Ch. 12

PERCY'S POV:

The dream ended and I woke up in a jiffy. Today I would see how good my... allies... were in a fight. And today I would 'train' my ex-best friends as well. I heard a knock on my door.

"Good morning sir, it's time for breakfast. And I've conveyed your last night's message to Elmont sir, and in his words, he says its a...yeah...its a " damn blaster of an idea, why couldn't I think of it."

"Greg. Ya, I'll be out in 2 for breakfast, just unpacking a few things that remained yesterday. And you go tell Elmont to prepare for the march."

"Sure thing sir. "

I finished unpacking and... oh wait, for those of you who're thinking we got off the ship carrying a load if bags, pfft, please. You think I'd do all those things to look intimidating and then remain busy juggling bags? I told the guys to leave their bags at a certain spot, and Sky just teleported them here. They appeared in everyone's respective rooms a few minutes after we had settled.

So, as I was saying, I finished unpacking and left the room, entering the giant main hall where I could see everyone in perfect attention.

"Exactly what I wanted Elmont. And since we've done this before, I think we all know what to do, correct?

"SIR, YES, SIR! " came the loud approval of my 3000 soldiers in perfect synchronisation.

"So let's do this. Elmont, your turn to initiate phase one, it was Greg the last time."

"Yes!" He squealed like a little girl.

Exactly 12 seconds after he left the room, my whole army started banging their Shields in synchronisation, the sound reverberating through the walls of the tents. I was pretty sure the entire camp, as well as the wild spirits of the forest, could hear it. In another 10 seconds, the banging stopped and immediately we heard the booming voice of Elmont.

"Soldiers! March!" and the whole Army, in full battle armour wearing weapons almost from head to toe marched out, their footsteps sending vibrations under our feet. Gregory was leading them. I stayed back for the next phase. After everyone marched out of the tent, which took roughly 3 minutes, phase 2 began.

Gregory and Elmont spoke in a perfectly synchronized, commanding voice, "All hail Commander Stormbringer, Commander of the army of peace, right hand to Lord Chaos, member of the Primordial Council, slayer of every monster known, rider of the dangerous Cyprian Tallert, the fear of evil beings, friend of the good, lover of the wild."

My cue to get out of the tent. I calmly walked out. The army was standing right outside the tent, on either side of the tent in equal numbers forming two lines, the lines facing each other.

Everyone, including Gregor and Elmont, were bowing down to me. I raised my hand, palm facing forward, in a 'stop' gesture. As soon as I did that, everyone rose. As soon as I took my first step forward the banging of shields started, continuing till I reached the last soldier. As soon as I reached the end of the line, the banging stopped, and in one voice, we all, including me said together "Hail Lord Chaos, Hail the Primordial Council." Then I clapped my hands, and the lines broke and everyone went their separate groups towards the breakfast area. Meanwhile, the onlookers had their mouths hanging wide open.

"Sir, we have a message from Chiron"

A soldier from my army approached me.

"What's it, Andrew? "

"The hunters and Amazons have already arrived. They came together while you were getting ready for breakfast." I didn't know what to react, sure I had a good friendship with Thalia and Hylla, and I didn't hold them accountable for what happened to me. Either of them. Both were grieving over their sisters' death. Their entire army barring those two had been killed by the giant Orion.

I could understand how they felt. I am the Commander of two very big armies after all. I know what it's like to lose people who follow you with blind faith.

"Where are they as of this moment Andrew? Have they already left? I would have appreciated a meeting with them. They travel a lot, far more than the rest of the campers, and in much deeper and dark parts. They could have quite some valuable information for us."

"They said they will be staying here sir. They haven't left, they're actually waiting for you in their ping - pong table room where I am told their meetings are usually held. That was my purpose of coming here. To call you. "

"Oh. Good. The soldiers need to train today. You may go Andrew." I dismissed him. He formally bowed and left.

I turned to Elmont and Gregor.

"Greg. I and El are gonna take the campers' training today. You train the army in whatever part of the training arena you want. We'll be coming after the meeting with the campers. Put some good training display then. The campers should know what we're actually capable of. And

El, come with me to the meeting. " Both of them nodded, Greg left, and we proceeded towards the ping-pong table.

When we entered, all the talking died down, went hush. I could feel everyone looking at me, waiting for me to take a seat, probably say something, but I was busy observing two specific girls, one of them used to be my favourite cousin, the other a really close friend... of course after we got past her 'you blew up my house and handed me to pirates but I'll not kill you' mode.

Respecting women and people of power who are worthy of it was one of the first few things I'd learned when I started my journey with Lord Chaos' Army. Me and Elmont both bowed low to the two girls.

"Honoured to meet you Lieutenant of Lady Artemis, and you too, queen Hylla of the Amazons." We said together.

I could see both the girls, as well as Chiron and the immortal counsellors - whom I noticed very late, were staring at me wide-eyed. I guess my image wasn't that of a guy bowing down to people.

"We respect the worthy. So now gather yourselves and let's begin this meeting" I said.

We took our seats, special seats made for us of course since each seat here represented a godly parent, and we were with Chaos. The immortal campers were sitting at their respective parent's table, Hylla sat on the patron of Amazons - Hera's chair, while Thalia sat on Artemis' chair instead of her dad's.

Again the same news and information were put forth, nothing new. All that Thalia and Hylla could add was that the monsters were definitely increasing in numbers, but they kept their distance, even in cases where they actually outnumbered the girls on a few occasions, they backed off. I found out during the course of the discussion that the Amazons have an army of about 120 girls, while the hunters are about 20-25 in all. That's really slow growth in numbers, but after what happened in the giant war, they told me they chose only those girls who have nothing to lose or are desperate beyond a point to join.

"Seemingly someone has given the monsters clear instructions not to engage, just to observe. Apparently, our enemy is waiting for something to happen. Whether it'll happen here or on their side we don't know, but we need to be ready for any kind of threat or-

"-ATTACK!" A camper suddenly opened the door and shouted.

"We knew he was gonna say attack punk, you didn't have to break the door and shout for that" Clarisse stupidly said, but I realized he wasn't some hyper excited eavesdropper.

I and Elmont immediately sprang into action. "Get your butts up. He isn't fooling around.

The camp's under attack!"

"Of course it is! You think I would joke about such a thing! " The kid said to Clarisse, clearly offended.

" It's okay, gather everyone, we'll see what kind of attack our young friend here is talking about. Why didn't you sound the alarm, child?" Chiron asked the kid in a soothing father-like voice. Hearing this tone brings back memories of when I was 12, my first time at camp, Chiron's support, his love, his affection, everything.

"I am new here, I came only yesterday, no one showed me what to do, so I came here. Did I have to do something else? I'm sorry I didn't know. "

"Its okay, you did the absolutely right thing. C'mon now, show us this army." Meanwhile, Jason had already left to sound the alarm. We rushed outside just as Jason rang the distress alarm.

Every Camper left training activities and everything got a sword, bow, shield and rushed towards the gates. So much unison? Chiron must have told them what to do in such cases.

The whole Army was slowly coming from their training in full battle regalia, armour and all.

They are under orders to carry it at all times. Finally, that order was put to good use. I and the immortal campers rushed to the gates, Elmont with us and Chiron, my army and the campers close on our heels. The sight was unnerving, well maybe not so much to my army, we've faced worse and won, but the campers sure looked scared. The young ones were even close to crying.

I couldn't blame them. The sheer size of the army would be enough to make a normal sane person pee in his pants. But I and the army weren't normal, we were trained in these kinds of wars, this is what we did day and night. And while we fought, sane was definitely not the word people could use to describe us. The site, although intimidating, wasn't enough to aggravate me. What made my blood boil was the face of the person leading them. I could see the immortal campers as well as resembled my expressions. Chiron had a stoic expression. Before I could say anything, Thalia growled "Gwen. What are you doing here? And how the hades are you still alive?!"

"The famous lieutenant Thalia Grace! What a pleasure to finally meet you! " Gwen said in an overly sweet faux tone.

"It'll be such a pity when I'll have to kill you! But don't worry, that isn't gonna happen.. yet." She smirked evilly.

"Gwen, you are held guilty of plotting against Earth , aiding most wanted criminals, multiple innocent murders and many more crimes. We give you one chance to give up. Retreat, and we might be considerate in granting you punishment. Fight, and destruction will be all you witness." Elmont said.

Now we know she isn't gonna give up, but its standard procedure to grant one chance to every enemy.

"Yes, destruction I will surely witness. Your destruction. " Gwen growled.

"But we haven't come here to fight. What you see before you is but a fraction of our army." She smirked before continuing,

"You puny demigods are too naive and weak to pose a threat to our might. You just delay the inevitable by fighting. So I give you an offer, join our forces, and you will be pardoned. Stand against us, and that's the last stand you'll ever take." Gwen said in a very calm but intimidating voice.

"Like hell, we'll be by your side. At first, we planned to go down fighting, but now that we have the aide of the Army of Peace, we'll take you down." Annabeth said angrily.

"Oh, your stupid army that you think can save you!" Gwen laughed heartily.

"That's pretty much actually why we came here. Who is this commander that I have heard so much boasting about? You haven't spoken a single word yet, commander." She said tauntingly.

"I don't speak to middle people Gwen. Where's your master? Busy hiding his scared butt from us I presume?"

"You insolent madman! How dare you insult my master! Do you even know how powerful he is? "

"As a matter of fact I do - how and why? that's for me to know and you to find out." I smirked.

"Enough talk. As we said, we haven't come here to fight, we've come for another reason. We have an offer for the Army of Peace. I challenge your commander storm-whatever his name is to a one on one duel, swordfight, a battle to the death. The conditions are that should you lose, the army will retreat from here, never to set foot on Earth or mingle with our affairs."

"And what if we win?" Nico said.

"Not we Nico, him. I'll fight only the commander. And win. But just to make you feel good, I'll say. If you win, obviously it's gonna be a fight to the death so I'll die, and this army you see here will retreat. This portion of our army, just like your allies the Army of Peace if commander loses will vow never to return to attack this camp.

"We need to confer with everyone. We won't take any decision in haste." Annabeth said.

"Yeah yeah whatever take your own time, just remember we do not have all day. "

Every senior counsellor, as well as Chiron and the army, gathered for a quick meet.

"I'll fight, and I'll win, and I'll make sure she swears by her terms on the river Styx. There's no better way." I declared.

"That's your call. But you don't have to do this. Your experience and knowledge would be more than sufficient for us. We cannot ask you to die for us, Commander Stormbringer." Chiron said sincerely.

"Director, we aren't fighting this war for your sake. It's our job, one we are honoured and glad to perform. You guys go and tell her I'm ready to fight, meanwhile, I'll get myself ready. Elmont, stay with the campers and help them, be vigilant at all times, from all directions. Remember, this might all be a ruse. Gregor, come with me, help me prepare. "

10 MINUTES LATER:

"I'm ready. " I said, appearing in full battle armour with a few hidden weapons concealed within various places. Both sides swore on the Styx and got ready for the fight. I carry duel swords, an upgraded version of Riptide that isn't recognizable and another sword made of Temporal gold, crafted by Skylar as my birthday gift. Its a wickedly raven black sword intricately patterned with my first 10 missions on display in tiny font."

Gwen was also in full body armour, wearing a helmet and had a sword and a shield. The shield would protect her but make her slow. She will have to play defensive. That's the reason I don't use a shield. I like playing attacking. "All the best commander, make it quick and simple, may the fates be with you." Elmont wished me.

"Let's see what you've got, oh great Commander. " Gwen smirked.

The smirk was quickly wiped off of her face when I said. "Of course Gwen... or should I say, Gwenoria." Now it was my turn to smirk.

She growled and, without a warning attacked. Not boasting or anything, but according to my standards, she wasn't even worthy of sparing with me. But I decided to make the fight last a bit longer so that my side wouldn't become overconfident. She slashed, I parried, she stabbed, I dodged.

It went on like this for about 5 minutes, duck roll slash stab dodge, and my lack of attention at one point earned her a lucky hit on me. It was just a tiny scratch on my shoulder though, so no real harm was done. I decided to end it then and there.

"Enough toying traitor, you're about to lose your challenge," I said calmly. I increased my speed to tenfold, slashed a few quick times piercing her armour multiple times and making huge gashes on her shoulder, chest, abdomen and legs. "Goodbye Gwen" I whispered."You should have killed me that day when I left camp." I whispered in her ears.

The realization about my identity dawned on her face, but it was too late by then. I decapitated her in a quick stab and ended the battle. The army members knew from the beginning I wasn't trying, so they just clapped, but the campers erupted in cheers and celebrations. Gwen was dead, her Army left, but I have a feeling we are missing the plot here. Why challenge one on one if you have such a huge army? Why get one of your own killed even before the battle commences?

Something's amiss, and I intend to find out what. But as of today, the threat is neutralized. I have a feeling I'll be seeing Kronos and the Titans soon, maybe along with their mother Gaea. The Council's Army comes with Skylar in 2 days. I hope nothing much happens till then. And I should call Filos now, he wanted a break which he deserved after accompanying in all my missions and saving my lives countless times. I already miss him.