Disclaimer: I don't own Percy Jackson or any of the characters except for little Rhea
Previous chapter:
Drawing back his power, Poseidon once more brushed against his daughter's mind, this time leaving behind a lingering message – heart warm as he witnessed the lingering smile she bestowed him even in her sleep.
''Sleep soundly, my sweet child.
For I will destroy anything and anyone that would dare harm you.''
Chapter 37 – Underworld and Hades
There was something wrong with Clarisse and Grover.
I hadn't noticed at first, not when my mind was fuzzy from a long uninterrupted night of sleep; but my friends were noticeably nervous at best and downright twitchy at worst.
Their night had been calm, nary an enemy in sight, and I wondered what could have happened to make them watch even their shadows with suspicious eyes.
I packed the last of my clothes into my small bag pack, still observing my friends acting like something was going to devour them any moment.
It was quite baffling to witness, especially since I had slept exceptionally well. Then again I had been so exhausted I would have enjoyed sleeping on the cold hard ground.
''Are we good to go?'' I eventually ventured, still slightly bewildered by the way Grover nodded rapidly while Clarisse looked around the room with narrowed eyes.
''Yes, let's get out of here.'' The daughter of Ares grunted irritably, her mood obviously sour. ''I really want this fuckin' quest to be done and over with.''
Before anyone could answer her, Clarisse was already striding out of the room, and I pitied the one who would set her off somewhat fierce.
''Someone is going to be in a lot of pain in the near future.'' I muttered, sharing a commiserating look with Grover, before the satyr looked upwards as if praying for the poor sod.
''Amen.'' The satyr agreed, before hurrying to catch up with the irritate daughter of Ares, and I was left wondering what in the name of Hades happened during the night to turn the whole situation into this.
The corridors of the Lotus Hotel were similarly empty, the guests caught in the entertainment provided elsewhere, but I had no time to pity them.
Their twisted happiness was hardly my fault, nor was it my duty to release them from their glided cage.
My only worry was for my two friends who kept behaving strangely since this morning, with no explanation whatsoever. It was almost like something had spooked them, terrified them down to their very selves.
Picking up my pace, I caught up to Clarisse and Grover, the former still looking like she wanted to rip someone's head off.
''Clarisse…'' My voice trembled imperceptibly with unrecognized emotion, and I found myself unable to finish the sentence.
Because if my suspicions were correct, what could I say?
Clarisse's harsh expression actually softened, and I felt the small spark of guilt expand exponentially.
''We're fine.'' The daughter of Ares huffed, a somewhat wry smile tilting her lips – Grover nodding along; and the apology faded from my tongue.
Because it was suddenly so very obvious what must have happened. Why only I slept so soundly, feeling entirely safe when my friends woke up beyond terrified.
That they did not blame me, when they were confronted with a playfully malicious Poseidon was almost a miracle, and gods did I want to cry.
Biting my lips to avoid blubbering out embarrassing emotional words of gratitude, I merely nodded in acknowledgement, hiding my red rimmed eyes from view, as we continued further down the empty corridors.
The elevator was still as shiny and new-looking as before, its descent smooth without a hint of age – and the contrast between the empty corridors and the chaos that awaited us was enough to give me goose bumps.
It was eery.
Like a gust of wind, ever present and invisible, an employee was standing next to us, wearing a tightly pressed black suit.
''Dear customers…'' The man practically purred, ''Welcome to the entertainment area. We hope that here your every wish will be granted, your every desire fulfilled. We will do everything to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.''
''We're gonna get some fresh air first. I'm feeling cooped up.'' Clarisse declared promptly, her tone implying painful consequences to whoever dared to stand in her way.
The employees smile widened, the flash of teeth more threatening than reassuring. ''I assure you, dear customer. Our hotel has the perfect place for you to forget your worries.''
Clarisse's smile became painful to look at. It was more a baring of teeth than anything else, and both Grover and I glanced at each other, both aware of Clarisse having found an outlet for her repressed anger.
Grover seemed entirely too comfortable with the situation, his expression plainly saying 'better him than us'. I distinctly wondered where the nervous wreck of my friend had gone.
Clarisse on the other hand seemed to be gearing up for a fight. Heck, she seemed to be trying her best to provoke one.
''…and what kind of shitty hotel is this anyway? I said I wanna take a breath of fresh air, not play some stupid games.''
''I assure you, dear customer.''
''Stop calling me that, you creep!''
''Now, now, dear customer…''
''Are you mocking me, you fuckin' bastard?''
''I assure you, dear customer…''
I looked speechlessly at Clarisse who seemed to do her best to insult the Lotus Eater as thoroughly as possible, though the man seemed more maliciously amused than anything else.
The Lotus Eaters were monsters that had a certain territory where they tried to lure and keep humans in order to feed on their memories. They excelled at making sure the mortals did not wish to escape their cage, but were usually disinclined to actually use force.
''…dear customer.''
I started coming back to my senses, when I saw Clarisse storm off towards the exit with a bright red face, glaring angrily at the still smiling Lotus Eater.
''Fuckin' creep. Let's get going already.''
Still speechless, I managed a more or less graceful nod into the Lotus Eaters direction, who still looked perpetually amused, before following Clarisse outside.
This was going to be another long day.
Callused hands were resting on a dark throne, occasionally a finger rose to tap against the armrest in an unconscious motion, before stillness reigned once more.
Hades', King of the Underworld, focus lay elsewhere. It had been a very long time since he last looked forward to an event quite so much.
He didn't even know what he was expecting. For all Poseidon had talked about that little child of his, he rarely ever told anything of importance.
And a lesser known character trait of Hades was his curiosity.
He had the patience of a saint, but sometimes when he really wanted to know something, he found even his vaunted patience was not enough to quell that unfortunate character trait of his.
It was maddening.
Furrowing his brows when he sensed two demi-gods and a satyr exit the Lotus Hotel where unknowing to anyone else his children were hidden; the god made his decision.
He was curious, and he wanted that annoying feeling quelled, so speed up their stay in Los Angeles he would.
His previously motionless body moved, losing its unnatural stillness – and his subsequent shout thundered through hell, to be heard in every nook and cranny.
''Alecto, come to me.''
Smiling in satisfaction, Hades planned and plotted and wondered.
Such a detestably delightful emotion, curiosity sometimes was.
Los Angeles by day was fairly different than by night or early dawn – crowds of people going about their daily lives, the constant streams of cars like the passing scenery, merely a part of the city of Angels.
It was a little like New York, but different enough to have its own distinctive flavour.
But our hunger kept us from appreciating the view, not having eaten in what seemed like half an eternity.
A small sandwich place was enough for us, even if the employee kept eying us strangely when we ordered nearly a dozen sandwiches in one go.
Instead of explaining that demi-gods, especially famished ones, had a far high metabolism than normal children, and that a satyr could eat quite a bit; we dug into our small meal with gusto.
''This is good stuff.'' Grover praised between two mouthfuls of mood, his food vanishing at an astonishing rate.
Clarisse and I both looked at him in amusement, but declined to stop shovelling food into our mouth in favour of talking.
The sound of the door closing would not have alerted me, if Arashi had not hissed a warning into my mind.
The old lady appearing in the shop was a surprise, her head snapping into our direction less so.
Kicking Grover's and Clarisse's shins under the table, we carefully watched the old lady approach our table with measures steps, a small grin appearing on the wrinkled face.
''Careful there, children.'' A surprisingly deep voice greeted us, bemused, but not hostile, sounding like gravel rolling down a mountain, slightly bizarre. ''I have come to pick you up.''
''A Fury, mistress.'' Arashi's observation made me arch my eyebrows in interest.
Some of my tension bled off, aware who must have ordered this Fury to approach us – and for all I had never met my uncle, Poseidon and Hestia always spoke fondly about him.
My father trusted Hades, in a way he trusted few, and it was more than enough for me.
''Then let us be off.'' I declared shortly, after turning several scenarios over in my head. ''Wouldn't want to keep my uncle waiting, would we?''
''Indeed.'' The Fury grinned, a fairly strange sight – and I shot both Grover and Clarisse a reassuring look when they looked less than well.
The taxi waiting outside for us was inconspicuous and suspiciously normal looking. The Fury made herself comfortable on the passenger seat, while we shared the backseat.
It was a very awkward ride; no one inclined to fill the silence with chatter.
We could not have arrived at the entrance to my uncle's domain soon enough, I decided when the air seemed to be riddled with invisible tension, ready to explode violently.
Especially Clarisse had not cooled off enough yet, her fingers twitching with repressed aggression. I knew that she was already trying, but it was in her blood to explode instead of stewing silently in her anger. It was against her nature to merely follow given orders.
Grover, while not as timid as only a week ago, still had enough self-preservation inside of him to shut up and not aggravate someone we could not afford to anger.
Watching the car stop before a recording studio – I tried to push my nerves deep inside of me where they would not be a hindrance.
I couldn't afford to falter when I was going to meet my uncle, someone whom my father respected, for the first time.
Anything else would bring shame upon the one whose opinion mattered the most.
And that was unacceptable.
His form flickered into existence; the stone beneath his feet as familiar as it was unwelcome. The columns were still as pristine as thousands of years ago, as if time stood still in this place. It always made Poseidon uncomfortable, made him feel as if he was young again; young and inexperienced and just a single breath away from the moment when he finally emerged out of Kronos stomach.
Perhaps that was why Zeus had become paranoid over the years. Olympus was proof of his victory, proof that he was the one with the largest merit in defeating Kronos, that he was rightful ruler of all.
And yet, time seemed to have stood still, as if trying to preserve that moment of victory; trying and failing.
Poseidon had never desired to sit upon that particular throne, the god always thought Hades deserved that seat far more than Zeus or he ever would.
His elder brother always had a true spark of compassion in him that nearly all immortals lacked; his patience seemingly unending and his power was vast. Poseidon would have never known how compassion felt, if Rhea had not suddenly arrived and proceeded to turn his worldview a few times.
He was quite curious about how a meeting between those two would turn out. It was however impossible for him to witness it personally, Zeus having become paranoid enough to summon him to wait with him in the throne room until the solstice.
Poseidon had practically ceased all communication with Rhea since the fiasco after Zeus sent lightning after his daughter; not wishing to provoke another response – and the lack of soothing emotions normally lingering in his mind made him want to kill something. Alternately it made him want to rip Zeus into pieces so that his daughter would not have to risk her life anymore.
But that wasn't possible either.
Crossing the threshold to the throne room, Poseidon's eyes clashed with the nearly glowing blue eyes of his younger brother, Zeus.
''Finally decided to grace me with your presence, Poseidon?'' Zeus sneered, looking down at him from his throne.
Poseidon seemingly ignored his brother, turning into his larger form to take a seat on his own throne. It was only when his hands firmly rested on his armrests that he dared to open his mouth, lest he decide to eradicate Zeus after all.
''You summons were quite abrupt, brother.'' Poseidon eventually answered. ''You can hardly blame me for settling a few affairs before coming. I do have a kingdom to run after all.''
Zeus snorted coldly. ''I'm surprised that you are still aware of your duties. I thought that this child of yours left you incapable of anything but pandering to her whims.''
''Careful there, Zeus. We wouldn't want a repeat performance, would we?'' The threat was spoken lightly, without any malice yet Zeus had no idea how close Poseidon was to ramming his trident through that filthy mouth of his brothers.
''Your daughter is on her way to the Underworld. I wonder if she will return alive. We both know how our brother can be.'' Zeus spoke with mock-concern, the words obviously gloating.
Poseidon didn't bother with enlightening Zeus to the change in his and Hades relationship. Such things should be handled with precise timing in order to deal the most damaging blow. Poseidon could already imagine Zeus face contorting with the knowledge that they stood against him together.
It would make his decade, he was sure. Maybe even a century or two if he was lucky.
''We shall see.'' Poseidon frowned, more from the irritation at being unable to connect with his daughter than from any real worry. Rhea would not be harmed in Hades domain. He was aware of that fact.
Zeus smirked, delighting in his perceived victory – and Poseidon imagined all the pleasant ways he could rip Zeus apart. He was sure that by the time the solstice approached, he would have enough inspiration to torture Zeus for all eternity.
Something indescribable flickered in Poseidon's eyes as he felt his daughter enter his brothers' domain, their connection fainter than it had even been before – and it fuelled his imagination even further.
Zeus, on the other hand, didn't know why he suddenly felt a faint chill in the air.
The Underworld was a dry place.
Surrounded by fire and stone, carrying the faint screams of the damned. A child associated with water was like a shining beacon in his domain, where only the river Styx could last.
Hades felt a faint smile curl his lips vaguely upwards, his senses focused on his most recent visitors. His eyes seemed to be able to see through all obstructions as he focused on Alecto leading them to his throne.
But there was also a hint of ozone, the slightest hint of thunder seeming to emanate form that direction, and Hades felt his smile gain a colder edge.
The God loathed others trying to manipulate him.
Especially when he had finally found something that interested him so.
''How naïve.'' Hades murmured lowly, a sudden ferocious anger glinting in his black eyes. Those that dared underestimate him would pay the price.
Of that he would make sure.
And perhaps he would finally see what made Poseidon's little daughter so special that his brother would treasure her so fiercely.
His cold smile smoothed out as he heard the footsteps approaching his throne room.
''Let's see how she will react.''
Hades throne room was vast.
That was the first word that formed inside of her mind when Alecto led them to her uncle. It seemed to be formed naturally, edges rough instead of smooth – contrasted sharply by the exquisitely crafted columns and the understated but massive throne standing imposingly in the middle of the room.
Her uncle was in his larger form, the air seeming heavier with his mere presence alone. The darkness seemingly swirling around Hades gave him a far more intimidating feeling than the other gods; a primal terror threatening to halt their steps, and make them bow before this being casually excluding more power than they could ever comprehend.
Rhea was barely able to call upon her experience with her father to keep from making a fool out of herself. She had certainly witnessing her father's anger first hand enough times to have gotten a bit more used to a god's power.
But it was still close, her heart hammering loudly enough to announce her fear to the whole world.
Suddenly she had a moment of doubt. Could she allow herself to act as she planned to? Could she assume the role of a niece, instead of a demi-god fathered by Poseidon?
Then she remembered the stories Poseidon had told her, his fond tone whenever he spoke about this being, and her heart rate noticeably slowed down.
She had never doubted her father, so why start now?
Grover and Clarisse lingered behind her, each one nervous but trusting her decision to follow Alecto and it made something warm settle in in her heart. Determination to live up to that trust swallowed the last bit of her doubt, and Rhea approached her Hades, God of the Dead even further, bowing courteously, but not lowly.
''It's a pleasure to finally meet you, uncle. Father has told me a lot about you.''
There was a moment of silence as the words spread through the throne room, and Rhea could feel her body heat up in pure nervousness as the stillness lingered, and then a sigh echoed through the throne room.
''No need to be so nervous, you and your companions shall be safe in my domain. Though this conversation is not for their ears.'' Hades voice was deep, but surprisingly faint – sounding like a whisper right next to one's ear. His eyes flickered to Grover and Clarisse, before a brief flare of power raised a shield between them. Rhea had no time to contemplate this further; when her attention was already caught by the way Hades gaze settled on her again. ''My brother would not shut up about you.''
Rhea blushed brightly at the aggravated tone, and she could almost imagine her father sitting on his own throne talking his elder brother's ear off while Hades heaved long suffering sighs – and it made her smile in embarrassment.
Hades actually released a soft laugh, Rhea unable to see the slight softening of abyss black eyes.
''I have found myself wanting to meet you. So while this whole lightning bolt business is distasteful to the extreme, it has made it imperative for you to come to my domain.'' Hades smirked in amusement, finding a morbid irony in this whole situation. It made him quite smug to know that the demi-god sent by Zeus felt nothing but disdain for the King of Gods and trusted him, the most feared god. Smug, yet mostly touched.
It had been so many years since demi-gods had not flinched and cowered at the sight of him. Even his children were uncomfortable in his presence. His darkness too deep, profound in the way it affected his surroundings, the tales about him too negative to warrant a single chance.
The little nice of his was a breath of fresh air in the stale world he lived in. She did not truly fear him. A few stories and her father's recommendation enough to make her follow Alecto towards him without a moment of hesitation.
It felt good, like a balm for his angry soul.
''No matter.'' He continued swiftly, ''We can get to the more pleasant part as soon as we clear up why the lightning bolt is already in your possession.''
Seeing the startled incomprehension in his niece's eyes, Hades smiled coldly.
''It positively reeks after all.''
Rhea opened her mouth, before closing it again without releasing a single sound, her uncle's words ringing through her mind. The lightning bolt was already in her possession?
She didn't doubt his words. This was Hades domain. It would be possible for him to notice something everyone else missed.
But how?
From the moment they started from Camp Half-Blood, who did they meet? What did they receive? Medusa was out of the question, but Ares… His reason for meeting them had been flimsy at best, his reward the blue bag pack. Just as that thought came to her mind, she thought back to the shoes given to them by Luke. It was less likely, but she shouldn't discount those items. They were both things they could not see through after all.
''The bag pack or the shoes?'' Rhea questioned, voice trembling slightly. Because she was aware of how badly this might have gone if her father had not chosen to apologize to Hades years ago in order to protect her.
It could have easily ended in the permanent demise of her and her friends.
''The bag.'' Hades affirmed calmly, the blue bag pack they had not been able to get rid of, floating towards her uncle.
''How did you receive it? Tell me everything.'' Hades demanded, and Rhea was not inclined to disobey.
She recounted everything that happened; from Ares appearance at the McDonalds store to their retrieval of the shield to their reward which they had not been able to get rid of.
Rhea noticed how Hades countenance grew darker the more she spoke, but instead of fear it caused some sort of fierce vindictiveness to spread through her mind. Ares had used them, had thrown his daughter under the bus together with them, and perhaps even caused this whole mess, so she was not inclined to be particularly forgiving.
''Ares as the originator of this mess?'' Hades frowned thoughtfully, not too convinced by this. Ares was an arrogant brat most of the time, but he was not normally inclined to create such a big mess, even if he wanted some attention.
''As your father should have told you already, my symbol of power is similarly missing. My Helm of Darkness has vanished around the same time as the lightning bolt did; so it should have been done by the same perpetrator.'' Her uncle's displeased voice shook the whole Underworld, and Rhea suddenly understood why her father could respect his elder brother so. Hades anger was simmering and patient, waiting and waiting until it was time to erupt and eradicate the enemy.
''Do you believe Ares still has your helm?'' Rhea questioned, staring at her uncle thoughtfully. She was tired and exhausted, longing to return to her comfortable bed in Atlantis – so this progress caused her mood to lighten rapidly.
''I do not see why not.'' Hades shrugged, before a conflicted expression appeared on the god's face. It surprised Rhea when Hades large form seemed to transform into darkness, a normal sized body congealing before her.
Hades face seemed marginally older than her father's, marred by worry lines – but it was currently set in an expression she could not understand. Was it worry, or sadness, or was it apologetic? Rhea could not tell.
''I have known your father for a long time.'' Hades finally spoke after a moment of uncomprehending silence. ''So I can see that he loves you, treasures you beyond reason or doubt. But he will not let you remain as you are.''
Rhea smiled bitterly at the reminder. The fact that she tried so very hard to ignore, even though it loomed around her.
''I know.'' She whispered. Felling small and young, and so very lost.
A hand clamped down on her shoulder. It's weight a comfort, when it belonged to a being she wanted to trust so very badly in this moment.
''My brother is a selfish god. But he loves you. It will have to be enough.'' Hades squeezed her shoulder another time, and the awkward attempt at comfort made Rhea smile despite the unwanted reminder.
''The strongest cage in the world is one you do not wish to escape from, after all.'' Rhea muttered somewhat despondently, and Hades grimaced.
''…true.'' The god conceded glumly, ''But you are always welcome here if you wish for some time outside that glided cage.''
''Thank you, uncle.''
Hades turned away as if embarrassed by the conversation – and Rhea blinked away the tears gathering in her eyes.
''If we are done with emotional nonsense, let us talk about our next actions…''
As Hades stern voice filled the room, Rhea listened and wondered and smiled.
A/N I'm still alive. Surprise!
I'm finished with my first semester of college, and am now officially on break for a month. Hurray!
So you should be able to look forward to another chapter in February! When I reread this story in order to get better motivation for the latest chapter, I kind of cringed at some parts, so I also started my little rewrite project. No fear, I won't stop writing new chapters for this story since I know that a lot of people apparently want to read this, so no worries. I'll post the first chapter of the rewrite together with the next chapter and I'll see how much interest there is.
Regarding the Reading Princess of the Sea fic I thought about, I'm planning on starting the first chapter soonish, so you can also look forward to that!
Puh, that should be it!
Hope you like the newest chapter!
C'ya soon
AriesOrion