Chapter 15: Ghost King

Percy POV, Camp Half-Blood

Holding the grip of his blade he walked through the camp, Alabaster at his back. There was a certain feeling of dread encompassing the place, highlighted by the crying demigods standing outside their cabins.

War is a dreadful thing, but at the same time, it is the only tangible way to make a radical change. When you fight against Gods sometimes you must become a devil.

"It's more crappy then I remember," Alabaster marveled as the two began up the hill toward the Big House.

"Everything is crap lately," Percy replied dryly.

Alabaster chuckled slightly, "Yeah, I just want this war to be over. I have already lost too many brothers and sisters."

Percy hung his head solemnly. While at first, he considered Alabaster annoying due to the circumstances of their meeting, he grew to consider him a real friend. Alabaster cared deeply about his siblings, that was the reason why he challenged him when they first met.

As somebody who's fatal flaw was loyalty he could respect that sentiment. You wouldn't want a stranger whose strength you are unsure of guiding the lives of those dear to you. That Ethan kid, on the other hand, was different. He challenged Percy's authority out of a desire for power alone.

Speaking of Ethan, where was he? He hadn't seen him since the duel.

Approaching the patio of the Big House he threw that quarry into the back of his mind. On the deck was Luke, next to Pallas.

"Well well well, the champion shows his face!" Pallas declared, a large grin across his face. It was a surprising sight, seeing as he was one of the more stoic Titans.

"I am no champion Pallas, I just did what had to be done."

Luke snickered at Percy's reply, "Oh yeah, fighting a damned Goddess is just what had to be done? No need to be so humble Percy, you prevented tens of deaths while also winning us the battle."

Percy shook his head, not being one to boast.

"Artemis was weakened due to the turmoil in the west. Taking that into consideration I believed the best step forward would be challenging her in front of all the demigods. Her pride was her downfall."

Pallas put a hand on Percy's shoulder and nodded his head with a wide grin.

"My protege defeated an Olympian Goddess," Suddenly his smile faded. "If only it was that wench Athena."

Pallas had a deep hatred for Athena, a fact Percy had learned during their training. Athena had defeated him in combat long ago, an occasion he swears was a fluke. She even went as far to take his name as a title, calling herself 'Pallas-Athena'.

"I'm sure you'll be able to get your revenge on her soon enough Pallas. Putting that aside, why exactly are you here?"

Pallas exhaled deeply before taking a seat on one of the wooden deck chairs. His grey eyes seemed to gloss over as he cast his gaze down toward the cabins.

"I was put in charge of this camp as the new 'Trainer of Heroes'. And I am already bored."

Alabaster unexpectedly chimed in, "It hasn't even been a full day since we took the camp though, how are you already bored?"

Pallas shrugged, "After training Apollyon I truthfully find no joy in instructing others anymore. Frankly, I haven't met a soul with a shred of talent. Ah well, I guess I can catch up on the classics."

As he finished his explanation he then summoned a book mid-air. Percy could barely make out the title, 'Art of War'. He only knew that because Pallas had forced him to read it almost everyday.

"Lord Pallas, your reading will have to wait," Luke said eyeing the titan wearily. "We've gathered the former cabin leaders in the attic, now that Per—Apollyon is here we can begin."

Pallas let out a deep sigh as he threw the book onto a nearby wooden table. He rose from his chair and moved toward the aged wooden door of the Big House.

"Let us finish this soon then. I don't like dealing with snot-nosed Olympian brats," He shot a look toward Percy. "Except you of course."

Luke rolled his eyes before beckoning Percy and Alabaster inside. Pallas followed behind them as Luke guided them into the attic, where six or seven demigods were waiting anxiously. At their arrival, the tension in the room became noticeably thicker.

"You fucking traitor!" Immediately roared a familiar blonde demigoddess, staring daggers at Luke.

Instead of being offended Luke instead laughed heartily, "Anne, you really sound a lot like Thalia."

"Do not call me that!"

Percy then intervened, not wanting the situation to escalate further. He'd rather this meeting of the former cabin leader's go by without any casualties. It wouldn't be a good look considering they were trying to gain the loyalty of the campers.

"Tell me girl, what has he betrayed?" Percy asked diligently, slamming his hands onto the large mahogany table they were all gathered around.

His sudden intermediation caused the blonde-haired girl's grey eyes to go wide. In fact it caused all of the cabin leader's eyes to go wide, they certainly all recognized him from the duel.

After a moment of thought the girl replied, "He betrayed Olympus, isn't that obvious?"

Percy put on an artificial smile, giving him a slight sinister aura.

"Did he? Or did Olympus betray him first."

Her face twisted, as if she was asked a question completely outside of her comfort zone.

"He… He lived in camp, his father was an Olympian…Thalia's tree, he poisoned it..." She choked out, her answer all over the place.

Percy felt as though she had never given much thought on the matter beyond a surface examination.

"So what? Zeus's father was a Titan. Kronos's father was a Primordial. Your parentage does not determine your affiliation, that is an individual's choice."

"You are insane!" Declared the blonde, her face becoming red. "Kronos is wicked, the titans are evil! The Olympians had no choice but to rebel, Kronos ate his kids for Hades sake!"

Behind Percy came a loud chuckle. It was Pallas, who had been watching the situation with an unusual amount of interest.

"You are a Daughter of Athena are you not? surely you have heard of the saying, 'History is written by the victors'. I will be the first to say Kronos is mad and cruel, but I would take his madness over the suffocating hubris of Zeus any day. Kronos ate his kids, Zeus lets monsters eat his. Tell me girl, is there really a difference?"

The blonde looked at Pallas with an uncertain glare, after that she seemed to give up arguing. Instead, she took to staring at the table in deep contemplation. As their small intellectual skirmish came to an end, Luke then cleared his voice.

"We easily could have burnt this camp to the ground," Luke started. "But we did not. Instead we want to improve the camp, remove the injustices imposed by the Olympians."

One of the counselors present spoke up, her demeanor surprisingly calm considering the situation.

"You mean you want to use us as soldiers to fight against Olympus?"

Luke's steeled gaze met hers, "Clarisse, was it? If I remember right you were one of the people who refused to join the Titans after Artemis lost."

Clarisse snorted, "That's right, I'd rather die then become some lackey of Kronos. My father is Ares do you really think—"

Suddenly she stopped, her eyes became wide as blood rushed toward her face, making it become bright red. Everyone looked in shock as they saw Percy had raised his hand toward her, as if he was causing it.

"Daughter of Ares? Maybe if I use your corpse as a sacrifice he might come meet me in battle. That damned coward," Percy jided before letting go of the control he had over her bodily fluids.

Clarisse let out loud wheezes as she began to greedily suck up as much air as possible. There was a new found fear in her eyes. In fact, there was fear in every one of the counselors' eyes. Percy had shown he did not like to be underestimated.

"From now on there will be no segregation based on parentage. Instead the camp will be divided by gender. Those who refuse to make vows of loyalty to Kronos will be exiled. Is that clear?"

Percy spoke in a domineering tone, one that demanded respect and attention. He had practiced it for a long while. Most of the councilors gave nods, except for the blonde girl and Clarisse. But they would be taken care of soon enough.

He then turned his back to them, his job here was finished. Before leaving the attic he gave Luke an approving nod, transferring authority over the situation to him.

"Alabaster lets go," Percy mouthed to the Son of Hecate.

With that he left the meeting, his attention now turned toward organizing the demigods themselves. He was their leader, and one thing they lacked was a proper chain of command. After all, he barely had time around them before he was sent to Thule.

Descending down the hill that the Big House was built on top of he made his way toward the Amphitheater. He'd given Hannah an order to bring all the demigods there before he met up with Luke.

As the two approached the large construction, Alabaster gave a loud cat-call type whistle.

"That's a lot of demigods."

Almost every seat in the Amphitheater was taken. Percy was impressed by the design of the building. It was a large arc with rising tiers of benches, all centered around a single stage. It was a simple but effective design.

"Come up with me I'll introduce you as the second in command," Percy said to Alabaster as the eyes of eighty or so demigods fell on them.

"Hades no, I have stage fright."

Percy rolled his eyes, "Is that why you challenged me before an audience like you did before?"

Alabaster smiled slyly while rubbing the back of his head, "Actually that occasion is the reason why I have stage fright now."

Percy almost found himself burst into laughter, but considering the image he was trying to portray that wouldn't be good optics. He just waved Alabaster away as he went to the podium in the center of the Amphitheater.

From every side faces stared down at him, some laden with fear and others with adoration. It was a strange feeling, being the center of attention like this. But he didn't let it intimidate him, immediately he began his speech.

"You are all gathered here because you had the privilege of not being subjected to a bloody battle. I want you all now to take into consideration those who did not have that same luck. Those who died as mere pawns for Olympus. Gods who could give less about their sacrifice."

Interrupting his speech, a voice from the mid-row seats spoke up.

"You bastards are the ones who attacked us!"

Rising from her seat was a dark-haired girl, she immediately reminded him of Hannah due to the similarity of their appearances. They both had green-eyes, except this girl had much shorter hair and looked a few years younger. Perhaps she was one of the demigods not to join their side during the battle, truthfully he could not remember.

One of the demigods on guard duty tread toward her menacingly, likely angry she made a scene. But Percy spoke up, stopping him.

"No, don't touch her. She has a right to question our intentions. Tell me girl, what is your name?"

She narrowed her eyes and spoke with a cautious tone, "Lou Ellen. I am a Daughter of Hecate."

Percy was taken aback, he didn't think an offspring of Hecate would be on the Olympians side. He always assumed they naturally sided with their mother.

"Alright… Lou Ellen," Percy started. "You misunderstood me when I said to count yourselves lucky. I mean consider the fact you even were able to find your way here luck. Hundreds of other demigods whose names are lost to history were killed before they even had a chance to know what any of this god business is. Their deaths are on Olympus's hands. God's made them then abandoned them."

Lou Ellen narrowed her eyes. "So that makes attacking mortals and demigods right? Because it happens under Olympus anyways? That sounds like bull to me."

Percy smirked slightly and took a deeper lean over the podium. "No, I never said what was happening was 'right'. Not even Olympus is righteous. War and famine plague the world even to this day, they do nothing about it."

The demigoddess was silenced, a troubled look came across her face. A round of whispers went around the Amphitheater. After it settled down Percy continued his speech.

"As I was saying, recognize your privilege in just being alive. Those of us fighting under Kronos want a world without war pointless death; a world of peace and prosperity. Under Kronos and the Titans we can attain that. Those who do not join us will be exiled."

Some eyes went wide in the crowd at that announcement. They likely expected the titans would just execute those who did not join them. But Percy had convinced them otherwise. Mercy could become a strong weapon if utilized properly.

"Now to those who do join us, I will inform you of the changes to Camp Half-Blood under titan rulership. Firstly, cabins will be abolished. There will be no segregation based on parentage, housing will be replaced by the construction of two gender-specific dormitories."

At that he could hear loud cheers roar out. Likely from children of minor Gods. The changes they had planned were large and all-consuming. Modernizing the camp was an idea of Lukes. It was a way to gain the demigods faith, and it wouldn't be very difficult. It made him wonder why the Gods had not done it before.

"We also will be constructing a university, a living center and expanding sports and training."

Even more people cheered this time. He decided to leave out the part about camp leaders being directly chosen by the titans. That might sour the bunch.

"You will see that unlike the Olympians, we do care for demigods. I as your new commander will see to it that your interests are put first. So then, demigods of Camp Half-Blood. I plead that you stop giving your lives on behalf of those who likely do not even know your name. Join Kronos in fighting for a new age; a Golden Age."

With that, he finished his speech. Though it sounded more like something a politician would say, it was necessary nonetheless.

Nico POV, Salem, Massachusetts

Darkness was cast over the city of Salem, making its witchy attractions all the more uneasy. But when you have been to the literal Underworld it sort of becomes hard to truly terrify you. Unless you knew Thalia. She could terrify anyone, especially in her silver parka.

At the thought of her, Nico could feel a pang of regret hit his heart. He had abandoned her to an uncertain fate. But then again he was conflicted.

Her father killed his mother. How should he feel about that?

He sulked as he walked down the sidewalks, keeping a lone eye out for anything supernatural. At this point, he was convinced that he had been tricked. Hecate must have been lying, he had been here for hours yet found nothing.

That's when he felt it. A deep sinking feeling. Not far away, to his left. He went over the bridge that he was next to, passing by a few houses. Nobody was outside, likely due to the current turmoil happening in America.

But that didn't bother him; he preferred the silence. Plus, he didn't like people, the way they always looked at him made him feel uncomfortable.

With his hands in the pockets of his jacket he stopped at a street corner, feeling the intense energy he was following heighten. It was just past a long line of trees. There was a small entrance with a sign that he couldn't make out.

Dyslexia was a bitch.

Crossing the street he went closer to the sign, trying to read it. He could do it if he went very slowly.

Har...mo...ny…..Gr….o..ve….Ce...me...te….ry

Harmony Grove Cemetery.

Suddenly his eyes widened. A cemetery? Was that why he was feeling something from near here?

Maybe it was a ghost calling out to him. It wouldn't be the first time.

His hand on the hilt of his blade he moved in, keeping his eyes peeled. Passing through the initial line of trees he was met with columns of gravestones.

At first, he didn't sense anything unusual, it all seemed normal. That was until he saw something that sent a chill down his spine. Wandering around the gravestones was a woman veiled in white. Just like in the urban myths.

It shouldn't have scared him but it did. Immediately he recoiled behind a tree, just as he could feel her gaze cast his way.

His heart started to beat and his muscles tensed. He pulled out his sword, creating a slight frost on the tree bark next to him.

Something was strange about her. There was no possible way she could be a normal ghost. He knew what ghosts felt like. Her, he had not the slightest idea what the energy she emitted was.

As he was about to take another look he found himself jumping back in freight. The woman's face, it was staring at him. Deformed, hideous and most disturbing of all was the large smile cut into her cheeks.

When their eyes met the woman began to laugh maniacally. She charged toward him at a speed that rivaled Hermes.

He barely had time to raise his blade in anticipation, which seemed to ward off the woman's advance. She looked at the blade with obvious distaste, standing now a foot or so in front of him.

"Who the Hades are you, do you know who I am?" Nico demanded, his voices and lips quivering slightly.

The ghastly woman grinned. "Oh yes. I remember you, of course. You are my son, right?"

Suddenly her entire body shifted. Before his eyes, she turned into a visage of his mother. He had seen her a thousand times in her dreams. Somebody demeaning her in such a way infuriated him.

"Go back to where you belong!" He roared, charging at the woman.

"Nini! What are you doing?" Proclaimed the woman, retreating with fear in her eyes.

Nico froze.

Nini?

That was the name his mother had called him. He took a closer look at her, squinting through the darkness. Brown eyes like his. A black dress with a matching hat and gloves. His mother, Maria di Angelo.

Suddenly it all came back. Everything that was taken from him by the River Lethe. Memories of his mother and sister in Italy. Memories of a shady man who appeared every so often claiming to be his father.

Tears trailed across his cheek as he fell to his knees. With his free hand, he grabbed a large chunk of his hair, pulling at it. He ground his teeth painfully so. For a moment he had almost completely forgotten about the ghost in front of him.

When he did, that old anger flared through him again. Standing up he looked at the woman disguised as his mother with hatred in his eyes.

"You are not my mother."

With that, the earth began to shake. The woman's eyes went wide as she looked behind her. From a lone grave atop a hill a frail white skeletal hand suddenly emerged. Following it was many more.

The dead of Salem were rising under Nico's command.

Anger fueling his steps he moved forward, bringing his sword down on his mother's doppelganger. He closed his eyes so he would not lose resolve.

When he opened them he expected the spectre to be vanquished. But to his surprise, she was not. Standing a foot away from him again she had unveiled her true form. She wore the same dress he originally saw her in.

Except for this time one side of her was a ghostly pale white while the other was a deep blackness. Her eyes were two black voids baring into him, threatening to steal his soul.

"You…" He murmured.

"That is right. We've yet to meet brother. But it is I, Melinoe, Queen of Ghosts."

He couldn't believe it. Was this what Hecate meant when she had told him he would meet his sister in Salem? That fucking bitch.

From behind Melinoe was the army of skeletons he raised, beginning to surround her. She looked at them with a curled lip and waved her hand, causing their forms to fall apart.

"Summoning skeletons to fight a ghost, are you serious?" She taunted.

That only infuriated Nico. His brows furrowed as he went in for another strike. Melinoe effortlessly danced around his blade, causing his rage to only further intensify.

"Who do you think you are?" He growled from between his teeth.

"Are you mad, Nini?"

Her face morphed into his mother again, causing his barrage of attacks to stop.

"Stop tarnishing my mother's image!"

Melinoe's face turned back into her own and she gave an artificial look of offense.

"Tarnishing? She already did that herself. Your mother was a whore who slept with a married man. You are not a 'Ghost King' you are a bastard, and your mother is a slut."

He should have restrained himself. But he couldn't, a blackness took over his sight and rage thumped through his veins as if it was his own blood. Around him shadows formed into pointed spikes and launched themselves at Melinoe.

She looked initially surprised as they came in from every side. Even as she narrowly dodged them, she was thrown back by a tombstone that crashed into her at Nico's command.

"Cute tricks. But you are doomed, I have already summoned every ghost from a hundred mile radius," Melinoe said with a smug grin.

A dark sinister aura exerted over Nico as he walked closer toward the downed Goddess. He was immediately met with a torrent of her own, as a small host of ghosts came from the trees. Salem seemed to be packed with them.

Stopping his advance he looked toward them, not caring to brace his sword. Lazily he put his palm up toward them, his eyes blackened with rage narrowed.

The small army stopped, causing Melinoe to do a double-take in surprise. She barked orders at them.

"Don't stop, attack him, rip him apart! I am your queen, listen to me!"

Her demands were not adhered to. The ghosts just stayed still, staring ominously toward the two.

"Why!" She cried out. "Why will you not listen to me?"

Suddenly one of the ghosts spoke, he wore a pirate hat and was missing the entire left side of his face.

"Your…" He whispered.

Suddenly another ghost continued his sentence.

"Orders."

And again.

"Our king?"

Melinoe's eyes went wide in newfound terror as she cast a look at her half-brother then at the ghosts he had summoned. Nico wore a devilish grin on his face as he pointed toward her.

"Rip her apart."

Loud screams echoed across the graveyard as the legion of ghosts dogpiled on Melinoe. Nico watched, licking his lips slightly. He could feel her energy fade. It was no longer as vibrant as it had been when he first sensed it.

It had just about disappeared as the horde of ghosts burst into a large blinding pillar of light. When it cleared up Nico saw Melinoe standing, obviously fatigued. Banishing that many ghosts directly under his command would not be an easy thing to do.

"How?" She asked breathlessly.

He answered her with his death stare. A genuine look of fear crossed her face as he began to walk toward her. She tried to scurry back but tripped over the debris of the tombstone he had thrown at her.

Knowing she had no way out Melinoe once again transformed into his mother.

"Oh my precious Nini, please put the blade down. Is this how you treat your mother after all this time?"

Nico was unphased. His chilled eyes looked into those of his fake mother.

"You are not my mother. And I am not Nini, I am the Ghost King."

A banshee's wail vibrated through the cemetery as Nico thrust his stygian iron blade into his fake mother's heart. Her eyes and agape mouth spit out large beams of light and her body levitated in the air, shaking violently.

Before he knew it she disappeared completely, like a vapor. After she was gone he simply lingered in the same spot.

A plethora of emotions reverberated through his being.

Sadness, relief, anger, and thrill.

He didn't know what to feel. But his body did, as a large wave of exhaustion hit him. He let go of his sword as he fell to the floor, the weight behind his eyes practically pulling him as if it was gravity.

Summoning all those skeletons, taking control of the ghosts. It was too much for him, way too much.

His vision began to fade into blackness as he faintly heard footsteps.

Four words came to his mind as consciousness left him.

Hecate is a bitch.

AN

Well, there is Chapter Fifteen, honestly surprised I've made it this far. I know a lot of you will like the last line. This was mostly just politicking on Percy's side but there was some action with Nico to balance it out. Tell me what you guys think, I'm usually overly critical of my work to a detriment so it's nice to hear a third party view. Have a good day/night all, and thanks for reading. I hope you all had a good New Year!