Chapter 5: Echoes of Betrayal

The air in the Half-Blood Camp was charged with tense energy. Annabeth had returned a few hours earlier, but her demeanor had changed drastically. Although she tried to keep her composure, those who knew her well noticed that something was wrong. Her mind, always focused on strategies and plans, seemed lost in a sea of confusion.

Percy noticed her silence, but hadn't asked yet. He didn't want to press her, but the concern was evident in every glance he gave her. "What's going on, Annabeth?" curiosity took hold of him, but he knew he needed to give her time.

The rest of the campers continued with their usual routine, though the presence of Inti hadn't gone unnoticed. Some watched him with curiosity, while others kept their distance. His arrival had been mysterious, and his air of confidence and arrogance made him stand out among the other demigods as someone who didn't fully belong to their world.

Chiron, always alert to changes in the camp, had also noticed the tension. As he moved in his centaur form across the training yard, he watched Inti from afar, knowing that his aura carried something that could disrupt the delicate balance of the camp.

"This kid... there's something about him that reminds me of the old days," Mr. D commented, frowning next to a bottle of wine he hadn't opened yet. "Too much confidence. Too much... enjoyment in everything."

"I've noticed," Chiron nodded, his expression serious. "He's not a demigod like the others. His powers seem beyond what we're used to. We should keep an eye on him."

The peaceful atmosphere of the camp was starting to fade, as if an invisible storm was brewing. Inti, though walking among the campers as if nothing disturbed him, knew perfectly well that his presence caused a stir. He liked it; he enjoyed it. Watching everyone look at him, feeling his power, but at the same time not being able to fully understand him.

Annabeth, on the other hand, stayed away from group activities. She had taken refuge on one of the nearby hills, where she could watch the camp without being seen. She felt her chest tighten every time she looked at Percy.

She couldn't face him, not yet. The pain of what she had done was eating her up inside. She knew that sooner or later, she would have to tell him the truth, but "how could she do that to the guy who had been by her side in every battle, the one who had saved her countless times?"

Guilt was a slow poison, and Annabeth felt herself sinking deeper into it. The sound of laughter and conversation surrounded her, only increasing her isolation.

As she watched Percy interact with other campers, her heart broke a little more. "If he only knew..." she thought, feeling the weight of her betrayal was unbearable.

Inti, on the other hand, enjoyed the attention. He moved gracefully among the campers, feeling at home, though he knew his presence posed a challenge to the camp's norms. As he strolled, his gaze would linger on other faces, as if already searching for his next adventure.

Suddenly, the sound of quick footsteps pulled him from his thoughts. It was Percy, walking towards him with a furrowed brow. Rumors had started to spread, and although he didn't know exactly what had happened, he could feel that something was wrong.

"Hey," Percy called, his voice laced with discomfort and distrust. "What are you really doing here?"

Inti smiled with his usual air of superiority. "Just enjoying the camp. It's an interesting place, full of interesting people."

Percy furrowed his brow even more, feeling something in those words made him uneasy. "Look, I don't know what your intentions are, but if you're here to cause trouble... it's not going to end well for you. We've got enough to deal with, with monsters and prophecies. We don't need someone else causing problems."

Inti's soft laughter echoed in the air, almost mocking. "Trouble? I'm not here to cause trouble, Percy. Just here to... enjoy what fate puts in my path."

Inti's carefree tone made Percy's unease grow. At that moment, Annabeth appeared behind them. Her face was pale, and her usual strong and determined expression showed clear signs of distress.

"Percy," her voice trembled slightly. "I need to talk to you."

Percy looked at Annabeth, and the tone of her voice unsettled him. His heart skipped a beat. "What's wrong?" he asked softly, noticing the tension in the air.

Annabeth looked away, unable to hold his gaze. "What I'm going to tell you... isn't easy," she began, feeling her voice shake. "I did something... something I deeply regret."

Percy's world stopped for a moment. The pain hit him like an unstoppable wave. His heart pounded, feeling like it would break. "No... it can't be."

Tears filled Annabeth's eyes. "Last night... I was with Inti. I don't know how it happened. It was a mistake. But it happened."

The pain on Percy's face was like a knife in Annabeth's heart. "No..." he murmured, taking a step back. "It can't be."

Annabeth looked at him, feeling even smaller under his hurt gaze. She knew she couldn't ask for forgiveness. She had broken something that maybe could never be fixed. "I'm sorry," she said through her tears. "I truly am."

Percy, still stunned, couldn't bear it any longer. He turned and ran off, leaving Annabeth alone, broken inside under the weight of her betrayal.

Meanwhile, in the distance, Chiron watched the scene with concern. Annabeth's pain and regret, Percy's wounded pride, and Inti's unsettling presence formed a dangerous combination. He knew the consequences of this could change the fate of everyone in the camp.