Chapter Text
Chapter 18 - August 18th, 2005, Long Island, NY, Happy Birthday
Percy’s had a good day. The summer session of Camp had ended two days ago, August 16th, to give the campers time to readjust for school starting next week , so he was back at his moms apartment. Though Percy had chosen to stay outside of Camp during the year, that would not stop him from going in and out of Camp, and if Mr. D or Chiron would try to stop him, he would bite and they would not like it. Percy did not like being told what he could and couldn’t do.
Percy woke up the morning of his birthday to blue blueberry pancakes and gifts from his mom and aunt. Then, his mom invited all of Percy’s friends who were his age and year-rounders and brought them to the roller rink. They spent hours there, skating around, eating greasy pizza, drinking soda, and playing at the arcade next to it. Then, they went to the movies and spent way too much money on snacks.
At around 5pm they made their way to Camp to celebrate with the rest of his friends. They gave Percy gifts and smothered him in hugs and congratulations. Birthdays were even more important to demigods because of how often they died. They lit candles and set them around the pavilion, where Percy and his friends were celebrating and laughed and talked until dinnertime.
It was after dinner that came the part of the day that Percy had been waiting for for years.
Apollo appeared in the pavilion, right in front of the big table. A hushed silence flowed over the children, all looking towards the god. It wasn’t all too often that a god came to Camp, though most came whenever they could and when they thought they could skirt by the laws, especially in front of the whole Camp.
“Lord Apollo?” Chiron asked.
“Hello Chiron.” Apollo replied smoothly. “I’ve come to claim one of mine.”
The demigods did not speak but confused glances were shared among siblings.
Chiron’s eyebrows furrowed. “None of the year-round campers are unclaimed?” The centaur stated, but it sounded more like a question.
“Just let him do his thing, Chiron. I think if he has to wait any longer, he’ll explode.”
Chiron still looked confused but nodded anyway.
Apollo’s eyes immediately snapped to Percy. The sun god smiled, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes.
“Percy Jackson. Come to me, child.” He said. The Campers eyes snapped to him, questions and confusion circling in their eyes.
Percy raised from his seat at the Poseidon Cabin table and walked up to Apollo.
Apollo raised his right hand, like when the mortals made their meaningless oaths and said, “I, Proopsios Apollon, claim Perseus Jackson, son of Poseidon and Sally Jackson, as a prophet and seer and foreword, he shall be one of mine and under my protection.”
A beautiful golden light stemmed from Apollo, his aura expanded and surrounded Percy. A light appeared on top of Percy’s head and instead of Apollo’s usual claiming symbol, a lyre, a bright sun was summoned. Percy felt his outfit change and accessories settle on his skin. He looked down. He was in a flowing golden chiton, embroidered with little suns. Leather sandals were put on his feet and its straps wrapped around his calves. Golden bracelets, hand chains, and arm bands were set on his bare arms. He couldn’t see them, but he could feel a circlet sat on his head and hair pins and gems intertwined in his long hair.
Gasps and whispers echoed from the campers behind him.
“–a prophet–”
“–there hasn’t been a prophet in ages–”
“–oracle–”
Apollo turned to Mr. D. “I am trusting with my prophet, brother.”
“I am aware, Apollo. He shall be safe under my watch.” Mr. D replied, taking a swig out of his goblet which definitely didn’t have any alcohol his mother supplied in it.
Apollo nodded. “I shall take my leave, then.” He turned to Percy. “Happy birthday, child.” The god vanished.
Percy turned around to face his fellow campers. Their faces were painted with shock and a few disbelief, but none with greed, want, or anything unsettling, which, Percy wasn’t going to lie, made him feel relieved, like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. He knew the old stories, had seen them himself. He knew that people would want to use him for his sight, like a tool, even if it wasn’t always rooted in malvolence.
He looked to Annabeth, his very best friend, but only a little shock was in her aura, realization covered everything else.
—
September 2nd , 2005, Long Island, NY
Percy found not much changed after Apollo claimed him. The campers casted weary glances every now and then and would ask questions from time to time but they were mostly just surprised, they hadn’t ever met someone with the sight before. Though Annabeth did say something odd.
“There’s something about you, Percy, that makes you feel safe. Even when I first met you, I felt like I could trust you, that you were someone I should stay with. “ Annabeth said quietly, looking at Percy intensely. “I talked to some of our other friends, and they agreed with me. We’re demigods, we trust our instincts and when I first met you, my instincts told me to befriend you. Now that I have, they tell me to stay with you, that I can lean on you when times get tough.”
Percy had looked at her, her bright gray-silver eyes shining in the moonlight.
“If the fates demand it, then I guess you’re stuck with me, Annie.” Percy had replied, a cheeky smile growing on his face. His best friend had just snorted and knocked their shoulders together.
Currently. Percy was brushing his hair. He had just gotten out of the shower and was getting ready for bed. He was over at Camp for the weekend, as he did most weekends. School had just started a couple weeks ago and Percy was glad to be away from the stress of mortal school. Even though his sight told him to go back to mortal school for some reason, he wasn’t happy about it.
When Percy finished brushing his hair he carefully tied it back in a braid. He tidied up his bathroom and went to the bedroom, tucking himself into bed. Tonight, sleep came easy to the sea-born demigod.
—
There were six children sitting around a wooden table. They had juice boxes and were sitting tensely, looking at everyone around them wearily. The room they were in was large and open, the floor made of aqua tiles and the walls a white marble, hot-pink lotus murals decorating it.
“How long do you think it’s been?” A little girl with inky black hands asked the others.
“I’m not sure.” The girl with the bee wings said. “Hopefully not too long.”
“We don’t need to worry. Percy will come for us.” The wolf girl said.
The boy with the too bright eyes sighed. “This place is fucked.” He commented. “I still can’t believe we’ve been in here so long.”
“As long as we stick together when we leave, we’ll be fine.” The bee girl said kindly, reaching out to grab her friend’s hand.
—
Percy’s eyes snapped open and his head started to pound violently. Memories came flooding back to him, memories of children of magic, a son of the healer, a daughter of the artisan, and children of death.
He groaned, and not just in pain.
“
Ah fuck.”