Guest: Please update! / :)
Jaylene Olebar (chapter 5): Waz up
it was awesome / Thanks
Angie Daylight: I do not know what Kronos is planning, just hope not (translation: yes, yes, yes! Please !) result in the birth of a little baby Zeus.
I love Erebos and I'm definitely loving Kronos. They are amazing. Really.
Poor Kronos. That must be why he hates both Zeus - the powers similar to Ouranos. But what will that made him change so much dreaming up there?
I think his way, Kronos cares about children. A very crooked and strange way, but deities are like that.
When I saw you updated I called a 'yes, bitch! "So loud that my mom asked if I was crazy - I'm kind of like that since I discovered when will release Fallen in Brazil. Good thing she does not understand English. (My vocabulary comes down to insults and translations of my favorite songs and sometimes phrases of series/movies/books that I like. I have a feeling that she would not like).
Hestia is starting to feel compassion for her father. I think they are all like that. I think the little girl who wanted a loving father and earned a cruel cannibal instead want to find something that can do it ... to connect with Kronos. Understand why he did what he did. See how it could have been must have amplified the feeling (although not as good is better than the gut Titan lord, I suppose).
Zeus does not seem to share this, though. He seems to think the glorious times when Kronos gets screwed, or is it just me?
Poseidon boy is amazing. So lovely.
"Okay. Please, don't kill me." was epic.
Tchau! / I have a lot planned for when little Zeus appears on the scene :). And we've also gotta have Chiron born too... (I've figured out that Chiron is actually older than Zeus, so that'll be entertaining). Yeah, Erebus and Kronos are gonna be awesome later on :). You'll find out when Zeus is born why Kronos hates him so much :). At the moment, Kronos sorta considers them nuisances - little bastards that just annoy him, but something will happen to make that change (eventually). Yeah, I don't think your mom would like that. Yup, I see Hestia as the one that's more willing to try to get to know their father, even after all that he's done. She wants to understand him, it's sorta like a little child wanting to know something, the curious nature of children. Yeah, Zeus I think will pretty much just loathe Kronos, and Hades has his flaw of holding grudges... :), thanks. I'm trying to give it a little amusement along with the dark-themed atmosphere of Othrys.
Guest: wow amazing chapter / Thanks.
Jaylene Olebar: hmm that was good and sometimes life can be an opened wound, it reminded me of that when Kronos sliced Poseidon a bit / Yup, life is... annoying sometimes.
FanFiction'BoutPJIsLife: IS KRONOS PLANNING... No... No... He wouldn't... He wouldn't EAT HIS CHILDREN! (Or at least try to kill them)
Or, maybe, he would go to war against the Primordials...
Your story is just perfect, continue like that! / Nah, not that. He's planning something else :). That's probably something that he'd do... thanks.
Chapter 7
Kronos lets out a long sigh, his arms crossed over his chest as he leans back, impatience clouding his voice. "Do you want to shut them up, or shall I?" he asks, eyes flickering over to glance at Rhea.
"Well, that's a good start," Percy said in amusement.
Rhea exhales and blows some of her dark brown hair away from her face. "By all means, go ahead," she mutters, fed up of their constant arguing already. It's only been a half hour and they're already arguing profusely.
"You have got to be joking," Hestia muttered. "Why do you all fight so much?"
Mnemosyne sits opposite the five of them, looking the epitome of bored as she leans on one elbow, her hand on her chin. Her bright blue eyes – annoyingly exactly the same shade as their father's – lock with Kronos' and she tilts her head slightly to the side. "It reminds me of a certain someone and his five other brothers," she muses.
"Really?" Poseidon asked. "He used to fight with his brothers too?"
Rhea's mouth twitches up slightly. "True," she concedes with an amused smile, glancing at her irritated consort – is he still her consort? She's not sure at this point what exactly they are. "They're certainly his."
Zeus frowned, not looking pleased at the thought of them being similar to Kronos. "No we're not."
"Rhea almost seems like she wants to be with him," Athena murmured.
Kronos ignores them, though Rhea sees the faint look of distaste clouding his eyes at the thought of the five of them being sired by him. Eventually, he snaps. "Enough!" he roars, instantly cutting through their argument – none of the three Titans even know how it started. "Gaea be great, you've been arguing since you all stepped foot into this room." He pauses slightly, glaring at Poseidon as he opens his mouth to protest. "I know my times, boy," he said pointedly, causing Poseidon's mouth to shut again. "Now, if the five of you would kindly shut up and allow Mnemosyne to speak, that would be helpful. We may actually be able to get somewhere."
"Damn, he's annoyed," Leo said with a faint smile.
The five of them stare at the marble floor, suitably chastised. Though Kronos doesn't miss the massive smile Poseidon is struggling to hide. "Wipe that smirk off your face, boy. Lest I shall do it for you."
Many of the gods and demigods wince, and Hera's eyes narrowed. "Not while Mother's there."
Rhea raises an eyebrow. "You will, will you?" she asks evenly.
"Not the time, Rhea," Kronos says sharply.
She turns to their five children. "Listen to Mnemosyne. This is for your own safety."
Mnemosyne nods thankfully towards Rhea before studying them with piercing blue eyes. Her eyes linger on Poseidon before flickering to Kronos, and her brother knows that she saw what he dreamt in the night when her eyes search out the still prominent bruise on his neck. "The five of you need to concentrate," she starts, her voice smooth and eerily alike to her mother's.
Kronos is distracted by Rhea's presence worming its way into his mind. "No lectures," he thought pointedly.
"Round two," Percy said as he leant forwards.
Rhea gets straight to the point. "Dare to touch them like that and you'll not live to see the next dawn."
His mouth twitches up slightly. "You say that as if you could harm me. You wouldn't stand a chance."
"That doesn't mean I wouldn't at least try. And I'm sure I'd at least do some damage. Likely in your southern regions."
Artemis smiled. "I like grandmother," she decided. "She certainly should castrate him."
"Not until I'm born!" Zeus exclaimed. "Otherwise I'll never be born."
"Castration would be more of a punishment to you, I believe," he remarks in amusement.
"It would be a punishment to many people," Aphrodite said.
"Hardly. You're the one who enjoys having a dick so much. Perhaps if I remove it you wouldn't act like one too." He glances at her to see the satisfied curl to her lips.
Apollo whistled. "Dang, she's good."
"She has to be, living with him," Hades said.
He makes a split second decision. "We'll make a deal. And I know you enjoy me having one too."
"If you swear to not cheat," Rhea says accusingly. "Maybe I'd not lock you out if you weren't an ass all the time. You may be the King, but that doesn't mean that you'll always get your way."
"She has a point," Hermes murmured as many of the gods look to Zeus. "Definitely a good one."
"You're the Queen."
"Of what?" she snaps out. "Your bed?"
It's his turn to smile slightly. "Among other things."
Percy grinned. "This is so entertaining."
"I think both of them win that one," Leo told Percy.
Percy shook his head. "Nah, Rhea did."
"But Kronos' comeback was also good, and-"
"And he's a murderer," Percy reminded him.
"Also a genius," Annabeth added.
"If you're so desperate for sex why don't you go knock up the nearest mortal? I've heard our brothers find that entertaining."
The smile instantly freezes, turning colder as the temperature drops around them. "Careful, Rhea. You're pushing your luck."
"That's a sudden change," Poseidon mused.
"You seem offended," she thought mockingly. "Are mortals not good enough for you?"
"In case you've forgotten, I was stabbed through the throat last night, love. Don't test me. Our deal?"
Rhea lets out a long breath, slowly relaxing. "What do you want? And don't call methat."
Zeus' eyes narrowed slightly. "Yes, don't call her that."
"I say they all fail for the entirety of the moon phase," he says simply. "If I am right, you do something for me."
"Really?" Poseidon groaned. "Feeling the love here."
"What is that something?" she asks suspiciously.
Kronos' smile sharpens. "Now that would be telling. Do you agree? If you win, then I do something for you."
"Oh, he's planning something," Thalia said.
"It's Kronos," Demeter sighed. "He's always planning something."
"Even if it's actually being a father? Or stopping your little displays in the arena?"
"I shall do one thing for you if you win," he repeats patiently. "Do you agree?"
If Rhea wins their little bet, then she'll be able to get him to do anything, but if Kronos wins – because learning to protect your mind is a long process and it's entirely possible that he could win – then she'll have to do something for him. The thought fills her with dread. But, then again… "Swear it on Chaos and your throne." An oath he would never break.
"I swear on Chaos and my throne that if you win our bet then I shall do something for you. If you swear on Chaos and the future of those five brats that if I win, then you shall do something for me."
"And she's backed into a corner," Percy murmured. "He's good at manipulating someone."
Rhea's ichor freezes in her veins and she glances at their five children, who have unknowingly just assisted Kronos in backing her into a corner. She grits her teeth, glancing towards him to see that look in his eyes – the look of a predator who knows he has his prey cornered. "Bastard. You'd use them in your little schemes?"
His expression doesn't change, but his careless laughter fills her head. "You seem surprised. I would have thought you know me well enough by now to know I'd do anything to get what I want."
"True," Hera sighed. "Mother should know."
Rhea shuts her eyes, knowing he's managed to succeed this time. "I swear on Chaos and the future of our five children that if you win, then I shall do something for you."
"That wasn't so hard, was it?" he remarks as he rises to his feet. He glances briefly at the five little nuisances before silently leaving the room, moving with a quietness that's unnatural considering his bulk.
"So that's the only thing he was there for?" Aphrodite asked.
"What do you think he wants?" Percy asked curiously.
Poseidon shrugged. "It can be anything."
Rhea exhales in relief once he's gone. Sweet Chaos, he can be a bastard at times – most of the time, Rhea corrects.
"Rhea," Mnemosyne says, startling blue eyes peering into Rhea's. "Are you alright?"
Rhea let out a long breath before nodding slightly. "Yes. He can just be a…" she trails off, glancing at her five children who sit looking at her innocently. "An idiot."
"Really, Mother?" Hades asked in amusement. "You can swear in front of us."
Mnemosyne smiles slightly. "He can be more than an idiot. And I'm sure those five have picked up many curses and oaths since their birth."
"See? Mnemosyne agrees," Hades said.
Rhea sighs. "How was it?"
"It'll take a long time for them to learn, but they'll get there. The only one with a natural affinity to it is Hades."
Hades smiled smugly as he leant back in his temporary throne. "I think Mother likes me best now."
Zeus' eyes narrowed at his brother. "Obviously, since I killed Kronos, I'm her favourite."
"Boys, not now," Hestia said firmly.
"Yes," Poseidon agreed, "since we all know that I'm her favourite."
"But Poseidon needs to learn quickly," Rhea finishes, causing Mnemosyne to nod.
"Yes," the Titaness of Memory agrees. "He does. Bring them by tomorrow," she says. "We'll continue then."
Rhea nods. "Same time?"
Mnemosyne frowns lightly. "Perhaps a bit later. Oceanus plans to visit tomorrow and I'm looking forwards to the eminent fight between him and Kronos," Rhea's sister's bright eyes gleam with excitement. "As usual, it will be incredibly entertaining."
Oceanus always, without fail, wins against Kronos. It aggravates the younger Titan and he tries again. And again. Until he's battered into the ground and sways as he stands, and then he tries once more. At that point, Oceanus usually sends him flying into the stands. The fights attract a lot of Titans, which is probably why most of them stayed after the events of the previous day. Rhea's mouth dries as she thinks of the crowd roaring in approval at the execution.
Poseidon and Hades shift uncomfortably, no doubt thinking about their impending punishment for entering Oceanus' domain. "He's also coming to sort out our punishment, isn't he?" Poseidon asks.
Rhea sighs. "Yes," she admits. Another thing to Kronos' advantage regarding the deal they made. If the two have to help Oceanus then they'll have less time to try to learn to control their dream-walking.
"Kronos timed it well," Hermes said. "Giving him the best chance at winning."
"Cheer up," Mnemosyne says. "It will be highly entertaining."
Rhea grimaces. "I know," she concedes, "but it means that it will take them longer to learn."
Mnemosyne nods. "Don't worry though. They'll learn eventually."
"Can we go?" Hades asks. "I don't think I can sit still any longer."
Rhea smiles in amusement. As annoying as that little inherited perk is, it's often very amusing when they start wriggling. Rhea recalls that Kronos – even then – could barely sit still. Since time is always moving and changing, he reflects his domain and simply cannot sit still.
"Do you think Kronos has the immortal equivalent of ADHD?" Annabeth asked. "Since we're all related to him in some way, it could make sense that we get it from him."
"I hope we don't," Percy muttered. "I don't want to have another thing from him. It's bad enough that he's my grandfather."
Rhea stands. "Of course. Thank you, Mnemosyne," she adds, inclining her head at her sister.
Mnemosyne smiles wryly. "It's no problem. Teaching them is far better than trying to avoid Perses." She scowls slightly. "The little-"
Rhea clears her throat, knowing that Mnemosyne often used language that was almost as bad as Kronos'. Mnemosyne laughs. "You're still stopping them from hearing rude words?" she asks in amusement.
"I'm not all too fond of them cursing every other word."
"I don't curse every other word," Poseidon says.
Rhea nods. "Exactly," she says pointedly.
The five jump to their feet, looking happy to be able to stretch and move around. Hestia turns to Rhea. "Where are we going, Mother?" she asks.
"I'll go talk to Oceanus and Kronos now and get your punishments sorted out," she looks pointedly at Hades and Poseidon. "And hopefully the two of you won't considering entering another being's domain again."
Poseidon sighs. "No, Mother," he says dutifully, "not without permission."
Rhea nods. "Good. Then let's get this over with. The five of you can do what you want after."
"Yes!" Poseidon crows. "Hades, do you want to-"
"Within reason," Rhea said firmly. "No causing problems."
Poseidon huffs and rolls his eyes. "Not even a little?"
Hestia laughs. "Poseidon, why do you like causing so much trouble?"
"That's what I want to know too," Poseidon grumbled.
"It's fun," Poseidon grins. "Come on, even you've got to think that father's reaction is awesome."
"When he's not obliterating something," Rhea agrees. "Otherwise, it's terrifying."
"When he's destroying stuff its funny," Poseidon disagrees.
"He's insane," Hera mutters to Demeter.
Demeter just shrugs. "Everyone in our family is insane."
"Good point," Hades smirks.
A gold blur races over their heads, and Rhea lets out a long sigh. "Lelantos," she calls up to the flying immortal.
The Titan groans before he spins in mid-air, icy blue eyes frowning down at them. "You know, I'm on my way to the arena, right? I have gold on Kronos' win."
Rhea's mouth twitches up. "You're going to lose it," she says confidently. "But that's not important."
Lelantos' golden wings flutter as he lands lightly on his feet, jogging a little as he slows. "What do you mean I'm going to lose my gold?" he demands. "Kronos never loses."
"The Titans bet on the winner?" Nico asked.
Hades nodded. "They probably would. It's entertainment."
Rhea snorts. "He does when it's against Oceanus. Now, where is Kronos now?"
"Probably in the arena," the twin of Leto says. "And I'm going to be late." He raises a hand as he turns, golden wings stretching out to over twelve feet. "Let them watch," he suggests, looking over his shoulder, "they're old enough."
"Twin of Leto?" Percy asked. "Leto had a twin?"
Artemis nodded. "Yes. Although from what I know of our uncle, he's one of the Titans loyal to Kronos."
Apollo grimaced. "Yeah. You don't want to piss Lelantos off. It wouldn't be good."
"What are his domains?" Thalia asked curiously.
"Air and the Hunter's Skill of Stalking Prey," Annabeth said. "He's probably a good hunter. The hunter of the Titans."
Rhea purses her lips. "Poseidon isn't."
Lelantos just laughs. "Rhea, I first lifted my spear at five months. I think Poseidon's old enough to see a little ichor."
A little? Poseidon thought. He'd seen people torn apart by a pack of wolves only the day before. "I think we'll be good."
Rhea hesitates as she watches Lelantos fly away. "You're all sure? An actual fight – they'll be trying to kill each other?"
Hestia shares a small smile with her siblings, one which didn't go unnoticed by their mother. "We'll be good," she says. "Please?"
Rhea eyes them for several moments before sighing. "You're all really that eager to see your father beaten?"
Hades grins. "Yeah. Sure. Why not?"
Rhea finally nods reluctantly. "Today Kronos will simply be taking on the other Titans. Tomorrow he'll fight Oceanus."
"They're still fighting," Poseidon says. "Besides, we'll finally be able to see father fight." None of them had ever seen Kronos raise his scythe in a fight before. The closest they had gotten was Kronos' scythe resting across the Titan's lap, obviously threatening to fight, but never actually raising it.
"Hestia's ten and even she hasn't seen it?" Thalia asked.
"I want to see that," Hades admits, their sisters nodding in agreement.
"Looks like you're outnumbered, Rhea," a voice muses from the shadows, and Iapetus steps out.
"How long was he there?" Nico asked curiously.
Rhea raises an eyebrow at the silver armour covering her brother from head-to-toe, a glistening helm held under his arm and his spear across his back, the point reflecting the Greek fire torches. "You're intending to fight?"
Iapetus smirks. "We'll see if we can beat Kronos from sheer numbers this time," he says. "It should be possible."
Ares snorted. "Sheer numbers? He's that good?"
Zeus nodded slightly. "Unfortunately. At the time of the Titanomachy he always beat the three of us," Zeus gestured to Poseidon and Hades. "Always."
Rhea's mouth twitches up. "How many of you are fighting?"
Iapetus pauses slightly. "Eight or nine," he said gleefully.
Rhea laughs. "Eight or nine of you against Kronos?"
Iapetus shrugs. "You know how good he is," he grumbles. "How good our Mother pressed him to be."
Rhea does. She still remembers when Kronos first lifted the scythe, the natural affinity he had with the weapon. The dangerous combination they had quickly become. Even the Primordials thought twice about facing Kronos and his scythe – Kronos and his sword was another matter. The Titan was exceptionally good with a blade, but curved blades were by far his strongest card.
Percy winced, remembering the several times he'd faced Kronos. He'd definitely feared Kronos' scythe more than his sword. "Yeah, that's definitely true."
"You'll still lose," Rhea says.
Iapetus give her a sly smile as they stop before the entrance to the coliseum. "Not if you help us."
Rhea instantly shakes her head. "You know I don't like fighting."
"And you know that Kronos doesn't think straight when he's fighting you." Iapetus gestures to the area between his legs. "He thinks with this," his hand moves to his head, "not this. We could beat him if you help."
Several of the gods and demigods snickered, Percy grinning widely at the Titan's words.
"I'm trying to not get drawn closer to him again, Iapetus," Rhea says.
Iapetus snickers and backs into the door, the sound of steel clashing instantly reaching Rhea and her five children. "You should. He wants it again, and he'll get it however he can. Whenever he can, even if it takes a century."
Kronos is patient enough to wait that long, Rhea knows. But his patience isn't unlimited. Eventually, he'll become impatient and move onto harsher methods that will almost certainly get results. Rhea dreads to think of what he could come up with.
"I know," she murmurs.
Artemis' eyes narrowed. "Kronos better not," she growled out, glaring murderously at the book. "If he even dares…" she trailed off, letting everyone else fill in the threat.
Iapetus just nods before turning and making his way down to the sand and dust covered coliseum floor, scratched and dulled black marble visible in some places. Rhea cautiously makes her way to the stands, leading the five children to half-way up the coliseum.
An explosion blasts sand and dust up into the stands, Poseidon watching as Krios slams into the stands, marble crumbling beneath his bulk and showering down onto the floor. Koios, Hyperion, Atlas and Perses circle around Kronos, their weapons raised and armour covering their vital areas, leaving their arms free to move.
Atlas lurches forwards, his javelin aimed at Kronos' back, but the King merely spins out of his reach, his scythe clashing with the shaft of the javelin, angled perfectly to cause Atlas' javelin to ground itself. The point buries in the dirt at Kronos' feet, and his fist slams into Atlas' nose. The loud crack echoes around the stands as ichor trails down from Atlas' broken nose.
"Pretty good," Ares said grudgingly.
Kronos kicks his javelin away and kicks Atlas in the chest, sending him flying back like he did to Krios. A shower of marble falls down onto Atlas as he lands.
Koios and Hyperion move in together, Koios sweeping his spear low as Hyperion attacks high. Kronos jumps over Koios' spear and locks the shaft of his scythe with Hyperion's sword, having to throw his left hand up to block the beam of energy sent at him from Perses. Gold and red beams of divine energy clash, an explosion ripping apart the very air and sending dust and sand spiralling into the stands.
"Whoa," Poseidon breathes as he watches, his eyes wide, "father's good."
"He is the King for a reason," Zeus grumbled.
Kronos shifts his grip and spins his scythe, dislodging Hyperion's sword before he can force Kronos back, and he parries Koios' attack to the side with a flick of his wrist.
Rhea nods. "Yes. Only Oceanus can defeat him."
"Then Oceanus must be really good," Percy said, glancing at his father.
Poseidon sighed. "Unfortunately, he is."
Kronos fights like his scythe is an extension of his arm, twisting in and out of the other attacks with ease. Instantly, Poseidon realises something. "He's not attacking unless they do first."
Rhea glances at him. "Yes," she agrees. "It's part of his style. This is the more defensive side, since he has five," she pauses as Iapetus appears out of Kronos' shadow, momentarily surprising Kronos enough to slash his side, "now six, other Titans fighting him at once."
Kronos recovers quickly and blocks Iapetus' next attack, making the earth erupt beneath his brother's feet as he backs up.
"Soon Kronos will switch his style," Rhea says as she watches. "They need to stop him before then, else they'll be pushed back."
"Surely he can't face them all at once," Hera murmurs.
"What is he the Titan of, Hera?" Rhea asks. "He certainly can. He's trying to wear them down now so they'll be unable to stop him from slowing them down and thus attacking them and winning."
"Clever," Athena murmured.
The ichor stains the ground at Kronos' feet as he pauses and checks the injury, the other Titans locked in place, and then their dance resumes and Kronos is spinning and counter-attacking. He launches a series of attacks that are only blurs, the Titans backing up under the savage onslaught. For a brief moment, Poseidon sees Kronos' face, his eyes narrowed in concentration and his mouth set in a snarl as he bears down on the other Titans.
Atlas and Krios launch themselves back into the fight, the six Titans momentarily able to stop Kronos' advance, until Kronos' scythe bites deep into Hyperion's calf and he howls, his leg collapsing beneath him. Kronos' foot slams down onto Hyperion's sword, keeping it pinned down as Kronos fights off Atlas and Krios. Atlas trades blows with him for several moments, managing to fight on equal footing with his King, before Kronos – in an incredibly underhanded blow – abruptly switches his scythe into a double-edged sword and stabs.
"Underhanded?" Ares asked. "That's simply fighting."
Atlas yelps as the point slides between his legs, tearing through a very important appendage – at least, very important to Atlas – and the other males all recoil as the javelin drops from Atlas' hands, his eyes wide with the surprise and pain.
"I think that's why it's underhanded," Apollo said helpfully.
Kronos laughs as he switches the blade back into his scythe and easily trades blows with Krios, his foot still on Hyperion's weapon and the Titan struggling to stand and avoid the weapons around him.
Then Kronos' scythe moves in a blur, his arm moving too fast to be visible, and it collides with Krios' sword, the speed increasing the power of the strike and disarming Krios. The Titan is promptly slashed across the chest and kicked back out of the way.
"He's getting good," a voice says from behind Rhea.
Rhea smiles. "Oceanus," she greets, not even turning as her eldest brother sits beside her, "how are you?"
"Tired. Frustrated," the Titan says. "Your little brats have caused a lot of problems."
Poseidon glared at the book. "I'm not a brat."
"Sorry, Uncle," Poseidon says sheepishly. "We didn't mean to cause any trouble. I just wanted to see what was beneath the sea."
Hades nods. "Yes, sorry, Uncle."
Oceanus sighs and shakes his head. "What's done is done. There's no point thinking over the past." He's silent for several long seconds before he calls over to Lelantos, the other Titan lounging across the seats, his wings spread out in the sun. "Why don't you have a shot or two, nephew?"
Lelantos flashes Oceanus a mischievous smile, and Rhea sees that his bow is knocked and ready, a wicked glint in his blue eyes. "Whoever said I wasn't going to do that, Uncle? I'm just waiting for my chance."
"So Lelantos is an archer?" Thalia asked curiously.
"He's our uncle," Artemis said, nodding to Apollo. "I suppose it's in our blood."
Oceanus tilts his head to the side. "Try it," he suggests.
Lelantos rolls over, raising his wings to stop the sun from getting into his eyes. "He'll probably sense it," he says as he pulls slightly at the string of his bow. "Won't he?"
Oceanus nods. "Probably," he agrees. "But you never know."
Lelantos toys with the string, his fingers shifting before he finally raises the bow, aiming straight for Kronos' back. Down in the arena, Iapetus sees the movement and raises his spear again, launching himself into close proximity with Kronos and instantly having to fend off a rapid series of attacks.
"He's distracting Kronos," Hestia said.
The arrow flies through the air, twisting slightly as Lelantos knocks another arrow and releases that one too. And another, and another. Until there are six arrows shooting towards Kronos, all in quick succession.
The first arrow buries itself in Kronos' right shoulder, the second at the base of his neck, the third in his arm. The others are frozen in mid-air before they reach him. Kronos spins around, angrily batting aside a seventh arrow, splitting it in half down the shaft. He retaliates, a sudden surge of golden light blasting from his hand and shooting towards Lelantos, who launches himself in the air with a single flap of his wings, and shoots another arrow at Kronos.
Artemis smiled slightly. Despite her uncle being a staunch supporter of Kronos, it was nice to finally hear about him. Leto rarely mentioned her twin.
Kronos shouts, a wordless yell to express his frustration, and Lelantos' right wing abruptly jerks back, buffeted by the invisible blast of power, and the Titan spirals down to land in the arena, ichor and torn gold feathers following him. The deep furrow caused by his landing raises dust and sand, twisting and turning through the air.
Apollo winced. "Ouch. That's gotta hurt."
Before Kronos can advance, the other Titans move to block him. He bares his teeth, golden eyes blazing as he parries, blocks and slashes in a vicious combo. Lelantos staggers to his feet, his leather armour scuffed and slightly deformed, but a wide grin on his face as his bow changes into his spear shaft, one of his arrows – which Poseidon knew was simply there for the purpose of what was happening – fitting into the top of his spear and locking down. The celestial bronze point glimmers in the dust, reflecting the light and casting bright specks onto the ground.
Eventually, Kronos slows down all of the Titans, a faint golden glow descending over the arena floor, curling like Mist around the feet of the Titans. He takes several paces back, checking that their feet are all frozen in place before he turns his attention to the three arrows in his back. It takes a bit of manoeuvring due to his gilded armour, but he eventually manages to tug out the three arrows, splitting one in half so that the head remains in his back in the process, but most of them land on the arena floor.
"Cheater," Ares accused Kronos.
Kronos raises his scythe again, releasing the time spell around the feet of his brethren. Atlas, Lelantos and Perses stumble at the sudden change, but his brothers take it in stride.
"I might actually have a hard time beating him," Oceanus murmurs.
"A lot of Titans have gold on you winning," Rhea tells him.
"Not you?"
"I don't bet."
Hades' mouth twitched up. "Surely she has to have bet on something at least once."
Oceanus chuckles, leaning back against the stand behind him. "Perhaps not. But surely you would love to see the look on Kronos' face."
"Hey, Rhea!" Iapetus calls up as he backs up, running a hand across his forehead and wiping away the sweat dripping down into his eyes. "Are you going to help?"
Rhea sighs. "Maybe," she responds, her voice easily carrying through the coliseum with minimal effort.
Kronos laughs as he bats aside Hyperion's swing and the blade of his scythe bites into Krios' side, all whilst he ducks under Perses' broadsword. "I think they need a little assistance, love," he says gleefully.
"He's enjoying it so much," Hermes murmured.
"I'd certainly enjoy it if I were able to defeat seven of you," Zeus said.
Poseidon smiled. "But you can't."
"Don't call me that!" Rhea exclaims in annoyance. "By Chaos," she mutters.
"Come down here and make me."
Apollo spluttered. "Really? He wants to fight her?"
Rhea watches, her eyes narrowing at him. "Oceanus, how easy do you think it will be?"
Oceanus leans forwards. "If you can distract him, it will become very easy."
"You're going to do it?" Poseidon asked, eager to see his mother fight his father.
"I haven't fought for several weeks," Rhea murmurs. "He's far better than me. But yes, I will," she stands, starting to make her way down to the arena floor. She knows that the instant she steps onto the dust and sand that Kronos will attack her – not kill her, because he would not do that in a simple training session – but he won't hold back. Besides, Rhea wouldn't improve without practice.
"This will be entertaining," Hera murmured.
She jumps down into the arena, the earth rising up her body and forming an armour that is a gleaming emerald green, metal over her chest and leather over her limbs to allow her more movement. A leaf-shaped celestial bronze blade with a simple leather grip and a small scoop along the centre to make it lighter and yet still strong erupts from the earth in time to parry Kronos' first strike to the side.
He smirks at her as he raises the scythe to block her simple stab, a test for his defences. "Come on, surely you can do better than that," he taunts.
Rhea's eyes narrow at him. "Don't get too cocky. I might not be able to-" she cuts herself off with a quiet curse as his scythe gets a little too close to her. "Can't you slow down?" she hisses, moving to block his next attack.
"She's severely outmatched," Hades noted.
He spins, again having to deal with several of the other Titans attacking his back. Rhea takes the moment as a quick breather, watching the rapid movements of Kronos, the ichor which rolls down the back of his gleaming armour and the arrowhead undoubtedly grating against his shoulder blade.
Iapetus locks eyes with her, evidently thinking along the same line of thought as Rhea. Kronos will continue until he can't any longer, but if he still intends to fight Oceanus tomorrow, or even be able to fight for a week, then he needs to stop. Iapetus smirks and nods at her.
"What's gonna happen?" Percy asked curiously. "What are they planning?"
Rhea lowers her sword, pointing the point at the ground, and closes the distance between her and Kronos. Many of those in Othrys believe that Kronos is un-distractible, his determination unshakable. Kronos' siblings know otherwise.
It's simply harder than with most beings. But it's certainly possible.
Rhea proves it then, Kronos' surprise evident as his scythe wavers when it collides with Hyperion's sword. Hyperion grins widely and puts all his weight into forcing Kronos' scythe down. Briefly, Kronos holds it up, matching Hyperion's strength, but all the Titans know that Hyperion is the strongest out of the two.
It's when Rhea kisses his neck that Hyperion wins their little game, Kronos stiffening and his scythe clattering onto the floor. But his attention is solely taken by Rhea as she presses her mouth to the back of his ear and smiles.
"I win," she murmurs to him as the Titans level their various weapons at their King. "You lose. Again."
"Rhea, don't encourage him!" Poseidon exclaimed. "By Chaos, that's not going to help you."
"You cheated," he breathes, ignoring the sharp points as he turns, and Rhea frowns when she realises that they're face to face – barely an inch apart. "But that's fine," he says, his eyes gleaming in amusement, "I have a few tricks of my own."
"Uh oh," Percy murmured.
Its then that Rhea feels the pressure against her chest, above her heart. "You little-"
His smile widens. "You know I always carry a second weapon, Rhea. And a third. And a fourth. Need I continue?"
"I think we win," Iapetus says helpfully.
Rhea glances down at the bronze dagger pressed against her, and looks back up into Kronos' smirking face. "That depends on the 'we'."
"She has a point," Annabeth muttered.
Hyperion snorts, sheathing his sword at his side. "You're collateral damage."
"How kind," Rhea mutters as Kronos removes the dagger, summoning his scythe back with the twitch of a finger.
"One more thing, before I have this irritating little pest taken out," Kronos says as he rolls his right shoulder, glaring at a smirking Lelantos. He spins back to face Rhea, the smirk widening. He kisses her before she realises what he intends. By the time she's recovered from the surprise and realised that she's supposed to be not liking it – because, damn him, she loves it – he moves back and out of slapping reach, a crooked grin on his face. "You didn't expect me to not retaliate, did you?"
"Told you, Rhea," Poseidon said. "No encouragement."
She glares at him. "I did it because it was necessary to win."
He laughs. "As did I."
Rhea shuts her eyes before looking down, seeing the sign for Kronos using his little tricks. The golden Mist coiling around her feet, and the feet of the other Titans.
Kronos chuckles. "Have fun," he says as he turns and leaves, leaving all of them firmly frozen in place.
"Don't you dare, Kronos!" Hyperion bellows. "Kronos!"
"Kronos' payback," Leo said in amusement. "Is it bad that I'm actually starting to think he's pretty entertaining?"
"Yes," Thalia said.
"Definitely," Jason agreed.
Kronos doesn't even look back as he glows slightly, a golden light that turns the dust and sand a fiery yellow. The blast of his true form sends the debris to envelop the stuck immortals. When the dust finally settles, Hyperion groans and tries to move his feet, only to fall flat on his face.
Percy snorted in amusement amidst the snickers from the gods and demigods. "I'd have loved to see that."
Iapetus snickers. "Excellent attempt, brother."
Nico smiled slightly. "Bob will always be my favourite Titan," he announced, Percy, Annabeth and Thalia nodding in agreement.
"I don't see you trying to get out."
"We'll have to wait for Kronos to be merciful and stop," Koios says calmly as he sits down.
Zeus snorted. "Merciful?" he echoed.
Hyperion curses under his breath. "Merciful? You're aware of who we're talking about, right?"
Koios gives him a look, like he thinks Hyperion's an idiot. "Of course. Why do you think I'm sitting down?" he smirks, resting his spear across his lap. "We'll be here for a while."
I like Koios. Anyone else like him? :).
I honestly don't know how I managed to write such a long chapter...
Raise your hand if you think Kronos is a bastard! *Raises hand*
"That's why you did it?" Rhea asks, her eyes probing into Kronos' for answers, hoping that the mask would fall for a brief moment. It didn't.
"You seem surprised," he muses, raising an eyebrow. "Is that not what you were expecting?"
"I suspected it," she admitted. It's just like what Kronos would do – any threat, anything that didn't factor into his plans and he'd simply remove it. Protect his throne from any risk. Even if that risk was his own daughter.
