Chapter 9

Reyna and I stood in front of the masses in the underworld. Hades stood off to my far right in front of a small army of minor gods, and some full gods. Hermes was the only Olympian still here, but he refused to fight his family. He was only here to help transportation. He had been through enough and he refused to have to fight his siblings. Surprisingly none of the Olympians saw it the way he did. Most of them thought he and their children were traitors, but hey that works for us, much easier to kill them on the battlefield that way if there are not emotional ties.

Everyone was dressed in full battle armor. My armor was a gift from Poseidon when I turned 19 and it was sea green and made of some kind of Atlantean metal that was really light and rare. Nico and Jason were both wearing matching obsidian black armor that were gifts from Hades.

Hades cleared his voice, you could clearly see he was nervous, you could say the same thing about my brother's though, "Perseus will lead the first round of the assault, we want to see what we are up against first. If there are no Godly forces, we will stick to the ancient laws. The fates are literally on our side, and if any of us join the void, I do not wish to give Chaos a reason to forsake us. So Perseus you first. And good luck!"

I nodded my head and addressed my army, "Today... We reclaim CAMP ROME!"

Everyone started beating on their shields in approval and started chanting Rome! Hermes then walked over to the middle of us and told everyone to clothes their eyes as he assumed Godly form and transported us all to the borders of what used to be Camp Jupiter. My entire army of approximately 300 fighters appeared on the field of Mars. We were standing on the highest point on the field. I know this because there used to be a gate right here that protected the Camp. There is no such gates now, and we could over see the remains of the entire camp. Much to our dismay, there was an opposing army on the other side of the field. I recognized Atlas, Athena, Bacchus, and Krios. I motioned for Jason and Jen to come to my side, "Hold up the olive branch of peace and come with me. Lets see what they have to say, before we send them to the void!"

Reyna tried to follow, but I said, "Rey stay here. If there is fowl play then you have to lead the army."

She looked at me with a glare, but nodded. Jason, Jen, and I shadow traveled to the front of the Olympian army with the olive branch of peace held high in the air. The four Titans and Gods presents marched forward to meet us. The Olympian monster army was pretty damn big, maybe two thousand strong. Among those I saw some bad ass monsters to, the Hydra, the Chimera, two drakons, and many other monsters I remember killing in the old days. The rest of the armies consisted of the population of Olympus, a few minor gods, hundreds of nature spirits, hundreds of legacies. I cleared my voice, "Athena, I don't suppose you wish to show us some of that wisdom of yours and join our side before I send you to the void?"

She grinned and flashed a spear into her hand, it radiated with a aura of death, "My spear was forged in the hellfire of Tartarus just as yours was. Percy Jackson, you disgrace Olympus and my daughter by being here today, and for that you will not walk off this battlefield alive."

I flinched at that while Jason growled. Jason looked at Bacchus, "So let me guess all the Olympians got their weapons forged in Hellfire?"

Bacchus glared at Athena, "No, only Athena, and a few of the others, as I am sure Jackson knows it is not exactly easy to get down there, especially if you were trying to haul more than a few weapons."

Jason said, "Bacchus, I always knew you were an ass, now don't prove to be a stupid ass. We offer you a one time chance of Asylum if you step out of this war right now. For gods sake man you have two kids in this army. Olympus will be Razed before this year is over and we will bring in a new age of peace."

Bacchus looked conflicted for a moment, but steeled his nerves and shook his head! Atlas chimed in, "Well said son of Jupiter, but I fear the Olympians are here to stay, as you can see our armies have merged together, and you stand no chance."

Jason handed me the olive branch and I said, "Then let there be war."

I burned the olive branch to a crisp and we all shadow traveled back to the front line of the armies. I stood at the top of the hill and looked back at army yelling, "Archers!"

Arrows were fired creating a cloud of darkness. Suddenly godly energy appeared on the field and blocked every single arrow we fired. I growled in anger. I shouted, "Weapons draw!"

I heard hundreds of blades and spears be unsheathed. I saw Atlas at the bottom of the hill give a motion forward and the monster army began to charge. I shouted, "No one is to cross Athena, her spear is now a soul ripping weapon. I will take her on." Some of the army looked at me with concern. Suddenly Hades, Thanatos, Nico, Pallas, Mnemosyne, and a few others appeared. This caused a movement on the back line of the army, I saw Hercules, Ares, Demos, and Phobos appear.

Suddenly our full army of minor gods flashed in and I grinned raising riptide in the air motioning it forward to cue our charge! Hades stomped his foot on the field and a giant crack appeared in the middle while hundreds of undead raised to combat the monster army. I surged forward and began to fire an onslaught of Greek fire into the enemy, I radiated with a red aura around me. One that I am sure looked similar to the one Ares gives, but everyone knew it was Vestas. My fire power was flowing through me so smoothly as I disintegrated monster after monster. I was now standing mere feet away from the collision point of our armies. I took a deep breath. Reyna was beside me, Jason and Nico were on the side of me, our army behind us. I locked eyes with my first kill and leaped forward towards the empousai. I quickly decapitated her with riptide as Irontide slashed through a harpy. Riptide slashed through a cyclops, while Irontide cut a hell hound in two. My two blades were death and destruction. Reyna was covering my back easily holding her own with a gladius. Monster's and nature spirits alike that crossed us were killed. Occasionally I would come across a demigod and I would ruthlessly cut him down as well. I knew there would be some, I knew that I could not show them any mercy.

Soon enough I had cut a gaping whole through the middle of their army with the help of my fiance and my brothers. Soon enough I was looking in the face of Athena, I looked back at Reyna, "Baby, go find Hylla and fight with her. You can't be around for this fight with Athena or she is going to kill you."

Reyna looked at me sadly and then brought me in for a heated kiss, we both poured emotion into it and she said, "Just come back to me!"

Before anything else was said she sprinted off back into the heat of battle to find her sister. I locked eyes with Athena as she came forward. Jason was at my side and I said, "Go to Nico, and help him take down Mars. I will handle this, its personal."

Jason looked at me warily, but then nodded, patted me on the shoulder, and charged towards Mars. I said, "So Lady Athena, or should I say Minerva since we are in Roman territory?"

She growled, "Minerva is weak and worthless. I will be victorious Perseus, you know you cannot defea me."

I pointed Riptide at her and I stomped at the ground causing a earthquake to shake the world, Athena was almost thrown off her balance when I said, "I don't agree!"

I surged forward and Athena rose her spear and shield to block my first few attacks. Her shield was invincible! Period. I was hacking at the damn thing and not even making visible scratches, both of my blades were beating down on Aegis as I tried to find another way to hit her. A nearby monster charged and I rolled backwards, spurred up and decapitated the beast. Athena looked at me amused, "Getting frustrated Perseus? You can't seem to land a hit on me, Monsters and gods are overwhelming your friends. You fight a hopeless battle!"

I looked around to see she was right. Jason had to abandon his help for Nico and go toe to toe with Krios again. Hades was trying to take down Atlas, but the fight was damn near even. Hades seemed to be pressing harder, so I believed he would be victorious, but not in time to help someone else. Hercules was plowing through the demigod army. I could see him taking out one after another. I saw Pallas approach him thankfully stopping him dead in his tracks. Clarisse was trying to fight her brother's who I remember used to terrorize her. She was not doing it a lone though as Jack and Charlie stepped forward to help her fight the two minor gods.

Athena must have noticed that I was distracted because she struck for the first time n the fight. Her spear nicked me in the side and I roared in agony. Golden ichor sprinkled down on the battlefield. I tried to strike back against Athena, but her defense was flawless. I felt tired as I could feel the effect her spear had on my soul.

Athena grinned, "You are so pathetic Perseus Jackson. I don't see how my daughter ever had emotions for you. Hero of Olympus they called you, you are nothing, but another pawn amongst queens and kings."

I growled as Athena charged forward. Instead of letting her reach me I created an Earthquake that threw her off her balance. As she began to fall forward, I slammed her shield with both of my swords causing her to drop it due to the power behind my blow. Athena tried to go for it, but it was kicked out of the way by a familiar face. Malcolm glared at his mother with anger, "Are you going to kill me mom? Are you going fight your oldest son?"

Athena's face dropped for a second, then it filled with rage, "You dare defy your mother!"

Malcolm's face softened, "I am doing what Annabeth would've wanted me to do. That is stand for what is right, and what Zeus did was wrong. Your rival or not mother, he killed his own brother. His lust for power is unquenchable, mother please see reason."

Athena yelled, "Step aside Malcolm, I do not wish to hurt you son."

Malcolm's eyes filled with tears, "I am no longer your son if you fight for Zeus' cause!"

Athena looked dumbstruck for only a split second. Then at the speed of light Athena darted forward and attempted to impale her son. Malcolm some how managed to block the strike and I surged forward to help him. All Athena had was a spear so I quickly pushed her off Malcolm with my two swords. I swung high with one sword and caught the point of her spear, I then swung low with my other and she caught it with the hilt. I then whirled around and feinted a strike below her but then sprang forward impaling Irontide into her chest. The battles that were closest to us ceased. I looked at Malcolm for permission. I wouldn't kill his mother right in front of him if he didn't want it. He asked, "May I?"

I nodded, but I kicked Athena's spear out of her hand sense her grip was so loose. I also withdrew Irontide from her stomach as she fell forward coughing up ichor. I held up Irontide in defense just in case Malcolm tried something. I handed him riptide and he walked over to his mother with tears leaking down his face, "I loved you. We all loved you. You were never there for any of us, yet we still loved you. You have forsaken me and your children. For that I must extract revenge on behalf of all my siblings."

Malcolm raised riptide to strike down, but suddenly Athena raised forward and impaled Malcolm straight in the heart with a small blade. Malcolm's face filled with shock. He then looked at the blade and his lifeless body fell backwards. My face filled with horror and anger. Riptide seemed to clang on the battlefield when it hit the ground. I darted forward picked up the sword and drove it straight through Athena's head. There was no scream, just instant death. She fell backwards at the force of my blow and her body assumed its true form in a last resort to heal itself, but then it erupted and the goddess of wisdom fell dead on the battlefield. The fighting on the field ceased as Athena and Malcolm both laid dead on the battlefield right next to each other.

I scanned the battlefield as most eyes were on me. I looked at Ares who was still fighting Nico, he shoved him backwards and roared at the site of his dead sister. Instead of continuing his fight with Nico he charged at me. I shot forward to meet one my least favorite gods, but a lightning bolt hit the ground right in front of me. The force of the bolt sent me flying backwards with bells ringing in my ear. I thought I was seeing stars for a moment, I felt an arm go around me and help me up though. It was Ricky, the son of Aether. Jason was suddenly by my side as well preparing to defend any oncoming attack. Smoke filled the air and the entire battlefield ceased now. When the smoke cleared Zeus stood with Athena in his arms. His face was filled with Rage. Hades and Nico were also suddenly by my side preparing for a fight. Zeus, Ares, Hercules, and Bacchus, were standing next to each other looking at their dead sister with sadness and anger.

A golden light appeared beside me and Vesta was there treating my head really fast. I mean so fast she was there and gone in a matter of seconds. I stood tall once again. Weapons were all drawn preparing for a fight between Zeus and his children. I stepped forward, "She is the first of many if you don't surrender yourself over Zeus. Your death will be swift if you surrender.

Zeus angrily stepped forward, "You COWARD! Percy Jackson step forward and face your punishment!"

Zeus' master bolt appeared in his hands. Hades stepped forward in my defense, "You dare call him a coward! You are hiding behind your children allowing them to die for you. You killed our brother out of fear yet you call him a coward. Our mother would be DISGUSTED with you!"

Zeus roared, "If you are so high and mighty then fight me yourself! Be damned with you brother. Our nephew has killed my daughter, and he will pay. Hand him over or die!"

Hades laughed, which sounded like nails on a chalkboard, "Step forward if you dare little brother. For I will not hand over any of my sons today."

I locked eyes with Jason and he nodded. We stepped forward together, as I said, "It is us you want Zeus. Fight us for the House of Hades!"

Nico was at our side then as the three of us stood protectively in front of Hades. Zeus roared, "My own son would dare stand against me!"

Jason glared, "I have only one father, and that is Lord Hades. Go to the crows you bastard!"

Zeus screamed and hurled his master bolt at Jason, but faster than any of us could react Hades appeared in front of us taking the master bolt straight to the chest. My brothers and I screamed at the site of our uncle being hit, my heart tanked as Hades absorbed the bolt causing him to fall the ground dead. He took his true form for a moment, and it was the darkest and brightest one I had seen yet, but before anything else could be done, Hades lifeless body fell to the ground. His immortal soul had gone to the void.

I stepped forward and held both my hands to my side clenching my fist so hard they turned white. I fell to my knees and slammed the ground with my hands causing my most powerful earthquake ever. I then shot my hands forward and grasped for the water in Jupiter's blood. Jupiter froze as I now controlled part of his body.

Lightning was raining down from the sky as Jason was enraged. Hundreds of more undead soldiers joined the battle and shadows covered the battlefield as our youngest brother was distraught and angry.

A sudden blast of power was shot towards me, but a bright golden light appeared in front of me. Unfortunately the scene caused me to lose focus so I lost control of Zeus. I looked up to see Vesta covering me, and glaring at Hera who had clearly fired the blast of godly energy. Zeus took his master bolt throwing it into the ground drawing all of his forces off of the battlefield!

My brothers and I rushed to Hades, Nico was distraught with tears and Jason and I just stared as he was killed so easily, so quickly. The master bolt truly was the most powerful weapon once again. That was one of the thousands of thoughts that was swimming through my head. The furies appeared before us looking at their late master sadly. The helm of darkness came off of his head and landed on Nico's they cried out, "Hail the King of the Underworld, Nico Di Angelo, God of Shadows, Riches, Death, Ghost, and the Underworld!"

Everyone on the field kneeled to Nico, except for Jason and I who were still in to much of shock to comprehend what had happened. Persephone suddenly appeared on the field who fell grief stricken to her knees. She cried onto Uncle Hades lifeless body. Surprisingly Nico stood up and walked over to her pulling her in for a hug. He held his step mother tightly as she sobbed into Nico I heard him whisper, "I will avenge him I swear it. Your father will not get away with this!"

Jason and I looked at our brother sadly. Reyna was at my side as she crawled under my arm putting her arm under me in comfort. I turned to address the army, "We have won the battle at a great cost. Camp Rome is now ours."

For those who weren't close to Hades which was most of the army loud cheers went up. After a minute I held my hands in the air silencing the crowd, "We lost a powerful Ally today. We have lost the leader of the army. But it is not over. This war is far from over. It isn't over until my brothers and I lay dead on the battlefield, and we will not surrender until Zeus' head hangs on the walls of the Underworld!"

More cheering went up at this, "I slew the Lady Athena on the battlefield. To her children, I apologize, I am sorry that it had to be done. Athena killed a good friend of mine today though on this field, Athena killed her oldest son Malcolm in rage and what she thought was betrayal."

The children of Athena all had tears in their eyes. There were more than I thought as I could tell there were at least eight living. I took a deep breath, "He died a heroes death. He will be honored and he will make it to Elysium as will all of our fallen soldiers will today. Now let us rebuild camp Rome from the ashes so we may rise above the rest and raze Olympus to the ground! Brick by Brick!"

The crowd cheered even louder and thousands of supplies appeared on the battlefield, complimentary of the Minor Roman gods present. I went over to Nico's side and put a hand on his shoulder. Thalia was on his other side wrapping her arms around him telling him it was going to be okay. Persephone looked grief stricken and she walked over to me, "I want to fight from now on. My father has killed my mother and now my husband. I will not sit by while he kills anyone else I care about."

Vesta appeared by my side addressing Lady Persephone, "I am afraid my champion cannot grant you your wish Persephone. You se-"

Persephone yelled, "This demigod has no right to tell me no!"

Vesta calmly disagreed, "That demigod is now the general of this army. Triton has enough on his plate to take the reigns."

I looked at Vesta strangely, "Why would I disagree to letting her fight? She has lost everyone she cares about! Who are we to not let her fight!"

Vesta was about to reprimand me, before a sudden realization hit her, "You haven't sensed it yet, in all your grief you haven't noticed the new presence!"

Persephone was about to shout before she suddenly realized what Vesta was implying. I on the other hand was completely baffled by this entire conversation. She whispered loud enough for only Vesta and I to hear it, "I'm pregnant."

Lady Vesta smiled brightly and even in this dark moment, I had to smile at the revelation. Lady Persephone shed a single tear, "She will never know him. She will never have a father."

That one hurt my heart at the sound of her broken voice. Nico and Jason seemed to now take interest in our conversation. Jason asked, "Who won't ever have a father?"

Persephone smiled lightly, "I am pregnant."

Jason and Nico both looked awe struck. Sadness covered their faces at the realization of what it all meant. Even I was still trying to process the events as this has taken all of us by surprise. Persephone said sadly with tears running down her cheeks, "I always wanted a child. I never had a demigod, and we were never allowed to have a Godly child. When we broke away from Zeus' command Hades and I immediately tried to have one, but we had no luck. I guess the fates work in mysterious ways."

Vesta comforted her niece and flashed them back to the underworld. Nico, Jason, Thalia, Piper, Reyna, and I, looked at the body of Lord Hades. Nico snapped his fingers and his body was wrapped up in a beautiful shroud. It was obsidian black and looked like it was surrounded in bones of all kind. A proper shroud for the former king of the Underworld. Nico snapped his fingers again and the body disappeared. We all looked at where he had just previously laid with sadness.

My mind suddenly became clouded with anger. That was strike three for Zeus. First he killed Wise girl, then he killed my father, and now he has killed my uncle. This strike will cost him his immortality!

(A/N) Sorry for the delay in the update. I have been super busy with work and my publisher's have been hassling me about finishing the edits on my new book. Anyways please review and tell me what you think!