Chapter 2

Percy

After the darkness came I expected to see the DOA Recording Studios. Much to my surprise I myself look down at the earth. I turned my head wildly, taking in my surroundings. My mouth dropped open in shock. Standing next to me was the dead huntress Zoe Nightshade.

"Well Perseus, it seems that milady has put you in the sky," the spirit of Zoe said to me.

"What?" I heard myself say. She shook her head and chuckled a bit.

"Still very much like the boy I knew yet from what I hear from milady, you have become a man."

Did she just complement me? I decided not to question her about it.

"Why would she put me in the sky?" I asked.

"She deemed you worthy," Was all she said.

I glanced around at all the other souls. "So are we stuck here?" I asked.

"Yes. I am afraid that I have to spend eternity next to a man like you" she said sighing.

"Um...I'm sorry?" I wasn't really sure how to reply to that statement. She waved it off.

"At least I have someone to talk to that is actually my friend now. It can get a bit boring up here with only looking at the people on the earth to entertain you," she said smiling.

Then she raised her hand and waved. I looked at her, confused. She let out an exasperated sigh. "Look. Milady is saying hello to us."

I looked down to earth and located the hunters' camp. Indeed she was. I raised my hand and waved as well.

"How can I see the whole earth yet focus on one spot as well?" I asked Zoe.

"It beats me. I'm not really sure," she answered. I continued to stare down at the earth wondering how my ADHD mind was going to handle doing this for the rest of eternity.

13 Days after Percy's Death

I was looking at some of the food in China wondering if dead could taste dim sum and noodles when a man appeared in front of me.

Zoe came over soon after.

"What do you want, boy?" Once a hunter, always a hunter. "What do you want from my friend?" she took out her ghostly bows and arrows.

I looked at the man's face expecting to see at least a little bit of fear or possibly arrogance. What I saw shocked me even more.

"Lord Chaos," I said while dropping into a bow.

I could tell that Zoe's eyes widened in shock as she dropped into a bow as well stuttering.

"I-I'm sorry Lord Chaos. I thought you were someone that was trying to harass my friend," she said.

"No worries my child. And could you please not bow? This isn't Olympus," the creator of the Universe chuckled.

If possible, my eyes widened even more. Was this really Chaos? He seemed...so relaxed and informal.

"I assure you that I am Chaos, Percy," he stated, answering my thoughts. I looked at him remembering that I had met him before on Olympus where he blessed me. I wondered what he wanted.

"Remember in a dream that I told you I needed a Champion?" he asked me. I nodded my head. "Well, I want you to become my Champion." He stated answering my question once again without having me voice it aloud.

"Why me?" was the first thing that came out of my mouth after he had finished speaking.

"Hm..." The creator of the universe mused, tapping his index finger on his chin. "Who is the best warrior to have ever lived? Who is the being in the world that has the purest heart?" he asked.

"Um..." I stood there for a bit, thinking about all the heroes I had learned and actually remembered in Chiron's classes that I took back before I knew I was a demigod. "Achilles?" I asked.

"A good warrior with a good heart yet sometimes quite dense as well," Chaos mumbled while face palming. Zoe still stood there next to me laughing. I didn't get it.

"It is you, Perseus Jackson. You have accomplished what others couldn't and although you have every right to have an overinflated head, you keep your ego in check," the creator said exasperated.

"What? B-but I'm just me. Why not Zoe or Jason? They are as good warriors as I am," I said.

"Oh never mind. Why do I even try explaining?" The creator said sighing once again. "I chose you as my champion, now will you accept?" he asked.

"Sure?" I questioned more than stated.

"I believe that I told you that my children were planning to wage a war on Olympus. Am I correct?" I nodded to answer his question. "I have an army that lives in my city. Some are demigods, some are not but they all have good hearts. So if it is a telekhine you see roaming the training grounds, it isn't your enemy. I have made sure that only those I permit to enter my city can and no one else. I want you to lead them into battle when my children strike. However, you first need to train. Have you been using you powers that I gave you?" he asked.

I looked down and shook my head. I haven't really thought much about the powers Chaos gave me. To tell you the truth, I kind of forgot about them.

"Yes and we will have to work on those as well," the creator said.

I nodded thinking about the other topic he mentioned. If I were to live in the city, it would be a bit strange not slashing down every monster I see, but I could adapt.

I glanced at Zoe. The expression on her face was slightly sad. I realized that she would be lonely if I left here. "Lord Chaos?" I asked in a small voice. "Can Zoe come along too? Well, with her consent of course. I think that she would enjoy fighting in your army." The creator pondered for a moment then nodded his head.

"Would you, Zoe Nightshade like to fight in battle again?" he asked, turning towards her.

She nodded her head up and down so hard I thought that it might fall off. Suddenly I was pushed backward and I found Zoe hugging me.

"Thank you," she said. "I always wanted to go back and fight with my sisters again."

"Well, let's get going now." Chaos spoke as he summoned a portal of blackness. "Just follow me." Then he stepped into the portal. Zoe went and then I followed. After exiting the portal, I felt like I would puke regardless of the fact that I hadn't eaten in thirteen days.