Chapter 3 - just a normal mission... *dun dun dun*

The campers watched in morbid fascination as the A team worked in perfect tandem. It was like a well oiled machine. When one cog turned, the rest followed along with ease. This was the type of mastery only a group of seasoned warriors could possibly possess. There was no need for the campers to even join the battle. Swords hung idly at their waists, shields and armor half equipped – forgotten.

The campers were taught that a war was fought with the people. Every man had a mission and every man counted. But the longer the battle droned on, the more confident the kids watching were that they would make no difference in this war. But the A team would. It was no longer a matter of monsters and men, but which monster would prevail in the end.

–

1 Week prior

–

The grand doors of the throne room loomed overhead and the sight was quite intimidating to most all that gazed upon it. Despite that, Perseus Jackson trekked onwards. Tonight was just a normal night. Like every other. When he opened the doors, the usual smile Chaos greeted him with every time he was assigned something new was absent. Nothing about this seemed to point towards their normal interactions.

"What's up, old man? Cat got your tongue?" Percy said cautiously, eyeing Chaos carefully. "You seem off today."

"You have a mission on earth." Chaos looked somber, an arm propped up against the side of his throne and his head leaning into his open hand. Overall, it was quite the sight, seeing the mighty Creator so... confused? Hurt? Which was odd. Nothing about this was new. After a couple thousand years, it's normal for the army to be sent off to help the Earthen mortals with their petty, destructive wars.

"And? We've had plenty of missions on earth before. What are we talking? A squadron, maybe two? Or if you want it inconspicuous, I'll tell Blake to pack his shit." Percy backed towards the throne room doors, planning on leaving Chaos alone to his thoughts after their short conversation.

"I want... need... the A team. And tell Kearan that I want his sector free for this too. Possibly Noztara's as well," Chaos beckoned.

Percy paused and looked questioningly at Chaos. He was taken aback. "That bad, huh? I'll let the team know at dinner. Better not be classified though, Aspera is gonna be hanging out with us tonight. Actually, it doesn't matter. We both know I'd tell her anyway." Percy looked at his watch and pointed in Chaos' direction. "I have to go, but send me the details tonight and I'll get the crew ready." Percy thought, assumed, that the conversation was over. But as he turned to leave, Chaos stopped him in his tracks once again.

"Perseus."

Chaos had only ever addressed him as such twice. Second time being now. Percy didn't like it then and he most certainly did not like it now.

"Seriously, what is up with you today?"

"I'm sorry."

Each time Chaos spoke, it set Percy on edge- closer to tipping off with each word. "You're seriously scaring me now, you better tell me what the fuck is up or I'm going to... something. Seriously. Tell me." Percy's face had dropped and he was now facing Chaos fully. His features were eerily calm. The calm before the storm.

"It's not a small war. The camps have requested our aid." As soon as the words left Chaos' mouth, Percy froze. All color had drained from his face. Chaos continued, "It's not another pointless human war. You and your team can't just hide in the shadows and intervene when the demigods aren't looking. This time they know what to be looking for. The army wasn't there to help save people during the giant war. But now that you've built it from the ground up, you can help them more than we ever could before."

Percy didn't reply for a long while. "Why would I send my family to fight and die for them when they didn't care to think twice about ridding themselves of theirs?"

Despite all that they have done, there are still innocents that need your help. And we both know that you'll end up taking the mission. It's in your blood to save those in need. It's what makes you... you." Chaos had foregone all emotions other than worry. He had risen from his throne and made his way over to Percy. Chaos put his hands on Percy's shoulders and when their eyes met, Chaos drew Percy into a hug.

Silently, Percy returned the favor. "When do we leave?" The words were quiet and barely audible.

"If you're up to it, tomorrow to prepare and the day after to leave with the A team. The extra squadrons will arrive later. Though I was hoping to send you before the next battle, if you aren't ready, then you have two weeks max. And you leave with the rest of the army for earth." Percy pulled back to look at Chaos now. Still, he continued.

"If you want, it is well within your rights to hide who you are. I don't suppose that you will be greeted with warm hugs otherwise. I could gift you a cloak. Or even a spell to conceal who you are. Anything you-"

"No. I can suck it up after 15 hundred years on a different planet. They want our help? I want them to know they are at my mercy. I am no longer at theirs." Percy turned and walked out of the ornate throne room hall without another word.

As he left, Chaos led himself back up to the dais and sat back down on the throne. Even though Percy was long gone and most likely headed back to the A team's loft, Chaos spoke quietly to himself.

"The burden is not yours alone to carry anymore, Perseus."

-

The group knew the moment that the door clicked from the entryway, Percy was home. He group lived together in their absurdly large apartment. There were 6 people on the A team. The leader, Percy. The healer, Aloena. She had flowing golden hair and sunkissed skin. If it weren't for the fact that her eyes were constantly glowing golden as well, she might have just looked like a normal, sparkly human. There was the spy, Blake. Blake was your everyday normal person... kind of. Normally he was a dark skinned boy with short, cropped black hair. Sometimes he was invisible, a defense system from his home planet.

Kearan and Noztara were the warriors. Kearan had slick hair, always looked like it was wet. Plus he was blue. Noztara was fierce and could shoot any target with scarily accurate results like it was no one's business, no matter how far away the target. Her otherworldly eagle eyes did help with that, though. Lastly, the strategist, Carly. Brown hair, brown eyes. She didn't have any special abilities from her planet. Maybe because she was from earth. One of the few in the Army who were.

Every time they were going to get a big mission, they would sit out in the living room watching movies, waiting for Percy to get back with the new news. This day was different, though. Every time they were assigned a new mission together, Percy got home and gave them a big smile. It took them roughly 700 years to coax that smile out of him and they treasured it every time it came out.

Especially Aspera.

So when Percy opened the door and they were greeted with silence, they knew something was wrong. Aspera was immediately on alert. Percy came into the room and threw his coat and files on the coffee table next to the group. Without telling anyone why, he made a beeline for his room and slammed the door shut behind him.

"Is he okay? He's never been this bad before," Carly said. Everyone looked around at each other and shared looks of concern. Simultaneously, they looked towards Aspera expectantly.

"Yeah, yeah. I'll go check on him." Silently, Aspera plucked herself from the couch and headed toward where Percy lay.

There was a tentative knock on the door before Percy even realized anyone was there. This must have really hit him if his senses aren't alerting him. Even though he didn't answer the knock, he knew who it was. And he also knew she was going to come in regardless.

The door slowly swung open and Percy raised his head to look at Aspera. He rolled onto his back to look at the canopy bed ceiling and flung his arms open. An invitation she was not going to decline.

Silently, she climbed into his arms. For a while, they just laid there. It was a comfortable silence. Like they had done this a million times before.

"Tell me." It wasn't an offer or a question. It was an order. And who was he to deny?

"He needs me to go back."

"Back where?"

"Camp."

"Oh." Aspera knew there wasn't much to say. There rarely ever was when he brought up his past. For the past hundreds of years, they never talked about it. She would trust him with her life, and he would do the same, but some lines needn't be crossed.

"I don't think I can go back," Percy said, breaking the silence. It was quiet, and she could feel his chest moving under her. It was uneven. He was crying. Barely noticeable. His eyes were closed, but his breathing gave it away. The clear trail down the side of his face, running along his ear and onto the mattress below him.

Aspera had never seen him cry.

Instinctually, she rotated and wiped the tear away. Crossing her arms over his chest, she laid her head in her arms and stared at him intently. And she stared hard. It didn't take long for him to notice the intense gazing she was doing in his direction.

"What?" he asked when he noticed. His eyes were still closed, but he grabbed one of her hands and rubbed circles on the back of it with his thumb.

"You should still tell the group. They're worried. I'm worried."

He knew she was right. But that didn't make it any better. It took him several minutes to compose himself. It involved a lot of staring at the ceiling, a couple deep breaths, and maybe a kiss or two.

When he stormed back into the living room, everyone was whispering among themselves. The talking stopped immediately when they noticed he was there, Aspera passing him and sitting with the rest of the group on the sofa. If anyone noticed that his eyes were a maybe a teensy bit red, then no one said anything.

He clapped his hands together and strode forwards, addressing the group. "Well guys, we're going to Earth."

"Yay?" Carly said, tentatively.

"Sure, Carly," Percy paused, rubbing the bridge of his nose and taking a deep breath. "Camp Halfblood. You went there, before all this. They need us." Even though she didn't say anything, Carly's eyes lit up just a little bit. Everyone else in the room looked far more intrigued now. No one other than Carly, as far as they were aware, had ever been to the mysterious demigod camp that Carly told them about every once and a while.

Every one of Chaos' planets knew of the gods, too and being able to meet and work with the fabled, divine beings was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Even for immortal Elite Warriors.

Percy continued, "Pack up tomorrow, we leave the morning after." Before he left the room again, he plucked the drink resting in Kearans hand and tipped it back in one go. He pointed at Kearan as he handed the glass back. "We need your sector cleared for this too. They'll meet with us in two weeks."

Without a word, he stormed back up to his room.

No one went after him this time.