329IMPORTANT AN (June 25, 2012): So, for those of you just seeing this story for the first time, you probably have no need to read this authors note. For those of you that have read this story and have been waiting for an update, read on. What you will find below is something completely different from what you probably read ages ago. That is because I have finally worked up the ambition to do something with this story. Sadly, this is not adding a new chapter. Instead, I have decided to go back and edit all the existing chapters before adding new ones. I feel my personal writing style has improved since I first started writing this story and feel an edit is absolutely necessary before continuing on. This being said, I may add a new chapter during this process if it is requested enough. With that being said, hope you enjoy the new and improved first chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson or any of the characters!
Philosophers try to convince us all that revenge is never as satisfying as we think it will be. They say that no matter how much one gets, he or she will always want more. I use to be a person who believed in this, one who always forgave instead of craved vengeance. But, like most things do, I changed, and so did my views.
I was born of Sally Jackson and Poseidon, god of the seas. Even by just knowing my parentage, you can imagine my life was going to be hectic. They named me Perseus, after one of the only Greek heroes that actually got a happy ending, I wasn't so lucky.
I grew up never knowing who my true father was until later on in life. Instead, every day I was tormented by an ugly stepfather I liked to refer to as Smelly Gabe. I was a troubled kid that suffered from ADHD and Dyslexia, and often got sent away to specialty schools that never had the patience to keep me as a student. One may say that I was quite a trouble kid.
It wasn't until I was twelve and found out that my best friend was part goat that my life took on an enormous change. I was brought to a place called Camp Half-Blood and told that I was a demi-god, half human, half god. I was claimed by Poseidon and sent on a quest to retrieve Zeus's master bolt, which I was already credited with stealing. That should have started my dislike right there.
From that quest on, I was constantly sent off to do the god's dirty work, like most demi-gods are. Each time I would return and life would move on, no big deal. It wasn't till my sixteenth birthday that I would accomplish the task that would make me a legend.
While I was doing the gods' dirty work, Kronos, the Titan of Time, was beginning to rise. He took the form of my thought-to-be friend Luke, son of Hermes. On my sixteenth birthday, a prophecy told that I would determine whether the gods' rule remained or perished. In the end, my choice, along with Luke's redemption, allowed the gods to continue to rule, and Kronos was sent back the Tartarus.
The months that followed can be marked as the best time of my existence. The gods offered me immortality, a rare gift worth the unimaginable, though I turned it down in trade from a promise from the gods that they would claim their children and provide equality for all gods and goddesses at camp. But, this is the more heroic half of the reason. The other half was for the one I loved, Annabeth, daughter of Athena.
Annabeth was the one I could always rely on. Sure, I had other friends, but Annabeth was the first demi-god I met at Camp Half-Blood and was my lifeline on almost all quests I preformed. I gave up immortality to be with her, so I wouldn't have to see her die. And not long after the Titan War ended, we became more than just friends.
But, just like she signaled the start to my happiness, she also signaled the end of it. An exact year after the defeat of Kronos, I came across Annabeth in full embrace with a son of Apollo, Lucas.
Flashback
The full moon was just rising into the midnight sky as I walked along the beach. I could hear the monsters growling not far off in the woods. I felt within my pocket to make sure my sword, Riptide, was still there. I knew it would be, for it always returned to its rightful owner, but the dark can make anyone fear for the worst, it just provided some security. As I felt around, I eventually located Riptide, but didn't stop until I came across one more thing.
I felt around and pulled out a little, black box. Nestled inside was a sea blue diamond ring with the words 'Wise Girl and Seaweed Brain; A Love that Will Survive Even the Biggest of Quest.' A smile came upon my lips when I thought of my future with Annabeth. I could picture the wedding, the children, and eventually grandchildren. I felt my hand in hers as we sat upon our wooden deck, watching the grandkids dance under the moonlit sky.
As these thoughts graced my mind, I came across two campers in full lip lock resting against a rock. I chuckled, thinking about how Annabeth and I would sometimes sneak off near that same rock. It provided a great hiding place from Chiron and the rest of the campers.
I could make out what seemed to be Lucas, the son of Apollo. Lucas was one of the few campers that had already gotten on my nerves. When he first arrived at camp, he managed to kill a hellhound that was lingering outside of the border. And, since then, he has proclaimed himself one of the bravest and strongest demi-gods there has ever been. Though others don't seem to mind him, I find he has an ego the size of Olympus. But, as for the girl, all I could see of the girl was blond, flowing hair cascading down her back. Again, I chuckled, probably just some Aphrodite camper playing with Lucas hormones. But, as I started to walk away, I heard their voices.
"You can't let Percy find out about this," said a strangely familiar voice, "He would be heartbroken." It didn't take long for me to realize who exactly was talking. I felt my blood run cold and could hear the oceans waves forcefully crash along the beach.
"Oh come on, when are you going to break up with that rag. I am clearly so much better than him. If it was me in his place during the Titan War, I could have killed Kronos without giving the knife to Luke. I would have used my pure strength and agility," rang out Lucas cocky voice. What did I say about that ego?
"Well I didn't think breaking up with him on the anniversary of him beating Kronos was very kind." So she thinks cheating on me is kinder? I could feel disbelief written across my now red face.
"It's been like three weeks since we started this whole secret love thing. I think it's finally time to reveal to that crybaby that your mine now." With that, Lucas went back to spit swapping with Annabeth.
"THREE WEEKS YOU HAVE BEEN CHEATING ON ME," my voice rang out. I had heard enough, I had to intervene.
Annabeth jumped in surprise, "Percy! What are you doing here?"
"I don't know Annabeth," I walked towards them, "I did tell you about this place and how I found it on my nightly walks."
"Shit Percy, it's not what it looks like."
"What are you talking about Annabeth, it is exactly what it looks like," Lucas said while smirking.
"Why? Why did you do it Annabeth? This is nothing like you!"
"Percy, I'm sorry! I just have been under so much stress from all the architect of Olympus job and I wasn't thinking clearly!"
"That is no excuse for this! Three weeks Annabeth! You thought just breaking up with me was going to leave me heartbroken! How about when I find out you are cheating? Am I not even worthy enough for you to stay faithful to me?"
"No Percy, you kno-," Annabeth tried to say before I interrupted.
"No is right, you're not worthy enough for me! I was going to PROPOSE, dammit!" When I said this I could see a deeper look of regret cross her face. But before she could stutter out any words, I continued. "You know what! Enjoy your life together! He is clearly a better catch than me." With that, I stormed off.
As I sprinted back to the Poseidon cabin, I could feel the rage within my veins. I grabbed my things, which only consisted of a few articles of clothing, a few drachmas, and a little bit of mortal money, and made my way across the camp border. I didn't bother to look back as I made my way into the ominous, black night. And all those images of my perfect life, shattered like glass, just like my heart.
End Flashback
It may seem strange that Annabeth cheating led me to take such a rash action of leaving all of my friends and technically family, but there is more to every back-story then meets the eye.
About 2 months prior to these events, I became aware of my new 6 month old sister. Apparently, Poseidon was so stressed with the whole Titan War, he found relief with a mortal, eventually conceiving a child with her. Poseidon kept her hidden from the rest of the gods and demi-gods to make sure all and any threat was resolved. At first, I was excited with all the new prospects of having a little sister. I couldn't wait to not only have someone to tease, but also someone that would join me at Camp Half-Blood once she reached a suitable age. But, life doesn't always go the way we want.
Since gods were now able to visit their children, thanks to a law lifted by Zeus after the war, Poseidon spent plenty of his time focusing on his new daughter. Not only hadn't he had any interaction with his children in ages, but Poseidon, even in the past, rarely had daughters. I was fine with the lost of attention, until it came to times when I needed him most and he was too busy to even take up the father role around me. One of these times was the death of my mother.
One month before I found Annabeth cheating on me, I received news that changed my newfound happiness. My mother and step-father had finally worked up the money and vacation to take their honeymoon. The day I went to the airport to watch them enter the plane was the last time I would ever see or hear them.
Died in a plane crash I was told, no remains, only fire and ash.
For two weeks I grieved the lost of the one who always stood by my side. I called out for Poseidon, told him I really needed him. I told his that I couldn't go on without his help. Those calls were never answered.
I blamed Zeus for it all. I knew that he had the ability to keep them safe. That is was probably because of his rage that my mother and stepfather perished. I cursed his name, but even the king of the gods gave me the cold shoulder. He knew killing me would only make me rejoice in the end of my misery.
As for Grover, Thalia, and Nico, they were preoccupied with other responsibilities. Grover was out saving the wild and following in the footsteps of the great Pan. Thalia was busy with the hunters of Artemis, only visiting camp for quick visits every few months. And Nico? He was spending time in the underworld with his father and late sister Bianca. The only one I had left was Annabeth, and you see how that turned out.
All of this brings me to where I am now, living in a crappy, low rent apartment far away from anyone from my past. Forgotten by my 'friends,' and all the gods and goddess, whose asses were all saved by me.
One may say that I was utterly, completely alone.
After plenty of hours the first, rewritten chapter of Alone has been written! I will probably release another rewritten chapter next week, but you never know, maybe I'll surprise you all with a new, edited chapter this week. Just to let all you know this chapter went from 266 words to 2,164. Please review and thank you all for reading!