Chapter 11

Perseus POV

After warning Artemis that I was being called down to the Underworld, and would be back in a few hours, I shadow traveled away. Hades had called me down so I could be formally introduced to his children. And so they could know how my reason behind my unique relationship with them played out in the near future.

"Perseus." Hades greeted when I showed up. He was sitting on his throne, with his wife in the one next to him. She gave me a warm smile that I returned.

"What is it you need my lord and lady?" I asked, bowing my head to them.

"My children will be here in a few minutes. And I need you to make a grand entrance, with your wings. Something to top my youngest brother's dramatic entrances and exits. Then I will tell my children as to why they are here, before sending them back with you to the Greek camp." Hades informed me.

"As you wish." I replied as I shadow traveled to the rafters and unfurled my wings, waiting for my signal to appear.

Time skip

Nico POV

Father had called both Bianca and I to his throne room. But I was too busy looking around the room in awe, as he was talking. I knew that Bianca would fill me in later, or father would repeat himself, so I wasn't worried about missing what was being told.

As I looked back towards the thrones, I saw Persephone wave lightly at me, a soft smile on her face. I was a little surprised but waved back anyways.

As my hand raised to wave, I heard a whoosh behind me and turned around. At first all I saw was a shadow in the shape of a person standing in front of me. Then the figure seemed to grab two long objects behind him and made a swing forward. The objects seemed to cut through the shadow and there he was standing there in his armor and swords on his back.

It was just Perseus, with a broad smile on his face.

"Brother!" I yelled as I crashed into him in a hug. He hugged me back for a moment and then let go as he looked at Bianca. They shared a hug for a second before he kneeled before my father and step-mother.

"For my sake, please stop bowing to us and calling us lord and lady, Perseus! I am so irritated with having to say that every time you are called back here." Father groaned loudly.

It brought a smirk to Percy's face as he rose onto his feet again. Then he turned to face Bianca and myself, his smile gone from his face. His expression was stony, and it scared me a little.

"My children, I have much to tell you. It is the reason why I called for Perseus to bring you here. And it is the reason why you will be leaving to go back with Perseus when we are done with this talk." Father started off, instantly gaining my full attention.

"Perseus isn't your brother by blood, like we made you think. Both Perseus and I apologize for that, but it was necessary to do. Perseus is a demi-titan son of my father, Kronos, and is only fifteen years old; not twenty years old like he told you." Hades said, gesturing towards Percy.

Percy waved a hand over his face, and it shifted to make him look younger than before, and his eyes were no longer black. They were golden instead. Then he unfurled, what looked like wings, making my jaw drop. Bianca wasn't doing any better, because she was drooling on the ground.

"The reason why we had to lie to the both of you was because of a promise that I made to your father." Percy started talking, bringing all of the attention to him. "I swore an oath to watch over the both of you and to protect you even to extent of losing my own life. And I came up with the idea to make myself seem older to make a better impression on you two. My job is to protect and care for the both of you just as an older brother should."

I was shocked at the reveal that it was his idea to lie to my sister and myself. But then again, I should've seen something like this coming.

Perseus POV

I could tell that Bianca and Nico were not happy about my reveal of the lies I had previously told them. But they seemed to understand why I did it, and didn't give me a hard time. It wasn't long before I was ordered to take them back to the Hunt's location.

When I got the both of them back to the forest, I pulled them aside before we entered camp. "I know that the both of you are mad for the lies I had to tell you. I just hope that after a little time, you can understand why I did what I had to. This way of life is hard, and you haven't even stepped into it. But I can help you live it to the fullest. I can train you to fight and to be heroes just as I was taught." I explained softly as I looked between the both of them.

"We're not mad at you Percy. It was just a lot to take in." Nico said with a nod.

Bianca didn't say anything, causing me to look at her wearily. Nico noticed as well and looked at his older sister confused as to why she hasn't said anything. Finally Bianca spoke, "I'm not mad, just thinking about everything that was said. What did my father mean when he called you the Epitome of Death?" Bianca asked.

"We'd like to know that as well." The lieutenant's voice sounded from behind me. I turned around to see the entire Hunt, along with Annabeth and Thalia behind us with their arms crossed and looking at me expectantly.

"I'm sure Perseus will explain." Said Artemis. "But first, the story starts with day Perseus was born. I was helping deliver him, when Kronos came in and talked to me about the potential of losing him. I swore an oath to keep Perseus safe from harm, and that I shall."

"The day I turned twelve, was the day that Zeus killed my mother." I explained. "He requested that my mother be sent to the 'Fields of Punishment', just because of who my father was. But I made a deal with Thanatos when he came to collect my mother's body. I swore to do anything in order to have my mother rest in Elysium. And Thanatos responded by telling me that I would forever serve him as the Epitome of Death.

In order to make others believe why I was doing this, Thanatos adopted me as his son so no one would question why my features resembled that of my father. That's why I have the wings.

The reason I am referred to as the Epitome of Death is because I track down escaped souls and kill those that do wrong in the world and benefit off others that are suffering from that action. Another reason I am called the Epitome of Death is because of my method when it comes to killing people.

I like to toy with them until they plead for a quick death. But I don't even give them that. For their actions, they don't deserve a peaceful nor quick death. And it doesn't matter whether they be male or female. They still did the action, and I won't change my method depending on the gender." I finished my backstory.

I took the silence as they were thinking and walked away from the campfire, to give them all time to fully think everything through.

Next Morning

Nobody said anything to me last night after I explained what I really was. A merciless killer, just like they had been told by rumors that had been floating around.

There was a flash of light that made me bring my wings up and protect the eyes of those around me as I turned away from the harsh light. I knew it was the arrival of Apollo, and was waiting for him to attack me for killing some of his sons for their actions.

As soon as the light died down, I ducked under an arrow aimed at my face and unsheathed both swords from my back as I got into a defensive stance. I could hear the hunters aim their bows at the both of us and heard Artemis call for them to hold.

Artemis got in between the both of us and gestured for us to put away our weapons.

"Why should I do that sis? This 'thing' has killed many of my sons. He gets what I have coming towards him!" Apollo snarled out, another arrow nocked at my face.

"Don't even try to turn this around Apollo! All four of those males were caught in a sex traffic ring. And they all confessed to the crime of raping multiple teenage girls. But it doesn't matter to you because they are your children and in your eyes they can do no wrong." I growled back.

"So they were just another name on your list?" Thalia asked from my right.

"Exactly like that!" I affirmed loudly.

"Wait, you have a list?!" Nico yelled out confused.

"Now is not the time for this to come up." I exclaimed as I kept my attention fixed on Apollo solely. "I do not expect for you to be happy with my actions, Apollo. But I have my duty and you have yours. And a good soldier follows orders." I quoted pointedly.

"I will let this go for now. But do not expect me to forget this anytime soon." Apollo said as he sheathed his weapon and turned away from me towards his sister. I didn't listen in as it wasn't my place to and I didn't want Apollo to get more upset than he already was with me.

"You seem to be full of surprises." The lieutenant said as she walked up to me as I sheathed my swords in my backside sheath. "That's me." I remarked without emotion in my voice.

As both children of Leto turned towards me again, I spoke first. "I will bring the children of Hades to camp Half-Blood with me as we travel through the shadows. I will be there when the Hunt arrives." I said as she nodded to me.

I didn't even glance at Apollo as I walked towards my charges and placed a hand on both of their shoulders. "Close your eyes and hold your breath as you hold onto me." I said, waiting for them to do so and then shadow traveled us away.

What's this? Another chapter so soon? Yeah, don't get your hopes up xD.

In all serious, I might be away for a while so I'm gonna try and upload as many chapters as possible. Also, thanks for the reviews, follows and favourites. They really mean a lot to me.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed, and as always, this is Lolagejosh02 signing off!