The General

Hey guys here is another chapter, enjoy.

Disclaimer: I don't own PJO

3rd POV

The night following the battle was miserable. The air was ripe with the ashes of the fallen. The remaining soldiers looked on into the night with heavy hearts and weary expressions. The night itself did them no favours. The winds whistled and blew throughout the night. Whispers and moans of the dead permeated the fields. The army of the gods would not have a restful sleep. The only two people who had smiles on their faces were Calypso and Perseus. Their individual dreams were invaded by the other.

When morning came it brought with it chilling realty. The battle with the Titan army will begin on this day. Many will parish. When they had awoken, every single one had a vacant look in their eyes as if they were purposefully ridding themselves of the thoughts of the oncoming battle with the Titan army. Hestia had seen this and went over to the hearth and started tending using her magic to spread as much comfort and warmth she could manage without weakening herself.

The flames of the hearth spread out and embraced each and every person at the campsite. The flame brought with them a sense of calm. The soldiers still looked scared, but it was now manageable. Everyone went about the preparation of the battle in their own ways. The time around the camp seemed to fly until the point it was time for the final preparation to take place.

When noon had struck, the army was ready and waiting for the opposing army to arrive. They did not have to wait for long as they thought they would, because the army along with the especially large Titan flashed in moments later. The Titan wore the exact same smirk that he had worn the day before.

The Titan walked forward to say something and the gods including Perseus also walked forward.

The Titan just smirked at the gods for a moment, "Ah little godlings" he mocked "I how brave of you to still be here. No matter, you will just have to die with those worthless mortals you keep as pets"

Everyone on the gods side was fuming and now couldn't wait to bash his teeth in. 'How dare he call us pets' they all thought with undiluted fury painting their faces.

The gods were just as upset by the comment, but none more so than Perseus who is fond of them above all other gods. "How dare you say such things, you retched Titan" Perseus growled at the Titan.

The Titan's smirk was still firmly on his face. "Oops, did I call them pets?" he said innocently "I meant play things"

Even Hestia was fuming. "Your comments shall not go unpunished Titan" Hestia said as calmly as she could manage. Hestia looked at her nephew who was still fuming from the comment made by the Titan. "Don't underestimate our power"

The Titan roared in laughter, "I'm so scared" he teased.

Perseus found no amusement in what he said, so he took out his symbol of power and aimed it at the Titan and skies began to darken and groan with the power of the Xiphos. Torrents of lightening and raked the across the skies. The wind picked up speed. "You Titan shall taste my blade" Perseus said in dangerously calm voice as he sheathed his blade once more and releasing the world from it's effect. The Titan for the first time since the conversation started gulped and had a look of uncertainty that shone in his eyes and he couldn't hide it fast enough. Perseus was weary of every having to need the blade of Atlantis, because even he has trouble controlling the sheer power of the blade he created for himself which in many ways is ironic.

The Titan regained his composure and reapplied his smirk on his face, "Wonderful power display young mortal, but as you can see godly weapons can only be controlled by deities" he said with a malicious smile. "And you just don't fit the bill"

Perseus said nothing and he didn't even attempt to respond to the provocation of the Titan.

"What's the matter mortal?" he asked mockingly "Lost for words are we?"

Hera and Aphros were getting upset at the teasing "Enough" Hera yelled. "I know that you didn't just set forward to mock us. So what is it that you want to parlay with us over?"

The Titan smiled, "How right you are godling" he said seriously "Milord Kronos wants you to surrender and you will be spared from punishment"

None of the gods even entertained that possibility, because they knew it was most likely a trap. "We reject your offer Titan" Zeus said seriously without the arrogance he usually radiated. "We are not fools. We know that it is nothing but a ploy to capture us"

The Titan just laughed a bit, "I didn't think you would accept the deal" he said. "And where are my manners. I haven't formally introduced myself. I am The General of the Titan army. I am Atlas Titan of Strength and endurance and also the deliverer of your doom"

"Ah so you are the fabled General" Zeus said

Atlas smiled, "Of course I am" he said "Who else could the General be if not myself?"

Every member in the side of the gods raised an eyebrow at the arrogant Titan Lord, not know whether to laugh or just shake their heads in exasperation.

"I thought that General of your army could be Pallas" Zeus mocked "Oh sorry he is on our side and so is Koios and Phoebe"

"Traitors" Atlas growled at the Titans that have joined the god's side in the war. "They shall be punished whence the war is over"

"Don't be so sure of victory before the war has even began yet" Demeter said "If you jump the gun, you will miss the target"

Atlas just rolled his eyes with indignation, "Very true" He said, "but I am no upstart as you all are. I have lived many eons and know the ways of the world better than yourselves"

"Maybe so, but you have only lived with the other Titans" Poseidon said to him. "We will defeat you all in the end."

"The time for words has long since past." He said. "Now let us engage ourselves in war"

After Atlas said those words went back to his army. He now stood at the forefront of the whole army as they waited for him to hand out his orders to them.

The gods went back to their own army after the little talk with Atlas had ended. They stood side by side from one another. The gods looked nervous and obviously a bit fearful the war this soon, but they were determined not to show their fears to their soldiers, as they know that it would affect their morale which is not very high to start with.

For a moment time seemed to slow down as a chilling wind blow across the battle field, yet the sun was still perched high in the sky. The wind swept across the battle field, chilling the spine of every person on the battle field. Not even Atlas was immune from the chilling effect. The wind also carried with it a sense of dread that radiated from the entire field. Some even had tears in their eyes and some were on the verge of a break down.

Hestia, Perseus and Aphrodite could feel their fears in droves. Hestia tried to radiate her power to help the army steel it's nerve, but they were beyond help. Some had already accepted that they would not see the end of the day, they would die in battle, but at least they would die for a noble cause. This thought of dying for a noble cause was the only thing keeping their army together.

The gods for the first time looked towards the enemy forces and noticed that it was twice as large as the day before and they now had to contend with five Leviathans. The itself looked pretty much the same as before just large and more disciplined than the one they had already fought.

The battle ground stood eerily silent. One could almost hear the thud of hearts beating. The sun was blearing down on the battle field as the whispers of the deceased echoed throughout Thessaly. The air itself was moist with the blood of the fallen; it filled the nostril with their scent.

For a few moments time slowed down around the battle ground. All breathing took the form of being laboured as the only sound was beating of their hearts as they went THUD! THUD! THUD! The rays of the sun were blearing heavily across the battlefield, but the air seemed to get colder as the call of battle got closer.

"Archers" Zeus shouted and they responded and readied themselves, by notching their arrows firmly pointed at the Titan army.

Atlas seeing this took as the time to strike. "Attack" he said simply and the entirety of his army leaped into action.

"Steady yourselves, and wait for my mark" Zeus shouted waiting for the opposition to get closer. "FIRE!"

The arrows rained on the battlefield akin to rain as they descended with no mercy upon the enemy, but as always some got through the barrage of arrows. The ones that got through were now to close to try and defeat with arrows. The infantry of the gods' army steadied their shields and themselves for the onslaught.

"Phalanx" Perseus shouted and the all locked in their shields together.

The infantry locked in the shields just in time as the opposing army encroached them quickly. When the Titan forces collided with the gods' army they were forced back by the shields.

Out of pure instincts they rhythmically thrust their spears as soon as they steadied themselves following the collision.

The Leviathans had stayed back like before. They were obviously waiting for the right time to launch an attack against the enemy. Perseus was aware of this ploy, so he did what could be considered reckless or brave. He raced past the other monsters in the Titan army and straight towards Atlas and his Leviathans. Aphrodite looked on as she saw her brother going to the Leviathans and she took knew what he was planning, so she too raced towards them.

Perseus POV

Okay this has to be the dumbest thing I have ever done. I was running towards Atlas and the Leviathans. I had no idea whether I was leaving our army in a compromising position or not, but I knew if these beast remained alive, they would crush whatever remains of our army. So that is why I am going to fight them first.

These things are rather large from afar, yet up close they dwarf all on the battlefield.

They looked really fierce and hard to kill. I have to kill them without letting the Titan know that I am a godling. If he were to figure that out, it would change the face of the battle and the war.

When I got close enough to one of the monster I leaped towards it at blinding speeds and in the corner of my eye, I saw Aphros running towards one of the other Leviathans.

The Leviathan I was jumping towards let out a piercing roar that nearly forced my ascend back, but I fortunately and unfortunately. Fortunately because I was on course to land on it, but that part was looking to be it's mouth. It's mouth was open wide sensing that was going to land in it.

I used a bit of my godly energy to change my trajectory a bit and by chance I landed on the top of it's head. I quickly motioned my xiphos to stab the beast, but it shook it's head, nearly throwing me off it, but my blade impaled it's flesh before I could be sent flying off.

The Leviathan that I had managed to stabbed only looked to be mildly irritated and not at all close to actually dying. I removed my blade from it and I realised that I would have to use my symbol of power to kill these creatures. It seemed that only godly energy can kill them. My blade was made when I transferred my entire power at the time into it. This made my symbol virtually indestructible as it is nearly pure energy fused into a Xiphos.

The blade hummed and buzzed in my hand as it always did. The power it was emitting was so immense even I shivered. I may have over done it by giving it every ounce of my energy. It took me a year to recover ten percent of the energy I lost during the making of my blade. We will see if it was worth it or not.

The blade was starting to affect the weather for the worst. So I had to work quickly or the weapon I created would be our downfall in this battle. The Leviathan was still trying to shake me off and now it was lifting itself off the ground and into the air in attempt to cause me to fall off it, but I was determined not to fall, so out of instincts I plunged my xiphos into it and held on tightly.

The Leviathan shrieked in pain the moment my xiphos made contacted with it. It maneuvered upside down I hopes that I would fall off, but there was no such luck for the beast. The xiphos was poison to the beasts. It's body was sizzling on the inside. A black liquid erupted from it's body. Moments later columns of fire were also erupting from it's body. The wings of the creature were flapping wildly trying to keep it afloat, but the strain my blade on it's body was too much for it, So it fell from the sky with me still on it.

When the Leviathan made contact with the ground, I was thrown off a few meters away. Lucky for me landed on a tree, which was better than landing on the face of a mountain. When I removed myself from the tree I coughed up my platinum coloured ichor. My wounds started closing themselves quickly and I ran towards the fallen Leviathan. My xiphos was still planted on it's head. When I had arrived the Leviathan had started to flicker out of existence. The Leviathan dissolved into plumes of silver dust that was blown away by the wind. All that was left was my xiphos that still had it's ichor on it.

I took the xiphos away from the crater. My eyes for a moment wondered towards the bulk of the battle was taking place and I was impressed that our army was still keeping it's shape, even when the army was overwhelming them. My eyes then shifted to my sister who last time was heading to engage one of the other Leviathans and what I saw was fierce battle. The Leviathan was spewing what looked like liquid fire towards my sister.

Aphros used a technique she invented called the shadow step. She disappeared into her own shadow and for a moment she was impenetrable. Her shadow latched on to the shadow of the Leviathan she was attacking. She used the Leviathan's shadow and turned it into a pair of giant shadowy hands that wrapped themselves around the creature.

The Leviathan was not smart enough to realise that it had played into my sisters trap as it was frantically looking around trying to locate her. This gave her the time she needed to strike. The shadow hands started to constrict their grip on the Leviathan. It writhed in pain as it's own shadow was being used to kill it. Aphros knew well enough that she would need to kill it with her blades and not the shadows as they will consume too much of her energy. She plunged her twin daggers into the beast and it too dissolved into silver dust. Aphros smiled wildly at her work.

The remaining Leviathans roared angrily at the two of us as they all took to the sky one by one. One flew towards our army and the other two headed straight for Aphros and I. The one headed in my direction let loose it's fiery liquid breath and to say I was not a bit worried would be a lie. I was terrified at that point, but I couldn't let that stop me from doing what I had to.

As I was engaging the Other Leviathan, he heard cries of the Atlanteans. I could hear their cries of pain as they prayed to me. I did the one thing I could to quickly dispose of the Leviathan. I threw my xiphos across the battlefield impaling the beast and it quickly crumbled to dust.

I recalled my xiphos to my hand and flashed myself to Atlantis.

3rd POV

The City of Atlantis the morning before the second battle at Thessaly

The citizens of Atlantis were in for a rude awakening on this day. They were seemingly unprepared, but it was not so. Commander Perseus had told them that the Titans would most likely try and destroy the gods' stronghold while they were preoccupied. He told them to stall for time as much as possible until they return or else everything would fail without their greatest city. "Sink the city if you have too" Commander Perseus had instructed Captain Abrax. "There is an enchantment that will allow our great city to flourish in the ocean, but it will come at a price should it come to that."

"B-but Sir-" Abrax tried to object

"No Abrax" Perseus said. "This may be the only way to save our people. Yes I understand your worries, but its better for you to become half fish than dead and our proud city laid to waste. Many cities and even worlds will be destroyed. This war will not only affect earth, but every world in creation and we would have to fight for every one of them here, but be not fooled. Many battles/ the most important battles will happen in the heavens."

Abrax looked at his friend curiously, "Perseus how can you be so sure of any of that will happen?" Abrax asked Perseus, who just sighed.

"Can you not feel it my friend?" Perseus asked and Abrax shook his head. "Then I am truly sorry, but even if I were to explain, it would simply overwhelm your mind."

"What do thy mean by that Perseus?" Abrax asked his friend. "Are thee saying that I am stupid?"

Perseus just laughed, "Of course not my friend" He said. "I am merely saying that thy shunt understand what is it I mean without feeling it."

"Okay" Abrax said.

"I am sure the Titans will send a portion of their army here" Perseus said. "What I don't know is how large. Lady Demeter was the one who came up with the incantation to sink Atlantis. She may not like war or anything outside land cultivation, but she is a brilliant at spells and foresight"

"I am afraid for our city" Abrax said

"As are we" Perseus said to him "Remember what I said should we be proven right."

Perseus dissolved in a flash of light. This left Abrax with the ultimate dilemma. If war comes to their doorsteps and are unable to win, he would have to plunge the city into the watery abyss that is the deep oceans.

Abrax sighed, "I solemnly hope thee are wrong, my friend" he said looking into the horizon and into the view of the rising sun.

During the battle at Thessaly

The city of Atlantis was peaceful. That was until a bright light flashed outside the city gates. When the light died down, there stood a massive army that had a hundred soldiers that looked as if they were already deceased.

Captain Abrax saw the flashing light and let out a sigh. 'I guess thy were right my friend' he thought to himself.

The army wasted no time and started their assault on the Atlanteans and their meagre looking army. Abrax on the advice of their commander told the rest of the army to be prepared to fight. None of the soldiers looked particularly eager to enter the battle. They were afraid for their families as the assault was too close to their homes, but live I rarely ever fair to anyone.

"Summon the water born lieutenant" Abrax instructed.

The moment Abrax made his orders, all of the dragons and their riders shot to the sky. The dragons circled around the city. They dove down and started releasing their fiery breaths as they descended. They also used their spiked iron tails to slam into buildings whilst breathing fire.

The dark riders dismounted from the dragons as they dove down. They used their shadowy armour to aide with the force of impact. Every single dark rider had a spear made of a dark metal that seemed to absorb light. Upon impact they used the dust cloud as threw their spears like javelins at any and every Atlantean, be that the elderly of children. The ploy of using the plumes of dust to block the sight of the Atlanteans was clever.

When the dust had settled, they all took out daggers or xiphos that were also made of the same shadow material. The riders ran towards the army as they flanked them at the back and they were powerless to do anything about it.

What was worse of all this army was more disciplined and trained than the one at Thessaly. This was their main army. The whole battle on Thessaly was nothing, but a ploy to draw the gods out of Atlantis.

The battle was going poorly, even with the waterborn. They were out maneuvered and outclassed. The city was close to ruins, Abrax was still reluctant to do as Perseus had instructed him to do. He wanted to be the one to save Atlantis. He was letting pride cloud his better judgement.

The cries of the Atlanteans echoes across the lands as they were being slaughtered. "O hear us," The Atlanteans cried "O Lords and Ladies. Bearer of our name, protectors of ours. Hear us. If we have ever decked your temple with garlands, or burned your thigh-bones in fat of bulls or goats, grant our prayer, and let your fury avenge these tear of ours upon our enemies."

Thus they prayed, and Perseus true patron of the Atlanteans descended from the battle of Thessaly and his xiphos firmly in hand with rage that trembled within him. He sat himself down away from the battle with a face as dark and twisted as the midnight sky. His xiphos rang and rattled came for death. With an ever a furious face, he descended upon the Titan army. And unto him death followed.

With xiphos in hand Perseus became a beast filled with bloodlust, yet never for ones he called friend. For many hours his fury descended upon the Titan army. Many are those brave souls who sought to challenge an enraged god, their deaths is what had followed them. Light cut from their eyes. Yet never a gleam had appeared in Perseus' eyes. For with slash of blade, his heart grew only darker. Pain clearly marked his proud majestic features. For no smile could spread in such loss.

Upon his face celebration of victory could not be sang. Loss and more loss was all the had presented. Worse was orders ignored in prideful disbelieving heart. Many are death could have been stopped, yet was all that could be seen. Victory in such death rang in bitterness of war.

"Abrax," Perseus cried with an ever a furious voice that held much power. Abrax ran towards his commander. Shame painted upon him. In heart he knew he failed the people he had sworn to protect. Why had he been unable to do as instructed? Was it pride that crept through his heart? Was it fright of the unknown? For I true no words of explanation came to mind. "Orders I give thee, yet my great city has fallen. To descend in sea I said. Not in death and destruction. Give reason as to why Atlantis now baths in misery? Orders I gave thee Abrax, to protect my city I said, yet here I stand met only with death of our people. Were orders not enough for thee? Did thee think thyself better than I as to cast my words asunder?"

The Captain Abrax quaked in stead of his commander. Never has he seen such fury and pain. "N-n-no Milord I-" He had started only to be cut from speech by the angry commander.

"I wish not to hear excuses. I wish only to hear reason of judgement you cast," Perseus said, "And you would be wise to speak truth."

Abrax continued to quake, his eye painted in disbelief. Never had he seen Perseus' ire, "I was overcame by pride and a selfish heart." He cried, Perseus' eyes only displayed that he knew of the reason. "I sought to be their hero. To show our people that you were never needed"

Perseus' eyes only shined with tears, "Such words that come from thee" he said, "One I called friend. The deaths of the people of Atlantis shall be thy legacy. Never again shall our people rejoice upon the sound of thy name. I order thee, tell our people of thy actions. Tell them of orders I gave. Tell them why their children bathe in bloody pools of their own blood. Tell them lies and thy soul shall wonder an eternity alone."

The eyes of Abrax prickled with painful tears and a sorrowful heart. The cries of the dying danced in dark elation upon his thought. To drive him insane they sought. Yet fault of their deaths rest solely upon him. Orders he was given. Orders he ignored. The hero he tried to be. Yet heroic deeds escaped his grasp as his actions reflect a jealous and prideful heart. His own family he saw slain as he mulled over his actions.

"O what have I done?" Abrax cried in anguish. "I selfish thought I have lost. My name has fallen, from hero and unto bearer of great shame. Yet neither burn my soul than faces of my slain family. O Patron of Atlantis save me from sorrow. Yes I deserve not absolution, but I ask thee Patron of Atlantis return my family. Take my soul for theirs. O Patron of Atlantis I beg of thee"

Perseus walked upon his friend, "I shall answer thy prayer," He said as he embraced his fallen friend, "But know this son of Balios such an act shall further condemn thee in thy afterlife."

Abrax nodded. "I claim my condemnation." He said. "Better I die for my family than live in torment of my actions."

Perseus could only bare a sad smile upon his friend. "Forget not to tell our people of thy actions" he said to him, "For it is needed. Purge thy soul of guilt and enter the afterlife with honour"

Abrax bravely stood, head held high. He bravely told the people of Atlantis of his actions. In surprise and shock they told him to not burden himself too much. No one person is without flaw. Even in grief the people of Atlantis remain loyal. In truth they came to respect him again, but in deed shall they never forget.

Perseus watched his people forgive one who helped cause destruction to their city. "I knew thee could swallow thy pride and confess thy sin to our people" Perseus said softly, "Goodbye my friend. Know that I forgive thee"

Abrax could hear the words of his friend as he felt life slowly leave him. Abrax died with a smile on his face. His family was returned from death, yet all was not well. Perseus knew this.

Hey guys I hoped you enjoyed it. Please let me know what you thought of it, so please review. Next update will be in a week again.

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