Percy Jackson and the Helm of Hades
Chapter 1: The Olympian Council
Easing my pen-sword Riptide out of my pocket, I uncapped it and slashed off the head of the first dummy. A few more deft strokes resulted in the decapitation of the remaining dummies that stood before me. I looked on in satisfaction.
It was training time in camp and I had just killed all my "enemies". Grinning, I sat down on the nearest bench heavily and capped my sword before dunking it into my pocket nonchalantly. But just as I yawned and prepared to rest, Chiron came galloping up to me.
"Zeus wants your presence at summer solstice meeting, which starts in half an hour's time. Get ready," he said.
I raised an eyebrow. What could there be when we had just defeated the Titans? But I decided against asking. I didn't think Chiron knew what was going on either.
I got up from the bench and headed for the Empire State Building, which had magically shifted to just beside Camp Half – Blood since the war that had just passed. Now, that was another indicator that the gods would need our help if another war happened.
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Olympus was as grand as before. In fact, it looked like the place had never been touched by Kronos before – colourful mosaic walls, a smooth marble floor as shiny as ever… the gods just had their way of rebuilding things.
But there was no time to admire the building. What I found were twelve stern and large beings sitting cross – legged on their thrones, waiting for me. Even I, who had seen them a million times over, felt dwarfed by their appearance.
As I walked along the decoration – lit path that would lead to the throne room, an old man came into view. He was haggard in appearance, dark bags heavy under his eyes. Questions flooded my head - Who exactly was he? Why did he come onto Olympus?
But I soon found the answer. For as the old man turned to face me, I recognised the facial features of Hades. There was the same coldness in his eyes, the same pride in his expression. I could even feel the aura of power in him. But somehow, he seemed to have aged a couple of years… or more.
Then I remembered what my father looked like when he was battling Oceanus in the Great War last year. Something had definitely happened to Hades.
I stepped into the throne room tentatively. All the Olympians were looking grim… which was never a good thing.
Just as I was wondering what had happened, Zeus broke the silence, "Welcome to Olympus again. Poseidon here wants you to be present."
There was the scary silence again. Neither of the twelve super – beings in the room moved or spoke. I lowered my eyes and stared pointedly at the ground, trying to ignore the gods staring at me.
Finally, Hades started, "My helm has been stolen."
I turned to look at him and opened my mouth, but no words could come out from it. This might mean disaster. Last time a war occurred, Zeus' lightning bolt had been stolen. This time…
There was something wrong with the underworld.