Perseus: God of War
Chapter Ten: Captures, Candors and Confessions -Part B
Disclaimer:
Γεια σας άνθρωποι ! or Geia sas ánthropoi
OR
Hello people!
Ten Chapters! 10 Bloody Chapters! I Didn't know I could write that much! First and foremost,
I'M SORRY! I couldn't upload. Because of the report and some University Problems.
As you are aware it is Shinju, this here is my first fanfic aptly named Perseus: God of War!
The franchises Percy Jackson and God of War are owned by Rick Riordan and David Jaffe.
Any Greek/Latin words and phrases used are through Google Translate (Greek/Latin)
I don't beat around the bush so let start with the story:
Location: Roman Senate, Camp Jupiter.
"WHAT?!" shouted Raymond.
"Yes, my friend… I had been searching from the moment Praetor commanded me but I couldn't find her. Ella was helping me too. I asked her and she said that Rachel may be in her tent outside our house in the clearing. I went there and saw this arrow there. I ran as fast as I could." Heaved Tyson, his burly frame moving up and down in order compensate for the lack of air.
The senate once more descended into a frenzy. Someone had infiltrated the camp and abducted the oracle right under the noses.
Someone cleared his throat, "Uhm…". It was Cozbius.
"I suppose you can't really trust anyone these days…even our allies."
"Are you insinuating that I planned for the Oracle to be kidnapped."
"Of course not. But one must ponder…a Greek comes, the oracle who has stayed for quite a while, protected heavily… gets kidnapped within a few hours." Unease spread among the occupants of the Senate. Raymond sighed.
"Say that again…but slowly." A couple of senators snickered, understanding where this conversation was going.
"The arrow has a symbol of Ares; he is responsible for it. Furthermore, my sire's city is being sieged in the meantime, how can I be responsible. I came here asking for aid… I have no reason to get the Oracle kidnapped."
"May be so…the vote ended in your favour. But, should it not…you have an intention then. Also, as a spawn of the weaver, who last I checked…hated roman demigods with a passion…you could have been commanded to do so. Create unrest. Break the alliance. And let's not forget about the monsters within our ranks." Cozbius looked in the direction of Tyson.
"Are you calling Tyson a monster, Quaestor?" asked the daughter of Bellona.
"I mean he says, The Oracle was kidnapped…do we know if that is true? He could very well be the one who delivered her to Ares in the first place."
"Are you questioning the honour of the brother of Perseus Jackson?" A lull settled in. Percy Jackson, even when not present was a person whose name was as synonymous to taking a God's name…at least for the newer demigods. To question a person related to him was to question Percy Jackson, himself. You never did that. Even Athenian spawns.
"Of course not, Praetor!"
"Then it would do well of you to not question it in the first place." Came the harsh reply.
"Now, someone please tell me something!" Reyna spoke, knowing that they had to plan and react accordingly. A traitor was of course in their midst. Calling him/her out would only worsen the situation. She had to have a talk with Terminus. He would have some information.
Suddenly, a bright flash filled the room.
Minerva.
"Lady Miner…" the Praetor bowed and spoke, but was interrupted.
"Save me your flattery…Roman."
She surveyed the room. The temperature dropped a few degrees under her gaze. Her eyes stopped at Raymond… her other's spawn.
"Child…"
"My Lady." Raymond immediately responded, bowing low.
"You have made me proud. While I can't say I am happy about you renouncing the Gods in the face of crisis, and only fighting under the demigod banner. I am still pleased that you have taken up the responsibility of helping your siblings."
That made Raymond sigh in relief. He should have known Phoebus would inform his fellow council members of his "Speech". The moment she appeared in the Senate building, he was half expecting to be incinerated or at least be turned into a small owlet. Why was he being so impulsive in the first place? That was Percy Jackson's thing. He was supposed to be calm and collected in the face of crisis.
Damn.
Why? Why did everything revolve around Percy Jackson. Don't get him wrong. He didn't hate the Son of the Sea based on the petty argument of their sires. But it was… just like Perseus being Perseus caused trouble.
He now understood his sister's point of view to some extent. But still was against the whole affair that she had behind the Sea spawn's back. Talk about "digging your own grave".
"Child…"
Raymond looked up. Minerva's face had contorted into a sour expression. Her usually stoic facade close to cracking. Why? He didn't know.
"Populace of New Rome." The senators sat up straighter.
"I come bearing news…"
"Lady Minerva?" asked Raymond.
"The council unfortunately can't deploy its forces in such a short time to help Athens…" As she said that shouting started. Athens, even though a Greek city had considerable influence and of course connections. One of the few ports that connected the ancient to the modern. Its destruction would harm the Greco-Roman pantheon immensely.
"Quiet." The monotone voice of the Weaver cut through them all.
Silence.
"Sigh… the council instead has opted to send out an ally of ours." The Senate waited patiently.
"Perseus."
"Wha…" Raymond was interrupted.
"Yes…as much as it pains me. We have acquired his help and he has agreed." Leaving out Clarisse's involvement, knowing that time couldn't be wasted and any such news may cause more problems than solve them.
"But I have doubts… about his prowess. Even though he has become quite capable in recent years." The Hercules incident came to mind.
"Seeing this I have decide to issue a quest."
"To who Lady Minerva?" asked Raymond, wanting to know who would take the responsibility of the Quest to Athens.
"To you, my child."
"M-me!" squeaked Raymond.
"Yes. You will set out for Athens as soon as possible under Apollo's Chariot. Be prepared and on time. You can take whomever you wish, but not more than a total of three. Covertness is a must. Liberate Athens and save my temple. Probably before the insufferable Sea Spawn." Her voice dripping with disdain for her rival's son.
And then chaos started. Why did it always had to be this way?
"Silence! This is the will of My Father and that of mine! The Roman Senate will adhere to it!"
The Senate quieted down. None willing to stand against the goddess. Well, none other than a son of Mercury, Cozbius. But he had enough common sense and self-preservation skills to know not to open his mouth. Alas, that didn't stop him from glaring at the grey-eyed immortal beauty.
"Yes. As you command My Lady." Responded Raymond.
"Call me 'Mother' Child."
"Yes Mother."
"I will take my leave." She flashed out.
"Well, you heard My La-Mother. I and two people of my choosing leave in the next hour." He stood up.
"Whom do you want?" came the question.
"Tyson here and him." Raymond responded as he pointed at the guard standing beside him.
"Me?" asked the soldier.
"Yes."
"I can understand the soldier but why the cyclops?" asked the irritated Quaestor.
"Well, who better to take to Athens to than the brother of Percy Jackson. I am travelling where he currently is and seeing as we are being sent on a quest given to him originally and he is a person who is er…irritated by the Gods. He would at least be willing to cooperate for the mission and lives of innocent demigods if Tyson can convince him."
"But…"
"But nothing! I understand you seem to have a problem with me and my ways but this quest was given to me by the gods personally and I was given the permission to take whom so ever I pleased as long it doesn't endanger Olympus. So kindly… back off!" Raymond ordered.
Cozbius for his part looked ready to blow.
"Er… Raymond." Spoke the soldier behind him.
"Yes."
"May I know why you have requested my aid on this quest?"
"Because I can see it. You are a son of Minerva. Your name Soldier?"
"Cato Cage." He said smiling.
"Good. You and Tyson meet me at Lord Terminus's Temple on the boundary of the camp. Good day to you Praetor. I would be in your office, if you need me. Soldier…" he said indicating to the other soldier beside Cato.
He nodded and left beside him.
Reyna turned to the Senate. "Well let's resume our activities. Council dismissed."
One by one the senators, centurions and other dignitaries left.
"Keep an eye on that Questor for me, Hazel. Put some guards." Reyna said turning to the immortal guide of New Rome.
"Yes Praetor." She immediately replied and left, intent to complete the task given to her and probably root out the problem. Octavian even in death caused and left problem for them.
"Let's hope it all works out…"
Location: Streets of Athens
SLASH!
"There another one down…," said Clarisse after killing another monster.
These things were ridiculous. They had more coordinated attacks, speech, thought processes. Hell, ridiculous pain tolerance and some even had healing. Most likely the higher ups in army of the secret helper.
Who was he? No idea. From the moment that riddle had been spouted by the monster, both Clarisse and Percy had been brainstorming possible clues as to the identify the possible threat that was backing Ares.
Back to the monsters, these guys appeared as eyeless, emaciated humans with decaying flesh and bladed arms. Instead of legs, their waists terminated in clouds of black smoke from which they floated.
Wraiths.
That would be right. There were even cannon fodders like legionnaires of Ares's army. Spartan warriors of old in red loins and gold trimmings. But the fastness was way off charts. The undead where usually sluggish in their attacks.
At one point in time Clarisse suggested that they may have a hive mind but no, they could coordinate multiple attacks one after the other proving that theory wrong. They needed to get to The Temple as soon as possible or they would be even bigger problems. While Percy could of course just charge right through them that would give the effect of surprise away and they didn't have any knowledge beside numbers. If the secret helper makes a surprise appearance, then there goes the chances of survival. So, it was best that they kept a low profile and cut off these forces silently and quickly without wasting energy.
As they took the right that led to the temple beside the tours buses and mini vans a roar was heard.
A Dracon.
Sorry.
The Dracon.
The same one that Clarisse had killed.
"Come on Clarisse. Let's take it down,"
"It is here." Clarisse replied.
"Percy…wait."
"What war-girl?"
"You go ahead. The clocks ticking. I will take it down. And most of all it somehow looks enhanced."
Percy observed the beast.
Indeed, it was different.
Before the Lydian Drakon could best be described to have no legs and would crawl like a snake, was very fast and had a paralyzing stare that can freeze opponents out of sheer terror. Not like Medusa's but still enough for it eat you whole before you realized. It was over two hundred feet long and could secrete an acidic venom that could corrode Armor. Its scales were extremely durable and virtually indestructible, making the monster exceptionally hard to destroy. Last time she had destroyed it by attacking its eyes.
Now, it looked… evolved. Like Pokémon. Stupid ADHD.
Now its scales had taken a blackish hue to it. And while having the same length had still become wider in its girth. It eyes while initially red had taken a more purplish colour. She knew that destroying this… thing would be harder than last time. Its abilities already existing, now they were enhanced by whatever that was against the Gods. She nodded at Percy to leave. He obliged knowing the importance of time, but not before giving her hand a firm squeeze.
Back to the matter at hand. Ares. Her father couldn't do this. This was more primal. More… more chaotic. Silena came to mind. Her death still fresh, much as the emotional scars her absence left behind.
The Drakon roared and turned. It stayed still for a moment and roared again. It eyes gaining an intelligent shine in them. It had recognized its previous slayer. Its blood called for it to kill and get revenge. When it would be all said and done, it would feast on its slayer's flesh.
It charged.
Ignoring or rather annihilating and trampling over anything or anyone in its path. Few priests as well as soldiers of Ares's army died under its humongous weight.
Clarisse crouched, her form becoming stiff and ready as a tiger prowling through the grasslands for its kill. The drakon was just a few feet away.
Now.
She twisted out the way and stabbed her favoured weapon, her spear… a reconstructed on the side of its body. The drakon being in a frenzy and the spear already being lodged in its side caused it to go further inside and all the way to its stomach.
It roared in pain. It used its tail to swat Clarisse away. Clarisse jumped away knowing the heavy damage it could cause.
"Let's try the previous tactic, shall we?"
She threw one of the broken spears that had been on the ground in the direction of its eyes. The Drakon seemed to realize her intention let out a spew of venom. The spear having no resistance against the venom melted in mid-air.
"Fine. Long range is out. But its manoeuvrability has increased, even if I get close enough like last time. The venom will be a bitch to handle."
Suddenly, the ground quaked.
"What the…"
She looked towards the Drakon. Its maw… sucking. No. Inhaling. That's right. Inhaling the surrounding environment away. Dustbins. Cars. Even Trucks were being sucked by the Drakon as it inhaled. She realized. The beast was trying to swallow here whole.
She immediately lodged her spear in the ground. A fissure started forming in the ground beneath her as she was being sucked closer and closer to its mouth.
"Fuck…"
IF only she could get close enough without the acid.
Wait. The air. While it was inhaling it could not spew venom. Perfect.
She turned and got the spear a little loose. Enough for her to remove it in a moment's time.
1…2…3! Now!
Zoom.
At the last moment she used the maw as a spring board to jump above the snout and stabbed her spear in the eyes.
Only… for it to be blocked.
"What?"
The spear was still lodged but the eye wasn't pierced. She looked closely; it was like the eye lid was made of… Elastic. While it didn't pierce, it still annoyed the hell out of the beast. Which caused it to sway around wildly. Trying to shake Clarisse away.
"Woah… just great. Stretchable and elastic skin. Just what I needed." She groaned.
The beast banged its head on one of the fallen pillars, with Clarisse in the way. She was squished between the beast's snout and the pillar. Hard.
"Ugh…"
"Spew…" A best followed up with a shot of its trademark venom.
"Oh, Come on…" She immediately rolled to the side. A few drops of venom landing on her armour. The venom seeped through it. She immediately let loose the straps holding that segment.
Clink.
Better to have no armour than no arm.
If this was the case then she had to think of something else. It was almost like fighting the Nemean Lion. Its hide invulnerable to attacks, strikes smashes. Pretty much anything.
But Percy had killed that one from the inside. Yea…Percy had told her about his quest to save The Moon Goddess. Artemis. That name some how cause her to always feel uncomfortable. She had a certain air around her. While she was a virgin goddess, she still liked hanging around Percy. Why? She had no idea. Why did the virgin have a liking to Percy in the first place? Was it because of the quest to save her? The point was she didn't know and she didn't care. Percy was her man. End of story.
Stupid ADHD. Even when you were in mortal danger, it wouldn't leave you. She really needed to consult Percy and sign up for that meditation program.
Focusing on the raging beast in front of her. She thought back to the quest to retrieve the goddess. The Lion. The hide. The soft innards! She had to kill it from the inside.
But it had to be one hit kill. If she could not do it, she would then be drakon food for sure since once inside, the Drakon could just use his inhaling ability to inhale her whole.
So, she steeled herself and got ready. If she could may be pin the beast down somewhere…somehow. But even if she could, something that could pin such a huge beast was impossible to find and use.
Well time for a treasure hunt. Some taunting was in order.
"Look here you overgrown lizard!"
The Drakon as if understanding the insult, roared and charged at her. A giant glob of venom was spewed. Clarisse ducked.
"Missed!"
Irritation.
Again.
"Missed Again!"
Rage.
Again.
"Come on you giant rejected purse. Give me a challenge."
Catatonic Rage.
It roared and charged. No longer caring for the what was in its way.
"There we go." Percy's continuous taunting and jokes had rubbed off on her.
She started running into a group of wraiths that came her way.
"Daughter of the War Monger. Today we feas…" the statement laid forgotten as the wraiths were trampled by the beast.
She didn't look back continued running through the streets as she came upon units of wraiths and legionnaires. Wait a water truck. So that means that a construction site may be nearby. These water trucks may be used for curing processes for concrete.
She had come to understand some building stuff while the construction of the Humanitera Head Office was being in the early stages of construction. She took a right.
A gate was open. Yes!
"Sunshine Res…" It did not matter.
She ran up to the lift leading to the top floor.
"Oye! Girly, it is a dangero…" The voice was drowned under the roars of the raging Drakon. The man fell on the ground and turned. A Big-Ass Serpent…well Drakon but…from what Clarisse gathered he was a clear-sighted mortal, who just had his first encounter with Greek Mythology. Talk about a bad-day.
"Heh. There goes another mortal to therapy." Quipped Clarisse to no one in particular. The crane was just a ladder above her.
"Ok… almost there." Smash! She looked down from the base of the ladder. The Drakon was at the ground and immediately came swirling around the building. It reared back as if to strike and hissed lowly.
It struck.
Clarisse was climbing but slipped.
It shook its head and stuck again. Clarisse fell and hung with her left hand. The reptile started inhaling again.
"Fuck…"
She locked her spear in-between the bars of the ladder. Just a little more.
There. She immediately pushed the cabin door open and saw the buttons.
"Which one is it?"
SMASH! Another head butt from the lizard.
Multiple buttons and gears were inside the electronic mess of wires.
"Damn it!"
A spew of venom flew at the windows. They melted.
Release! The button in red with white writing! But she had to time it right and fast. The last venom filled attack had not only penetrated the cabin. But some of it had seeped through the control board. Any more and then it would melt of the wires. Alongside the ones that controlled the vertical moment of the crane, effectively dropping here at speeds that would surely and painfully crush her.
She had to time the control of the swing, release and her position in relation with the Drakon as such that she could drop it at the exact moment the beams were above the Dracon. While it wouldn't kill him it would immobilize it for some time under the heavy weight.
As its maw opened, Clarisse used the gear to swing the beams in its direction. Just a little more.
1…2…3! Now! The beams were released on top of the gigantic serpent in one go.
SMASH!
It fell on the ground. Unfortunately, with its weight it pulled the crane with it. She had to get out before it hit the ground from this height. The crane creaked loudly and fell of its lateral supports.
Ground was approaching fast. Wait. The Drakon's maw was open. Could she…
She had too. Before it recovered. She waited. Waited. Now!
Her spear outstretched she jumped right in to the overturned beast's mouth from the cabin of the descending crane.
SLASH!
The spear plunged right through the roof and into its eye. CRACKLE! The lightning surged.
ROAR!
With one final roar it fell on the ground with a loud crash.
"Phew… Site Kill." (/AN: Construction reference.)
Location: Streets further away from Clarisse, way to Athena's Temple.
Damn!
Clarisse had improved, like… by a lot!
Percy ran through the streets of Piraeus Port as battles were going on around on around him. He wanted to help. Believe him, he did. But time couldn't be wasted. Every second mattered. If the army breached the final defences of The Temple, Athens and in turn Athena would fall. While his rowdier side couldn't give a damn about Athena's problems, his more logical side reasoned that he saves the goddess. Contrary to popular belief, gods and their followers, aka Demigods had a more intertwined effect on each other. It was a cycle. You needed gods to regulate the domain and you needed demigods to believe in those domains or Gods to in turn give power through that domain.
While Protogenoi were stronger because they where their domain personified. Gods had more refined powers. So, thrones, temples and even smaller artifacts had power, once desecrated or destroyed, depending upon the amount of connection they could lose that much power in them. So, while Kronos did try to destroy their thrones, which also had an extremely large chunk of their powers in them. Other such sources also existed. So, while Athena wouldn't necessarily fade usually. War, being a big part of her and not her domain entirely, would just so keep her on the edge so to speak. A simple fight to the death against Ares or the minor gods even would be enough to then fade her.
SCREECH!
He stopped. What the hell, this presence. The Sun. Apollo. But… with more discipline.
Phoebus Apollo.
Wait. What the hell was he doing here. Gods were not allowed to interfere or Athena herself would have come here instead. The gods came alongside three other occupants.
"Apollo."
"Perseus."
"Brother!" shouted Tyson and lunged.
"He…y Big Guy." Percy stammered from inside Tyson's hug.
"How are you?" asked the mono-eyed man.
"Can you loosen you grip a little?" asked Percy.
"Oh…oh sorry." Apologized Tyson.
"Now…what brings you here, Apollo?"
"Let's say Olympus decided to send some help?"
"Help?"
"Yes."
…
"Bahahaha!" Percy laughed heartily. Apollo of course looked on with rage.
"Is there something funny? My Lord?" asked Raymond.
"Yes of course… see Olympus loves to show and depict themselves as beings of great power as well as mercy and righteousness. So, they cloak the deeds of others as their own. Isn't that right Sunspot?"
Apollo, controlled himself.
"From what I gather. Athena's pride got in the way and she sent a spawn of her own to deal with this crap? Am I right…?" Percy looked towards the Son of Athena.
"Raymond."
"Well, Raymond… see don't take things at face value with them. Also don't call me Lord. I am merely Percy Jackson, another demigod. In a few decades the world will forget about me, like our predecessors."
"So, I would normally ask about your little trip here but I know that you wouldn't interfere without reason."
"We have come here asking your aid in defeating the army as well as save Athens. Possibly save the demigods that are under attack by this army." Answered Cato.
"Roman?" asked Perseus.
"Are you bias…?" he was interrupted.
"No. I am not. If so, I wouldn't be here in the first place. I am merely wondering why you are here seeing that Raymond here is a Greek."
"I wanted a prophecy to aid my siblings. In lieu of this I travelled to Camp Jupiter asking for The Oracle's aid. But she was kidnapped under our noses during the period of The Senate gathering. It was Ares. As such, Lord Apollo has helped us get here, retrieve the Oracle as well as save the people concerned."
"Rachel… Fuck."
"I see. So, you are fighting under the demigod banner, eh?"
"Uh… yes, My Lo… Percy."
"Why?"
Raymond could already feel Apollo's gaze from the back of his head. He continued after some moments.
"Because I believe that a third war will be much more disastrous to the demigod race then the two before it. We will fall like the winter wheat, if there is no leadership. I am not so… inclined towards fighting under Olympus's name."
The surroundings became hotter. Apollo. Raymond dropped to his knees. Cato gripped his spear tightly, experiencing the same weakness in his knees.
Suddenly, the temperature came back to normal. A Quin dent appeared in front of Perseus. Sea breeze nullified the hot energy waves. Weakly the newest questers stood up.
"Fuck… what the hell was that?" Raymond roared internally.
"This is Perseus Jackson's power, capable enough to go toe to toe to an Olympian." Thought a shuddering Cato.
"Big Bro…"
"You have grown… demigod."
Perseus nodded, annoying the Roman Sun God even more. Perseus looked back to Raymond.
"Good!" Raymond gave him a confused look back.
"You are not scared to speak your mind and have the necessary resolve to lead this quest."
Raymond looked back in shock. Percy. The Perseus Jackson complimented him. He nodded and stood straighter.
"Now, to test your strength." Raymond nodded and stood straighter. Anything that was given to him by Perseus was as good a quest from Olympus.
"Are you up for some bull- fighting?"
"What?"
"I sense Beef-Head up ahead. Come on kid… work that Wisdom brain of yours. Pasiphae's Son."
"Pasiphae's Son?"
"The Mino…" he was silenced by Cato.
"Names have power Kid."
The Minotaur. He had to take down the Minotaur. The Monster of the Labyrinth. He made up his mind and nodded.
"Good. Go in that direction." The trio turned.
"Only you."
"What?"
"Only you." The tone displaying finality.
"Why?"
"You have proven to me that you can take it on. Now prove to yourself. I see the uncertainty in your eyes. Prove it to yourself that you are capable. That you are not afraid."
"But Brother…" tried Tyson.
"No, brother. He needs this."
"Let it be one monster than several. And he is trained. He is the current councillor of Cabin 6. He wouldn't be, if he was incompetent." Tyson nodded, understanding the importance. The faster the better. If War was here than Raymond needed to harden himself now, than after when he was vulnerable and the middle of a battlefield where he would be in danger and to potentially put others in dangers as well.
"Go!" Perseus spoke with conviction. But before he could look back at Raymond he spaced out.
"Uh… Brother."
"Oh…uh…yes. You, Good Luck."
Raymond nodded and ran.
"Roman."
"Its Cato, Sir."
"Cato, find The Oracle. She should be here. Close. Be careful. In the event you find her, Ares will be close as well." He nodded and compiled.
"Tyson…Brother."
"Just tell me…"
"Go look for survivors." Perseus said, before handing him a medallion.
"This will hide your appearance to civilians as much as possible."
"Yes Brother."
Perseus turned to Apollo.
"So, little speech there, sea spawn…"
Percy stared.
"I know what happened."
All he got was a blank stare in return. Percy mutely walked past Apollo. Apollo, caught his fore arm.
"Let go… Sun God."
"I know. I have seen it many times, on my Oracles. On my children. Hell, Diana said she saw that look on me."
"Be quiet."
"You saw something… of times immemorial." Percy stiffened.
"Whatever it was? You should get it looked at, Perseus."
Percy shook his hand out of Apollo's grip.
"You can't hide it forever."
"It's my problem. Leave me alone." Suddenly,
"Ah! Little Remnant! You time will come! That we will make sure!" Resonated three voices in sync from the mouth of the God of Prophecies. Apollo disappeared, yet Perseus's reply was still delivered to the voices.
"Then I will be ready. Until then… Αντιο σας."
That's the end of this chapter.
I hope you liked it.
Anyways, once again sorry for the delay.
So, Rachel got kidnapped. Cozbius is being a dick. What's his connection with Octavian?
I took the wraiths and legionnaires from God of War 1. Clarisse's fight took time to plan. I don't know whether it will be conveyed the same way, I imagined it, in my head.
Raymond's fight with the minotaur. Ah! Let see how that play's out.
What did our protagonist see? What did the voices want with him?
Find out next time…until then,
Have a nice time reading!
Αντιο σας ! or Good Bye!
Shinju Out!