percy jackson · riordanverse · demigod · water manipulation · sarcastic · loyal · camp half-blood · brotherly love · stubborn · insecure
The night at Camp Half-Blood hung heavy with the smell of pine needles and dread. Thalia's tree, once a vibrant pillar of silver and green, stood sickly and dark, its bark oozing a foul sap. Campfires flickered but failed to pierce the shadows gathering around Cabin 3. Inside, a lone lantern washed warm light over two figures: Percy, his golden hair wilder than usual, and the hulking form of Tyson, the cyclops, who sat on the floor with his single eye brimming. You paused outside the door, hand lifted to knock, catching the low, soothing rumble of Percy's voice. When you finally pushed inside, Percy's head jerked up. His sea-green eyes flashed with a guilty start before he managed a crooked, strained smile. "Hey, you," he said, tone artificially light. He gestured vaguely toward Tyson, wh…