Percy Jackson: Night In The Land Beyond The Gods

"The Jackson Boy"

Annabeth's POV

"Well..." Percy began, a small smirk beginning to form on his lips, "These demigods wish to pass through these mountains."

More boos and jeers followed his words, the monsters obviously scornful of us. In the would-be Emperor's stand, the winged monster chortled menacingly. "And why did they not simply go... around?"

"You know as well as I do why they didn't," Percy's eyes narrowed. "Besides, to get to where they need to be, there's something they have to do first."

"And what might that be?"

"The same thing that all monsters come here to do. They have to compete in the Trials of Belief."

At this a collective thunderous roar of laughter filled the arena, none of them believed Percy – we didn't either. But the only thing I could do was scowl at the back of Percy's head and clench my fist. The traitorous little rat, I mentally cursed him, We didn't agree to this. This wasn't a part of the godsdamned deal.

"Oh really?" the fat monster leaned forwards and looked Percy in the eyes, searching for any traces of deceit in them.

But all he found was a knowing spark in his eyes, and a dark smirk to follow it, "Really."

"All right, then let the little demigods play their game." the monster addressed the hoards of his followers, "The Killing Games are hence by cancelled for today. In their place, we give you something far more entertaining. We will allow these demigods go compete in our Trials... should they complete them, they will go untouched. Should they fail, then we will feast as the true ancient ones did and dine upon their blood."

He grinned evilly and turned to address us, "As for you, I hope you've brought your own weapons. Your guide, the Jackson boy, will sit with us. As compensation should you back out of your deal."

The leading monster snapped his fingers and two smaller monsters of his species flew out of the stands and grabbed Percy, depositing him next to their leader. The way the smirk vanished from Percy's face was almost enough to make me feel sorry for him, but I remembered that it was his fault we were all in this mess anyway, so my sympathy didn't hold for long.

The monster leered at us a final time, "You have five minutes to prepare yourselves."

Despite the rage swelling up a violent symphony inside of me, I didn't waste a moment forming plans inside my mind. Of course, we hadn't been given any specifics, but based off what Traitor Jackson had said about the so-called 'Monster Lore', we would have to find a trait that best suited us and compete for it.

So I'd need a plan that could fold on itself within a moment's notice and could adapt to another almost instantly...