Perseus: God of War
Chapter Seven: Dreams, Deals and Desperations- Part B
Disclaimer:
Γεια σας άνθρωποι ! or Geia sas ánthropoi
OR
Hello people!
As you are aware it is Shinju, this here is my first fanfic aptly named Perseus: God of War!
The franchises Percy Jackson and God of War are owned by Rick Riordan and David Jaffe.
Any Greek/Latin words and phrases used are through Google Translate (Greek/Latin)
I don't beat around the bush (I really did it though!) so let start with the story:
General POV
"Die you little shit…"
He stabbed the dracaena that tried to claw at him. He had been here for Father knows how long.
Father. Zeus.
That stupid little fuck. It was because of him, that he was here. If he would have died as planned this would not have happened and right now, he would be waging wars on all he desired. There would be no one stopping him and he wouldn't even need a reason to do so. He would have been The King. The King! He had served his father, his bitch of a mother, his siblings for more than twenty-five hundred years. And he gets what?
Damnation.
In Tartarus.
For eternity!
But he swore… on the Styx that he would be back and when he did, he would destroy his father, his mother, his siblings and most of all, that Jackson!
Jackson had been a thorn in his side for the moment he met the scrawny little kid at the restaurant. Oh…if he knew what Jackson would become, then he would have killed him that very moment. Of course, Poseidon would have been angry but as any God, he would have moped for a week at most and went back to screwing mortal whores.
Talking about whores…Aphrodite. His time in Tartarus had given him a serious case of blue balls. Grrh… as a God…former god he could engage in sex with anything he pleases. Be it mortal, monster or fucking primordial.
For Styx's sake… Gramps! Kronos changed into a steed to lay with Philyra, Oceanus's daughter! That gave birth to Chiron! But that didn't make him feel any better. Aphrodite was the very perfection of beauty! Once a man lay with her…no other woman would satisfy him. This rule didn't apply so strongly to Gods or he wouldn't have demigods in the first place.
Demigods.
Instead of helping him, their father, they turned their back on him. Instead of helping him defeat Zeus they sided with Jackson.
Jackson. Always him.
He hoped he fell in Tartarus. He didn't!
He thought Hades would kill him! He didn't!
He returned the bolt! He should have been killed. He didn't!
He cursed him, in his first fight. He didn't fall to Atlas!
When the vote was taking place to kill Grace and Jackson, he didn't!
He went in the Labyrinth! Die, he didn't!
He took the curse of the Styx! No, he didn't!
Fuck Kronos! Fuck Gaea!
He went to the romans, lost his memory! Nope!
He fucking fell in here! He survived!
He stood against fucking Tartarus! He escaped! Yeah, he knew…monsters gossiped a lot.
Why? Why God, why?!
"Why won't that fucking Sea Spawn die?!" he roared.
"Maybe I should come another time?" someone spoke.
He turned, sword raised…to cleave the stupid fuck, who interrupted him…suddenly the volcanic ground became liquid and wrapped around him. Restraining his arms and legs…and one around his neck…lifting him up in the air!
"Show your face coward?" Ares roared…well tried to.
"I wouldn't say that if I were you."
"Who are you to tell me what to do…lowlife."
The bond on his neck tightened and he was lowered to be face to face to with a swirling whirlpool and inward spiral of darkness," You know me, I am…Tartarus." Spoke the voice sounding like it was being drawn back inward rather than projecting outward.
He was frozen in fear…Tartarus? What would a primordial want?
"I want you." Came the answer.
"Tartar…Lord Tartarus! Respectfully, I am not into that…that would be Apollo."
Whack! "I am NOT talking about intercourse…you imbecile! For once in your worthless immortal life think with your head…the one on your shoulders…not dangling between your legs!"
"I am still confused, my lord?"
Whack! "You want destruction, I want destruction…together we would have the entire universe to ourselves…don't you agree with me, Ares?"
Ares. He looked at the Pit. Was he terrified? Yes. Did he want revenge? Hell yes! He was willing to make the deal. He nodded… "Yes. I will join you…provided I have somethings for myself?"
"Ask." Came the hollowed reply.
"When it comes down to it…I get to kill Zeus and the sea spawn! And most of all, I want the Owl! Athena whimpering beneath me!" The Owl head had been the contributing factor to his damnation! He would have his revenge…even if it meant making the deal with the one entity that scared him.
…
"Fine."
"As much as I want to kill the damn Son of Poseidon, it matters to me not how he dies…just that he dies…only to be tortured for all eternity."
The bonds around Ares loosened and he fell on the volcanic ground with a thud.
Tartarus turned, "You will be my general."
"Now get up!" Ares immediately shot up.
"You are escaping…out of here, with a message."
Ares was ecstatic! But a message? For whom?
"Who else? The Olympians…the message of war."
"My lord…I don't mean to question you and I am not that good with strategy too but…wouldn't it be preferred if we kept to ourselves for now…you know surprise attacks and all?"
"I know, but I want the satisfaction of their look of their doom to be etched in my memory…now that they don't have their precious Saviour with them."
Saviour? Jackson.
"Is the sea spawn dead?" Ares asked with rage in his eyes.
"No."
"Then what?"
"He left."
"He left?" Jackson left the Gods. Surprising.
"Aye. The Son of Poseidon left the gods."
"So, he is coward?" Suddenly Tartarus backhanded him into a rock, effectively making Ares stuck in rock. Tartarus vanished and reappeared in front of him with talon clawed hands and slammed him once more before pulling Ares face to face with himself.
"Jackson…as much I hate him… I also respect him…no mortal has stood against me and has been ready to fight me to the death. He has done this after going through my sister's Mansion. With his eyes open."
Horror came to Ares's face…that Mansion…The Mansion of the Night! Oh, he had stayed in this realm long enough to know what that Mansion was…a peak in there and he had not slept for the rest of week.
Jackson had travelled through it…the entirety of it with his eyes open! Bloody hell!
"Jackson stated that he had gone on quests, fought two wars back-to-back and lost his precious mother and her husband…leaving his mortal sister alone and so wanted no contact from his sire's side of the family for the foreseeable future. But word is that a God tried to rape a relative of his…let's say, that god no longer exists."
No longer exists? That god whom so ever he or she is…would be here… right?
"If they are dead that they should be here, right?"
"He has faded…"
Faded?!
"How the hell did Jackson fade a god? Who was it? Was it Zeus? If it was Zeus, I will fucking kill him…damn the consequences." Not realizing that those consequences would see him faded too…Dumbass.
"Watch what you say…I may prefer you above the rest of my choices to lead an army…but I will not hesitate fading you as well if you annoy and question my methods. But if you want to know so badly…yes Perseus Jackson did fade a god…Hercules…your replacement as The God of War."
What! Hercules… faded and he was his replacement! Damn you Father! And if that wasn't enough Jackson faded him. How, he no longer cared…just that Jackson paid the consequences.
A portal appeared in front of Ares. "Now, while I would want to give the message now…I want you to rest and get back to your prime…so that on the off chance that they do try to capture you…they can't. I am not Kronos, Gaea and definitely not my children. I am Tartarus…and I deal with such things with sense not strength. I have waited for this confrontation for a long time… I can wait a few more years."
Ares looked one last time towards the barren land and then turned and walked in the portal without a single word. The portal closed and Tartarus stared at his domain…an expressionless void swirling right on the face.
"Perseus Jackson…you messed with the wrong Primordial. I have never hated something more than the Gods before. The Giants are a product of that. You will pay…I promise you this…I will hurt you, torture you, flay you and kill you…but I will never let you go…YOU WILL NEVER ESCAPE! Not now…not ever."
Time Skip
Two Weeks
Location: Olympus
It had been a very peaceful day. Nymphs and minor gods were running around, going about their daily immortal lives. But like always this was the perfect day to make it imperfect.
In the Council Room of Olympus sat the Gods…doing the usual arguing.
Hades and Demeter…
Apollo and Artemis…
Poseidon and Athena…
(/AN: Well, you get the point… I have been doing this shit for Six Chapters)
Though one thing that was needed to be noted was that the God of War's throne…had been defiled beyond recognition…
Immortals…well the minor gods and the people residing on Olympus had come to the conclusion that the Seat of War was cursed… causing the bearers of such a title down a road of self- destruction, madness and a never-ending urge of power. Gods…minor gods who were keen and even shortlisted for the position denied it. They were scared of the responsibility of such a curse that was War. Even demigods like the children of Ares himself were not willing to take up that challenge and domain…knowing that with it came the rage of Perseus Jackson, if you ever crossed his path. Which was the case for the previous bearers of the curse.
Bellona had been requested to take up the supreme mantel of War…seeing as she was already the Goddess of Strategic War to the Romans. She denied it knowing what taking up this position entailed.
Minerva had tried taking it up…since Mars was not present…seeing as her Greek equivalent was Athena, Goddess of Strategical Warfare…and she would be finally regaining her place as a Major Olympian but she failed… twice. It was then theorised that the Romans still believed in Bellona and even Mars to some extent which made it difficult…if not impossible for the domain to be passed over. The second was of course the clashing domains of Bloody Warfare and Strategic Warfare. Let's say…Athena was not happy after that. Poseidon had a good time teasing his rival for Athens and would remind her every chance he got. Not that she needed it…you know perfect memory and all.
Back to my point, the Olympians were having their meeting and the topic of today was what to do about one, Percy Jackson…let it be known that he had become more of a permanent topic around Olympus…seeing as he was trending on God Slayer 101 and was responsible for causing headaches that even Apollo took a long time heal. Zeus once ordered Apollo to make an Ambrosia-nized version of Aspirin.
"Silence!" Shouted Zeus.
"Well fuck you, Owl head."
"Why you, insufferable bag of used shells."
"Silence!"
"Well at least I shoot better than you!"
"I'll shout the thing you call a dick and prove you wrong!"
"SILENCE!" Shouted Hestia.
"Yes Aunty/ Sister!"
"Good. Now shut up and listen."
"While I would like to just let you all go and do your regular duties…I would like to bring a certain pushed back subject under your attention… Perseus." Spoke the King of the Gods.
"Now that the period of his studies has been completed…does anybody have a solution to his continued and irritable existence." He continued while looking at Poseidon. Poseidon of course glared back.
"Athena…" asked her father.
"Well, we could contact him from time to time and even send one of the gods to stay with him."
"Well, that still doesn't answer the question of him denying contact with gods in general and even if he agrees…which one of us is even ready to continuously monitor him without him actually fading us." Hera stated. While she was quite happy that Hercules no longer existed, his fading caused many gods to realise that their immortal immortality…wasn't so immortal.
"Well, Poseidon could…" suggested Apollo.
"No, he will not…" Athena said, cutting off Poseidon even before he could argue his side.
"Poseidon, will keep his promise to his son seeing as Perseus, is his favourite son. Isn't that right, Barnacle Beard?"
Poseidon turned away knowing how right she was.
"While, normally I wouldn't say this…his fatal flaw, Loyalty has its upsides. Well, at least for his son."
"Wow, am I seeing things…that son of yours really affected you Brother." spoke a surprised Hades.
"Well, maybe Hestia could…" Demeter said.
"Sister?!" Zeus shouted, not liking where this was going.
"What, think about it…any gods that have had at least a cordial relationship with Perseus is Hestia. Hestia is also the goddess of hope and family, which makes her perfect…seeing as it was, she who suggested that Perseus wouldn't harm anyone as long he or his aren't harmed first."
Everybody turned to Hestia, who was…not tending to the hearth. Hestia for the most part had always been at the backend of the Olympian rule and was liked by everybody…even Ares to some extent. While she was the eldest, she came out last from Kronos's stomach and since the Olympians had come to favour strength, she was seen or perceived as weak. In truth, she was far from weak.
"Fine. I will do it. I will go." Spoke the Goddess of Family.
"Well, that only leaves the problem of convincing Percy." spoke Aphrodite.
"Well, we cou…" before Athena could continue clapping was heard.
"Woo…that was…impressive."
"Who dares to interrupt us?"
"I do, Father." In walked a man wearing a black heavy leather jacket. His eyes glow red beneath his glasses, giving him an intimidating appearance. Ares.
"You…how did you escape?!" shouted Zeus.
"That, would be telling…wouldn't it, Father?" replied Ares.
"But please continue, don't stop on my behalf?"
"What are you doing here and answer Father's question?" spoke Athena gradually losing patience.
"Well, first of all…it's good to see…family." Sarcasm dripping from his words.
"I would have never thought I would be witnessing a civilized conversation among Olympians. That's new. You all have changed. Even Dionysus. But I am not here to make small talk. I am here to give a message."
"So, you are taking over my job…" joked Hermes.
"No, you roller-skating idiot!" Hermes, actually looked offended after that.
"The message I bring is of War."
"War?" Hera said.
"Yes, Mother. Of War. And now that you don't have the insufferable sea-spawn. Things will be very easy."
"And what make you think that, Brother?" asked Athena.
"Well, let's say I have a pretty good back up and while you would argue that you all outnumber me, keep in mind that I sneaked in without notice. I must have made a plan to sneak out too."
"So, to sum up I bring war to you…to kill you, torture you and most of all, to rule. To take the throne from you, Father. There are no big fireworks, boasting or unnecessary banter…just War. For the seat of Olympus. It matters to me not, whether you surrender… because you will die all the same. But for you, my sweet Owl head, I have a much grander plan in mind. One, by my side…willing…or NOT."
Athena realised what Ares was indicating…she stood up from her throne. Her spear in hand, battle armour appearing on her person. Ares didn't even flinch. Just as she was ready to attack, Poseidon pulled her back in her seat.
"Let me go…"
"Stop Athena. Calm yourself."
"But…"
"Calm yourself." A much harsher tone was heard.
"I would listen to him if I were you…" Ares smugly replied.
"I would have never thought I would ever say this but make peace with whatever demons you have got, if well…gods care. Because I will not. Farewell Olympus." And just like that Ares vanished. The smell of blood lingering in the air.
"Well, shit!" guess who it is? Apollo.
SMACK!
"Why? I just collectively stated everyone's feelings on the matter." He groaned from his place on the ground.
"Because I felt like it…," said Artemis.
Apollo silently wondered did being the Goddess who represented Maidens, also meant Artemis was in the state of constant mood swings…not that he would say it out loud, lest he prove that theory right.
"Why…why does this happen to us…just when there is peace?" Aphrodite said sadly. She had lost a number of demigods to both wars, one of them being Silena.
"Because of your egos." Spoke the eldest of all Olympians.
"Sister…" Demeter tried.
"No, I will not back down now…I have stood by as you all have destroyed mortal and immortal lives alike for so many years. I have seen you all make oaths, only to break them, not keeping in mind how it affects you and the people around you. I can list out your deeds, but you all know them and the consequences they had or will have, but they have not mattered to you before and they don't matter to you now. I have seen rage and vengeance befall innocent mortals because of jealously, hatred and pride. Demigods being punished for their parent's deeds because they made the crime of being born." Hera looked down.
"The only thing we know now in certain is that, there will be war, whether we like it or not. And this council will be tested. What are you going to do to counter it?"
"We can ask for help from our children." Shouted Zeus.
"They have been through two wars and you want to put them through a third." Sighed Hestia disappointedly.
"They will help. They have too." Shouted Dionysus.
"Yes, some will…but most wouldn't…without their leader."
"Jason?!" Zeus shouted.
"And what about Perseus?" asked Hestia, much to Zeus anger.
"Jason as Praetor had their loyalty …but Perseus had their hearts. Perseus led them through wars. He led The Seven through War. Whether you agree or not we need him."
"Even by some miracle Father agrees, what are the chances of Perseus agreeing to go to war once again in our name?" asked Hephaestus.
"We don't need a chance…we need time. Ares is a prideful god and he will automatically attack Perseus, between his first defeat and damnation to Tartarus he must have a lot of rage." Answered Athena.
"Yes. But there is one problem." Sighed Hera.
"What?"
"Perseus will ask for something as a reward."
"Will he?" Asked Artemis, knowing that Percy was a reasonable male and had always asked for selfless wishes.
"Yes, Perseus is a changed man…or rather he has become more street smart so to speak. He won't agree until he knows the situation, he enters favours him."
"Or we could just cause a false attack on him and blame Ares." Dionysus said indifferently.
"And risk his ire…should he find out." Athena replied in a matter-of-factly way. That shut the Wine God up.
"I say we should just come clean…"
"What are you on about, Aphrodite?" Asked Hephaestus.
"Think about it…we are fucked if we don't inform Percy, we are not so fucked… maybe if we don't lie to him or cause unnecessary problems for us and him. What appears to be the best solution?" said Aphrodite in an Athena-like tone.
"No…" Mr. Big Man upstairs muttered, but was heard clearly.
"But Zeus…think about it. I mean really think about it." Hades spoke, trying to play safe. Not for himself, but knowing that anger would get the council nowhere.
"NO!" shouted the man-whore. (/AN: Not my words, Ares's!)
"But why?" shouted Poseidon.
"Because I will not lower myself to ask help from a mortal. A mortal who usurps my rule at every chance he gets. A mortal who has the ability to fade a God and most of all, a mortal your seed bore." Shouted Zeus back.
"What, is that it…. you are willing to put our very existence in danger because a mortal hurt your pride? A mortal that only wanted to stay mortal. A mortal who saved you from Ares. A mortal who wants nothing more than to do the thing he was made to do…exist!" shouted Artemis! Losing her patience…at her father. (/AN: Let that sink in…)
Everybody looked shocked. Even Athena had her jaw hanging loose. Artemis never…and that means never lost her cool! That too in front of The Council. Zeus's himself forgot his anger for a second…only to realise that, do a one-eighty and become Angry Zeus…or just Zeus again.
Then came the second shock… the realization that she, defended a male! Yup! Apollo was confused, "Is this another Orion situation…just without the hunters?"
Because, if it was…he and Percy would be having a long… talk.
Zeus sighed, before saying "Sigh… fine. Fine! Fucking fine! I agree to it! Just don't say a word about this or I will change my mind."
"But who will go?"
"I can go…" spoke Hermes only to be interrupted.
"No, you can't…I know you are the Messenger God but we don't need you screwing this up…because you were trying to make a joke and steal Styx knows what." Said Athena. Hermes pouted.
"I can go…" spoke Hestia. Everybody turned to her. She continued, "I was already going to go…let's keep it that way."
"Take some back up…we don't know how he will react."
"I suggest Artemis…" Hera said.
"No!" shouted Apollo.
"Think about it… Perseus and Artemis are on good terms and recently he helped her."
"I agree." Spoke Artemis.
"But Sister…" whined Apollo.
"He is an ac-ceptable male…" Artemis stammered.
"Hahaha!" laughed Demeter.
"Does Arty have a crush?"
"No, no… NO!" In cue shouted Apollo and Zeus.
"I most certainly do not Aunt Demeter." Artemis stated, though her embarrassment was clearly visible.
"That just leaves one thing to be discussed…" groaned Poseidon.
"Now what, Uncle P."
"Ares's Backup."
"Hmm." Everybody buzzed like honeybees.
"I think it could be a major entity…seeing as Ares wouldn't have the gall to sturt into the throne room and walk out just the same if he had someone not backing him." Said Athena, clearly angry remembering Ares's Grand Plan.
"I think we should just proceed with caution and lookout for surprises." Stated Hephaestus.
"I will inform Chiron and elder Campers of this development." Said Hermes before vanishing.
Hestia and Artemis vanished to speak with Percy. The rest proceeded with daily activities.
Location: Humanitera
Percy stood in front of what appeared to be a number of employees. He was dressed in a Blackberry Terylene Royal Blue suit. He surveyed the room. Most people that had been present last time, where there and these two weeks called in more. Two people stood on his left. Clarisse on his right
"I have called this meeting here for our first course of action. Malcolm and Shane here are the Sons of Athena and Hephaestus respectively. Many of you already know them."
Both waved at the audience.
"It must have come to your attention that last time meeting had been short…the reason for that is all of us, we attract monsters."
Colour left some demigods faces.
"Yes, I see you realise our predicament. Through these two weeks we…" Percy gestured to himself, Malcolm and Shane. "…have come up with a routine and device that while not completely infallible does help a bit."
He showed a medallion, that displayed the Greek Word "λαθραία" or simply "Stealth".
"This will mask your scent to some extent…not completely but with the use of the concentrated bursts of the Mist present in the atmosphere it can disorient people and cause commotion. But the downside is you don't get to choose what it will show, to regular mortals. I, as some may be aware was a criminal who had blown up monuments, mountains and schools. My expulsion through said schools also happened due to what the Mist showed to the mortal eyes. I highly suggest that you keep to yourself as much as possible and stick to the meditation routine handed to you. Romans, will of course find it easy to handle that schedule due to their already disciplined routine in New Rome." Several Romans looked relieved and some looked smug. The Greeks of course groaned. Well, if they wanted to stay alive, they had to put in the work for it.
"But what is the use of this meditation?" asked Duilius, a son of Mars. Ares or Mars…it did not matter really. Even children of Aphrodite that were far more peaceful than Ares had stronger scents. The reason for that being the state of one's emotions.
"I will explain. As much as this is tedious, it is very beneficial once learnt. Every demigod has a scent. Satyrs find you with that scent. So do monsters. The more chaotic you are, the stronger those scents. So, it does not matter whether you are born from Love or War, the emotions you carry acts as a beacon to these entities. Both good or bad."
Children of said gods realised that monster attacks on their person had mostly if not always happened due to said reason.
"Your very nature, becomes your undoing. For children of Demeter and Ceres, that would not be such a case. This of course does not mean that you are weak, it just means that you are less likely to be attacked. But if you too go through the same emotions, you are also prone to the same attacks."
The medallions were passed to all those present.
"When I had left camp, I appeared like a light post to monsters. Children of the Big Three, have chaotic emotions and their powers are also highly dependent on these emotions. I, one day realised that water, the element I am keyed too, kept me calm. It helped me think. And I started spending my free time in water bodies that I could find. Over the course of these last few years, I was able to minimize my scent, ADHD and Dyslexia."
The demigods came to understand what was being offered to them, a chance to be normal. A chance to experience the joys of life that a regular mortal would have. They would be attacked no matter what. At least this way they had a better chance of surviving.
Their loyalty towards Percy Jackson had from then on only increased, Oath of Styx or not. Yes, these demigods had come to take the oath to never endanger innocent people. Percy also had taken the same oath and had promised that he would guide them and they in turn would guide him, to the best of their abilities.
"Now…" Everybody sat up straight as they listened to Percy.
"As you can see, I have a list in my hands. This list contains the names of demigods shortlisted to take up positions in this organization." He opened the list.
"Shane- you are the Head of the Technology. Any and all systems, weapons and tools that may be used, constructed and maintained fall under your wing."
"Julia…" A nymph stood up "…you are Head for the Environment Engineering Department. You will handle the role pertaining to sustainment, cleaning and further natured based activities."
And on it went…
Demigods.
Public Relations.
Schools.
Human Resources.
Research and Development.
Finance.
Biology.
Medicine.
Strategy
Applied Sciences.
You, name it!
Hell, there was a training coach.
Once that was done, everybody left leaving only Clarisse and Malcolm with Percy. Shane had left to search for possible recruits and carry out today's activities.
"Uh… Percy." Called Malcolm.
"I know what you want to know, why didn't I make you the head of Strategy?" Malcolm nodded. He was not angry but it still hurt his pride, because he was the Son of Athena. That meant that he had some brains.
"You two, are my most trusted." Malcolm and Clarisse smiled knowing that he had full faith in them.
"I have kept you back because of one…no two important matters. One, Malcolm, I want you in the upper echelons of the Government. Most likely the Intelligence and Surveillance agencies. Demigods, especially inexperienced ones are more prone to give us away. CCTV footages, internet videos, clear sighted mortals that have no idea about our world. I want an inside man and a person who can maintain a Spy network. I want a person that can counteract these situations that governmental institutions don't even get a whiff of our very existence. I believe we will need it."
"You believe that the world…our world will be exposed to the world of mortals!" spoke Malcolm with a terrified voice.
"Call it a sixth sense…and even if I am wrong, we should be cautious. There's no harm in being ready. Here's is a list of possible places you can infiltrate. Make changes if need be. Get to it ASAP." Percy handed him a scroll.
"Yes Sir!"
"I am and always will be Percy to you…"
"Thank you!" and he left in a hurry.
"Damn Jackson, that was an entire new side of you." Said Clarisse.
"Tis a side used very seldom, War Girl." Replied Percy.
"Don't call me that!"
"Now, the main problem…the Preparation for War."
As those words left his mouth, the colour from Clarisse's face became paler.
"War against what?" she asked, not raising her voice knowing it would cause a panic. No body needed another war on their hands.
"Frankly speaking, I don't know…." And with that he told her about his dream and the dark voice that had threatened him.
"And you are telling me this now!"
"I couldn't just spout about this situation, without knowing where and how our position was affected. Face it, Clarisse, if I had come clean, we would be in a position we didn't know due to the panic and chaos." Percy had a haunted look on his face, the nightmares had become a recurring event through the last few years. The dark voice repeating the same sentence each time. Becoming more and more personal, the voice so close it could have been a whisper from the back of his neck into his ear.
"What do we do…"
"We prepare for the worst and hope for the best…"
Suddenly Percy clicked his pen and turned. Clarisse immediately took out maimer and stood in her battle stance, knowing Percy would only do something like this if there was danger.
"I know you are there…you wouldn't be here without a reason." Exclaimed Percy.
"Greetings, nephew." Stated Hestia. Artemis beside her.
Percy nodded and retracted his sword. Clarisse bowed. Percy did not.
"I see you still have the habit of not bowing." said Artemis.
"Well, you know who I am…" said Percy with the hint of mischief in his eyes.
"So, again what do I owe this pleasure, My Lady?"
"Oh, come off it…"
"We are here to discuss a very important matter…could we move to a more private setting." Artemis gestured towards Clarisse. Clarisse of course didn't like that and also the look Artemis had when she talked to Percy.
"This is a private setting. I trust Clarisse."
Those words filled Clarisse with happiness. It reassured her that while Percy had a friendly bond with the man-hater, she was well ahead of her. Clarisse looked at Artemis smugly. "I don't mean to intrude but, what is this matter of grave importance?" You could practically hear the sarcasm dripping from her voice.
"We will get onto it once you leave, demigoddess." Retorted Artemis.
"Girls." Said Hestia "There are more important things than trying to one-up each other…" Artemis immediately put a hand on Hestia mouth, not willing to let the secret out.
"What was that?" asked Percy.
"Nothing. Right Clarisse." Threw the question in Clarisse's court.
"Yeah, just girl-talk." Clarisse said through clashed teeth.
"You do…girl-talk?"
"What's that supposed to mean?!" shouted Clarisse.
"Nothing!"
"Good." Clarisse said with a tone of retribution if Percy so much as brought it up again.
"Now, we are here with news."
"News?"
"We got a message…from Ares." Clarisse suddenly looked alert.
"Ares?! That means he escaped, how did he? Wait, don't answer that…he escaped with the help of something powerful. He had come here wanting war…wants to kill you all and rule in your place. Am I right?"
"That is surprisingly accurate." Said Artemis.
"That is not accurate…it is a bloody pattern with all your enemies. Kronos wanted revenge, Gaea wanted revenge and now Ares and his secret helper want revenge. It's pretty simple."
…
"What?" Asked Artemis as Percy suddenly had an enlightened expression on his face.
"Now that I think about it…all your enemies are created by your own undoing." said Percy.
"I can't say I am surprised…meaning if the Council had just done their job of respecting minor deities, accepting all their children and maybe taking care of nature side by side. You know enough so that we won't be having environmental crisis left and right…we would not have the first two wars in the first place…or the first war would still have happened just with less rouges and maybe Gaea helping you guys."
Clarisse, Artemis and Hestia looked at Percy like he had grown a second head.
Shaking out of her stupor Artemis said, "The Olympians have decided to ask for your help…"
"Hahaha!"
Artemis suddenly looked angry. "Why you…"
"Oh, please don't feel offended, it's just that Zeus thinks I would help him, I faded a God, have insulted him and the Fates…he wouldn't have agreed to it."
"No, he didn't…but the council wanted him too." Said Hestia.
"And the Council thinks that I will help them…knowing that it has failed in the one thing, I told them not to do." Retorted Percy.
"And we are sorry for that…but think from our point of view…you are a free demigod who has no limits, no laws…no governance under anybody. If you were us, what would you do?" asked Artemis.
"So, you just want a weapon, a disposable hero. That dances to your tunes. Is that what you are saying?"
"No…" tried mediating Hestia.
"Then please explain what you mean, because I for one am not convinced." Percy said, disappointed.
"Ares, will come after you…"
"Oh, you think I am scared…"
"I have beat him once and will beat him again…"
"His new…" Artemis said getting irritated.
"…secret partner…who ever that is…will probably not reveal himself right of the bat…and even if that person is revealed I have only one thing to say to him or her…I am not a Hero! I will do what I must to save my family…to save my people. These people… even if it means standing on a mountain of bodies. These people here, will lay down their lives for me…just as I, for them."
"The camps listen to you…" interrupted Hestia. (/AN: That was a good speech. Why?)
"They do? Well, I thought with Jason, Reyna and of course… Annabeth. You would have good leaders to take care of the army." Said Percy. Annabeth's name rolling off his tongue with a certain level of distaste.
"They are…but they need someone who inspires them and a third war will see many deserters if you are not present…," said Artemis.
"Well, can you blame them?" sighed Percy.
…
"Well, give me ten minutes… I will call you in again." He gestured for them to sit outside.
"But…"
"Outside."
"It's fine, come niece." Said Hestia.
"And no eavesdropping…" as they left.
As they left, Percy turned to Clarisse. She finally let her mask fall. A stray tear rolled down.
"Why? Why does this happen to me… first my mother, then Silena, then Chris and now my father wants to wage war."
Percy quietly put his arms around Clarisse as she sobbed in his chest.
"Shh… its Okay."
"We will stay our hand until need be…if you say it Clarisse. I have never fought or have had the idea or thought to fight my father. I don't know what you are going through right now. I too don't know how to proceed with this…before it was just bad guys one after another…I had killed in the wars…as much I hated it…I had come to accept it. I had led demigods to fight and to kill…but now I see myself on this crossroad… to order men as I will have to send them into battle., knowing that many, will not return. That every choice I make would have consequences. That my weakness could not only harm me, but also those close to me."
Clarisse looked up from her position into Percy's eyes trying to find the truth in his words and maybe find the strength in her own. She nodded.
"We will…proceed."
"But Clarisse…"
"I know what I am doing Percy… I know what is stake here and I will not break. For my mother, for Silena, for Chris and most of all for you."
"Clari…" he was cut off as Clarisse slammed her lips to his.
Percy stood there in a stupor and wide eyed before he leaned in as well, deepening the kiss. Finally, after a moment, they let go.
"Are you sure…people close to me are always hurt. And this situation with Ares may have an effect on our relationship." Percy asked the question.
"No, it is not affected by Ares…I don't care…I only care for you and we will beat them back together." Clarisse said with determination. Percy, looked in her eyes one last time and called the goddesses from outside.
"So…"
"Fine…but I have demands…"
"Obviously…" said and exasperated Artemis in a Snape like tone.
"One…I do things my way. Two, no more interference from Gods. Three, I don't want people coming from Camps and ordering me or mine around. Four, an ambassador of sorts will come from my group and inform you about further proceedings."
"As much I respect you Perseus. You can't expect these demands to be granted." Said Artemis.
"Oh, you thought I was talking to you, no I am talking to your father…" Cue thunder. "…and if he wants my help he will do as I say or you are on your own. And last but not the least I want you to call me Percy."
"Oh, you…you…" Artemis tried forming a decent comeback, but to no avail.
"I would have offered you tea… coffee but I think Zeus may need it more than you. I say you handle him now…Farewell My Ladies."
Artemis and Hestia left but not before Artemis mumbling about smartass males with infuriating personalities.
Percy chuckled before turning to Clarisse. A stormy expression on her face.
"First name, huh?"
"Er…we are just friends." He replied nervously.
"Better be…" She sighed.
"How do you plan on breaking the news to Malcolm and the others?"
"I truthfully don't know; I am half expecting someone to find out before I disclose it and cause panic…"
"Let's hope we are there to stop it…"
That's the end of this chapter.
I hope you liked it.
Anyways…
This was Part B.
Well, I tried making Ares's rant as funny as possible. Tartarus has been revealed as a villain to the audience. The rest of the characters don't know that.
I, frankly tried making this chapter as logical as possible in both the theory behind the Domain of War and Percy's Stealth Medallions. The medallions were a way of counteracting the plot hole that I forgot would have happened in the presence of so many demigods.
I like how people ask questions and if you find these plot holes, please tell me…between my studies, the internship and the pandemic, I do forget some things. OR I am just lazy…
Also, Ares has appeared pretty calm in his confrontation with the Council, my reason for doing that is, Ares as far as I know has always been portrayed in fanfictions or in general as a Mad Dog…which he kind of is but you get the point. Just because he personifies War doesn't mean he has to be Bloodthirsty all the time. In rare moments, he could be as disciplined as Mars.
Apollo, realizing that Artemis may harbor some feelings of infatuation with our resident Anti-hero Percy, well that would be an interesting conversation.
Clarisse and Percy finally coming to realize their own feelings for one another is a very good point, but there happens to be somethings that make it hard to explore this relationship, Percy has and is the oblivious idiot, may find it hard to proceed.
Ages are given below:
Percy: 22 years.
Clarisse: 22-23 years.
Estelle: 4-5 years.
Have a nice time reading!
Αντιο σας ! or Good Bye!
Shinju Out!
