As I said, busy few days for me. I'm managing to make time to update now but again, not sure when I'll be able to update after that, hopefully it won't be super long. Anyway, please do read and review this chapter- and you all know what's coming next don't'cha?
"I want to do what Alabaster did." Percy said the words in a voice that sounded far more confident than she really felt, "I want to bathe in the Styx."
Sally stiffened, closing her eyes. "Percy-"
"I know." Percy took a deep breath, "I know how dangerous it is mom. Believe me I know. And I don't- I've been putting it off for too long already. I... I can't keep putting it off mom."
"Honey-"
"Within the next few weeks we have plans to attack the Princess Andromeda as soon as we've managed to track it. I can't- I can't take the risk of it going badly, I need every advantage I can have and that includes bathing in the Styx-"
"It's so dangerous." Sally's eyes were teary, "Honey-"
"I know mom." Percy's voice was quiet, "But we can't risk being caught unawares. If we are then I might not get time to do it. I... I had to step up and take responsibility-"
"You're too young for this-"
"And yet here I am." Percy gave a sad smile, "It won't be long now and you know that too."
"I do." Sally's voice was pained, "Percy- sweetheart... what do you need from me?"
"I need your blessing according to Uncle Hades. I need you to accept the risks and be willing to let me take it."
"Percy-" Sally was near tears, "I never wanted any of this for you. You deserve better than this- you're only fifteen-"
"Mom... it would have happened no matter what. It's my fate." Percy's smile was almost bitter. "It's going to be okay mom-"
"Honey-" Sally closed her eyes. And they both understood why. The looming war had been hanging over all of their heads for a long time. But it wasn't something Percy had really discussed with her mom. She knew everything that had happened, she knew what was going on but they'd never talked about it.
"It's okay-"
"You could die." Sally whispered, "I know your entire life is dangerous. I know that, but- this..."
"Mom-" Percy let out a breath, "I know. I know okay? And... I know you're probably scared." her mom was probably more afraid than she was. She'd faced death so many times it almost felt like an old friend now. She would do everything she could to survive but... she'd accepted the possibility that she'd die young.
"I don't want to lose you Percy." Sally whispered the words, "You should be excited about turning sixteen. You shouldn't have to be worried about a war-"
"I know mom. But that's just how things are-"
"You could die Percy- you and your brothers-"
"I'll protect them as best as I can mom." Percy promised, "I don't plan on dying. That's why I need to bathe in the Styx- I... I know that it could kill me but I don't think it will. I've defied the odds this long right?" Percy gave a fake goofy grin, "At this point I'm honestly not sure that I can die before I turn sixteen."
"Percy!" Sally gave her a disapproving look before her lips twitched very slightly, a faint smile, "Just be careful sweetie okay?" Sally pressed her lips to the top of Percy's head.
"Percy. My darling little girl. I give you my blessing to bathe in the River Styx." she let out a breath almost deflating slightly. "Will that do the job?"
And Percy considered it, she didn't feel any different but- well, her mom had given her her blessing right? That was what Hades had told her she'd need. So- "I think so."
Percy reached out, grabbing her mom's hand. "I'm going to Iris message uncle Hades. He told me to tell him when the time came."
"Will he go with you?" Sally's voice was soft, "I'd feel a bit better if he did I think- I know your uncle has a soft spot for you. Nico's told me that more than once."
"I think so." Percy nodded. "He'll look out for me. After all he doesn't want Nico to have to deal with the prophecy." she gave a wry smile.
"No parent would." Sally shook her head, brushing Percy's hair out of her face gently. "I'll leave you to make that Iris message. Will you tell-"
"No." Percy shook her head, "I don't want anyone worrying about me. I can handle myself fine. This is something I have to do myself."
"Fine." Sally nodded, pressing her lips to the tip of Percy's head again, "I-"
"I know mom." Percy smiled, "You just worry about the others and yourself. I can deal with myself. You have to look after that baby-"
"We're not even sure I am pregnant yet honey-"
"Mom." Percy gave a grin, "You're glowing. You're totally pregnant. I bet Paul is gonna be super happy. He's a good dad."
"He is?" Sally's voice was hesitant but hopeful "He's been worrying that he'll mess up, he knows he's not your actual father but... he loves you kids so much-"
"And we love him too. Seriously, he's a great guy. We wouldn't have been so happy about you guys getting married if we didn't like him."
"Good." Sally relaxed, "He should be home soon, his friends from work wanted to take him out for drinks but he never stays out too late."
"He should make the most of that." Percy grinned, "It won't be long before he'll be too tired for that. Maybe I'll have to stay at camp to avoid the crying baby-"
"Ah, I see how it is." Sally laughed, "You get to play with them and then leave so you don't-don't get the sleepless nights."
"Yep, definitely." Percy laughed brightly as Sally stood up before there was a crashing from downstairs, the sound of cursing in ancient Greek and then-
"I told you it wouldn't work-"
"I want a magic girl transformation gods damn it-"
"You're such a dumbass Rachel should have never introduced you to anime-"
"This coming from the nerd!"
"I am not a nerd! Just because I like mythomagic-"
"Dude, the other day Will gave you a hand drawn mythomagic card about yourself and you literally made out with him for like, an hour-"
"I- it was a very thoughtful gift-" there were more crashing noises.
"What is going on?" that was Luke's voice, "I- oh my gods did you just- Leo what the fuck happened to the lights?"
"Oh gods." Sally closed her eyes, unable to help the laugh that burst past her lips, "I should probably get down there and find out what your brothers have done this time."
she let had a long suffering look on her face, "At least you're not involved so I know the kitchen won't be flooded out."
"This is Leo, never assume anything." Percy shook her head, watching her mom head out of her room and down the stairs, the door shutting behind her before she went into her bedside table and got to work, grabbing out a prism- a present from Rachel, and she used it along with her lamp to make a rainbow, and she tossed a Drachma into it.
"Oh Iris, Goddess of the Rainbow, please accept my offering, show me Lord Hades in the Underworld."
And a long moment later she could see Hades- he was stood on a balcony overlooking the fields of Asphodel, a worried frown on his lips, his brows creased.
"Uncle?" and Hades turned his head at the sound of her voice, his eyes widening slightly.
"Percy?" his expression shifted slightly, a look of realisation on his face. "Have you made your choice child?"
"You told me to tell you when the time came. I just asked my mom. She gave me her blessing."
"I see." Hades straightened. "When?"
"As soon as possible. I've wasted enough time."
"I can come tonight if you want."
"Come?"
"I will pick you up personally and return you to your home after." Hades stated firmly, "Given the importance of what you're doing I'd like to be sure that your father can't accuse me of anything untoward-"
"Is that god for 'I want to make sure you're safe because I'm fond of you.'."
"You seem much less respectful than you were when we first met." he looked as if he was trying to look disapproving, but he didn't do a very good job, all things considered.
"Eh, I was twelve and I was a lot less used to gods back then." Percy remarked lightly, "Besides, back then you pretty much wanted to brutally murder me, I figured it'd be smart to be respectful towards you."
"Shame you didn't keep that respect-"
"Oh I respect you. That doesn't mean I'm not gonna savour the fact that you do, in fact, like me."
Hades let out a long suffering sigh, rolling his eyes. "Child I have agreed to help you come to my domain and here you are purposely trying to infuriate me."
"Yeah, but you like me so you won't do anything about it." Percy declared.
"Silence girl. I'll be with you shortly." Hades waved a hand through the image, cutting off the call, and Percy stared at the spot where he had been a moment before, before she shrugged and moved quickly- she was sort of regretting changed into her pyjamas now.
She moved quickly, changing into a pair of jeans and a blue tee- and she was just in time because a moment after she had she heard the doorbell chiming.
She hadn't even managed to tug her shoes on, though she rushed out of her bedroom, and she was halfway down the stairs by the time she heard the door being opened.
"He-" Luke's voice faltered, "Wait... are you-"
"Uncle Hades!" Percy called quickly as she reached the bottom of the stairs and darted to the door, "He's here to see me Luke-"
"Dad!" that came from the kitchen and a moment later Nico was skidding into the hall-and Percy resisted the urge to raise an eyebrow at the sight of him- the fact that he'd been helping Leo was very obvious- given how covered in oil he was, "Holy Styx dad what-" he paused, glancing between Percy and Hades, "What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to see Persephone." Hades gave Nico a small nod, "Though I am glad to see you looking so well son."
"I- I'm great-" Nico managed, "What do you want with Percy?"
"We have much to discus." Hades voice was firm, "There's nothing for you to concern yourself with Nico. I will return your sister to you soon enough-"
"You're taking Percy somewhere?" Luke frowned, his eyes narrowing, "But-"
"Luke." Sally was in the kitchen door, a stern look on her face "I know about what's going on. Lord Hades is helping your sister with some preparations for the war-"
"Preparations we don't know about?" Luke frowned, "But-"
"Percy what is it?" Nico was frowning, "Why-"
"Nico." Sally cut across his questioning. "Now isn't the time." her expression was tight with worry as she looked between Hades and Percy, "Lord Hades... thank you."
And Hades seemed almost surprised at that- he wasn't exactly used to mortals thanking him after all. "I will return your daughter to you shortly Miss Jackson-"
"It's Mrs Blofis now actually. And thank you."
"Mom what is going on? Percy what are you doing?" Luke demanded, "What aren't you saying? I don't understand-"
"Luke-" Percy darted forward, hugging him tightly, "I'll be home soon, if not tonight then it'll be tomorrow morning."
"What is going on?" Luke's voice was almost frantic, "I don't understand- Percy it's not like you to keep secrets like this-"
"I know. But I know what I'm doing Luke." Percy pulled back, "Look after everyone while I'm gone okay- Neeks- relax. I just need to sort out some plans with your dad-"
"And I'm not involved?" Nico asked incredulously, "Dad-"
"The plans involve Persephone specifically." Hades told Nico seriously. "I understand that you're worried but I will take care of your sister."
"You better!" that came from the kitchen- Leo was probably too absorbed in his work to come and join in but he had clearly been listening.
"I-" Nico looked incredibly unhappy, "You better explain, Eventually anyways." he stepped back, an almost sullen look on his face as Hades held out a hand and Percy took it,
letting him lead her out of the house and down the path.
And Percy knew as they left, that it was the start of the end.