The Golden Amulet (PJO, Sequel to The Silver Ring)

Chapter 17

Rosaline didn't get to say any more about the subject, as they reached their destination. And even if she could, the murmurs of soldiers were so close they sounded like beating drums. 

They peeked around the corner. In just a few dozen minutes, the headquarters had been transformed. Long gone were the corners where different people worked. At the far end of the room, facing them, a stage had been rigged, empty for now, stretching from one wall to the other, easily being a mile wide. Hundreds upon hundreds of chairs faced the stage, almost all of them filled by soldiers.

"We have two minutes before they bring the Chaos soldiers out," Adriana warned, having to shout to be heard over the masses.

"Looks like they're on alert for you guys," Leon observed. "The moment you do free them, we got to get out of here."

There were soldiers at every passageway leading into headquarters, who looked around furtively as though watching out for them. They neglected to look behind them, which was why Percy, Rosaline, Adriana, and Leon could observe the assembly conspicuously.

"Alright," Rosaline said. "Here's the plan. It looks like they haven't blocked the passageways behind the stage. Leon and Percy will create a distraction once they lead Psi, Theon, and Tania up to the stage, preferably diverting everyone's attention to you two."

Percy smiled. "You don't need to say anything else. This'll be fun." 

Rosaline continued. "When we hear or see your distraction, whatever it might be, Adriana and I will neutralize everyone on the stage, and start freeing the captives. Percy and Leon will then run to the stage, take anybody who hasn't been taken by Adriana and me, and we'll run out through the nearest tunnel. Any questions?"

"What happens if we run into one of the Generals?" Leon asked tentatively. 

"If it comes to that, run as fast as you can and hope for a miracle."

Leon gulped nervously at what that meant but looked as ready as he could ever be.

Percy started to say a compelling speech but was interrupted when a sudden, familiar, and burning sensation went through his body. Not again.

He leaned on the cavern wall and tried to control his breathing but to no avail. No. It couldn't be happening now. Not when he was needed.

Not when he couldn't be weak.

The world went dark as his consciousness was sucked into his body, where he was fighting an internal battle. The taste of blood kept him anchored to the real world as he bit his lip, refusing to let out any sound of agony. It felt as though every ligament, tendon, and molecule of skin in his body was burning up. Tears fell from his eyes. He would not show his weakness. But then . . .

Percy.

The voice was like cold, soothing water, numbing the pain wherever it passed through. He sighed in relief as the agony faded to a dull, throbbing hum. Artemis?

The beautiful voice didn't seem to hear him. Be strong, my hero. Everything will be alright.

No. It sounded slightly different. Slightly . . . Void?

I'm here, my love, she said, a smile being conveyed with her words.

He didn't care that he was talking to the enemy. All the pain was gone.  

And who said he considered her as an enemy? 

I have to go now, my hero, she said softly. You will always have me on your side, no matter what.

He felt someone shake him, and suddenly, he was back into reality. "Finally!' Rosaline exclaimed in relief. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Percy muttered, rubbing his face. "Void wanted to talk to me."