The World Apart (Percy Jackson)

A god's betrayal

The most disgraceful night of any demi-god started with a rat attack in a pitch dark prison cell. I know what you’re thinking, wow, this is so cliché, prison and rats, why don’t you toss a couple of skulls in there too? But before you start badmouthing the author or trashing the publisher, hear me out, listen to my story.

Now, where were we? Ah, right, rats. My night in this pitch dark prison was really more confusing than terrifying. After almost five years of monster hunting and fighting against Titans and gods alike, a few furry creatures should be a walk in the park. For someone who’s been in hundreds of battles, being taken a prisoner without a fight was no doubt a blow to my ego. Heck, I wasn’t even awake when I was taken from Camp Half-Blood, the supposedly safest monster-free zone aside from Olympus itself. What shames me the most is the fact that I wasn’t able to defend myself my own demi-god bottom. I wonder if Annabeth was safe.  

My only comfort in this gods-forbid place was Anaklusmos, my celestial bronze sword, or as I like to call it: Riptide. My abductor (who hasn’t had the nerve to show his ugly face) no doubt tried to snatch away my magic weapon, but thank the gods, Anaklusmos will always appear in my pocket.  

The cold night would have definitely been more bearable if my capturer wasn’t so dirt cheap and placed a couple of candles here and there. I gotta admit, if Annabeth was here, she would definitely be doing something more worthwhile than pound fists at a wall. After hours of unsuccessful and rather feeble attempts of freedom, I was really starting to hate myself for not replacing the broken watch in my wrist. The ruddy label said waterproof till 100 meters but it completely failed on me the last time I was in the hot tub.  Guess you can’t trust anyone these days.   

At a lost for what to do, my only option was to sleep and bid my time. I had an unpleasant feeling that later on, I would need all the energy I can get to keep my ADHD brain going. Chiron’s last advice ran through my head. “Get some sleep Percy. You may be invulnerable in combat, but that only makes your body tire faster. I remember Achilles. Whenever that lad wasn’t fighting, he was sleeping. He must’ve taken twenty naps a day. You, Percy, need your rest. You may be our only hope.”

Chiron’s words still felt like a block of ice in my heart. For an immortal demi-god child of Poseidon who took a dip in the Styx, I’m still pretty slow. “Immortals are constrained by ancient rules. But a hero can go anywhere; challenge anyone, as long as he has the nerves.” Only a god or camper could give permission for an intruder to enter camp. After all my friends and I have been through, I seriously doubt that any of them would have the heart to sell me out. An attack from an avenging god perhaps? But such possibility was unlikely unless a hero was sent to do their bidding. My thoughts settled on the Titans. After the whole chaos at Olympus last summer, I’ll bet my socks that Kronos Titans buddies won’t hesitate at the chance to rip my throat out. Except for Bob, he’s my friend and he’s quite happy being a janitor of death for the time being.  

Alas, sleep didn’t come easy.  Driven half mad with the possibility of facing death any second now, my thoughts were with Annabeth and camp. Three years ago, Luke the hero who I still admire to this day after everything he has done traveled through Daedalus’ labyrinth and launched an attack on camp with a full sized army. We would have lost everything if it wasn’t for Briares, the Hundred-Handed One. The thought of losing Camp, (one of the few places I haven’t managed to get kicked out of) was unbearable. 

Seconds passed by and without a warning, the walls of my prison shattered away and thick slabs of dark rock flew in all directions. I did my best to deflect incoming attacks with my sword.  I didn’t much fancy getting knocked out unconscious by a bunch of flying bricks before the fight even started  

Mythological monsters? No problem! Avenging gods? Bring it on! Flying rocks? Don’t even get me started on that. A couple of flying rocks seemed to take up a good chunk of my energy. It’s been so long since the Titan war, the last time I’ve been in battle.  As I drew in a couple of heavy breaths, the walls rearranged itself into a doorway and two figures slowly walked in.  A tall slender women dressed in black silk led the way, followed by a handsome boy, not much older than me. I recognized the women at once. She was do doubt Hera, Goddess of marriage and my father’s sister. She was my least favorite aunt by far. My attention returned to the strange boy. His posture was stiff but he radiated power only like that of an immortal.

“Ah, Perseus Jackson, what a pleasant surprise,” the goddess said with a cold smile. “Jason, my dear, you have done well. Although you failed to bring the others, this one will do.”

“Hera, long time no see,” I responded. There is no way that Hera was here to free me. I’ve made several immortal enemies in the past, but Hera is not high on the list. Of all the angry gods on Olympus, why her?  What in Poseidon’s name is going on?

Hera regarded me with a deepest loathing and a slight edge of fear. “You’ve saved us this summer past but do not expect me to be grateful. The gods are selfish and forbidding but you have always known that.” She snarled and turned her gaze towards her companion. “Well my boy, I think we’ve done enough talking. Finish him.”

I drew my sword. “What in Zeus’s name-“

For the goddess of motherhood and marriage, she was pretty damn cruel.  

Hera sighed, “For almost 4 thousand years, the gods have used you Heroes like a stepping stone. And you, Perseus Jackson, are the jewel of their almighty collection, their most important weapon. Control you and the rest of the pieces fall directly into place. Did you really think that my father, the Lord of time lost the war to a handful of pitiful heroes?  He will return and I will help him regain power!”

My years of experience at receiving shocking blows to the head stopped me from doing a double take. I drew a deep breath and said in my calmest voice “Hera, don’t let Kronos manipulate you. Don’t make the same mistake as Luke did. It’s not too late yet, you can still do the right thing here.”

“Mistake? What do you know about mistakes? For thousands of years I have kept the Olympians together, assisted the council and protected the family. And what do I get in return? Nothing! No worshipper, no thank-you cards, no end of the year bonus.  My father Kronos has offers me unlimited power and riches in return for my merest assistance.” Hera spoke with clenched teeth and her eyes were flared with anger.

You want anger? Two can play at this game.

“But Hera, you already have power. You are a goddess. What more do you want?”

“I only want respect and dignity from my own family. Is that too much to ask? You see Jackson, there’s a new Golden age coming and you won’t be a part of it.” She shrieked at Jason, her voice growing stronger, “Do it now!”

I woke up drenched in cold sweat; a snoring Cyclops on the other side of the room; oblivious to the fact that the world was coming to an end.