Chapter .10.
They continue to walk on. Away from the entrance to Tartarus. Harry kept his eyes out for anything dangerous. Which was nearly anything here in the Underworld.
The Furies circled the parapets on the fortress, and the two-storey-tall bronze gates stood wide open. They go through into the courtyard which was weird plants multicoloured mushrooms, poisonous shrubs and weird luminous plants grew without sunlight. Precious jewels made up for the lack of flowers, piles of rubies as big as fists. Standing in the garden were frozen party guests like Medusa's garden statues, petrified children, satyrs and centaurs all smiling grotesquely.
In the centre of the garden was an orchard of pomegranate trees, their orange blooms neon bright in the dark.
"The Gardens of Persephone. Keep walking", Annabeth informs them
"Don't take in deep breaths. The smell of the plants can entice you to eat them and you will be trapped here in the Underworld", Harry says to them
Harry helps Percy drag Grover away from the planets. They walk up the steps of the palace, between black columns, through a black marble portico and into the House of Hades. Harry rolls his eyes at Percy's look of awe.
"Why no ceiling?" Percy asks
"It is not like they have to worry about rain here in the Underworld", Harry says sarcastically
Percy gives Harry a sheepish look. Annabeth just rolls her eyes.
"Right", Percy says sheepishly
They see every side doorway was guarded by skeletons in military gear. Some wore Greek Armour, some British redcoat uniforms, some camouflage with tattered American flags on the shoulders. They carried a wide range of weapons related to their time they died from. They make their way down the long hallway and towards a big set of double doorway. Two US Marine skeletons guarded the doors. They grinned at Harry who glared back. Harry noticed that Percy, Annabeth and Grover didn't notice their looks.
"You know. I bet Hades doesn't have trouble with door-to-door salesmen", Grover mumbles
Harry just rolls his eyes. He could feel his Step-Fathers presence from through the door. This was going to be interesting.
"Well, guys. I suppose we should . . . knock?" Percy asks hesitantly
Suddenly a gust of hot wind blew down the corridor, and the doors swing open. The guards stepped aside. Only Harry knew that Lord Hades had ordered the doors open.
"I guess that means 'entrez'", Annabeth says
They saw Lord Hades on his throne. His throne was made of bones. Hades was at least three metres tall, he was dressed in black silk robes and a crown of braided gold was on his head. Hades skin was albino white, his hair was shoulder-length and jet black.
Harry doesn't hesitant as he walks in with his head held high and kneels before the throne of his Step-Father. The others all hesitated and didn't kneel.
Lord Hades nods discreetly a Harry. And glares at the other demigods and Satyr.
"You are brave to come here, son of Poseidon. After what you have done to me, very brave indeed. Or perhaps you are simply very foolish", Lord Hades says in a oily voice
"Lord and Uncle, I come with two requests", Percy says
Harry winces internally. You never ask requests to a god. Harry wanted to know if Percy was really stupid.
Lord Hades raised an eyebrow and sat forward in his throne, shadowy faces appeared in the folds of his black robes, face of torment, as if the garment were stitched of trapped souls from the Fields of Punishments, trying to get out.
"Only two requests? Arrogant child. As if you have not already taken enough. Speak, then. It amuses me not to strike you dead yet", Lord Hades says coldly
Annabeth clears her throat and nudges Percy in the back. Harry rolls his eyes and wonders if these demigods knew the meaning of respecting the gods.
"Lord Hades. Look, sir, there can't be a war among the gods. It would be . . . bad", Percy says
Harry winces this wasn't going to end well.
"Really bad", Grover adds helpfully
"Return Zeus's Master Bolt to me. Please, sir. Let me carry it to Olympus", Percy says
Lord Hades glares dangerously bright at Percy.
"You dare keep up this pretence, after what you have done?" Lord Hades growls
Harry watches the others all look confused. Harry wasn't as he knew what was going on. His Step-Father had to act this out as he knew that Lord Hades had to act angry as Harry had to find a way to get the Helm of Darkness and Lightning Bolt from the Child of Hermes.
"Um…Uncle. You keep saying 'after what I've done'. What exactly have I done?" Percy asks
The throne room trembles was Lord Hades's anger.
"Don you think I want war, godling?" Lord Hades bellows
"You are the Lord of the Dead. A war would expand your kingdom", Percy has carefully
Harry wanted to hit Percy what the HELL was Percy thinking on saying that to Lord Hades. Harry looks carefully at his Step-Father and could see the rage on his face.
"A typical thing for my brothers children to say! Do you think I need more subjects? Did you not see the sprawl of Asphodel?" Lord Hades growls
"Well…", Percy starts
"Have you any idea how much my kingdom has swollen in this past century alone, how many subdivisions I've had to open?" Lord Hades growls
Percy looks like he wanted to say something but was interrupted by Hades.
"More security ghouls", Lord Hades moans, "Traffic problems at the judgement pavilion. Double overtime for the staff. I used to be a rich god, Percy Jackson. I control all the precious mental under the earth. But my expenses!"
"Charon wants a pay rise", Percy blurts out
Harry wanted to groan that was not a thing to say to Hades. Didn't he have a sense of common sense?
"Don't get me started on Charon!" Lord Hades yells, "He's been impossible ever since he discovered Italian suits! Problems everywhere, and I've got to handle all of them personally. The commute time alone from the palace to the gates is enough to drive me insane! And the dead just keep arriving. No, Godling. I need no help getting subjects! I did not ask for this war"
"But you took Zeus's Master Bolt", Percy states
Harry winces the chance of Jackson getting out of here alive was decreasing by the second.
"Lies!" More rumbling
Hades rose from his throne and he his towering over them.
"Your father may fool Zeus, boy, but I am not stupid. I see his plan", Lord Hades says
"His plan?" Percy asks
"You were the thief on the Winter Solstice. Your Father thought to keep you his little secret. He directed you into the throne room of Olympus. You took the Master Bolt and my Helmet. Had I not sent my Furies to discover you at Yancy Academy, Poseidon might have succeeded in hiding his scheme to start a war. But now you have been forced into the open. You will be exposed as Poseidon's thief, and I will have my Helmet back!" Lord Hades says
"But…Lord Hades, your Helmet of Darkness is missing too?" Annabeth asks
"Do not play innocent with me, girl. You and the satyr have been helping this hero – coming here to threaten me in Poseidon's name, no doubt – to bring me an ultimatum. Does Poseidon think I can be blackmailed into supporting him?" Lord Hades growls
"Lord Hades may I speak to you in private?" Harry asks deciding to give Hades some information
"Very well. Guards make sure these demigods and satyrs don't more", Lord Hades orders
"Harry want are you doing?" Annabeth hisses
"What I need to do", Harry replies following Hades out
"My son what have you found out?" Lord Hades asks as they were now alone
"Jackson has the Master Bolt. But he didn't steal it. It was planted there. He has no idea he has it in his backpack. Your Helm I think is with Lord Ares too. He is the only one to profit by war", Harry replies
"Do you know who stole them?" Lord Hades asks
"I have an idea my Lord. The demigod I suspect is not working alone", Harry replies
"What do you mean?" Lord Hades asks
Harry explains what happened since they entered the Underworld and about Kronos.
"That is troubling. I will have to look into it. But I will now call Jackson out on the Lightning Bolt. We need to get this sorted", Lord Hades decides
"As you wish my Lord. What do you require me to do?" Harry asks
"Just do what you have been doing. And bring the Bolt to my brother and the Helm to me", Lord Hades orders
"As you wish Step-Father", Harry says bowing to Lord Hades
"You have made me very proud of you", Lord Hades says with a slight smile
"Thank you my Lord", Harry replies
They go back into the throne room too see the demigods and satyr standing nervously.
"Lord Hades what about your Helm?" Annabeth asks
"I have said nothing of the Helmet's disappearance", Lord Hades snarls, "Because I had no illusions that anyone on Olympus would offer me the slightest justice, the slightest help. I can ill afford for word to get out that my most powerful weapon of fear is missing. So I searched for you myself, and when it was clear you were coming to me to deliver your threat, I did not try to stop you"
"You didn't try to stop us? But –", Percy starts
"Return my Helmet now, or I will stop death", Lord Hades threatens, "This is my counter-proposal. I will open the earth and have the dead pour back into the world. I will make your lands a nightmare. And you Percy Jackson – your skeleton will lead my army out of Hades"
The Skeletal Soldiers all took steps forward their weapons at the ready.
"You're as bad as Zeus. You think I stole from you? That's why you sent the Furies after me?" Percy asks
"Of course", Lord Hades says
"And the other monsters?" Percy asks
Lord Hades curled his lip, "I had nothing to do with them. I wanted no quick death for you – I wanted you brought before me alive so you might face every torture in the Fields of Punishment. Why do you think I let you enter my kingdom so easily?"
"Easily?" Percy exclaims
"Return my property!"
"But I don't have your Helmet. I came for the Master Bolt", Percy inform Hades
"Which you already possess!" Lord Hades shouts, "You came here with it, little fool, thinking you could threaten me!"
"But I didn't!"
"Open you pack then", Lord Hades demands
Harry watches as Percy dumbstruck as he pulls out a long metal cylinder.
"Percy. How –", Annabeth starts
"I – I don't know. I don't understand", Percy stutters
"You heros are always the same. Your pride makes you foolish, thinking you could bring such a weapon before me. I did not ask for Zeus's Master bolt, but since it is here, you will yield it to me. I am sure it will make an excellent bargaining tool. And now . . . my Helmet. Where is it?" Lord Hades asks
Harry sees the gears start to work in Jackson's mind as he was placing things together.
"Lord Hades, wait. This is all a mistake", Percy states
"A mistake?" Lord Hades roars, "There is no mistake. I know why you have come – I know the real reason you bought the bolt. You came to bargain for her"
Lord Hades let loose a ball of golden light from his palm. There was a woman in it. Harry knew it was Jackson's mother.
"Yes. I took her. I knew, Percy Jackson, that you would come to bargain with me eventually. Return my Helmet, and perhaps I will let her go. She is not dead, you know. Not yet. But if you displease me, that will change", Lord Hades says
Percy had frozen and his hands in his pocket. Harry knew he was playing with the pearls.
"Ah, the pearls. Yes my brother and his little tricks. Bring them forth, Percy Jackson", Lord Hades says
Percy shows the pearls to Hades who looks amused.
"Only three? What a shame. You do realise each only protects a single person. Try to take your mother, then, little godling. And which of your friends will you chose to leave behind to spend eternity with me? Go on. Choose. Or give me the backpack and accept my terms", Lord Hades says
Harry sees the horror struck looks on the others face. After all their would be five people and only three pearls. Harry knew what he needed to do.
"Jackson go with your friends and find the Helm. I will deal with your mother", Harry says firmly
"No I will stay", Percy says
"We can't give him the bolt Percy", Annabeth says
"Well we can't stay here", Percy says stubbornly
"Jackson you will have to trust me. I will protect your mother it is what I do. Go and finish your quest. Everything will be fine. I swear on the River Styx your mother will be safe with me", Harry says as the river booms accepting his oath
"Percy we have to trust him. He can't break an oath on the Styx", Annabeth says
"But…", Percy starts
"I will stay Lord Hades", Harry speaks up
"Very well", Lord Hades says smugly
"I'm sorry. I'll be back. I'll find a way", Percy says to his mother and Harry
"Godling…?" Lord Hades starts
"I'll find your helmet Uncle. I'll return it. Remember about Charon's pay rise", Percy says
"Do not defy me –"
"And it wouldn't hurt to play with Cerberus once in a while", Percy states
"Percy Jackson, you will not –", Lord Hades starts
"Not guys!", Percy shouts
They all smash the pearls and disappear from the Underworld.
"Now they are gone Step-Father why don't you realise Ms Jackson? And decide how we will deal with the Titan Lord problem?"
Author's Note: What do you think? Please review:)