Chapter 34
The scene around Percy when he came too was hard to comprehend. The architecture of Atlantis was unmistakable, but how he had arrived in his father's domain was another question entirely. Looking around he desperately wanted to make sense of what was happening, or find out what had happened to Bianca when the volcano erupted. He didn't have to look long before he saw his father and Triton sitting over a bright blue battle map that resembled a heads up display. Percy approached the two trying to form words, but what was happening on the map stopped him cold.
Percy had seen many battle lines in his life, but nothing to the complexity of the nature that he saw before him now. The detail was immense as he saw legions of merpeople, dolphin like creatures, whales, and many oceanic myths he had only heard of in stories lining the battlefield fighting a massive sea creature that was easily as big as the Trojan Sea Monster. It wasn't alone either. Dozens of massive sharks were combating the front line soldiers, while Triton began barking out commands, his voice booming across the battlefield, "Lord Delphin tighten the battle lines, form up, and prepare to follow my lead."
Finally Percy found his voice, "Dad, Triton?"
Triton didn't acknowledge him, but his father glanced in his direction, "Hello Perseus."
At this Triton whirled around to see his brother, and a look of relief passed over his face, "Perseus, where are you? We have been unable to sense you for days now, but we have been trying to form a connection."
Percy looked down at his body, to find something less than corporeal. He was dreaming he realized quickly, "There was an explosion in the Labyrinth. Bianca and I destroyed the scythe of Saturn."
Neptune nodded gravely, "Yes, and you have nearly awoken Typhon as a result, but we will get to that in a moment. You need to get back to the arena in the Labyrinth immediately. My father is hours away from returning to a body, and your half brother is close to allowing them free reign through the maze. You must stop them at any cost."
Trident screamed, "Look out!"
A bright blinding fireball came sailing towards the Throne Room, but Neptune raised his trident and with a jet of energy made the fireball dissipate, and he quick aimed his symbol of power at the massive sea monster, and turned it into a large school of jellyfish, that archers from below took down in a moment with massive cheers following the blow. Trident gave his father a short nod of appreciation, and then turned to his brother, "Antaeus is someone I have not encountered many times over the ages. He is invincible on the ground though, and you will need to find a way to get him in the air to defeat him. Once you do that you will need to collapse the arena. It is protected by ancient magic. Once it begins to crumble the magic will fail, and Bianca should be able to get you out of there. From there return to camp and prepare for battle. It will delay the enemy, but at best it will buy Rome only a few days."
A bright glow from the battlefield made all of the Ocean's troops begin to retreat in a panic, while Triton stiffened while Neptune nodded gravely, "Oceanus approaches."
Triton gave a final glance to his brother, then turned to his father, "Finish giving news to Perseus. I will hold him off."
Without as much as a goodbye or good luck Triton took off towards the massive glowing monster that held eight legs like a spider, and a massive body that seemed to pulsate with power. Percy gulped, "Can Triton beat him?"
"No, but he will hold him. It is his duty to our people. Now Perseus I was only just able to stop Lady Venus from marooning you to an Island, but you must tread carefully. She understands the need for your services, but I do not believe her interference is over."
The words were in English, but they made no sense to Percy. He had been on good terms with Lady Venus in their last encounter. Why would she want to mess with him now? Before he could question it his father resumed instruction, "If you collapse the tunnel you have a chance of harming my father before he assumes comfort in a mortal host. Wounding him is the best chance we have to keep him out of the battle for Camp Jupiter. If he were to lead the assault on your home, you should order a retreat. Rome can be rebuilt, but our way of life will not survive the extinction of our children. Nor will we have a chance of winning the coming conflict without our greatest army."
A collision of weapons and power made the man flinch, and Percy's eyes shot out towards the battlefield where he could see his brother beginning to take his divine form to fight his grandfather. Percy swallowed hard nodding in understanding of his fathers words, "What else?"
"I am afraid your Greek counterparts will also have their own battle to take part in. We will need you to be ready to assist if worse comes to worst. Prepare yourself my son, there are long days ahead." The man said gravely as he began to assume his godly height.
Percy could only nod as he watched the map with a dumbfounded look on his face. He could hardly comprehend what he was seeing on a scaled map. He could only imagine what it would be like on the frontlines. He could imagine what a real battle among gods would look like, and he had a horrible feeling he would be finding out real soon, "Good luck father."
"To you as well, Perseus. Now go meet with your friends. AWAKE."
With a start Percy's eyes shot open, and he was sitting up as if he had been shocked. It took a moment to realize he had been laying under water before he came too, and his eyes shot to Bianca who was on her feet looking incredibly relieved, "Percy thank the gods."
Looking around quickly he realized he was back at Triple G ranch, in the river where they had set up camp, "What happened?"
Bianca stepped into the water without further prompting and brought the boy in for a hug, "You were coming and going for about twelve hours. I took us back to Lord Vulcan's forges where he instructed me to take you to the water, and that your father would have to do the rest if you were going to pull through. When you finally settled your wounds began sealing, and you just laid under the water looking lifeless. I was afraid you might never wake…"
Percy sighed as he put an arm around the girl attempting to find his feet, "Well unfortunately we aren't even close to out of the woods yet. I spoke with my father. We need Nico back here now. We have to get into the Labyrinth and find the arena of Antaeus. We have to stop them from gaining free access. It could determine whether Camp Jupiter is invaded today, or in a few days. We need to give Jason and the others time to prepare, and we need to be there."
Bianca shook her head, "My brother should be arriving soon. We can meet him in the forges of Vulcan, and go from there. With luck he will arrive around the time we will, but Percy...are you okay? We came out of the Labyrinth less than twenty four hours ago, and when we did you weren't looking so hot."
Percy looked out towards the mountains in the distance, and he pressed a hand on his chest where he remembered the fire had burned him before he passed out. Trying to make light of the situation he gave her a small grin, "Sorry I can't be hot for you all the time B, but I will make an effort to be better for you."
The girl's eyes widened for a moment, and then they narrowed into a glare, "That is not funny Percy Jackson."
Shrugging his shoulders he threw an arm around her as he guided her back in the direction of the entrance to the Underworld, "Well if you can't joke about almost dying then you can cry about it, but we don't really have time for that. Besides, you are way too pretty to be crying."
This made the girl raise her eyes, but a slight smile tugged at her mouth, "You are going to be the death of me. But really how do you feel? Are you going to be a liability in battle?"
Percy frowned at the question. To anyone else the question might have been insulting, but the son of Neptune understood better than anyone the purpose of her question. She asked because she cared, and Bianca Di Angelo was the type of demigod that could handle the responsibility of keeping someone safe from threats. Percy himself was not so insecure that he needed to lie about his shortcomings either. He knew that if he was going to be a liability he needed to be honest about it. Not doing so could cost them both their lives.
He walked in silence for a moment trying to get a grip on his senses, and squeezed some spots on his body that knew should be hurting, but in the end he shrugged, "I feel fine. I would rather have a day to rest, but we will fight with the cards we are dealt. We will make it work, don't worry."
It was the truth. Considering the telkhines tried to burn him alive less than twenty four hours ago he felt okay. He could tell his senses were a little off kilter at the moment as if he needed to be sleeping, but something told him the moment he entered the next battle he would be as alive as ever.
The dive into the Underworld, and then into the Labyrinth took longer than Percy remembered. When they arrived in the sweltering heat trap Nico was standing there with his arms crossed talking with a short red headed girl that was probably around their age. Bianca took a wicked smile as they approached the two. Nico noticed them first and offered Percy a nod of acknowledgement when he embraced Bianca, "I heard you two ran into some trouble in the forges. Are you both okay?"
Bianca sighed, "A little shaken, but we are okay. Introduce us to your girlfriend Nico."
Both teenagers blushed at this, and the young man stuttered while Percy just grinned at the boy who was just looking back and forth between the son of Neptune, and his sister. Finally he took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and sighed, "Not cool. Bianca, Percy, this is Rachel Elizabeth Dare, the clear sighted mortal I told you about."
She offered them both a sheepish smile that seemed awkward, and Percy offered his hand to the girl, "Thank you for doing this. I wish I could say that it's going to be safe, but I have to be honest that we are walking into what could be a suicide mission."
The girl seemed to steel herself at his words, "Nico told me the risk, but without him I would be dead anyways so it felt right to do this for him as his family."
Bianca looked at the girl gratefully, "It isn't just for us either. I am not sure if this is comforting but the heart of western civilization is on the line. If we fail to stop the Titan army from extinguishing New Rome it is very possible the enemy will march unopposed on Olympus. This would end the golden age for mankind, and lead to a new era of death and destruction."
Rachel shivered at the daughter of Pluto's words, and she gave her an apologetic look, but offered no words of encouragement. The red head eventually shook her head, "So how does this work?"
Percy shrugged, "Lord Vulcan told us that when we enter the maze you will be able to see the clear path. It may be instinct, or it could be that you actually see some sort of guidance that we can't. Either way we will follow your lead. Nico stay close to her. If the worst happens I will bring the place down, and attempt to break the magic holding us here. If that works then we should all aim for Camp Jupiter. It wouldn't be my favorite plan, but it will have to make do.
Nico nodded at the young man, while Bianca bumped his shoulder, "I guess that means I have to stay close to you so we can bail again?"
He gave her a confident smile, "You are the best getaway demigod a guy could ask for."
Nico gagged at the joke, and Rachel giggled, while Bianca merely rolled her eyes, "Let's get moving before Percy gives me a reason to be sick."
With Nico's word straightening the group up they delved into the maze. They walked for well over an hour with Rachel easily guiding them. She seemed to know exactly which path to follow, and she could only explain that it was instinctual. It was like someone was whispering into her ear the right path, and even in the darkest of areas she knew exactly where to step, and where to go.
It was well over an hour before they arrived at the entrance to an arena. The silence ahead of them made Percy's stomach flip flop, realizing that they were likely to late. If the Titans were marching an army through this area it should have been easily noticeable. The Praetor held a hand up to, and the group stopped as he stepped cautiously forward taking the arena in. They had done a slow approach searching for any signs of stragglers, but nothing could be seen. The arena itself was massive as well. Something that easily could've sat a couple thousand monsters, humans, or other deities seeking entertainment. The ring itself was even spectacular. A massive octagon with different helmets from different ages and empires aligning octagon boundaries on pikes. That didn't even mention the skull decor that was everywhere around the arena.
Bianca broke the silence, "We are too late."
A loud voice boomed from above, "Right you are daughter of Pluto, welcome to my arena brother. Behold my temple of the great Earthshaker, built from the skulls of all those I've killed in his name. What do you think of my tribute to our father?"
A massive fifteen foot tall giant sat on a throne at the top of the arena. He was a dark red color as if the devil himself had been modeled after him. His long black hair was the only thing of Neptune's that he had inherited physically from their shared father, and he was quite the figure. He clearly hadn't missed any meals recently, but the muscles on his arms made it easy to overlook the bulge in his stomach. Percy drew himself up looking at the giant in disgust, "Didn't think this was dad's type, but I suppose we all have a way of trying to get his attention."
The giant grinned at him, "I suppose sending you too him might upset him, but he will sire more demigods, and get over your death quickly."
Percy frowned, "I suppose our status of brothers means nothing to you then? I also guess you have already let the Titan army pass."
The toothy grin made the hair on Percy's back stand up as if he had been electrified, "Oh yes. The host of Kronos was quite a wonderful patron. We made quite the bargain for his army to gain access. I only had to promise him the skulls of any who dared to attempt to follow his army towards the downfall of Rome."
Percy felt his fist clench in anger at the giant's words, and not wanting to discuss this any further he attempted to summon his power as an earthshaker, but he couldn't even get a tremble. He frowned at this and then flinched at the booming laughter of Antaeus, "Foolish brother did you think you could have any control of the Earth down here? You are in my mother's domain, and your power as an Earthshaker is no match for my own."
Bianca growled, stepping forward, "I guess we'll just have to kill you then. Don't think you realize that you have three children of the eldest gods here. Do you really think you can take us all?"
At her words Percy slowly drew the spear off his back, while weapons shot up from the ground into both Bianca and Nico's hands. The giant grinned at the trio as Nico tried to point to an area for Rachel to take cover, "The host of Kronos asked if I wanted an honor guard left behind, but I told him that no enemy was a match for me in my home turf."
With that the massive red beast jumped down from his spot in the arena and cracked the floor where he landed while Percy began turning the spear in his hand quietly turning to face his friends, "Get him off the ground. He is immortal while he is connected to the Earth."
As he looked at the two, shadows of armor began appearing on their bodies until they were in matching obsidian armor. He shook his head, "That is so damn cool."
As he said this he pulled on his necklace taking the helmet and placing it on his head as the magic of his armor connected to his body, and he turned to face the giant that was preparing to charge, "Your skulls will make the perfect tribute to Poseidon!"
With that the beast surged forward and Percy met his brother in combat dodging a meaty fist, and swiping the beast's legs out from under him making him go crashing forward. Bianca and Nico wasted no time slashing at the giant, making sand leak from the body, and Percy frowned as the beast roared in anger, finding his feet faster than son of the seas would've thought possible.
With a snap of his fingers two giant war hammers appeared in Antaeus hands, and he slammed them together creating deafeningly loud bangs. Nico swore to Percy's left, and Bianca shouted, "Great so now we have to deal with that."
The giant roared, "I will turn your bodies to jelly little demigods."
Percy ducked under a massive swipe, while Bianca and Nico summoned shadows to push the beast backwards. This gave Percy some time to analyze the problem. The fifteen foot giant had to be pushing over a thousand pounds in body mass. Getting him off the ground was going to be a task. His eyes caught something dangling nearby however, and he saw that there were skeletons hanging by chains from the ceiling. The idea was quickly formulated in his mind, and he barked out to Nico and Bianca, "Take to the shadows. I will handle this."
Bianca looked sharply back to Percy, and he gave her a pointed look, and then looked towards the ceiling hoping she would catch on to his plan. Her eyes widened when they followed his line of sight, and nodded as shadows rushed to her, and she disappeared with Nico following his sister unquestionably. Percy growled out, "Sorry for involving my friends in a family matter. I was told you would be a real threat. My mistake."
The creature roared out in rage spit coming from every word he roared, "ARROGANT BOY. I am the son of Gaea and Poseidon! I have not been bested in two thousand years."
"You are overdue then. While I may be a son of Neptune I was raised in gladiatorial combat by one of the greatest warriors to ever live."
"Who would that be, you insignificant little mortal?"
Percy drew back into a deep Atlantean stance, "Our oldest brother. Triton."
Antaeus screamed in displeasure at the mention of the heir to Atlantis, and came charging at Percy. This time Percy met him head on. He dodged the first hammer, and jumped on top of the massive hilt shooting himself into the air before his massive brother could react. Suddenly a chain was tossed into his hand from above. A little intervention from the children of the Underworld undoubtedly, but he wasn't going to complain just yet, as he let out a sarcastic laugh, "Much too slow old chap! So much for not being bested in two thousand years. You chose your opponent's well brother."
This last word was definitely said with a hint of poison and Antaeus bellowed, launching himself into the air trying to catch up with the Praetor of Rome, but Percy was much faster as another chain shot to his hand. When he caught the chain he caught Antaeus in mid air wrapping it quickly around his massive throat. It didn't take Bianca and Nico any time at all to come down from there and wrap so many chains around the giant that he was choking himself to death in mid air. Leaving nothing to chance however Percy drove his spear into the creature's heart, "Let's do this again sometime soon, yeah?"
In a bellow of pain, anger, and embarrassment the giant erupted into a massive mound of golden dust. Percy was heaving for breath by the time he touched down, and the two children of the Underworld quickly joined him with even Rachel Elizabeth Dare coming over with a huge smile on her face, "That was awesome. What on Earth gave you the idea with the chains?"
Bianca grinned at the girl, "A warrior is only as strong as his mind. Thankfully our fearless leader is a brilliant strategist. This could've been a long fight otherwise."
"One we don't have time for." Percy said, acknowledging the girl's compliment with a nod, "We need to get out of here, and warn camp of what is coming. Without Anteaus challenging my abilities as an Earthshaker I can bring this place crumbling down. As soon as the magic breaks my father says we should be able to shadow travel out of here."
Bianca gave the boy a nod, while looking to her brother, "I will guide the shadows if you grab on to me. I will need your help to take all four of us there since you have never been, and we may be walking straight into a battle."
"If the gods favor us maybe we will have a little time to sound the alarm and prepare." Percy said with a prayer already running through his head.
Nico nodded, and Percy took a deep breath before turning his head towards the mortal, "When we arrive at Camp Jupiter go to the Pomerian Line. No weapons are allowed in the city, but it will be the last line of defense if it all fails. You will be safe there. You have the thanks of Rome for getting us this far."
The girl blushed, but offered a nod of acceptance, clearly embarrassed since she felt she had done so little. Not having time to contemplate this any longer Percy asked, "Is everyone ready?"
Three nods followed his words and he took a deep breath as he took his spear and with a scream of power he stabbed it into the concrete letting loose a guttural roar. The earth was tearing itself apart within seconds trying to bring the place down. It was seconds before Bianca grabbed on tight and shadow traveled them away. He felt the coldness consume him, and in moments the room caved in on itself, and the four were long gone by the time the rocks began hitting the ground.
(A/N) Some different takes on the Labyrinth chapters, and I hope you liked my adaptation. It flows quickly, and I will admit this particular chapter had me stumped for about 6 months. Though Now that I have cleared it I am ready to push through the remainder of book 4, and into the siege of Mount Othrys. I am working on a new PercyXReyna story in my head that will only span over Mark of Athena and House of Hades, so it will be a shorter story of like 100k words is my guess, and it's very elementary in its idea right now, but be looking for that sometime next year.
You can also expect Chapter 35 up December 17th.
Until next time! Cheers.
PS. The Triton error has been fixed throughout the story as well as some other minor continuity adjustments. It was a long time coming, but it has been done. Cheers!
Also join my discord! I am working on a system with some people on the server to get you guys some faster content, and provide incentive to come join the community. If you want to be a part of those discussions, join up soon, because I am certain a decision will be made by Christmas! Just follow the link, and delete the space below. dis cord.g g/epvG 56M d73
