Rage of a Demigod
AN: Hello there, my dear readers! And first of all, I have to say, WOW! Over 300 favorites and follows! I thank you all who like my story. It's easily my most popular one. Another thing, somebody made a reaction fic to this story called 'Watching - Rage of a Demigod' by SpartanWartastic. It's a bit rough around the edges in a few places, but I still highly recommend you check it out.
Also, sorry for the lack of updates but I'll try to have them out as soon as I can. But anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Now to reviews.
Gamelover41592: Thank you!
RedHood001: Glad I was able to satisfy.
jdehson: Right now.
Guest: I don't think it will be like that. Unless Zoe can become a giant.
Guest(2): You'll just have to read and find out.
23 Of Storms and Furies
The four of them stood ready on the old Greek ship as they were about to face two Furies. To say that Percy, Annabeth, and Zoe were worried would be an understatement. Defeating one of them was hard enough, but they're about to fight two at the same time.
And this time they didn't seem to be holding back any punches.
Marcus just looked defiantly as he held the flaming blades. He was so close to fulfilling his mission. And now the only thing that could stop him would be his death. Though in these circumstances he would have preferred those three didn't die with him.
"You'll die for your disobedience!" Tisiphone exclaimed as her familiar enveloped her, covering her head, shoulders, and arms. She then rushed at the group, prompting all of them to duck low to avoid being hit by the wings.
Alecto then brought up her spear-tipped tentacles and sent four at Marcus and the others. They just barely avoided the tentacles that struck the deck and pierced through the wood.
The force rocked the ship, making them almost lose balance. Tisiphone used the opportunity to strike at Percy with her wing, only for Marcus to intercept it with his blades before pushing her away.
"Look out!" Zoe shouted as one of the tentacles was about to slam down. Marcus quickly grabbed Percy by the arm and moved both of them out of the way just in the nick of time. The tentacle then slammed through the wooden deck.
The ship was split in half from the force of the blow, and the two halves of the boat turned sideways. The group almost simultaneously exclaimed as they began sliding down, but Marcus quickly took out the green jewel and pointed it at the wreckage. The green glow enveloped the two halves as they began merging back together. Every piece of wood, even the tiniest splinter reformed into a full ship as they stopped sliding down.
Tisiphone growled at them before swiftly dashing in their direction. Marcus swung his blades, but Tisiphone deflected them with her wings. But then a silver arrow struck her in the chest, making her yelp in pain.
Percy then brought his hand up and a large amount of water rose. He pointed his hand at Tisiphone, and the water shot at the Fury and struck her head-on. The force pushed her away from the ship.
Before they could celebrate their achievement, one of Alecto's tentacles was about to strike the ship again. Zoe, Percy, and Annabeth prepared for another impact, but this time Marcus put himself straight into the tentacle's path.
When the tentacle struck, Marcus brought his blades up and pierced through the thick leathery skin. The force of the blow forced him to kneel while his arms and shoulders helped in keeping it in place, with only some wood cracked beneath his legs. With a grunt, he lifted the tentacle despite all the efforts to push him. The blades stuck inside gave him a good hold on the tentacle and he threw it to the side with some blood spurting out of where he stabbed it.
He then swung his blades in a circular motion to gain momentum and went to strike at the tentacles. Only for his blades to be stopped by a blue wall that glowed yellow as they bounced off.
Marcus grumbled as he saw Tisiphone flying over them with her hand outstretched. Glancing over to Percy, Marcus put out his arm and with no verbal command, Percy threw the Eyes. The moment Marcus touched them, he slammed the Eyes into the illusion construct, making it disappear completely.
Repeating his action from before, Marcus swiped his blades, and cut through the tentacle, coming midway to slicing it off. The monster form of Alecto screamed in pain as the damaged tentacle quickly retreated back.
With his instincts flaring, Marcus quickly turned around and blocked a strike from the blue and yellow wing, but the force sent him flying and made him roll on the deck several times.
Smirking at her accomplishment, Tisiphone then turned around and smacked Percy aside as he tried a sneak attack. Then she knocked aside an arrow shot at her by Zoe before shooting her hand out, trapping the former Hunter into an illusion cage, much to Zoe's shock.
The Fury then turned to Annabeth and was about to strike at her but she then noticed Marcus charging at her. Tisiphone once again made a shield but it disappeared immediately to the Fury's surprise and she was forced to use her wings to block the double strike from the Blades of Chaos.
Tisiphone then cried out in pain as Percy sliced her side with Anaklusmos, smirking as he held the Eyes in his hand. With a snarl, the Fury flew over Marcus as he tried bisecting her and was about to strike again.
Then Tisiphone screamed again as Zoe struck her in the back with her dagger, having already been freed from the illusion cage. The silver dagger dug into the place where Tisiphone's familiar was merged with its master, and the monster nature of it made the burning feeling very intense.
Tisiphone and her familiar began separating, but Tisipjone quickly began rapidly turning around and throwing Zoe off of her.
Marcus used the opportunity to throw his blades into the familiar, making it scream in pain, and pulled on the chain. With a grunt, he pulled the familiar off Tisiphone, separating them before slamming the avian monster on the ground.
Tisiphone was about to cast another illusion, but a wave courtesy of Percy struck her and sent her sliding on the deck.
Then into the view came Alecto, her monstrous face appearing right at the side of the boat. Then she let out a scream, making a wind so strong the group had to cover their faces. Alecto's tentacles were then pointed at them before they shot the black sludge at them.
Marcus and Zoe were able to avoid them, but Annabeth and Percy were struck, making them stuck in place as they tried to wriggle out. Alecto sent her tentacles at the immobilized demigod, making them look up in fear.
Zoe quickly ran over at Percy and had him grab the magical stone Marcus gave her, which created a dark unmoving clone of Percy in the sludge while Percy himself was pushed away. The two then dived out of the way as the tentacle slammed down.
With Annabeth, Marcus slashed at the tentacle with his blades, making it slightly rain blood as Alecto grunted. Zoe quickly threw the stone to Marcus who put it in Annabeth's hand, and a clone was also put in Annabeth's place while she herself was freed.
A cage then appeared around Annabeth and Marcus, to which Percy quickly ran over with the Eyes of the Oracle, only for Tishiphone's familiar to grab snatch him by the shoulders and caused him to shout in surprise while making both of them airborne.
The Eyes fell out of Percy's grip making him go wide-eyed before exclaiming "No!"
Tisiphone then flew at the Eyes, planning to snatch them from the ground, but Zoe thought quickly and shot an arrow that struck the object and moved it out of Tisiphone's way as she passed by it.
The Eyes then found themselves in the cage where Marcus took them. A tentacle was about to slam into them so Marcus dispersed the illusion cage and grabbed Annabeth before moving them away at the last second as the tentacle hit the deck. Forming a plan, Marcus gave the Eyes to Annabeth before latching the blades unto the tentacle as it was retreating, also pulling the red-eyed demigod with it.
Percy glared at the bird that was carrying him. He needed to get out of its grip. And he had an idea for how to do it.
Closing his eyes, he began to drown out all the noise around him, and focus on the surrounding water. A watery pillar then shot out from under them, and struck, with the avian monster cawing in surprise as the two were doused.
Feeling reenergized, Percy grabbed the monster by its leg and stabbed through the other with Riptide. The monster yelled in pain as that leg let of Percy's shoulder, to which the son of Poseidon wasted no time in striking the other one, making it let go as well.
Percy held a firm grip on the leg, making sure he had the bird in his grasp so it didn't escape the water. Thinking of something else on the spot, he commanded the water to grip them both, and with another command, they were pulled immediately downward and plunged into the depths.
The familiar wriggled about as it found itself in a completely foreign habitat so Percy acted quick and swan swiftly at it, plunging Riptide into its neck. The monster let out pained exclamations that were muffled by the water, but Percy only plunged the blade deeper before swiftly slicing through the side of the neck.
The monster thrashed around as some yellow substance containing both liquid and light spewed out of the wound. Satisfied, Percy turned around and shot in the direction of the battle.
Annabeth tightly gripped the Eyes in her left hand, and her knife in the other as only her and Zoe were left to face Tisiphone.
The said Fury quickly put Zoe behind an illusion wall before dashing at Annabeth. Taking a breath, Annabeth actually ran at Tisiphone, surprising even the Fury before quickly ducking down, sliding on the wet wooden boards, and passing underneath her enemy.
Annabeth then quickly used the Eyes to disperse the wall, getting a grateful smile from the former Huntress.
The two then turned to face the Fury who gritted her teeth in anger.
While all of that was going on, Marcus was lifted over the monster as he pulled his blades out of Alecto's tentacle. He turned and let himself fall towards Alecto's head before plunging his lades on the side.
The head slightly shook, but Marcus just pulled out one of the blades while using the other to keep himself there. He then stabbed into the side of the head, each stab coming faster than before.
Alecto roared before diving into the sea again. Marcus was almost thrown off but stabbed the blades into Alecto's flesh again and stopped himself from slipping. The monstrous Fury then began swimming at rapid speeds, hoping to get Marcus off, but the tattooed demigod held tight and tried to stab at her again, but with all the forces against him he was slower than before. He wasn't sure if he would be able to deal enough damage to the Fury at this rate.
Then, like a bullet, Percy swam at Alecto, catching her off guard before Anaklusmos was plunged into her left eye. The Fury screamed in pain but her swimming stopped.
Marcus gritted his teeth before again plunging his blade into the monster's head repeatedly. Seeing what he was doing, Percy swam over, grabbed the pommel of Marcus' blade, and pierced Alecto with Riptide.
The red-eyed demigod gave him a small grin and a nod before both of them began stabbing, with some yellow light slowly showing from the head.
Alecto trashed around, but the two demigods held firmly unto the blade as they continued their assault, prompting the Fury to quickly swim upward.
Back with the girls, they stood across the Fury who seemed ready to tear them to shreds, and the one who was also annoyed that her familiar still hasn't returned to her. No matter. She can take these two by herself.
Tisiphone's hands began glowing with yellow energy before she spread them out, causing a big flash of light. The girls squinted but their eyes widened when they found out that they were now being attacked by soldiers in ancient Greek armor and armed with spears and swords.
Annabeth quickly put forward the Eyes, and with a huge flash most of the soldiers were destroyed, but several still survived and struck at them, forcing the girls to duck to the side. Annabeth then used the Eyes to flash the rest of them out of existence.
Then Tisiphone appeared in front of her and picked her up by the arm before backhanding Zoe away. Annabeth went to stab Tisiphone with her knife but her other arm was grabbed as well.
"Die, foolish owlspawn," Tisiphone growled as she tightened her grip making Annabeth wince.
Seeing the desperate situation, Zoe then took out the magical stone and threw it over to Annabeth. Not having too many other options, Annabeth opened her mouth and grabbed the stone with her teeth. With a bright glow, Tisiphone was now holding a dark copy while Annabeth sliced her enemy on the stomach, making her lean down from the sudden pain.
Then Zoe came, both of her hands on one part of the bow which she swung like a club and struck Tisiphone on the face, forcing her back. Annabeth then pierced the Fury through her making her drop to her knees.
Zoe quickly took out her own silver knife and stabbed Tisiphone through the chest, making her spit out blood before taking the blade out and stabbing her in the chest again. Annabeth repeated the gesture by stabbing Tisiphone in the back.
Taking the knife out of her chest, Zoe then slashed Tisiphone across the neck, making the Fury gurgle while bringing her hands to cover the wound. Frowning, Zoe cocked her fist back and punched Tisiphone on the cheek, knocking her down. The Fury underestimated them, and that was her mistake.
Then Alecto emerged from the water, right near a large rock formation. Marcus then jumped off the monster, though his blades were still connected by the long chains unto a pointy jutted rock on the formation. He then began pulling on the chains, with the Fury resisting it, even using her tentacles against the rocks to push her away.
With his veins bulging and a loud roar, Marcus pulled with all his might, and Alecto's cheek was pierced by the jutted rock, with the monster wriggling around from the pain. Marcus then quickly ran over and jumped unto her head again. The spot he and Percy stabbed at was now glowing bright yellow. Narrowing his eyes, his blades began heavily flaming with energy as he brought them up and pointed them downward.
With another yell, Marcus slammed the blades right into the glowing spot. Alecto screamed in pain as the spot began glowing bright red from the fire. Annabeth and Zoe covered their eyes from the brightness.
That spot exploded, hurling Marcus away while Alecto spurted blood and fire before falling down into the water.
Everything suddenly became calm. The natural disasters around them calmed down, and everything in the surrounding area began to… compress for the lack of a better word as all the water slowly became drawn in. The ship was sinking but feet met solid ground instead of the water.
Once again they were in the temple chamber, all of them located on the platform from before as that strange place seemingly disappeared from view.
Percy, Annabeth, Zoe, and Marcus were now once again close to each other, with Tisiphone lying unmoving on the floor with blood flowing from her neck, and her familiar not too far from her, also lying dead with a torn out neck.
The only one of their enemies that lived was the head Fury Alecto, who glared at them while blood seeped from the side of her head. Marcus returned the glare and began approaching the downed Fury.
"Do you think this is over?" Alecto asked as she weakly got up. "Your oath to Ares will never be-"
Marcus shut her up by grabbing her by the neck and lifting her up. He was about to snap her neck but stopped when he saw a familiar pair of red eyes. Letting out a gasp, his eyes widened when he saw the visage of his sister Maya in his hands.
"M-Marcus," Maya's voice made his hands tremble. "Please, you have to- AARGHHHH!" Maya then transformed back into Alecto. An arrow was lodged in her arm, and Marcus looked to the side and saw an angry Zoe with her bow lifted up.
Marcus's glare intensified as he looked back at Alecto, and with a quick tightening, the Fury's neck snapped as her body went limp. Unwrapping his fingers from her neck, the Head Fury's body fell unceremoniously fell on the floor.
After that, things were really quiet.
"Is… Is it over?" Percy asked.
Marcus looked at the dead Furies for several more moments before taking in a big breath and exhaled. "Yes. It's over."
Annabeth let out a huge sigh of relief. "Thank the gods. I don't think I'd be able to handle anymore."
Percy gazed on the fallen Furies, with his eyes lingering more on Alecto, remembering all the suffering she caused him.
"Hard to believe they are actually dead," the son of Poseidon commented.
"This was their place of power, but it was also their weakness," Marcus said. "Staying here also enabled us to actually kill them."
"Whatever the case we better get going," Annabeth said. "They may be dead but I don't want to be here longer than necessary."
The next minute they found themselves outside of the temple, and they were greeted by a familiar face. Outside stood Orkos, who was slightly hunched while holding his side, but his lips still formed a genuine smile.
"You have no idea how glad I am to see you," Orkos said as he slowly fixed his posture. "Forgive for keeping away from all this conflict, but as you know I'm not much of a fighter. Not to mention I was weak."
"We completely understand thee," Zoe said. "Thou weren't in a condition to fight so there was no reason to force thee."
Nodding, Orkos slowly walked up to Marcus. "And I hope that you can forgive me for getting you involved in all of this. And for all the things my mothers have done to you."
Marcus brought his hand up. "It doesn't matter. I knew what I was getting into, and I faced the consequences. Besides, the relics you gave me were quite handy."
"Thank you. A huge weight has been lifted off my heart." Orkos then brought his hand forward, and with a rare genuine smile, Marcus accepted Orkos' hand in a handshake.
"So, now that the Furies are dead, which I have to admit is still a bit strange to think about," Annabeth said. "Is Marcus free from his oath to Ares?"
A frown then suddenly adorned Orkos' face as he turned away. "I'm afraid that's not the case," he said, shocking all of them. "Lord Ares still holds Marcus' bond."
"What? No, no, no, that can't be," Marcus said. "You said that killing your mothers would break my bond. What do you mean Ares still has it?"
"Unfortunately, during our captivity," Orkos said as he turned around, moving the side of his robed shirt to show a small yellow crystal with Marcus' chained visage in it embedded in his flesh. "My mothers have once again made me your oathkeeper."
Marcus' mouth hung open and his eyes were wide. "No," he simply breathed out. This couldn't be happening.
"Wait, so Marcus still isn't free?" Percy asked to which Orkos shook his head. "Then… how do we break that bond?"
Orkos then faced Marcus. "There is still a way to do it. And I'm sure you know it as well as I do," he said before taking out a short sword from his sheath.
"Wha- No, no, you can't be serious!" Percy exclaimed in protest.
"I'm afraid there is no other way, Perseus Jackson," Orkos said sadly. "For Marcus to be free, I have to die."
"But you didn't do anything! We already had enough innocent people die during this already!"
"But if I live, Marcus will still be in Ares' grasp, and I will be punished with eternal torment," Orkos said.
"Orkos, are you sure there is no other way to break the bond?" Annabeth asked.
"If there was, we wouldn't be able to find it in time," Orkos answered before putting his sword in Marcus' hand. " I… I was never the warrior my father wanted me to be. So at least… give me a warrior's death."
Marcus bit his lip before gripping the sword tightly. He then put a hand on Orkos' shoulder. "Thank you for everything, Orkos."
"It was my pleasure, Marcus Addams," Orkos said. "Please, stop Ares. Have your revenge against him. Let your destiny be once again in your hands."
With one final nod, Marcus plunged the sword into Orkos' chest. Percy and Annabeth turned away. They may have seen their fair share of killing and death, but this was still hard to watch.
No sound came from Orkos who only gritted his teeth and shut his eyes. He then let out his final breath as his body went still, with Marcus slowly putting him down.
Zoe looked sadly at the now dead man. Even after being let go from the Hunters, the two thousand years she spent hating on men didn't go away so easily. But even with that, she could still tell that Orkos was definitely one of those special ones. He didn't deserve such fate. She could only hope that the afterlife would be kind to this man.
The yellow stone on Orkos' body began disappearing until it was completely gone. Marcus looked up into the clear sky. So that was it. After all these years he was free at last. No longer bound to serve Ares' whims.
So why did he feel so… unfulfilled?
Everyone was snapped out of their musing as the ground they were standing on suddenly began violently shaking.
"Wh-what's going on?" Percy asked.
Several crashes were heard behind them as they saw stones falling from above. The temple of the Furies was slowly crumbling, and from the way the Hecatonchire was shaking it seemed that it will soon follow.
"The Furies' presence may have held this place together!" Zoe said. "Without them, it seems like it will fall apart!"
"Then we better get out here!"
The four began running along the large arm of the hundred-handed giant as the mountain behind them was slowly reduced to rubble. With the arm wobbling and affecting their balance.
"This isn't good!" Annabeth exclaimed. "We have no way out of this place!"
"I think you spoke too soon, Wise Girl!" Percy said before looking down. "I think our ride has actually come for us."
The rest followed Percy's gaze and saw that Cetus was slowly emerging from the water, and looking straight at them.
"What are you talking about, Percy?!" Marcus asked.
"Oh, right, you weren't there! Well, you see, this monster down there is our ride, so please don't fight him."
Marcus shook his head. "Why am I even surprised you managed to accomplish such a thing?"
The arm they were running on then crumbled beneath their feet and they began falling down. Cetus then rose further and grabbed them all in his giant hands before placing them on his large back fin. The four held on tight as Cetus began swimming away at incredible speeds.
Percy decided to look back and saw the giant crumbling away, piece by piece dropping into the sea below. Once again sadness filled his heart.
He couldn't keep his promise of reuniting Briaries with his brother. And with the giant plunging into the sea, the prisoners there were probably also dead as well, including that scribe who helped them.
It wasn't fair. Honestly, it was something that he already knew. He knew the world is like that, but still, that didn't mean he had to like it.
Cetus dropped them off at one of the islands near the Sea of Monsters. The group was thankful the Mist was a thing, otherwise, there would be quite a stir if anyone saw the giant monster like Cetus.
"Thank you for the ride," Percy said. "Also, don't worry, I didn't forget about my promise to your dad. Just give a couple of days, and I'll be back with the head of Medusa."
The son of Phorcys seemed to grumble before letting out a nod and putting one of his hands up, showing all five of his fingers.
"So, um, does that mean five days?" Percy asked to which Cetus nodded once again. "Well, I think I can manage that? Same time?"
Cetus just receded into the water and quickly swam away.
"I'll take that as a 'yes'."
"And just what kind of deal did you make with Phorcys of all people?" Marcus asked.
"Nothing that I can't manage, I assure you," Percy said with a smile before approaching Marcus. "Also, it's nice to have you back. I'm sure everyone will be delighted when we arrive back at the camp."
"Percy, I can't go back to the camp."
Percy looked surprised with Annabeth also paying attention. "What? Why not?"
"Because Ares won't take this lying down," Marcus answered. "I know how he is. He'll definitely do something drastic in anger. So I can't go back to the camp."
"But we just got you back," Annabeth protested. "And now you're leaving again?"
"I have to. After what happened there is no way Ares won't make a comeback against me. At least in some sort of way."
"But, aren't we also in some type of danger?" Percy asked.
"No, unless he wants half of Olympus going against him. Trust me, if he makes a move that exposes what he is doing, it's going to be all over for him," Marcus explained.
"And when are thou coming back again?" Zoe asked.
"I'll help you all fight Kronos and his army," Marcus said. "But until then I'll have to lay low."
"I see," Zoe said before walking closer to him. "In that case, I have something for thee."
She put her arm on his neck and had him lean down before her lips enveloped his, completely catching Marcus off guard.
The moment they separated, Zoe got a satisfied smile on her face while Marcus was wide-eyed.
"I… I didn't…" Marcus stammered. "I never thought you would do that."
"Then thou underestimate thyself," Zoe said. "I know thou are aware of my feelings for thee. I wanted to finally show them to thee."
Percy and Annabeth couldn't help but smile at the two.
"I… I'd tell you to forget about me, but," Marcus began. "Would you actually do that?"
Zoe looked at him amusingly. "I think thou already know the answer to that, Marcus."
"Is that so?" Marcus said. "In that case…" Marcus then engaged the kiss this time, and she returned it eagerly. He could tell she didn't have nearly as much experience as him in this field, but the feeling was still almost divine for him.
They separated again. "Well, if only you fell in love with a better man," Marcus said. "I don't deserve you."
"Oh, be quiet," Zoe shot back with a grin. "Downplaying thyself is silly at this point."
Marcus shook his head in amusement. "Well, I better be off."
"Not just yet," Percy said as he and Annabeth approached him, and then enveloped him in a hug.
"I'm sorry you have to leave," Annabeth said. "I just hope to see you soon."
"Come back safe, big guy," Percy added.
Marcus stood there shocked for several seconds before wrapping his arms around their backs as he returned the hug. "I promise I'll come back."
Breaking the hug, Marcus turned away. "Goodbye for now! I'll make sure to come back as soon as I can!" he said with a wave before running off.
The group watched him leave, still feeling some sadness that he did, especially after everything they went through to get him back. All the fighting, all the revelations, all the losses, and now again he was leaving them.
However, Marcus was now freed from Ares. And that was still a victory for them.
After a while, Marcus disappeared into the forest.
"You know," Percy began. "I don't think we prepared a ride back to camp."
AN: And that is it, my dear readers! We had a pretty big fight in which I wanted everyone to have some sort of victory. So Percy took out Tisiphone's familiar, Zoe and Annabeth finished off Tisiphone herself, and Marcus took down Alecto. I hope that I made it satisfying for you all. And we finally have Zoe and Marcus kissing. Something I'm sure you were all looking forward to, so here it is.
Now, the Ascension arc is pretty much over, and the next chapter will just close off some stuff I left hanging in the air.
Also, I thank you again for helping me reach the 300 favorites and follows milestone. I really appreciate it.
And as always, I implore you to check out my other stories. Trust me, they are worth it. And please, leave a review. They are great motivators.
See you next time!