AN: Hey guys, I hope y'all are well. Thanks so much for the reviews on the last chapter, especially about Apollo learning about Achilles' heel. Your suggestions are all great, and unfortunately I can't implement them all, so I hope you guys are fine with what ends up happening. In addition, I am planning a sequel after the first great prophecy, and unlike Timeless Warrior, where Annabeth is kind of the main character, I kind of want the OC to be Perseus' champion. What do you guys think about that? Lastly, please let me know what story you guys want next, the ideas I have are in my AN I posted, and I think I have a good idea for an Arrow/PJO crossover, so that might happen after I finish my Alex Rider x Cherub crossover. Sorry for the long AN, but please enjoy!
Recap:
Perseus slowly pulled away from his mother, his emotions more in check. "I will mother, I swear. I will burn Troy to the ground and will kill that cowardly prince personally. That cursed son god will also pay."
Thetis nodded, anger burning in her eyes for the actions of the god.
"Stay here, son. Don't leave until you are ready. Keep grieving as long as you need to. When you are ready, return to camp and get ready to burn Troy to the ground. When the war is over, we will have a proper funeral for your brother and we will discuss your next steps in life. Survive, not just for me, but for your brother," Thetis said softly before planting a kiss on her son's head before turning into mist.
Perseus sat back down on the beach and saw his brother's armor. He took his mother's messages into account and stripped off every piece of his armor and replaced it with his brother's. Once he wore his brother's armor, he sat back down on the beach, grieving for his brother and dreaming of was to kill Paris.
Present:
For three days, Perseus stayed on that beach. His mother stopped by occasionally to give him food, but she left him alone. As the sun set on his third day at the beach, Perseus' grief had turned into rage and a thirst for vengeance. All he wanted to do was to burn down Troy.
He was about to get up when he heard a familiar set of graceful footsteps. He turned around and stiffly bowed before looking into the eyes of the person "disturbing" him.
"What can I do for the mighty Olympian council?" He growled, the grey-eyed woman taking a step back at the demigod's tone.
Athena's eyes widened at the way he spoke before looking at the demigod understandably. Perseus had a definite reason to hate the council, after all, an Olympian had just murdered his brother.
She walked towards the demigod and stood next to him, facing the sea. "Your time for revenge draws near. I have given Odysseus a way inside the walls of Troy," the goddess said, glancing at the demigod.
Perseus didn't return the glance and stared at the horizon. "And what may that be?"
"The Trojans are scared, as they think they have upset Poseidon by killing your brother. They believe that the storms and your power over water is due to Poseidon's anger. They sacrifice to him daily yet storms still ravage Troy while the plague is killing all of your men. The Greeks are building a wooden horse to leave behind as they sail home," Athena explained.
Perseus glanced over at Athena. "It is a trick. You want to use it to get inside the city due to the Trojans willingness to sacrifice to Poseidon."
Athena was shocked at the quickness of Perseus' thinking. She slowly nodded, confirming Perseus' suspicions. "They need you though. The men need to see you, it will boost their confidence."
Perseus' expression hardened. "I will do anything to watch Troy burn."
Athena was surprised in his willingness to fight, and thought it would be a challenge to persuade him. However, as she was able to flash away, Perseus' voice stopped her. "Are you not curious about who I am?"
Athena turned to face the demigod. "I have theories, but it is not my place to ask. I recognized a skilled warrior when I see one, regardless of parentage. Good luck Perseus, I hope to cross paths with you once more."
As Athena flashed away, Perseus sat down on the beach once more. He looked at his reflection in Achilles' armor before putting it on quickly and making his way back to the Greek camp. He would make sure nobody would forget why Troy burned.
LINE BREAK
The plan was simple, just stuff the best fighters in the horse while everyone pretends to sail away. Easy enough.
Only Odysseus had spoken to Perseus since he disappeared with his brother's body. Rumors spread like wildfire about him either having the help of a god, him being a demigod, or him even being a god, which was laughable since immortals weren't allowed to interfere in mortal affairs. However, only Odysseus and Euduros knew the truth, but they didn't know all of it. Eudoros, a son of Hermes, thought he was Thetis' son, and while he was, that wasn't all he was. Odysseus was a clear sighted mortal, but knew there were many demigods in the Greek army, including the brothers.
What nobody knew was the fact that Poseidon was his father. Well, a few people knew, but one of the four people had just died.
Well, five actually, as Perseus assumed that Athena knew, but she wasn't telling the council, and he was grateful for that, and he assumed Ares knew, but was too ashamed to say he couldn't kill him as a child.
While the men were preparing to enter the horse, Perseus was checking his brother's armor, and strapping his brother's shield to his back and his sword in its sheath. He wanted revenge. And he wanted one man. Paris.
Perseus was the first man into the horse, and waited patiently for the others to enter. He had a specific plan to kill Paris, and he wouldn't let anyone get in his way.
The hours dragged on as the men in the horse grew restless and began to chat to each other. However, Perseus remained silent, his mind fixed on one thing. That was until the topic of the women came up. Perseus cleared his throat and everyone looked at him. "Be warned. I have my own plans once I enter Troy. However, the first person I see raping a woman will not be leaving Troy."
The occupants were shocked at the bold claim and started to argue. However, Perseus silenced them by slamming his fist into the side of the horse.
"I don't care for your reasons. For those who think they can stop me, you will see what happens when you cross the last son of Thetis. I am simply warning you. My mother raised me to respect women, and she detests such vile acts. If I see anyone, no matter the rank, I will strike you down. I have lost a brother, and I am out for blood, whether it be Greek or Trojan. If you can do it without me seeing, good for you, but you have been warned. All of you."
The occupants were silent.
"You're a demigod," Agamemnon exclaimed.
Perseus smirked. "Yes I am, you can ask Eudoros about that. He has met my mother and can attest to my parentage. How else did I command the water on the battlefield?"
The group turned to Eudoros, who nodded. "He speaks the truth. Thetis is his mother, who was raised by Queen Hera herself. Challenging him is unwise, especially since he has a relationship with the queen of the heavens through his mother. I wish anyone foolish enough to do so good luck."
The group fell silent again while Perseus put a comforting hand on his friend's shoulder. "I am so sorry for the past few days," Perseus said, looking at his friend. "I know Achilles means a lot to you, I just needed some time to grieve alone."
Eudoros gave him a small smile. "It was nothing...my lord," he said with a smirk on his face while Perseus slapped him playfully.
"Stop calling me 'my lord', you are like a brother to me, just call me Perseus," he exclaimed.
Eudoros smiled. "Alright Perseus."
The men fell silent again and the hours continued to pass. Eventually, at what Perseus thought was midnight based on the moon, which he could see through a crack, he heard voices approaching the horse.
"You heard Cassandra, this must be a trick. We should tear it down and go back to the city," a Trojan soldier said.
A second warrior, who seemed to be in charge, scoffed at the first soldier's words. "King Priam has made it clear that we accept the offering. Perhaps this will quell the sea god's anger. He has been relentless since Achilles' death. Let's just bring it into the city so we can go back and enjoy the party!"
Eventually, the wooden horse began to move forward, the men inside going completely silent as they were wheeled into Troy.
Once the horse was in the city, the Greeks waited until the celebrations died down and Odysseus unlocked the hatch from the bottom of the horse and the rest of the men quietly left the horse.
Once everyone was out, Ajax looked at Perseus. "What do you want us to do?"
Before Perseus could responded, Agamemnon butted in. "Burn it down!"
The men paused and looked at Perseus, who shrugged. "Don't look at me, that's what I was going to say."
Within minutes, the previously quiet and tired city had turned into chaos. Fires began to spread, and the drunken soldiers were too slow or too drunk to do anything. It was over before it even started. When Ajax and Odysseus opened the gates to let more Greeks in, they were just making it faster.
While the rest of the Greeks were pillaging and burning stuff down, Perseus prowled through the streets, one goal in mind. He made his way to the royal palace, home of the royal family and Prince Paris.
Any Trojan that tried to get in his way were cut down before they even knew it was him. As he walked, an older man fell in front of him. As he looked up and recognized Perseus, he pleaded for Perseus to let him go. "Please, have mercy!"
Perseus was able to leave when he noticed the symbols on his robe. "Ask your precious lord to defend you. Where's Apollo when you need him?"
As he reached the palace, he could tell he wasn't the first to reach it. He was able to enter when he saw Lesser Ajax, Ajax's son, drag a woman into a room by her hair.
Perseus' fists clenched. He knew he was delaying his vengeance, but he wouldn't be able to forgive himself if he let something happen.
He followed the young man into the room where he was holding down the woman while undressing himself.
His anger boiled over as he picked up the young prince and hurled him across the room.
Perseus quickly pinned the man against the wall, Lesser Ajax's eyes looking anywhere but at Perseus.
"Be thankful your father is my friend, or else you would be dead," Perseus snarled.
Lesser Ajax relaxed a little bit, but Perseus slammed his head into the wall again. "You do not get a pass, however," Perseus said while bringing the flat side of the blade to the young man's crotch.
Quicker than he could react, Perseus brought his knee up, causing Lesser Ajax to scream and whimper until he fell unconscious due to the pain.
Perseus let the boy collapse before turning to the horrified woman. "You must get out of here," Perseus said softly.
She shook her head. "I cannot, the city is overrun. My family is hiding, but it is too late," she said fearfully.
Perseus looked at her curiously. "Your family?"
The girl nodded. "I am Cassandra, daughter of King Priam."
Perseus pointed his blade at the woman. "Show me where your family is. Bring me to Paris and I will spare your family."
Cassandra paled. "He is my brother, please."
Perseus snarled. "It is either him or your entire family. Choose wisely."
Cassandra was silent before Perseus put his blade to her throat. "Choose before I choose for you."
She quickly nodded before Perseus removed his blade from her throat. "Go!"
Cassandra led Perseus through the royal palace and made their way to the King's chambers. She then pointed to a door that led to a secret room, which Perseus kicked down.
Once he got into the room, he looked around, first seeing King Priam and his wife Hecuba. He saw Andromache holding her child closely and Paris and Helen huddled in the corner, trying to stay hidden.
Priam stepped forward. "Please Perseus, just spare the women."
Perseus looked at the King. "I would never harm a woman. I am only here for him," he snarled while pointing at Paris, who was hiding behind Helen.
Perseus walked straight up to the prince and punched him in the face, knocking him unconscious. Helen tried to rush Perseus, but was stopped by a blade at her throat.
"Don't test me woman. I don't kill women, and I try not to hurt them, but if you even try one thing, I will make an exception. You and your lover have caused me a great deal of pain, so know I won't hesitate to kill you."
Helen paled before backing up slowly towards her lover. Perseus walked towards Paris when a dagger was thrust into his back. He didn't even flinch as it broke against his skin. "It would be unwise to do that again," he growled, turning to Andromache, who was looking at the broken dagger in shock.
"Please Perseus," she begged. "I'm sorry, I won't try anything. But my son is just a baby, please."
Perseus looked at Andromache, who had picked up her son. "Please, I beg of you."
Perseus was silent. "Leave the city. They aren't here to loot, but to burn it to the ground. You will die here if you don't leave."
The family paled before Priam stepped forward. "We cannot leave. The palace is overrun we cannot survive."
Perseus looked at the king. "Then you will die along with your bastard son, hopefully quicker than he will."
Andromache stepped forward. "Please Perseus. Hector and my child is still a baby, at least take him."
Perseus was silent once more. He had his revenge, but he couldn't condemn an innocent child to such a terrible fate. He took a deep breath before speaking again. "Get a rope and bind your hands. You are my prisoners, but I will get you out of Troy and hold you for ransom. However, if you don't act like my prisoners, I will kill you. If you try and take Paris away, I will kill you. He killed my brother and deserves to suffer. Deal?"
Helen looked at Perseus murderously while the rest of the royal family nodded. "Achilles killed his brother!"
Perseus lunged forward and grabbed Helen by the throat and pinned her against the wall.
"Unless you wish to reunite with your dearest husband, I suggest you shut up. I care not why he did it, but that he did it. Hector was a noble warrior, but unfortunately he fell due to my brother's rage. He died with honor. My brother made a mistake afterwords, but he made up for it by returning the body, and he regretted that mistake for the rest of his short life. Paris killed Achilles like a coward. He wasn't even looking at the bow when he shot Achilles. He even had help from a god. It is completely different. The reason I am even offering you this chance to live is because of Hector and Andromache's child. His father had my respect, and I am repaying him with this favor. Now get in line and shut up," Perseus snarled while throwing her by the rest of the royal family, who were tying their bonds.
Perseus looked at the King, who nodded. "We accept your offer. I would take my son's place, but I don't think you would accept my offer."
Perseus smiled sadly at the king. "I'm sorry King Priam, but I can't accept your offer, and I am sorry for your sons, both of them."
Priam nodded solemnly before getting a rope from the back of the room. After Andromache tied everyone's hands together, Perseus walked up to her and slowly tied the ropes around her wrists.
"I'm sorry for what happened to your kingdom and your husband. He was a great warrior, and he didn't need to die. Unfortunately his brother needed to get his hands on a married woman, and I'm sorry for his actions. I hope you are able to find peace and happiness wherever you end up," he said softly.
Andromache looked up at the prince in shock before lightly kissing him on the cheek. "Thank you so much Perseus. My husband spoke of your honor, and I am happy that he wasn't mistaken."
Perseus nodded and picked up Paris' unconscious form. "Lead the way King Priam. Stay by my side, and behind me if any Greeks come."
Priam nodded and started to walk forward. He led them through the tunnels and up and down stairs. Perseus thought they would make it unseen, but two of Agamemnon's men saw them and stopped them.
"Why do you have them?" One soldier asked.
"They are my prisoners," Perseus responded. "They belong to me, and I am going to ransom them off."
The second soldier smiled evilly. "Give me one of the women, and I won't tell the king."
The first soldier stood next to his friend. "Me as well."
Perseus tensed up before nodded tightly. "Alright, there are plenty of women to go around. But first, hold this runt for me." He handed Paris' limp body to one of the soldiers, and the moment the soldier had Paris on his soldiers, Perseus shot forward, stabbing his sword through the other soldier's throat and stabbing the other in the stomach, causing Paris to fall over onto him.
Perseus grabbed Paris and slung him over his shoulder once more, gesturing Priam to lead on.
Cassandra fell in next to Perseus. "Why attack your own men?"
Perseus scowled. "They were Agamemnon's, and I hate him. He is to blame just as much as Paris and that tramp back there. If he hadn't resorted to violence, I wouldn't be here, and I would probably be sparring with my brother," he said as Cassandra looked at him with sympathy.
"How dare you!" Helen said, enraged with Perseus' comment. However, she was silenced by Andromache.
"Shut up whore," Andromache said, kicking Helen in the stomach. "He is right. My husband is dead because of you and his stupid brother. Shut your trap or I will kill you myself."
Helen looked at her sister-in-law in shock while Perseus looked at Andromache silently. "A worthy wife for such a great man. I see Hector chose his queen well, unlike another Trojan prince."
Andromache just nodded while Helen glared daggers into Perseus, who just smiled at the former Queen of Sparta.
Priam led them to a room and led them to a wall that looked ordinary, but when he pressed something along the side, the wall slid back to reveal a tunnel.
Perseus threw Paris to the ground and unsheathed a dagger and cut the bonds of the royal family.
The all looked at Perseus gratefully and each one made their way to him to say their thanks. Queen Hecuba was first, and she bowed her head to the prince. "Thank you Perseus, you are good and noble soldier." Perseus smiled and bowed and kissed the Queen's hands before she walked into the tunnel.
Cassandra came up to Perseus and wrapped her arms around the demigod, surprising him. "Thank you Perseus. I can't imagine what that man would have done to me."
"He chose to ignore my warning. He chose his fate," Perseus said quietly to the princess who followed her mother through the tunnel.
Andromache stepped up to him. "I cannot repay you, Perseus. You have saved my son, and I am very thankful."
Perseus smiled. "Make sure he knows who his father was, and grows up to be like him. Make sure he knows Hector of Troy, Troy's most honorable and brilliant warrior and husband"
Andromache kissed him softly on the cheek again while tears grew in her eyes. "I will, but I will also grow him up like his savior. Perhaps in a different life, you and my husband could have been brothers." She turned away from the prince and followed the two women while Helen just shot him a glare. He smirked at the former queen and watched her leave.
Lastly, Priam grabbed his hands to kiss them, but Perseus removed his hands from the king's grip. "You will not kiss the hands of a soldier. You are a king, and you are a good and noble king. Your kingdom may have fallen, and you make think all hope is lost, but it isn't," Perseus said as he nodded towards Andromache, who was holding her son in her arms. "That is Hector's son, and your grandson. You must raise him to be like you and your son. He is the rightful heir to your throne, and you must make sure he is ready when he comes of age. The line of Troy will not die with your grandson, and while you might not be alive, he and his descendants will make way to the rise of another kingdom. Just make sure he is ready."
Priam looked shocked, but nodded as he turned towards his son.
"Please show him mercy," Priam pleaded.
Perseus glanced at the prince before turning to Priam. "He is not the one I truly want. He is bait. However, I will kill him quickly afterwards. I'm sorry King Priam."
Priam's eyes widened at the use of the word bait. "Who do you want?"
Perseus looked at the king with anger in his eyes. "Phoebus Apollo," he spat causing the king's eyes to widen even more. Perseus quickly pushed the king through the tunnel and shut the entrance before the king could respond and got himself ready. He was going to get his vengeance.
AN: Hey guys, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Battle with Apollo coming up, what's going to happen? Let me know what you think. Also, I know I kind of did a bit of a 180 with the whole Thalia thing, but I like the idea of the OC Poseidon kid to be like a protegé. Let me know what you think. Also, my Alex Rider x Cherub story is going on hiatus, so please let me know what new Percy Jackson story you guys want based on my Authors Note I posted earlier. Thanks so much and please review!