Chapter VIII

OKAY EVERYONE!

After writing this chapter, I seriously thought about possibly ending it here as the prophecy is completed and it feels fitting for it to finish here.

However, I completely remember saying that I have plans for the next chapter, but I could wrap it all up with a one-shot/two-shot.

So PLEASE, tell me what you guys want and I will follow through with the majority.

(Drop me your own ideas in the reviews, PM's or on discord. Either way I'll see them and reply :))

As always, Enjoy!

-LostHouse

Previously...

With the last grains of strength slipping through his grasp, the being spoke his last words.

''Farewell, Ambrosios...''

And so he faded, the smile never leaving his lips as the golden orb lost his bright glow and instead dimmed to a murky grey, humming his last prayers as his master vanished with a spray of green mist.

''Timoittaseh, tekutli.''

Goodbye, lord.

Now...

Narrator POV

The life source of Quetzalcoatl being the last thing that truly held the remnants of the Aztec Realm together and stopped it from forever fading into a simple distant memory, was all duly uncovered with his passing. Slowly, his death began showing the after effects upon the very land that surrounded the temple which was still safely sheltered within the bustling rainforest as its inhabits were still unaware of what was to come.

''My home for the past millennia's is turning to dust...'' Sighed out Ambrosios as he hovered next to the unconscious body of Perseus.

Landing onto the soft bed made from animal fur and straw, Ambrosios bright golden shine became so dark and grey that the orb was nearly transparent as he watched the undoing of the Aztec Realm in a deathly silence, save for Perseus's lone uneven breaths which gently rocked the bedding.

And it all happened so fast.

At first, the surrounding rainforest turned eerily silent as its inhabitants seemingly sensed their incoming fate, scattering in all directions as birds erupted from the canopies of the towering trees and tried to hopelessly escape their pending doom, closely followed by the land animals which bucked and screeched in confusion at the sudden turn of events. Following the confusion from the realms' inhabitants, the suns powerful rays dimmed darker and darker until the land was basked in a shade of grey, all assortments of color swiftly washed away from sight as a an evident chill clenched the realm.

With Ambrosios not moving from his spot on Perseus's bed, he watched onwards as a sudden gust of wind shook the very core of the temple, the lands becoming so dark that not a single detail could be made out upon the horizon, a sudden gust immerging from nowhere and ripping out the trees with their roots as the entire rainforest turned upside down with a metallic taste of blood whizzing through the air as the crushed animals died in a painful confusion, forcefully painting the duo that resided in the lone temple with a light spray of red.

''On the honor of my master, I vow to never forget my true home...''

After the heartfelt words were whispered out to the self destroying world, the sun silently exploded and sent a shockwave which ran across the lands, eating up everything in its path as the deafening roars created an illusion of utter silence, simultaneously painting an abnormally beautiful picture of death that caused goosebumps to scale your arms and hypnotize you, rooting you to the very spot you stood as you rewind your whole life in a matter of seconds.

Stupidly awaiting your doom.

Incapable of watching the purging of his home any further, the orb engulfed Perseus's still body in a blur of light and teleported back to the mortal plane, back to the unconscious mans home as he tried and failed to envision a bright future for himself.

What kind of future does one have without a master to serve?

With the pair disappearing just before the entire temple got cracked in half and selfishly gobbled up by the shockwave which ravaged the lands and turned them into a furnace which blazed with flames like an inferno before there was nothing left to destroy and no more souls to take, the raw silence finally took over. Leaving no survivors.

Coconino National Forest

Arizona

Appearing in wild forest a few hours away from The Emerald Cove, Perseus's still unconscious body was viscously discarded onto the red sand on the ledge of a waterfall before rolling off and plummeting in an uncomfortable position down to the gurgling pool below. Ambrosios, who knew of the mans powers, made no indication of stopping the movement as he instead hovered down to the stone littered bank and waited for his body to wash up, the recent memory of his Masters death still plaguing his immortal mind.

Hopefully there will be peace.

Replaying his promise to Quetzalcoatl in his mind, the murky orb lay to rest on the banks and awaited the awakening of his new friend, praying that he would be left in peace for the foreseeable future as he sadly hummed an unknown tune. Encased in the rays of the noon sun as the gentle gurgle of the waterfall nearby set a scene of peace and tranquility, the body of Perseus finally floated to the surface and made a gentle, meandering path towards the banks of the pool as the waters current drifted him in a careful manner towards Ambrosios.

Just as his soaked body gently rammed into the outer banks of the pool, the sense of tranquility was viscously broken as a thundering roar emitted from the forest that encased the waterfall, the shouts echoing throughout the trees as the resounding trample of a few dozen heavy landing foot-steps attacked the senses of the immortal orb.

Is this mans aura that powerful?!

Instantly whizzing over to the nearby displaced body of Perseus, he threw up a golden shield that created a cocoon of light around his body just as the first signs of the incoming horde of monsters charged through the tree line, beholding a variety of creatures ranging from hellhounds to drakon as their blood thirsty eyes set onto one single unconscious man and skipped over the orb that accompanied him.

Without wasting a second, Ambrosios began feeding all of his strength and power into the shield around Perseus, straining under pressure as he started emitting a red glow that painted the colorful scenery surrounding them in a veil of crimson as the horde of monsters bellowed a final roar and streamlined at the golden encasing of Perseus, barging into it with all their strength as they began clawing, hacking and biting away in hopes of reaching the unconscious man that lay naively within, who was unaware of the currently ongoing battle.

''GET HIM! KILL, KILL, KI-'' Screeched out an empousa before she was trampled under the feet of a cyclops.

After long minutes that felt like hours of preventing the shield from cracking, Ambrosios's crimson glow began to slowly dim as he began to lose his power, resulting in the sea of blows from the horde of monsters to create small scratches and fractures on the shields surface before the single downward stomp from a drakon created a large opening in the top hemisphere of the cocoon, letting the more nimbly monsters to poke their claws and jaws through and eat away at the comatose man, ripping off pieces of his flesh as Ambrosios's lost all his strength and passed out, dropping from his airborne position straight into the pool of water as the cocoon gave way and exploded with a sharp snap.

Now without any way for Perseus to be protected, he was squashed beneath a dozen of creatures as they all fought for the final killing blow, his body being thrown around like a rag doll as he flew from jaw to jaw. But before a hellhound could rip out his jugular, a storm of silver arrows streamlined throughout the sky and blocked out the sun prior to successfully slamming into the vital points of the offending monsters with uncanny precision as the deceased monsters brewed up a hurricane of golden dust.

With the monster horde having its numbers quickly diminished, they were forced to stop the assault on the unconscious body of Perseus as they instead began scramming around in hopes of dodging the incoming projectiles before a conjoined shout escaped from deep within the tree line, the Hunters of Artemis infiltrating the scene as they started cleansing the instant area from monsters.

And to say the few monsters were no match for them, would be a shitty evaluation.

As the hunters made quick work in decapitating their enemies, only once the drakon got punctured like a pin cushion and dissipated into the ever growing golden storm did they realize the the true reason behind their presence.

And that was the tangled 6 foot 4 man that was currently choking in a pool of his own blood.

Artemis POV

''HUNTERS! FIRE AT WILL!''

Bellowing my command, I began to fire off my own streams of arrows at the assembled monster before us, still confused as to why they suddenly appeared in Arizona of all places possible. After all, there was nothing of interest here.

''READY KNIVES!''

''CHARGE!''

Watching as everyone discarded their bows and pulled out their close quarter weapons, we erupted through the tree line and started making quick work of the monsters, never staying in one sport for longer than needed as all kills where dealt with swift precision.

Eyeing out the drakon that was the last one left alive amongst with the few empousa which tried to flee the scene, I pulled out my bow for the last time as I aimed for the chinks within its scales, smirking as the drakon reared in pain and flinched its green eyes into mine before it began widening its mouth and prepared to douse me in its flames. But I gave it no such chance as I let off tens of arrows into its open throat, forcing it to choke on its own flames and viscously slam its jaw shut to prevent the projectiles from further ripping its tender flesh apart.

With a simple sign from my new lieutenant informing me that all other monster were disposed off, the other hunters began joining me in turning the lone drakon into a pin cushion, and not long after our conjoined efforts the drakon erupted into a plume of dust, its body implanting itself into the orange sand as its fall shook the earth ever so slightly.

Scouting the area for anymore threats, I was about to give the order to retreat back to camp before I was frantically called out to by Phoebe.

''Mi' lady! There's an unconscious man here, what do we do?''

Huh? A man?

Whipping towards the figure of Phoebe, I saw her kneeling by the side of a largely built man that was currently lying in a pool of blood. Seeing how dire the situation was I quickly ran over to the man and inwardly flinched after closely expecting his back as I saw the numerous amounts of scars and chunks of flesh that were missing.

Twisting him over onto his back, my face paled as I examined his chest and neck, both depicting scars from injuries that no-one should be able to survive and tell the reasonings behind them. Ripping off a piece of my shirt I unconsciously felt the rest of the hunters loom over my shoulder and assess the man for themselves as I wiped the blood and gore from his light stubble, freezing once I saw his rough visage and vaguely identified the man for who he truly was.

No...this is a mistake.

''Mi' lady? Is there something wrong? Why cant we just leave him?'' Spoke one of the newer hunters.

''Wait, isn't it weird that he looks a lot like that man, Perseus?''

Abruptly disrupted by a voice from the pool of the waterfall, everyone watched on in surprise as an orb hovered into the skies and approached our little huddle whilst screaming, ''Because that IS Perseus! For goodness sake, how slow are you?!''

''YOU! You're the same orb from two ye-''

''QUIET! He needs attention right this second! I vow to explain everything when he is stable!'' Cut off the murky orb as he took a defiant stance in front of my face.

Dumbly nodding my head as my mind went into overdrive, I gave the last command.

''Gather round! We are going to Olympus!''

Following my order without hesitation the hunters interlocked arms as I placed a hand on the chest of what appeared to be Perseus, my mind still not letting me believe my eyes as I went into a form of shock with too many emotions flooding into my mind as I was sure this was just a coincidence.

Just a coincidence? Are you blind, stupid or both? Incredulously questioned Diana within my mind as we flashed straight to the Throne room.

Throne Room

Olympus

''APOLLO!'' I shouted at the top of my lungs as my mind started piecing everything together.

Hes alive...Hes alive!

with the aforementioned man flashing into the center of the throne room with a goofy smirk present upon his chiseled face, his lazy eyes questioningly fell onto my confused silver ones as he suddenly noticed that he was currently standing in an ever-growing pool of blood that was painting his white sneakers red and later being absorbed by his Nike socks.

''WHAT!?'' He exclaimed as my body lost all senses. ''No...Is that who I think it is?'' He tried to question me before the orb hovered into the air and smacked into the sun gods face.

''Listen here motherfucker! Are you the god of healing or are you Sherlock Holmes?!''

''Oww! What's wrong with you man- wait. Are you a talking ball?''

With the steadily growing commotion causing Hestia to flash in and inspect the reasoning of the racket, I finally clicked to my senses as Hestia's eyes widened and the orb was about to do another aerial assault on my daft twin.

''Hunters, retreat to my temple and wait for me. Apollo, heal him for gods sake and don't let anyone insid-Oi! Stop attacking him and explain everything you flying object!''

''Object? Who do you call an object you idiot! I am Ambrosios, the last being remaining from the Azte-''

''SHUT UP!'' Screamed out a crying Hestia as everyone feel into a sudden silence.

Taking the cue to leave, Apollo flashed away with the the body of Percy to his temple as the hunters backed out of the throne room through the large double doors, leaving me to stand with Hestia and the floating ball as no-one spoke a word. Hestia's expression switching from shock, happiness, anger and finally confusion.

''Niece. Please tell me it really was him...'' She whispered out as tears streamlined down her face, her hands shaking ever so slightly as she clutched her copper colored toga.

But before I could even control my own trembling hands and yet alone form any coherent words to speak to the goddess, the orb swiftly interrupted me.

''Seeing as the shiny fool is now gone, we can continue in a civil manner. I believe you remember my previous visit, Lady Hestia?''

''Ye-yes, I remember our encounter from two years ago.''

Whizzing from me to Hestia, the murky orb glowed brightly for a second before resting in between the both of us.

''Perfect. As vowed I will explain everything of importance, so gather your Olympian brethren and I shall begin.''

After finishing his phrase, no-one moved as me and Hestia were rooted to our current standings.

''Τα λόγια μου δεν έχουν κανένα νόημα? (Do my words have no meaning?)'' Specified the ball in modern Greek as I summoned the entire council for an emergency meeting by letting off a burst of my divine power into the ceiling of the throne room, both me and Hestia reluctantly taking our respective thrones as the orb casually hummed a weird tune to himself in the center of the large room.

As the gods began flashing in one by one and their expressions took on the look of pure confusion at the blood stained floor and the hovering orb, Ambrosios spoke out, just as Zeus began to open his mouth.

''Why hello there, Greeklings.''

And that was when all mayhem broke lose.

Three hours later

Apollos Ward

Apollo POV

Does this man never change?

Taking a sip of my coffee, I laid back into my chair as I let out an elongated sigh, clearing my mind of all thoughts concerning the comatose man before me as I was sure I wouldn't be able to believe them anyway. As per usual, his unconscious state was filled with incoherent mumbles that consisted mostly of rude curses, curses that no mother would be proud to hear as even I was forced to raise an eyebrow every now and then at the words that left his mouth.

Resting my cup of coffee onto a nearby table, I leant forward and assessed the wrapped mummy like man before me to make sure my stitches wont come undone as soon as he begins to move around once again, which by my calculations, would be sooner rather than later. Unable to withhold my inward flinch as I once more caught sight of the numerous scars that littered his upper body and crisscrossed in ruthless patterns, I suddenly realized a massive factor that I somehow overlooked.

Since when was he this...big? (Bad doggie! Cleanse your mind from dirty thoughts!)

Looking on as his broad shoulders hung from the corners of the bed, ankles dangling over the edge as the mattress was simply too small to house his immense figure, I thought back to his physique during the Giant War and remembered he was never this large. More so lean and athletic than broad and bulky, causing many girls to swoon with lust over his body wherever he went.

Nevermind that, I'm sure that even goddesses will be captured by his god like presence alone.

I want whatever he's taking.

Sitting back into the chair, I grabbed my coffee off the table before I was quickly forced to grabbed onto the armrest of the seat with a firm hand as another viscous tremor shook the core of my temple, only proving that it was a blessing that I was safely locked away from whatever was going on within the throne room, the tremors being caused by either a very happy Uncle P or a very angry Uncle P. Leaning back once more into my chair, I prayed it was the first option.

With the continuous beeps from the heart monitor forcing me to close my eyes as sleep began taking over, I was forced to drop my coffee and fall onto the floor as a hoarse voice suddenly lashed out at my unaware state.

''BOO muthafucka!''

''Dammit! What on earth is wrong with you!'' I shouted out in surprise as I caught the slightly open eyes of the man that laid before me as he let out a frown of distaste.

''Shut up and take out these stupid wires before I strangle you with them.'' He croaked out as I scrambled from my lowered position and began to unceremoniously take out the assortments of wires that were connected to his body, shuddering as he showed no signs of pain as the needles cut out of his skin and caused the heart monitor to fall silent.

''Much better'' He choked out, sitting up with eerie ease before swinging his legs over the side of the bed and plopping his toes onto the floor as he let his feet get used to the contact with solid ground as he let out a long sigh as observed his facial expressions.

''You know what, I wont even ask what happened to you or where you've been because I wont be able to believe it anyways, but do you even know what year it is?''

Putting on his thinking face as he rubbed his chin with a heavily bandaged forearm, he tilted his head and laid his sharp eyes onto mine.

''Of course I know what year it is. Its 2012!''

''Cuz...Was there a head injury I'm not made aware of?''

''No you dumbass, that's just the year when everything went to shit. And to be frank with you, I don't even know where half of these fucking injuries came from. One second I'm fighting the evil bastard of Quetz, the next second I'm being blinded by your grace.''

Shaking my head at both the first statement and the nonsense about some evil quartz, I plopped down onto a nearby spare bed within my ward and rubbed the tiredness out of my eyes as I pondered over his harsh and careless attitude.

''As I said, I wont even try asking you for details cuz.''

''Eh, whatever. I don't even remember half the details anyways.''

''And here I thought that you changed, yet your still the same old stupid Perce I always knew.''

Dangerously narrowing his eyes in my direction, he let out a smirk as I began squirming under his heavy glare as he carried on speaking with a rough voice.

''Damn bro, you got a dart?''

''What? Why would you want to play darts of all things?''

Frowning heavily in my direction, he said ''Not literal darts dumbass, I meant cigarettes. And here I thought that you were still awesome.''

''I am the true epitome of the word Awesome cuz.''

Flashing in a pack of super king B&H Blues, I took one out and passed it over to the man a front of me before taking one out for myself and lighting it with the tip of my finger.

''Thanks 'pollo.'' He smirked out, raising the offering to his lips and smiled as he lit it with the click of his fingers.

''So in all seriousness Doc, how long was I gone?''

''Two years, give or take.''

Simply nodding his head as the numbers didn't even bother him, he lay back down onto the bed and sighed, watching the puff of smoke as it it snaked past his lips and gently clouded the room.

''I forgot how good this shit was.''

Shaking my head as we embraced the comfortable silence, Percy stuck the cigarette into the corner of his mouth and gently stood up and began searching for something with his eyes. Instantly knowing where this was going I spoke out mid draw.

''Better let the wounds air out cuz, and plus, you will definitely get more girls attention with that body on full display.''

''Is that all you think about? Because it sounds sad.'' He replied, picking up the pack of cigarettes' and innocently sliding it into his trouser pocket before stretching out his hand towards me as I proceeded to stand up myself.

''Good talking to you Apollo, but I believe its time to head back to the throne room and meet ol' Zeusy.''

Clasping his outstretched hand, I gave it a firm shake as we were covered in a thick veil of grey smoke before I flashed the both of us to the center of the throne room, just as another violent tremor ripped out through the whole of Olympus.

Percy POV

Flashing into the throne room, I took another deep puff as I prepared myself for the coming encounters as the whole room was filled in silence at my appearance, Apollo flashing to his throne as he escaped the thick gazes directed at me as I let out the puff of smoke, the tension in the air causing me to think up of something to say.

''Wassup''

''Percy!'' Came the conjoined shout from both my father and patron as they both retreated to their human sizes and engulfed me in bone crushing hug, forcing me to wince and clench my jaw as pain skyrocketed throughout my body.

''Hey! Relax with the strength!''

Both of them ignoring me as I felt tears stream down my bandaged chest, I simply stood and let out a sigh as I watched Zeus open his mouth.

''Perseus, Ambrosi-''

''Its Percy.''

As Zeus raised a single eyebrow at the interruption, he carried on. ''Ambrosios here has told us everything regarding your appearance and travels during the time in the Aztec realm, however, you still need to explain something.''

Tilting my head as I replayed Zeus's words in my mind, I was forced to sit down onto a couch that suddenly appeared from behind me as I was instantly flanked by the two gods that still refused to leave my side, mumbling incoherent thanks and praises to some unknown beings.

''Explain some things? What is there left to explain?'' I questioned, flicking the butt of the finished cigarette over my shoulder as Demeter visibly frowned at my actions.

Smoothly taking the pack of cigarettes' back out from my pocket, I slid out another one and lit it before the whole pack was encased in flames as Hestia slapped me on the back of the head and shook her head, making her streaming tears to fly off in a multitude of directions.

''Only a single detail, Perse- ahem, Percy. How did you kill the brother of Quetzacoat?'' Replied Zeus.

''For the last time, its Quetzalcoatl!'' Interrupted Ambrosios, flying towards the couch from behind Hestia's empty throne and landed onto my lap as everyone ignored him and I spoke before the orb could make anymore corrections.

''Well Zeus, he slapped me a fucking mile, then I got angry and strangled him around the neck with some chains before he fell over and squashed me. So I simply encased myself in flames and burnt through his back before climbing through the insides of his chest and reappearing on the other side. Anything else you want me to tell?''

Smirking at the queasy looks that littered some of the gods faces, I took another deep puff of my cig and waited for anymore questions to arise from the assembled gods.

''No Percy, I believe that would be all for now. But I do have one more question before the council will be dismissed.''

''Shoot.''

''Assuming you will stay loyal to Olympus, what would be your next plan of action?''

Feeling a pair of silver eyes burn through the side of my head and the grips of the two gods that currently flanked me on the couch tighten, I spent a few long seconds comprehending the question.

Sure, I could probably just stay in Atlantis with dad or with Hestia on Olympus as I knew they wouldn't leave my side for the next couple of months, but that just seemed boring. And I don't even know if there are any monsters for me to kill as of now, the recent threat of the Aztecs being gone with Kronos and Gaea also being ridden of for the next few centuries at the very least. Well, I could probably try and visit Nyx or even travel with Artemis for some time, maybe even stay in one of the demigod camps.

Overall, I don't even know what to do as of now.

Returning my gaze back to the awaiting face of Zeus as I was genuinely surprised at not being interrupted by any of the gods present, I spoke my mind.

''I'm actually not sure. But I will probably stay with dad and Hestia for a few months as my body heals before finding something else to do, maybe visit some old faces in the mean time.''

''I see, Percy. If you have any pending questions then my temple will be open for you. Oh, and I wish you a fast recovery.''

''Council Dismissed!''

Surprised by the out of character kindness from the King, I watched as all the gods gave me another look as some of the goddesses licked their lips before they all disappeared with bright flashes of light, leaving only Ambrosios, Hestia, Poseidon and Artemis to remain present in the throne room as the Hearth roared with flames never seen before.

''Since when did Zeus act like an actual King?'' I voiced out, thunder echoing throughout Olympus as I turned to the assembled gods and orb.

With Artemis timidly approaching me as dad gently pulled me up and willed the couch to disappear with the flick of his wrist, Ambrosios quietly fluttered into the air as Hestia engulfed me into another hug that forced me to stick the half finished cigarette into the corner of my mouth as Poseidon gave out a deep laugh of joy and grabbed Artemis by the wrist, driving her to join into a big group hug as I couldn't help but blush and laugh at the same time when I felt her arms wrap around my bandaged shoulders.

''How about we talk in Atlantis? The populous shall celebrate the return of the Prince!''

''Why not?'' Glittered out Hestia with a melodic chuckle into my shoulder as Poseidon flashed us to his palace in Atlantis, giving Artemis no choice but to come with us as we were still glued together in a tangle of limbs.

Feeling a wide smile emerge on my lips, I spat out the cigarette and grabbed Ambrosios with a loose hand, just as we disappeared in a flash of light with Poseidon ruffling my messy hair, Artemis burying her head into my shoulder as my face burned with flames hotter than Hephaestus's forges.

I felt as if the chains were finally off...