the weight of the world [a pjo fanfic]

chapter thirteen.

"You're lucky you brought him here before he bled out." A camper studied Percy's wounds. "Jeez, but I still can't figure out what the hell is wrong with him. I've stitched him up, fed him mounds of ambrosia, and yet-" He stopped short.

"Wait. Nico Di Angelo." He seemed to be remembering something. "But-but this is Percy Jackson?" Piper frowned at his confusion.

"He was bloodbending." Jason said. The camper raised his eyebrows at this. "Right. So it should have some effect on his energy. Ah, well, resting always helped Nico and it should be able to fix Percy up too." He clicked his tongue and walked away to check on the other hospitalized campers. Piper plopped onto a chair, and Leo sympathetically patted her shoulder.

"Piper." Jason suddenly said. "How did you guys escape?"

"What? You mean being held hostage?"

"Yeah."

"When Percy was floating in the air-" She winced. "There was a really big earthquake. The guys holding us fell and we got up." Jason made a sound of understandment. They stood in silence, not knowing what to do if Percy woke up.

"Hold up." Piper said suspiciously. "How did you know what happened to us? And what were you doing there?" All eyes turned to the son of Zeus. He sweated nervously and tried to smile reassuringly at Piper's accusing glance. Fuck.

"Oh, yeah. Uh, so, Percy kidnapped you guys and called me over to duel him," He lied. Jason wasn't used to lying. "Yeah. And then I went over there and... yeah." Hazel shrugged. "Fair enough."

"Wow. I'm still in so much," Frank's jaw tensed. "Shock. Percy's fatal flaw is supposed to be loyalty. How could he betray us?" His breathing became heavier and his eyes started to glow. Hazel grabbed his forearm. "Frank." He calmed down, palming his forehead.

"Sorry."

"We're all shocked and disappointed. But don't worry, we'll question him once he wakes up." She smiled up at him and he gratefully returned the gesture.

"Jason, could you step out for a moment with me?" Piper asked. Jason swallowed a lump in his throat. "W-why?" His voice faltered. "Just say it here."

"Please."

"Fine." He followed her out of the room and she pulled him to the side. They locked eyes for a moment and then Piper started to bawl.

"What?" Jason muttered as she launched herself into his arms.

"I'm so sorry, Jason. I'm so sorry I ever doubted you and took Percy's side." Her tears stained his shirt and he watched incredulously.

"It's okay." He patted her shoulder and she balled up his shirt in her hand. "No, it's not. I've been siding with a demon the entire time." She squeezed hard and Jason felt a grin creep onto his face.

"I forgive you."

-- gods. lowkey wish i could kill jason off but that would ruin the plot :'(

*this scene is in percy's dream while he's still unconscious.*

Percy was floating through an abyss of darkness. His eyes focused, and he saw that it was a tunnel.

Filled with stars. He reached out to touch one, but his finger passed through it. He retracted his hand quickly. As if waiting for something, he continued to float peacefully until he was aware that he was floating upwards. Looking up, as he spun around slowly, he was approaching a gate. It was a magnificent thing; glowing white against the darkness, embroidered with stars and planets. Percy reached out to touch it, and suddenly it morphed into a harp. The harp flashed red and struck a terrible note. Percy covered his ears, cowering. He opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came out. Then the harp morphed again, into a man in a cloak.