(Chapter 6) (Bryan POV)
I flew toward Typhon, rage flowing through every part of my body. I swung madly, and the only thing running through my mind was how much I want Typhon to pay. I want to kill him, and I want to kill him painfully. I want to hear him suffer, I want to hear him crying for my mercy, the mercy which he will never receive. I want him to die, and once he dies I want him to never return.
My spear cut through Typhon's back, leaving a line from his neck down to his lower back. He roared in pain, and turned and jumped at me, roaring in defiance. I increased the gravity on him, and his monstrous roar turned into a whimper as he got slammed into the ground once again. I could feel my aura of power increasing dramatically, and I knew what I had to do. When Typhon roared again, trying to fight the gravity, I slammed my spear through his mouth and out through the top of his head. I put all my power into it, as Typhon roared in pain, trying to get my hand out of his mouth. His jaw chomped down, hard, on my arm. I heard a sickening snap, and my arm was jerked out of his mouth, bent at a strange angle.
The pain tore through me like a bullet. I fell back, holding my arm in agony, and I couldn't hold the spell on Typhon any longer. He stood, shaking his back, then started to walk towards me. I groaned, I'm in no condition to defend myself. The other gods, finally getting back into reality, rushed to help me. They all fought Typhon and the monster looked helpless. Apollo came to my side. He said an incantation, and then he put some energy into my arm. It bent back into shape, and I could move it again. It was just sore at this point.
I stood up, rolling my arm, testing it out to see what I can and can't do. Then I jumped back onto my chariot and back into battle. Zeus turned to me and said,
"I have an idea for how to beat him, but I need you and Perseus," he said
I nodded sadly, "I don't know if Percy can fight. He's alive but injured for sure." I said
"I can freeze time around him if that's what you want," a voice came from behind me.
I turned and saw Percy, limping towards us while leaning on mom for support.
"That is exactly what I need from you," he said.
Percy nodded, then got ready. Zeus told me what to do, and I increased gravity on Typhon. This time his roar was more of a 'really, again?' Kind of roar.
Then Percy stopped time around him. Zeus flew up, and then all the other gods lent Zeus their strength. Zeus glowed with power, then threw multiple massive lightning bolts at Typhon. They stopped at the time barrier around him.
Zeus nodded at Hades, who opened a massive crevice straight to Tartarus, just as Percy resumed time around Typhon. The lightning bolts slammed into Typhon, causing a massive explosion, as Typhon fell to the depths of Tartarus.
Hades closed the crevice, and I relaxed. The fight was over, and we won this time. Suddenly my knees buckled, and I fell to the ground, exhausted. The last thing I saw before going unconscious was Athena running at me as I fell.
(Percy POV)
I was in a lot of pain from the fight with Typhon. When he hit me, he broke my ribs, and the impact into the ground broke basically every other bone in my body. My mom was able to heal me, but the pain was still there. I was sitting on the side outside the battlefield, (we hadn't left for Olympus yet) with Artemis, laying on her lap because of how sore my muscles were. She was playing with my hair as we were waiting for Athena to tell us how Bryan was. Well...mostly me, not Arty.
"You seem very comfortable around me, Arty," I said playfully, "I never thought you would play with my hair while I'm laying on your lap,"
Artemis's reply was not what I was expecting, "I thought you had died, because of the way Bryan came back into the fight. I was scared for you. Besides, you're my best friend,"
I smiled, "I'm honored to be your best friend, my lady,"
She playfully slapped my arm, "Quit acting weird, we've been friends since birth,"
"I'm not being weird, my lady, you are a goddess are you not?" I asked, smirking
"Yes, I am, and you are my best friend, who is also a god. Stop calling me 'my lady'" she said
"Ohhhh so you prefer Arty?" I laughed, looking up at her
She blushed, "No," but she was smiling
"Alright Ary, whatever you say," I grinned
We stayed quiet after that, Artemis continuing to play with my hair, as I relaxed. Suddenly Athena walked out of the medical tent blushing a little, and she smirked when she saw us.
"Bryan is okay, and you two look more than okay. Enjoying yourselves aren't you?" She said
"I'm surprised you were in there and I wasn't. He's my brother. So if anything I'm guessing you two enjoyed yourselves in there," I said
She blushed, "Shut up, Perseus." She growled
"As you wish," I said, turning back to the beautiful goddess who had, unfortunately, stopped playing with my hair. That kind of sucks because I liked it. It felt good.
"We have to go back to Olympus," Artemis said, "Kronos must have attacked already," I nodded, and we got up, ready to leave.
We burst into Olympus, seeing Kronos in a fight against Thalia. We rushed forward, but all the other gods got stopped. I could tell that the time around them was frozen. I tried to free them but it wouldn't work. I turned to Kronos.
"I've put them in a time spell. For some reason it didn't work on you," he said, "Oh, I see. You must be a god of time. Well, I suppose I have to fight you then. Don't try to get the other gods out, you are no match for me," he growled
"Well then, I guess Thalia and I will have to kick your ass ourselves then," I growled.
I jumped forward, and at the same time, Thalia jumped forward as well. We started slicing at Kronos, who blocked both of us. He started pressing forward, as he slowed Thalia down. Then it was just me and him in a sword fight.
"You are lucky that I need to focus on keeping the other Olympians frozen, or you would be dead," Kronos snarled
"Oh really? Well, you're lucky that I just came here from getting every bone in my body broken from Typhon. I'm sore like a bitch. If not, well, you'd be dead," I said
Our fight continued, as neither of us could get the upper hand on the other.
"Luke!" Thalia yelled, breaking out of Kronos's time spell, "Luke stop this now!"
"Luke Castellan is dead!" Kronos yelled back, "He sacrificed his body to me!"
"It's not over Luke!" She screamed, sounding like she was crying, "You can end this madness!"
I took advantage of the moment of distraction and jumped at Kronos. He knocked me back right at the foot of my throne. I felt my back crack, as pain rushed through my body, leaving me immobile.
"Luke Castellan is no more, little girl. Soon I shall break out of the bounds of this mortal body and be unstoppable." Kronos yelled.
"Luke, you promised me! You promised Annabeth!" Thalia said, "Don't give up. Fight him!"
"No! You shall die!" Kronos yelled, hitting Thalia across the room. She fell to the floor, blood pouring from her nose,
"Luke...we are a family...you promised," she croaked.
Kronos walked toward her, then stumbled, as his eyes flickered from gold to blue, before settling on the blue.
"Thalia, I hurt you," he said, "I...I'm sorry,"
"Luke, you can end this, is there a way to get Kronos out of you?" Thalia asked
"Yes, but you need to give me your sword," Luke groaned
"NO! I won't let you kill yourself!" Thalia yelled
"No...time. I'm sorry Thalia if he gets control again I won't be able to fight him again. This is the only way." He said, "If he regains control, that will be the end, he will burn my body and go into his true form."
Thalia handed him her sword, tears pooling in her eyes as Luke opened his armor and stabbed himself below his arm.
A gold light shone through the room, as the gods were released from the spell. They all ran into the throne room.
The light diminished, showing Luke on the floor, Thalia sobbing next to him. The war was over, we won.
I sighed, my back blaring from pain. Mom turned to me, holding my back and healing me,
"You did well my son," she said
All of the gods were exhausted from the battle, but we sat in our thrones, as we watched the fates take Luke's body away. Hermès ran to his son to give him the final honors. I sighed as I relaxed, and the comforting feeling of my throne massaged my back.
"We shall have a council meeting in 30 minutes," Zeus said, "I know we will still be tired, but this is of utmost importance, kind of. Just come, please. After the meeting, we can all rest. Council dismissed for now,"
Artemis, Athena, Bryan, and I left the throne room together, planning on just relaxing for the half-hour before the meeting.
"Can you believe the war is finally over?" Athena asked, "Maybe we'll finally get peace for once,"
I smiled, ignoring the growing unease in my stomach. Something felt...off, but Kronos was gone. It must've just been me.
My eyes grew wide as Bryan kissed Athena,
"Hopefully you are right," he smiled, then turned to me and Artemis and realized we were staring at them.
"Oh, we started dating after the fight with Typhon. It was all really quick actually," he said, blushing
I laughed, "oh you actual...Bryan dude...Athena, I was right then huh, you did have fun in that tent,"
Athena blushed, Bryan just hugged her closer, and I smiled. I was happy for them. Bryan deserved someone he loved in his life. Other than me, of course. I'm his brother. It's different. We relaxed for the next 20 minutes before the call for the council meeting came again.
We all flashed in, to see the other gods already all in their thrones. Something was off, but I couldn't tell what. I'm just paranoid about the war.
"We are here to celebrate the victory of the war against the titans!" Zeus said, "We all fought bravely, defeating Typhon and Kronos," all the gods thundered in approval, myself included.
"Our first order of business is to thank the demi-gods who fought in the war and showed great sacrifices and strength against Kronos. Grover Underwood, please step forward," Zeus said
I laughed a little to myself because he said demigods but the first person he called is a Satyr.
"You are given a position on the council of cloven elders, as well as the title of lord of the wild," Dionysus said
The satyr fainted on the ground. Zeus looked kind of disgruntled, but waved it off, much to Bryan's amusement.
"Annabeth Chase," Zeus thundered (LOL)
I gave her a grin as she walked up to the gods and bowed at her mother's feet.
"You, my daughter, have exceeded all expectations set on a 14-year-old. We have decided to make you the official architect of Olympus since it is...kind of trashed right now," Athena said, and I grinned at her.
Annabeth looked like she was going to pass out, kind of like Grover, but she took a deep breath and walked back.
"THALIA GRACE!" Zeus roared,
Thalia walked forward and I smiled at her, she grinned at me, before kneeling at Zeus's feet.
"A great hero deserves to be rewarded, does anyone think my daughter is unworthy?" Zeus asked
We all agreed, and Zeus continued, "Daughter, you shall receive 1 gift from the gods,"
I grinned, we would offer her godhood, she would accept, and boom, a new member of the gang.
"...anything?" Thalia asked
I leaned forward a little bit, a wide smile on my face. She had become like a little sister to me during our quest together, it would be nice if she became a goddess.
"Yes, anything, even the greatest gift of all, if you wish, you can be made into a goddess," Zeus said
Thalia's jaw dropped, as my smile just stayed, all she needs to do is say the word, and *poof* she's a goddess. It's slightly more complicated than that, but you get the point. Thalia looked thoughtfully, then her face hardened.
"No," she said
I swear my eyes bulged out of their sockets, and my jaw dropped. I must've heard her wrong.
"...no? Daughter, you are turning down our offer?" Zeus asked
Thalia smiled, "Yeah, I don't want to be a goddess. However, I do have a request, do you swear to accept it?"
"As long as it is reasonable," Zeus grumbled, apparently still miffed that she wasn't going to be a goddess.
"It is, and it's not hard, but I need you all to swear on the Styx," she said
Zeus grumbled even more about upstart demigods and stupid oaths, but then swore on the Styx.
"I want you all to claim your children. All the children, of all the gods," she said, "A lot of demigods joined Kronos, because they felt left out, and not cared for, and honestly, they had a good reason,"
"Daughter…" Zeus growled
Thalia didn't stop, "All the peaceful titans should be pardoned too, they shouldn't be punished for their birth, I mean, half the council are Kronos's children!"
"You are walking a tight line here, daughter," Zeus said
"I want all of you to recognize minor gods, give all gods cabins at camp half-blood. I hold all of you to your oath." she finished
I was a little sad that she denied being a goddess, but I swear I have never been prouder of her. I smiled at her, and she smiled back. Suddenly all the gods except for Artemis, Athena, Bryan, and I all sat up.
"Now that that is done, there is one more thing, of utmost importance that must be done," Zeus growled, he looked very, very angry. Unease started to creep through me, as I stared at him, waiting. Something about the god's aura seemed different, but I couldn't tell what it was.
"Perseus and Bryan, you are accused of treason against Olympus," Zeus said
My stomach dropped, "What? What are you talking about?"
"I should never have unbound you from the ancient laws," Zeus said. Celestial bronze chains whipped out, and Bryan and I were on the floor, bound in chains.
"We haven't betrayed Olympus, what are you talking about!" Bryan cried
Artemis and Athena, stood up, "Father what are you saying, they haven't done anything wrong!"
Everything we were saying was being ignored, "You are hereby sentenced to an eternity in Tartarus," Zeus said
Athena cried and was about to attack Zeus, but Bryan said, "Stop, my love, do not put yourself in harm's way because of us,"
Athena fell back into her throne, tears openly falling from her eyes, "NO! YOU CAN'T DO THIS!" she screamed
Once again she was ignored, I turned to my mom, she had to help us, but when I turned to her, she looked away, eyes shining with hurt.
"I can't believe you two did this. You are my life's biggest disappointment, I can't believe I thought I cared for you, you two are a disgrace," she said
My stomach twisted, and I felt like I was going to be sick. Silent tears fell from my eyes, as I turned to Bryan,
"I'm so sorry, I'm so so sorry," I croaked, as Hades opened a cavern to Tartarus, and to our horror, shot us both into it. The last thing I felt was the pain. The overwhelming pain.
(Artemis POV)
Shock coursed through my veins, Percy and Bryan...Tartarus? How? Why? There was no reason for them to be sentenced there. I whipped toward my father,
"HOW COULD YOU!" I screamed
His head lolled, so did every other god's. The demigods had watched this entire thing unfold in shock. Thalia looked like she was going to be sick.
The gods straightened again, and I screamed again,
"HOW COULD YOU DO THIS! WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS!"
They didn't respond. Hestia fell out of her throne, onto her knees, her face pale. She screamed in pain, tears running down her face. All the fires on Olympus got extinguished as Hestia continued to scream in pain. She punched the floor, hard.
"Damn you! Damn you! Damn you!" she screamed.
I could feel the hope starting to leave us, but I couldn't move, I was so confused. I didn't understand, why did she banish her sons so heartlessly, then cry about it.
I turned to father to see his face in his hands, and I could tell he was crying too.
"What...happened here?" I asked, quietly
Suddenly laughter exploded through the throne room. 3 figures stood in the middle of the room. A woman with brown hair in a green dress, a man with a light blue suit and white hair, and someone who was so covered in shadows you could barely see him. Everything started to make sense.
"Gaia, Ouranos, Erebus," Zeus growled, "so it was you, who probed our minds,"
Ouranos smiled, "Yes, and I must say, it worked out very well for us, we were able to place a primordial lock on their imprisonment in Tartarus,"
That's bad. Very very bad. I felt myself fall into my throne, as I realized just how grave the situation is for Percy and Bryan. A primordial lock means that for them to get out, a primordial god or goddess has to willingly free them from Tartarus, which means that we can't just bring them back.
"Yes, a primordial lock, very tricky. Now, they would need help from one of our brothers and sisters, and I can assure you, there isn't anyone willing to help them," Erebus grinned
If it was possible, Hestia was crying harder. She felt terrible, that she had to watch herself banish her sons, she had to watch their faces, to see their hearts shatter when she called them disappointments, I was surprised that she was still sane.
"DAMN YOU!" she screamed, as fire erupted toward the three primordial gods
The fire went right through them, and they smirked,
"Oh, my dear, we are not actually here. Olympus will be torn down piece by piece I assure you, enjoy the short rest of your rule Olympians!" Gaia said, and the three primordials disappeared.
Zeus sat in shocked silence, "Council dismissed," he whispered.
Athena instantly teleported out, and so did Hestia. I waited for a moment, before teleporting out myself. I fell onto my bed and cried. My best friends are in Tartarus.
(Percy POV)
Bryan and I were falling, for what felt like forever. We had our arms wrapped around each other, trying to have any form of comfort in each other, but our betrayal ran deep. Every second felt like I was reliving what mom said to us. Those words broke me, and they probably broke Bryan too.
As I looked again, I realized that I could see Bryan's hair. I looked down and realized we were falling through a massive cavern. Tartarus. I don't know what I imagined it to look like, but it wasn't this. A massive cavern, which had blood-red air, and a couple of rivers going through them. Speaking of rivers, we were about to fall into one.
"Brace yourself, Percy," Bryan whispered before we slammed into the river.
The impact didn't knock me out, so I got ready to get out. I swam up, gasping for breath, seeing Bryan splashing next to me. I weakly motioned toward the shore, and we started to slowly swim towards it.
Give up already, there isn't any point in fighting. No one cares about you, even your mother disowned you. At this point, stop fighting and just accept your death. If you fight your way out, what are you going to do? Fight monsters in their home turf for the rest of eternity? Give up...give up. My thoughts were wild, and I stopped paddling. I started to sink into the water. Bryan was also giving up.
As I sunk underwater I saw him, sinking in the water, as air bubbles were coming out of his mouth. No! I am not going to let my brother die, my twin, my best friend. Never! I called on my strength and pulled us both to the shore. I groaned, as my hand dug into the sand, trying to pull us out of that damned river. Pain shot through my hand and arm, as I slowly got us both out of the water.
Bryan coughed and spat, trying to catch his breath again. I dug the...glass...out of my hand. Well, that's nice, a river that makes me suicidal, a beach made of broken glass, an air of toxins...wow. I tried to wrap my head around what happened. The god's aura felt...different. I can't place it, but it didn't feel like them. Then I shook my head. We were betrayed by the council. There is no being powerful enough to control all of their minds like that.
I shook my head. Now was not the time to dwell on what happened. There were more important things to worry about. I stied summoning fire, and a small blaze appeared in my hand. I tried summoning food, and it worked. I tried teleporting out, and nothing happened.
'Ok,' I thought, all my powers work, except for teleporting. That's not terrible. I helped Bryan up, and we started trudging through Tartarus, stumbling constantly, not knowing who was supporting who. I suppose both of us were supporting each other, the way it's always been.
We stopped to rest near a cliff. I summoned pizza for the two of us, and we ate in silence. The food filled me with warmth, as I felt some of my energy return. It tasted just like the pizza we would have at mother's house.
Mother. Thinking of her didn't bring the usual joy and warmth that it usually did, just emptiness now.
"I didn't think they were serious," Bryan whispered, "I thought they were pranking us, or I guess I just hoped,"
"I know, their aura's felt different to me. I thought that maybe someone was controlling them, but no one is powerful enough to control the entire council." I sighed, "We shouldn't think about it right now. We need to find a place to sleep, we are both exhausted. We need shelter,"
Bryan nodded, and we stood, then started down the cliff. At the bottom, we started limping towards a cave.
"Get your weapons ready," I said, "Most likely there will be a monster in there that we have to kill,"
Bryan nodded, then froze, "Dude, I don't have my spear, it broke while I was fighting Typhon,"
If it weren't for the dire situation, I would've laughed, "Again? That's twice in 2 years," I said, but it lacked the humor that usually would've been there.
"I don't know man, maybe because there was a full-fledged war going on," he grumbled.
I would've been surprised at his angry response, but I don't blame him. We're both in a high-stress environment right now. I nodded, and he quietly summoned his daggers as we walked into the cave. There was a lone hellhound in the cave, sleeping near the back. Trying not to wake it yet, we sneaked around it, trying to see if anything else was in there, but it came out empty. I quickly killed the hellhound, then we got comfortable.
"Sleep, Bryan," I said
"No, Percy, you are more tired than me. You broke every bone in your body and fought Kronos. You sleep, I'll wake you," he said
I was too exhausted to argue, and I fell into a less-than-peaceful sleep.
Yeah yeah, you hate me now (dodges shoe) HEY! Relax, I know you don't hate me that much (dodges molotov cocktail) whoa whoa whoa, where'd you get that from. (dodges multiple shoes)
OKAY OKAY, I'M SORRY! (not really)
:) Leave a review if you want me to update quicker, and thank you to everyone who already reviewed!
Bye! :)
