Echoes Through Eternity : Percy's Second Chance

Chapter 20

I would like to remind everyone reading this, that I will criticise some characters and their actions. I hope you all understand. I will take any criticism that you may have, against my writing and view or against my character, but I truly hope you get my point of view in the situation.

If you have a major problem with my criticism, I will kindly ask you to either power through, or leave the book if it may be too much for you.

P.S. - Annabeth Criticism

P.P.S. - Please comment, it helps keep me motivated :)

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That night after dinner, there was a lot more excitement than usual.

At last, it was time for capture the flag.

When the plates were cleared away, the conch horn sounded and everyone stood at the tables.

Campers yelled and cheered as Annabeth and two of her siblings ran into the pavilion carrying a silk banner. It was about three metres long, glistening grey, with a painting of a barn owl above an olive tree. From the opposite side of the pavilion, Clarisse and her buddies ran in with another banner, of identical size, but gaudy red, painted with a bloody spear and a boar's head.

"We've made a temporary alliance with Athena. Tonight, we get the flag from Ares. And you are going to help." Luke spoke from beside them, frowning slightly as he saw that none of the two flinched even when he tried to hide his footsteps.

The twins hummed in response, watching the teams assemble themselves.

The teams were announced. Athena had made an alliance with Apollo and Hermes, the two biggest cabins. Apparently, privileges had been traded – shower times, chore schedules, the best slots for activities – in order to win support.

Ares had allied themselves with everybody else: Dionysus, Demeter, Aphrodite and Hephaestus.

Percy and Rhea stood near the sides, watching the cheering and shouting while the weight of what that day would hold pressed down on them.

Chiron hammered his hoof on the marble.

"Heroes!" he announced. "You know the rules. The creek is the boundary line. The entire forest is fair game. All magic items are allowed. The banner must be prominently displayed, and have no more than two guards. Prisoners may be disarmed, but may not be bound or gagged. No killing or maiming is allowed. I will serve as referee and battlefield medic. Arm yourselves!"

He spread his hands, and the tables were suddenly covered with equipment: helmets, bronze swords, spears, ox hide shields coated in metal.

The twins looked at each other, their usual smiles not making their appearance like it did with the other campers.

Luke appeared beside them, two helmets in his hands.

"Hey, you guys have to wear these. I'll get you the weapons and shields." He said, handing the helmets to them.

"No need, we'll get it, we know you have things to do. Just tell us what we are supposed to do." Rhea dismissed him, taking the helmet carefully, and putting it on her head as the blue horsehair plume tickled her as it brushed against her hand.

Percy gave him a tight smile before unconsciously running a light hand across his chest, the phantom pain of the hellhound making itself known.

Luke looked at the two before giving a short, reluctant nod.

"Okay, you two are on border petrol."

The twins nodded before moving to where the shields were kept, slightly frowning at how they didn't fit in their hands properly.