Percy Jackson: Flames of War

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

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Percy

I wandered around the makeshift camp. For days we camped out in the Yosemite National Park, moving every so often and trying to reign in our panic. We still didn't know everyone that was missing. So many of the Romans were dead or hurt really bad. The Greeks didn't have any better either. So many dead... not even in the Titan War, had we had losses this big.

It didn't help that we lost all contact with the gods either. Prayers went unanswered. Iris messages didn't work. Our drachmas just fell through the rainbow just like any old coin would have.

A hand came down on my shoulder. Catching me by surprise I drove an elbow into the dark haired attacker's stomach. All the air whooshed out of his lungs and he fell back. Then I got a good look at his face. It was Nico.

"Sorry about that." I said, extending a hand to help him up.

He took my hand and hauled himself up. Nico just shook his head and coughed. He had dark bags under his eyes suggesting a lack of sleep.

"No problem. I guess we're all a bit jumpy nowadays."

I looked off into the forest outside of our camp.

"You're telling me." I mumbled, fiddling with my collapsed shield. Nico and I continued to walk in a companionable silence. Then Nico stopped and sighed.

"I'm kinda tired. I'm going to go see if I can catch a couple hours more sleep before dinner."

I nodded. "You go do that. You look like you could use it anyways."

Nico just nodded and walked off into his tent, his back hunching over an unseen weight.

I shook my head. The first war was bad enough. How bad would this one be, especially with these extremely powerful deities? I REALLY didn't want to know. I continued walking until I found my creek. No matter where we were in the forest, I always came here to think. I sat down and dangled my feet in the water, enjoying the welcome trickle of energy the water gave me. I sat like that for the longest time, watching the fish dart in and out between my feet. Just then I heard the crunch of broken twigs behind me. A quick glance told me it was friendly. An even longer look told me it was Reyna.

She walked up next to me and sat down. "I thought I'd find you here."

I just nodded. "I'm always here. Thinking.

Reyna smirked a little. "Thinking? I didn't think that you were capable of that."

I glared at her halfheartedly. "Shut up..."

"You know, Diana's hunters are here. I think you know her Lieutenant." Reyna said casually.

I froze. Then a shout ruined my relatively peaceful afternoon.

"PERSEUS JACKSON! YOU'VE GOT SOME EXPLAINING TO DO!"

I bolted to my feet and I ran as fast as I could, leaving behind a very amused Reyna. As I rounded a bend in the trees, I saw a flash of silver. I began to panic. Then a blunt tipped arrow caught me in the back with just enough force to knock me off my feet. I rolled over to find a very irritated Thalia Grace standing above me.

"Whatever it is, I didn't do it!" I shouted in desperation.

Thalia just narrowed her eyes. "I'm pretty sure you have something to do with it. Any time something big goes down, you're usually the one causing it!"

"I'm still pretty sure I didn't do it!" I raised my hands in surrender.

"Shut up and listen, Seaweed Brain! We lost contact with Artemis. That's huge. We NEVER lose contact with her." Thalia explained.