A Hero's Death - The Army of Erebos

Three

"We're what!" I said. Selina just stood up and walked out of the room. Luke looked like he was about to scream bloody murder, but speaking when you commander is speaking is expressly forbidden. Erebos turned to Beckendorf and said,"Go after her, will you?" Beckendorf nodded and ran after Selina. "As for you, Commander, yes we are going back to camp." he said, daring me to say more. I sat down because I trusted Luke would have my back. He stood and turned a murderous eye on Erebos. "You are telling me that I have to go back to camp? You know what I did...what Selina did. Even what Percy did." he said, giving me a sorry smile. "You will each be provided with a mask. No one has to know it's you. We'll be in and out and then we can come back to OUR home." Erebos said, giving us a reassuring smile. Beckendorf then walked in force-guiding Selina back into the room. "Selina, dear, I'm sorry if I upset you." said Erebos, standing up to wrap her in a hug. Selina broke down and started crying into Erebos's chest. Luke looked away. I could tell he was remembering how he had used Selina and forced her to help his cause.I stood again and Erebos nodded, giving me permission to speak. "Won't they recognize our voices?" I asked. "Would you like to hide your voice as well as your face, Commander?" asked Erebos. "No sir...I guess that would be cowardly of me." I retorted. "Very well."said Erebos, going back to Selina. I sensed the meeting was over so I banged my weapon on the table. The others followed suite. Erebos gave Selina one last hug and marched out of the room. Then I walked out, followed by Luke and the others. "We have a few hours to prepare and then we have to meet the Olympian's before we go to Camp." called Erebos over his shoulder. I inwardly groaned and screamed at the same time. If we went to Olympus that means I would have to face my father. Also, today was my mortal birthday, August 18. Today was the same day I had disappeared. That was one of the other reasons I had left...no one had remembered my birthday. My mom hadn't Iris-Messaged. Annabeth didn't even care and Chiron hadn't talked to me in months. "Happy Birthday Percy!" called Bianca from behind me. I turned and saw all of my friends holding a cake. "You guys!" I said, staring at the cake in amazement. Erebos said we didn't have to celebrate our birthdays anymore if we didn't want to. Last year I had been so busy building up an army I hadn't even remembered. That meant I had been Commander for three years now. "Make a wish!" said Zoë. I thought hard about my wish and blew out the candle. "What did you wish for?" asked Luke. "I'll never tell." I said, but the wish laid heavily on me. I had wished that no one I loved would be at camp. I had been 'dead' now for three years and I doubted anyone even noticed. "Thanks guys." I said. "We should bring it with us and have it after lights out at camp!" said Bianca, a gleam in her eye. "I like that idea!" I said, ruffling her hair. "In the mean time, we should get packing." I said. I watched some of the only people I could trust walk away down separate halls. I turned and made my way back to the Hall of Strength determined not to scream.