Change the World
. Chapter three
"Perseus Jackson, you are proven guilty. In three days time you will be cast from this realm and into Tartarus!"
Percy grinned. He had already survived Tartarus once, and he knew he could do it again. He grinned as he was hauled away to the dungeon, a plan already forming in his mind.
Riptide had long since returned to Percy's pocket. He decided that once he was in Tartarus he would fight his way to the Doors of Death and back to the land of the living.
For the next three days he was kept in the dungeon, fed only water. They had forgotten that water revitalized him, and he was kept at full strength. He made no moves to escape, knowing that even he couldn't beat all of the Olympians at the same time.
The days were slow in the dungeon. Each day felt like an eternity. But eventually the third day came and he was brought to the edge of Tartarus. The whole thing was to be broadcast on Hephaestus tv. He was glad. He wanted the demigods to see what was happening.
"Perseus Jackson, you are charged with summoning a drakon to kill camper Damian Blaze. As punishment you will be cast into Tartarus to be killed. You will be cast down unarmed, and if the fall doesn't kill you, the monsters will." Zeus read from a roll of parchment.
The gods made a show of leading him to the edge of the abyss, before turning him to face everyone. Zeus kicked him in the chest, sending him toppling over the edge. Percy fell into the darkness, and soon the gods disappeared from view. After a few minutes of falling the sky lightened to a blood red, and he landed on the ground, breaking several ribs on impact. The shredded glass on the ground cut into his skin. He knew that the Phlegethon was nearby, and moved towards it . He cupped his hands in the liquid fire and brought it to his lips. It burned his insides, but also healed him. He could feel his bones knitting together and the cuts in his skin closing. Within minutes he could walk again. He set off, intent upon reaching the heart of Tartarus. Riptide had returned to his pocket, but he could feel it's magic weakening.
He walked alongside the river of fire, knowing it would lead him to the heart. He ran across several monsters, which he played with ease. One monster, a Scythian Drakenae, was decent enough to leave it's skin as a trophy of war, which he fashioned into a canteen. He filled it with the liquid fire, and continued to the heart.
Percy heard a roar, and turned around to see an old friend. Standing behind him, ready to charge, was the Minotaur, challenging Percy for the third time. It moved towards him, brandishing his omega axe. He swung, and Percy deflected it. Percy ran to the Minotaur, slashing through his armor. He could feel riptide weakening with every swipe. Percy stabbed the Minotaur in the chest, and riptide dissolved into dust, it's magic spent. The Minotaur roared, then dissolved into dust, leaving behind his axe.
Without a weapon, Percy decided to take the axe to defend himself with, even though he had little training with one. He picked it up, and it changed, becoming a black sword with a golden blade and a golden cross guard in the shape of an omega, half of it on each side. Percy took a test swing, and found that it was balanced to him better than riptide ever was. He decided to pick a fight to see what it could do.
After a little wandering, Percy reached a weird section of ground, covered in what looked like pimples, each with a monster forming inside. Some of the smaller ones he let live, but the larger ones he destroyed. Percy came across a large hole where one had burst and the monster had escaped. He looked around warily, before he heard a voice.
"So Perseus, we meet again." It said.
Percy turned to see himself face to face with his old enemy, Hyperion.
"Hey there barkface, back for more?" Percy said.
Hyperion growled and swung his fist at Percy, but he deflected it with his new sword. Percy opened his canteen and summoned the fire water, before causing it to wrap around his face to drown and burn him. While he was distracted, Percy swung his sword, severing Hyperion's left hand. He dropped to his knees, clutching his stump arm. The fire dissipated, and when he threw back his head to howl in pain, Percy spun and cut the titan's head off. Hyperion fell to the ground, dissolving into sand.
Percy continued walking, headed for the heart. He soon made it to his destination. He saw the Doors of Death, but saw the one survivor from the giant army. Leon. The cunning fire giant had fled to Tartarus, once he saw the giants losing the war.
Percy decided that sneaking around the giant was the best course of action. He took a few steps forward, but stopped when Leon sniffed, then looked right at him. Leon growled then charged. He swung his war hammer, but Percy ducked under, swinging his sword in and arc that severed Leon's hand. Percy stabbed Leon in the gut, and Tartarus, as if he could sense Percy's need, absorbed the giant into the ground. Percy walked towards the Doors, but stopped and looked down. Underneath his feet, unconscious in the waters of the river Acheron, was Jason Grace.
Jason Grace had been lost during the last war. When they couldn't find him his girlfriend Piper broken down, and eventually killed herself. No one had been able to find him, but now Percy had.
He stabbed the ground near Jason, causing it to rupture so he could pull Jason out. Percy laid him in front of the Doors, ready to defend him with his life.
Percy didn't know how long it was before Jason woke up, but he was glad when he did.
"Where are we?" Jason asked.
"Tartarus." Percy answered.
"Did you come to rescue me?" Jason inquired.
"No. I was sent here because of a crime I didn't commit. Finding you was just a happy accident." Percy replied, after a few minutes.
"Well then, let's get out of here." Jason said.
Percy helped him stand, and together they walked through the Doors of Death.
They reappeared in Epirus, and they went to find mist for an Iris message. Percy called Nico, Thalia, and Will.
"Percy! You're alive!" Shouted Thalia.
"Wait, who's that with you?" Asked Will.
Jason leaned into the picture. "Hey." He said.
"Jason! I thought you were dead. How'd you find him Percy?" Asked Thalia.
"Leon had him imprisoned in the heart of Tartarus." Percy explained.
"I'll shadow travel and get you. Where are you?". Nico asked, speaking for the first time.
"Epirus." Percy said.
Nico disappeared into shadows, reappearing behind them. Percy swiped his hand through the message as Nico grabbed their shirts and the dissolved into shadows.
They reappeared in one of Thalia and Luke's old safe houses.
"We've been hiding out here. We thought they might come after us for being connected to you. The Stolls are out getting food." Thalia said.
Thalia just noticed the sword strapped to Percy's side. "Where'd you get that?" She asked.
"Riptide dissolved while I was fighting the Minotaur, and he left behind his axe. I picked it up and it turned into this." Percy explained.
"Well I think it's pretty badass." Thalia said.
The Stolls returned as the sun was setting, and soon everyone was asleep. Before he fell asleep Percy noticed Will and Nico curled up together.
*Authors Note*
Well, there you have it. The next chapter. I hope you enjoy. I'm putting Awakening on a hiatus while I work on this story. But don't fret, I will restart it soon. Till then, there's more to come.
