The Titan of Despair (chapter 22): It's been a while... Great content bro. / Yeah it has :). Nice seeing you're still reading my stories
Guest: You should do a sex fanfic between Kronos and rhea like their first time or when they conceived zeus / Maybe eventually.
Lucinda Hindle (chapter 2): Well, I like a nice Kronos, you know. Poseidon does seem a LOT like Percy. A lot. A whole lot. / Nice? I think you're talking about the wrong immortal here.
Lucinda Hindle (chapter 1): You know, here I am trying to keep my expression passive so my grandmother doesn't realise that I am reading fanfics, and you are all but ruining that face! / Bahaha sorry.
Callitte A. Benvenuti: This is so refreshing.
I am actually a little fond about Rhonos. They are pretty cute and I really like elder gods relationship as siblings. Your story really beautiful and give me some perspective about Rhonos family from another pov.
I will waiting for your update. / Yeah I like Rhenos. Figure Kronos actually did love her a lot at some point.
Peter Hale Derek Hale: YESS! an update!. I
an awesome one at that!
i love how Kronos is starting to care (slightly) for his children :) / Hhahah sure. He's Kronos. That won't change. He wants something.
VioletJackson: So are we going to see the Gods dethrone kronos and destroying their relationship with the titans or will the gods "migrate" to olympus while the titans stay at othrys. And it would be cool to see the story with kronos and rhea being real parents together. #rhenos / Othrys will fall. How? You'll have to wait and see.
Death Fury (chapter 14): If Poseidon's Fatal Flaw is Loyalty then Kronos is beginning to shape it... / Ohhh you're catching on xD.
ShadowsClaw: Fury, Fiery, Conquerer (or Victor)? XD Probably not even Welsh and I'm just losing my mind... Looking forward to the next chapter - and again, I'm so glad things worked out for your family. / Yup. Fury, Fiery and Victor is correct.
miguelgiuliano. co: Un genial capitulo espero con ansias por el próximo capitulo .
Una pregunta en tu historia incluirían a Afrodita después de todo ella nació de la " espuma " de Urano ? O tendrá otro origen . / Aphrodite is around. Where? I'll not say, but she is around.
Death Fury (chapter 1): I like the idea so far, but if Kronos was a good father than demigods would be unneeded... no wars... / You're wrong there xD.
RowenaIsKween: I just had the worst weekend ever and thus brought me joy and is the light at the end of the tunnel. / Thanks. That's nice to hear.
thegoldraven: I feel like things are really going to start moving forward now. Wow... that was well written... As for the dragon names...
LlidInflammation
TanllydTedious
GorchfygwrSuperintendent
Huh... those names probably have some significance, but I can't say what. / Fury, Fiery and Victor actually.
Chapter 25
"Poseidon," Kronos snaps, his tone sharp. "Concentrate." His father sits crossed-legged on the lowest stand in the arena, watching the seven struggle with their new weapons. Kronos turns his head to narrow his eyes at Zeus. "Careful with those sparks, boy. If they get any closer to me I will turn them against you." From the look in his eyes, Poseidon knows Kronos isn't joking.
"Well, that's rude," Thalia grumbled.
And Poseidon's trying to concentrate – really, he is. He knows his siblings are too. But with one little dragon buried in the crook of his elbow, head hanging one way and tail hanging the other; another dragon flopping over his legs and the last one curled against the side of his neck - the single talon on the end of the wings grasping onto the fabric of Kronos' chiton – Poseidon can't really look at his father without cracking up.
Percy snorted. "Oh, I've got to see that."
Hades is pointedly keeping his gaze fixed on the opposite side of the arena to Kronos, but even so Poseidon can see his lips twitching as he struggles not to laugh.
His other siblings are in the same predicament, and Kronos knows it.
Llid, meaning Fury, was the firstborn hatchling and swiftly claimed his spot on Kronos' shoulder, lording over his younger siblings. Despite only being born the previous day, he is oddly coordinated with his wings, using his tail as a stabiliser that waves lightly in the faint breeze. Little wisps of smoke rise from his nostrils as his wings keep him attached to Kronos' chiton, intelligent yet cold reptilian eyes watching the sparks that shoot out of their various weapons. His hide is a dark red, almost seeming to be black under the sun's rays filtering through the skylight overhead.
The second hatchling to be born was Tanllyd – Fiery. She'd certainly proved her name, eagerly accepting any challenge that her brothers gave her. Draped over Kronos' arm, pressing into the hinge of Kronos' elbow her scales gleamed a brilliant icy blue, the membrane of her wings a subtle golden colour.
The youngest of the three dragons was Gorchfygwr – Victor, named after the triumphant chirp he'd made upon breaking free of his egg. Gorchfygwr was coiled up on top of Kronos' thigh, dark green scales rustling as his tail twitches.
"Beautiful creatures," Hestia murmured. "Beautiful, but very deadly."
As Poseidon watches, Gorchfygwr puffs out a wisp of smoke, eyes watching it float up. Tanllyd hisses at the smoke, the talons on the end of her wings drawing ichor from Kronos' forearm. The Titan reaches over and brushes a finger along her snout and under her jaw and she purrs, her eyes slipping shut as she leans into his touch.
Llid growls at his sister, jealous of the attention she's getting. Tanllyd growls up at him, causing his wings to puff up. He uncoils, rising onto his hind legs and spreading his miniature wings. Poseidon assumes it's supposed to be intimidating, but really the little hatchling looks like a kitten as he hisses at his sister – a kitten with razor sharp teeth and an armoured hide. Tanllyd snaps her jaws at him and Llid lets out a furious shriek, throwing himself off Kronos' shoulder and at his sister.
The two hatchlings topple down onto the arena floor, hissing and snarling at each other.
Kronos frowns down at them, but doesn't move to intervene. Gorchfygwr uncoils, his talons kneading into Kronos' calf as he watches.
Poseidon stops pretending to practice, merely standing and watching. His siblings do the same as the two little hatchlings fight. At first it seems harmless, until Llid snaps at his sister's flank and draws blood. She shrieks, drawing back from him by skittering across the sandy ground and stirring up particles.
He snarls and lashes his tail, warning her away from him. Triumphant, he hisses and turns to tilt his head up at Kronos.
"It's like a child looking to their parent for approval," Hera muttered darkly.
Kronos smirks. "I'm not going to lift you up," he says pointedly. Poseidon doesn't even know if the hatchling can understand Kronos, but he seems to get the message. Llid growls up at Kronos.
But the Titan merely tilts his head towards the ceiling. The hatchling snaps his jaws together, puffing out smoke. He takes several steps, futilely flapping his wings before he turns beseechingly back to Kronos and chirps, head lowered and wings kneading the ground. Kronos just snorts, keeping his gaze fixed overhead.
Llid whines, trying to get Kronos' attention. Eventually he gives up and turns, stalking away. The little hatchling gathers up speed before he hops slightly, rearing up onto his hind legs and driving his wings down.
Poseidon's eyes widen slightly when the little dragon lifts off the ground, taking several more flags of his wings to steady himself. Llid barely misses Poseidon as he shoots off, taking a shaky lap of the large arena before he drops back onto Kronos' shoulder. He nips Kronos' ear in retaliation for the Titan leaving him.
Kronos grins and rubs the side of Llid's jaw, murmuring words in Old Tongue under his breath.
"First flight," Zeus grunted. "Not long until they breathe fire either."
"They're a day old," Percy pointed out.
"Dragons mature quickly," Poseidon explained.
Tanllyd shrieks at Kronos, her flank looking painful. Poseidon makes a split second decision and makes his way over to the female, kneeling down beside her. She hisses at him, her jaw parted and looking ready to nip him. Hestia kneels next to Poseidon, carefully helping him pick up the injured hatchling.
"Idiot," Hades said tiredly.
Her scales are warm, her breathing steady as her belly rises and falls. Poseidon rubs a finger along the side of her tiny jaw, realising just how small they really are. She fits even in his small hands, her scaly tail hanging down.
"They're tiny." Percy cooed.
"And dangerous," Poseidon said in exasperation.
"Here," Poseidon says, handing the little dragon to his father.
Kronos takes her in his palms, soothing her with a few quick words. A finger rubs against her snout as another runs down the bite in her flank, sealing it up with a mere touch. Llid hisses down at his sister, but Kronos flicks the side of his head. The hatchling turns his hissing to Kronos' finger, growling lowly at the digit.
"I hope it gets bitten off," Zeus grumbled under his breath.
Tanllyd purrs as Kronos continues to rub her snout, the Titan's eyes flickering over to Poseidon. "Shouldn't you be practising?"
Poseidon grumbles, but lifts his trident and returns to trying to get used to the weapon as Kronos gives his undivided attention to the dragon hatchlings.
Very soon, Poseidon realises he's jealous of the beasts.
Hera snorted. "They're mere animals, brother," she sneered.
It's stupid, he knows that. They're merely animals with an intelligence to rival mankind. But Kronos doesn't seem worried in the slightest about them killing him and overthrowing him, fondly watching the three hatchlings as they hover overhead, wildly flapping their great wings to stay in the air.
"I wonder why," Percy drawled with a grin.
Kronos reaches for a thick slab of meat at his side, tossing it overhead to the three. Instantly they turn on each other in a whirlwind of commotion, shrieking at each other and they try to steal the meat. Eventually, a triumphant Gorchfygwr protects the meat with his own hide as he tears into it, settled on the ground. He turns to face the Titan Lord and chirps up at him, smoke rising from his nostrils.
Kronos crouches, looking annoyingly fond of the creature, and reaches out towards him. Tanllyd, ever the most opportunistic of the three dragons, lunges forwards and snatches the meat from her little brother.
Gorchfygwr snaps his jaw shut, almost biting off Kronos' fingers, and shrieks angrily at his sister, turning his fury onto her.
Hestia's eyes widened slightly. "That was close."
"They're wild animals," Poseidon reminded her.
The little dragon which Kronos had been inches away from touching tore at his sister's flank with a vengeance that honestly horrified Poseidon.
Kronos sighs as he stands.
"They're animals," Rhea reminds Kronos.
"I know," the Titan Lord grumbles. As the three hatchlings continue to fight over the meal Kronos had tossed to them, Kronos returns his attention to the empousai in the throne room. The monsters were warily eying the dragons, right to be cautious of the beasts; a stray smoulder could burn the monsters back to Tartarus. "You have news for me?" Kronos demands.
"Intimidation at its finest," Ares mused.
The empousa doesn't turn completely away from the dragons as she nods, but she doesn't take her eyes off Kronos either. Clever of her, since Poseidon still doesn't know which of the wild dragon hatchlings or the temperamental Titan Lord is the most dangerous. "Erebus hasn't been doing much," she says. "He's searching for something in the ruins of old cities, long since destroyed. He spends a few days at one before moving on."
"What could possibly be of interest in old mortal cities?" Athena questioned.
Half-hidden in the shadows of Othrys, Iapetus and Hyperion mutter a few words to each other. Kronos casts a side-glance at them, his frown deepening. "And you have no idea what he's searching for."
The empousa shakes her head. "None," she agrees.
His eyes narrow at the monster slightly, judging whether she's being truthful or lying to his face. But even a denizen of Tartarus knows not to cross the Titan Lord.
"I would think that's common sense," Thalia snorted.
The slab of meat lands heavily next to the empousa, swiftly followed by three shrieking hatchlings. A stray blast of fire almost burns her to a crisp.
Percy cackled. "Poor monster."
Kronos' mouth twitches slightly, barely holding in an amused smile at her terrified reaction. He inclines his head towards the great doors, and Poseidon watches as they open on silent hinges. "You may go."
The empousa skitters around the three snarling hatchlings as she quickly retreats from the Titan stronghold.
There's silence for several long seconds after the doors shut behind her. Next to Poseidon, Zeus shifts slightly, uneasy as he watches the hatchlings.
"City ruins," Hyperion says, his tone flat. He turns burning eyes to his brother. "You know what he's looking for."
"I'm willing to bet Hyperion does too," Jason spoke up.
"Probably," Annabeth agreed. "Sounds like it."
"I have an idea," Kronos muses. "Several. There are only a few objects in existence that a Primordial would care enough to seek them out. Even fewer of them in city ruins." He thoughtfully tilts his head to the side. "Hyperion, have Lelantos seek out the ruins. We need to be a step ahead of Erebus. Inform him that everything he needs, he shall have."
Hyperion bows his head. "Yes, my Lord." The Titan retreats from the throne room, leaving Iapetus with them.
Iapetus grunts. "Erebus hasn't just been stopping at city ruins," he says firmly, arms crossed before him. "She's lying to you."
"Clearly," Kronos grumbles. "But I'm in need of entertainment and she may just provide enough for the next week. Until she proves herself dispensable." The look he gives Iapetus has more than enough meaning – keep an eye on her. Iapetus nods and dissolves into the closest shadow.
"More like kill her if she steps out of line," Thalia sneered.
Llid twists his body around to face Kronos, the meal gone. His nostrils flare as he takes in the various scents in the room, cold amber eyes surveying each of them in turn. Now several days old, the hatchlings have developed a keen sense of smell – and an even stronger instinct; it was hardly the first time Kronos had nearly been bitten.
"But nothing yet bitten off," Zeus sighed.
Kronos coolly returns the reptilian gaze until Llid turns to nibble at his flank, sharp fangs only leaving faint scratches on the dragon's tough hide.
"They're dangerous," Hades states.
Kronos lifts an eyebrow. "Everything can be dangerous given the time," he muses. "When they are grown, they will be overlords of the sky. Terrors reigning over fire. The very earth itself will tremble in their wake."
As if understanding what the Titan Lord says, Gorchfygwr shrieks at him. Kronos mimics the sound back at the hatchling, causing the spines down his back to ruffle.
"What do you think Erebus is searching for?" Hestia finally asks, turning her warm eyes towards their father.
Kronos' expression darkens. "Nothing good." He says nothing more, casting a quick glance towards the hatchlings before he departs. Tanllyd screeches at his back before hopping forwards after him, wings spreading wide as she drives them down and gracefully rises into the air. Her two brothers snap at her as she passes overhead, quickly following after their sister.
The shrieks of the hatchlings soon disappear down the corridor after the Titan Lord.
Rhea stares after him, mournful. "I worry for him," she admits softly to the seven younger immortals.
"So do I," Hestia declared.
Chiron blinks. "Why?" he wonders. "He's one of the most powerful immortals to ever live."
"That's why I worry," Rhea murmurs. "He's going to destroy himself. Forget about the Primordials, if Kronos falls it's because he's done something he shouldn't have."
"She's probably right," Hades mused. "From the sound of this Kronos is getting involved with things he shouldn't."
"Why isn't he telling us what Erebus is looking for?" Poseidon pouts. "He knows."
"He knows," Rhea agrees sadly. "I have a few suspicions myself. As he said, there are very few objects that a Primordial could desire. And a few of them are contained within the depths of this mountain – but some are missing, lost over the centuries in the ruins of cities."
"Like what?" Hera urges. "Why are these objects so special?"
Rhea's lips form a thin line. "The Shield of Chaos, Spear of the Pit and the Garb of Fate to name a few. Objects of the Primordials, ones that they've misplaced or simply abandoned in favour of something else. To the Primordials they may merely be old weapons that serve no purpose, but to us? To lesser immortals they're objects of mass power and destruction. Objects containing the very essence of a Primordial."
"I thought immortals can't take symbols of other immortals?" Demeter asks uneasily. "Why is Erebus looking for them if he can't take them?"
Percy blinked. "Right. That makes no sense."
"Maybe he's having mortals get them for him," Annabeth suggested.
"Like Luke and Kronos?" Nico mused.
"Because they're not the symbols of the Primordials. They're simply objects imbued with their power. Immense power, yes. But the Primordials have left them lying around because they no longer desire them. Hence, they are easily taken. Some mortals have found some and use them – Phanes' old objects are highly sought after."
"He's the Primordial of Procreation and Life?" Zeus questions.
Rhea nods. "Exactly. His… things are solely for revival and protection, new growth. But other Primordials – Tartarus and Erebus among them – tend to leave only highly dangerous and explosive objects around. Objects that corrupt mortals and lead them to do terrible, terrible things."
"Well that doesn't sound good," Percy noted.
Thalia scowled at him. "No shit."
Percy glared back at her, crossing his arms. "It doesn't!"
Poseidon shifts slightly, suddenly nervous. "Which of those is Erebus looking for?"
Rhea doesn't answer, but her silence is answer enough for them all.
Nothing good.
"Nothing good," Zeus agreed stiffly. "Not if it has Erebus' attention."
I guessed it was time to start moving the plot forwards properly. So, 25 chapters in we get to the start of what in actual Greek mythology is the Titanomachy. What's going to happen? I won't say. You'll all have to guess.
Hopefully the next chapter will be out on christmas day, as my gift to you all.