Chapter 5: Madness.
1985 Words
Nico's POV.
Things had gotten pretty bad right now. I mean we managed to get through the war with Asteria. Last night when I saw Percy being dragged by two zodiacs into his cabin. After hearing explanation, I was totally shocked to hear Zeus has captured Artemis.
I'm taking charge at Camp Half Blood at the moment. Since yesterday, Percy hasn't come out from his room. I know Artemis was precious to him, but he couldn't just give up like that. He made everyone concerned.
Lucky for me Jason had traveled as fast as possible to Camp Half Blood after he heard the news. Jason and I, along with Piper, Leo and Thalia were now standing in the Big House, planning how to rescue Artemis. The atmosphere seemed to be doomed in this room.
The doors suddenly forced open and Percy walked with a cold and emotionless face.
"Jason, why are you here?" Percy asked with an angry tone.
"I uh heard the news" Jason replied. "So I came to see what happened."
Percy nodded and closed his eyes. He looked up to us.
"That's good." Percy said. "You could help me this time."
I stared at him confusingly. What is he planning to do? Percy stepped up.
"Gather all troops" Percy said. "We're going to attack Olympus tonight."
That sentence shocked everyone in the room. We all looked each other and back at Percy.
"Percy" I said. "We don't even know how many troops does Zeus have. It would be a risk to attack at this time."
"What do you want me to do!?" Percy snarled. "Wait until he kill Artemis?"
"Nico is correct Perce" Jason said next to me with his arms folded across his chest. "It would be a risk to attack by now. We don't know anything about Zeus's side."
"I'm sure we can win" Percy said firmly. "If we don't have enough troops. Then bring in the Romans. We'll attack at all cost!"
"I know you are worried about Artemis." I told him. "But that would be a doomed attack. Even if we can win, have you thought how many troops we are going to lose. We have to bring the casualties as low as possible Perce"
"BUT MY WIFE IS OUT THERE NICO!" Percy bellowed at me, made everyone to be startled.
I felt bad for him. I really understood his situation. If it turned out to be Thalia, I may would've done the same thing. But I'm talking about everyone's sake right now. Percy was overwhelmed by madness.
Tears were streaming down Percy's eyes. I really surprised at the view. This is the first time I've seen him like this. Thalia walked up and laid her hand on his shoulder.
"I know you're worried about Artemis Percy" Thalia said. "We're too. But right now, we have to come together. That's the only way to defeat Zeus. You're our leader, we are ready to die for you. But you have to think Perce. Are you ready to risk the lives a thousand people?"
Percy stepped back as he looked at the ground. He shook his head and slowly walking away. I turned to Jason with a look 'we have to do something'. He nodded seem to understand me.
"Wait" Jason called making Percy to turn back. "Bringing a large number to rescue Artemis maybe hard. But what if few of us come to rescue her. That would be easier. How about we sneak into Olympus to investigate."
"No, that's way too dangerous" Piper protested.
"Don't worry" Jason said. "Nico and Leo will come with us. You girls stay back here."
"Wait I have to come too?" Leo dropped his drink and stared at us.
"What?" I looked at him. "Are you scared Flame Brain?"
"Hell naw I'm scared of that" Leo said. "Let's go. I'm fired up now!"
~~~~~TIME LASPE~~~~~
Still Nico's POV
The four of us slowly enter the Empire Stare Building. I don't know what the mortals see, but that place had turned into a military base. There was satyrs wearing wooden armours running around, guarding the base. There was no way we could sneak inside.
We hid behind a bush and investigated the place.
"They are too many" Jason grimaced. "I don't think we can go in that easily"
"How about just head on with em?" Leo suggested.
Does this guy really have a brain? That would definitely cause the alarm. Not to mention if we can defeat all of them. To my unexpected, Percy took out his sword.
"I'm not gonna turn back" he said.
"Be patient " I told him. "Let's capture on of the guard and take some information from him before we can decide what to do next."
We all agreed and went to do our job. I hid at a corner as Leo hid on a tree close by as Percy and Jason laid under a parked car. I picked up two rocks and started clashing them together. Loud enough to make a guard close to me notice.
Hearing strange noise, the satyr started to walk closer to me. I heard footsteps were close and I dived into a bush. The guard appeared, staring at the spot I was standing, scratching his head confusingly. Immediately, Percy ran out and knocked the satyr out cold with the butt of his sword. I winced, that must be painful.
We all came out and looked down at the guard.
"We need to take him somewhere quite." Jason panted.
"I know a place" Leo said.
~~~~~TIME LASPE~~~~~
At Bunker 9.
Nico's POV
"Cool isn't it?" Leo exclaimed as we walked into his bunker, hidden inside a side of a mountain. "We don't usually work here. So this place has only us now."
Percy threw the guard on the ground as he managed to get on his knees. We all looked at the satyr. Percy walked closer to him and kneeled down at his level.
"Tell me" Percy grabbed his collar. "Where are you hiding Artemis?"
"I-I don't know" the guard answered. Though he was still dizzy form the knock out of Percy.
"This guy is pretty tough though" Leo said, crossing his arms.
Percy glared at the guard and he poked his chest. "I'll ask you again." He said, dangerously calm. "Where are you hiding Artemis?"
"I don't know" The satyr still held firm on his answer.
Percy was pretty mad right now. He stood up and punched the satyr with all his will. The poor guard spit out blood.
"Where is she?" Percy bellowed as he punched the satyr furiously. "WHERE!"
Jason and I immediately came up and pulled him back. "Percy you are gonna kill him."
Percy struggled to get lose form our hold. The satyr's face was unrecognised by now. Blood was leaking down his face. I felt bad for bringing him hear. I stepped closer to him and kneeled down at his level.
"Look" I told the satyr. "My friend is pretty mad because he's lost his wife. Just tell us where are you hiding her, and we will let you go."
"I've told you" the guard glared at me. "I don't know"
I heard something lit up behind me and something being uncapped. I turned back to see Percy holding his sword.
"What are you gonna do?" I widened my eyes at him.
"I'm gonna pull every word out from that filthy mouth."Percy said, gritting his teeth. "Enough of the nice asking."
I stood up trying to stop him but he pushed me aside. Percy put the blade on the satyr's left ear. The poor satyr gulped.
"I'm asking you one more time" Percy snarled. "Where are you hiding Artemis?"
The satyr glared at us. "I haven't seen Artemis enter Olympus. I don't know where is she."
I closed my eyes definitely didn't want to see the sense.
"AHHH" the satyr's scream echoed throughout the bunker.
I opened my eyes as Percy threw the ear away. Blood shot out from the cut. Percy face was even scarier than my dad. Percy put the blade on the right ear. "WHERE IS SHE?"
I knew I had to free him quick or Percy gonna kill him.
"Where are you hiding Artemis" I asked him. "You took her I KNOW YOU DID! "
"TELL US WHERE AND WE WILL FREE YOU!" Jason shouted.
"JUST TELL US WHERE!?" Leo added in.
The satyr didn't say anything but to kept his head high. Percy glared danger at him. This is not good.
"We are wasting time on this." Percy sighed as he moved to blade, dangerously close to the satyr's neck. We all tensed up.
The satyr was breathing fast.
"PERCY STOP!" I shouted.
"You don't want to do this trust me" Jason stepped closer, trying to calm him.
"There are some lines you can't uncross." Percy muttered as he pushed the blade further. "Where's Artemis!"
"Just tell us where she is?" Jason shouted. The situation was pretty bad right now. One wrong move and Percy would end the poor guy's life. I didn't want that to happen. It was me who suggested the idea. But I didn't wan it to be turned out like this.
"Arrgggg" Percy bellowed as he pushed the blade further to the satyr's throat. Blood was dripping out form the cut.
Jason and I stepped closer to interrupt when Percy shouted, glaring dagger at us.
"Back off!!!"
"Put down the sword Percy" I tried to calm him and spoke as slow as possible.
Percy glared back at the satyr. He pushed more pressure on the cut. "Three second." Percy said.
I stopped and stared at the satyr.
"Three!"
Come one just say something you i***t. He's gonna kill you if you don't.
"Two!"
Sweats were rolling down my cheek by now. It will be all my fault if I he dies.
"One."
"Ok!" The satyr exclaimed, gasping. "I'll tell you."
"Artemis is on the east of Mahattan." The satyr said. "A small base where we keep our prisoners of war."
"How do we get there?" I immediately asked.
"I can draw you a map." He said. "But you need to hurry. She will be brainwashed."
"Get him something to draw a map." Percy demanded looking at Leo.
He ran away and handed the satyr a paper and pen a moment later. After awhile of drawing. The guard finally handed us the map. Percy examined it and folded.
"Gather up the gear. We're leaving" Percy ordered.
"What about him?" Leo asked looking at the satyr. "We can't just leave him here"
"Deal with him when we're done." I said.
"What if he escapes?" Jason asked. "He knows exactly where are we going."
"Then what you're gonna do" I asked, poking his chest. "Kill him?"
"It's not what I mean. But if you don't do anything right now. This is gonna blow back on us and you know that" Jason explained.
"He's unarmed Jason" I told him.
"He's on Zeus side too" Jason said.
"Then what? kill him?" I said. "That's not how we work Jase. He's as good as dead."
"You are talking like you've never killed Zeus's soldiers before." Jason sneered.
"That was in battle." I defended myself. "This would be an execution."
"Ahhhhh". We suddenly heard a scream and turned back.
Kneeling there was the satyr with his mouth hanging open, gasping for air as blood poured out from his mouth. Looking down, the celestial blade came piecing through his chest. Percy pulled back the blade as the dead satyr dropped on the ground with a 'thug'.
Percy capped his sword and walked away emotionless.
"Let's get moving."
He walked passed us. A dark aura radiated from him. Leo, Jason and me looked at the dead body in shock then back at Percy. My blood ran cold. A single sweat rolled down my cheek.
What has he become to?
- Writer
