Eyes are the windows to the soul. At least that's how the saying goes.
Have you ever looked into a soldier's? And I mean really, really look. Have you tried to see that pain they hide? Did you know their eyes are the only place you'll see weakness, vulnerability? That by looking in their eyes, you can see the lives they've taken, the lives they've seen lost? It is in their eyes that you can see how broken they are. As the Gods and campers looked into Percy's eyes with fear, their hearts shattered. His eyes were unrecognizable.
His sea green eyes had lost their light. It would have been better if they were drowning in tears of sadness. It would have been better if they flashed and stormed with unquenchable rage. Any emotion would have been better than the broken, haunted look in his eyes. There was nothing. No current of life, no sign of sight; they were just dead. Dull and colorless. An empty canvas of emotion.
Cradled in his arms was the disjointed and beaten body of his lover, Annabeth Chase. Her curly blonde hair was crusted in mud and blood. A deep gash scarred her forehead, bruises discoloring her cheeks and chin. A deep X was carved across her collar bone, the blood flowing into her once bright orange camp t-shirt. Her ribs were blue and purple, the faint hint of white bone protruding her skin. It was surrounded by a sickly green and yellow pus. A poison she had been battling since Tartarus. But her fatal wound was the most terrifying. The hole through her chest was a testament to Gaea's sadism. She had ripped Annabeth's heart out straight through her chest cavity while Percy watched in helpless horror. The remainder of her heart lay 10 feet away from the couple.
Annabeth's arms were a collage of scars and scrapes from her time in The Pit and from the battle. Her right hand still gripped her dagger while her left hand was intertwined between Percy's. Blood dripped from between his fingers. Her blood. Blood she had tried to stopped form flowing out. A crimson handprint marred the left side of his face, the liquid disrupted by the steady stream of tears flowing from his eyes.
Everyone was losing hope. The camp's losses were too great, the God's powers nearly exhausted. Morale was a fleeting memory. The one they looked to for leadership was no longer in any condition to fight. They didn't even know if he was in any condition to live. The hand print of blood that marked his left cheek, the mark Annabeth's hand left when she and Percy shared their last kiss and words was a wound to everyone's soul. It was a moment that would haunt the memories of all who witnessed it. Everyone watched in helpless horror as Gaea's monsters marched forward while she mocked their suffering.
"So this is the great Perseus Jackson, the Savior of Olympus? How pathetic!" She past out her words, mocking him with his title. "It seems my monsters have given you too much credit. You are just a disappointment, a mistake, one I intend on correcting. For all of your valiant words, you can't do anything. You are just a broken, shattered, and destroyed shell of a demigod. You promised protection. You promised life. Yet look at all of those dead around you. Not even I am so cruel as to promise something I cannot keep."
"I promised you all blood. I promised you a war Jackson. Revenge for me and my children. I promised you the death of all those you hold dear. I promised you a torturous existence. And look..." she smiled sadistically, her green eyes flashing yellow," Your friends are dead. By my hands. And what glorious, heroic deaths they were. I must say though. Annabeth's was my favorite. She actually thought she could put up a fight. The fool."
The Gods looked at their grandmother in horror. Whatever beauty she once had was vanished, replaced only by her insanity. Her vibrant green eyes were wide and blood shot. Frizzy, curly auburn hair flowed down past her waist, tangled and dreaded, intertwined with sticks and leaves. Her skin was a composition of dirt and decomposing materials, green veins mapping their way down to her feet almost like veins. Her teeth were sharp and pointed, her nails a cloudy crystals. Ichor dripped from her forehead and wrists but she paid no mind. Her only focus was Percy. But she failed to notice the tension building in his body. Just waiting to snap.
"You say you kill monsters dear Perseus. Then why have you not ended your own life? You are a monster worse then any of my creations. You have killed your blood, betrayed your friends, sacrificing them. Or worse, letting them end their live to save yours. You are the true monster. Your false hope, your illusion of freedom cannot save you now! Any of you! You are at my mercy! You are all powerless against my forces! So give up! Just like she did before I ripped her beating heart from her chest! How poignant!"
The change was so quick, so unexpected, that no one was prepared. The air stood still. Everything had stopped. All the fighting, every breathe...had simply stopped. A deep blue and black aura flared around Percy's body. It was suffocating. Those around him fell to their knees, slammed into the ground as the pressure forced them down. He rose slowly, deliberately, as he kept his head down. He lovingly closed Annabeth's eyes before looking up.
His eyes were rigid, hard and cold. They glowed, full of sadistic promise, as heart freezing as a gorgon's glare. But they were not his memorizing sea green. They were black. Pure black, flashing with red and blue lights. Hatred, pain and rage stormed in his orbs, not a shred of doubt to be seen. As Gaea made eye contact, she balked. Never before had she seen eyes like his. He didn't blink, he didn't falter or wave. He looked her straight in the eyes, a cold resolve of death his promise.
His shirt was soaked in both his blood and Annabeth's, the fabric coated in red liquid and gold dust. His shirt was a rag, exposing the countless scars and wounds he had suffered. The deep cuts were accentuated by shadows, a formidable reminder that Percy was no stranger to pain and suffering. White knuckles enclosed a leaf shaped blade, the same blade that had reaped the souls of her many minions. His shoulders were erect, his chin held high, oozing confidence. His jaw was clenched, his teeth grinding as he held back. As he rose to his full height, he truly looked terrifying.
The aura of black and sea green cloaked him, the energy pulsing with his heart beat. It absorbed all the light, casting the world into a colorless void, accenting his horrifying wounds. The clear sky clouded over, the black storm clouds' rumbling growls chilling. Lightning streaked and flashed in the sky, striking the ground in uncontrolled, fiery passions.The wind began to rise, circling around Percy. He stretched out his hands, the winds screaming out in terror and anticipation. The air chilled, a drop in temperature so sudden that the grass and tree leaves frosted over. The waves fought each other, white wash pounding at beaches, tearing away at every rock in their way. The waters raged in thirst for revenge, mirroring the torment their master's soul was undergoing. The rivers roared, the currents gushing in anticipation, eager to cause harm. The ground shook and shattered, the ground opening its maw against Mother Nature's will. Icy rain torrented down, the drops like needles, piercing Gaea's earthy veins.
And not once did he break eye contact.
Gaea looked in horrified awe as Percy casually, sadistically strolled up to her. With every step he took, the earth quivered and quaked. The rain wouldn't relent in its attack, the winds shrieking at her, grabbing and pulling at her. He didn't smile, but he didn't cry. His eyes were those of a predator, and she his frozen prey. Ice began to creep up her leg, sinking deep into her body, freezing her earthly veins preventing any movement, as silent and quick as poison. It seeped into her skin until only her mouth and eyes could shift. Her heart pummeled against her rib cage, pulsing in her throat. It palpitated in fear at her now obvious demise.
As he approached, his eyes gleamed, a petrifying snarl hinting that she might have pushed him too far.
"What is this Gaea? The mighty primordial scared by little old me?" he mocked. His voice had deepened exponentially. It was grating and echoed with vicious malice and acidic hatred. It echoed across the battle field a chilled the blood of all listening. It was monotone.No hint of remorse or morality. He waited for the reply he knew would never come. He leaned in, his lips brushing her ear, his breath cold and biting. He scoffed as he smelt her fear. He leaned closer as he whispered into her ear
"Good. You should fear me. I have no qualms becoming a monster. As you say, I already am one. You have taken everything Gaea, every shred of human decency and morality from my soul. Now?" He laughed a humorless laugh that caused Gaea's gasp to freeze in her throat. Those demon eyes taunted her, petrified her, just teasing her to try and fight back. "Now you get to suffer like I have suffered. My fatal flaw is personal loyalty. You underestimated that. By killing those I am loyal to, you have only made me stronger and more loyal to those surviving. If sacrificing my soul to a monster will save them, so be it. But mark my words. Tartarus himself would quiver and quake with fear from what I have planned for you. You hypocritical, pathetic, weak excuse of a primordial. You will regret having pushed me so far." His voice held so much malice that every word cut at her power, draining it. He seemed to be a vortex, taking her life force while empowering himself. She looked behind him to see the horrified Olympians staring at Percy with such trepidation that Gaea finally began to understand just how much she underestimated him.
Percy raised his hand and directed it towards her, latching his fingers around her neck. Gaea's eyes widened as she thrashed against her impenetrable bonds, trying to escape the tormented elements. The winds were unleashed, rotating around her, desperately trying to pull her body apart as she was held down by Percy. They slashed and cut, invisible blades draining her of ichor. The rivers and rain unleashed their fury, eroding away her skin, carving out her very existence. As Percy clenched his fist, she felt her body constricting, millions of explosions tasering her nervous system. She gazed at him with such pain as he tore her immortal essence, molecule by excruciating molecule. Bu this gaze never faltered or wavered. His resolve was stone. She clawed at the invisible forces, her lungs burning as they greedily gasped fro air. The earth convulsed, swallowing up her armies and jolting her off center, leaving her dazed and nearly unconscious as her minions were swept away. Percy continued his onslaught long after he felt Gaea's power fade. He needed this, no matter how much he cried inside for following a path of revenge.
He ended her torture long after her essence had faded. His hatred was swallowed by his disbelief as he looked at his stunned and horrified allies. His heartbreaking and colorless eyes swooped the battlefield, taking in the destruction he caused and the many dismembered bodies of his friends, his family. And as he took in the battle field, he stayed silent. He didn't cry out in greif and anger. Behind him, the Gods and campers, while happy in victory cried out for their hero, a melencholy meldoy for the dead and broken.
Annabeth's body lay behind him, her heart torn from her chest. Frank's body was but a pile of ash, surrounded by scorched trees and other demigod corpses. Hazel's body lay next to him, her head severed clean off but was not by her body. Jason had a spear sticking out of his stomach and five arrows potruding his chest, one stuck through his neck. Piper's body lay gutted, surrounded by piles of golden dust, spears and swords scattered around her, along with a few shredded up Pegasi. Leo was a tool belt and puddle of blood; a giant had crushed his entire lower and middle body until Percy had to deliver the merciful final blow. All six of the seven were dead, and they were joined by many more.
He clenched his jaw as he saw the bloodied survivors. The inky black faded from his eyes. But his sea green eyes stayed hard and unfeeling. It was like someone had taken away his morality. His sense of right and wrong, leaving his killing instinct only. It was then that the Gods saw what they had put their children through. But it was too late.
Percy steeled himself. He couldn't break down. Not now. He rolled his shoulders back, picking up his sword as he walked up to the survivors. His deep voice heavy with command and authority.
"Everyone! Relocate to Camp Jupiter. They are our siblings and allies. We may have won the battle here and defeated Gaea but they are still facing the remainder of her armies. they will need our help. Go on without me. I shall search for stragglers and kill of whatever monsters remain." Some of the older campers and Gods looked like they wanted to protest but his glare caused them to shy away. The group began to climb up over the hills, many looking back at their hero before they disappeared over the edge. Percy buried his feelings of guilt for having sent them into another battle. But the camps needed each other now.
He waited a while, looking at the hill as he made sure they were leaving. Once he was sure the were a good distance away he slumped down. He struggled against his tears and he held the hem of his shirt to his mouth, trying to prevent the inhalation of ashes and smoke. His limping leg dragged against the rubble and remains of the camp. He didn't cry. He just continued to die a little more inside.
After two hours of scavenging the battlefield, the grass was soaked with blood and monster dust. The rubble of Camp Half-Blood had been somewhat cleaned. Dozens upon dozens of bodies had been lined up, brother next to brother, sister next to sister, cousin next to cousin. The only bodies left to be placed were the six. The six of the seven.
Percy looked down at their mutilated corpses andcouldn't help but cry. But he didn't sob. He didn't weep. He simply let the tears fall from his eyes as he cradled their bodies. He whispered his goodbyes and apologizes to each one of their bodies, hoping their souls received the messages. He placed Jason and Piper together, linking their hands together. He did the same with Frank and Hazel, wrapping their fingers together as Percy dusted off the ash of Frank's lifeline. Leo's body was gruesome for Percy. He had to take Leo's torso first, placing it next to Jason. He then retried the remained of his legs and his trusty belt, placing them down as he tried to make Leo's body seem whole. Last was Annabeth.
Percy let out a sob for air as her collapsed onto his knees bedside her. He gently brushed her hair out of her face, painfully smiling at how peaceful she looked. He sat there running his fingers between her hair, caressing her hands as her cradled her into his chest. His tears streamed down his face, falling onto her cheeks and eyes, making it seem like her body was crying because of his suffering.
"I'm so sorry Annabeth. I's so, so sorry. I wasn't strong enough. I couldn't save you. I wish it was me. I wish it was me lying in your arms. Because you'd be alive. A-alive to li-to live your dreams. to f-fall in l-love with someone. To live a normal life. Not a war like this. I promised you eternity. Please don't do this to me. Please don't be dead. I need you Annabeth. I love you...Wise Girl, please don't leave me."
To save a friend, you would sacrifice the world. Athena's words rang through my head. I looked up, shock running through my veins as a ghostly voice whispered in my head. An oath to keep with a final breath.
Fuck Prophecies. Had he known what this meant, he never would have sworn that oath with Annabeth. Maybe she would be alive...He shook his head. He couldn't do that. Not now. He couldn't plague his conciseness with the what ifs regarding this battle. He had to keep his head clear. He took a deep breath through his nose as he gathered Annabeth into his arms.
Her body molded perfectly against his, the chill of her body causing Percy to shudder. He swallowed away another onslaught of tears, smiling down at her while he only wanted to cry. Her head rested against his neck. If she had been alive, her breathing would have tickled his skin, a fact Annabeth used to play towards her advantage. Percy felt a drop, a metal weight plunging into his stomach at the thought of never feeling her lips against his skin. Of never feeling that intense fire she brought out. He closed his eyes as he reached the rows of bodies. He placed Annabeth's down with the most care, his face expressionless.
"I have to leave you. I can't stay here. Not anymore. Forgive me Annabeth. But I won't be joining you so soon. They still need me but I can't. Without you...I-" He brought his hand to his face, angrily wiping away his tears. "I need to get away. I've seen too much. Lost too much. And I need normality. If that;s even possible. But...for my sanity, I have to leave. And that means....accepting. And moving on....I don't know how I'll do it but i promise you this. I will never, never forget you." He leaned down, whispering his painful last words before brushing his lips against her pale ones.
He stood up and looked out beyond the land in front of him. He knew the bodies would be properly honored once the Gods returned. So he walked. He walked away from the bodies, away from the Gods, and away from the war. He knew that if he was truly needed, the Gods would sent for him. He just pray he wouldn't be needed. He had no desire to help them anymore. In all honesty, he wanted to die. But the Fates had a different plan. A different future awaiting him. And it all started with what?
With Pain
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So hey guys, comment what you think of my first chapter! If you have read my other work, you'd know this beginning is very similar but I'm lazy and it was how I wanted to start it off. As said in the description, this is a rewrite of TDC036's book. TheFallenAce is also doing a rewrite as well.
For the readers from my PJO/HP crossover, here is the first Avengers crossover that you asked for. I am planning on doing my very own later on but for now, this is it.
Hope I didn't murder your feels too badly. That'd be a bad way to start a FanFiction am I right? But seriously comment what you guys think.
I will try to make it longer later on but you can think of this as the Prologue.
I LOVE ALL MY READERS
Adieu,
Aisha
(and if you are from my HP/PJO crossover, I am writing and an update should be coming soon)
Needless to say, I am not Rick Riordan nor MARVEl. Thus, I DO NOT OWN THE FRANCHISES!! But I do own part of this plot and this rewrite. TDC036 was my inspiration and the beginning of this book. So there...I think
New chapter should be coming out soon.