I may not be able to update tomorrow so a double tonight! I hope you all enjoy the update as much as I'm enjoying writing at the moment- the minific so far is like, four chapters, which is honestly more than I was planning but hey- it's got some good stuff, or I think it does. Please do review.
Percy sucked in a shaky breath, holding up a hand, "Stand down!"
"Percy-" Leo's voice cracked, "Thank Zeus you're okay. You went all weird and blank and you wouldn't listen to us what did he do-" as he spoke Luke was helping Percy sit up- they'd hit the ground fairly hard and Percy glared at Prometheus as she got to her feet, feeling everyone's eyes on her.
"Percy-" Thalia's voice was hesitant, "What was that. What did he do?"
"It's appalling isn't it? How badly most of you demigods are failed by the Olympians. They know when you call for them and yet they do nothing to protect them."
"Was that supposed to make me feel all soft and gushy for Alabaster?" Percy demanded softly, her eyes glued to the Titan. "Was it supposed to make me feel sorry for him? I already knew he watched his friend die on the way to camp. I get his anger towards the gods but what happened then does not excuse the things he's done now." her voice shook slightly, "That doesn't even excuse the things he did to me, let alone starting a whole fucking war and letting Kronos wear him like a Gucci suit or something."
"Come now Persephone-"
"He tried to push me into Tartarus, he's tried to blackmail and threaten me into joining him over and over again, he kidnapped me and kept me locked in a room in Mount Orthys where he repeatedly assaulted me to try and break me down." Percy snapped, her voice trembling, "He traumatised me so much that I needed therapy to deal with the crap he did to me! I've had panic attacks because of stupid little things that brought back memories. I have no pity for him. He lost that a long time ago."
Prometheus winced- clearly realizing that his attempt to soften her feelings towards Alabaster and Kronos had failed.
"I was trying to show you that the gods don't care- how long did they wait to tell you your prophecy-"
"Oh I should have known you'd go down that path." Percy crossed her arms over her chest. "Yeah, I'll be honest the prophecy fucking sucks but you know what- I'm cool with it as long as I get to take them down with me. Besides it might not mean that I die- they can be tricky like that. And I get why I wasn't told sooner. So you can shove whatever you were about to say up that ass with you alongside Kronos' hand because you're nothing but some dumb shit puppet."
There was a stunned moment of silence at that before Leo let out a low whistle.
"Remind me not to annoy her." he stage whispered to Luke, who tried to stifle a laugh, which earned a soft huff and rolled eyes from Zoe and a muttered.
"Boys."
And the empousa snarled. Her hair erupted in fresh flames, but Prometheus just sighed.
"If you change your mind," he said, "I have a gift for you."
A Greek vase appeared on the table. It was about three feet high and a foot wide, glazed with black-and-white geometric designs. The ceramic lid was fastened with a leather harness.
Zoe gasped loudly when she saw it, "It cannot be-"
"Is that-" Thalia's mouth snapped shut as she shook her head.
"This belonged to my sister-in-law," Prometheus explained. "Pandora."
"Oh." Percy blinked, her mouth dropping open in shock, the anger draining away to be replaced with shock. "Pandora's box." Prometheus shook his head. "I don't know how this box business got started. It was never a box. It was a pithos, a storage jar. I suppose Pandora's pithos doesn't have the same ring to it, but never mind that. Yes, she did open this jar, which contained most of the demons that now haunt mankind—fear, death, hunger, sickness."
"Don't forget me," the empousa purred.
"Indeed," Prometheus conceded. "The first empousa was also trapped in this jar, released by Pandora. But what I find curious about the story—Pandora always gets the blame. She is punished for being curious. The gods would have you believe that this is the lesson: mankind should not explore. They should not ask questions. They should do what they are told. In truth, Percy, this jar was a trap designed by Zeus and the other gods. It was revenge on me and my entire family—my poor simple brother Epimetheus and his wife Pandora. The gods knew she would open the jar. They were willing to punish the entire race of humanity along with us."
Percy swallowed hard. She'd heard the story before- it wasn't one in which the gods came out looking great- and she knew he was only telling her it to manipulate her.
She couldn't let him get in her head.
"You don't get it." Percy shook her head, "I'm not fighting this war because I think the gods are perfect- I know how fucked they are- especially Zeus-" she remembered Maria Di Angelo, remembered the way Hades clutched the woman he'd been in love with close after Zeus had struck her down. "They're probably not much better than the Titans- but honestly, as bad as they might be at times they still weren't as bad as the Titans. "But they're better than your lot. I know that's a pretty low bar- but at least the gods have a chance of being better I think- there are gods who try at least. So whatever you say- you won't convince me to leave with you and marry him. You won't convince me to betray my friends and my beliefs."
"So you say." Prometheus sighed, looking as if he was very disappointed in her. Then he tapped the lid of the jar, "Only one spirit remained inside when Pandora opened the jar, do you-"
"It was hope."
Prometheus looked pleased. "Very good, Percy. Elpis, the Spirit of Hope, would not abandon humanity. Hope does not leave without being given permission. She can only be released by a child of man."
The Titan slid the jar across the table.
"I give you this as a reminder of what the gods are like," he said. "Keep Elpis, if you wish. But if you decide that you have seen enough destruction, enough futile suffering, then open the jar. Let Elpis go. Give up Hope, and I will know that you are surrendering. I promise Kronos will be lenient. He will spare the survivors and he will be kind to you if you come to him willingly."
"Yeah, and Zeus will finally keep it in his toga." Percy shot back, which made Thalia groan.
"Percy! As much as you're not wrong can you please not remind me that my dad sleeps with everything that moves?"
"Not like it's my fault your dad is like, the original man whore." that made Leo start to snicker and Zoe's lips twitched slightly as Prometheus was unable to hide a flash of annoyance, though he suppressed it quickly enough.
"I understand your lack of trust-"
"Kronos has a history of going back on his word. I'd never trust him."
"You will have no choice in the end." Prometheus shook his head. "I will leave-"
"Take it with you." Percy wave a hand, eyeing the jar- she didn't like it. She didn't like it- oh she knew she'd never be tempted into opening it up and letting go of hope- but it scared her in a way that she couldn't put into words, "I don't want it. We both know that this isn't going to end with us surrendering to you. One of us is going to go down fighting that's the only way this will end." She leaned forward, "And I have no intentions of it being us who lose, just for the record. You can think what you want of us but we are stronger than you know."
"I won't take it back." Prometheus shook his head, "The gift is given. It cannot be taken back." his expression was pitying, "I truly do hope that you come to your senses." He stood up and the empousa came forward and slipped her arm through his.
"Morrain!" Prometheus called to the blue giant. "We are leaving. Get your flag."
"Uh-oh," the giant said.
"We will see you soon, Percy Jackson," Prometheus promised. "One way or another."
"You best hope that I don't see you on the battle field." Percy said firmly, giving him a small nod, "Because if I do you're going to find out how far I'll go to save the world." she met Ethan's gaze when he shot her a hateful look. "The peace talks are over. Go and tell your master you failed Ethan." and the five demigods watched as the truce party turned and strolled up the lane through Central Park, like it was just a regular sunny Sunday afternoon.
As soon as they were out of sight Luke whirled around, palms of his hands gentle as he cupped her cheeks, "Sephie are you okay? What the fuck did he do to you?"
"I'm fine." Percy waved a hand dismissively "He showed me some of Alabaster's past, probably thought it would make me angry at the gods and softer towards
Alabaster." she scoffed.
"What was it?" Leo's voice was uncommonly quiet, "What did he show you?"
"He showed me Alabaster on his way to camp, his friend died, he blamed the gods for that I think. But that doesn't make any of what he did right. I can pity the boy he used to be, but there is no- there is no way to justify what he was doing now with what happened back then."
"All of us have pretty tough lives." Thalia spoke quietly, "He made his choices and the rest of us are paying for them."
"The whole world could pay if we don't stop him."
"You will." Zoe's voice was firm, and there was a lot of respect in it. "Thou are one of the greatest heroes I have ever met Persephone. I have every confidence in
you."
"That means a lot Zoe." Percy gave the huntress a small, grateful smile, running her fingers through her hair before she let out a slow breath, "Now, I think we should get back to the base, don't you?"
"I think that's the best idea you've ever had." Luke slid his arm around Percy's shoulder, tugging her into his side.
"I'll grab the jar." Thalia offered, picking it up carefully- it was awkward but Thalia was easily strong enough to carry it so soon enough they were moving.
"Y'know." Leo spoke up, his voice thoughtful, "I don't think that it's her best idea, I mean it's good, don't get me wrong, but the best idea she's ever had was marshmallow and candyfloss popcorn-"
"That-" Thalia paused, "Actually that sounds awesome- when did you guys do that?"
"Back last year." Percy laughed, "Shortly after the first popcorn experiment in which we nearly burned down the kitchen."
"That was a good day." Leo grinned at the memory, "Rachel was just so shocked."
"She got used to us eventually."
"I feel like I missed out on some really good stories." Luke gave a wry smile as together the group started to make their way back towards the hotel.
"You are all quite mad aren't you?" Zoe's expression was amused, and Percy let out a bright laugh.
"Yes, and you're gonna be one of us eventually-"
"What?" Zoe's eyes widened, "Why would thy-"
"Because of Calypso." Percy grinned, "She's your sister, and Leo has every intention of rescuing her when all of this is over. And the Jackson family is like a black hole, it sucks everyone in, you'll be family through Calypso because there's no way in Hades that Calypso isn't going to be a part of the family."
"Oh dear." Zoe turned her gaze to Leo, eyes narrowing faintly before she gave a very slight shrug, "I will never like men. But I suppose my sister could do worse-"
"Oh wow." Thalia grinned teasingly, "Coming from you that's basically a compliment- you should feel honored-"
"Oh I do." Leo grinned, "I'm glad to know that you approve-"
"I would not say that-"
"Nope, nope you can't take it back." Leo darted over to Zoe, hugging her briefly, before she could stop him, and then turning and darting away before she could get her knife out and stab him for it- though she did start chasing him as he sprinted on ahead of them- and Percy found laughter bursting past her lips.
She really did love her family- no matter how bad things were, they could always made her smile.
She wouldn't give any of that up for the world.
As long as she had them she'd have hope.
