I Don't Own Percy Jackson
"Charon my buddy!" Charon jumped into the air as I just sort of appeared in front of him. Stealth was fun like that.
"Fucking gods!... Oh, it's you... Yay" I just grinned as I leaned over the desk and gave him a dazzling smile, he leaned away. He was terrified of me, it was as always funny. "I assume you're here to make me take you to the Underworld again?" I smiled, he sighed.
"Of course... Come on then" I hummed, and within the hour I was in the Underworld, walking straight to the direction that I remember the forge kids were located.
It didn't take long, it took less time than that I talk about just what my idea was. To say their eyes lit up with glee at the idea of mine to make use of Stygian Iron, would be an understatement. One literally caught on fire, it was pretty interesting as I described just what my plan was, how it would function mechanically, and what exactly I was looking for what I wanted to be able to do.
From there, I dropped off the materials, and got an idea of just how long it would take, since it was a very custom item that they had never made before, because no one had ever thought about it, so they had to go through some trial runs since there was no blueprints they could use, since I didn't exactly have those on hand. In total, it would take probably bare minimum a week or two before everything was ready, since there was a lot of stuff being made to make this one thing work as best as it could.
That was completely fine, so I just left them to it, before moving on, heading to the River that I liked being around in this place. It was nice enough, I just shilled by the bed of the river for a while, and even managed to talk to dear old grandma for a while. Not for to long though, she wasn't the talkative type. It was just in her nature, even if I'm sure any god would be a bit conversation starved after three thousand years, their natures don't really change.
Which was half the reason why they sucked to be honest, they were kind of stuck in mindsets that were literally thousands of years out of date, but there wasn't much I could do about that to change it, so instead of bothering to worry about it. I just chilled by the river for a while, just relaxing, I did have to do another cross country trip to get here. And sure I could have just used the Labyrinth, while it's still around, but I was planning on waiting a bit until I made use of it.
I couldn't exactly use it as effectively as possible if I could get lost in it at any time after all. I had a plan and a Goddess in mind for that as well, but... well, being honest, I just haven't had the time or need of the maze just yet. Besides, anywhere it could bring me, I could get myself through the power of money and a bit of Mist, so there wasn't much of a point.
Past that, I just spent the time moving bits and pieces of the new trash form the River, just because I had managed to clean it of three thousand years of filth, doesn't mean it gets to stay like that sadly. People all over were still breaking their word and promises to themselves, and it still ended up here, but as it stands, it was still a damn sight better than what it had been before.
Styx herself had seemed... more at peace than she had before as well, which was nice, she deserved something for dealing with human's and their shit for so long.
Past that, about two hours past the time I first started to just rest and relax, I finally got up and decided it was about time to start doing the main thing in which I needed to do while I was here. Time to talk to Hades, after all, the man himself knew what was going to be happening soon, he was the God of the Underworld, he knew when someone was on their way here, and he cared way more than he pretended to not keep an eye on some people in particular.
It's just he couldn't do anything about it, but as a demigod, it's kind of in my job description to be allowed to fuck with Fate and other Gods plans. Hades didn't know it yet, but I had been planning this part for months now, and he was going to be giving me everything I'll need from him soon from the deal I'm about to be striking with him.
After all, Gods don't change, and that's what makes them so easy... Unlike humans and Half-bloods, those were the ones that I still couldn't get my head wrapped around.
Anyways, time to see just how willing Hades is going to be to my idea.
I bet this is going to go incredibly well!
"Oh, it's you" Hades was hot in person, and that wasn't fair, still I ignored that part of my brain and gave the man a smile as I walked over towards him as he looked down at me from his throne and said cheerfully.
"Hello! Nice to see you again" He squinted at me, like he was trying to figure out if it was worth while to just kill me and deal with his word being broken about me being safe in his entire domain, before finally just not saying anything, I took that as a sign to continue, "So, I've been thinking and planning and doing all that good stuff and... Well, I figured it would be best to offer my services once more if your willing" He quirked an eyebrow at that.
"And what possible interest could I have in something you could offer me when I have nothing to gain anymore from you mortal?" Back to the mortal comments, I pouted a bit, before saying.
"I figured you'd like to make sure your kids live, Nico and Bianca di Angelo right? You took them out of the casino a few months back aga-"
[Notice: Status Effect [Terror of the Underworld] has been negated from Perk [Unyielding Spirit]]
I pouted again as he glared at me, the hatred in his eyes was quite impressive, I must say as a guy who kind of can control that entire emotion, Hades was real good at showing and projecting it.
"Hey! I was trying to say something, stop trying to scare me mister!" He blinked, the shocked look when that failed the first time once more returned to his face, before he leaned back, like he was trying to not look like the thousands of year old King of the Underworld hadn't just been scolded like a three year old looking fussy. He failed for the most part as he said back.
"You dare presume much mortal, and what do you wish to gain from knowing about my off-spring? Surely you must know I don't care for the little whelps, it was simply a means to get around my annoying brothers oaths" I raised an eyebrow at that. He tried to look regal, but more looed desperate. He couldn't harm me here, we made a deal, he could never restrict my ability to leave the Underworld or hurt me when I was here. Meaning he couldn't stop whatever I had planned as long I was in his own Domain, where he should be at his most powerful.
It was of little doubt this was the most humbled this god has ever felt, not being able to do a damn thing to me. Normally the power trip would make me feel great about knowing that, but I didn't really want that. I liked the guy, and as much as he tried to be a good actor, he really wasn't. He relied way to much on fear to get his words across and without it, he had no idea what to do.
"I have Styx's Legacy, I can tell when anyone is lying, god or not, you're not immune to that. But whatever, I'm not here to threaten your kids, I like them. I met the two when I was in the casino myself, I had to get some stuff from the place and ran into them. They felt like you by the way, they're fun. I learned a lot from them as well, but that's not overly important. They aren't there now, and with everything that's happening, and as they happen to be big three kids, we both know just how much danger they'll be in. I just want to make sure they're safe as well... And I'm a greedy little shit and want something for acting like a bodyguard for them until they can stand on their own two feet"
That was something Hades could understand, a deal, a simple deal from a mortal who he thought didn't know as much as him, who didn't know his daughter was set for death already. That a mortal, a demigod mortal, who could work against fate, wanted to protect the two for a reward, something simple, that Hades himself had no standing in, who hadn't brought it up first, and therefore clean in this scenario.
It looked like a perfect gift that I just blindly walked into, and would allow Hades to use me to do something insane while I was none the wiser, saving his child for another simple favor, from a demigod who he already knew and respected, who he could trust the word of from the demigod's own proclamation of being the Oath Goddess's Legacy.
For Hades, it looked perfect, and I had no idea about the finer details, when in reality, this entire conversation had been planned and scripted out to the last detail to let him come to those connections and thoughts to give me something from Hades himself for doing something I was already planning on doing. So I just smiled, like I hadn't planned this entire conversation weeks ago, as Hades spoke, acting mighty with what he thought was his own plan in mind.
It was cute.
"And what is it you wish to gain from me? You have me blessing and my domain, there is not much else left for you to gain from me as we share no blood" That is true. I mean, I could demand a better blessing, he could give me a much stronger one I'm sure, but I didn't need that right now, if I wanted a stronger blessing then I can just go and collect more from other gods.
If this last year as shown anyone anything, it's really not that hard to accomplish. So I had something a bit different in mind, as I said simply to the god.
"I want an item that will allow me the access to shadows, so that I can Shadow travel on my own" He raised an eyebrow, but I just continued to smile. Ok, sure, I just had a thought about using the Labyrinth to get places, but let's be honest, teleporting would just be so much easier than having to walk places. Future Nico was able to drag a multi-ton statue across two continents and an ocean while he was half dead.
Part of that could totally be because he's a big three kid, and therefore overpowered by nature, but I'm catching up to that level, so it should work out fine. Hades from frowned for a moment, clearly in thought about something, before finally saying.
"I see, such a trinket wouldn't be hard, but that does not mean you would be able to control it. Styx's blood in you is not that strong, you are not her child, and therefore you are not a real being of the Underworld. You may use things like the metals and ice because it comes from her river, but you hold no power over darkness, you could easily be lost to it" I hummed at that, I had a feeling that would be an issue, so I just smiled and said.
"Well, then I guess we need to go to Tartarus then" The look of absolute shock that came over Hades face was a picture I would forever remember. Hell, I had magic, I'll recreate it with an illusion, take a picture, and then keep it in my non-existent wallet, because holy fuck that was good! I laughed a bit before saying. "Not really, I just need to meet up with Nyx, I know she isn't down there all the time"
I had a plan for just how I could survive in Tartarus, and honestly it wouldn't be that hard, but not at all something I wanted to be doing at my level, there were titans down there that I can't beat just yet. Hades just sighed, rubbing his forehead before looking away and said.
"You are quite the pain"
"Thank you" He sighed again before saying.
"Why do you wish to speak to her, you do know she cares not about the deal between us, she would destroy you in an instant even if you were in the Underworld, I can not protect you" I just shrugged.
"I have plans, and being able to speak to her is up on the list about important things I want to do. I can do it later, but it would be best to do it as soon as possible" Hades looked genuinely perturbed about just how uncaring I was about the idea of speaking to a primordial being who could snap me out of existence or something like that. But, I mean, why should I be worried? Being worried wasn't going to help me.
"You are mad" I just smiled and shrugged.
"Dionysus likes me for a reason" He just frowned before looking away for a long moment before saying simply.
"If you are to do what I suspect, then you are going to die, but if you are to die, then you are of no use to me... I will give you something to beseech her wrath when you make your fetal mistake" While I would love to get whatever it was Hades wanted to give me, I didn't really need it to be honest, I had a plan, and he wasn't wrong, as long as I don't piss anyone off, then I should be fine, which, I mean, I am capable of doing that.
"No need, I'll be fine and it was not in our agreement anyways, you are already doing enough. Just send me to her, and I can handle the rest"
"You have done nothing but tempt the powers that could kill you in an instant since the moment you became aware of our existent, and yet you still continue to poke where a mortal should never look. I do not know if it is of stupidity or brave hearted idiocy, but if you are to die, then it will be no fault of my own. Are you sure you do not wish for an item to help you on your task? Whatever in the divine name it is you think you can accomplish?" I just smiled. He wanted to help, so I would be around to make sure his daughter didn't die, but I don't need it... probably, so I just said simply to the man.
"I tempt nothing, that is to imply they would ever think of striking me down, and I have never done anything of the sort" He gave me a look, I continued to smile, and in the end, he sighed before nodding.
"I will send you to her current resting place, it is already nightfall above and she has already left her Mansion of Night, I would wish you luck, but it would seem you are already inclined to die"
"I'm never inclined to die, that would assume I'm not stubborn enough. I'll see you soon after my talk" He just sighed, looking annoyed, lightly hopeful I wouldn't get myself killed, and unsure if he should be doing this in the first place, but it was my price for trying to save his daughter, and he didn't seem to realize he could try to negotiate into something else.
Gods are kind of stupid, but in a wave of darkness, and a feeling that I was falling, I was tossed out on top of what looked like a cliff of some sort before I could really think more on the matter.
I didn't quite stumble, but it wasn't an easy landing either, as I blinked and looked around before suddenly what felt like velvet smooth vines shot out and wrapped around my body from all angles as I let out a sharp wheeze as the things squeezed way to hard all over and-
[Notice: Status Effect [Shattered Ribs] have been applied, -15 to Strength, -15 Constitution]
[Notice: Status Effect [Broken Wrists] have been applied, -15 to Strength]
[Notice: Status Effect [Broken Arms] have been applied, -15 to Strength, -15 Constitution]
[Notice: Status Effect [Shattered Ankles] have been applied, -15 to Dexterity]
[Notice: Status Effect [Broken Legs] have been applied, -15 to Dexterity]
[Notice: Status Effect [Internal Bleeding] have been applied, -5 Constitution for every minute untreated]
[Notice: Status Effect [Mildly Crushed Windpipe] have been applied, -5 Constitution]
[Notice: Status Effect [Healing Block] have been applied, you can no longer heal naturally]
[Notice: Status Effect [Dark Restraint] have been applied, you can no longer move]
Oh... is that all? And here I thought I was overreacting! It felt like my bones had been snapped like a kitkat! Grimacing in pain, I was about ready to say something when.
"Who dares try and sneak up on me!" The voice wasn't thunderous, but that didn't mean it was any less intense, as I managed to turn my head just enough to look at the woman who was stalking up to me before-
[Notice: Status Effect [Aura of Darkness] have been-]
[Notice: Warning! [Unyielding Spirit] has been been partially negated!]
[Notice: Status Effect [Aura of Darkness] has been reduced to a Minor Status Effect and applied]
Huh... so this is what unadulterated terror is like. I have to say, I don't like it. Still, I wasn't me for nothing, a perk didn't make me, as I managed something close to my normal smile as I forced my eyes to focus on the woman when I wanted nothing more to scream and run, I didn't dare let my body react to those stupid useless wishes.
The woman was incredible looking, two jet black wings sprouting from her back that were so awesome and beautiful in equal measure that I was jealous in an instant, with a cloak like dress as dark as the night around us, but with faint flickers of lights echoing from it on occasion, like the cosmos were held within. Her eyes were the same, like a thousand stars were making them up, letting the irises almost glow of a color I wasn't sure had a name. For as terrifying as she was, she was fucking smoking hot.
...And then the knowledge that this was my great grandma kicked in, and I sort of wanted to vomit, the wings were still cool though, I think that's where my mom got her own from, just skipped a generation with Styx before it got to Nike.
I managed a painful wheezing breath in, trying my best to not sound as pathetic as my body felt at the moment, and said simply with a hoarse grunt.
"No sneaking up intended... I just wanted to meet some more of my family" She quirked an eyebrow for just a second, before tilting her head to the side, studying me like I was something that might just be sort of interesting, like an insect you aren't sure exists or not, until you google it and are disappointed with the result. It was honestly getting harder to keep my smile in place, she was fucking scary.
"I do not recognize you mortal, and I have no need for family this weak and... scrawny. I shall crush you now" I managed a pout at that, since what the hell? That's just mean!
"I'm Styx's Legacy! First one in... ever" I think, I didn't exactly fact check that, but it seemed to work, as a smile suddenly pulled on her face, the darkness didn't exactly leave me alone, or even lessen, but she didn't seem as willing to instantly kill me now. Given the situation, I counted that as a win.
"Styx! Of course, my lovely daughter! She has so much potential you know! Goddess of Hatred herself, nothing more scary than a woman with that much motivation, you know?" And... she's gone from instantly terrifying to sounding like a proud suburban mom. If I wasn't currently bleeding out on the inside, I'd probably find it funny.
"I- I know right! Incredible Goddess, one of my favorites really, she's my grandmother after all! And we get along great, like I said, even got her blessing and Legacy!" Nyx hummed for a moment, like she was considering that, moving forwards and squinting at me, before scoffing.
"You have her hair, but why is it so short! My lovely Styx has such beautiful flowing black hair, the best color you know, dark and mysterious! Why isn't your hair that long?" I- Huh, is this what it's like for other people when they talk to me, weird cut-a-ways and no transitions between random topics... If so, good, as I grunted around the darkness.
"I'm a guy" She blinked once, then twice, moving back a bit to observe my body before shrugging, literally shrugging.
"Are you now? I wouldn't know, you mortals all look the same to me, and with such weird things about what looks good, long hair is nice, what does gender have to do with it. What even is gender anyways! I could be a man you know, nothing is stopping me, and Zeus if the big oaf wanted could go around in a nice bright pink skirt but no! That's weird and blah blah blah. Honestly that man, he's just a bully you know! My poor son Hypnos was almost killed by the big brute!"
I managed a grin that was mostly real now as I said.
"I know right, he sucks sometimes, I had to help Styx out because of where he put her with no help. I cleaned up her river for her" Nyx let out a happy gasp, clapping her hands together before saying.
"Did you now! That's just lovely, I've been telling her for centuries, I have, that she should do something about that horrible odor that comes from being covered in all that gross human stuff for so long. It's nice and proper that you helped her out like that" I went to shrug, only to realize I couldn't and said.
"Well, she's my family right, and a scary family member to, I respect that you know, it just wouldn't feel right if I didn't try and help" Nyx smiled, and if it wasn't for that fact that just being around her made me want to scream damnations to the sky, I think I would have started to relax around now, as she spoke.
"Aw, aren't you just a kind child! Not scary though, a shame, I think I might even like you if you were scary" I hummed at that, it hurt like hell, but acting like this wasn't a big deal was what was keeping me both alive and calm, as I said.
"I can be a bit scary, wanna see?" She gave me that look that a grandma gives a small child when they say they can do something cool, only to do something really simple, she was being indulgent but wasn't expecting much.
"Oh, of course, I'm sure you can get real big and scary" She actually giggled a bit at that, and damn if that didn't hurt my pride.
"M-mind letting me down so I can really give it all I got?" She blinked, before seemingly realizing she was killing me, quite quickly at that, I had about twelve minutes to live before I bleed out since I can't heal at the moment.
"Oh right, of course, can't have you all tied up" She it like I was caught in fishing wire, as the darkness receded as I gasped and landed on the floor and just sort of wanted to stay there for a moment, only to then force myself back up onto my feet, as my entire lower body screamed at me, but the darkness wasn't touching me, and that made all the difference as I began to rapidly heal. It wasn't perfect, I was fucked, but I had Styx regeneration going for me as I took a deep breath, and looked up into Nyx's almost patient and curious eyes.
And then I really fucking hoped this would work, as I looked up at the sky... where the full moon was washing down on the two of us, giving me a plus fifteen levels to my skills, before with a long thought, about how this was a competition, a task against her, to scare her, to allow myself to live...
[Notice: Perk [Son of Nike] has activated, all stats are now increased by 20%]
[Notice: Status Effect [Victory's Blessing: Skill] has been applied]
I huffed with a grin, perfect, thanks Mom... That was another plus eight levels, twenty-three additional levels from boosts, an additional fourteen from the phantom modifier with my boosted Control... For a grand total base of two hundred and eighty percent increase to Intimidation.
Doubled form my Wolf's Stare, for a total of over five hundred and fifty percent increase to my base level ability to scare a person of a higher level than me... And then I used Trade Off for nine thousand points of Stamina into boosting my Intimidation, Trade Off also getting fifteen extra levels for Lupa's blessing. Meaning it's effects should at least be doubled, if I was lucky.
And then I blasted myself with as much Hatred as I could pour into my mind as I dropped every single inch of Mana I could into the skill. With shaking fists, barely controlled rage, and so many boosts activated at once, I released the breath I had been holding...
Before my head whipped up and I glared with every ounce rage I could push into the look. A look so chilling and terrifying, with so much raw rage and hate, it could give a war vet PTSD. And I did it to the most powerful being I have ever come across, who nearly killed me from simply trying to keep me still...
And the only reaction she gave was a small smile, a quirk of the lips, before she busted out into a small giggle fit. Her hands coming to her sides, like they were hurting her, as she took a long moment, laughing her ass off at what would traumatize any mortal, and said finally, after wiping a mock tear from her eye.
"Aww! That was so... You gave it your best honey, it was... quite scary" Aura of dread and pain or not, I pouted and said with more whine that I should have allowed.
"What! But- But I did everything I could!" She nodded, snickering again before saying.
"I'm sure you did child, but to me you looked like one of those... what are they called... ah yes, you looked like a small angry puppy! You are just the cutest little thing!" ...Well... it was called a wolf stare. I tried my best to not look at least a small bit pleased about being called cute, cause sue me, I don't exactly get a lot of compliments meant to be compliments.
"Come on! It can't have been that bad!" She just smiled, and I just kept pouting. This is bullshit.
"You have potential, but you aren't quite there just yet" I just sighed, she had a point, I wasn't quite up there just yet. Apparently a primordial power over a universal domain is a bit above my grade level. Then again, that's the entire point and reason why I as talking to her.
"Yeah, you're right... Wanna help me out with that?" I tilted my head to the side and gave her a curious look, one that she returned, though there was a hint of something to the look now. Clearly she had bad ideas about anyone asking her for anything.
"And what do you want from me?" I shrugged, slowly swaying a bit, it worked the kinks out of my slowly repairing bones as I've found out if I need the blood flowing.
"Something fun, I'm sure you know those big annoying Titans are starting to come back around, and I don't really like that. So I'm planning on scaring and beating them up a bit" She tilted her head, the look slowly leaving with one of interest. Ah, there it was, the thing that made this worth it. Nyx might be a weirdly caring mom who is proud about weird things in her family line... But she's also a sadistic Primordial Goddess who would kill anything and everyone who has ever annoyed her if the entire world wouldn't go to hell for it.
Because then there would be no one to see her children, but that's a whole other issue.
"Oh? So you have some spine then, though your bark isn't much, maybe your bite is better perhaps?" I... did my best to move past that insult, and said.
"I'm getting there, but not there just yet, it's a bit hard all things considered when I have to deal with the uppity children of the big three. Zeus's kid refuses to even fight me you know?" We both shared a pout at that, mostly because she hated Zeus and I hated not getting what I want, but it was a good bonding experience, as I continued. "So, I figured, with the things I know about you from what other's have said about you, and with our... shared delight in crushing people, I wondered if you would be willing to give me your Legacy, or at least as much as you would be willing"
This was the moment, the wind up on if I was about to die or not, my heart was pounding harder than it has ever, as Nyx went silent, for a long... long moment, I wondered if I was about to be skewered, when she let out a soft sounding snort, before it grew, into a small giggle, before breaking into a wild laugh, as she threw her head back and let her voice fill the air, for miles the sound could be heard from the mountain we were perched on, I'm sure of it.
It hurt my hears to even listen to, the sound bouncing around like I was in a echo chamber filled with the most haunting sounds imaginable, but it was just one sound, over and over.
It lasted for ages, and ages, until, slowly she began to patter out again, as she let out a few more soft huffs before shaking her head, as she turned to look at me.
"In the eons I've been alive no one has ever asked that much of me, no one would dare to presume themselves. I am older than this Earth, I am more ancient than Gaea herself. I am the first born of Chaos's children, I was here before death and life were even ideas the universal had yet to think of. And yet a mortal who I've spent less than a night with presumes himself important enough for even a fraction of my Legacy? And on what grounds you speak of? Because it would be amusing to me and nothing more?" Her eyes were twinkling with stars, and I just had to shrug and said.
"Yeah, basically" I could have just lied, she's pretty gullible according to the books, but I want her to like me, so I gave a smile and a sheepish shrug, and waited... It wasn't long before Nyx cracked the smallest of grins as well in return. It was that moment she almost wasn't terrifying and instead looked more mischievous.
"You might be as terrifying as a knocked over daisy, but you are certainly of great amusement child. What makes you think I would care for such a thing?" I hummed a bit, like I was thinking about it, I wasn't.
"No real reason, I just figure, if you really are that old, and have seen so much, it's bound to be boring after a while, just living on your own and visiting your kids when you feel like that. And you are the daughter of Chaos... As it stands, I happen to like a bit of madness in my life, and I have a feeling you would love to be able to spread about a bit of that if you could without risking a war against both the titans and the gods. I'm simply willing to do an incredibly satisfying beat down on the Titans, and I figure I'll piss off more than one god over the course of all my ideas"
Nyx just stayed still, thinking over my words, I just smiled, I had her, Nyx was the strongest of the gods, and if I ever had tried doing this before right now, when I was just barely strong enough to not instantly die from being around her, I wouldn't have succeeded, I'd be dead and the world would move on. But the thing is, while she stronger than any other god, that does not mean she is smarter or more cunning, or even more wise.
Age for gods mean nothing, wisdom comes from age and experience only for humans and mortals, the gods don't change, and that was their biggest weakness, and one I have once again exploited to it's maximum. I had this whole thing in mind from the first moment I had read about Nyx being my great grandmother, a direct line to the strongest of the strong, but I didn't have the experience with word play and moving around Gods and their words, nor the strength to prove myself to her in any way...
It's why I had waited a full year of patience, training, and learning in even more depth how the gods worked, so I could pull this one off without a single realistic fear. I had planned on waiting even longer, to make it even more sure I'd get what I'd want, but... Well, I was already in the Underworld, I had time, I could do it, and I was feeling a bit pissed off still. So I got exactly what I wanted from Hades without telling him what I really wanted.
An audience with Nyx without braving Tartarus and living through the hell of coming up with a way to get in contact with her without her instantly killing me. Meaning, I had to do it in person, hence... This conversation, as Nyx finally spoke, a wistful sound in her tone.
"That does sound nice..." I just smiled, I won once again, unsurprisin-
[Notice: Major Status Effect [Ruptured Organs] have been applied, -40 Constitution per Minute]
[Notice: Major Status Effect [Massive Bleeding] have been applied, -10 Constitution per Minute]
[Notice: Status Effect [Healing Block] have been applied, you can no longer heal naturally]
"But I can't just give my power to just anyone of course. You have to prove it to me" I coughed, and blood came out of my mouth as I gagged on the taste of my own blood, as I hunched over, only, I didn't fall, my body being held up by the spike of inky black darkness that just shot itself through my stomach and liver, as I tried to say something when a hand cupped the side of my face, forcing me to look up at the peaceful yet haunting expression on Nyx's face, as she said like she was trying to calm a little baby who woke up crying from a nap.
"If you survive and make it back to the Underworld. Come to my daughter's river, and then maybe we shall speak when you can no longer try and trick me with that little silver tongue of yours in front of my daughter that will judge you're truth" And then she was gone, my body still stabbed through with primordial night, on the mountain... with about three minutes to live before my Constitution hits zero and I die.
And I used every ounce of Stamina and Mana I had to try and scare her...
Huh, so this is what a crushed ego, and stomach, feels like...
Comparatively this is a real short chapter to the last few, and I honestly meant to keep going, but... Then I thought about how cool it would be if I just fucked everyone over and leave you all reading this on a cliffhanger. And by cool, I mean, how fucking hilarious it would be to see how everyone reacts to this, so that's what I'm doing. What do you think? I personally find it hilarious, and is an amazing was of humbling Nick... Or making him think himself invincible by the end of this and therefore an even bigger pain in the ass when or if he finds a way out of this situation that he's put himself in. I'll figure it out as I write the next chapter, but one thing is for sure, Nick is incredibly prideful and for good reason for his ability to get things to work out the way he wants them to. He has yet to ever suffer a loss, for as much as he bitches and moans about Percy being overpowered, he is standing pace with the guy and is looking to over take very soon. And, well, pride before the fall.
I haven't really put a massive thought into the ups and downs for Nick, this is a chill story about me just doing a power trip character who just powers through everything in his way with cunning and skill, but that doesn't mean he's perfect. I think I've shown that off in how he sees and interacts with the world, and now it's finally bit him in the ass so hard he might die for it. Will he learn from this, will he find a way out of the situation and then proceed to throw himself into it again looking for that sweet sweet power up? Who knows, well, I do, that's the point of this cliffhanger, to fuck with you, so, See ya!
