2,904[AN]
I'm Maroon, and this is The Flip of A Coin (TFOAC).
Truthfully, the idea for this story didn't originally stem from creativity or a desire to grow as a writer—it came from spite. I was frustrated by the choices an author made in another story I was reading, and, well, this was my response. I won't go into the specifics of those decisions, but suffice it to say that the original inception of this story wasn't exactly noble.
As the story grew and took on a life of its own, I abandoned that spite and hatred I felt; I've gotten better, my goals have changed, and I've begun to come back and clean up earlier chapters to support the narrative at a higher level and maintain some consistency as far as quality goes.
Something I would love to mention before you begin reading this story is that I've taken the entire PJO universe in another direction. If you're looking for a story that follows and derives from canon, this may not be it.
To that point, I've written this story in a very specific way. It's a story told from the view of Percy himself as he struggles to learn a new power. It's told from the point of view of a twelve-year-old as he navigates the horrors and pleasures of life; the friendships, the relationships, the daddy issues—all of the struggles you'd expect from someone realistically in his position. As such, at times, he's an unreliable narrator. We're seeing things from his POV, as he's experiencing them. We're in his head. Everything you read is his perception of the events—not the true story of what happened.
Importantly, there are some crossover elements present in this story. The one that most people abhor is the brief MCU crossover, but I'm here to tell you: that portion of the story is just an interlude. I had been looking to return Percy to school and I thought it would be fun to incorporate some MCU elements, but rest assured, this story is not an MCU crossover beyond that collection of a few chapters. It was just a fun way for me to bring in some of my favorite characters—for all intents and purposes, it's the same vibe as if I were to send Percy to Goode, I just thought it would be a fun reference, and I wouldn't have to completely make original characters. Other crossovers, like pantheons and stuff (mainly the ones already involved in the PJOverse), are present and do have a bearing on the story, so if that isn't for you, here is your warning.
[ARC BREAKDOWN]
This breakdown serves as a guide for new readers and also as a benchmark for those of you coming back for rereads because let's face it—sometimes you just want to read a specific chapter or see a specific thing happen.
(i) THE ATLAS INITIATIVE
THE LIGHTNING THIEF (1-12): Self-explanatory. This is the introductory arc. Lots of setting up. The major gripes people have with this arc generally revolve around relationships. That was an arena I struggled in when I began writing this story. If you're reading the new and updated version from [01/29/25] and onward, it means that I've gone back and tweaked things as much as they can be tweaked within the confines of the predetermined story. There will be no further changes as we march to the end.
ATLANTIS (13-22): Fresh off of rescuing his mother from the clutches of a manipulated war god, Percy finds himself invited to a land shrouded in mystery—Lord Poseidon's court. At first glance, it's a paradise—there are cute girls, dancing, and some light training involved. However, as Percy gains his footing and learns his true destiny, a mysterious patron reveals themselves and tosses the vacation into the deep end.
(ii) AETHER'S AWAKENING
AN EGYPTIAN AFFAIR (23-24): He's been a demigod for a few months, but now, it's time for Percy to learn firsthand what it means to be a hero. Gods. Goddesses. The big reveal. And what's this about another Percy?
THE BIRTH OF SPIDER-MAN (25-33): At his mom's pleading, Percy Jackson, star of the Midtown High basketball team, is trying his best to have a normal year. That means no training, no camp, no monsters, no gods—well, except one—and absolutely no magic. That is until he finds out his cousin Luke's back, and he's got a plan that could end the war in Kronos' favor before it even starts.
THE SEA OF MONSTERS (33-43): Coming off an eventful school year, Percy is looking forward to having a semi-relaxing summer full of training with his new friends and date nights with his girlfriend. Until, of course, he's faced with another earth-shattering problem: the Camp's protections have begun to fail! With a little help from an old friend, Percy sets his sights on the one thing he knows can save Thalia's tree and reinforce the Camp's wards—an apple from the Garden of Hesperides.
(iii) NEMESIS RISING
THE PRINCE'S RETURN (43-57): Back in Atlantis once again, Percy finds himself tossed into a seemingly straightforward summer beating other princes into the ground in the name of Atlantis. His world is changed, however, when one of the princes mysteriously vanishes in broad daylight, leaving him with a harrowing warning that not everything is as it seems.
THE TITAN'S CURSE, PART 1 (57-69): Tasked with bringing Hades' children back to him, Percy leaves Atlantis with the goal of relaxing for a while and training. Of course, he should've known better than to think his life could get any better without getting much worse first.
THE TITAN'S CURSE, PART 2 (70+): With another prophecy looming over his head, Percy finds himself navigating a treacherous web of lies, betrayals, and uneasy alliances. As he delves deeper into the mystery, the lines between friend and foe blur, and Percy must grapple with the reality that some stories may not have a happy ending, no matter how hard he tries.
There's a reason we tell ourselves stories.
The details we focus on, the ones we leave out—the order we put things in. It all matters. Sometimes, it matters a lot. It's because we need these stories to get through the day—through hard times.
This is my story. The one I play over and over in my head while everything goes wrong.
Let's go back to the beginning. I've been told that's the best place to start.
My life effectively ended the moment I woke up at Camp Half-Blood. The second I smelled those strawberries, sweet and warm in the summer breeze, my destiny was sealed.
Well, kind of.
I'd been in a delirious state since my fight with the Minotaur—a swirling fever dream of strange noises, a glowing black sword, and a pair of glowing silver eyes—that, as I was later told, lasted about a week.
So technically, I'd woken up at camp a dozen times during that period, but it's the last time that really mattered—it's the one that stuck.
When I finally came around for good, there was nothing outwardly abnormal about my surroundings, except that they were, well, nicer than I was used to. Much nicer.
I was sitting in a deck chair on a huge porch, gazing across a meadow at green hills in the distance, like little gumdrops stacking on top of each other. The breeze smelled like berries. There was a blanket over my legs and a pillow behind my neck.
Rays of light from the sun beat down on me, and I could make out some bees buzzing in the summer haze, floating from flower to flower and resting atop the evergreen ferns.
The scene was impossibly picturesque—like something pulled straight from a Ralph Lauren magazine. Elegant, sun-dappled, and idyllic in a way that made me feel like I'd see a movie crew rolling through if I waited long enough.
So, what the hell was I doing here?
— - —
~ You have slept in a comfortable bed. [HP] and [MP] have been restored to their maximum capacity. All ailments and negative status effects have been cured.
— - —
Wait, what?
Was I seeing things?
I could've sworn there were just words in front of me just now, but the moment I blinked, they were gone.
I sat up slightly, ignoring the sharp pangs that flared up my spine with the movement. A shaky, tingling sensation spread to my fingertips, like a faint ripple of water running over a rocky stream bed.
Just as I braced myself to stand, black words began to take shape in front of my eyes. They started as tiny inky splotches, blossoming outward like droplets spreading on paper. The edges curled and swirled, twisting into crisp, sharp lines as the letters formed one by one, each character snapping into place with a faint ripple.
Ping!
I couldn't tell where the noise was coming from. I glanced around, but as far as I could tell, I was the only one on the porch.
Ping!
The noise rattled around my head like a box of rocks. It felt like someone was standing over me, holding a Gameboy to my ear. Eventually, I settled on just reading the words. Maybe that would make the noise go away.
— - —
Welcome to your [Guide].
{Perseus Jackson}
[LVL]: 10 [500/3000]
[HP]: 2000/2000
[SP]: 5000/5000
[MP]: 1000/1000
[FEALTY]: N/A
[STR]: 10
[VIT]: 9
[DEX]: 17
[INT]: 11
[CHA]: 8
[WIS]: 10
[LUC]: 5
[AP]: 0
[PP]: 0
[$]: 46USD
[Info]: Son of the legendary lord of all seas, Poseidon, and Sally Jackson, Percy is the current [Child of Prophecy] and bearer of Olympus' flame. Despite his murky past, Percy is determined to take on his future.
— - —
I stared at the screen in awe, and a bit of confusion.
My dad being Poseidon was weird, yeah, but not that weird.
Well, no. It was super weird. For anyone else, it would've likely been the weirdest thing they'd ever heard. Mentioning this to anyone would probably get me shipped off to the nearest psych ward.
I just had a bit more to consider at the moment—you know, considering the fact that there were floating letters in front of me, dancing around like a baby's crib mobile.
After fighting Dodds and the Minotaur, any random person off the street would be able to work out a piece or two about what's going on to me, but even with that level of craziness involved, floating letters didn't really seem to fit this whole Greek-gods-are-real thing.
If anything, it was almost like one of those RPG games I used to play as a kid. And as far as I can remember, there were no ancient Greek gods that gave people video game powers.
Then again, I barely scraped by with a C in Mr. Brunner's Latin class, so that may not be the strongest argument. There were probably dozens of random gods I didn't know off the top of my head.
Upon further experimentation, I found out that the words were incredibly persistent. No matter which direction I tried to look and turn, they kept bobbing and weaving so that they stayed directly in the center of my field of view.
I sighed to myself, halting the weird movements. If anyone saw me doing this, they'd think I was crazier than they probably already think I am. Imagine some random person walking up right now, and seeing some twelve-year-old kid spazzing out on a lawn chair.
Yeah, they'd go running for the hills. Definitely.
Speaking of running for the hills—why in the world was I not freaking out?
Not only did my mom disappear, but I also realized the Greek gods were real and now my life was acting like a video game. Weird pinging noises and all.
Great, just great. Taking a shot in the dark, I mumbled, "Uh, game, what's going on with me right now?"
Nothing.
"If you're a god and you gave me these powers, do something."
Nada.
"Okay, well, if you're a wizard and you did something..."
Yeah, I'll skip the rest of that. You don't really need to know how many different variations of that one line of dialogue I went through, and between you and me, I can freely admit that there were a lot.
All you need to know is that eventually, bored of calling out to every mythical being that crossed my mind, I settled on:
"Can somebody please help?"
The second the word help left my mouth, something rippled through the world—a silent shockwave, bending reality.
— - —
[Skill]: Gamer's Mind
[System Denomination]: Passive
[Attribute Group]: WIS
[Level]: N/A
[Description]: Enables the user to maintain composure and focus. Provides a semi-calm base state of mind, reducing panic and enhancing logical thinking under pressure. Grants immunity to certain psychological effects and debuffs, allowing for clear-headed decision-making in the most chaotic situations.
— - —
— - —
~ As a [Player], this is one of your cardinal skills. It goes hand in hand with [Gamer's Body] and a few others.
— - —
— - —
[Skill]: Gamer's Body
[System Denomination]: Active
[Attribute Group]: WIS
[Level]: N/A
[Description]: Grants the user a body that operates according to their stats, with damage dealt and received displayed as visible numbers. Sleeping in a bed fully restores all physical stats to max, but does not heal severe injuries, such as dismemberment or extensive internal/external bleeding.
— - —
Uh...okay.
That would explain why I didn't feel any sort of inclination to break down and cry. Well, I still did to some degree, but I'm trying to sound like a tough guy in retrospect, so we'll say I didn't.
If we're being honest, I still felt sad at the possibility that my mom was dead, but I guess the main distinction would be that I felt...in control, almost.
— - —
Quest Complete!
[STORY QUEST]
{A Rude Welcome!}
[Quest Prompt]: This life isn't meant for the faint of heart. Survive your first day as a demigod, and you'll earn the right to bear the weight of Olympus' legacy and the flame of the gods—or, in other words, you'll get to play The Game—where every choice could be your last, and the stakes are as high as Mount Olympus itself.
[Hidden Objectives]:
- Kill the Minotaur with its own horn! [X]
- Kill the Minotaur in under 5 minutes! [X]
- Kill the Minotaur with both your mother and Grover still conscious! [ ]
[Total Rewards Earned]:
- Access to [The Game] and its interface!
- [+10][AP]!
- {Lunar Veil} starter pack!
- [Legendary Item]: The Horn Of the Minotaur!
- [+10] [REP] at Half-Blood Hill!
— - —
— - —
~ Given your completion of the [Tutorial], you have [10] attribute points available for use! Please allocate them now.
— - —
I blinked a few times.
A quest? I'd never seen anything like this quest'—or any of these words—beforehand, which meant I was either really, really unobservant or I got this weird power overnight.
Or maybe, I'd always had it, and the fight and my subsequent knockout triggered some sort of event in my body that woke it up?
~ For thinking through your situation in a somewhat logical manner, you have gained [+1] to your [INT] stat!
Okay, so my new power seemed to work just like I'd expected. It followed that basic video game logic of hey, do something, get something.
I can get behind that.
The notification slowly faded away, and a gigantic list came up.
— - —
Given your completion of the [Tutorial], you have unlocked your [Attributes]. Please see the following informational message before you allocate any points.
— - —
— - —
[Attributes]
~ [Attributes] are the foundation of the Game, and they'll shape every aspect of your journey. They define your abilities, from raw combat power to social finesse, and determine how you interact with the world. Think of them as the framework of your potential—every point you allocate brings you closer to mastering your chosen playstyle. Careful allocation is crucial, as many advanced skills and perks require minimum stat thresholds to unlock. Want to wield a legendary weapon, master an intricate sword form, or charm your way out of danger? You'll need the right combination of attributes to do so. Without meeting these requirements, certain abilities, items, or story paths may remain out of reach.
~ Your [Attributes] will also dictate how you overcome challenges, adapt to your surroundings, and grow over time. Will you focus on raw power, precision, intellect, or a mix of all three? Remember, each point counts, and your choices will ripple through every aspect of your gameplay. Choose wisely—the world won't wait.
— - —
— - —
[STR] or [STRENGTH]:
~ This stat represents your raw physical power—your ability to lift heavy objects and build muscle. This stat will also increase your max weight lifted and your overall muscle density. Increasing your [STR] boosts your damage in combat, allowing you to deal more damage with melee attacks or physical abilities.
[VIT] or [VITALITY]:
~ [VIT] determines how much damage you can take before being knocked down or defeated. It also affects your resistance to poisons, diseases, and other harmful conditions.
[DEX] or [DEXTERITY]:
~ [DEX] is what gives you that quick reflex and flexibility. It affects your reaction times, how fast you move, and how well you can perform precise tasks—like catching a ball, threading a needle, or landing a perfect kick.
[INT] or [INTELLIGENCE]:
~ This stat measures how quickly you can grasp new concepts, think logically, and apply knowledge to real-world situations. It also impacts your ability to pick up new skills—whether that's learning how to play an instrument or understanding complex strategies in battle.
[CHA] or [CHARISMA]:
~ [CHA] is about how well you can persuade, lead, and even manipulate others. It influences how people perceive you, whether it's through charisma, confidence, or the power of your words. It's also crucial for things like negotiating deals, winning hearts, or making a lasting impression.
[WIS] or [WISDOM]:
~ This stat represents a person's prudence and street smarts. It directly impacts your ability to manage mana—both in terms of how efficiently you use it and how much you can store. Higher WIS lets you conserve mana during spells and abilities, reducing the cost of using magic, while also increasing your total mana capacity.
[LUC] or [LUCK]:
~ Luck can boost a variety of events that have very low probabilities of occurring; landing a critical hit in combat, finding rare loot, or getting a good deal when shopping.
— - —
I read each stat and its following description, nodding to myself slightly. Again, it was what I'd expected, more or less. The Game seemed to follow a rather basic RPG format—not that I was complaining, of course.
It seemed like a good thing to have so far. It also meant that my multiple playthroughs of Skyrim, in direct opposition to what my stepfather, Gabe, said, helped me in the real world after all.
I winced slightly when I got to my [CHA], though.
I guess if I'm being honest, it does kind of track. At the least, it explains why every girl at my school avoids me like the plague. And here I was this whole time, thinking it was 'cause I hung out with Grover so much. Well, that probably doesn't help my case too much, either. It's like putting a hat on a hat.
The words shifted. There was more?
— - —
[REP] or [REPUTATION]:
~ Reputation reflects how others perceive you—whether they admire, trust, fear, or despise you. It's a reflection of your actions, behavior, and relationships with those around you. A [REP] of 0 is neutral, meaning you're generally unknown or indifferent to others. Negative [REP] indicates that you've made enemies or caused harm, leading to mistrust or open hostility. The higher your [REP] is, the more influence you have over others. A positive [REP] makes it easier to form connections, gain allies, or persuade people to help you.
~ In some cases, a high [REP] can even open doors to romantic relationships, favor from powerful individuals, or access to exclusive opportunities that might otherwise be closed off.
~ In romantic or intimate contexts, a high [REP] can open the possibility of love or deeper connections with others. Conversely, a low or negative [REP] might cause misunderstandings, jealousy, or even full-on rejection from those you seek affection from.
~ Your [REP] can fluctuate depending on your decisions, actions, and how you treat those around you. Help people, complete quests that improve others' lives, and show kindness, and your [REP] will rise. Commit crimes, betray allies, or treat others poorly, and your [REP] will plummet.
— - —
I was drawn out of my thoughts as a glowing number ten at the top right of my screen bounced a few times.
That's right—I had points to spend. Ten attribute points, if I remember correctly.
I thought about it for a moment. I was tempted to put most of my points into [CHA] but I also didn't want that to come back and bite me in the ass. As much fun as it would be to go around charming cute girls, I think I'd be better off banking these things into something that can actually help me save my mom.
— - —
~ Before you view your attributes, you have a notification. Would you like to view it?
— - —
"Sure," I muttered. "Why not, at this point?"
— - —
~ You've been granted a gift: {Lunar Veil}
~ {Lunar Veil} is a starter pack, full of basic-level perks and skills to kickstart your journey. With a balanced mix of utility, charm, and luck, this bundle is crafted to enhance your early gameplay and make sure you don't, well, die immediately. Every perk in {Lunar Veil} is aimed at helping you navigate challenges and uncover new opportunities as you begin your journey.
— - —
The game shifted. The list of attributes became smaller and halved in size, rolling to the background of my vision, right on top of the strawberry fields.
It was replaced by a massive tree with hundreds of sprawling branches, their intricate patterns stretching out below. The screen zoomed in on the very top, where seven hexagons hovered, their names written in bold.
A silver laurel wreath encased them. In neatly written cursive, the words Lunar Veil were branded on the wreath, alongside a crescent moon. Every letter glowed brightly as my eyes glossed over it.
All in all, {Lunar Veil} was full of five perks, all of which seemed to hinge on some of the base stats of the game. From left to right, they were [Alexander's Might], [Athanasia's Will], [Lunar Veil], [Scholar's Instinct], and [Gilded Tongue].
Curiously, I clicked on each of the small hexagons, one by one.
They hopped up and down in place for a few moments before expanding outwards, growing exponentially in size.
— - —
[Perk]: Alexander's Might
[System Denomination]: Active
[Attribute Group]: STR
[Level]: 1
[Description]: Unleash the power of a conquering ruler. Gain [+5] [STR] starter boost and a [20%] fluid boost to your [STR] attribute while actively involved in a combat scenario.
— - —
— - —
[Perk]: Athanasia's Will
[System Denomination]: Passive
[Attribute Group]: VIT
[Level]: N/A
[Description]: Inspired by the goddess of immortality, you defy death's grasp. When your [HP] falls below [10%] you regenerate health [50%] faster and gain [35%] damage mitigation, drawing on an unwavering will to survive.
— - —
— - —
[Skill]: Lunar Veil
[System Denomination]: Active
[Attribute Group]: DEX
[Level]: 1
[Description]: This perk is the centerpiece of the pack. Bathed in the moonlight, you move with ethereal fluidity. Receive a [+5] boost to your [DEX] and learn the [Lunar Veil] kata, a sword form that mirrors the elegant and elusive nature of the moon, allowing for rapid and unpredictable slashes.
— - —
— - —
[Perk]: Scholar's Instinct
[System Denomination]: Passive
[Attribute Group]: INT
[Level]: N/A
[Description]: Like the great scholars of ancient Greece, you possess a natural affinity for learning. Absorb knowledge [1 x your current INT]% faster and gain deeper insights when reading.
— - —
— - —
[Perk]: Gilded Tongue
[System Denomination]: Passive
[Attribute Group]: CHA
[Level]: N/A
[Description]: Your words weave magic and attraction. Gain [+5] [CHA] and a [1 x your current CHA]% boost to charm and persuasion when speaking.
— - —
Okay, so that leaves my current attributes as:
— - —
[STR]: 10 [+5]
[VIT]: 9
[DEX]: 17 [+5]
[INT]: 12
[CHA]: 8 [+5]
[WIS]: 10
[LUC]: 5
— - —
Hm. How do I want to play this? I can't tell if these starting attributes are good or not.
My rule of thumb when it comes to video games is to wait and see what kind of play style seems the most fun, and then build around that. I don't know how much that really applies here, though, because this isn't exactly a videogame, where I can die over and over until I figure something out.
It's my life. Pretty sure I just get one of those. Maybe I'll test that out sometime down the road, but for now, I think it's in my best interest to play it safe for a while. At least until I can figure out what seems to work for me.
Let's see…I have ten attribute points, right? Maybe I'll spread them out a bit.
— - —
[STR]: 11 [+5]
[VIT]: 12
[DEX]: 17 [+5]
[INT]: 16
[CHA]: 10 [+5]
[WIS]: 10
[LUC]: 5
— - —
Not bad. With my perks and everything factored in, I'm still pretty balanced so far, with a bit of focus on the speed and motor skills department.
I kicked the blanket off my lap and stood on the porch, enjoying the small creak it made as I stretched out the various kinks in my body. Ugh, those pops and cracks sounded like music to my ears.
It felt like I'd been asleep for ages.
Quietly, I made my way over to the other side of the porch. Two men sat across from each other at a card table. There was also a blond-haired girl—the one who I think spoon-fed me popcorn-flavored pudding—leaning on the porch rail next to them.
I checked each of them out discreetly before I fully stepped over.
The girl was looking out at the groups of kids who were walking around, all wearing the same orange shirt as she was.
Ping!
What now? I already looked at you, for like, ten minutes, Game!
— - —
~ By observing the girl, you have created a skill!
~ Skill generation is an important part of the game. In this system, skills aren't just given—they're earned. The Game's mechanics monitor your actions, reactions, and even your thought processes to identify patterns and moments of significance. By repeatedly performing a specific action or triggering a key event, you unconsciously lay the foundation for new skills to form.
[Examples]
[Everyday Actions]: Routine movements, techniques, or behaviors can evolve into skills if used frequently or creatively. For example, repeated dodging at just the right moment might unlock a skill, while consistent observation of your surroundings could lead to another.
[Triggered by Mechanics]: Skills can also be generated through pivotal moments. A sudden burst of creativity or focus might spontaneously create a skill. Repeatedly trying out a new form may result in the generation of a skill to make it easier to use. Once a skill is generated, it becomes part of your arsenal, ready to level up through continued use.
— - —
[Skill]: Observe
[System Denomination]: Active
[Attribute Group]: INT
[Level]: 1
[Description]: Use this skill to scan targets and extract critical intel.
[Leveling]: At [Level 1], this skill, reveals the target's level and basic stats as long as the target is within [10] levels of you. As the skill levels up, you'll unlock deeper insights and uncover hidden details about characters and objects in the world.
— - —
This thing is getting cooler and cooler by the minute! I blinked a few times and looked at her again. My eyes burned and watered.
— - —
{Annabeth Chase}
[Daughter of Athena]
[LVL]: 20
[HP]: 10,000/10,000
[SP]: 15,000/15,000
[MP]: 7000/7000
— - —
Jesus! This girl could whoop my ass without breaking a sweat! Man, I need to hit the gym the second I can.
Would a place like this even have a gym? I guess a training arena or gladiator pit seems more fitting—you get the point. I needed to get strong. Fast.
I turned my attention to the two men.
First, the chubbier man. He was small, but porky. He had a red nose, big watery eyes, and curly hair so black it was almost purple. He wore a tiger-pattern Hawaiian shirt, and he would've fit right in at one of Gabe's poker parties, except I got the strangest feeling that this guy could've out-gambled even my stepfather.
— - —
{Dionysus}
[Olympian]
[LVL]: ?
— - —
I blinked to myself. I really wished I paid more attention in Mr. Brunner's class. Dionysus sounded super familiar, but I always mixed him and Demeter up. Their domains were just so alike! I think.
Speaking of Mr. Brunner, though, I took a peek at him, too.
— - —
{Chiron}
[Trainer of Heroes]
[LVL]: ?
— - —
Sure, why not? At this point, you could probably tell me I had a Cyclops for a brother, and I'd take it in stride. I did want to talk to Chiron about that pen-sword thing he'd let me keep at some point, though.
— - —
Quest Alert!
[SIDE QUEST]
{A Toast to Favor!}
[Quest Prompt]: Earn the favor of Dionysus, the god of wine and revelry. He carries a general disdain for demigods. Known for his sharp wit and sharper tongue, Dionysus isn't easily impressed—your task is to prove yourself worthy of his rare approval.
[Total Possible Rewards]:
- [Variable] boost in reputation!
- [+][300][EXP]!
- [?]
Please select: [YES/NO]
— - —
The world slowed to a crawl. Two shimmering orbs materialized before me, gently bobbing in the air like soap bubbles caught in a breeze, one green, and one red. Really? Well, I mean, I'm not about to turn down some free levels.
I clicked the green one. It shimmered for a moment, and everything disappeared. Time resumed.
"Ah, Percy," Mr. Brunner—er—Chiron called out to me with a smile. He gestured for me to walk closer. "Welcome. How are you feeling?"
"Better than ever," I replied.
"Better than ever, sir," Dionysus butted in, turning to get a better look at me. His tired eyes swept over my face, almost half-heartedly. He made a weird waving motion with his hand and burped. "Try it again."
"Sir," I repeated, mentally making a note of the fact that there was no way in hell this quest was going to work out.
Dionysus hummed. He leaned forward, "Better. What's your name, boy?"
"Percy Jackson, sir," I replied, in a biting tone.
"It's good to see you, Percy. You gave us quite the fright. You showed up here, dead on your feet, dragging an unconscious Mr. Underwood in tow." Chiron smiled at me as he shuffled a deck of cards. His voice trembled for a moment, "Do you feel...alright? You've been through quite an ordeal."
I flexed my fingers for a moment. The game's interface wobbled. "Yeah, honestly, I'm feeling better than ever."
Chiron laughed, fanning the cards out on the table with a brilliant flourish. One of the cards flew off the table—an ace of clubs. "Only you would say that, Percy. Only you. Well, in part, you have to thank our dear Annabeth for that. In fact, she—"
"Yes, yes, Mary-Beth nursed you back to health, it's quite the story. Whoopty. Terrific." Dionysus interrupted. He blew a raspberry and fiddled with the clasp of a flask, his sausage-like fingers smothering the tiny metal lid. "The hands, if you would, Chiron? Perhaps we can make Peter here sit down and play a few rounds, see if we can work out his permanence in camp over the cards, eh?"
I went to open my mouth, but the girl, Annabeth, met my gaze and shook her head. Her curls bounced. I bit the inside of my cheek.
"As interesting as that would be, it's imperative that Percy gets acquainted with camp," Chiron returned, saving me from that growingly uncomfortable situation. I thought Dionysus was going to vaporize Chiron right there, but he just sighed through his nose, as if he were used to being contradicted by a Latin teacher. "He's a new recruit, and there isn't much time before dinner. Wouldn't you agree?"
"I suppose. Mary-Beth, take Peter on a tour, will you? I believe I'll take a nap before the sing-along tonight," The air grew serious for a moment, and he reached out to grab my shoulder. There was a surprising amount of power in the gesture—I felt like my shoulder was trapped in a vice. "Mind your manners, Mr. Jackson. If I find out you're causing trouble, you'll be but a memory. A small, unpleasantly dressed memory. Have a good day."
— - —
Quest Failed!
[SIDE QUEST]
{A Toast to Favor!}
[Quest Prompt]: Come on, man? The first quest? Ugh...
— - —
I stared at the Game, and Dionysus tracked the movement of my eyes. His eyes narrowed, and his lips parted for a moment. He looked at me straight on, and I saw a kind of purplish fire blaze in his eyes, a hint that this whiny, plump little man was only showing me the tiniest bit of his true nature.
The fire seared through the Game's interface, forcing it away, and I saw visions of grapevines choking unbelievers to death, drunken warriors insane with battle lust, and sailors screaming as their hands turned to flippers, their faces elongating into dolphin snouts.
Then, suddenly, the fire retreated. He rubbed his goatee thoughtfully, "Take him."
Annabeth nodded and started to walk away without me. I ran a bit to catch up with her. She looked like she was probably my age, maybe a couple of inches taller, and a whole lot more athletic-looking. With her deep tan and curly blond hair, she was almost exactly what I thought a stereotypical California girl would look like, except her eyes ruined the image.
They were a startling gray, like storm clouds; pretty, but intimidating, too, as if she were analyzing the best way to take me down in a fight.
Which she probably could do with ease. She was double my level, and I knew I'd have to get right to training if I wanted to stand a chance against her—or anyone—here.
We passed the volleyball pit. Several of the campers nudged each other. They stared at me and began whispering. I couldn't tell if that was a good sign or not. Their levels, like Annabeth's, were at least double mine. The highest one I saw was thirty.
"So, you took out the Minotaur," Annabeth said, trying to break the awkward silence that had fallen as we left the house. "That's cool. Quite the performance."
"Oh, thanks," I smiled at her. I felt one of my perks activate. It filled me with a giddy feeling of warmth—kind of like I'd just downed a cup of hot cocoa. Annabeth didn't seem so scary anymore. "I kind of wish I stuck the landing, though. You know, without the whole passing out like a baby part."
Annabeth's scowl melted into a grin. "Well, we'll just have to work on that, won't we? You're in the right place for it. Camp is where kids like us learn how to survive in the real world."
"Oh, yeah? That's cool. Do you have any tips for a beginner like me?"
She pretended to spend some time thinking about her answer. "Yeah, don't die?"
"Good point," I rubbed the back of my neck. "I'll try my best."
I'd played enough video games to know that the absolute first thing I would be doing would be grinding out all my skills, so her words didn't really mean much to me. I wasn't planning on testing out the dying function of the Game anytime soon.
Annabeth and I fell into semi-comfortable conversation as she showed me around camp. I'd never really been one for architecture or anything, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't impressed by the fact that the camp could have so many Greek-themed buildings that still looked squeaky clean. It was like a slice of Ancient Greece existed between the strawberry fields.
We saw the archery range, the canoeing lake, the stables the javelin range, the sing-along amphitheater, and the arena where Annabeth said they held sword and spear fights.
"Sword and spear fights?" I asked. That was probably going to be one of the best ways I'd be able to grind.
"Cabin challenges and all that," She explained. "Not lethal. Usually. Oh, yes, and there's the mess hall."
Annabeth pointed to an outdoor pavilion framed in white Grecian columns on a hill overlooking the sea. There were a dozen stone picnic tables. No roof. No walls.
"What do you do when it rains?" I asked.
Annabeth looked at me with a smirk. "Percy, look around. Have there been any clouds in the sky since you've been here?"
She was right. As I looked around, I realized the skies above the camp were eerily clear, not a single cloud marring the perfect blue expanse. But just beyond the camp's borders, a storm raged—dark, thunderous clouds pouring sheets of rain. "Ah…"
Annabeth rolled her eyes at me, smiling lightly. I shook my head, glad that my intelligence, or supposed lack thereof, seemed to bring her joy. "Next up, the cabins."
There were twelve of them, nestled in the woods by the lake. They were arranged in a U, with two at the base and five in a row on either side. And they were, without doubt, the most bizarre collection of buildings I'd ever seen.
Except for the fact that each had a large brass number above the door, with odds on the left side and evens on the right, they looked nothing alike.
Number nine had smokestacks, like a tiny factory. Number four had tomato vines on the walls and a roof made out of real grass. Seven seemed to be made of solid gold, which gleamed so much in the sunlight it was almost impossible to look at.
They all faced a common area about the size of a soccer field, dotted with Greek statues, fountains, flower beds, and a couple of basketball hoops. There were also communal bathrooms, since, according to Annabeth, not all the cabins had built-in bathrooms. Some of the ones that did have them in the cabin also had a lot of people, anyway, so it didn't hurt to have some backup—especially after camp's Taco Tuesday dinners.
After using [Observe] again, I could tell exactly which cabin belonged to who. Not that it would've been hard, anyway. The gods had...unique tastes. We walked around for a bit, and then, Annabeth and I came to the last cabin—Cabin 3.
I stopped curiously in front of the doorway. It was built kind of far away from the rest of the cabins. While most of them were land-locked, this one was built facing out toward the sea, with a small dock that overlooked the glittering water.
It was long, low, and solid. The outer walls were of rough gray stone studded with pieces of seashell and coral as if the slabs had been hewn straight from the bottom of the ocean floor. I nodded to myself as I looked at it. This felt more like home to me than all of the other ones I'd seen before. Poseidon had really nice taste.
"Well, that just about concludes the tour. I'll leave you to walk around for a bit. If you need anything, don't be a stranger," Annabeth told me, patting my shoulder. Her eyes searched my face, and a small grin tugged at the corner of her mouth. "Cabin 6. I'll come to find you for dinner if you aren't there in an hour or two."
"Thanks, Annabeth," I told her sincerely, and she smiled at me and began to walk across the field.
I carefully trod down the path next to my cabin. I caught the salty scent of the interior, like the wind on the shore at Montauk. The interior walls glowed like abalone. Even from outside the cabin, I could peer inside to see that there were six empty bunk beds with silk sheets turned down—and, to my relief, it looked like there was a built-in bathroom with one of those fancy, multiple-nozzle showers and a laundry machine.
Not bad.
I stepped out to the dock and noticed, curiously enough, that a man was sitting at the edge, one that definitely hadn't been there before. I caught the sight of a fishing rod in his hand and a worn-down fishing box on his left side, alongside a cooler.
I carefully made my way over to him, having used [Observe] on him the moment I noticed his presence.
— - —
{Poseidon}
[Ruler of the Seas]
[LVL]: ?
[HP]: ?
[MP]: ?
?
— - —
"So," I said, settling down beside him, my ratty Converse skimming the glassy surface of the Long Island water. "Anything biting?"
"Not yet," He replied, a low chuckle escaping his lips. There was a whizzing noise as cast his line again, the motion easy, deliberate. "But with you here, I'd wager it won't be long."
[Original Author's Note]
AN: Welp, it was just a matter of time. I've been reading the Gamer!Percy fics like crazy, but I'm sad to see that there aren't really that many of them that are complete. I'm new to the genre as a whole, but the only thing better than reading a fic is writing one!
So, I'll be taking a crack at it.
See you guys later.
[Patch Notes]
[4/14/21]: Some quality-of-life edits, minor plot changes like the first encounters, tweaked the number system and added a few things here and there. Nothing major, except reworking the 'Gamer' perks, both mind and body.
[2/2/22]: Quality of life, and overhauling the Gamer UI.
[10/10/22]: I'm going to be finishing the second Atlantis arc soon, so before I do that and move the story into its third major arc collection, I figured I'd come back and tighten up the story a bit.
[12/28/24]: Lots of changes. First, overhauled all the UI. All of it. I also redid a lot of the dialogue, and a lot of the descriptions, and I changed the plot point of him choosing perks and instead melded them all into the starter perk pack that he receives as a 'welcome to the game' present, just because for a character whose main goal in this arc is to save his Mom, it doesn't make much sense for him to choose [Flirt] over other stuff. Speaking of which, [Flirt] and all of the starter perks have been renamed to be more on theme with Greek mythos, which is wrapped into the 'starter pack' as well. I tried to add a layer of polish, as well, and removed a lot of unnecessary dialogue in favor of subtler flavor text. Beyond that, I also changed the skill generation system, explained the skill generation system (which I didn't do before, oops), and overhauled 'skill points' into 'attribute points' to help further add a layer of distinction between skills, attributes, and perks. The perks will be explained later.