AN- Hey everyone, sorry for being away for so long. After my exams were over, I had writers block, but I think I'm good now. Now, I don't want to set a strict schedule for when I publish chapters, but I have decided that this story will be updated within two weeks of each chapter, starting now. Anyway, follow my tumblr to get a hold of me mvrtxn1, and I hope you enjoy the chapter.
Chapter 3:
I sliced at a cyclops, the stygian iron blade cut through it like butter. It fell to the ground in a heap of golden dust, after being split in half. I spun out of the way of a dracaenae's spear thrust, and chopped through a couple laistrygonian giants using my momentum of the spin, and a little bit of my strength. All the while, smiling like a madman.
I then ducked under the wide swipe of an empousa. Then, as I stood back up, a gave her an upper cut swipe, in retaliation, cutting her in half vertically. I then hopped over the low swing of another dracaenae's spear. With my feet back on solid ground, I cleaved her sword in two, before decapitating her.
I looked at the remaining numbers of the monster force. There were two hellhounds circling around the other monsters, and I, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. There was a single cyclops, another dracaenae, and three empousai. They all looked at each other before charging at me at the same time. I smiled as I would finally get a challenge.
The cyclops swung at me with his giant club, so I ducked under it. While crouched low to the ground, I cut of the legs of the dracaenae and an empousa, turning them into dust (1). I stood up and stab through a hellhounds midair as it lunged at me, it's golden dust showering me. The cyclops tried to swing at me again, but instead of ducking, I swung too. I split his club into two, leaving him without a weapon, and quickly stabbed him through the stomach. I pulled away my sword as he erupted into dust, and move onto the dwindling force of monsters.
The remaining two empousa swiped at me from different directions, but before either could make contact, I kicked one in the chest, sending her sprawling onto the ground about ten feet away. I then swiped at the other empousa, turning her into dust. Not feeling like fighting anymore, I turned into a cloud of black smoke, which is the form I used to teleport. But I was going to use it for a different purpose in about two seconds. I flew towards the hellhound, and barged straight through it, resorting it into nothing but golden dust, just like the rest of the monsters. I then turned my head to my final foe, the last empousa. I didn't even bother with her. As she slowly stood up, I just snapped my fingers, turning her into a golden smoke.
Just then, I heard noise coming from the other side of the hill. "Must be the campers," I mumbled to myself. Just as they appeared over the peak of the hill, all dressed in armour, I stumbled a few steps towards them, before intentionally passing out. But not before making it look like I had exhausted my powers during my fight.
Time Skip
A day later
I woke up laying on a hospital bed. I looked around the room I was in, and determined that I was in the camp infirmary. There was a table beside me, and on it was a plate and a glass. In the glass was an apple juice looking liquid, and on the plate were a small pile of cookie looking squares (2). As soon as my eyes laid on the drink and snack, my stomach grumbled and I realized that my throat was dry. I reached for the drink and took a large sip. I gagged at the taste, as I was expecting apple juice, but instead I tasted chocolate chip waffles (3). That's when I realized that I was drinking nectar, and that the cookie squares were probably ambrosia. I knew that drinking/eating too much of nectar and ambrosia could cause a demigod to burn up and die, but I wasn't just a regular demigod. I'm the damned King of Hell.
So, I drained the glass of it's nectar, loving the taste, before moving onto the ambrosia, and demolishing those too. The drink and snack, gave me a good power boost and I was ready to fight a legion of monsters. My eyes glanced down at the floor, and I saw my belongings. My backpack, skateboard, goggles, and sword.
I sat up on the bed, reached down for my stuff. I put on my goggles, my backpack, and strapped my sword onto my backpack with my skateboard. I then stood up and walked out of the only door. I walked through a pretty big house, until I found the door that led outside. I stepped out onto the deck, and was immediately greeted by a calm voice.
"Oh, you're awake," a man said to my left. I looked over to where I heard the voice and was met with a man in a wheelchair smiling at me. He was sitting at a table playing some sort of game with another man, who radiated a lot of power. "And you look well," he continued.
"Yeah," I replied, "the nectar and ambrosia really helped," at that, the man looked surprised.
"Did you drink and eat it all?" He asked me worriedly.
"Uh yeah," I replied nonchalantly. I was holding back the biggest smirk ever. This man looked like I was about to explode. Which, was a given, as he doesn't know who I actually am. He thinks that I'm just a regular demigod.
"That was very unsafe and unwise, my boy," he said, getting over his worry, as I hadn't died yet. "But I must ask," he said, "how did you know that it was nectar and ambrosia that I left for you?" He asked.
I shrugged my shoulders, "my mom told me all about you guys. You know, the Greek Gods and how they're still alive to this day, and pretty much everything about Greek mythology," I responded. It was an excuse, as I didn't want to have to play dumb and pretend that I didn't know anything at all.
"Your mom, huh. I guess that means your godly parent is a male god," he replied, "since your mom already told you everything you need to know, you won't have to watch the orientation film," I nodded my head in response. My guess is that this orientation film is a video that they make new campers watch, that explains the greek world to them. "So if your mother told you everything already, does that mean you know who your father is?" The man asked me.
"Uh, yeah she did," I responded. We stared at each other for a couple seconds before I realized that he was waiting for me to tell him who it was. "Oh, whoops, I don't want to ruin the surprise. You'll have to wait until I'm claimed," I said with a small smile. The man just nodded his head, his lips slightly turned up.
"Ah, who cares who his father is. He's just another piss poor hero," the man who emits a strong power, said.
"What did you call me?" I asked him, to which he turned around and looked at me in surprise, because of the tone I used.
"Now listen here, buddy-" he began, but was cut off by the other man.
"I'm sorry, but what is your name?" He asked me, "mines Chiron,"
"Oh, you're the Trainer of Heroes, right? My mom told me about you. Mine name's Greg Hardwood," I replied, coming up with the name on the spot. I cursed myself in my head. Why couldn't I have thought of a better name before?
I saw a smirk appear on Chiron's face, and for a second I wondered why he had it. But then I realized that it was because of my fake last name, "Hardwood".
Just then, the other man snorted, "ha, with a name like that, you're going to have a fun time here," he said.
"Oh, Dionysus, leave the kid alone," Chiron said.
"Wait, you're Dionysus?" I asked, "the wine dude, right?" I added on, just to annoy him a little, because from what I learned about him so far, he's probably easy to annoy.
"Yes, the wine dude," he answered through gritted teeth, as he glared at me. I smiled back at him, which seemed to annoy him even more.
"Oh, here comes Bianca," Chiron announced. Then to me he said, "she's the daughter of Hades, and will be taking you on a tour of camp,"
Just then, I remembered something. I sling my backpack off of my back and unzipped it. I reached inside and pulled out a black ball of shadowy fluffiness. Prince's mouth opened wide as he awoke from a long sleep. Chiron looked at me questioningly. "I found him a couple weeks ago. His parents were dead, so I took him in," I explained to him, which wasn't a lie. A couple hunters killed Prince's parents, leaving him behind all alone. Damn Winchesters. Anyway, I took pity on him, took him in, named him, and cared for him ever since.
"Hey, Chiron," A feminine voice said behind me, "Mr. D," she added on, "is he why you called me here?" She asked. I turned around to see an olive skinned, jet black haired beauty, gesturing towards me. Her eyes widened when she saw the baby hellhound resting on the palms of my hands.
"Yes, Bianca, I want you to give, Greg here, a tour of camp," Chiron responded.
Bianca nodded, "Okay," she said, then she stuck out her hand for a handshake, "I'm Bianca,"
I reached out and gave her a firm handshake, "I know, I'm Greg, but you know that too," I replied with a crooked grin. I saw Bianca's cheeks turn a light tint of red, causing my grin to widen. That crooked grin of mine works every time.
She pulled away her hand and used it to cover her mouth as she cleared her throat, "Right, well Greg, you and your pet can follow me, as I show you around camp," she told me, as she turned around to leave.
But before she could leave, I stopped her and said, "he's not my pet, he's my family," I informed her. Even though I only had Prince for a little more than two weeks, he was like my son, and probably the only one I'll have.
"Sorry," Bianca apologized quietly. I nodded my response and motioned for her to start moving.
After walking for a few seconds in silence, Bianca spoke up, "so, do you know who your godly parent is?" She asked me.
"Yeah, I do, but I'm going to keep it a secret until I'm claimed," I responded.
"How do you know?" She then asked me.
"Long story short, my mom told me everything about the gods and such,"
Bianca made an "o" shape with her mouth, but then asked, "can I still take a guess at your parentage?"
I smiled, "of course you can, and how about this. If you get it right, I'll tell you who it is,"
She smiled at that, "Okay, since you look like a more mature and older version of my brother Nico, I'm gonna guess that you're a son of Hades," she correctly guessed. But with my advanced hearing, I heard her mutter under her breathe, "you're also hotter," I smiled, glad that my disguise was so good. "Did I get it right?" She asked me, noticing my smile.
To answer her question, I grabbed her shoulder, disappeared in black smoke, and teleported to the forest surrounding camp. When we reappeared, I knelt in the ground and said, "Greg Hardwood, son of Hades, at your service," I announced dramatically.
Bianca looked at me weirdly, "what was that? We weren't even near a shadow, so how did you shadow travel? And that felt different than shadow traveling," she asked me.
I sighed as I stood up, "it's a form of shadow travel that I can do. Instead of running into the shadows, I turn into shadows. That's also why it feels different," I lied, using an excuse that I already had planned.
The daughter of Hades nodded her head in understanding, "so you must be pretty powerful," she guessed. I shrugged my shoulders in response. "How old are you?" She asked me.
I decided to not lie about his and use my real age, "I just turned sixteen a couple days ago," I answered.
At that, Bianca's eyes widened. When she didn't say anything, I decided to read her thoughts. She was surprised that her father would have another kid, one who could've been the prophecy child. That, and the fact that she thought her brother was hot. I smiled at that.
"Now, Bianca, can you promise not to tell anyone about this?" I asked her. My question seemed to break her out of her thoughts.
"I'm sorry, what was that?" She asked.
"I said, can you promise not to tell anyone about this?" I repeated.
"Yeah, of course," she replied.
I smiled, "Okay, now how about you finish giving me that tour?" I suggested. Bianca smiled back, and with a quick "sure" in response, we walked out of the forest.
During the tour of camp, I saw twelve cabins that were in the shape of the omega symbol, and a few other cabins that weren't. When I asked why they weren't with the other cabins, Bianca explained me the story behind it. Turns out, after the Second Titan War, Thalia was granted godhood by the Olympians, but instead, she declined it and asked for cabins to be built at camp for all gods, and for every god to claim their child by the time they turn thirteen. That greatly impressed me. So far, they have gotten about five cabins up. The fifth one just needing a roof and some interior work.
I asked Bianca who Thalia was, and where was she. Even though I knew exactly who and where she was. I was just curious as to whether or not, the Olympians told everyone what happened. Turns out, the Olympians didn't tell everyone, because Bianca said that Thalia was on a quest.
After over an hour of walking around camp, Bianca led me to the dining pavilion, where we will eat dinner before playing capture the flag. "Until you're claimed, you'll be staying with the Hermes cabin, and you'll eat with them too. There table is over there," Bianca informed me, as she pointed at the overcrowded table.
I thanked Bianca for her help, and started to walk over to the table, but Chiron called to me from his spot at a table with Dionysus. "Yes, Chiron?" I asked.
"Come and sit with me and Dionysus. The Hermes table is a bit full," he said, inviting me to sit with him. I nodded and walked around the table to take the seat next to him. Once everyone was settled down, Chiron stood up to make an announcement, "attention everyone, I have an announcement to make. The Hunters of Artemis will be staying with us for a few days, while Artemis takes care of business on Olympus," he announced. She was no doubt on Olympus because of me. With Zeus and I on the verge of war and all.
As he finished speaking, a group of girls dressed in silver clothing stalked there way to the only empty table, which I assumed was Artemis' table. "This also means that we'll be having our annual Capture the Flag game against them tonight," he followed up with, once the Hunters were seated. Everyone groaned loudly at that. I guess they didn't have the best luck against the Hunters when they played the game. "We also have a new camper joining our midst today. Greg, stand up," he said, motioning for me to stand. Everyone started cheering and clapping their hands.
After that, everyone sacrificed a portion of their food to the Gods, and started eating. After dinner, we all left the pavilion to get ready for the game (4). I walked around until I found Bianca, who was the leader of the blue team. When I found her, she was talking to a few kids, each probably a representative from each cabin.
"Hey, Bianca," I greeted as I stepped beside her. On the other side of her, was a shorter kid, who was probably her brother Nico, that she mentioned.
"Oh, hey Greg," she responded.
"So what's the game plan?" I asked her.
"Well, you're on border patrol, and that's all you need to know," she replied. I just shrugged my shoulders, not really caring for her plan because I was going to get that flag. "Where's your armour?" She asked me. "Nico will also be with you," she mentioned.
"Don't need any," I replied, "no one's touching me," I heard a few people scoff at that.
"You do realize we're going up against the Hunters, right? They've beaten us fifty six times in a row, and left everyone with cuts, bruises, you name it, especially guys," Nico spoke up, with a shudder, which was repeated by all the guys in the group.
"You must be Nico," I said, holding out my hand for a handshake, "Bianca told me about you, during my tour of camp," Nico looked me in the eyes, trying to shake up my nerves, as of to say "stay away from my sister." To anyone that wasn't me, it probably would've worked. But, after a couple seconds of leaving me hanging, he grasped my hand and gave it a firm shake.
"Alright, everyone, let's get into position," Bianca announced. Then we all moved into the forest, and after being told the rules by Chiron, we were on our way.
Now, I stood at a creek which was the border between sides, with Nico. "What are your intentions with Bianca?" Nico asked abruptly.
"Ah, protective of your sister, I see," I responded, "but you don't have to worry, Nico. Bianca is a very beautiful girl, but I have no interest in doing anything with my sister," I followed up with.
Nico's eyes widened, "You're a son of Hades?" He asked incredulously.
"Yep," I replied, "but who cares about that? Let's have some fun, and get this flag. You down?" I asked.
"I guess that's why you have a stygian iron sword," he responded, "but yeah, I'm down. How do you plan on getting it though? The Hunters are some of the most highly trained fighters," Nico asked me.
"Just follow my lead. We already know where their flag is. Hell, we can see it from here. It's on that pile of rocks that looks like a pile of shit," I said, while looking at said pile of rocks.
Nico started laughing, "at a different angle, that pile of rocks looks like a giant fist. So we call it Zeus' Fist," I scoffed when he told me that. No wonder why Zeus is so egotistical.
"Whatever, let's get that flag," I said. I started walking through the forest, not trying to be sneaky. When we reached the rocks, a group of about five hunters were guarding it. But I could sense a few more in the trees.
I walked straight up to rocks, with Nico by my side, and the Hunters were immediately aware of our presence. "Hold it there, boy," a blonde hunter said.
"Make me," I responded, as I raised up my sword. I heard Nico pull out his sword too, as he realized a fight was about to happen.
"You have a death wish, or something?" The hunter asked me. By now, the other four Hunters were by her side, glaring at Nico and I.
"If I had a death wish, I'd challenge Chaos herself to a fight. But you, and your sexist friends, are a walk in the park," I replied. I did my best to get on her nerves, and it worked. In seconds, she fired an arrow at me. But faster than she shot the arrow, I raised my sword and swatted it away from me. I heard Nico quietly say "whoa" and I smirked at his amazement.
Seeing as that didn't work, all the Hunters started firing arrows at Nico and I. Even though I could of swatted all of those arrows away too, it could've blown my cover, because no regular demigod could do that. So instead, I said, "get to cover," and Nico and I dove behind a rock.
In the cover of the rock, I whispered, "can you shadow travel?" I asked Nico, who nodded in response, "great, well I need you to take out the hunters hidden in the trees. They're there, there, and there," I informed him, as I pointed at three different trees. "Shadow travel onto the tree, disarm them, knock them out, do whatever you need to. I'll take care of these five," with another nod, Nico melted into the shadow of the rock.
Just as Nico left, I heard the hunters nearing the rock I was hiding behind. So, I transformed into black smoke, and teleported to the top of the rocks to where the flag was. I grabbed onto the flags pole and called down to the Hunters, "hey there," I said with a little wave. Then I turned back into black smoke and disappeared under a rock, to make it look like I was shadow traveling. When I reappeared, I was by Nico's side, "did you take care of them?" I asked.
"Holy shit!" Nico exclaimed, jumping into the air in fright, "yo, you got the flag,"
"Yeah, now come on, let's go," I then turned around and started running. I had to slow down a lot though, so that Nico could keep up with me. I'm about thirty seconds, we were back at the creek, but we still had about thirty feet before we were on our side. But we had a problem, a hunter had our flag and was closer to crossing the border than Nico and I.
"Shit, she's closer," Nico said.
"Not for long," I replied. There was no way I was losing this game. I turned into black smoke and flew towards the border at speeds three times faster than the hunter. I crossed the border just as the hunter was a few feet away from reaching it. I barrelled straight into, sending her flying a few feet backwards.
I transformed back into my regular form, and landed on my feet running. Then Chiron bursted out of the tree line, and leaned a conch horn, "and the Campers won the game!" He exclaimed, joy written on his face, "for the first ever time!" He continued with. Then everyone who was playing the game, entered the clearing that housed the creek. The campers cheering, well the ones who weren't knocked out, courtesy of the Hunters. And the Hunters has there heads down, as their winning streak came to an end.
My teammates came running towards me, cheering and laughing, picked me up and put me on their shoulders. I raised the flag above my head as I cheered and laughed along with them.
After a few minutes of parading around, I was put back onto the ground. When everyone calmed down, Chiron said, "Okay everyone, let's go have our camp-" but he was cut off when he looked at me. "Actually, let's put a hold on the campfire for now. Something has popped up. Everybody, hail Greg Hardwood, son of Hades," he announced. Then he bowed, and after everyone looked at me, they too, bowed.
In confusion, I started looking around for what told everyone that Hades claimed me. When I looked up, I realized what it was. Above my head was a black glowing Helm of Darkness. Hades symbol of power. "What a weird way of claiming people," I thought to myself.
*Time Skip*
A couple hours later
As everyone started heading to their cabins to sleep after the campfire and singalong, I stayed behind. There was someone I noticed, tending to the fire all alone. No one spoke to her at all. Most not even noticing her.
I stood up and walked over to the fire. I sat down next to the immortal woman who looked like young girl. "Good evening, Hestia," I greeted.
"Oh, hello nephew," she answered, "what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in your cabin?" She asked.
"Oh, no reason. I just noticed you sitting here alone the whole time, and no one seemed to acknowledge your presence. So I wanted to come talk to you," I replied.
Hestia sighed deeply, "yeah, these days, no one ever notices me. What did you want to talk about?"
"What I want to talk about, requires you to swear on the Styx not to tell anyone," I responded.
"And why would I need to do that?" She asked in reply.
"Because it's about the war that Zeus is about to start," I said. That got her attention. Hestia immediately perked up.
She stopped poking at the fire, and looked at me, "how do you know about that?" She asked.
"Swear on the Styx to keep this conversation private, and I'll tell you,"
"Okay, I swear on the Styx not to tell anyone of this conversation," Hestia swore, after a few seconds of thinking on it.
"Thank you," I said. Then I snapped my fingers and my appearance changed. Back was my tanned skin, green eyes, shorter hair, and normal clothing.
"Percy?" Hestia questioned with a gasp.
"I see you recognize me from our short meeting a few days ago," I said, referring to when Thalia and I made our deal, and when the Olympians confronted me. Hestia was also there, even though she wasn't an Olympian.
"What are you doing here? You're practically right under Zeus' nose," she asked.
"I'll get to that, and right now, we're shielded from his eyes. For all he knows, I could be in China right now." I told her, "but, let me tell you everything, because I trust you and know that you know that Zeus isn't winning this war. If it happens, that is,"
"Okay, continue," Hestia urged.
"Okay, first off though. I want you to know why I am here. I am here, and revealing myself to you, because I don't want to kill all of these kids. I'm not going to hurt innocent people for what their so called king does. But, if they step in front of me during times of war, I won't hesitate to send them to Hades. I want you to know all of this because I want you to know that just because I'm the Devil, doesn't mean I'm evil. I punish evil, that's it." I enlightened her. I truly like Hestia, she and a few other gods do nothing wrong, and have to deal with an asshole like Zeus, bossing then around.
"I also have a request to make," I said. Hestia made a "go on" motion, so I continued, "do not aid your brother in this war, if it happens. I don't wish to hurt you, and I'll have no choice if you stand in my way,"
After saying my request, Hestia was quiet for a few minutes, "Okay, I won't help my brother, but I won't help you either," Hestia agreed.
"That's all I'm asking for," I responded with a smile, "now, I think I'm gonna hit the hay, even though I don't need sleep. Goodnight, Hestia," then I teleported to the Hades cabin. I walked over to the bunk with my backpack and collapsed on it.
*Time Skip*
A week later
I was shaken awake by Nico, who had a frantic look on his face, "Greg, Greg," he was saying, and when he noticed I was up, he stopped repeating my name.
"What?" I asked groggily.
"Bianca's gone," he said, "I looked everywhere for her, and can't find her,"
1.I'm not sure if this was explained in canon, but in this story, the weaker monsters can be killed by what would be a non fatal injury.
2. I don't think that ambrosia was ever given a physical description in canon, so that's what I decided to make them look like. And I'm pretty sure that in the Lightning Thief Percy said that nectar looked like apple juice, so that's why I used that description also.
3. In canon, wasn't Percy a pancakes guy? If he was, well he isn't in this story. He's now a waffle guy. Also, he'll still love the colour blue.
4. I'm not sure when Capture the Flag was played. So I decided that it would be played after dinner. Correct me if I'm wrong though.
AN- Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Sorry if some areas are a little weird, I wrote this chapter over the course of a week or two. Anyway, like I said above, I plan on updating a lot more. Also, I might not add neither Hestia or Bianca to the pairing, because I feel like it'll just be too much. But if I do decide to add anyone to the pairing, it'll be both of them. Follow my tumblr blog mvrtxn1. It's the easiest way to get a hold of me if you have any questions, or just want to talk. Once again, hope you enjoyed this chapter, and peace.
~mvrtxn
