Copyright Disclaimer:
Please note that this disclaimer is for the entirety of this story. No Copyright infringement is intended and this fanfiction is for the sole purpose of the pleasure of others. While Greek Mythology is open for everyone to use, the characters of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Heroes of Olympus, and Trial of Apollo and how they are portrayed are owned by Rick Riordan and Disney Hyperion Books. The characters of Fairy Tail are owned by Hiro Mashima while the anime licenses are owned by A-1 Pictures.
Prologue
There was an eerie feeling that fluttered through Percy's body as he stared at the field in front of him. Crimson blood caked the once green grass turning it a deep red and softly glowing bronze armor and weapons littered the ground. All around lay the dead bodies of demigods, people he had considered his friends in the past. No, they were not just friends, they were family.
On top of the dead bodies lay golden flakes telling him that a massive fight had taken place here. When monsters died, instead of dying like regular sentient beings, they turned to dust and disappeared back to Tartarus where they reformed to haunt the lives of demigods again for another day.
Percy forced himself to trudge through the field. He had been so caught up in his own personal battle he hadn't even noticed what was happening mere meters from him. These people had looked up to Percy as a leader and now they were gone and it was all his fault.
Biting the inside of his lip, he knelt down next to a child of Aphrodite. Her blonde hair was matted down with dried blood and her once beautiful face was now marred with cuts and scrapes tarnishing her growing beauty. He didn't know who the girl was but she was no older than thirteen, being forced to fight in a war that she did not understand. With a shaky hand, he brought his fingers down over her glassy blue eyes and swiftly closed them. Hopefully, she would be finding Elysium.
Hesitantly, Percy sat down beside the young child. His sea green eyes were sullen as they looked over the field of death. So many were dead just because he failed at leading his own friends to victory.
"Percy," A raspy voice spoke from behind him. Even as the voice sounded on the verge of exhaustion it played a melodic tune to Percy.
"Wise Girl." His eyes found there way up to his girlfriend. The girl looked worse for wear, with a mixture of dirt, dried blood and monster dust splattered on her face. On her arm was a wound the size of a knife cut and it looked to be painful.
Annabeth threw her knife into the ground and collapsed next to Percy. Her head rested on his shoulder in mere moments and she let out a tired sigh. "The next wave should be here soon."
"I know."
What else could be said? They both knew what was coming. Another batch of monsters that Gaia would send to play with them. Kronos had done the same thing in his assault; tire out the demigods as much as possible before going in for the kill. The battle had been only a little over a year ago but it seemed like a lifetime as Percy thought about it. He had learned so much since then, had made so many friends during that time. He had led a whole different camp in battle as well and protected them from Gaia and the Giants.
"I'm scared." The demigod daughter of Athena admitted to her boyfriend. Not that she would ever let anyone else know but when it was just the two of them it was a special occasion. "What if we don't make it?"
In this scenario, there weren't really any good things to come out if they failed. The underworld would be taken over by Gaia so even if they ended up dying they would just be tortured for eternity. His eyes glanced over to Annabeth who had her eyes closed, no doubt she was trying to get as much rest as possible before the next battle. "We will."
Her eyes snapped open and the curious grey eyes he had seen so many times before stared into his own. It felt like the first time he had ever met her all over again. They were analyzing different outcomes in her head. "I trust you." Her hand slipped into his own and gently squeezed it.
That was all Percy needed, he flashed her a smile. "I'll protect you with everything I have Wise Girl."
A laughter seemed to echo through the field, one that was filled with happiness and sorrow. "You are such a Seaweed Brain." She responded back, her head landing back on his shoulder.
There was a comfortable silence despite everything that was happening around them. The smell of dead bodies had no effect on the two demigods, having lived on the edge their entire life. No matter where the two of them were they always found solace with each other.
Neither knew how long they sat there just staring out over the fields and relishing the other's presence. All that they knew was that they would have wanted no one else to be with them. They were in love, after all, as unlikely as it was. The Son of the Sea and the Daughter of the Wise were not supposed to be together yet here they were, sharing what might be one of their final moments with one another.
"We need to get up." Annabeth mumbled to him after a while. "I came out here to get you so you could raise morale." She admitted to him after a moment.
His eyes flickered back to the bodies all around them. Was it really okay for him to be the one to raise morale? He who had led everyone to their deaths. "How… How many are left?" Percy cursed the voice crack he made. He needed to show a strong front no matter where he was and yet here he was being weak. While he was fine with it being Annabeth of all people seeing it, he needed to grow accustomed to the strong leader act. He had to be the one to pull through, the one that people could trust. Even if he didn't trust himself at the moment.
She tapped her other finger on the ground, while it was a relatively quiet action it was easy to hear on the somber field. "That are able to fight? Roughly only forty. The ones that are injured are hanging back to defend those too hurt to fight. Most of the Apollo healers have already passed out from mere exhaustion, however."
Percy cursed quietly under his breath. Only forty people would be able to fight. That was even less than the amount at the battle of Manhattan. "I see." He murmured to her.
Letting go of her hand, Percy picked himself up from the ground and held out his hand to lift her up. She gladly took it and was heaved up. "Ready to go talk to them Seaweed Brain? Just do your normal joking around and it should work." She told him with a light shoulder check. She had meant it as a joke but they both knew deep down it meant more.
"No need to worry about me Wise Girl." The two headed back towards the small base of operations they had set up.
Upon arrival at the camp they had set up, Percy felt his heart want to plummet to the ground. Morale was truly low. People were quietly sitting together in small groups talking in hushed voices. Eyes were downcast and their meals had barely been touched instead resting weakly in their shaking hands..
Percy froze on the spot as a reality check hit him. These people were on the verge of giving up. This was the last defense of the human people. If Percy allowed himself and everyone else to give up then humanity would be doomed.
"It's worse than I thought it would be. Where is everyone?"
He was glad as his girlfriend knew at once what he was talking about. "Frank and Jason are both in the infirmary, neither of them will be moving any time soon. Hazel and Piper are both with them. Nico is currently doing scouting but by the time he comes back he will most likely pass out from fatigue." There was no point in sugarcoating her words. The news was dire and, unfortunately, something Percy had to hear.
A single hand trembled as it reached up into his hair and pulled it back. There was a lot to think about and with the way things were going they would most likely be overrun by morning. "Wise Girl can you go get me some bottled water?" He asked his girlfriend. The girl shot him a look of curiosity but decided not to question it. At once she set off towards the infirmary tent.
The truth was he needed a moment of himself to think. He knew things were difficult out there but actually seeing the brutality of the war and their casualties was jarring for the demigod. Sighing to himself, Percy walked towards the front entrance of the camp and his eyes stared out.
The sun was shining brightly down on him and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. It was such a beautiful day out where the trees seemed to glisten in the light and the soft breeze provided a refreshing cooldown from the burning heat. Any other time it would have been one of the best days of Summer.
But not this day. Now, it seemed as if it was only a cruel joke on them.
The bright sun only made him sweat more in his leather strapped armor. The clear skies provided no cover from the heat and allowed the glaring sun to blide the fighting demigods. The once relaxing breeze now carried with it the fetid, rotten smell of dying bodies and monster dust.
No, what he once would have thought was a beautiful day now was defiled by this war.
Tilting his head back to look at the blue sky, he knew what he needed to do. A tear began to run down his eye. It was a suicidal task no doubt but it would allow the other members to get back into the fighting spirit and increase their chances.
A blur on his left appeared and Percy instinctively grabbed it. His eyes widened as he heard a choking sound and quickly let go. "Geez Perce, Did you have to choke me?" The boy hacked out a cough as it took him a bit to regain himself.
Percy for his part looked sheepish, "Sorry Nico, thought it was an enemy."
The son of the death god waved him off. "No worries, everyone is jumpy right now." Nico told Percy. Walking over to a patch of grass and at once sat down. "I'm going to take a long nap after this."
A smirk appeared on Percy's lips. The one who was the most pessimistic of perhaps all of them was now the one who gave Percy an increase of hope.
"Hey Nico-" Percy began but was instantly cut off.
"Don't you dare." Percy shot a quizzical look at him so Nico explained. "I know that look you have on your face Perce. It means you are going to do something incredibly dumb and believe that you don't have a chance of coming back." Nico tilted his head with a raised eyebrow. "Am I wrong?"
A chuckle escaped past Percy's lips before it soon erupted into full on laughter. Percy was unable to stop himself as the laughter continued. It got to the point where people were beginning to turn heads towards him. Most likely they were asking if he had lost it. He didn't really know himself at this point.
Silent tears came to his eyes and Percy had to wipe them away. "Yeah. I think I'm going to do something that is borderline suicidal." Percy admitted to his friend. "Ready to hear me out Death Breath?"
The man in question shrugged. "Your stupid and idiotic plans have a tendency to work, so why not?"
After Percy told him his plan the demigod stared at Percy as if he had grown a third head. "In my life, I've heard and seen you do a lot of dumb shit Percy. That by far tops all of it."
Percy stared down at the ground refusing to meet his eyes. It was something that was dangerous and dumb and he knew he might not come back from it but it was also something that needed to be done. Even if it meant that he was most likely sacrificing himself it meant another few hours for the rest to get recuperated. "Nico…"
The boy pursed his lips together and stared hard into Percy. Neither of the demigods wavered as a silent battle of wills was in place. After a few moments, an angry look grew in Nico's eyes and he angrily stomped on the ground. "Damnit Percy, there is no need to do this."
A slight twitch of Percy's lips appeared. "I'm afraid that there is a need to do this Nico."
"And what are the rest of us supposed to do? What will the others say? What will Annabeth say?" Glaring at the son of the sea god, Nico angrily walked up and grabbed Percy by the shirt. "We can figure something else out."
"What will I say?" A third voice was heard and both males looked over to see Annabeth holding a few water bottles in her hand. She was masking a frown on her lips, her grey eyes held curiosity in them.
Nico let go of Percy's shirt and took a step back. "Tell this dumbass that he's a suicidal idiot just asking to be killed." He angrily pointed a finger at Percy.
Annabeth rolled her eyes. "Tell me something that I don't know Nico. I've been telling him that for years now." She meant it as a joke but it had a deeper meaning. "Now, what is going on?"
After Percy told his girlfriend his plan, well things did not go as planned in Percy's case. "What type of idiotic Seaweed Brain are you? Why in the world would you think of something that is so dumb? Nico is right, you are trying to get yourself killed! I swear Seaweed Brain if this was any other time I would lock you in a room with your hands tied behind your back and make you think about your actions!" She started out slowly but it began to ramp up and by the end she was screaming at him, not pulling any of her punches.
"Thank you!" Nico threw his hands up in the air, no doubt happy that someone saw his point of view.
Percy couldn't stop the wince as he saw his girlfriend and best friend both agreeing that he was a dumbass. "What other choices do we have?" he demanded of them.
Nico rolled his eyes. "I don't know, maybe keep doing what we are doing? We've held them off long enough as it is. What everyone here has done cannot be for nothing." He told them but neither Percy or Annabeth responded.
Surprisingly Annabeth was quiet. Eventually, she fell to her knees and covered up her eyes with her hands. Percy and Nico watched with silence as they waited for Annabeth to put herself back together.
"There has to be another way" Annabeth mumbled quietly. "There must be something else we can do!" She practically pleaded with them.
Percy looked down at his girlfriend in understanding. Annabeth never showed this kind of emotion in front of anyone but him so it surprised him a bit that she so readily showed her insecurities to Nico. Then again after Tartarus things still weren't entirely the same with any of them, Nico included. Percy figured they probably never would be either.
"Wise Girl" Percy said gently after pulling her to her feet. He knew she wouldn't appreciate anyone else just happening to see her in such a vulnerable position. "You know this is the best choice right now. There are too many injured and I can buy us a few more hours to recover then we can all take her down then." He knew he probably wouldn't be part of that we. She did too if the look on her face was accurate.
"This is stupid" Nico said interrupting their quiet argument. "You're one of the best fighters we have left. If you die then we'll be down even more in terms of strength. It makes no sense to do this." The glare Nico shot Percy would have scared a lesser demigod. Fortunately, Percy always thought that Annabeth had the scariest glare of all so it didn't affect his resolve.
Annabeth began shaking her head in agreement with Nico.
"No. No, there has to be another way. There has to. Just give me a few minutes and I'll co-"
However, before Annabeth could even finish speaking the ground around them began shaking and evil laughter sprang forth from an opening crevice. Percy turned just in time to see dirt begin gathering in large clumps of forming body parts with sticks and stones sticking out randomly in the appendages.
"YES!" the voice shouted when her face finally took shape. The demigods openly gaped at the massive 10 foot woman that stared down at them with lidded eyes. Her complexion was a mix between the different dark soils of Half-Blood Hill while her hair was a wild tangle of bark and sticks and vines. She wore a peplos made of leaves and branches and everyone around the hill could feel the power she emanated.
"It's over now puny demigods" Gaia said sleepily. She was now cognizant of everything but fortunately for Percy and the others she still hadn't completely woken up. And that could be all the difference in this fight. "You will all die painful deaths for delaying my awakening!" A harsh laugh came from her which was akin to a psychopath.
Suddenly, a scream came from behind Percy and when he turned he saw a horrifying sight. Looking down into the infirmary was a Roman soldier stuck on a pillar of dirt shot up from the ground. The Roman couldn't remain still as the spike of dirt pierced his stomach and twisted him back and forth like a ragdoll before tossing him into a scrambling group of demigods. Percy could almost see the life drain from his eyes.
"The injured!" Annabeth yelled when she saw Gaia's plan. All around the camp Gaia was targeting those who could fight but were too weak to take on the strong monsters in her army. "We need to get everyone out of here"
Percy nodded in agreement. He wasn't always the smartest guy but even he could see Gaia strategy here. And a dirty one it was too.
"We don't have time to argue about my plan anymore" he yelled to Nico and Annabeth as he turned back to face the Primordial. "You two need to get everyone clear and stop her from hurting any more demigods! I'll distract her here and do what damage I can."
He didn't turn to look at either of them. He knew if he did then there was a chance they could persuade him otherwise and they didn't have time to argue about it anymore. It was now or never.
Right as Percy was about to step forward and challenge Gaia he felt a tugging on his sleeve. He couldn't help turning around and coming face to face with the glaring grey eyes of his beautiful girlfriend. Her fierce expression would normally have given him pause but when she pulled him in for a deep kiss he knew there was nothing but love in her heart.
"If you get yourself killed Seaweed Brain you can bet your ass I'll have Nico resurrect you just so I can kill you again. You come back to me. Together, just like you promised me."
Percy felt his heart swell with emotion at her words. He would do everything he could to get back to her though he seriously doubted he would succeed. But if there was anything in this world he would give everything for it was Annabeth.
Not willing to show his weakness he smirked at her. "You aren't getting rid of me that easily Wise Girl. Who else will annoy you with all their stupid stunts if I'm not around?"
Breaking away, Percy took off before he could back out of his decision. He knew Annabeth and Nico would go down to the injured and begin taking out the spikes of earth Gaia created and start evacuating the demigods. Their home might be ruined after this but at least as many demigods would get free as they could.
The ground beneath his feet still experienced the occasionally tremor but nothing as drastic as a full on earthquake happened. He could hear the screams of his friends and family behind him as they struggled to escape Gaia's attacks while he ran straight towards the howling laughter of the Primordial and her monster army in front of him. He ignored the clinking metal on the dead bodies of his fellow demigods around him.
"Hey Dirt for Brains!" Percy yelled when he approached the goddess. The smile on her face was sickening with her closed eyes and tilted head. She looked like a serial killer in a horror movie with her disturbing appearance. The demigod supposed it wasn't that far off considering her wholesale slaughter of the demigods behind him.
Gaia looked down at Percy with amusement tinging her eyes.
"Ahh, if it isn't my favorite demigod, the son of Poseidon. Thank you for the nosebleed. If it wasn't for you I wouldn't be standing here and taking my revenge today." The Primordial mocked him. "Just for that I have decided I'll kill you last. Consider it as me repaying a favor to you."
Percy felt himself color in anger and embarrassment. Stupid Porphyrion and his stupid spear. He managed to get a lucky shot at him and after a few hectic minutes of battles he just so happened to forget about his bleeding nose.
But now he had a chance to redeem his screw up. He would stop Gaia right here, right now and let the others escape.
He sent a silent prayer to the gods hoping they would speed up their retreat.
"Well what can I say? I've always been told my head was full of kelp. Guess now we know there's more in there."
She didn't say anything for a moment but suddenly erupted into laughter at him. The condescension rolling off her was so thick even the dumbest person would be able to tell they being ridiculed.
It was at that moment that Percy made his move. While the Primordial laughed with glee, the demigod of the sea charged the Earth goddess holding nothing back. Riptide was raised high in the air and the sun refracted off the blade so it's bronze glow was subdued to a faint glimmer. Percy roared his battlecry leaving no doubts this was his final battle.
Swinging Riptide down he found the goddess completely defenseless. His sword cut deep into her leg and he managed to slice right through it. Percy jumped away from any retaliatory strikes and watched as the goddess' leg fell away and she was left standing on only one foot.
The monsters behind the goddess quieted their laughter and watched as their leader's own leg was cut clean off. For her part, Gaia stopped laughing herself and looked down to see her stub of a leg come up to on her thigh. She hadn't fallen to the ground but Percy honestly didn't expect her too.
He felt a brief moment of triumph at having crippled his enemy when his eyes widened in shock and his joy quickly turned to dismay. Gaia concentrated her powers for a second and Percy watched as the dirt underneath their feet churned around and began flowing upwards to reattach to her missing leg. In barely any time at all, Mother Earth was now back to being 100% without even a scratch on her.
"Do you see how inevitable it is now Jackson?" She asked arrogantly. "You cannot defeat the Earth!"
"Yeah well your son Antaeus said the same thing and last time I checked he wasn't doing too hot." The son of Poseidon mentioned offhandedly about his half brother, knowing it would piss of Mother Earth even more. Percy had no clue why he was doing this, he just loved to piss off a of the bane of his existence.
It worked like a charm as fire lit in the Goddess of Earth's eyes and she let out a scream that reminded Percy of a harlet. "You...You!" Well if glares could kill, Percy would be ten feet under.
"Sorry." Percy held up his hands, "I swear I didn't do it on purpose, he just wanted to kill me is all."
In her anger, the Goddess of the Earth shot her hands towards Percy. As she did this, vines shot from her hands and headed directly towards him aiming to kill.
The Son of the Sea dodged to his right just managing to avoid her strike. Behind him he heard a loud explosion and, turning, he saw dirt mixed with dead bodies shoot up into the air. It was clear that she had no issues about tossing aside and destroying the dead in her pursuit for Percy's death.
"Hey that would have killed me!" He exclaimed, dodging another blast of vines from the goddess. "Didn't you want to keep me alive for some reason?"
The goddess growled, the amusement in her eyes long gone. "I've changed my mind." She shot another set of vines at Percy which he dodged once again. "Your head will be served to the gods on a silver platter!" She roared out. Throwing up both her hands this time the amount of vines had increased tenfold.
"Ah, crap." Seeing no way out of the attack of the vines, Percy collapsed to the ground and laid down as quickly as possible. His heart was pounding as his eyes were unable to track the vines when they flew right above him. Any lower and they would have taken off his head clean off his shoulders.
After a few seconds, which felt like minutes to the ADHD demigod, the barrage of vines finally stopped. Immediately Percy was on his feet, not giving Gaia any chances to get in position for another attack.
"Missed me" he taunted the Primordial. He knew it was stupid but every second she spent focusing on Percy was another second the rest of the demigods had to retreat.
"AAWWWHH" Gaia screamed aloud. Her body began glowing a vibrant, emerald green and Percy could feel the oppressive aura she exuded. It was wild and untamed like the forests and jungles that once made up the land. The goddess thrust her hands forward once more and Percy saw rocks and dirt coming flying towards him like a waterfall of pain.
Percy braced for impact. It was all he could do this time as her wall of dirt went from his feet to well above his head. He saw giant rocks and dead tree branches come at him intent on breaking his bones and causing him pain. One second it was bright sunshine and the next it was shaded darkness.
"Oomph" Percy grunt as the wall of dirt collided into him. He got swept up in the avalanche of Earth and felt his body being whipped around and tossed about uncontrollably. Two large rocks managed to slam into his ribcage knocking the breath right out of him while a jagged tree branch the size of Percy himself crashed into his arm and managed to make a large cut down his bicep. Blood began to seep down into his shirt and vambrace.
When the torrent of dirt subsided Percy found himself slightly dizzy and struggling to get to his feet. Gaia had obviously put some of her power into the landslide and Percy had difficulty breaking out of the compacted ground.
Growling quietly, Percy felt for the tugging in his stomach that indicated his powers. The goddess had forced him into the woods with her dirt barrage but he wasn't at the river yet. Calling that much water to him now would drain him completely but he did have another power he could call upon. He hadn't done in in over two years but he didn't need the full force of his ability. In fact it was probably better if he didn't try to call everything he could. Her ability would counteract his own most likely.
He closed his eyes in concentration and yanked on his stomach as much as possible. The demigod felt the ground beneath his feet quiver just slightly as if it didn't want to obey his wishes. Considering it was order by the Earth herself that didn't surprise Percy.
The yanking got to be extremely painful then. Gaia must have actively noticed him calling on his Earthshaker powers and was hurrying to reach him in the woods to prevent his escape from the dirt. If she did reach him it was all over. He couldn't let that happen. He pushed all he could into creating just the tiniest of cracks and screamed out with the painful effort as he felt like his stomach was folding in on itself.
Just as the Earth goddess entered his sight he felt the smallest break in the Earth. He attacked it with Riptide and his powers and wiggled his feet around trying to jerk them free. She was closing on his fast now and he had only seconds until it was over.
"AUGHH!" He yelled out just as he managed to rip his left foot out of the dirt. The ground splashed in a spray of dark soil before slowly beginning to reform again in a solid mass but Percy moved quickly and, in just in the nick of time, yanked his right foot out of the ground.
Gaia let out a roar of frustration while Percy heaved a sigh of relief. The goddess stood 15 feet in front of him glaring down with all her hate and malice. Percy gave her a cheeky grin and put on a brave face though deep inside he was in agony.
The cut on his arm wouldn't stop bleeding and the dirt coating it only exacerbated the pain. His breathing became ragged and not just from exerting so much power. He was fairly confident at least two ribs were broken though they hadn't managed to pierce his lungs by luck. His head was still spinning from being caught in the cavalcade of dirt and he felt nauseous.
Worst of all though had be be his exhaustion. He had already been fighting against monsters for hours when Gaia had shown up and now he was forced to use a great deal of his powers to save his own life. It was pure determination and not some small amount of luck that he was able to free himself from her trap. There was no using his geokinesis powers again in this fight. That was his one miracle.
"You will suffer for your insolence demigod" Gaia snarled angrily.
"I've always been told insolence is one of my best qualities" Percy teased back. He squeezed Riptide tight in his hands ready to move in any direction depending on what she did. An idea came to Percy's mind as he felt the river far behind him, perhaps a quarter of a mile or so but it was still far enough that he couldn't use it yet. With a mocking salute and a cheeky grin Percy began to run towards it. "Catch me if you can harlet!"
If it was any other time Percy would have been unable to run but he knew what was on the line. The aching and throbbing in his legs screamed at him to halt in his actions, to take a short breather at least but Percy knew better. Any action of pausing most likely meant his death.
His eyes glanced behind him as loud cracking was heard. As if it was a fault line, everywhere Gaia went she created a large crack within the ground. While he couldn't see the goddess he knew she was right on his tail.
At the sight of the water, Percy withheld the grin that was threatening to leak out. Only a little more was needed and he would gain quite a bit of strength back and hopefully gain more time for the demigods to escape.
"Where do you think you are going?" A voice barked at him. Percy's eyes widened in surprise at the goddess cut him off. He hadn't expected her to stop in front of him.
At once his step faltered and he took a step back. The goddess was now between him and the river, giving no room to sneak past her. "Oh come on." Percy complained. It was just his luck that the goddess would stop him from achieving his goal.
Her lips quirked up, amusement in her eyes. "You think a little power boost will be able to defeat me Perseus Jackson?"
"To be fair, I'm not actually trying to defeat you-"
"Just waste enough time for your little friends to get away, yes I know." She finished his statement.
His mouth shut, it wasn't too hard to have figured out but still, hearing her say it was annoying to Percy. The dark brown eyes almost had a fire in them that was dancing. While her hands were in a combat stance they were relaxed.
Percy's eyes widened ever so slightly, what had she been hiding from him. Had she expected this to happen? It was perhaps something that Percy would have done but he also could have asked his friends to fight with him. There was no possible way that she could have predicted this to happen, right?
The demigod looked back to Mother Earth and he clicked his tongue in annoyance, the Fates were really not on his side at the moment. "Do you have to be so damn persistent?" He asked with pursed lips, his mind going a million miles per minute.
Like a cat, the goddess raised her hands up in the air and stretched out. While he was within striking distance he was in no shape to actually go in for the kill. She really knew how to grate his nerves. "I already knew what your plan was Perseus. It wasn't hard to see." She told him, rolling her eyes. "Anyone with half a brain could have figured that out. The heroic demigod swoops in and saves the day while everyone else flees."
The goddess's lip curled up into a smile. A smile that was befitting of a tightfisted tyrant. "Let's just say I sent them a little gift."
Sea green eyes seemed to age fifty years. The once amusing and teasing game that was going on between them instantly shattered. His eyes became wild with a promise there would be no remorse. "What did you do?" His voice whispered into the wind and was carried to the goddess.
Her smile widened and her eyes became that of a screwball. "It was just a little gift, nothing more and nothing less." She brought her hand to her lips and her eyebrows shot up. "Unless you think that she wouldn't be able to handle my little gift! It was just a small one. My children will have so much fun slaughtering her."
She closed her eyes and tapped her chin, a grin on her lips. "Perhaps I should have sent my pets out instead? Then maybe they would have-" A gasp was heard in the field. She was frozen in place as she hesitantly looked down at the blade that was glowing in the sunlight, creating a light tingle where her heart would be. "You-"
"I wasn't going to try and defeat you Gaia." Percy admitted, a sinister look in his eyes that promised pain appeared. He shoved the blade further into the goddess creating another gasp from her. "A titan being defeated by a demigod is one thing but a primordial being defeated by a demigod? Oh my, now that might actually make the Olympus news." He told her mockingly, shoving the blade in even deeper.
"I… can't die… from a puny… sword." She told him, flinging her hand onto the blade and trying to push it out.
Percy held steady however, refusing to allow the blade to move. "I know. To storm or fire, the world must fall." He told her, repeating the lines from the prophecy. Not only that but as he had already seen while she was connected to the ground she was completely immortal, able to heal any damage or wound she received. Even now her internal organs were fighting to push the blade out from her body. This would be one of the toughest challenges that Percy would have to do. Even he didn't know if he would be able to pull it off.
"What do you think … you are doing?" She grunted out. While she was still healing he was sure it still hurt like a bitch.
A half smile graced his lips. "Killing myself." He told her. Planting his feet into the ground and getting comfortable he took a deep breath.
Gaia's eyes lit up, she didn't know what he was preparing to do but no doubt she knew it wasn't good for either of them. Immediately she began thrashing around, trying to yank the sword out of her. "Perseus Jackson! Let me go!" She ordered in a haughty tone, ignoring all the pain she was receiving right now. "Let me go now!"
"No can do Grandma." He told her, reaching far into his gut and waiting for the familiar tug on it. It would perhaps be one of the last times he would be able to pull this off so he had to make do with what he had.
After what felt like hours but in reality was only seconds, the flowing water came to a standstill. Rising up from the ground, the water formed a blade. "What are you doing Percy Jackson?" For the first time since Percy had seen her, he saw true fear in her eyes. The brown orbs were terrified as they looked all around. "Percy Jackson let me down right now!" She growled once more but now there was no threat in her words. Only hesitation and wariness.
Cocking his head to the side, he gave her a bitter smile. "Never underestimate humanity Gaia. and never take your eyes off of your opponent." As if on an unspoken queue, the water blade swept underneath them and rose them both off the ground.
The goddess began making choking sounds with her eyes glazed. Throwing her head back she let out a scream. This wasn't a scream of anger but one of pain. Both of her hands went up to the blade to push it out once again yet there was little strength behind it. "S-S-Stop, please, I'll give you anything! Women, money it's all yours! Please!" She began to beg. The brown orbs had tears running down them. As it went on the strength she was using to push the blade out of her chest was deteriorating.
Pursing his lips together, Percy ignored all of her pleas. He was much more focused on making sure that he had enough energy to finish this off before anything else could happen.
"Here comes the hard part." He murmured out. The tugging on his gut increased as dark clouds began to form over head and blot out the sunny day.
The sound of thunder echoed through the valley while the beginnings of tiny raindrops began falling from the heavens. No longer could the sun be seen as the sky above the woods turned a gloomy dark and gray.
"Jackson." The goddess had stopped crying but the wet mud tears were still visible on her cheeks. "Please. Don't do this."
"Don't fuck with my family." Was his only response. His eyes went from the goddess to the clouds above, no doubt Zeus was helping him somewhat. "Blast me bitch."
With a tug of his stomach Percy cried out in pain before the blast even hit them. The only warning was a crackle, much louder than before as it came down right on top of them. Percy could see nothing, feel nothing. He didn't even know if he was alive at the moment, all that mattered was he held onto the sword that was lodged in the chest of his enemy.
Everything was hazy. As Percy tried to open his eyes he was met with everything moving at a million miles per minute. He was dizzy and wanted to keep his eyes to stop the spinning. He wanted to cry out in frustration and pain from the strike. Hades, he didn't even know if Gaia was defeated yet. All he knew was that he wanted to go home, see his mom and have some delicious blue cookies with his girlfriend. Maybe even cuddle afterwards.
He knew that had to wait though.
Forcing his eyes open, the trees and the sky above him slowly came to a stand still. He was laying on his back with the grass underneath him and rain gently pelting his face.
A sudden realization hit that he no longer was holding onto his sword, which also meant he no longer had Gaia in his possession. Trying to raise himself to his feet, Percy let out a cry as he flopped painfully back onto the ground. Everything in his body refused to listen to Percy's command. "Move damnit." He whispered to himself, he still had so much to do and there was only so much time to do it all.
Using his shoulder blade and left arm, he forced himself through enough effort to roll on his right side. While there was no sight of his sword, there was a person lying faceup in the water. The river had managed to fill itself on its own and now it lay unmoving. The goddess was laying in the river motionless but with eyes wide open.
"All I wanted was to fix my world, was that too much to ask for mother?" Her eyes were staring upwards, not focused on Percy. It was as if she was talking to another being. "All I wanted was for my world to be fixed. My home to be repaired to the healthy state it was once in Perseus Jackson. Was that too much to ask for?" She murmured but he heard her loud and clear.
"Killing everyone was not the solution." He argued back, his voice hoarse and raspy as he replied to her.
The brown orbs that had been filled with so much hate and anger landed on Percy. "Perhaps. And yet I am unsatisfied right now. Knowing that I am dying and it is impossible to repair my home." Her tone was sorrowful as it spoke this. Her eyes watched him for a moment longer before changing and looking back to the sky. Slowly and shakily her right hand went up to the sky, "Mother? Will you help me?" Her voice cried out. "Please mother, help." She begged.
Percy watched with no emotion as nothing happened. It was a desperate attempt for her to get some sort of recognition before she passed away and he didn't want to intrude on that.
Muddy tears began to run down her face and began to mix with the river. There was no response from her own mother and even Percy could understand what it was like to not have your pleas heard. Especially if they were towards a family member. "Brothers? Sisters? Will you help me?" Gaia's voice once more called out. The crying grew louder.
"Somebody? Anybody?" She pleaded agonizingly.
The demigod closed his eyes, the urge to sleep was increasing and he was struggling to hold consciousness. No doubt Gaia would be dead momentarily unless someone came and got her out of the water.
A loud crack made Percy's eyes snap open. A shiver of fear traveled down his spine as he came face to face with a man staring down at him with glowing yellow eyes. He was a man in the prime of his life with a fit body and defined muscles. But as noticeable as those were the scary part was the staff he carried on him. It was easily seven feet long with etchings of clocks and different beings in various stages of what Percy assumed were their life cycles. At the very end of the staff rested a golden hourglass filled with tiny specks of sand.
"You are powerful young one." The tone of the voice was humble and quiet. The eyes of the god pierced through Percy and he felt himself fidget under the being's stare. Percy's hand searched all around for his sword but he only came up with mud and dirt. "It is interesting that a demigod was able to defy fate. I congratulate you, slayer of Gaia."
"Brother? Is that you? Chronos?" Gaia's trembling voice echoed through the area.
The god spared one last look at the demigod and move away. He took a few steps towards the river and turned his back to Percy as if he was no threat. "Indeed sister, it is I. Mother is not pleased with you. You broke our rules."
"I know." She whispered back with no hesitancy. "I'll accept any form of punishment just please! Move me to the land!" She begged him, her hand falling from the sky and slapping into the water.
Percy could only watch with wide eyes. Was everything he did for naught? Was this Primordial going to save Gaia and wreak havoc on humanity in retribution?
"I have a message from mother Gaia." The tone of the man had changed now, gone was the gentle and humble tone and in its place was one full of sorrow. "You tried to kill mortals Sister."
"Chronos just help me damnit! You can take me to mother after this!" She slammed her hands on the water angrily as she threw a tantrum.
"Mother does not want you back Gaia." Percy didn't realize it but when he heard those words a breath of relief passed through his lips, hopefully it was as it sounded like.
The goddess did not speak any words for a moment. Instead she stared up to the sky. "I-I see." The words were so quiet that Percy almost missed them.
"I apologize sister. I hope to see you in the Void one day." Chronos turned around from his sister. While there were no tears in the man's eyes he looked to have aged quite a few years despite being an immortal. With a gentle nod to Percy, the man began to walk away from the scene.
"Wait!" Gaia called out to her brother. Her breathing was becoming ragged and it was clear she was almost gone. Unfortunately, it didn't seem like she was going to die quick enough. A sudden shiver traveled down Percy's spine. He had a funny feeling he wasn't going to like what the goddess was about to say. "Kill him! He is not innocent! He killed my children! He must pay for his crimes against me!"
Fear gripped Percy to the bones and he stared at the goddess in disbelief. Was this really going to be his end? After everything he'd been through, two wars, countless quests, Tartarus, this was how he died? He was going to break his promise to Annabeth because of a final, petty act of vengeance?
The Primordial of time turned around. He looked at Gaia with somber eyes as if he knew she would ask this of him. Maybe he really did. He was the God of Time after all. "Mother has forbade his death. None of the Primordials are allowed to kill him sister."
A cry was heard out as she angrily splashed the water with her last bit of energy. A final act of defiance towards her foe. "Damn you Perseus Jackson!" She screamed out. "Brother please! If you can't kill him then find another way to cause him pain! He must be punished! Let him never see his loved ones again as he has taken mine away from me! An eye for an eye. A fate worse than death! I...I!" Her words came to a gurgling halt as she finally drifted away into the void. Percy looked over at her and saw her final moments of life as her eyes became dead and lifeless.
It was officially over now. The war was at an end and he could already hear Gaia's monster army shrieking in anger and retreating out into the world. He had done it at last.
He had slain Mother Earth.
Despite the joy he knew he should feel at such a triumph, he only felt dread as Chronos stared down at him. Gaia might be gone but the threat wasn't over yet. Percy's eyes looked all around trying to avoid his eyes but their yellow glow was too captivating. With crinkles around his eyes, the god gave him a deep frown. "Perseus Jackson." The man began, his face making clear his feelings toward the demigod. "I am sorry for what you have gone through, but I cannot just do nothing at the loss of a family member."
Percy felt his breath hitch at the declaration. It sounded like his own words to Gaia during their brief fight. "You really can." Percy argued weakly, "You can just walk away and act like you never saw this,"
"I could." Chronos agreed and yet at those words Percy felt his heart drop. "However I do not believe I could sleep well with my sister's killer just walking around. Mother has forbid your death but there are other punishments I can bestow upon you. For the sake of my sister, I carry out her final wish."
The son of the sea closed his eyes. So this was how he was going out huh? Take down a big boss only for another to take its place. Well he was from the sea. He understood there was always a bigger fish.
He reached down into his pocket and found Riptide had returned to him. If he was going down then at least he would go down fighting. Uncapping Riptide Percy struggled to his feet and brought his blade up to defend himself as best he could.
Chronos looked back at him with no emotion instead bringing his staff upwards and began forming some kind of glowing white circle. With each passing second the circle grew in size and power until Percy could hear it thrumming with energy.
Taking a small step forward Percy knew this was the end. He was in far too much pain and was too exhausted to do anything more.
"This is the end for you in this world Son of the Sea." Chronos intoned in a deep voice.
Sending one last glare the Primordial's way, Percy made one last ditch effort to strike at Chronos. Pushing through all his aches and pains he surged towards the god with Riptide raised high. He thought he had a perfect angle for this blow. Chronos was only a few feet away and whatever he was doing left him open to Percy's attack.
Unfortunately, Gaia got her final revenge.
Slipping in the mud Percy crashed hard into the ground and came short of Chronos. He turned his head up just in time to see those yellow eyes look at him with an infinity of knowledge and power about to be unleashed.
"Farewell Perseus Jackson, Slayer of Gaia. May you find despair away from your loved ones."
Chronos turned his staff down at Percy and the demigod could only groan as the white light opened into a brilliant circle and touched him. It didn't hurt like he thought it might but he soon became lost in the nothingness that was this blank landscape.
His final thoughts were regret he couldn't see Annabeth or his mom one last time. He hoped they found peace and happiness in the world. Doubtful considering the Olympians but they both deserved it nonetheless.
With a smile on his face that he had at least saved them, he closed his eyes and fell into the barren abyss.
And then, everything turned black.
A/N:
Hello all, as you can see, I have started this new story. But… I'm not doing it alone! This is a collaboration with my friend Trayia. We both have been wanting to write a PJO/FT crossover for a while and came together to come up with this story.
Trayia and I plan on writing this on a two-week schedule though that is of course always subject to change. You can check out my profile to see when the next expected publishing date will be.
Hopefully you all enjoyed the chapter. Please leave us a review with your thoughts and opinions.
We have a discord if you want to chat with us! apnWwpG
