Ch. 17: When Hell Breaks Loose, Literally
(Recap: "You did it for me, Percy. I think I can forgive you just this once." She smiled.
"Thanks, wise girl. We'll talk more on this later. Right now everyone deserves a rest." He said, specifically looking at Leo who was still as distraught as ever. There were nods of approval and the demigods proceeded to get some rest in the makeshift beds. Percy had a bad feeling about the next day. He would be fit to fight, but suddenly he was thinking of his mom and Paul, and his stomach was in a twist. He didn't understand this feeling, his mom was obviously safe in her house, just missing Percy as usual and worried about her son. The war against Tartarus had nothing to do with Sally Jackson, no way she would be involved. She was fine... Or was she?)
NARRATOR'S POV:
Percy still had thoughts of his mother in mind while succumbing to sleep. He suddenly woke up to a thumping noise. Eventually, the whole throne room woke up, by which time the thumping had turned into a mild earthquake.
Suddenly bright flashes in the throne room announced the arrival of the Olympians.
"What is with the earthquake Poseidon? Now is not the time!" Zeus bellowed.
"It isn't me, brother. Whatever this is, I have no power over it."
Zeus visibly paled, at once ordering the resting demigods to assemble.
"Demigods assemble!" He yelled and after some minutes the demigods were standing in a rough formation, of course not before someone whispered: "Avengers fan much?"
It wasn't even remotely close to the one they had two days ago but it had to do for now. Once it was done and the armed demigods were standing in a big group, he snapped his fingers and teleported them to the ground.
Most of the demigods fell down as soon as their feet landed on the ground because of the heavy magnitude of the earthquake. The quake was caused by a site that was both fascinating and blood-chilling. The reason was that New York city resembled the look it had during the Titan war. The whole city seemed to be asleep, and no outside vehicles or people could enter the inside. The vibrations seemed to be caused by some unknown force in the underground.
"That doofus bag of a god Morpheus has again changed sides," Thalia growled.
"The sleep God is hardly our concern. Look." Annabeth spoke pointing to the ground.
And to everyone's utter horror the ground began experiencing cracks. Cracks that grew in size, tearing apart the ground. The onlookers had eyes as wide as saucers, never having witnessed such a horrible scene. The ground was literally tearing itself apart from one giant line of a crack right in the middle. The demigods standing in the way barely had time to move aside before the gaping hole in the ground could swallow them.
However reluctant they were to admit it, everyone knew what was coming. Tartarus. Hell was breaking loose, literally. Even the Gods did, hence the sudden flashes of light were witnessed. The Gods had arrived in full battle regalia, ready to battle the God of the pit. The site was very scary even for the Gods.
The wild, the demigods, the Gods and the hunters stood in a somewhat scattered formation, the earthquake also stopped. The crater didn't go away, the aftermath of the earthquake tore apart the street. Luckily and surprisingly no mortals were harmed. Their cars were parked by the side of the roads, mortals sound asleep in their vehicles.
"Lucky these sleepyheads didn't have to see this," Jason said staring at the hole, or more particularly at the lava churning inside the hole. The red-hot substance emitted vapors and looked so threatened that even Gods steered clear of the opening in the ground. Just as the demigods were growing anxious by the minute they noticed an army in front of them. An army that seemed to suddenly appear out of nowhere. An army so huge the demigods might as well have dropped their weapons and given up.
"HAHAHAHAHAHA," came a booming voice from under the ground causing vibrations under the feet. The voice managed to sound chilling, depressing, intimidating and amused at the same time.
"Tartarus. Stop tearing the ground apart and show your self, or are you too scared to show your ugly face like you were when I was with you?" Percy mocked.
"You insolent, insignificant, immature, worthless sea scum! How dare you talk to me like that! Bow down to me!"
"That's the most adjectives any villain has ever described me by, honestly. But still, no bowing. I'll pass."
A vicious tremor followed Percy's words, making a lot of demigods fall to their feet. A few standing at the edges fell to their deaths into the lava, while their friends just stared with shocked eyes. More numbers lost, even more of a hopeless situation appeared now.
"This is my power even when I don't show my face. And have you forgotten so early demigod, you dropped your weapon the one time we met face to face and that was not even a fraction of my power! You pathetic little half-bloods and your parents stand no chance against me!" Tartarus boasted rightfully, the demigods losing courage by the minute, hope by the second.
Immortals and mortals alike gulped, knowing this might be their last stand and that after multiple successful wars, this might just be the final war they fought and won.
"You have a natural talent for pissing off powerful beings don't you Jackson?" Clarissa said. Percy just shrugged.
Leo shouted, now fuming with anger and engulfed in flames. His voice rose with every word he spoke. "I will kill you. I will strangle you with my bare hands. I will DEMOLISH YOU!"
"Ah, the petty son of the blacksmith. It was a joy watching that girl die, wasn't it? A great loss actually, she was a Titaness who chose the wrong side. Now it's your turn." He spoke menacingly.
And again on some unseen unspoken command, the monster army attacked as one. Their numbers greatly overwhelmed the demigods, but now that Tartarus had made part of him (the hell under the ground) appears, the Gods could also attack the enemy and intervene with full powers. So even outnumbered, it was advantage demigods until Tartarus showed himself. They were taking full advantage of the situation, the Gods unleashing all they had on the monsters. Zeus had clearly instructed the Gods to take out as many monsters as they could before Tartarus entered the battlefield. The logic was simple - once he entered, all Gods would have to engage him and attempt to defeat him. The monsters already outnumbered the demigods, and even those demigods that were present were injured, injuries ranging from minor cuts and bruises to major gashes on the thigh or arms or legs. These wounds were bandaged but caused pain. As many monsters as possible needed to be killed before Tartarus came into play.
Blasts of energy lightened the atmosphere. Monsters were turning to golden dust. Fighting with their parents was a thrill and honor for most of the half-bloods. As a result, they were high on adrenaline and excitement. If Tartarus didn't show up soon, they could even win without defeating the main villain today itself.
Unfortunately, that was not to be. Tartarus brought something special to the table. Something that not only stopped the war but also the heartbeat of a certain group of demigods and a certain trident welding God.
A loud feminine scream echoed amidst the bloody yells and sounds of the ensuing war. Like a horror flick, a platform rose from under the ground. The platform seemed to be encased in some kinds of a protective shell that prevented the lava and surrounding flying weapons and fire from penetrating the platform. The platform was a very small rectangular surface floating mid-air. The raised platform put a halt to the war. The monsters stopped in delight while some demigods and Gods in confusion simply since the monsters had stopped attacking.
A bunch of demigods, however, namely Percy, Thalia, Annabeth stared horrified at the site. The lord of the wild and Percy's best friend Grover had similar expressions. The sea God had his eyes bulging out of his sockets while clutching his trident so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
Sally Jackson lay on the ground, panting and whimpering in pain. Blood smeared her face and she had her one hand tightly holding her left thigh that seemed to be bleeding from a gash.
She was breathing heavily, and the look that Poseidon had would have literally been enough to annihilate the whole city in moments. Even Percy was raging, while the rest of the demigods had gone numb, Annabeth included.
"Tartarus," Percy growled with anger brewing inside him like a big boiling water bubble.
"Let her be. This war has nothing to do with her. I swear if you so much as lay a finger on her after the damage you've already caused I'll end you." He continued with so much venom even the Gods flinched. Tartarus suddenly appeared from under the ground, rising as if emerging slowly from underground and solidifying into a pitch black form that looked so intimidating that Hades had to look down.
Feelings of pain, sorrow, regret, death, loneliness, and desolation spread through the army like a plague. Most of the demigods had dropped their weapons staring at the pit with utter despair.
"Bow down to me, I will kill you, but all your pain will come to an end. I'm very kind." He whispered hypnotically, almost urging the demigods to give up.
"Stand fast, this is just his voice, snap out of it!" Poseidon yelled, his anger fuelling his thought process and keeping him sane. Even Percy and Annabeth who had witnessed this once looked wary instead of scared.
Percy growled "You want a war, we'll give you one. Just let my mother go. She has nothing to do with this."
"What do I get in return Percy? Your life?" Tartarus smirked. Percy for a fleeting moment felt victorious. His life was something he could definitely give up for his mother. Then he would pray that the fates let the good side emerge victoriously.
"Yes! Kill me if you want! Just let her go and swear never to touch or harm her in any way again." Percy spoke, only to hear screams of protest from his friends. He turned his head and looked them in the eye.
One look from him and they all fell silent. He looked towards Tartarus who was smiling amusedly.
Tartarus stopped smiling and sharply said "You seem to misunderstand me Perseus. Killing you would be a piece of cake. You betrayed my trust, tried to double cross me. Death is too far an easy punishment for you." He stretched a sadistic grin across his face.
"What do you mean?" Percy asked as he nervously held Annabeth's hand.
"Your life," Tartarus replied pointing towards Percy.
Again Percy was confused "I did just offer that and you refused. Stop speaking in circles."
Again Tartarus smiled
"I'm not, you're just too blind to see where I'm pointing Perseus. I want your life. Not your death, but your life." And again pointed towards Percy. But this time Percy widened his eyes as he realized the general direction pointed to someone else and not him.
"You... Want... Annabeth?" He asked with disbelief evident in her voice.
"Yes Perseus Jackson, I want your lifeline, Annabeth Chase. I wish to kill her painfully. Or maybe even torture her for all eternity!" He smiled delightfully rubbing his hands against each other as if offering Annabeth a gift.
Athena wanted to argue, to speak in protest. Her mind and heart both told her to stop it, but she simply couldn't move.
Percy did Athena's job. He stood protectively around Annabeth and raised his sword
"Over my dead body will you get her. You're just trying to get to me. You'll kill both of them off eventually if given the opportunity. Just realize her and fight it out like a man." Percy tried to harm his ego.
"I'm not instinctive like my wife or children Perseus. You of all people should know that, having worked for me!" He mocked Percy. Then Tartarus continued, that smile never leaving his features
"I understand there are trust issues. Okay, well... Let me earn your trust." When the onlookers looked at him confused he said laughing
"I swear on the river Styx that if Annabeth Chase becomes my captive willingly then I will let go of your mother and never harm her again."
Now the demigods looked taken aback at the sudden oath. Annabeth and Percy were left dumbfounded. Once Tartarus let that sink in, he turned his stare to Annabeth and said
"Annabeth, your boyfriend would sacrifice himself for anyone. Question is, do you have what it takes to sacrifice your self? I swore to let her go, but you have to swear that you'll come without a fight and do no funny business." He smirked. Annabeth was still too shocked. Her brain wanted to stay in the battle, help here. Logically Sally wasn't as useful in a war forever survival while she was one of the leaders. But her heart screamed for her to take the oath. For Percy's sake. He deserved his mother after all he'd been through. After all, he'd endured. As it is she had seen enough suffering and pain in her life to not regret death. The only ray of sunshine was Percy. And if something happened to his mother, would he ever forgive her? While she was busy in her thoughts Percy still hadn't snapped out of his thoughts.
Annabeth saw Percy, then she saw how powerful Tartarus was and weighed whether emotions should be allowed to rule or she should refuse for the sake of the mortals.
She took a deep breath and made up her mind, leaving Percy's hand and saying "I'm sorry Percy."
Then she looked towards Tartarus and said
"Tartarus... I...
A/N: REVIEW AND LET ME KNOW IF YOU LIKE THE WAY THEN PLOT IS SHAPING.)