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“What is wrong with you?” Whispers fell upon Percy lips.
And like a dam broke, his thoughts cannot be stopped.
“What is wrong with you all?!” He screamed.
Every single being in the room look at him.
“You have children leading the forces,” he said. “These ghosts around us, they’re all adults. Every last one of them. The Senate before us are adults, each and every one of you. The only children here are the ones who are being sent to fight and die for you. You have an army of children.”
He thought Camp Jupiter was better.
He thought with the New Rome, place where Demigods and legacies can life in peace without monster haunt their every step, where they don’t have to sleep with one eye open, worrying of whether they would made it pass tomorrow or not, it would be better. A utopia for Demigod children. Sanctuary for those who need it the most.
It was a city, where they could live peacefully and happily. It had a college with people who understood the neurodivergence over 90% of the campers had. There were stores, and cafes, and restaurants, and libraries, and elementary schools. There were even temples. Blends of two worlds.
The camp had everything one could want, it was safe, it had a barrier, it allowed adults to rest.
It allowed child to grow into adults.
It was dreamlike utopia.
And like dream, reality is a cruel bitch.
Because
“We are children,” Percy snapped. “Look at your soldiers. Look at them!”
The Senate did not look. The Ghosts, Lars, whatever, they did not move.
Percy’s rage grew.
“We are children,” he snapped. “You guys, you all, all of you are adults, and-and yet you send your children to Fight and Die for you. This is… this is just like that all over again. This is why the war against Kronos happened!”
His hand flew to his neck, to the bead of intricate Labyrinth, the bead filled with names surrounding Empire States Building, and Percy can feel the rage and grief choked his lungs.
Children goes to war is what War against Kronos is.
Children goes to the war is what makes his hands stained in blood.
Bianca who lose her life in their quest to saved Artemis, the beginning of reality of war settles in.
(Lee who died in Battle of Labyrinth when a Giant crushed him.
Castor who died against enemy blade leaving his brother and father choked with grief and mourns that turned into rage)
Beckendorf who come with Percy to the Princess of Andromeda, and did not survive when it blows up.
Silena who become double spy and ended up sacrificing her life as penance.
Michael who died after Percy burst out the dam to stop Kronos Army.
Ethan who just want to be a good son and honor his mother, saving Percy at cost of his own life.
And Luke…
Tears blurred Percy’s vision.
Of rage.
Of grief.
Luke who just want kids to grow up safely.
Luke who willingly joined hand with the Titans because he’s fed up seeing kids put into mortal danger and dying young.
Luke who is right that it’s fucking unfair that children have to go to a gods be damned WAR!
“You have adults. You have adults who has experience and knowledge of combat, who is just as capable as the children if not more, who is fully trained and had proven themselves, and you choose to sends children?! Just, what is wrong with you all?!”
Camp Jupiter is Utopia Luke would’ve liked.
It also twisted mockery of his dream and embodiment of everything he hates.
Of adults that stood at sidelines and letting child taking part in the war. Of adults who stood at sidelines and sends children into battle. Uncaring of young life that was cut too soon.
And Percy
Percy won’t let it happens
He won’t let children goes to war.
Not again
Not anymore
He promised Luke.
He promised that there won’t be another war where children are made to pickup weapons and fight for their lives.
He promised.
He promised.