A lone figure stood in front of the entrance of a throne room, defiantly defending their final hope.
After Perseus released all of the power he had been holding, it wiped Kronos' temple from existence. Completely and utterly destroying the temple, leaving only a crater in the ground with a boys body in the center. Smoke rising from the destruction, small fires and dust scattered around the only body left from explosion. Three figures standing around him as he was unconscious, observing the damage Perseus had dealt.
"Brother, we should heal this child. He has suffered a great deal, and we will need his aid in the wars to come."
"Very well then Hestia, Apollo would you mind tending to the boy?"
"Of course not Lord Poseidon, we must keep this hidden for now. The council will be cautious now that Perseus has shown some of his true power."
"Very well Apollo take him to your palace, Hestia and I have something we need to discuss."
Grabbing Perseus' arm, Apollo flashed away to tend to his wounds.
"What is it we need to talk about, brother?"
"Why would Kronos go to such great lengths to lure Perseus here? He knew the boy had almost no control over his powers, what is he playing at?"
"I don't know either Poseidon, whatever it is we cannot allow it to succeed."
"Agreed."
~Location change~
"Very soon, it is almost time to set our plan into motion."
"Soon Nyx. He must lose all ties to them first, then and only then can we mold him to our purpose."
"He was a wonderful grandson after all, too much like his father for my liking though. I'm saddened Kronos removed Moros from the fray, although he would've been a dangerous enemy if he caught wind of this plan. I am truly sorry Moros, I had not intended for you to die. We need your son and his power, this is just how it has to be."
"Indeed Nyx, our son was foolish though. We would not allow Perseus to die, Moros' death was avoidable."
~Location change~
After Apollo flashed Avara and the other demi-gods back to their camp, they were quickly questioned by Chiron. They described in detail what had transpired. Being restrained by the earth, being captured by Kronos, and finally watching Perseus and Kronos battle.
"It was one sided towards the end, Percy would've died if his father hadn't taken the blow."
"I agree with Vetas. Perseus was sure to die, afterwards though, that was scary. I've never seen such pain, such anguish. His mother died during the battle, he watched his father die before his eyes."
Chiron silently thought about what Elras had just informed him of. Perseus lost both parents in the matter of seconds? This is cruel, he does not deserve the pain.
"I felt a wave of emotions right after Lord Apollo flashed you here, the power made me stagger. Apollo has informed me that Perseus' body was not recovered, Kronos' temple and palace was obliterated by Perseus."
A cry coming from Avara was heard as she ran towards her tent, attempting to grasp what Chiron had just told her. His body wasn't recovered? Could he be d-dead?
Avara wasn't so sure of that, she had felt when his mom passed. She hadn't felt Perseus die, so surely he had to be alive. Nonetheless, Avara cried herself to sleep.
~Back to camp~
"Chiron, will we be punished for disobeying your command?"
"No. You followed a friend, I cannot bring myself to punish you for that."
"What?! I, as leader of our team insist they answer for this!"
"Mazal, you aren't our leader. I don't recognize you as a superior, if anyone is the leader it is Vetas or Perseus."
"I agree with Veliri, we have no leader. We are equals as of now."
"Fine. I am not the leader, Xarse."
The sound of someone clearing their throat brought everyone's attention to who made it.
"Hello Chiron, it is urgent. Kronos will be gathering a vast army, a number of immortals are planning on leading them towards our thrones. They will be gathered in four days time, I need you to send your team to take some out. It is crucial they do not amass their goal, we will be engaging Typhon in three days. I wish you all luck, and Avara. Do not lose hope, he will return."
And with that Hestia disappeared in a column of fire, leaving the floor scorched.
"There you have it, a new mission. I ask you all to train for the next three days, work as a team and you shall succeed."
Warning this may be graphic to some reader's, so do not continue if you can't handle it. I wrote it as realistically as I could
~Location change~
Perseus was losing himself in a vivid nightmare. He couldn't bear watching his friends die, and yet here they were. Getting tortured for Kronos' own pleasure, watching as Vetas lost finger after finger. Her screams barely contained, her face contorted in agony when Kronos poked the open wounds.
"Oh my, did that hurt? I'm terribly sorry, let me help you with that."
Picking her up and throwing her at a wall with the strength of a titan, reopening wounds and causing more blood to pour from them. A large cut ran from her neck down to her thigh, bleeding profusely and infected. Sweat dripping down her face to mix with all the blood, her blood. The rustic color being to much to bear as she vomited. Kronos leisurely walked over and picked Vetas up again throwing her out of the window, as she plummeted hundreds of feet to her death.
Her fear of heights kicked in as she faded in and out of consciousness before she hit the ground.
Next was Xarse. He had only one arm, the other was just a stump at his shoulder. Kronos dragging a knife along the wound, reopening it and causing more blood to drip to the ground. Xarse gritted his teeth and glared defiantly at Kronos.
"Now it looks like I'll need to break your spirit."
Kronos grabbed a long knife as he slowly cut through Xarse's other arm. Relishing in his screams as the knife tore through skin, muscle and bone as the arm fell to the ground. Xarse screamed again at the pain he was experiencing, he wanted to give up and just die.
"You do not have my permission to die, yet."
Ever so slowly, the rhythm of his blood drops hitting the puddle below him made Xarse lose consciousness.
After that was Elras, who didn't stand a chance. His torturer had a look of pleasure as he slowly flayed him, finger by finger as Elras begged for an end. No more suffering, an end to the pain. After Kronos was finished admiring his work he grabbed a hook, puncturing Elras' shoulder and suspending him by it. His feet a mere inch from the ground, a small distance yet it seemed unreachable. His feet barely able to scrape the floor as he felt the hook slowly tearing muscle, the blood staining the hook an even darker red.
"This is by far my favorite thing, seeing you squirm and beg for mercy. There shall be none. What you feel now is nothing, not even a warm-up. I will cause you more pain, unbearable and fatal but I will heal you. You will feel this pain for an eternity, that is the price for opposing me. Oh we'll have so much...fun!"
He opened the door to grab something, no someone. A kicking Lydia emerged from his grasp being dragged by her hair, bloody and scarred.
"N-not her, anything but her!"
A fire emerging across from Elras, the fear in Lydia's eyes growing faster than the fire. As she was thrown in the fire, a rope around her hands and feet keeping her in place as she was slowly being burnt alive.
"How pathetic. A daughter of the blacksmith, afraid of fire? Bad luck for you I suppose."
Her screams kicking Elras into action as he struggled to save Lydia, only causing the hook inside his shoulder to tear further through his muscle and flesh. Soon her screams died out, making Elras struggle further as the hook slid towards his throat. The blood loss making him lose consciousness as he quickly bled to death, his last thought at least I can see her again.
A malicious grin adorning Kronos' face as he closed the door behind him.
The dream shifted to Mazal, who was currently being used for arrow practice. An arrow through both thighs and through each hand, holding him against the fall preventing him from falling.
"Now I will ask once more, where is Perseus?"
A low laugh echoed in the small room, Mazal's body shaking violently as he laughed. Blood escaping from his mouth as he looked in Kronos' direction. Eye to eye, spitting in Kronos' face and dropping his head once more.
"What is so funny boy? Do you think I jest? Where is Perseus?!"
"H-How would we know? He's been gone for days now, h-he abandoned us. N-No matter what pain you inflict upon us, you c-can't accomplish your goals. That a-alone is enough for me to die with a smile. Nemesis is not kind, remember that you arrogant immorta-"
He was abruptly interrupted as a blade passed under his chin, puncturing through his mouth to his brain.
The dream once again shifted, this time to Veliri. She was hanging from the wall by her hands, her skin covered with dirt and blood.
"Now I'm going to ask nicely where is Perseus, consider the consequences before you act defiant."
"He's in Tartarus, maybe you should go look for him."
Veliri chuckled and was given a vicious backhand, something cracking as her face slammed into the wall.
"Since pain won't break your spirit maybe something more...emotional will do the trick."
Confusion was evident in Veliri's face.
"You know the blonde was screaming your name? What was his name, Xarse? Yes that's it, his screams were perfect. He begged for me to spare you as I took his other arm, he pleaded as I tore his arm off. He won't be using a bow anytime soon."
Kronos started laughing at this point.
"Liar, h-he can't die. Y-you bastard, I'll kill you."
Kronos donned a hurt expression as he drove his dagger into her chest, puncturing her heart.
"You can't kill me if you're dead."
Kronos went through all of his team, trying and failing to get information until only one was left...her.
"Perseus this is the girl you care about, correct? Shame really, she has feelings for you and you can't even tell her how you feel. Don't worry though, I won't hurt her...much."
First it was her face he inflicted pain upon, carving mortal into her forehead letting the blood run down her face. As she tried to get out of his grasp, struggling and kicking out at him.
"I like this part as well."
Kronos summoned the same knife he tortured Perseus' mother with, tracing it along Avara's face letting her see the dried blood on the blade. He drove a fist into her stomach causing her to lurch forward, gasping for air. Plunging the blade into her stomach, twisting it as he tied down her hands.
The fear in her eyes made Perseus want to do anything he could to save her, the lone tear sliding down her cheek letting Perseus know. Avara had given up. She thought Perseus had abandoned her, and that made his heart break even more.
End of graphic scenes
"Perseus, wake up. C'mon, wake up."
Perseus came to, seeing a blinding smile in front of him.
"Lord Apollo, I take it?"
After a nod of assent Perseus continued speaking.
"W-what happened? Is Avara sa-"
"Do not worry Perseus, I have taken them to their camp. You on the other hand must rest, regain your strength. Your team is heading out for a mission in four days, they'll need your help."
"O-okay, where am I?"
"Olympus, in my palace. I have concealed you for the time being, yet we cannot keep you here longer than three days."
"We? Who's we?"
"Hestia, Poseidon, and myself of course."
"Why? Why would they help me? Why would you help me?"
"We are allies, we are comrades and we're friends. That is why we have protected yo-"
"He speaks the truth Perseus, do not be wary of us."
"Who are you?!"
"Forgive me, I am Poseidon."
Perseus knelt out of respect for the god, causing said god to look away in embarrassment.
"Stand up Perseus, we have much to discuss. Walk with me?"
"Uhh sure Lord Poseidon, will we be caught?"
"From what Hestia has told me, you have the appearance of a god so you will go unnoticed."
A blush creeped up Perseus' cheeks
A small, bright flash consumed Poseidon and in the adults place was a boy his age. A younger version of Poseidon.
"Lord Poseidon what happened?! Why are you young?"
"This is my natural age, the age I decided to accept my godhood completely. I only assume my adult form for formal events or council meetings."
After a nod, they continued walking through a courtyard, lush green gardens everywhere. The green was unlike anything Perseus had seen before, it was breathtaking.
The boy next to Perseus cleared his throat, grabbing Perseus' attention.
"What I wanted to discuss is important, would be you mind listening?"
They continued walking through the gardens, Perseus listening intensely to what he was being told.
His eyes widened, at a loss for words.
"Y-You what?"
Poseidon nodded, motioning for him to continue following him.
"I may not be among the wisest of gods, but I know you've got potential that you haven't even scraped the surface of. You will be feared by mortals and immortals alike, but I urge you to make friends. Life is a journey, and journeys are dull when you experience them alone."
They walked, Perseus telling Poseidon of his few adventures. To say Poseidon was shocked at how much power the boy possessed would be...well that would be an understatement.
Hestia watched the scene with happiness, Perseus wasn't alone.
"If you survive this I would ask of you to watch over him, guide him and train him if you want."
"I will do my best, if I do survive that is."
"This is where I leave you, thank you for hearing me out Perseus."
"Of course Lord Poseidon, you can call me Percy if you want. I must be leaving as well. I need to assist my team after all."
"In that case Percy, I am just Poseidon. Time flows differently here, they will be leaving in the morning. I must prepare for war with Typhon, best of luck Percy and farewell."
Poseidon disappeared in a mist, leaving Perseus to contemplate what he had just been told.
"When the fire goes out on this candle, that is when you should depart Percy."
"Hestia?!"
"Yes it is me Percy, I must be leaving."
Hestia turned around to walk away, throwing over her shoulder a glance to see Perseus standing there, sad to see her go already.
"Do not die Perseus! Come back..."
Deciding to leave the to me unspoken, he nodded.
"Stay safe Hestia."
~Time skip 3 hours~
At last the candle flickered, and went out. Perseus donned his armor and jumped out of the open courtyard, thousands of feet in the air descending to his destination. The sounds of fighting able to be heard, even though it was barely audible. Remembering what Apollo told him make a perfect entrance, you'll feel no pain.
~Location change~
As Mazal and the others quietly got to their destination, a looming castle. The sounds of blacksmiths hammers hitting metal ringing out.
"Let's go through the western gate, it only has four sentries. Xarse can you bring them down?"
"Leave it to me Vetas."
Twang. Twang. Twang. Twang.
Four arrows shot in quick succession, causing four guards to plummet down from their posts.
"Avara you're up."
"Stand back just in case there is resistance."
Avara ran into the nearest shadow and disappeared.
Creak.
The gate swung open, letting them see the smiling face of Avara.
"Good work Avara."
"Thank you Vetas, now what?"
"Elras, Xarse take out the remaining guards."
Twang. Twang. Twang. Twang. Twang.
The five guards stationed at the southern gate were eliminated, in their place golden dust settled.
Elras using his enhanced speed, unsheathed his daggers and ran along the ramparts leaving a trail of smoke in his wake. In twelve seconds Elras rejoined them, grinning.
"The other twenty guards are taken care of."
"Good work you two, now shall we finish this quickly and deal with all of them at once? Or take them out slowly?"
Seven votes for slowly later they were creeping towards the first floor, where dozens of different monsters were dining.
"I've got this."
Xarse removed a unique arrow from his quiver, instead of an arrowhead it was a Sun with rays extending. He shot it above the main group of monsters, and it detonated quietly.
Click.
Over eighty monsters were reduced to ash with a single arrow.
"Next floor?"
Everyone walked up the stairs, complimenting Xarse on his skills improving.
When they arrived on the second floor they found a few hundred monsters were training in a large courtyard.
"Let's do this together? I've been needing a warm-up."
"Yes, together. Do not let even one escape or we'll be surrounded by the thousands of monsters here."
After the seven of them checked their gear, making sure everything was fine they charged the horde. Veliri, Vetas, and Mazal heading up the middle towards the bulk. Xarse and Elras heading up the left side of the courtyard, making sure none escaped. Lydia and Avara closing in from the right side.
Xarse using his pinpoint accuracy to take a monster out with each arrow, Elras using his speed and daggers to devastate his enemies.
Lydia using her monstrous warhammer to take telekhine after telekhine out, swinging it with ease. Avara using the sword Perseus had given her to deal with the enemy archers, deflecting arrows with her blade.
Mazal using a greatsword that had electricity running along it to cleave laistrygonian giants in half, sometimes releasing it to destroy nearby enemies but leaving allies unharmed. Vetas was expertly using two long dagger around two feel long each, stabbing them into the unsuspecting bodies of monsters. And Veliri using her dual longswords ducking under swings and slicing them back, her spear still on her back in its small form.
In a matter of eight minutes over four hundred monsters were reduced to dust.
"No time to admire our work, let's continue."
Everyone followed Vetas up the spiral staircase that seemed to go on forever until they reached another room, this one however was filled with monsters and a few immortals.
"Ha! Intruders! Let us take this into the courtyard below us!" The lead immortal jumped off the terrace, his comrades following him.
So the demigods descended the stairs to meet them.
"Five immortals and around nine hundred monsters by my calculations. This was a mistake, they aren't weak either."
"We've got this Vetas, calm down."
"We must be wary of the immortals, but we cannot allow the monsters to hit us from behind."
The sound of the enemy charging brought them out of their thoughts, causing them to ready themselves for the clash.
The monster's hit them full force, pushing the demigods back slowly.
They moved apart to deal with their own problems, fighting in small groups trying to thin out the small army of monsters.
Ducking, sliding, spinning, slicing, stabbing, slashing.
An unending series of dodging and taking action thinned out the army of monsters from nine hundred to less than forty. Although it was almost the entire army, the demigods were tired, they had exhausted a large amount of power taking out monsters.
"Looks like this'll be easy for us, kill them all."
The lead immortal gestured for his comrades to attack the demigods who were trying to recover, the started getting up but it would be too late.
An earsplitting explosion left everyone's ears ringing. When the dust cleared, they were surprised to see a figure in all black armor, kneeling in the crater. Smoke curling off the figure, you could see his smirk.
"So what did I miss?"
A/N which torture scene seemed the most painful? Out of curiosity.