Percy Jackson and the Dark Elites

XV

Ruin

Ruin wasn't ready to learn Chaos' plan.

Ruin marched to the top of the compound and removed his hood for the first time in a long time.

Taking care of Annabeth had been exhausting. Not because he irritated her, but because he was injured, tired, and smitten.

So he sat with his legs dangling over the edge of the roof at his home and let the fresh air.

While the crystals that disguised his identity didn't edit out air, it just felt more real.

Most of the time he came up here to admire the view. If he looked behind and up, he'd see the cliff side towering over him. Looking outwards he'd see the woods reaping the acres of land between the trees and the ocean.

Dock after dock loaded with boats lined their shore of the pacific. But looking at the Elites inspired him the most.

They roamed the large grounds of green grass with their suits if and their leisure clothes on.

Their leisure clothes weren't normal day clothes. They resembled grey sweat pants and a grey sweatshirt. The hood had the same capabilities as their suits, with grey crystals to disguise their identities, it was just a precaution in case they were attacked. Now at least.

In the early days, he'd look out over the sea of Elites with their hoods up. Some never took off their suits. Until Trial stood in front of everyone and explained the importance of trust. Cheesy, but effective.

We were all protecting someone, and unless we could see that in others, there'd be no read connection. Now several Elites even had their sweatshirts off, just wearing their grey tee. (it also had a hood.)

While Ruin watched them move around, it hit him how far he'd come since Camp Half Blood. All these people looked up to him. To Blaze. To Trial.

He spotted her moving among them. She had on just hooded her t-shirt, except it was dark green. Maybe the reason she was so powerful in uniting the Elites was because she always moved among them. Blaze did a good job of commanding them. She'd take control in a heartbeat and get no hesitation.

Ruin.... he wasn't sure where he fit in. They looked to him for answers. He coordinated the missions, he worked closely with their spies gathering intel, he'd even bring them him when he thought it was too dangerous.

Because most wanted to stay, because they risked their lives in the face of chaos, their uniforms had some purple in them. The shirts they wore underneath weren't grey, but darn purple, and they had two lines running across each shoulder, showing everyone, the Elites, the demigods, they they were different somehow.

Every Elite worked hard, but having color added to your suit was like wearing a metal of honor.

Purple, spying experience. Ruin figured those Elites looked up to him even more so than the rest, because he brought them in. they had a wanted to stay and do their part, but he'd recognized their danger, and while none would admit it, they were all at least a little grateful.

Black was their metal of valor. Their actions in the field, saving another Elites life in particular, earned them a black triangle on the right breast of their suit. Some even had lines underneath it, for each time they'd save a person, or a mission from failing.

Trial's green didn't mean any special skill of performance, just that she was his third in command. Her suit and crystals were grey, with a green undershirt, and two green vertical stripes traveling from her shoulders to waist.