AN at the end.
-This chapter is dedicated to Debater Max
-Fuck off.
The cold embrace of the shadows warmed Percy, and he allowed himself to relax. He closed his eyes and tried to get all the rest he could, the exhilarating quest never slowing down. He was pulled out of his own Elysium by the desperate grip of the pair of arms around him.
He'd nearly forgot about his company, so he gave the hellhound another pat and they emerged from the shadows in San Francisco. Instantly the grip around him slackened, and Sephie dismounted the hound, Zoe and Thalia doing the same.
Thalia was the first to speak. "I'm never doing that again. That was horrible." She proclaimed, as if giving a speech to a large and eager audience. Zoe nodded in agreement, regaining her balance after the harrowing experience.
pssh. It's just shadow traveling. Percy thought to himself.
"Where to next?" Sephie asked, spinning the pen in her fingers.
"The pier, we have questions that need answering." Zoe said. None of the questers really understood but nodded along anyway. The group descended the hills and began to weave their way through the city. It was early morning, so they traffic was sparse, as was the populace.
The morning sun began to steadily climb the horizon, Apollo beginning his shift after a noticeably dull moon over the night before. The blocks of the city were routine and easy to navigate, allowing a simple path to be cut across the city.
The others in the group were beginning to lack, tired from their journey, but the shadows had re-energized Percy, who had an eye on all the surroundings, taking everything in. All was normal, apart from the black van that seemed to be following them.
"Next corner we turn, get into a doorway and hide." The others looked confused, and Zoe looked ready to protest, but a steel look from Percy shut her up.
The group continued, then rounded a corner, and dashed into a porch, hiding themselves in the darkness, letting Percy intensify it. They watched as the Van turned the corner too, and then stopped. The driver surveyed the pavement, looking for his targets. Percy could see him scowl, thinking he had lost them, before picking up a radio and talking into it.
The group held their breath, waiting for the driver to move on. He didn't.
The rumbles of engines alerted them to 3 more vans that had pulled up, blocking both ends of the streets. The side doors opened and Spartoi got out, along with a manticore from the original van. They all began stalking through the road, mortals having cleared off.
Percy cursed his luck and prepared himself for a fight, summoning some armour and a weapon, the rest of his companions drawing their own weapons. The spartoi closed in, having found their targets.
The group emerged from their hiding spot and prepared themselves for a fight, Percy had Thalia and Sephie with him, Zoe stood back with her bow drawn.
The group of Skeletons closed, inflamed red eye-sockets locked onto their tormentor, the Duke of Punishment. The front two lunged, and Percy sidestepped and whipped the back of his spear around, catching on the hilts of both of the offending swords.
He pushed back, stunning both skeletons, before stepping back and driving the tip of his spear into the spine of one of the skeletal soul hosts. It slowly turned to dust, and Percy could feel the soul being drawn back into the underworld. He checked his surroundings to see how his quest mates were doing. Thalia and Sephie were both doing well for themselves, while Zoe was firing her arrows at all the openings she could get.
The hairs on the back of Percy's neck stood on end, and he reflexively ducked, just a sword swung through where his neck would've been, serving only to behead him. He whirled onto the Spartoi and blocked a downwards strike with the shaft of his spear. He pulled back, playing defensively.
A large gap had opened up from his, and a silver arrow quickly found home above the eye socket of the Spartoi. Percy, seizing the opportunity, slammed his spear into the skull of the skeletal warrior, forcing it to disintegrate.
The manticore watched on, displeased at how the half bloods were fighting of the spartoi. He grumbled and got back into the truck tires squealing as he sped off.
The group slowly relaxed, the threat of the spartoi being dealt with by a combined effort, and they all took a deep breath to refresh themselves.
Percy looked over to the group, and his eyes widened at the sight, one Spartoi had escaped notice, and had snuck up on the fatigued Lieutenant of the Hunt, it's sword drawn back, ready to strike.
Percy melted into the shadows and emerged next to Zoe, and seeing no other alternative slammed into her, forcing her into the ground with a grunt. The Spartoi continued it's swing, and slashed at Percy's side, going deep and drawing blood quickly. The Son of Pluto gritted his teeth at the pain, and swung around to finish the Spartoi, driving the spearhead up through the Jaw and into the Skull.
Zoe, recovered and got up, "Um, Thanks." She said, clearly not used to thanking a male. Percy only nodded in return.
She looked at his side, "You okay?" she asked in a soft voice, eyes looking up and into Percy's. He brushed her off and nodded, ignoring the warm trickle of crimson blood that meandered down his left side.
-FM-
They had spent another hour walking through San Francisco, and finally arrived at the pier that Zoe had intended. It was a old and decrepit pier, the lights of garbage can fires illuminated the stretch into the sea, a constant movement of homeless people bustled about on it.
"Why are we here Zoe?" Thalia asked, in a tone that revealed she would rather be anywhere else.
Zoe raised her eyebrow and began to explain: "We can find Nereus here, the old man of the sea. We get one question per capture."
"One question per capture? How hard can it be to grab him?" Sephie asked. Zoe smiled, and Percy smirked, familiar with the legends.
"I guess we have our volunteer." Percy said.
"What to grab him?" Sephie asked. "How will I know which one is Nereus?"
"Smell." Zoe replied.
Sephie didn't really understand but continued on anyway. The group of demigods watched as she weaved through the local homeless population she seemed to be surveying her surroundings, and suddenly recoiled when she neared one very old homeless person. Her nose scrunched up and she acted like she wanted to be sick.
"Found Nereus then," Zoe commented.
Percy watched as she tried to cage him in before trying to grab him, no doubt aware that he would most likely try to escape. He flicked his wrist and a small crack opened in the ground, a handful of skeletons climbed out and deferred to the prince for commands.
He jutted his head over to where Sephie and Nereus were and, seemingly understanding their task, began to amble their way over to assist the daughter of Poseidon.
Sephie saw her 'back up' coming and decided to wait until they surrounded Nereus. Once all the skeletons had stumbled their way into a loose circle around the old man of the sea, they pounced. Nereus saw what was coming too late, and made a futile attempt to dive away.
He landed in a heap and Sephie instantly grabbed him by the scruff of his neck. He began wriggling and writhing like a fish out the water, and was hard to contain if Sephie's facial expression was anything to go off. Nereus then did something that surprised everyone but Zoe it seemed, and changed into a slippery black seal.
He began to race for the sea, Sephie and the skeletons in hot pursuit. The lead undead dived, and wrapped a bony hand around his tail. The sea animal yelped in pain, and stopped, giving time for the rest of the skeletons to jump on top of him in a large bundle, finally pinning him down.
The rest of the demigod group walked over, most of the local homeless population having seemed to have dispersed after the ordeal.
"Oh wonderful, an audience for my humiliation! The normal deal, I suppose? You'll let me go if I answer your question?" Nereus asked.
The group nodded before Percy spoke: "Where is the monster that Artemis was hunting, the Bane of Olympus?" He asked, voice devoid of all emotion, his interrogator façade on, well practiced over the years.
The old man of the sea gave an evil smirk, showing off his disgusting and grimy teeth.
"Oh that's too easy," He leered, "It's right there!" He said, pointing to the sea. They looked over an Nereus vanished into a spray of the salty water, leaving the skeletons, who Percy dismissed, their bones crumbling and souls being reaped once more.
The groups eyes landed on a sea creature that had swum up to the shore, it looked strange for a sea creature, but hey. its the world of Greek mythology.
"Ugh not now Bessie." Sephie said, exasperated.
"You know this thing?" Thalia asked, skeptically.
"Yeah, it's been following me since camp." she explained, as if nothing was out of the norm.
"What even is it?" Thalia asked again.
"The Bull Serpent." Percy cut in, "The Ophiotaurus, the Bane of Olympus."
Thalia and Sephie looked doubtful before Zoe cut in. "I know this story, My father told it me. It was ordained in a prophecy by the fates that whoever killed the beast and sacrificed it's entrails would have the power to destroy the gods, luckily they father Zeus sent an eagle to snatch the entrails away in the last titan war, my guess is it was reborn in the great stirring." she explained.
"Power to destroy the gods." Thalia repeated in an almost wistful tone. Percy scowled, Off course the sky spawn would have her father's lust for power.
A new voice, distinct French accent ingrained, made it's self known. "Yes my girl, and it is a power you shall unleash." They turned to find the manticore from their earlier encounter, standing behind them, a retinue of yet more Spartoi and dracaena with him.
"Thorn." Sephie said, a firmness in her voice and a sharpness in her eyes.
So she knows the manticore, from Westover no doubt. How quaint. Percy thought to himself, as the shadows merged around his form to make his armour and a spear. Sephie drew her Xiphos, and Zoe her bow.
Percy looked over to see Thalia looking over at the Ophiotaurus with a hunger in her eyes.
"Go on girl, you know it's the right choice. Luke recognized it, you could rule the world together under the titans. What has your father ever done for you?" The manticore pressed; Percy could see she was slipping.
He leaned over to Sephie and whispered into her ear. "Sacrifice the pelt to your father, ask him to take the beast away." She nodded, and slowly removed her pelt as to not draw attention to herself. She mumbled a prayer to her dad and threw the pelt into the sea, and watched as the water bubbled while the beast was carried out into Poseidon's domain.
The manticore roared in anger, and lunged towards the group. Percy quickly brought up his shield and brought himself in between Sephie and the enraged monster. Manticore spikes bounced and ricocheted off his stygian iron shield, which he saw the manticore flinch at. He deflected a heavy claw off his shield and thrusted back with his spear, which the beast deftly avoided.
Sephie made a swing from his flank, which the monster tried to avoid, but received a gash in the thigh. A roar was emitted from Thorn, who fired a barbed spike in retaliation. Sephie deftly spun out of the way, but the spike flew into Percy's already wounded side, eliciting a gasp of pain from the son of Pluto.
Zoe drew hunting knives and put herself between the injured fighter and the spartoi that he had been fighting. She intercepted a low swing with one knife and cut through the spine with her other knife. The undead host let out a ghoulish scream as it turned to dust, sending a shiver down her spine, as she turned to find another enemy to fight.
Thalia, with the beast being removed from the situation, gathered herself and pulled out her spear and aegis, charging into the battle with a renewed vigor. She quickly honed in on a dracaena, trying to sneak up on Sephie. She jumped up and plunged the celestial bronze spear through the back of it's neck, a strong feeling of satisfaction as she felt the resistance give way when driving her spear through the monster.
Sephie was facing down the manticore, annoyed that it had been able to hurt her friend. They engaged in a flurry of attacks, the manticore lashing out with tail and claws alike, while Sephie stabbed and swung with all her might. Their fight was as intense as it was brutal. Sephie took a cut on the forearm, in which she swung her sword upwards and took of one the Thorn's wrists, letting the dismembered paw fall to the floor.
Thalia felt a tug at her gut as she called a lightning bolt down onto another dracaena, who was wearing armour. The bolt descended from the sky with a sharp crack and she watched on as the armour super conducted the bolt all around her, frying her and reducing her into a fine gold powder. She swung her spear like a bat and hit the other dracaena's throat, causing her to gasp for breath through her dented windpipe.
Zoe tore through the last of the skeletons at a rate which only a millennia old huntress could, severing limb from body and crushing the skeletal skulls under her boot. Once the warriors had been dealt with, she pulled out her bow and lined up a shot on the manticore and released, watching as the silver arrow, almost a shard of moonlight, flew true into the beast's collarbone.
The beast roared in anger, giving Sephie an opening to bring her sword up and drive it through the chest of the manticore, watching as it burnt up into dust. The group took a breather, but were quickly pulled back into action by a soft gasp from Zoe.
The huntress turned to see the Son of Pluto lying with his back against a stone outcropping on the beach, bloody steadily flowing down his side where the manticore barb had struck him. She raced over to him and slid onto her knees to check his condition. His void eyes were glassy, skin paler than usual, and breaths shallow and unfulfilling. She dived into her bag for some nectar and ambrosia, and quickly retrieved it.
She placed a small chunk of ambrosia into the back of his mouth, and poured some nectar onto some bandages and wrapped them around the open wound. Blood quickly soaked through the bandages, although soon ground to a halt.
His eyes were now closed, and his breaths unnoticeable. Zoe tentatively placed two fingers to the top of his neck, below his rather chiseled jaw, checking for a pulse.
It was there, he was only unconscious. She sighed in relief before nodding to the others, telling them to get ready to move on.
-FM-
Turning up at her friends father's house with a unconscious and bloody boy probably wasn't the best look for the demigods to make when arriving at professor Chase's house, but he was informed of Annabeth's parentage and the weird situations it may bring along with it. Sephie had thanked the gods for that.
They had managed to haul the son of Pluto through San Francisco to their house, Thalia had the address written down apparently. They were given a few curious looks by the mortals, but the group was thankful none of them tried to intervene. They had honed down the house off the professor and gave the door a few sharp knocks. The door was pulled open and they were met face to face with a man wearing old-fashioned aviator's cap and goggles.
"Hello! Are you delivering my aero planes?" he asked in a cheery voice.
The group looked between each other before Sephie spoke, "Uh, no sir, we're friends of Annabeth."
He looked over the group and saw their unconscious baggage, "That explains him then, Where is she? Is she alright?"
Sephie nor Thalia answered, but their expressions must have given away that she was in danger, as he removed his cap and goggles. He had sandy coloured hair like his daughter and intense brown eyes.
"you better come in." He said, opening the door and letting the group in. The campers entered first, leaving Zoe to haul Percy through.
He lead the group up to his study, and on the way they were intercepted by Annabeth's step mom. From the stories told, Sephie expected her to be a raving lunatic and scream when she heard anything about Annabeth, but she just gave a solemn nod and let them go on.
Stepping into the professor's room Sephie understood why Athena had taken a liking to him, The walls were lined with books, leaving no section untouched, save for the desk coated in loose sheets of paper. In the center of the room was a long table, with a drawn on landscape, hills and fake trees were there, with two sides fighting over a blue painted river, figurines of soldiers of were on top, with biplanes strung from the ceiling, look as if they were in an intense dogfight.
Zoe unceremoniously dumped Percy onto an armchair that was in a corner, and then got a nearby stool and began tending to his wounds again. Sephie watched as she lifted up his shirt slightly and peeled off the blood soaked bandages. She would be lying if she didn't glance at the boy's abs, she could've sworn she Zoe steal a glance too.
The huntress then made what could only be described as a paste of nectar and ambrosia and smeared it on top the wound, before redressing the wound with fresh bandages. She then propped him into a comfier position and diverted her attention to the main group.
Dr. Chase caught as eyeing the mock battlefield and stepped forward, "Yes. The third battle of Ypres. I'm writing a paper, you see, on the use of Sopwith Camels to strafe enemy lines. I believe they played a much greater role than they've been given credit for." He then stepped forward and unhooked one of the planes, pretending to do a mock strafe of the German lines.
Zoe than stepped forward, "The German lines were further from the river."
The Dr. looked at her stunned, "How do you know that?"
"I was there." She replied, matter-of-factly. "Artemis wanted us to see how the mortal men fight their wars. The battle was a complete waste."
The Dr. was stunned, "Really? What formation did the planes fly in? Did you see them do any good Strafes?".
A new voice spoke up, it was a bit raspy but you could hear the words: "I can get an eyewitness report if you want." They all spun to see Percy who, looking pale still, had managed to hoist himself up and lean on the battle table. The doctor was again left speechless before nodding with an excitement that only a 7 year old could have.
"Garden?" Percy asked, Dr. Chase led them out the study and into the garden, the rest of the group following. They all watched on, fascinated for some, as Percy pulled some black paper and a pen out of a shadow, wrote a few things down, then threw it back into the same shadow. They were all confused before a small crack opened in the ground, a single skeletal hand jutted out, as pulled the rest of itself up.
The skeleton deferred to Percy, and begun clattering away with it's bony jaw, unintelligible to all put the son of Pluto it seemed. After a moment he nodded and flicked his hand, the skeleton returning down the hole, leaving it to close up.
He then looked towards the Doctor. "That was Oberleutnant Friedrich, He said the biplanes were pretty effective when strafing the lines, forcing the troops into their dugouts, combined with a small bomber offensive shook the lines rather considerable sir." He explained.
Annabeth's dad was scribbling down notes on a small pad, nodding eagerly. He then led them back inside to the study, where Zoe instantly walked over to Percy and began speaking to him in a hush tone, which Sephie could just about hear.
"Sit down, you're too injured." The huntress reprimanded him, having to look slightly up at him.
He looked back down, "I'm fine, your nectar and ambrosia trick worked."
"Your not, if used that trick hundreds of times and its never worked that fast, I might even leave you here while we finish the godsforsaken quest." Zoe fired back. That seemed to anger the boy, as he sneered at her.
"I'm fine. I didn't think a huntress would be so worried for the wellbeing of a boy." He retaliated, before pushing back and walking over to the table, nodding at Sephie for her to continue. Sephie looked over to see Zoe only looking concerned for the Boy, rather than wanting to stab him like she expected. That caused a violent mood to stir up within, but she pushed it down.
"We came her because we needed help sir, your daughter is in trouble." Thalia explained, which grabbed the Doctor's attention.
"Trouble? How?" He asked, Which led both Sephie and Thalia to explain the events of the past few days, starting before Westover and leading up to current events. The man mulled over the story before looking up, "How can I help?"
"We need a transportation." Zoe cut in. "We need to get to mount Tam."
He nodded, "I have a planes, but that's only two seater," He mumbled to himself in thought, "Car?" he asked, The huntress nodded in approval.
He led them back to the front door and took some keys of a peg and threw them to the lieutenant who caught them without even looking. And walked out to a yellow VW convertible on the drive. They hopped in and began speeding off to mount Tam.
-FM-
The garden of the sunset, or the garden of the Hesperides had a great view over the San Fran. bay area, the setting sun emblazoning the sea a fiery red. The group made their way to the entrance and were met by four figures who shimmered into existence, looking remarkably like Zoe. They all wore white Greek chitons, their skin was like caramel, silky black hair tumbled around their shoulders. Now that he looked at her sisters, Percy would admit to himself how beautiful Zoe was.
"Sisters." Zoe greeted tonelessly.
"We do not see any sister," One of the girls said coldly.
"We see three half bloods and a Hunter, All of whom shall soon die." Another finished.
Percy pushed his way to the front of the group, manipulating the shadows behind him to grow and become extremely overbearing. The gold in his eyes was drowned out the void that encompassed them. He looked down at the group of four immortal teens.
"Move." He said in a low, dangerous tone. They quickly backed off and shimmered away, leaving the group to advance through the garden.
The group trekked through the garden towards the path upwards on the other side of the garden, Percy at the front. He looked back to the group to see Zoe had walked astray, towards the Golden Apple tree. She tenderly reached out to the dragon who went to nuzzle her palm, but was startled by movement from another Hesperide and lashed out at the huntress.
Zoe tried to move back, but she saw the snapping head approaching, the sudden change of mood had caught her off guard. Just as the jaw was about to close around her side, a sharp tug on the back of neck from her jacket pulled her back. Suddenly, the darkness embraced her, the cold touch of the shadows she was travelling through made her shiver. She was unceremoniously dumped besides the rest of the group.
She looked up to see Percy walk off, having saved her life like it was no biggie. She collected herself and continued up the the path, silently reprimanding herself for allowing herself to slip up.
Atop the mountain were ruins, the remains being comprised of a dark bricks. There were broken columns, statues of gold that had been half melted. If one only looked closely they could see the ruins slowly rebuilding themselves. Bricks would silently appear on the broken walls, columns slowly grew in height, Statues reforming.
"The ruins of mount Othrys." Thalia said in wonder. Zoe quickly overtook and led them through the ruins, allowing them to emerge in a cave. The questers saw the silver goddess, chains bound around her legs, under the weight of the sky. The swirling typhoon pressed into the center of her back, her arms up to support the weight.
Artemis looked up at the group, "You must, leave. It's a trap." She managed to get out, her voice weak and strained.
Zoe ran over, desperately trying to undo the chains that leashed her mistress down.
A new, strong and booming voice interrupted. "Ah, how touching."
The group turned to see a giant figure there, Luke besides him accompanied by half a dozen Dracaena, and a retinue of traitorous demigods. Sephie could see Annabeth chained in Luke's grip, a gag in her mouth, and the Point of Luke's sword in his mouth.
"Luke." Thalia snarled. "Let her go." She demanded.
The son of Hermes' smile was weak and strained. "That is the general's decision Thalia. But it's good to see you again." Thalia spat at him in response.
Atlas chuckled, "So much for old friends. And you Zoe. It's been a long time. How is my little traitor? I will enjoy killing you."
Now the two were in the same room, Percy could definitively see the similarities between the two.
"Let Artemis go." The huntress demanded.
Atlas walked closer to the chained goddess, "Perhaps you would like to take the sky from her then? Be my guest."
Zoe opened her mouth to speak but Artemis cut in "No, do not offer Zoe, I forbid you!"
Atlas smirked. He knelt next to Artemis and tried to touch her face, but the goddess bit at him, almost taking of his fingers.
"Hoo-hoo" Atlas chuckled, "You see, daughter? Lady Artemis likes her new job."
He then stood up and walked over to the rest of the group examining them. "So these are the heroes of this age?" He looked over Sephie and Thalia, not looking at Percy who was stood of too the side of the group.
"Don't seem like much of a challenge." He smirked, but grew stone faced when he looked at Percy.
"But you. You were the wildcard. I didn't expect you to fight so readily for the gods." He said, in almost surprised tone. He looked Percy dead in the eyes, Dark volcanic black met void. "Sticking up and saving Zeus' throne after what he did?" He asked, in a questioning voice. The rest of the group looked over confused, and were met with an expression of utter hatred burned onto Percy's face.
"How dare you speak about her." He asked, his voice a low growl.
Atlas held the gaze. "You know I'm right." Percy's growl grew into a shout, a evening's darkness melted around him, forming a set of armour that could put Hephaestus to shame. The chest piece was that of a Spartans, accompanied by some greaves, both as dark as the boy's eyes. Vambraces molded on to his forearms, a cape of pure darkness around his neck. But that wasn't the most terrifying think about him. Atop his head was a bone wreath, emanating fear and overbearing malevolence. The Sword and Shield Zoe recognized being drew.
"So, the Duke of Punishment is going to fight." Atlas leered. And in a horrible moment, everything came crashing down for the demigods on the quest. The words of the prophecy echoed in Sephie's head. The Duke of Punishment's final stand. It was extremely likely that Percy wouldn't walk out of here alive. Worry filled Zoe's eyes as she also connected the pieces. Thalia was not going allow another death on this quest.
Mors Manus Scriptor. Death's hand. Sat in Percy's hand, as he made a lunge towards the Titan, fury powering his strikes. He made a wild slash that the titan met with his own javelin. He slammed his shield into the titans knee, forcing it aside and it to crumple. Atlas was quickly back on the attack though, and swung his javelin at Percy, who ducked it, and then melted into the shadows when another strike came.
He emerged behind the titan and slashed at this thigh, drawing Ichor. Atlas growled, apparently now annoyed, and swung his javelin like a bat, hitting the warrior boy in his waist, forcing a fold, before delivering a thunderous kick to his chest that only a deity of strength could give. Percy flew back into a wall and crumpled, wheezing from the kick.
Sephie took this time to lunge at the titan, while Thalia rushed Luke. Zoe found a perch and began firing arrows in all directions to try and hinter the enemy.
Thalia's battle with Luke was intense, the daughter of Zeus vs the former best swordsman at camp. Thalia struck first at the unhealthy demigod, who brought up his sword and parried. Luke then strafed to the right and lunged at Thalia's side. She brought up Aegis and bounced his strike, and kicked him in the upper arm. The kick set him off balance.
They exchanged more blows, both being neck in neck in skill, but Thalia had the upper hand with Luke's apparent un-wellness. She thrust again with her spear, scoring a narrow cut in his arm. He growled like a cornered animal and struck back, narrowly missing Thalia' shoulder with a downwards strike.
While the two former friends were engaged in lethal melee, Zoe was firing arrows at Atlas, currently engaged with Sephie. Most bounced off his armour, but a few scored hits, but Atlas was the Titan of endurance, and the Arrows seemed to have no affect, besides drawing small streams of Ichor.
Sephie knew she was making a mistake directly challenging the Titan after watching Percy being tossed aside by him, but her anger had flared at watching her friend being punted across the chamber. She had drawn Anaklusmos and charged head on, With both Demigod and Titan alike going blow-for-blow.
Her weapon began to grow heavy in her hands, and she remembered Ares' warning to her, spoken on the beach in Los Angeles so long ago. When you need it most, your sword will fail you.
She tried to dodge, but the javelin caught her in the chest, forcing into the air and to land in a heap at the foot of the chained goddess.
"Run girl, you must run!" she told her. Sephie wouldn't run, her loyalty prevented her from doing so.
Atlas stalked towards her, a bloodthirsty grin on his face. Sephie couldn't hope to beat Atlas, and she knew it. She remembered the prophecy. Titan's curse one must withstand. She fumbled up and swung at the chains holding Artemis down, cutting them. She slid in next to the goddess, under the sky.
"I can't beat him, you can." She wheezed. Artemis then slid out from under the weight, and Sephie's world became hell. Every bone in her body felt like it was on fire, the weight of the sky pressed into the centre of her back. Her vision went blurry as tears of pain marred her eyes.
Zoe could see Sephie suffering, and her mistress engaged in battle with her father. That wasn't what caught her interest though. Stood in the centre of a ring of Dracaena and Demigods, Percy was fighting them, one by one. It seemed the traitors still had some semblance of honour, and fought one on one. She watched as Percy decimated the first, driving his shield into his knee cap, crunching it, before beheading him with a sweep of his sword.
Zoe watched in morbid fascination as the headless corpse slumped to the ground, sword and shield clattering to the ground. Another stepped forward, a brief exchange of powerful sword swings ended with the challenger's throat cut, leaving him to choke on his own blood. One demigod in the ring of onlookers, after watching a third comrade decimated by the son of Pluto grew angry, and raised his spear. Zoe went to cry out but was too late. The boy drove his spear into Percy's back who let out a cry of pain, before falling to his knees, letting the boy rest his foot on Percy's shoulder and wrench his spear out with a crunch.
Zoe was shocked, She began firing arrow after arrow into the group, and felt a sharp sense of retribution when the murderer fell to a silver arrow. She was helpless to do anything as the rest chained him up, and began to drag him off, to the cruise ship docked in harbor at the bottom of the mountain. Either he was still alive or they wanted a trophy. Zoe tried not to think about it like that.
Thalia saw Percy fall, and turned to see Luke smirking in victory, only pouring gasoline on the already burning inferno that was Thalia. She thrust at him with a raw fury never seen from her. He was on a desperate defence now, backtracking and desperately trying to parry her ferocious strikes.
Artemis was fighting Atlas, and using her nimbleness to out-maneuver the heavy handed fighter. She faked a fall, and allowed Atlas to stand over her.
"The first blood in a new war!" He gloated, thrusting his javelin down to finish the goddess. At the last second she rolled aside, and used the javelin as the leverage she needed to swing the titan back under his burden. He flew into Sephie and knocked her out onto the floor, roaring in denial at his loss. As he did, Thalia kicked Luke in his chest, letting him plunge backwards off the edge of the mountain.
The fighters stood in the centre, unopposed and shared a moment of silence, mourning for the son of Pluto, his fate unknown.
-FM-
The group arrived at the doors to the throne of room of the Olympians, and took a deep breath before opening the doors and entering.
All heads turned to them, the conversations stopped. Sephie could see her father's features soften at the sight of her, but she was too downtrodden to particularly care. Thalia noticed her father's face soften slightly, and took all she could get.
The group proceeded to tell the gods of their quest, and in doing so were interrupted by the shadows congealing into a tall and menacing figure, he stood between the thrones of Zeus and Poseidon. Sephie would recognize Hades anywhere.
Before Zeus could reprimand him that he was not supposed to be on Olympus he locked eyes on the half blood group.
"Where is my son?" He demanded, a harsh steel in his voice made that Sephie flinch. They all diverted eyes away from him, not wishing to answer the question.
Zoe spoke, saving the rest of the group. "Bianca is dead." She began,
"I know that." Hades cut her off, coldness surrounding him and his tone.
Zoe looked Hades in the eyes, "If your son is not with you, then he has been captured by Kronos' forces my lord."
=AN=
BAM!
I really enjoyed this chapter, and i've been mulling over it for a while. Its six thousand, five hundred words so im very happy in that regard. Moving on we are going into the Battle of the Labyrinth Arc, but i plan on having this told from the Roman perspective and showing development from Reyna and Jason.
Im also undecided on the pairing, but im Leaning towards Preyna, one of my faves. Perzoe is also an option, but may be a bit far fetched.
On another note, Reviews.
I enjoy reading your reviews and listening to your feedback, hearing that my updates made your day really keeps me going. I think Any writer and almost Any person understands that the best criticism is constructive. Which is why i left the message for a certain reviewer. I format my writing to make it easier to read on Phones, which is where i do most of my writing, big paragraphs look nice on a computer or tablet, but are horrible when on a small device.
Im also toying around with a Son of Artemis Concept. Ive seen some good works on it but none seem to truly scratch the itch for me there. It could be either a book like this or a oneshot set in the scene we just had, but I dont know, let me get some other opinions from you guys.
so there you have it. I looked forward to reading more Reviews, but alas it is again very early in the morning, 2:30 AM here in the UK,
so in a bit mates, Stay safe.
-Dudududhehe :)