Chapter 7
The trio of the big three didn't even make it down the street before the first monster attack happened. This wasn't just any monster of course either, the hydra attacked them right in the middle of Las Vegas Boulevard. Percy and the others weren't sure what the mortals had seen, but it must've been pretty scary, because people were running for their lives and screaming in panic.
With Bianca having no weapon, and no real training it left the job to Percy and Jason to do damage control, but they had already made the mistake of cutting off three heads and now the beast was becoming uncontrollably large.
Jason and Percy had just regrouped swearing together. Jason said, "We need to get back to Bianca and figure out a way to elementally take this thing down. We don't have time for this."
Percy nodded, and was going to say something sarcastic when a deep voice came in from behind, "My lord sends his regards for saving his daughter, and I have a message for Perseus Jackson."
Percy and Jason looked over their shoulders to see a huge black man with muscles the size of basketballs, and standing at a tall six foot ten inches, the man looked like a pro baller. Jason looked at Percy and sighed, "I'll hold off the Hydra. Let's get the message, kill this thing, and get the hell out of here."
Percy gave the boy a nod, and Jason took off lance in hand, and thunder rumbling in the sky. Percy meanwhile turned to see Bianca suddenly standing next to the large man looking confused, "How did I-"
"Better you don't ask." The man said watching Jason fight the hydra in the distance with a modicum of success.
"Who are you if you don't mind me asking?" Percy asked carefully.
"I've gone by many names for many empires, but Death doesn't change much, so my name is not important. Only that I serve Lord Pluto, and he has a message for Perseus Jackson." The man said with an even face. He had a black Ipad in his hand, and was getting a quiet beep for what seemed like every second.
Jason screamed out, "Percy hellhounds coming down the street. I could use help over here!"
Bianca put a hand on Percy's shoulder, "Go help Jason. Lord Thanatos, can I take the message?"
Not questioning the Greek name for the Lord of the Dead Percy looked at the man who smiled at the girl before him, "Of course Lady Bianca. Let your friend runoff and deal with the monsters. I will give you the information your father wanted passed on."
Percy didn't wait for any more prompting and took off down the street where Jason was dodging a dozen Hydra heads trying to pin him down. When Percy got in range he threw his trident as hard as he could at the center mass of the beast making it roar in anger, and the young man reached for the water in a nearby fountain and grinned when he discovered it was massive. Summoning it was an easy task even considering the drain on his power he had in the last twenty four hours, but getting the massive creature to drown was going to be a much different problem. Jason however screamed out as the water encased the beast taking his lance and hurling it a second time at the monster. This time however the spear seemed to ark with electricity, and when it made contact with the water it was all over but the anguished screams.
Jason immediately sat down looking thoroughly winded, "We can't keep this up. We have to move."
Bianca came running up to them however, heaving for breath, "Thanatos is going to provide us transport to New York. Three days have passed and today is the solstice. The guy Luke that tricked my brother and I is apparently the lightning thief you guys are after!"
Before Percy could ask questions Thanatos materialized next to them, "That was quite the entertainment demigods. I have a feeling you both will make my domain grow stronger over the years together, and for that I will bid you the favor of travel. Let us depart."
The hellhounds that Jason had spotted earlier were eying the large man wearily as they began to approach the small squad of people, but before they could decide if they were going to attack Percy felt his body heat up, and quickly closed his eyes as the godly energy enveloped him.
When the heat dissipated they were standing below a massive skyscraper and the large transporter of souls was gone. Jason immediately began tapping his foot on the ground in nervous anticipation, "We are so dead. Roman's don't go to Olympus without being summoned, plus this is like the monster capital of the world."
Percy steeled his nerves over, and thought about what he knew of New York. First of all it was the home to Mount Olympus. Lupa told them in training that they were to never appear in the House of the gods without being properly summoned, but here they were breaking all the rules. The second thing he knew about the city of New York was that monsters were drawn to the power of the gods. Though none were ever crazy enough to challenge one it didn't change the fact that Olympus was like a homing beacon to every powerful monster within a hundred miles of them, also and perhaps most importantly to Percy at the time was that Manhattan was an island surrounded by water. He closed his eyes, stretching his senses knowing he needed to get a message to his brother about what had happened thus far, and what was to come. When he opened his eyes he turned to Bianca who was looking around in anticipation, "Bianca what did Lord Thanatos say?"
She looked up towards the Empire State Building nervously speaking as calmly as she could manage, "He said that our thief would be on the sky deck. Today is the day of the Solstice so the gods will be meeting today, and the lightning thief is trying to set someone up for the crime. My father says we can confront him there."
Realizing that this Luke person was hiding the Master Bolt right under Olympus was a startling fact, and thinking back on the prophecy Percy could sense Jason's unease by the situation. They were thus far unopposed, and it seemed more monsters would have converged on their location in the short time they had been in New York, but only sounds of a busy city could be heard. Jason looked to Percy, "Bianca and I will go to the Empire State Building, and see what we need to do to get to the top. It will be closing soon, and we may have to make arrangements with the guardian of Olympus. Whoever that may be. You should go to the water and send a message to the camp and your brother."
Percy agreed to the terms, and wished them luck as he took off down 34th street following his senses to the water. He followed signs to the Queens Midtown Tunnel, and hit the water with just a few minutes of jogging. When he reached the river he recognized a lime green man standing at the edge with his ponytail pulled back neatly. Percy approached him slowly and looked out over the sunset with him, "I think we've done it. We received the intelligence from Lord Pluto about the thief, and where we can find him. Jason and our new friend are figuring out a way to get to the top without too many mortals being around."
The Lieutenant of Neptune merely kept his eyes on the water emotionlessly, "I am glad to see you are not dead."
Percy felt a small wave of affection for his brother, and though he tried to disguise the tone he could tell the young Immortal had been concerned for his well being. The man continued to say, "I feared the worst when we couldn't sense your presence over the last few days."
"Time works differently in the Lotus Casino. We were only there for maybe an hour or two, but nearly two days had passed." Percy explained carefully.
Triton nodded as if he expected the explanation, but instead of turning to face him he spoke softly, "Your greatest challenge lies ahead. Our father wishes you to be prepared for some...unexpected greetings. A great secret is going to be revealed to the three of you, and even I fear its consequences."
"We will not let Olympus or Atlantis down brother. You have trained me well, and Jason stands with my loyalty to Rome. We will protect our home, and its legacy with everything we have." The young man said passionately.
"Maybe not everything Percy. Is the destruction of the civilized world worth your legacy of Rome?" The man questioned quietly.
This question had stumped Percy, and before he could question the man's intentions with that statement he merely said, "Think on my words when you are faced with a difficult decision. We will not speak again until you are back at camp."
Percy swallowed the lump in his throat, "Yes brother."
The Immortal turned to face his brother for the last time. "Be careful Perseus, and before I go I have something for your new...friend as you put it."
The man pulled a pen out of his pocket and held it out to him, "This is a blade of the sea, Anaklusmos. Made by a long time friend to Atlantis many years ago. Its history is tragic, but it will serve your new friend well. If you are to truly take her under your wing then you must prepare her for the challenges that you may have the opportunity to face together. Train her to use it when you get back to camp, and make her loyal to you."
At first Percy didn't understand as he took the pen out of his brother's hand, but even more so he was confused on how the young God knew of his bargain with Pluto. Before he could raise questions about the sanity of it all the man dived off the bridge, and didn't even splash when he hit the water and disappeared.
Turning the pen over in his hand a few times he flipped the cap, and felt a very well balanced sword extend into his hands. He was amazed, and the celestial bronze was so clean and pretty he could see his own reflection. Celestial Bronze was extremely rare to Roman's, and if not for his own arsenal of weapons he would have considered keeping it, but merely touched the tip of the sword making it return to pen and decided to give it to Bianca when they met back up.
Getting back down 34th street to the Empire State Building was another simple jog, and when he arrived Jason was holding a strange looking elevator key, "I got this from the guy at the front desk. He was a clear sighted mortal and saw right through our weapons. I guess he gets this kind of thing often from visitors to Olympus, and said he would clear the deck for us."
Percy grinned, "Well look at that. Something going right for once. Bianca, I have a gift for you."
The girl looked curiously at him, and the pen that had been in his hand. She took the offered item from his hand and stared at it carefully. Percy advised her curiosity, "Open the cap, but make sure it's not pointed towards you."
She did as she was told and the blade extended, and she gasped. Jason also stared at the blade in surprise, clearly recognizing the metal. Percy spoke quietly, "A gift from my family to yours. The sword is called Anaklusmos, it means Riptide in ancient Greek. The tide that can catch you by surprise and pull you under. You can put the cap on the pen, and you will have a normal writing utensil again, but I think my father, or my brother thought you might need a weapon for the coming fight. Even with no training as a child of Pluto your reflexes will be better than most."
The girl nodded with a straight face, studying the sword carefully and moving it around in her hand. She looked amazed, but when she looked at Percy she looked grateful, "Thank you Percy. I hope you will teach me to use it."
"I will. When this is all over." Percy promised.
Jason coughed, "Alright this is a touching moment, but we have work to do."
Jason led the way, and walked past the front security desk nodding his head at the man behind the counter. The man nodded back, and Percy along with Bianca followed quickly behind.
When they reached the elevator Jason punched the 82nd button on the panel, and the elevator quickly began ascending upward. Jason then asked, "Did you learn anything from Triton?"
"Just that we are going to uncover a secret that may destroy Western Civilization." Percy said optimistically.
Bianca snorted, "Oh is that it?"
"What is this secret?" Jason asked concernedly.
"I don't know, but whatever it is, Triton looked worried. I've never seen him look worried. Even when I was summoned by the high sea council, irritation was the most I got out of him. Whatever we are about to learn, it isn't good."
Jason swore quietly, "Great. I can't wait."
The elevator dinged when they reached the top, and when they exited the elevator a lone man stood with his hands in his pockets, a shield on his back, a sword at his waist, and his eyes on the beautiful city skyline. Bianca stepped forward angrily, greeting the man, "Luke! Where is my brother?"
The man didn't turn to face them, but he merely called back, "Bianca you were supposed to be a good little girl and stay at the Casino. I see you brought friends, but no matter your brother will be here shortly, and then I will be able to give him a prize worthy of your father."
Jason and Percy didn't say a word, but Bianca kept talking, "We trusted you! You said you would get us out. You said you would take us somewhere safe."
"I did take your brother somewhere safe. He is currently at camp trying to figure out who stole the King of the Gods master bolt to clear his name. They are quite convinced he took it, and with your father claiming him after all these years it certainly played right into my hands." The young man said confidently.
Percy and Jason exchanged surprised looks at this. Had they taken him to Camp? Had Lord Pluto claimed his son in front of the whole legion? This wasn't adding up to anything that made sense, but Bianca was still furious as she pulled the pen from her pocket clearly with the intent of challenging the man in front of her, "I will send you to my father, and clear my brother's name. We will take your body to Olympus, and prove that you are nothing by a coward and a Graceus."
It was the first time Percy or Jason had heard the girl speak Latin, and the first time she had shown any natural animosity towards the old enemies of the Empire, but when she spoke the last word she uncapped the pen and charged forward with a scream. The sword elongated quickly and Luke was forced to dodge the first heavy strike from Bianca and draw his own blade blocking the next.
Percy and Jason both pulled their weapons as they formed a triangle formation behind Bianca as she attempted to push the son of Hermes back with a rapid fire of sword motions. It was immediately clear though that she was out matched in terms of skills with a blade as Luke had disarmed her, and with a front leg kick sent her sprawling backwards coughing as she hit the ground hard. The sword had gone skidding away but Percy and Jason paid no mind to it as they realized the swordsman before them was not going to be a run of the mill fight.
The young man merely grinned at the two demigods before him, "Now who do we have here? Two demigods our Lady of the Underworld suckered into her service?"
Jason glared at the demigod, "My name is Jason Grace Centurion of the fifth Cohort at Camp Jupiter. We are here to capture you, and charge you with war crimes for trying to insight War and Chaos among our allies of Olympus. Surrender, and we will allow the gods to determine your fate."
The man that Percy was observing was a good looking teenager. He had well kept blonde hair that was spiked to the side, and he was well built like any good swordsman back at camp. His most striking characteristic was a scar that went from above his eye down to his jaw line. Luke spoke with a huge smile, "Romans huh? My boss told me about you guys. Whispered in my ear about a threat in the west. I will admit you are the first two I have come across. My friends back at Camp would be very interested to know of your kind."
"That is quite unfortunate for you, as we will likely be the last." Percy spat moving closer with his trident.
Luke looked curiously at Percy, but then the smile returned, "Perseus Jackson. The son of the seas. The oldest child of the eldest gods. Oh my, does my Lord have big plans for you. I could make you an offer that would make your heads spin with disbelief. We could do this together, and bring the respect the house of Neptune rightfully deserves. I swear it on the Styx that I could see you rewarded beyond anything you could imagine."
The thunder boomed and the oath held true. Percy however merely scoffed, "The voice in your head seems to keep you well informed. Though everyone knows the house of Neptune doesn't take kindly to betrayers and oathbreakers. Let us talk no more, and hand over the Master Bolt."
Luke sighed, pulling his shield from behind him now, but instead of placing it on his arm he removed the strap that would allow him to hold on it, and the air filled with ozone as he pulled a two foot long cylinder out of the hidden compartment. Jason and Percy tensed as the young man held the Master Bolt, "It's treason then boys."
Jason attempted to lunge forward, but a blast from the master bolt struck his blade absorbing the power, but the blast was still enough to knock him backwards through glass. Percy however was on Luke in a flash with a frenzy of strikes. This swordsman was easily on par with him if not better as he blocked, dodged, and weaved through Percy's strikes expertly. The ace in the whole however was too good, as Luke dodged another thrust from Percy and retaliated with the Master Bolt.
The impact felt like he had been hit by a bus, and he flew through the air hitting the fence that surrounded the observation deck, and making him fall to the ground in immense pain.
Jason had thankfully found his way back to his feet, and was fighting Luke with a roar of rage lightning flashing across the sky for the first time since the quest began. Bianca had also found her way back to her feet as she had somehow managed to get Riptide back into her hands, and began looking for an opportunity to strike the son of Mercury. Jason attempted to summon lightning, but Luke merely raised the Master Bolt absorbing it, and sent it right back at the son of Jupiter supercharged. The shock would've killed anyone else, but Jason merely flew backwards again hitting the ground harder than before.
Bianca and Percy wasted no time however and surged forward together. Bianca somehow managed to swing her blade and completely absorb one of the bolts which seemed to surprise Luke enough to allow Percy to land the first clean shot on him and slashed him a good way down his chest. The blood instantly began coming out, and Luke screamed in rage trying to blast Percy, but Jason who had somehow managed to find his feet and tackle Percy out of the way, allowing both to roll back up sprinting to close the distance from Luke and Bianca.
The sword battle that followed was unbelievable. Luke had managed to fight off three blades with one sword and the bolt taking most of it. He was no longer able to use the power of the Master Bolt with the amount of pressure they were keeping on him, and it was clear the blood loss was quickly affecting him from Percy's only clean hit. The sky deck was proving to make it difficult however for the three to stay together and stay on the attack, but when they had him pushed up against the wall he roared with rage summoning a massive bolt, and slamming it into the deck creating a shockwave that threw them all back. Weapons went clattering, and they all went sliding across the deck.
Percy could hear ringing in his ears. His eyes were clouded with pain, and he looked to see Jason now completely unconscious. Bianca was attempting to crawl to her feet, but it was clear they had been beaten. Percy's trident was behind Luke now, Riptide was nowhere in sight, and Jason's sword was too far to even be contested. Attempting to summon his trident from behind Luke the young man turned and swatted it away with ease with the Master Bolt.
Luke sighed a smile taking over his face and taking something out of his pocket, eating it, and shaking his head hard, clearly trying to fight the pain from the blood loss, "Three children of the Eldest Gods, and they fall to a measly son of Hermes. This is what the new world will look like. Anyone can be on top if they just pledge their allegiance to Lord Kronos."
Percy stared at the boy in horror. The Titan Lord was his master. The voice he had heard in his dream was the bane of Olympus that the prophecy spoke of. It was Saturn, but for some reason Luke called him Kronos, and referred to his father as Hermes. Plus this young man was extremely well trained. Percy was only then beginning to put the pieces together. Bianca had known the gods in their Greek forms, but somehow she was Roman? Thanatos appeared to them in a Greek form. Luke was raised and trained to know the Greek version of the gods. He said Nico was in a safe place. There must have been something like Camp Jupiter for the Greeks, and wherever it was they had bred this monster.
Luke squatted down in front of him, "You realize the situation you're in now don't you? Olympus is predicted to rise or fall at your hands, and Lord Kronos could make the decision easy for you. Merely stay out of the war, and no harm will come to you or your loved ones. Convince the other Roman's to merely stay out of the coming conflict, and my Lord's armies will crush Rome's ancient enemies. It's all free. You just have to stay out our way."
Percy stared at the man defiantly, "You kill me and Jason is next in line. He will never stop until you have all been defeated. Kill Jason, it goes to Bianca, and she will avenge us. You don't seem to understand that no matter which way this goes you are going to have to fight for it. So kill me, and at least let my name be cleared in death."
Luke sighed as he stood to his feet, "Why are all demigods so damned noble? Very well Perseus Jackson. I will grant you your final request."
As Luke raised the Master Bolt Percy closed his eyes and prepared to see his Uncle on the other side. He was unsure if the man would be merciful if Bianca died with him, but surely he would know he did his best?
He awaited the pain, but realized it wasn't coming after the longest moment of silence ever. He opened his eyes to see a blank look in the boy's eyes with a sword sticking out of his stomach. He fell to the ground and the master bolt and his sword clattered to the floor as Bianca Di Angelo stood above the traitor with riptide in her hand, "Have fun meeting with my father."
Bianca quickly pocketed her sword, and helped Percy find his feet, "Come on Percy it's getting late and we have to get this to Olympus."
Percy groaned as he felt broken ribs among his many injuries, and walked over to Jason who was lying on his back, eyes closed. Carefully bending over he began shaking his best friend hoping he would awake. The boy groaned loudly at his efforts, and his eyes began to flutter open, "That sucked. We won?"
"Thanks to Bianca, but we need to move." Percy said seriously.
Jason closed his eyes, sighing, "It's always a rush with you."
The son of Jupiter however reopened his eyes shortly and shook off the cobwebs from his last hit, and began rising to his feet. He looked over at the dying demigod and shook his head sadly, "What a waste. He was the best swordsman I've ever encountered."
Percy nodded, and followed Jason as he stepped through the broken glass with Bianca taking up the rear. They called the elevator in silence as the young girl death gripped the Master Bolt. When they got in the elevator Jason pulled the key from his pocket and turned it. This was supposed to be the elevator's way of knowing it had to take them to the six hundredth floor, and the three rode in silence.
As the elevator went up Jason spoke gently, "Bianca, maybe it would be best if I presented the council with my fathers weapon. I will make sure you are given credit for the victory, but I have heard stories of the gods reacting poorly and being quick to judgment. My father would not strike me down without hearing the story first...I hope."
Bianca looked to Percy, and he nodded his head making her sigh and handed the weapon over. It was clear the weapon had some kind of instant effect on Jason as he sighed in relief as the cuts and bruises cleared off of his face and arms. Jason looked surprised, "Wow it's like Percy in the water. I had no idea it would do that."
Percy and Bianca stared at Jason in awe as he seemed to glow with the power of his father's weapon. When they reached the top however the son of Jupiter put a straight face on and began marching out towards the tallest temple that stood atop of a tall hill. He was moving much faster than Bianca and Percy though as the two were still nursing injuries.
It took some time to make it to the top of the steps, but when they did Jason waited patiently on his friends before entering the room so that they would all face judgment.
(A/N) Well the secret is beginning to become clear. Percy and Co have learned that there is another camp for demigods, and it belongs to the ancient enemies of Rome. Stay tuned to find out what they do with this secret, and how the Roman gods react to their presence. Review and tell me what you thought of the fight scene!
WfnmhMjMeB
