Percy Jackson and the Dark Elites

XXXIX

Percy

Percy woke in the hospital with Leo Valdez by his bedside. His hands were uncomfortably still. His hands were never still.

"Did we fail?" Percy asked.

Leo's laugh sounded wheezy. "No. I got it. But... They didn't have what we needed on it."

Percy clenched his jaw. "Well, that is what we set up the meeting for. They had nothing? Nothing at all?"

Leo shook his head. "No information on the Identities of the Dark Elites whatsoever."

Percy threw his head back on the pillow and closed his eyes. He pinched the bridge of his nose. He was completely drained of energy. All he wanted to do was lay around for days doing nothing. Finally, he sighed, "I wasn't actually counting on the idea that we'd have to go to this meetup. We can't give them Jason. He's too important." 

"I know," Leo leaned forward. "But Ruin is more. We need to find Ruin more than we need lightning boy. And you'll have to be the one to make the switch." 

"Me?" Percy grumbled. "My head is pounding. I'm all out of energy from pulling that ship out if the tsunami." 

"I know—Chaos knows," Leo ran his hands through his hair. His shoulders slumped. "But he said it had to be you. It's important to the prophecy."

"Will Chaos ever tell us what is in that thing? I need to know why I'm making this switch, and why it has to be me."

Leo's eyes met his with a sharp glare. "I know it."

Percy stared at him blankly. Blinking, he sat up and swung his legs off the bed. "What?"

"I know the prophecy. So does that Elite lieutenant, Blaze."

"How does she know it?" Percy complained.

Leo forced a pained smile. "I'll explain when you get back. All I can tell you is that Jason is... mentioned. I understand why. But Ruin." Leo tapped Percy's chest. "He's the one who will put an end to Chaos. He is the threat: remember that."

Percy swallowed. "What's been going on with you?" 

Leo smiled again, more sure of himself but just as cautious. "Everything will be explained, as it was to me. I learned all this the same way Chaos did—the same way you will. It won't be long now."

"That's ominous."

Leo rolled his eyes. "None of this has been clear, but it will be. Then, there will be no more mystery; only action."

"Then we'll have the power to end this war. To defeat the gods?"

Leo didn't move. "We'll win the war."

Percy stood and stretched. He gave Leo a firm pat on the shoulder as he crossed the room. "Anything else I should know?" He said through a yawn. 

Leo's fingers started to tap again. "Indigo was created to make Chaos stronger. He used it to bring back Kronos and Gaea at the right time."

"Yeah, I know—" Percy waved his hand. "while Chaos patiently waited for the failure he knew would come."

"Chaos used it," Leo started to explain, he brow sweating. "He used it once, for something none of us know about; only Blaze and me. Percy, I kept secrets from you because—"

Leo stood, nodding his head at the doorway behind Percy. Bianca waved. She was in full Rider gear. "You ready?"

Percy shrugged. "Sure."