Percy Jackson: The Son of Kronos

Chapter 3: Capture the Flag

Percy stood at the edge of the arena, looking out at the demigods scattered around him. It was his first official game of Capture the Flag, and he was keenly aware that everyone else had a sense of camaraderie and familiarity he lacked. But while his instincts whispered he was the outsider, a calculating part of him relished the potential advantages of this position.

As the teams assembled, Percy studied each camper in turn, his sharp gaze assessing their stances, their weapons, and, most importantly, the barely contained pride each one held in their role. Annabeth, with her calm confidence and piercing gray eyes, gave him a slight nod, silently reminding him of the shared trust they had developed. Or rather, the trust she thought they had. Percy had spent the past few days subtly encouraging her ambition and her need for knowledge, giving her glimpses of his own curious, clever mind. She liked him, though she would never say it aloud, and her loyalty was now something Percy knew he could work to his advantage.

Chiron's voice echoed across the field as he explained the rules, and Percy shifted his focus to the area around them. The woods beyond the camp were thick with shadows, casting an almost otherworldly feel over the clearing where the flag was staked. A small smile played at Percy's lips. He had heard from other campers that the game was fierce, brutal, with traps laid and alliances made and broken without a second thought. Just the sort of battlefield Percy was made for.

As the starting signal was given, Percy moved quickly, his instincts carrying him forward as if he already knew the ground beneath his feet.

The game began in a burst of movement, demigods racing into the woods, teams strategizing their defenses and scouting out the other's weaknesses. Percy fell back slightly, letting others race ahead, content to take in the bigger picture. He knew Annabeth, leading their team, would be planning a clever ambush, relying on her mind rather than brute strength.

As he moved deeper into the trees, Percy's senses sharpened. He picked up on the subtle rustles of branches, the sound of feet crunching on leaves, and the breathy exhalations of campers on his team nearby, hiding and waiting. He scanned for their opponents, eyes narrowing when he spotted the glint of armor through the trees. His opponent was none other than Clarisse, daughter of Ares, and her reputation as a formidable and ruthless fighter preceded her.

A thrill coursed through Percy as he considered his options. Clarisse, he'd learned, had a fiery temper and a deep-seated belief in her superiority. In that arrogance, Percy saw the perfect opening. She would see him as an inexperienced newcomer, easy to overpower and humiliate. His mind worked quickly, calculating how he could turn her overconfidence against her.

He stepped into the clearing, intentionally exposing himself, and made sure she caught sight of him. Her expression twisted into a smirk as she hefted her spear, a predatory gleam in her eyes. Percy met her gaze without flinching, a faint smile playing on his lips as he subtly adjusted his stance, ensuring he looked both cautious and slightly intimidated.

Clarisse lunged forward, her spear aimed directly at his chest. Percy dodged, letting her momentum carry her forward, then darted to the side. The frustration in her eyes flared as he evaded her strikes with a practiced fluidity that belied his supposed inexperience. She snarled, doubling her efforts, attacking with greater force each time.

Percy moved with calculated precision, conserving his energy, making every step deliberate. When she struck close again, he allowed her spear to graze his arm, wincing slightly and noting the fact that it was electric. Clarisse's sneer deepened, but she didn't notice the glint of satisfaction in Percy's eyes as he noted her pattern of movement.

"Had enough, Jackson?" she taunted, circling him like a lioness closing in on wounded prey.

"Just warming up, actually," Percy replied smoothly, masking his true intentions with a casual tone.

He began leading her in circles, carefully steering her into the middle of a small grove, where the trees were dense and the ground was covered in thick roots. Clarisse's impatience got the best of her as she pressed forward, ignoring the uneven terrain, her focus solely on him. Percy, however, navigated the terrain effortlessly, noting how the trees forced her into predictable paths.

Suddenly, Percy dropped his guard just enough to draw her into a reckless lunge. He sidestepped at the last second, letting her spear sink into the trunk of a tree behind him. Caught off-balance, Clarisse struggled to pull it free, and Percy seized his chance.

He slashed with his sword and broke the spear in two and then with a quick, sweeping motion, he kicked her legs out from under her, sending her crashing to the ground. Clarisse grunted, momentarily winded, and Percy knelt beside her, pressing the tip of his borrowed sword lightly against her chest. He offered a triumphant smirk as she glared up at him, the fury in her eyes like a caged storm.

"Nice try," he said, his voice barely above a whisper, yet laced with undeniable satisfaction. "But maybe next time, don't underestimate the new guy."

Clarisse scowled, looking ready to spring back up and fight, but she glanced at the sword in Percy's grip and reluctantly stayed down. With a slight nod, Percy stepped back, letting her retrieve her dignity. She shot him a venomous look before retreating, undoubtedly plotting her revenge for breaking her spear.

The small victory sent a jolt of energy through Percy, his blood pumping with a mix of adrenaline and satisfaction. He felt the thrill of the game, but more than that, he felt a sense of control, like he could bend the outcome to his will. As he moved deeper into the woods, Percy's mind turned to Annabeth, his team's strategist, whose skills he wanted to test.

Continuing along a narrow path that twisted through the dense undergrowth, Percy kept his senses attuned. It didn't take long before he noticed something suspicious, partially hidden behind a tree, her posture tense and focused. Annabeth was scanning the area, her gray eyes darting from shadow to shadow, calculating every possibility. She hadn't noticed him yet.

Percy could've called out, made his presence known, but he held back, observing her. Annabeth was sharp and capable, someone who thought five moves ahead. But he knew that even the cleverest strategist had their blind spots, especially when they were unaware of being observed.

With silent steps, he crept closer, stopping only a few feet behind her. His voice, when he spoke, was quiet, a soft murmur that barely broke the stillness. "Expecting someone ?"

Annabeth whipped around, her eyes narrowing as she processed the situation. But rather than surprise or annoyance, her face broke into a wry smile, the kind that hinted at a challenge accepted.

"Not bad, Percy," she acknowledged, her voice steady. "But next time, try sneaking up on someone who isn't used to looking over her shoulder."

They held each other's gaze for a moment, an unspoken understanding passing between them. Percy could sense that she was both impressed and slightly wary, a combination he found gratifying. He decided to test the waters, to see how much of her trust he could subtly pull his way.

"Guess you'll just have to try harder to keep up," he said, a playful edge to his tone.

"Don't worry," she shot back. "I never lose track of where everyone is on my team."

Percy raised an eyebrow, letting his expression show just the right mix of confidence and interest. "Good to know."

They continued moving together, skirting around pockets of opposing campers. Occasionally, Percy would catch her stealing glances at him, as if trying to figure him out. He kept his expression neutral, a mask hiding his thoughts. Letting her see only what he wanted her to see was part of the game.

As they neared the edge of the woods, the distant sounds of battle—clashing metal and battle cries—grew louder. Percy scanned their surroundings, on the lookout for any signs of a trap. His instincts prickled as he caught sight of the creek running parallel to their path, winding through the forest like a ribbon of silvery-blue water.

The creek's shimmering surface drew Percy's attention, a strange pull that he couldn't ignore. He felt a deep, inexplicable connection to it, as though the water itself was beckoning him closer, whispering promises of power. His pulse quickened. Standing just a few steps from the bank, he wondered if it would give him the same surge of strength he'd felt during the last incident with Mrs. Dodds.

Annabeth noticed his hesitation. "Don't tell me you're distracted in the middle of a battle," she teased, though her tone was light.

Percy shook himself free of the trance and turned back to her with a smirk. "Just making sure we're not walking into an ambush. Never hurts to be careful."

"Good call," she replied, her gaze drifting back to the creek. "The boundary line is just over that bridge," she continued, motioning to a narrow wooden structure a short distance away. "If we can get past it, we'll be in the clear."

Percy nodded, refocusing on the objective. They moved cautiously toward the bridge, their steps muffled by the soft, damp earth. But as they neared the bridge, a rustling in the underbrush alerted them, and a group of Ares campers—Clarisse among them—emerged from the shadows, blocking their path.

"Well, well," Clarisse sneered, brandishing a new sword which she probably borrowed from her siblings. Her voice was tinged with a vengeful eagerness. "Looks like the little hero isn't so untouchable after all."

Percy quickly assessed the situation. They were outnumbered, but not outmatched. He glanced at Annabeth, who had already slipped into a defensive stance, her eyes calculating the odds. A thrill coursed through Percy's veins; this was his chance to show everyone exactly what he was capable of, to cement himself as more than just the "new guy."

Before Clarisse could move, Percy made a split-second decision and darted toward the creek. He had no idea what would happen, but instinct told him that the water held something powerful for him. As he dipped his hand into the cool, flowing stream, he felt a surge of energy course through his body, refreshing him from head to toe. His senses sharpened, his fatigue disappeared, and an unfamiliar strength welled up inside him, fierce and unrestrained.

Clarisse lunged, aiming her sword directly at him. But with lightning reflexes, Percy sidestepped her attack, his movements faster and sharper than ever. He twisted around, hit the underside of her sword which effectively disarmed her. The shock in her eyes was unmistakable.

"What—how did you—" she stammered, momentarily thrown off balance.

Percy didn't answer. He was too focused on the rush, on the undeniable feeling of power radiating through him. Clarisse took a step back, clearly unnerved, and for the first time, Percy saw a flicker of doubt in her usually unwavering glare.

Annabeth was at his side, her own face a mix of awe and intrigue. "Percy… what was that?"

He hesitated, unsure how to answer. The connection to the water had felt instinctual, primal, as if it were a part of him. But he kept his expression controlled, refusing to let even Annabeth see the depth of his confusion. "Just a lucky break" he replied smoothly, as though he hadn't just tapped into a power he barely understood.

Clarisse rallied her team and charged again, but Percy and Annabeth were ready. With a renewed sense of purpose, Percy moved through the skirmish, every step fueled by the lingering effects of the water's touch. He found himself anticipating their opponents' movements, sidestepping attacks, and striking with a confidence that felt almost foreign.

Within moments, they had cleared a path to the bridge. Annabeth led the way, and Percy followed, the thrill of victory surging through him as they crossed the boundary.

As Percy and Annabeth crossed the bridge, Clarisse's shouts echoed behind them, filled with frustration. But Percy didn't look back. He had already won this round, and with each step, he could feel the power from the water still coursing through him. Crossing the boundary gave him an intoxicating feeling of victory, and he knew that he had gained more than just a win in Capture the Flag.

Annabeth slowed down as they reached a clearing, breathing hard but smiling. "That was… different," she admitted, glancing at him with an appraising look. "I've rarely seen anyone fight like that."

Percy shrugged, attempting to play it off as a mere fluke. "Guess I got lucky," he said, though he felt anything but. Something inside him had awakened, a deeper strength that felt both exhilarating and mysterious.

Annabeth arched an eyebrow. "Lucky? You took on Clarisse and her entire team like it was nothing. Don't sell yourself short, Percy. That was impressive."

Her words lingered, making him feel a strange mix of pride and wariness. He glanced back toward the creek, its surface shimmering under the moonlight. "I don't know… It's like when I was near the water, I felt different. Stronger."

She seemed to consider this, her eyes narrowing in thought. "It might mean something," she said finally. "There's a reason we're all here, after all. Maybe your father is trying to send you a message."

"Maybe." He kept his tone neutral, even though his mind was racing with possibilities. If his powers were tied to the water, then that meant his father was likely to be Poseidon. And yet, with his previous powers,there was something else, a darkness and intensity he couldn't ignore—a sensation that hinted at something far older, more powerful, than any of the gods he'd read about.

They walked in silence for a while, the night settling around them, thick and still. Percy could feel Annabeth watching him, as if trying to decipher his thoughts. He resisted the urge to fidget under her scrutiny, keeping his expression impassive.

Finally, she broke the silence. "Well, whatever it was, you should keep it close to the vest. Power like that… it could be dangerous."

Percy nodded, realizing she was right. "I won't tell anyone."

"Good," she said, her voice soft. "That power might make you special, Percy, but it also makes you dangerous. Not everyone will understand that."

They reached the campfire, where the other campers had already gathered, laughing and recounting the evening's game. A few noticed Percy and Annabeth's return, casting curious glances their way. Clarisse and her team hadn't made it back yet, and Percy could sense the unspoken questions in the air, hanging between the flames and the shadows.

Chiron stood nearby, watching the firelight flicker across the faces of the young demigods. As Percy and Annabeth joined the circle, he gave them a nod, his gaze lingering on Percy for a moment longer than usual. Percy felt that Chiron, too, was weighing him, assessing something hidden beneath the surface.

"I heard it was quite an exciting game tonight," Chiron said, his tone warm and encouraging. He glanced between Percy and Annabeth. "I trust no one was hurt?"

Annabeth smiled, though Percy could tell she was already slipping into a mask of nonchalance. "None that I know of'' she replied. 

Percy stayed quiet, letting the conversation flow around him. He could still feel the power of the water, the way it had amplified his senses and instincts. A part of him wanted to explore that power more, to understand exactly what it meant.

Then all of a sudden there were gasps around him, the campers looking above his head.

"What happened?", Percy asked, confused.

"Percy", Annabeth said ,pointing. "Um…"

By the time he looked up, the sign was already fading, but he could still make out the hologram of green light, spinning and gleaming. A three-tipped spear: a trident.

"Your father", Annabeth murmured. "This is really not good."

"It is determined", Chiron announced. 

All around him, campers started kneeling, even the Ares cabin though they didn't look happy about it.

"Poseidon", said Chiron. "Earthshaker, Stormbringer, Father of Horses. Hail, Perseus Jackson, Son of the Sea God."

At that instant Percy's suspicions were confirmed. Though he still wondered about that ancient feeling in him.

Chiron's voice broke into his thoughts. "Percy, I would like to talk with you. Stop by the Big House tomorrow morning. There's something I think you should know."

Percy looked up, meeting Chiron's gaze. It was steady, but beneath it lay a weight, a depth of knowledge that made Percy's curiosity spark anew. 

—

End of chapter 3