Marx of the Matrix

*Flashback*
*Camp Half Blood, Ten Thousand Years Ago*
Percy's POV
I gripped the small black box in my pocket. I felt my heart do a little tap dance. For some unknown reason, I blushed.
No, I haven't turned into a love-happy girl, though that would've been a MUCH better resolution. I was nervous, excited, in love, and happy all in one.
Why?
I was about to propose to Annabeth Chase, the love of my life.
Why was I nervous?
Annabeth had been a bit distant and tense these past few weeks, like she was afraid of something. But I think that she's just going through a phase.
We only defeated Gaea eight months ago, and even I haven't been able to calm my nerves.
Anyways. I had asked Annabeth to meet me by the beach.
I rounded the bend, and was shocked by what I saw.
There was Annabeth, lip locked with my half brother Alex. I was stunned, but not mad, surprisingly.
I stood there for a few minutes before they graced my presence.
"Oh...Percy...I-I didn't see you there. I-It's n-not w-w-what it looks like." Annabeth stammered. Her face turned red.
I kept my calm. "I'm not sure I can believe you, Annabeth. It sure looks like you were kissing another guy to me, my brother no less."
Alex studied the ground, shame written all over his face. I felt a twinge of sickness settle in my stomach. Alex was like my best friend, my last one. Everyone else had abandoned me. Everyone except Annabeth.
"I'm sorry, Percy. I really am." She whispered.
I sighed and rubbed the back of my head. I heard a soft thud, I looked down.
Fuck.
The ring box had fallen out if my pocket.
I scrambled to pick it up, but Annabeth beat me to it. She opened the box. When she saw the ring, she looked up, eyes wide.
The ring had a silver band, with a diamond set in the middle. One emerald were on either side of it. The gems were outlined in Imperial gold, so monsters couldn't take it.
"Percy...was this for me?" She asked quietly.
I nodded. "But that doesn't matter anymore." I swooped down and picked up the ring. The box disappeared into the folds of my pocket once again.
"Annabeth, are you happy with Alex?" I asked.
"Percy-" She started, but I cut her off.
"Are you happy with Alex?" I repeated, my voice barely above a whisper.
Annabeth hesitated, but nodded.
"That's all I needed to know." I answered. I turned to leave.
"Percy...please." Annabeth called after me.
I ignored her and kept walking.
I felt betrayed, alone, useless. So I made a decision.
That night, I left camp.
When I reached the top of Half Blood Hill, I touched Thalia's pine tree. A bittersweet shock wave flowed through me.
I remembered when I first arrived at Camp Half Blood, dragging an unconscious Grover up the hill, tattered from my fight against the Minotaur, and traumatized from my mother's disappearance.
I slipped away into the night, and never looked back.
*5 months time skip*
I gripped Riptide and ran for the alley. My shirt was barely clinging to my torso, the cuffs of my jeans were in shreds. I heard another roar behind me, but I didn't dare look back.
What was I being chased by?
A hydra of course!
A shot of acid whipped past my ear, slighting grazing my earlobe. I ignored the pain. I focused on the problem ahead of me.
I had ran right into a dead end.
Crap.
I turned around. The hydra stalked closer to me. It's nine heads (idiotic mistake) leaned forward, baring their teeth. I grabbed the hilt of Riptide, my knuckles turned white. Drops of sweat ran down my neck. I felt my breath hitch.
I wouldn't be able to escape this monster, not anymore. This would be the end.
The hydra was merely feet away. I could smell it's breath. And let me tell you, it smelled HORRENDOUS.
The hydra geared up for another shot of acid. But before it could, a white light flooded the alley. The blinding light incinerated the hydra. When I opened my eyes, all that was left of the monster was a grease spot and a wispy pillar of steam.
A portal opened. A man in a black suit, red tie, white hair, and steel gray eyes stepped through.
"Perseus Jackson." He said with a smile.
"W-who are you?" I asked. The man seemed kind enough, but he had an aura of power and authority. He made Zeus seem as powerful as a toddler.
The man chuckled. "Who am I? I am the Creator of the universe. I am the father of all primordials, grandfather of the Titans, great grandfather of the gods. I am Chaos."
I immediately bowed.
"No need to bow, Perseus. I hate it when people bow." He told me.
I stood upright and smiled sheepishly. "Sorry." I muttered. "So, what do I have the pleasure of meeting you?" I asked, not even sure if I said it right.
Chaos laughed and waved his hand dismissively. "Enough with the formalities, Perseus. And to answer your question, I have a position to offer you."
"Yes?" I asked, genuinely interested.
"I have watched you for a long time, Perseus. I saw how you were betrayed by your love, ignored by your friends, neglected by your father. I watch you save Olympus twice. I noticed when you jumped into Tartarus so you wouldn't be seperated from Annabeth. I was there when you finally arrived at Camp Half Blood from almost a years absence. I know you, Perseus." Chaos told me.
While he was rambling, all I could think of was, "This guy is creepy as fuck."
"Now, about my proposal. I want you to be the Commander of my army. I see your potential, and this position is the key to unlock it. So, do you accept?" Chaos asked me.
I nodded. "I accept, Lord Chaos."
Chaos smiled. "Wonderful. Now, let's go."
We stepped through the portal. And then, my life was changed forever.

Notes