium if things went poorly.

"Relax now, children, for tomorrow, war begins." Athena's voice wavered ever so slightly.

She stepped back to the other gods. Most half-bloods headed to their cabins, nervous but ready for war.