Chapter 9
He was floating in an endless void. But he was not worried. He was at peace. His eyes opened to a chaotic night sky as he floated through a sea of purple and dark blue swirling power. He floated because he'd lost. He lost cause he'd forgot. But what had he forgot?
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Annabeth awoke in tepid water, her sleeping daughter sprawled back against her, wet hair and tear stained face blissfully unaware in it's sleeping state. Her dreams not haunting her, no doubt thanks to Morpheus.
"Thank you." She whispered. Her own dreams had been filled with a night sky of purples and a kind voice telling her not to worry and prepare herself.
A knock on the door roused her from the tub, gently exiting the tub but using her powers to reheat the water, laying Kaia down under the water to continue to rest as she left to answer the door. Uncaring that she was in blood and water-soaked clothing from last night.
At the door was Calypso, "Hello dear. It's been a few centuries, but you look marvelous."
Annabeth's eyes filled with tears as she clutched onto Calypso tightly. "It's all right dear. I know what's happened. But do not worry. The gods to not know yet, but I've heard from a very reliable source that your lover will return very soon. For now, you and Kaia need to come with me to my island where it's safe. We'll be staying there for a while. To hide both from Chronos and the rest searching for you. Nico, Reyna, Piper, and Jason will soon be joining us I'm sure. Perhaps even a few others. But that's neither here nor there. For now we've got to go. I'll start packing your clothes, while you need to get Kaia up and both of you cleaned up and ready for travel. Let's go."
Nodding decisively. Still somewhat star struck by the words that Percy was fine and would return, she quickly made it towards the bathroom to wake up Kaia and get the cleaned up.
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He floated because he'd lost. He lost because he forgot. He forgot because it was ordained. It was ordained because he was chosen. He was chosen because the world must move forward, and humanity must live, and time continue its movement towards the future and travel of the stars, systems, and planes of existence.
Knowledge flowed like a broken damn within his mind, but he couldn't contain this knowledge. It was knowledge for higher powers. For immortal deities. Only his immortal blood kept his human soul from leaving his body and burning up to join the dead.
Then he heard it. Her voice, guiding him back. Pulling on him in the void. Reminding him he'd not lost, he'd not forgot. He was chosen. But he had not lost.
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They exited the bathroom to find Calypso had left out and outfit for each of them, while the rest of their clothes and all of Kaia's toys were packed up in several enchanted bags.
"Alright are we ready? Oh, aren't you the cutest? You remind me so much of both Percy and Artemis when they were little. She's a cutie. Hello Kaia. My name is Calypso and I'm your Aunt sweetheart."
Kaia looked shyly up at Calypso before Annabeth nodded and pushed her forward.
"Come here little one. Would you like to see your daddy as a little kid?" Kaia nodded eagerly, walking forward to the kneeling Calypso as she pulled her close with one arm, the other pulling a small picture from her purse that was slung across her shoulder. "This is your daddy and his brothers when they were little ones and spent a few nights at my house. See how cute he is? You have his same little curls."
Kaia stared in awe at the picture, holding it tight as Calypso smiled herself remembering little Percy. "Do you know… where daddy is?"
"I have an idea. But he'll be back soon, and he'll be just all better when he does. Ok? But for now, we're going to go take vacation on my island. Does that sound like fun? We can go play in the ocean, and my big garden. I even have a little pond you can swim in too, where your little fish buddy can stay. How does that sound?"
"Sound like fun. We go mommy?"
"Yes dear. Let's go. How are we getting there? I can drive."
"It's to dangerous for you on the streets with her by yourself. There are pearls hidden in his desk, crush these and think of my island while holding Kaia. I'll transport all your stuff there. You'll see I made some renovations to my home. But Percy's room is still there. I have a few more errands to run so I'll be there later. Just make yourself a home dear."
Annabeth swiftly searched through Percy's drawers in his room, finding a small bag filled with said pearls. Taking two and returning the bag. She crushed them thinking of the island as Kaia held on to her and giggled at the blue mist that started covering them up.
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He awoke, to a beautiful night sky. Looking around he found there was nothing but the night sky all around him, before finally turning to catch site of… eterenity.
There was no other word for the beautiful, immortal being before him. Her hair was long and black, looking to be a tinge of purple when the light of the stars caught strands of it just right. Her skin was pale white, while she was clothed in swirling purple clothes that seemed to pull at everything around them yet nothing moved.
But it was her eyes that captivated him. A vortex of purple that he almost lost himself in till her beautiful voice pulled his gaze from hers.
"You shouldn't stare child. Tis, rude. Not to mention dangerous. Not even your father could stare into my eyes very long before losing his immortal and eternal soul."
Percy yanked his gaze away to stare at her bare feet as she walked towards him. "Hello Percy. It is good to finally meet you in person. Though I have watched you from afar for all of your life. I am Chaos. Lady Chaos your mother would refer to me as. But you may call me Grandma Inanis. Now come. Lay down so I may tell you a story." She conjured a long comfy looking couch and sat down. Patting her lap and looking at him expectantly.
"I'm not sure that's the be—" His words stopped as he suddenly found himself laying on the couch, his head in her lap as she began stroking his hair.
"That's my boy. Now listen to Granma Inanis. And if you're good we'll get you back to your lovely lover and beautiful little girl."
This shut Percy up before he could question how he's suddenly ended up on the couch. This being was far to powerful is she could do that without him even noticing. This was not someone he could challenge. At least she wasn't an enemy. That much was sure.
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Though they didn't know it. Both Nico and Jason received texts at the same time from Percy's phone. Hoping it news from Annabeth, or even Percy himself that he was returned and find they quickly checked their messages to see a text from his number.
"Use the Pearls. Get to the Island."
They each considered it separately before going to their stash and pulling out two pearls a piece. Offering one to their respective lover, and crushing them to disappear in a swirling mist of the sea.
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Percy found his mind filled with a vision, as Inanis' story began taking shape before him.
In this world are many forms of Deities. With varying degrees of power over the Mortal and Immortal world. But wide rule is that they cannot directly interact with humanity. For some this is due to the trouble they would cause, the havoc they would raise. Or even the potential extinction of humanity that would occur. For others it is because they are to powerful, and if they exerted their will upon the mortal world and attempted to change it they would destroy it and it would all have to start over. I myself am one such being. Should I attempt to alter or affect the world too much I could destroy it for I'm too powerful.
Though there was a time when we had more freedom and could more easily interact with humanity. When they believed easier in us, and when there was enough chaos, fighting and war to hid our involvement in the world. This was during the great war you were born into.
There are some who wish to return us to that time, and some who wish to be able to more directly interact with the world and rule over it. Then moving from this world to the other systems nearby. Systems that I watch over.
Chronos is one such being. He was halfway to his plan centuries ago. The Titans and their allies were on the rise in power. The Olympians and other gods were on the decline, becoming corrupt in their search for power. Forgetting to care for their domains and the humans they were over.
So much so that my counterparts and I were prepared to step in, wiping the world and starting over. Ending the Titan and the Gods and remaking new immortal diving beings to rule Earth. Luckily, those under us saw what we could not. Thalassa, Hydros, Erebus and Nyx. To of my close friends in this world, and two of my children who were placed over this system.
They saw you. You and your wonderful brother who could change the gods. Change them to what they were supposed to be. Better than the Titans they would care for their creations, their domains, and the beings they were put to rule over and be worshiped by. Therefore, strengthening them and making them stronger.
Change them you did. They placed the rule upon themselves that they weren't to interact with their Demigod children. They were all worried that they would be used against each other. For demigods have power, and could grow in strength, they could interact with the Mortal world all they desired. They could also interact with the Immortal world to a point. They were the perfect soldiers and helpers. But they started forgetting that they were still their children, and children are meant to be cared for and loved. You helped teach them this. Though they haven't abolished the law like they should, they are slowly understanding. This obvious by your own child, and Artemis' continued interaction with her first child. Something that was unheard of even when you were born. A god or goddesses first demigod child was shunned and kept away from their parent, sometimes their whole life.
In doing this, you ruined Chronos' plans. With help from the Gods and from the Primevals like Thalassa. You were strengthened, your parents and the council and other Greek gods under them were strengthened and the Titans were dethroned and cast down. The other Pantheons, because of this were able to grow and strengthen themselves. Helping to balance the world and keep humanity on the forward path.
But now, Chronos has come back. Behind my back, he has split himself into a variety of bodies. With varying degrees of power and strength so that he can more readily interact with the immortal and mortal world. To spur his plans forward. He plans to destroy the Gods of all pantheons and replace them with the Titans and various deities that have joined them for the destruction of the current gods. Then humanity will be replaced with monsters as the being of this system. And over the Titans shall be Chronos and his companions. Such as Ananke, Gaia, Tartarus and others. He will abolish the rules that hold these beings down and keep them as they are. His very plan could destroy this system should they all be freed of their restraints.
Had you not been born and gone through everything you had. Should you not have been chosen for this path by the prophecy. The Protogenos and I would have had no choice but to destroy this system and start all over, as we were planning to during the last great war.
But now, we have the opportunity to create something new. A new race, born mortal but given immortality before death. A being with the power of gods and Titans but able to interact with the Mortal and Immortal world equally. My warrior of chaos and his brothers of Creation and Time. In turn they will strengthen their parents, who have finally become what we desired all those years ago. Who understand forgiveness, and the fragility of life but still love it. Who care for their domains and what they rule over, and appreciate all they do.
They will rise as the rulers of this world, more than they ever will, rising in power over others. Few able to challenge their power in the other Pantheons.
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Percy was pulled from her story as power began to choke him, the air thick with it as Inanis' voice distorted, and stars all around him began winking from existence as she spoke. Her hands spread out as he found himself standing back where he'd been at the beginning as her eyes rolled back the power roiling off her in waves.
"I am Chaos. Kenos! Inani! I WAS HERE BEFORE AND I WILL REMAIN AFTER. I AM THE VOID. I AM ENESCAPABLE AND ALL POWERFUL. TREMBLE BEFORE ME MORTAL AND IMMORTAL ALIKE. FOR I AM COME." Her voice rose to a shout as she grow inexplicable in power and size before Percy. Her strength forcing him to his knees before her, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he struggled to breathe through the release of her power. "YOU HAVE BEEN CHOSEN. YOU ARE MY CHOSEN. YOU ARE NOT CHOSEN TO RULE, YOU ARE NOT CHOSEN TO BE KING. YOU ARE CHOSEN TO PROTECT, TO WATCH, AND TO HELP. TO FOLLOW AND TO LEAD. YOU ARE CHOSEN. PERSEUS JACKSON!" She suddenly shrunk, back to the kind yet beautiful woman he first met.
"But what do you choose Percy? Will you join me. Accept my blessing as I claim you as my grandchild and champion. You're parents and all the Greek gods under them shall grow in strength. They will rule, while you will watch and protect. You will keep your family upon the correct path. You will interact with the Humans and all mortal kind. And you will interact just as equally with the immortal world. You will change, the process will be painful and the change long. But you will become a true immortal. A god, but an entirely new breed of god. You shall have been mortal and never died. Never losing that life, and then empowered and strengthened till you were godlike in power and then, only then. Made a god. You are the first, but your brothers and lovers were also chosen. But as with all things, you are the first, the leader of this group."
Percy's mind was reeling, so much information being given to him, so many opportunities. But also so much fighting, and blood, and responsibility would come with this.
"I would not fault you if you said no Percy. But know that, should you decline you will not be able to beat Chronos, and I will be forced to wipe out the world and start over before his plans come to fruition if your parents and the rest are unable to stop or halt what he is doing. There is a slim chance that they can win, but it is a very small chance."
"All you gods claim I have a choice. But given who I am, it's not really a choice. If I can save others, save my family and my love. Then that is the only thing I can do."
His look of determination was beautiful to look upon. Inanis thought as she smiled and offered him her open arms, preparing to bless and claim him as hers.
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Calypso arrived outside the gates of the palace to Olympus, a meeting of the Olympians currently taking place. She knocked once before the gates swung open and she entered the council room. Taking her immortal form to join the rest.
"Calypso! Do you have new on Percy, and why Chronos is able to appear like that and attack him!" Poseidon questioned, worry filling his voice. "And who has taken my son. Where is he! Where's my boy!"
Triton, who was beside him placed his hand on his father. Fighting his own worry over his younger brother. He had started sitting in the meetings with his father, many of the other gods choosing someone to sit with them and learn how they lead and interacted with the council in case they could ever not make it.
"I have news. Your son has been chosen by someone who has not moved on this world in millennia. You will know soon enough; I cannot say anything till Percy has chosen and returns himself. I am simply here to warn you that soon each of your children will have a choice as well. Though I know what they will pick. You should all fix up your baby rooms again. You will all have your hands full like you did at their birth. Even the other Olympians who did not should prepare as well. Percy shall explain himself soon enough. Until then."
Without saying any more or answering any questions she disappeared from before them. Leaving an awestruck and confused group of Olympians behind.
This changed to worry as suddenly Poseidon, Amphitrite, and Triton all cried out in agony as they began glowing purple, an ancient power suddenly filling them. Strengthening them beyond what they'd ever been before.
They were shocked even more as physical changes began occurring in the three gods. Their hair darkening to pitch black.
When finally, it ended Poseidon and Amphitrite looked at each other in awe. There was a faint ring of purple around each pupil, their son Triton also having this change as well. But now Poseidon and Amphitrite had an idea of what had just occurred. Doing their best to explain it to the rest of the council.
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Inanis hugged Percy, kissing over both his eyelids before kissing the top of his forehead.
He would have fallen should she not have caught him and held him up as her power entered him. His clothing burned away as power flowed through his veins.
Inanis watched with love and wonder as an aurora of purples, blues, and sea greens erupted on his ribs. From the top all the way down his side to the bottom of his hip on his right side it pulsed and breathed. Her mark. All this looking like it was flowing up his body towards a purple swirling vortex that was representative of a black hole. If one looked too long, they would not be sure whether the aurora was being sucked into the hole or flowing out from it.
Percy looked up at her, sweat pouring off him as his body convulsed from the pain. "Well that wasn't too bad. You certainly pack a punch though. My body is hardly containing this."
"Oh, you are not done yet child. Merely in a waiting period before the true changes begin. You are correct in that your body can't handle this power. You must be changed. Must be reborn."
Her words implanted the knowledge of what was about to occur to him in his mind.
"Now, I've told you that you will lead this new group of immortals. But you will not be the leader of everyone. You are just the leader on the field and in the war. Of course, your parents and the Olympians are also over you and will command you. But I am placing a caretaker over you. One who will speak directly with me, for it is easier for her to get to me than for you. And she can take more of my power than you can. Calypso has been chosen. She was chosen for many reasons. First of all, you trust her, and she loves you and your brothers more than anything else in the world. She was born a Titan, helped the Olympians. She experienced the Olympians when they were falling from grace and being corrupted. When the locked her on an isle away from everything else and left her there forgotten. She experienced their changes, as they released her, thanked her and accepted her as one of them. She forgave them. She loves humans and what they create, and desires to protect them. And more than that to protect you. So she is the perfect caretaker for you and your group you will build.
"One day you will return to me after the change. And I will explain more than what you now know. But until then go my little one. Tell the Olympians about what is going to occur. Of the coming war and what's needed to battle it. And how to take care of you."
He concentrated as a swirling void appeared behind him, looking akin to a portal. "As my lady wishes."
"No. As your grandma asks."
"Of course, grandma. Bye!" with that, and a rogue-ish smile he pushed past the pain he was feeling Percy stepped back into the portal he'd created, appearing before the Olympian Council on Olympus.
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The Council was shocked when a swirling vortex of purple appeared in the council room. Each preparing for a fight if whatever exited this portal was hostile.
They were all surprised when a naked Percy stepped through the portal, falling at the end in an shout of pain to collapse before them.
Amphitrite was the first to reach him, Poseidon quickly behind her as she pulled Percy into her arms. "Percy my little wave. Are you alright?"
They could feel the power coursing through him, power that had just earlier been coursing through them. It was changing him, and his body couldn't handle it. If something didn't change it would eat him up and burn him alive.
"Hey mom. Dad. This sucks. Uh. Here's what's going to happen."
He began explaining what had happened. Of Inanis taking him and choosing him. Of whom he and his brothers were about to begin, the war that was coming against Chronos and how the Olympians were about to get a big power boost. "Calypso has Kaia on her island, Artemis should go there to help care for her while the rest of us are incapacitated. I'm nor sure how this rebirth will occur or the changes. Nor how long it will take. All I know is that for the duration of it each god needs to watch over their child while it happens. As only they will have the power to help out and keep them contained. Since they will also get a boost from the same Protogenos that chooses each one."
"Did you catch that Zeus? Hades!"
"Yes!"
"Of course! We'll go get to the island now. I can tell that Nico and the others have already been taken."
The four gods disappeared. "Didn't you hear them Athena and Aphrodite! All of us must watch over our children. Get ready to retrieve your child! Hermes! Go inform Bellona of what has occurred and get her moving towards Reyna!" Shocked into action the two goddesses in the council chamber listened and disappeared with a flash, Hermes following suit swiftly after.
"This process will take a couple months from what I know. During that time Chronos should be quiet. Having one of his bodies destroyed already has set him back a bit. He'll be careful so he doesn't lose anymore too early. So, we should be fine while we are changing."
"It's all right Percy. Whatever happens we'll keep watch over you. You'll be protected."
Right after she finished speaking there was a poof of purple mist around Percy. Only Amphitrite's godly reflexes caught the small bundle that suddenly replaced Percy. When the mist finally cleared Amphitrite found herself holding a squirming baby Percy who giggled and reached for Amphitrite's hair. Quickly pushing the strand into his mouth to suck upon.
Everyone looked shocked at the suddenly de-aged demigod. Triton's hand met his forehead loudly in a slap that echoed in the silent council room.
Amphitrite was the first to speak. "Best. Day. Ever."
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Hello everyone! And Happy New Year! I've finally got a new chapter up. And I'm excited to see what you all think about it. I had to re-write it twice. And there's still a few things I'm not happy with. But I'm excited with getting to this next part of the story. How I was originally going to do this story has changed. I'm doing some things earlier, and other portions of the story will be occurring later. Overall the theme of the story, direction, and everything else hasn't changed. Just the order that it's going to happen has changed slightly. So if you've submitted characters to me for OC's they are going to be used. Even some of the old ones from Tamers of the Seas. Naveen is one such character that is preparing to make a re-appearance. So keep submitting characters like you have been through my PMs. Check my page for the list of what information I want on your OC if you want to submit one.
Thank you all for keeping with my story, even with all the breaks. I do feel terrible about that.
Enjoy the chapter everyone! Until next chapter.
