Disclaimer: I don't own PJO or Thor.
AN: Sorry for making you guys wait so long for an update. I had kind of a hectic summer and didn't have much time to write. However updates probably aren't going to come any quicker. My fall semester just started and I am taking 22 credits. Needless to say I am not going to have much free time. I will update if I can but don't expect more than one update between now and December, if there are any at all. In short as of right now all my stories are on TEMPORARY Hiatus.
I know that isn't something you guys like to hear but don't worry too much I am not giving up on these stories. Updates will pick up again in late December early January. I am really sorry about doing this to you guys and I really don't want to do this but I am not going to sacrifice my grade for this story.
That being said I have had an idea for another story that I may do a little work on alongside these stories. It will deal with Percy being a slave to the gods and trying, maybe succeeding, to over through them. If you want to know more check out my profile.
Again I am very sorry for putting things on Hiatus but I kind of have to right now. Please continue to be as patient with me as you have been, I am incredibly grateful for that.
Anyway here is the chapter I hope you all enjoy it. Percy will finally get the Axe of Chaos and be one step closer to defeating Himeros, which we all know will happen.
ENJOY.
Chapter 8: Reforged
Nidavellir
Percy arrived on the world of the Dwarves in the middle of the Asgardian camp. Sif immediately walked up to him to talk about battle preparations. From what Percy could gather the Fire Demon army had arrived and was ready for war. Their king, Surtur, had already lead an attack on the surrounding villages.
"Can you hold them off?" Percy asked.
"Perhaps but not for long," Sif replied.
"Long enough for me to reforge the Axe?"
"Unlikely."
Percy sighed. "I don't know that we have much choice. If I fight with you and we lose then the Axe can never be rebuilt and there will be no one to stand in Himeros' way. If I go and reforge the Axe hundreds will die."
"Thousands perhaps," Volstagg added.
"Thank you for those words of comfort," Percy growled.
"Will Thor be coming?" Sif intervened.
"Later today maybe. It will probably depend on what is going on with Jane." Sif scowled at the mention of the mortal's name. Percy decided it was best to ignore that and continued. "Where is Surtur and his army now?"
Sif pointed to a location on the map that was about five miles from their current location. Percy nodded, "Hold her for now. Make them bring the fight to you. Set up what defenses you can. Gather what dwarves are willing to fight with you. Evacuate the villages. Surtur will assume that Asgard has sent back up and will search you out. Hold as long as you can but don't risk too much. I will rejoin you as soon as the axe is finished."
"I don't know how long your plan will work. Thor would have a better plan," Hogan said.
"Probably but he isn't here. Besides I held New York for three days with less than what we have now." Percy looked around the camp and spotted a short, stout, red-bearded man. He made a b-line the dwarf. "Do you know where the Cyclopes are?" Percy asked immediately.
"No," the dwarf growled.
"Do you know anyone who might know?"
"Forgive my son," said a dark-haired dwarf. "He took much of his rudeness from his mother. I bow to you, Heir of Chaos."
"Please don't," Percy interrupted as the dwarf moved to his knees. "How did you know it was me?"
"Your coming here has been prophesied for many centuries now. But if it is the Cyclopes you seek then you must have the pieces of the Axe. May I see them?" Percy was suspicious of the dwarf but figured this was his best chance at finding the Cyclopes. Slowly he took out the pieces and allowed the dwarf to examine them.
They still radiated the heat Percy had noticed when he first saw the pieces together. The dwarf looked at the fragments in amazement. "So it is true. The Power of Chaos has returned," the dwarf said. "I, Brokk, swear to help the Heir of Chaos to the end of my days. You will find the Cyclopes at the Quaking Mountain." Brokk pointed to a peak in the distance that was slightly larger than its peers. It was so large in fact that it might have been bigger that Mount Everest. And even from miles away Percy could tell the mountain as indeed quivering.
Returning the fragments to his bag Percy thanked the dwarf. With a nod to Sif Percy spread his wings and took flight toward the mountain.
As Percy neared the mountain he came to a realization about its shaking. It was not natural. There was also a rhythmic ringing sound that he could now hear from within the mountain. The quaking of the mountain would increase for a few seconds then it would dissipate. Then Percy realized the sound was the beating of a hammer against a mighty anvil and that the quaking was from massive footsteps.
Percy circled the mountain a few times looking for an entrance. When he final found it he was surprised by the size of the entrance. It was small enough that he would have to crouch slightly to walk down the narrow tunnel. The stone walls of the tunnel were perfectly smooth and heat drifted upward making Percy sweat.
As he made his way down the passage he began to hear voices. They were highly intelligent and clear from what he could tell. Each syllable was precise and defined. It was like listening to a motivational speaker. Every word was said perfectly.
"That anvil is rather worn. Don't you think Brontes?" one clam voice said. It wasn't particularly deep, but definitely male.
"As it should be," Replied another deeper voice. "We have been using that same anvil for more than ten thousand years."
"I'm just saying, maybe it is time for a new one," the first voice said.
"Why in the name of good Chaos would we do that," a third voice added. "We used that anvil to make Zeus' Thunderbolt, Hades Helm, and Aegis. And we finished Poseidon's Trident after those damned telekhines fouled it up. Those idiots wouldn't know the shape end of a spear if you shoved it up their a…"
"That's enough, Arges," Brontes growled.
"Sentimental old fool," the first voice mumbled.
"Watch it you insufferable little…" Arges began.
"DON'T CALL ME LITTLE!" screamed the first voice.
"He only speaks the truth, Steropes. Just like he is the fattest," Brontes said calmly. Percy stopped just inside the tunnel and continued to listen. Something massive was blocking his view of the inner cavern and all he could make out was the glow of a fire.
"I'm not fat! Every piece of me is solid muscle," Arges said proudly.
"Maybe nine thousand years ago it was but not now. You have gotten old. We all have. There is no shame in that. Now get that sword out of the forge before you melt it," Brontes said.
"Better fat than old and half blind," Steropes muttered as the hammer began again. Percy tried to shift himself around to get a better view only to lose his footing and send a stray rock rolling into the cavern. Every noise except the hammering stopped.
"Arges stop hammering," Brontes growled. There was the sound of something taking in a massive breath. "I have not smelled that in over a thousand years. Step forward Son of Poseidon. There is no need to be shy."
Percy swallowed and stepped into the cavern. It was larger, by far, than Percy expected. The whole of the Olympus throne room could fit inside of the caver at least three times. The massive object that blocked his view turned out to be an eight story tall anvil. But that seemed miniscule next to the Elder Cyclopes. The smallest, Steropes, looked younger than the other two and stood about two hundred feet tall. He had on a pair of massive work boots and the largest pair of Carhart pants Percy had ever seen. He was built like a bodybuilder with black, chest length dreadlocks and an electric blue eye. In one hand he held a red-hot sword as long as a freight train.
The fat one, Arges, was just that, fat. He was probably the tallest of the three but he was also wider than the other two combined. He also wore a pair of work boot but had on a Carhart jumpsuit instead. He was bald with a neatly trimmed salt and pepper beard. His eye was a murky sea green and in his right hand he held a hammer as big as a tow story building.
The third Cyclops was the furthest from him and sat next to what must be the forge. Brontes was definitely the oldest. He thinner than the other two and had a long stringy build. He had frizzy long white hair and beard. He wore a pair of sandals and bib coveralls. There was a monocle over his dark brown eye that greatly magnified it. As he stood he used an old, battered sword for a cane.
"What, pray tell, is a demigod doing so far from home. Did the gods send you to kill us as they did others in the past?" Brontes said. "That won't work out well for you boy."
"He is no ordinary half-blood," Steropes said warily. "There is something ancient about him."
"Ancient and powerful," Agres added.
"Tell us who you are boy," Brontes commanded. He was obviously in charge and he seemed more relaxed than the other two. Percy decided to speak to him.
Percy thought for a second be for he decided to speak. He knew he had to word his request carefully so he decided to list his achievements. He figured that was best since the Cyclopes seemed to value a reputation. "I am Percy Jackson, Son of Poseidon, Freer of Typhon, Slayer of Titans and Giants, Conqueror of Gaea and Pontus, Savior of Olympus, and Heir of Chaos."
Brontes took a step back. "What proof do you have to your claims?"
"I sacrificed the Ophiotaurus and have the shard of the Axe of Chaos."
"That does not make you the Heir."
"Yes but when the Ophiotaurus gives himself to you to be sacrificed, that does."
"Why have you come to use?" Arges growled.
"Himeros is returning and his allies are breaking free of their prisons. He is making a bid for the Infinity Stones and is out for revenge. I need you to reforge the Axe of Chaos so I can stop him."
"And tell me demigod why did you take the power in the first place," Brontes asked.
"I took it to save the people I love and everyone else from Gaea," Percy said. Then he remembered that Gaea was their mother and that maybe he shouldn't have mentioned that part.
"Gaea is our mother," Brontes said echoing Percy's thoughts. "But we chair no love for her. Show us the shards boy. Let us see if your claim is true."
Percy emptied his bay with his armor and the pieces of the axe in it. The shards of the axe pulsed and grew in size to fit the Cyclopes. They were silent for a long while as the stared at the shards. Finally Brontes spoke, "Very well. We will rebuild the axe, but we will need your armor as well."
Asgardian Camp
It took two hours to set up the defenses and evacuate the nearby villages. It was just in time too because no sooner had they finished than the Fire Demons came into sight. Surtur himself was leading the march. He was perhaps fifteen feet tall with red skin and horns like a bull. He had flames for hair and horse like hooves for feet. But the worst thing about him was his sword.
Six feet long and jagged it rippled with flames. The ground around the sword turned to lava. This was the sword he was said to wield during Ragnarok. And it sent chills down the spines of the Asgardian army.
Sif gave the order to form ranks. Whether or not this was Ragnarok, the end of all things, Sif would fight with honor. She looked to the Warriors Three and saw the same conviction and fear that she felt. Sif took a deep breath and spoke, "Stories will be told of this day. Let those who die, die a warrior's death and be graced with the halls of Valhalla. Today is not the end of days. It is merely another step toward that day." Sif turned back to the approaching army and yelled, "For Asgard!"
And so the battle began.
Heimdall's Observatory
The Dark Elves where attacking Asgard but with the war going on in Nidavellir Heimdall couldn't afford to recall any of the soldiers there. There only hope now as that the Axe was reforged quickly so the army could return to Asgard and Jackson along with them. All Heimdall could do was watch.
Forge of the Cyclopes
"Can't you go any faster?" Percy asked.
"Patients Heir of Chaos. To craft a weapon such as this will take time, lest the blade be weakened," Steropes replied.
"Why did you need my armor anyway?"
"Calm, my lord," Brontes said, "When we have finished the Axe, your armor, and you will be one. The Axe will be even more powerful than it once was. It will now carry the remnants of power from when we forged the Big Three Weapons that were embedded in the anvil."
"Okay, but I need the axe now!"
"Be calm Heir of Chaos. You will have your weapon and it will give you powers you can't yet imagine. You will have you full power in time to help your friends. Probably," Arges said.
"Probably?" Percy said in dismay.
The Battlefield
The joint Asgardians and dwarves had fallen back almost half a mile. The ground behind the Fire Demons was burned and bubbling. Volstagg's axe was melted and he now wielded a sword he took from a fallen ally. Fandrall's right shoulder had been dislocated and he was forced to fight with his left hand. Hogan's left leg was bleeding profusely. Sif's shield had been shattered and her spear snapped. A large cut above her eye left a trail of crimson down the side of her face. She to fought with the sword of one of the fallen.
Surter was an incredible warrior. With each swing of his blade he took at least five lives. He alone had already taken the lives of one hundred warriors, half of what had been lost. It was to that Sif and the Warriors Three turned their attention to now.
Forge of the Elder Cyclopes
"It is complete," Brontes said at last.
Percy turned to look at the top of the anvil. Resting on there was a beautiful axe. The celestial bronze, imperial gold, and adamantine blended together in wave like patterns, like acid etched mortal steel. The word "Anaklusmos" was inscribed down the handle. The two blades were shaped like a crescent moon. The handle ended in a horse head pommel and a Pegasus was engraved across the blades. The air around the Axe no longer rippled but that somehow made it more intimidating. It was about thirty-nine inches long with the last ten inches wrapped in leather. But though it carried the same name this was not Riptide. This was the Axe of Chaos.
Percy reached out tentatively, grabbed the handle, and lifted. For one brief moment Percy was amazed at how much it felt like Riptide, right not to the balance. Then the universe shifted. He could suddenly see everything. He could see himself, body stiff with one hand on the axe. He could see the army of Asgard struggling against the Fire Demons. He was Nico out on a date with Darcy. Leo was working alone in a machine shop. Jason was hiking through the Himalayan Mountain. Maria was in a meeting with Fury. The gods were gathered on Olympus for a meeting. He could even see Iron Man fighting with an army of suits on a cargo ship. All Nine Realms were visible.
But beyond the Nine Realms he could see more. There was a raccoon and a walking tree walking through a city. There was a big green and red dude sitting in a prison cell. There was a green woman standing next to a blue hairless woman. Then there was a human reaching out to take a floating orb. An orb Percy somehow knew contained an Infinity Stone. He could see the Hulk staring down what looked like giant grasshoppers. Then he saw the asteroid.
The asteroid was surrounded by something like a shadow. He could see a two thumbed creature and a purple giant. Then Himeros spoke.
"The axe will not save you world." Himeros voice was deep and gravely with ancient power. "When I rise your world, your family, your friends, and everything you know will be extinguished. And you will spend an eternity lost in time. Forced to relive each of their deaths."
Without thinking Percy spoke back and he grinned as the shadow and its companions recoiled slightly, "I am not Chaos. I won't be beaten by some cheat trick with weapons you have no right to wield."
Percy's eyes turned to Asgard and he winced at seeing them attack. Percy withdrew back into himself with a gasp. The wave-like tattoos on his arms were glowing blue as they seemed to flow into the axe. Before that moment Percy hadn't fully realized how much stress the Power of Chaos was putting on his body. Now however it was like stepping out from under the sky as the power was drawn into the Axe. He felt light and calm for the first time since Annabeth's death. The power was now stabilized and under his full control.
"Go young hero. Your friends need you. The armor is a part of you and your Axe now, use this power wisely. Don't become like the gods," Brontes said.
Percy nodded and he stood straight, "I promise." Percy looked down at the axe and the metal seemed to ripple. Chaos metal flowed from the Axe and he mixture of bronze, gold, and adamantine from around him into armor, and still the axe didn't shrink.
His armor was slightly different that before but the designs on the shield and armor remained the same. Everything was more angular with sharper edges. His shield was no longer round but more diamond shaped with edges that were sharp as a razor. But Percy knew the edges wouldn't cut him. He had a new helmet to replace the one he had given to Andrew in Time Square. His new helm was modeled after a Pegasus. The face of the horse ran down his nose. The helm had wings coming off the side and a horse hair plume along the middle. The cutout around the eyes and mouth was similar to a Spartan helmet.
Percy spread his wings and flew from the mountain to the Asgardians. The Cyclopes however looked at each other. "I would say that was a fitting last creation wouldn't you," Arges said. His brothers nodded and with that final comforting thought the Elder Cyclopes faded from existence.
The Battlefield
The Asgardians had now lost a full three miles, over five hundred soldiers, and were now in a full retreat. Blood covered Sif's left arm as it hung uselessly by her side. Volstagg was using the sword he took as a cane while Hogan used all his remaining strength to carry the limp form of Fandral. Surtur was hot on their trail as he left a path of magma in his wake.
Sif tripped as she ran and did a face plant into the ground. She rolled over to look up into the face of the Demon King. Just then a wave of power slammed into them with such for that Surtur took a step back and Sif was knocked breathless. Lightning split across the sky as thunder shook the ground. Sif smiled, Thor had come to their rescue. But then she felt the moistening of the air and a drop in temperature. Sif's ears started to pop as her mind caught up with her senses. Someone had come to their aid but it wasn't Thor, it was Percy.
Rain started to fall and to Sif's amazement her wounds began to heal. Then the storm with such force that the entire Fire Demon army was knocked back one hundred feet. Giant boulders were ripped from the ground and hurled at the enemy lines. Hail the size of golf balls slammed into the Fire Demons driving them still further back. Percy was at the center of it all mowing down enemies by the dozen. The Axe of Chaos cut through anything in its path as if it were air.
Percy met Surtur in a clash that shattered the ground. Flames rolled over Percy like waves over a rock causing no harm. With new verbosity Asgard's forces turned back and attacked the enemy. Percy was slowly pushing Surtur back and any Fire Demon that tried to intervene was knocked aside so quickly they barely had time to blink before they died.
Percy brought his axe down as if to drive the head of it into Surtur's leg. The Axe however rippled part way there and transformed into a spear that went straight through Surtur's leg and struck the ground causing an earthquake. Surtur roared and backed away as the spear was withdrawn and turned back into an axe. Surtur made a slash with his sword and sent a wave of flames toward Percy. Percy brought his axe down on the wave and the flames turned from crimson to green. Percy swirled his axe over head before pointing it at Surtur. The Greek fire shot at the King of the Fire Demons causing him to jump aside.
Percy was there immediately to face off with the creature. And as he fought his axe would change form. First axe, the spear, then trident, dagger, and finally an exact replica of the sword Riptide. In that moment with one swift movement he use the move he learned from Luke so long ago to disarm the King of the Fire Demons. Surtur's sword when flying and the line broke. In one instant the Fire Demons turned and ran.
The Asgardians roared in triumph but were quickly interrupted as Percy yelled, "We must return to Asgard. The Dark Elves have attacked." The army instantly turned furious as the Rainbow Bridge descended upon the.
The Asgardian forces charged out of the Bifrost with vengeance in their hearts as they began to decimate the Dark Elves. Percy was a wave of death and destruction as he fought his way toward the palace. Finally he sped his wing and shot through the air as a flash of gold. Percy soared through the balcony as Thor screamed, "NO!"
Frigga lay dead on the floor with two Dark Elves standing over her. But it was what the largest elf was holding that made Percy's heart stop. They had already stolen the Tesseract. Himeros would soon have the Space Stone. In desperation Percy swung his Axe causing a tidal wave to plow though the room. Before it could reach them however the elves disappeared through a portal and were gone. Percy steered the water away from the dead queen as Thor and Odin fell to their knees next to the body. Jane was nowhere to be found.
