Ch. 11. The One With The Meeting

PERCY'S POV

"Sir, Commander Stormbringer. It's time for dinner. " I was thinking about camp before all things started going down the drain, the happy times. I was so engrossed that Gregory's sudden loud voice made me jump a foot in the air.

"Holy Chaos Greg! You just have to call me not the entire camp! Take it down a notch man! And wait, I'll be there in 2. Get the boys together, we'll march outside in perfect formation rather than go like we are one of them. "

"Uhh... I would gladly do that sir, but I wouldn't be so sure your purpose would be served..."

By this time I was already outside my room and facing a nervous looking Greg.

"Care to explain what you meant? "

"Umm... it's actually that Sgt. Elmont was hungry so he..ah..decided to meet us at the dining table directly..."

"WHAT! WHY DOES THIS GUY ALWAYS WANT TO SPOIL MY PLANS! DAMM... well, okay... let's go out normally, I'll do that marching thing sometime later. Come. Let's have some food."

The dining area was at least 20 times bigger than when I... left. It was huge, but otherwise the same, like some sort of enlarging spell or something. Hmm. Impressive work Zeus. The entire Army that came could sit here comfortably at the same time. The dinner went by quickly, and I could guess from the way the campers were watching us how eager they were for the meeting. During the dinner, I was very careful not to think of any blue food or blue drink. Yes, I still love blue food. None of my childhood memories, especially those associated with my mom has been lost in my new life.

After dinner, Chiron began with a few announcements.

"Dear Campers, you all know we are at war, and you all knew how slim our chances of victory were...that is of course until we found new allies, or rather they found us. I officially welcome Commander Stormbringer of the army of Lord Chaos, Creator of this Universe, and his army. Give them a huge round of applause as a thank you. " And applause rang the air. Every camper had gratitude in their eyes, and I realized that Chaos wasn't over exaggerating, they needed us, and they needed us desperately. Just how much do they know about the enemy that they are so scared? Another question I need to be answered during the meeting. When the applause stopped, Chiron continued

"There is also another important announcement. Today's meeting is going to be held here itself in front of the whole camp. This is because we realize that every camper needs to be present for this meeting and put forth personal opinions for working out flawless strategies."

That wasn't something that ever happened here. This is strange. The Gods never care what happens to their children, they just push them to bear the brunt of the attack and then make them thank and sacrifice for them. But this? It's almost like they care. They are actually involving everyone. This visit is getting more and more interesting, to say the least.

Chiron banged his hoof loudly on the floor twice to get everyone's attention. Oh. Apparently, the announcements haven't finished.

"The Olympians and a few minor Gods are going to be present for this meeting as well. So I request you to be at your best behaviour." Again a lot of murmurings and whispers amongst the campers. While my army seemed unfazed, it was because they had no idea how things worked here, so it was all new.

Elmont, though, was as surprised as me. Being in the army for as long as he's been, he did a bang-up job hiding his expressions, but I could read his emotions displayed in his eyes. The campers seemed very gleeful that their parents were coming.

Especially the children if minor Gods like Hebe, Hecate, Nemesis and a few others seemed pretty excited. Apparently, minor Gods didn't show up much for their children. The dinner was over, and I advised the army to be free and voice opinions regardless of how small they think their query was.

If they are putting their lives at risk they have a right to know. As soon as my instructions ended, there were multiple flashes of white light. Individual flashes weren't very bright or power radiating but taken together they looked significantly bright. The minor Gods had arrived. It took about 4-5 minutes to get the 15 something minor Gods to settle down in the first row.

I along with my GIs and the immortal cabin counsellors as well as Chiron would sit in the 2nd row, and 3rd row onwards it was all mix and tussle. The Olympians were to sit on their throne facing the crowd And just like that there were 14 flashed of very bright light.

Olympians and their thrones in their usual Solstice meetings position appeared in front of us, and all the murmurs and whispers ceased. Everyone stood up and formally bowed to the Gods, except of course me and Elmont. I let Greg bow since he insisted it was his way of respecting power.

"Take your seat children and, uh... Army of Lord Chaos" Zeus finished awkwardly. He had no idea what to call us. Oh, but how would he, I haven't told him that yet. I was just about to get up and tell him when a soldier from my army said: "With all due respect, we prefer to be called by our official name, 'The army of Peace".

"Oh, sorry I wasn't informed about that. No offence intended. And you don't need to say with due respect, it's embarrassing coming from your army. "Zeus said. The name of the soldier who was having this conversation was Zephoe. A no-nonsense kind of a guy does what he says and respects not power but worthy deeds. I like him, and I know Zeus is going to be seriously embarrassed after this conversation but I won't stop him.

"Actually, Lord Zeus, you called us the army of Lord Chaos, and we refused that name not because we don't like it but because we prefer to b known by our deeds rather than by our master's. So while it is an honour that you called us that, we refused, insulting Lord Chaos during the course. So what I meant was, 'No offence to Lord Chaos, but we prefer the name that doesn't have him as an advertisement. Commander Stormbringer believes in creating one's own identity rather than banking on others'. Why would you be offended if I corrected you?"

"Oh, of course, of course, my bad I'm sorry, soldier," Zeus said, embarrassed, just as I'd predicted. I decided to intervene before Zeus actually got offended. I'm not scared of him, but that isn't the way my Army should be working with allies.

"Zeph, I'm pretty sure we are not here to discuss offences and names. Zeus, you may begin with the meeting." Zephoe nodded once towards me and took his seat, Zeus cleared his throat to get back everyone's attention. And thus began what seemed almost like a re-briefing similar to the one we had with Lord Chaos. The same thing. End is gonna attack, he's as powerful as Chaos, he has Gaea and all Titans with him, the Giants will take time to be reborn, even with the power of end, so we might not have to worry about them just yet.

"Okay, who's the best warrior here? " I asked. I obviously knew it was Jason, Nico, Annabeth and Reyna, but I still wanted to make sure.

"They are all fairly decent, but the most experienced would be the senior cabin counsellors. The immortal ones. They've been alive long enough to know the rules of the game if you know what I mean." Chiron replied. But I could see a sad glint in his eyes. I decided to push this topic further sometime later alone with Chiron to find out where it went.

"From the intel we have, sure they are skilled, but Director, being skilled and being a warrior isn't the same. I know all of them are brave, strong, loyal beyond doubts, but that still doesn't make them warriors. They are just powerful, something more gifted by blood than acquired by hard work." Elmont said. Whoa. So direct and straight to the point. This is why I like this guy so much. Sure, he's a jerk when playing PlayStation games, doesn't ever let me play once while he's at it, even if I order him, but he's still my best friend.

"Hey, what do you mean gifted? I've never received any gifts from anyone godly, ever. Heck, I haven't even seen my mom. She never comes to the meetings, Zeus says she's missing, I don't know what to do, and you just come from some random place and tell me all my training is for nothing? Listen, you must be goddamn powerful, but I don't care. I've achieved enough in my life to not be giving explanations to strangers like you." Reyna snapped very angrily.

So Bellona is still a sore subject for her. Hmm. I wonder what happened to the Amazons and hunters. I know Thalia and Hylla were the only survivors after the giant war, and that it took them years to get over the deaths of all their sisters and start recruiting new girls. In fact, from what I've heard, even Artemis and Hera (She's the patron of the Amazons) were pretty devastated.

"Then people like you, miss, are exactly what our commander needed as the answer. Take no offence. We were just putting forth our views." Reyna huffed indignantly, but I could see she was relaxing.

"So basically you need people skilled with something else other than their power? Then we have Jason, Nico, and of course Reyna." Chiron said, pointing to each one.

"And what's your weakest point strategically? " I asked.

"Why should we tell you all that? You have come here to fight, so fight, defeat and get it over with." Athena said. So someone over here has trust issues.

"An army is as strong as its weakest link Athena. I thought you of all people wouldn't need to be explained that judging by your domain. No matter. It's okay if you don't trust us yet, we have a few months to prepare, I'm sure you'll begin trusting my army by that time. And anyway we're gonna find out about your strong and weak warriors while training them. I'll ask this question again when we sit for an official war strategy meet, and hopefully, by then, you'll have grown to trust us. "

"We'll see." She replied, but it was polite.

The meeting ended, and I decided that a few questions of mine that were left unanswered could be better answered eventually during my stay here. I forgot that I'm a new guy to them and that I cannot ask them personal questions directly hoping they'll answer. So that was it for the meeting, it was pretty late, and after the Gods and Olympians had flashed away, We called it a night. I went to my room to shadow message Skylar. Shadow messaging is almost like Iris messaging, but no rainbows and there is an allowance of certain minutes, and you have to pay in the shadow by a drop of your blood each time you call post completion of allowance. Sky didn't know when she could come, she was pretty busy juggling between her as well as my Council jobs at the same time. I filled her in on the meeting, and she wished me luck for tomorrow's first day of training the campers. The message ended, and for the first time in decades, I had a dream. But it wasn't a nightmare. It was an image of Skylar. She was laughing delightfully, and I couldn't help a smile that slid on my face at her laughing voice. Her hair was looking a bit red by the sun rays and her eyes were shining with mirth. Gods of Olympus she's beautiful, I thought giddily. The dream must've lasted pretty long because just as it ended I woke up smiling (for gods know what reason). Did I really call Sky beautiful? Well of course she was, but I'd never before thought of her like that before. Uhh. Trust Earth to successfully goof up your mind.

(A/N: PLEASE REVIEW, CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM, ADVICE AND IDEAS ARE WELCOME.)