The doors to the Titan's chambers opened softly. In strode the goddess.
Iris whimpered when she saw the familiar face. "Please...don't leave me here." She croaked, dried ichor clinging to her chin.
Coeus yanked on her neck chain. "Silence. She is not here for you." He smiled at his visitor. "You have reconsidered."
Athena was very good at reading people, especially gods. The many lifetimes she spent beside her kin had taught her what made deities ticked. And Coeus was the kind she didn't have to read too far into. He was honest but cruel and yet honorable. He always knew more than he let on. For every one thing he revealed to you, he hid 10 others. Always playing his cards close to his chest and utilizing his assets to the maximum. The Olympians had never faced anyone like him. And they never would.
"My father ordered us into hiding. I think you know why."
The Soul Eater laughed. "No, not Zeus. The Fates placed the order, those old tricky gals. Otherwise, you would never have followed through."
Athena crossed her arms. "It is true. I do not trust Zeus anymore than I trust you but the Fates...they are not to be trifled with."
"Then we are on the same page. Yes, I know what's coming. I do know how to prevent it. And no, I don't have to conquer the world to make it happen. Consider that me releasing my pent up frustrations over being locked away in the Pit for millennia. Trust me, this is part salvation, part vengeance, and part mercy, though not split equally I must admit."
She glared at him. "I couldn't care less why you're doing this. The end justifies the means. One thing I can count on you doing is keeping your word. You have nothing to gain from this primordial force slaughtering us. And considering how easily you have slain Hades, imprisoned Iris, and tamed the demigod camps I can safely say you absolutely have the power to kill me right here and now. You need me for something. What is it?"
Coeus didn't break eye contact. "You just love unraveling webs, don't you? I can tell you get high off it. Me? I get high off making them. And believe me, I'm the best there is. You're correct, however. I do need you. With you, the voice of reason on Olympus, by my side...why would other gods hesitate to join me? If you truly want to help, that is your role here."
Athena scoffed. "Please. Olympians don't respect me. They respect strength or my father would have been dead long ago. And you've just killed one of the Big Three. As you know, I have as much chance convincing Poseidon to help you than Aphrodite has of going without sexual intercourse for a century. So tell me again what my role here is."
"I have told you your job. I don't care if your strategy involves becoming a double agent but you will assist me in growing my cause."
Athena growled, hating herself because she knew she would do whatever he asked. For the sake of the greater picture, that is. "You can conquer them, why not just do that?"
"If I have to, I will. But I foresee...certain things going wrong if my only game plan is bloating the kill count. As you know, the supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting."
She almost snickered. "Clever. I forget from whom you ripped that off from. But from where I stand, you have done plenty of fighting."
"Perhaps. Yet considering I only had to kill one to conquer this world, I think your point is rendered moot."
She had to fight to keep her rage chained. "Yes, one murder and a carefully orchestrated genocide on the side."
"Answer me this, Athena: how many times this past decade have you spent personal time with or even visited your children? Once? Twice?"
Now she was shaking. "There are laws!"
"What laws?" He countered. "The silly rules Zeus placed to prevent a plot to overthrow him? You keep your filter over reality if you want as long as you do what I ask. The fate of this world depends on it. No sacrifice, no victory."
She kept quiet. Looking at Iris, she yearned for nothing more than to run him through with her sword. Watch his ichor spill onto the black marble floor. But Zeus had fled. The Olympians were scattered, hidden in their own little shells. Before her sat their last chance. Honestly, with or without her help, he would become the next ruler of earth. It was set in stone. Even if Zeus decided to change his mind, Coeus had enough influence and strength to stand against the King of Gods and very well be the ruin of them all. Once this Twin crisis was averted, Coeus would reign unchallenged.
"Speaking of victory, there is one more thing I require from you." He gave her a knowing look.
Athena almost swayed on her feet. "I...No."
He sighed. "Listen, I have plenty of other matters to attend to. You can willingly give her to me or I can take it from you in 10 seconds. I don't think I need to tell you in one of those scenarios, you don't walk out of this room."
The goddess of wisdom couldn't breathe. She could hardly believe her own eyes when she saw herself conjure the miniature goddess Nike and place her into Coeus' palm.
Every time the Titan smiled, Athena got a chill up her spine. As the uncle of Zeus, she clearly saw the many similarities they shared. The same shade of eye color. The same high cheek bones. The way their eyes lit at the acquisition of new power.
"I have control over communications, victory, and the Underworld. Now I seek Thanatos."
Zeus opened his eyes. He was greeted by the sight of a dark cavern ceiling. There was a foul sulfuric smell to the air and the darkness had a twinge of red to it.
Hecate sensed his awakening and rushed to his side, offering him nectar. "My lord! How do you feel?"
He sat up, taking a long swig from the bottle. "What happened? How long was I out?"
"We were in Poseidon's palace and losing the battle. He managed to tip the scales. I told you it was foolish to fight in his domain!"
"Just tell me what happened." He grimaced.
"We were ready for the last bout when Pontus intervened. He said it was not Poseidon's destiny to kill us. He said...he said this world was done with us. And then he knocked you out and threw us into the Pit."
Zeus blanked for a second then it hit him. "What? We're in Tartarus?"
He tried to stand but a nasty gash on his side from the Leviathan forced him to the floor.
Hecate scowled. "Sit! I've tried every healing spell I can think of. The only thing that helps is the nectar."
Zeus tried not to groan. He had forgotten what pain like this felt like. He drained the rest of the heavenly drink. "That pet of Poseidon's. Their teeth is coated with poison strong enough to injure even gods."
She glared at him. "And knowing this you brought us down there?"
Zeus was already losing his patience. "I didn't force you to come with me. I'm not forcing you to be here now."
"I know that. What I don't know is why I'm still here."
Despite himself, he couldn't help but feel hurt. He felt they were growing a connection. "Well you better figure it out, sweetheart."
She pursed her lips. "Tell me Pontus' presence was not your doing."
He shook his head. "He hasn't awoken in millennia. The last time I saw him was at my wedding-"
He cut himself off, almost sheepishly. Like he was embarrassed but also realized he was royalty and shouldn't be.
Her eyes morphed into daggers. "Your marriage to Hera, go on."
"Yes. But I don't understand. A primordial stirring for our battle?"
"And the Fates didn't mention anything at all about him?"
"Of course not. They can guide me but they can't reveal details like that."
Hecate stood impatiently. "Are you ever going to tell me what kind of guidance the Fates give you? Or is that something you can't trust your lackeys with?"
He fought the pain and rose to his feet. "You are more to me than a lackey, you know that."
"Do I? What am I exactly to you, my lord? Hmm? Tell me." She crossed her arms.
He tried to touch her cheek but she stepped back. "You...are the woman I want to take with me when I leave this world."
She closed her eyes. "So, this is your plan? You never planned to face the Twin, did you? You're just going to run?"
Zeus took a moment to think about how he would phrase his next words. "A few centuries ago, I was traveling our own little slice of the cosmos. I flew high above Chaos and I saw there were other worlds. Entire other galaxies filled with life. When the Fates warned me of the threat we faced, I kept quiet. I found myself no longer caring. I don't if I'm honest. I have been tired of earth for so long and I finally had my chance to gather some power before I set off. I needed your help but I grew to care for you these last few years, Hecate. I want you to come with me. There is nothing left for us here."
She threw her arms into the air. "There is plenty left! We can face the threat. Olympus, your brothers and sisters, your children; they're all here. You would leave them here?"
"I don't know how to explain it. What I do know is I haven't been this excited for a thousand years. The idea of starting anew, erasing my past, my sins...I must admit it is irresistible."
"You're asking me to leave behind everyone and everything I know. I don't know if I can do that." She whispered.
This time she let him caress her cheek. "That's okay. Take your time. I'm not asking for an answer now. Just know the time is rapidly approaching where we either part ways or join together."
He walked up to the mouth of the cave. Even for a god of his caliber, Tartarus terrified Zeus. Just knowing there was a being slumbering away that could awaken any moment and crush him like a tin can. The only good this place was to him now? It was full of Titans and Giants and other immortals. He could have a field day taking their power. And Pontus had done him a favor. He took him directly to a shortcut to the New World.
It made him think. Did Pontus know what Zeus planned? It seemed he did. Instead of killing him, he brought him closer to his goal, intentional or otherwise. Now it was time to take full advantage.
Hecate walked up behind him an hour later. She looked deep into his eyes, trying to search his soul. He laid it bare for her.
"If I come with you, you will be my husband. I will not tolerate mistresses. I will not support any feuds between you and whatever pantheons we find. We will fight only in self-defense. And under no circumstance will we return here. Am I clear?"
Zeus' greatest skill was making promises he knew he couldn't or wouldn't keep. But in the moment, he felt like his slate was being wiped clean. He was being liberated. He was beginning something new. He smiled. "Of course. Shall I give you the ring before or after this little honeymoon?"
She simpered, a twinkle in her eye. "That can wait. Come, my lord." She led him by the hand. "You will give me a son."
Even if Nico wanted to pursue the survivors, he couldn't. Annabeth directed the pegasi to fly over the ocean. All they could do was watch as the venti in pursuit were shot out of the air. Hercules was just as good a shot as he was strong but his arrows couldn't pierce the incredibly well designed defenses of the flying cabin. Nico knew he had to report back to Coeus though he was apprehensive.
He pulled out a drachma and summoned an Iris Message using a special device compatible with moonlight to create rainbows. The shadowy visage of the Titan gathered in the air. He hesitated before speaking. "My lord, the demigods have escaped over the ocean. You may have my head." He bowed his head, exposing his neck.
Coeus waved him off. "Why would I go to the trouble of recruiting you only to behead you? Think boy, stupidity is as physical pain to me."
Even under mind control, Nico still had a sense of self. He could not willingly resist his master but he was no puppet and could still think for himself. And just now, he realized. "You knew this would happen."
"Of course."
"Then, respectfully, why did you not grant me naval forces?"
"Allocation of resources, boy. This is a war to be fought on all fronts. This attack served two purposes." He ran silent and Nico recognized he wanted him to name them.
"To raze Cap Half-Blood and..."
"What did they leave behind in their rush to escape?"
As soon as Coeus said it, he could feel the energy radiating from the cabin horseshoe. "The Golden Fleece."
"Without that in their hands, they are truly defenseless. Secure it immediately. Hand command over to Hercules and have the forces march for the Roman camp. Stone and Benvenuti await you there. Understood?"
Nico nodded. "And what of me, my lord?"
Coeus finally smiled and how unsettling it was. Under the darkness, his mouth almost looked like a splash of poison was thrown on his lips. "You will wait for Percy Jackson to arrive and you will send him to me in the Palace."
Nico shifted uneasily. Coeus noticed. "I have granted you enough power. He is no rival to you. You are a god, boy. Act like one."
The Ghost King straightened pridefully. "I will not fail you, my lord."
"Of course not. One more thing..." His eyes gleamed for the first time.
Will stood by the open door, staring in the direction they fled.
Annabeth walked up beside him, "You're not thinking of jumping, are you?"
Will looked at her with wet red eyes. "That wasn't him."
The way he said it was half statement half question. She put her hand on his shoulder. "No. You know he wouldn't do something like this willingly."
She was reassuring both Will and herself. Nico had every chance to betray them after everything he had gone through and he never had. The only thing she could think was maybe an eidolon had possessed him like Jason and Percy when they fought. Or maybe that armor he was wearing was influencing him.
Will choked on his words. "We have to get him back, Annabeth."
"We will." She promised.
The Stoll twins approached behind them, shell shock plain on their faces. She hugged them and just stood there shaking alongside them. Behind them, she could see the nightmares painted on everyone. Most of them huddled up together, making sure no one was critically injured. They did not have the supplies to start an infirmary so they had to make do with what was available, which was pretty much nothing. Some of them sat against the wall, staring into space. Others silently cried and some even were openly bawling. As much as she wanted to be the voice of comfort she was no Chiron. She couldn't find the strength, let alone the words, to put aside her own fears and inspire anyone.
They were lucky to be alive but now they had nothing. No Golden Fleece to mask their scent and protect them. The dimensional magic allowed them enough space to squeeze in the 100 survivors. That was 100 dead demigods in a single night. As much as Annabeth fought against the thought, she couldn't help the thought that they were being hunted to extinction. Whoever was behind this knew what they were doing. Heroes were the ones who solved the problems of the pantheon, not the gods themselves. It would only make sense to eliminate them. It made her want to curl up into a ball.
She recalled the words she had said to Percy. "We're in this now whether we like it or not." She couldn't pretend things hadn't been bad when she said that but things were worse. Now she questioned if they could still live by those words. To what end would they keep fighting? They were clearly up against a force too powerful to resist. They could certainly claim they escaped but had they really? Wasn't it smarter to run and keep running?
She gathered the remaining counselors: Will, the Stoll and Nike twins, Katie, Austin, Butch, Lou Ellen, and Rachel.
"Listen, guys." Her lip started to quiver but she straightened up and cleared her throat. "We're clearly a long way from Gaea and Kronos. Whatever we're dealing with is several levels above us. So I'm just going to tell you what I think is best and if you guys disagree, well I can't stop you."
She let out a shaky breath. "Camp Half-Blood is gone. There's no question. We need to get to New Rome. Hopefully someday we can rebuild or reclaim it but for now we need to hide. I honestly don't know how long we'll last if we try to fight. And it truly is just a matter of how long we'll last. Look at what we've lost so far. If Nico was brainwashed then Percy-"
She almost broke down in tears. She couldn't hold much longer, she knew.
"We stay in New Rome. After that, I'm leaving the camp to you guys. I need to go back. I can't leave him." A tear traced its way down her cheek.
"I'm coming with you." Will said, his voice raw from crying.
Annabeth sniffled. "You can't Will. They need you."
"Just like you can't leave Percy, I can't turn my back on Nico. I'm coming with you or we'll find them separately."
Rachel wiped her eyes. "It's okay, guys. Bring them back. We'll be safe behind Jupiter's walls. I just wish I had grabbed the Sibylline books. Maybe I could have studied them some more. Dug out a clue. "
"Wait, what if Camp Jupiter is in ashes, too?" Connor's eyes darted around the circle, panic in his eyes.
"Then God help us. The gods sure as hell won't." Annabeth didn't mean to inject the words with such venom. She could see she inspired some fury within the sphere and chastised herself. "For now let's just try and be strong for the others. With 25 pegasi, we should be there in a day or two."
In her heart, Annabeth knew Camp Jupiter was already burning. This was the genocide of the demigods. Why would the children of Rome be spared?
A moment after Pontus said his last words, the massive walls of water lost their invisible barrier and the dark waves crashed down upon him. The last thing he saw was the Primordial assume his true form as Cthulhu's older brother and Percy broke the surface of Long Island Sound under the yellow full moon. Pontus had returned him to Camp Half-Blood. Percy couldn't help but smile, already forgetting the awful weird encounter he just had.
Then he noticed the small details: No patrols along the beach. Half-Blood Hill was missing a pine tree. The center of camp behind the Dining Pavilion was bright. Much too bright. And screams. He beat the water with all his strength, willing himself to swim faster. He reached the mouth of the creek that led to Canoe Lake. As he crossed, he heard the sound of glass breaking and all too quickly the mess hall was engulfed in green flames.
"Hey!" He shouted to no one in particular. He scrambled onto the riverbank, reaching for Riptide. For a second he panicked as he remembered Pontus had confiscated it. He found it in his pocket, however, and the familiar SHINK was music to his ears.
He ran into the blazing structure, eyes darting everywhere. The fire played tricks on him, shadows dancing everywhere. He turned 360 degrees, searching desperately. No one.
Then the warrior in black armor, the murderer of Chiron, materialized out of pure shadow thrusting his sword. Percy barely managed a parry and immediately the blood rushed to his head. His gut clenched even as he riposted another stab and a thousand gallons of water rose out of the river. But the warrior had grown much stronger than last they met.
He delivered a savage spartan kick right to his chest and sent Percy literally flying out of the pavilion, easily 50 feet. Even as he crashed down the hill, Percy knew the blow had broken some chest bones. As he rolled to a stop, he could barely gasp in air. His sword had been lost in the flight and it was not materializing back in his pocket.
He had to use all his willpower to fight through the excruciating pain and stand. His heart stopped beating for a second as he saw Camp Half-Blood in flames. The Arts and Crafts Building, the tattered net of the Volleyball Court, the cabins all turned to ash, the forests blazing and the screams of hundreds of thousands of dryads and spirits. The Forge, the Stables, the Armory, the Big House...
And then there were the bodies. Miranda Gardener, Paolo, Harley, Clarisse's spear broken into pieces, and a hundred others. Some headless, others staring lifelessly at the stars. He heard footsteps behind him and a small chuckle. From there, Percy found the coal for his furnace. After that, he felt nothing. Riptide was back in his pocket. He turned in a flash of bronze, crosscutting so swiftly the warrior's sword barely twitched. Unfortunately, Riptide only managed some harmless scratches on the metal.
The armored immortal grunted in surprise but quickly recovered. His strength was unbelievable. With every parry, Percy's sword almost went flying. After a few short but brutal exchanges Percy split for breath, baring his teeth like a lone wolf. The mask hid his face but now that he saw him clearly, Percy realized he was shorter than a week before. Significantly shorter. But when he brought his stygian iron sword up for a salute, Percy registered that this was the same blade that killed Chiron.
"You're a coward!" He snarled. "Hiding behind a mask. Take it off and face me! Have the courage to look me in the eyes."
"Percy," He laughed. "You know who I am...Seaweed Brain."
The voice was for painfully familiar. The mask covered the most important notes that he knew he would recognize immediately. He roared and charged.
The warrior kept talking. "Just seven days ago, you were the god. Now my blood runs gold."
That voice...
Percy went again for another exchange and found himself unarmed. The warrior kicked him again. This time, Percy got a mouthful of dirt and blood. The god yanked him to his knees by the hair from behind and placed him in a nasty chokehold. Percy gurgled out blood, trying to speak. To demand he show his face. The traitor. Instead, the god produced a celestial bronze knife.
The Cursed Blade...Annabeth's knife.
Percy redoubled his efforts, snarling and scratching and everything in between. It didn't stop the blade from burying itself under his left arm, in the same spot as Luke Castellan.
Percy gasped and went into a coughing fit. "That was a mistake."
His voice carried directly into his ear. "I don't agree."
And Percy knew.
Nico yanked the knife out and shoved him into the dirt once more. Percy gasped, turning onto his back.
He removed his helmet and let it fall to the ground.
"...Why?" Percy managed.
The son of Hades smiled. "I don't know. After the Titan captured me, I think I went insane. I'm not sure. I'm still trying to figure it out."
Despite everything, Percy managed a laugh. "You survived Tartarus...and a Titan breaks you?"
Nico had the nerve to join him in laughter. "I know, it's ridiculous. But he's smart. It's not exactly how much power he has, although he has plenty, it's how he uses it. The secrets he's uncovered. He found out how to mind-control half-bloods. And he's shooting for gods now, if you can believe it. Well, technically I'm the prototype, I guess."
"Fight it!" He urged, trying to ignore the metallic taste of blood that filled his mouth. "You've gone through so much worse, just fight it!"
Nico just grinned. "He's ordered me to hunt down all surviving demigods, you know. I'm gonna use this to kill her. So poetic."
"If you touch her!" Percy scowled so fiercely the old Nico would've cowered.
But not this one. "You'll what? You've got a date with a Titan, buddy. It'll be quick, I promise. She won't feel a thing."
Percy howled in rage and made to rise. Nico simply crushed his palm into a fist and the ground beneath Percy broke away and he fell a long way.
When Percy woke, he briefly thought it was all just a nightmare. Then he recognized the throne room of Hades. He remembered the aura of death and tragedy and found himself connecting with it. Around his ankles and wrists were celestial bronze shackles. On the throne itself sat a being no one could confuse for Hades.
He was a ten feet tall Titan dressed from shoulder to toe in stygian iron armor with a large smooth stone glowing with blue power. A cloak covered his face but his mouth was in sight and horribly scarred. A massive sword was sheathed at his waist. At his sides were Iris and Nike chained by the neck. Floating above them, tied four point was Thanatos, bloody and beaten.
The Titan was staring at him as if Percy was the most fascinating antique in a vast museum. "So much tribulation for one half-blood. Astonishing."
Percy didn't have the energy. "Fuck you."
Now he looked disappointed. "I heard you had such wit, Perseus Jackson. What happened to you?"
Percy glared murderously. "You happened. You. And I don't even know your name."
"Pleasure to meet you. My name is Coeus."
"Never heard of you."
"Really? I recall many a rumor of two demigods standing before the Doors of Death down in the dark depths of Tartarus."
"Oh...yeah, now it's coming back. You're the Shakespeare guy. How in Hades did you survive that? Speaking of Hades, where is he?"
"Well, normally that would spell certain death for anyone but I am the Titan of Foresight. I knew what would happen and I stashed a piece of my soul with my wife and she brought me back. As for Hades, I killed him."
He tried to process the information but it wouldn't compute. How could Hades be dead? Percy had to find a way to escape. Zeus would have to listen to him after this. The Olympians couldn't just stand around now. He had to keep him talking.
"It really has all gone to shit. You know what? I know you sent your crony Janus. Tell my why you chose me of all people?"
Coeus leaned forward. "I asked myself the same question a thousand times. The answer? The Fates favor you. Heavily. It's almost as if you're their champion. And I knew I couldn't try anything against Olympus until I figured out why. And, of course, I did."
Percy sneakily tried to reach for Riptide or find any kind of tool that might liberate him but this guy's eyes wouldn't leave him for a second. "Care to share?"
"Absolutely. You're part Primordial."
Percy froze. All of a sudden, his conversation with Pontus came rushing back. "What?"
"I know, I was surprised as well. Because your father is very obviously Poseidon and your mother Sally Jackson is actually your biological mother. And for years, I couldn't figure it out. Until...I remembered the stories of how your father mated with his own grandmother Gaea. Multiple times, in fact. I think I would go as far as to say Gaea was his favorite mate."
Percy felt something stir in his blood. He wasn't sure if it was anger or disgust or what but he suddenly hated Coeus for telling him this. "Shut up!"
"But alas, Zeus came along with his laws and decreed no one was to lay with any enemy of Olympus. Paranoid, as always. And Poseidon, we should give him credit, was a good boy and respected the boundaries. Gaea, however...she had an appetite. When she caught wind of Poseidon courting a certain mortal woman back in 1993, she couldn't take it anymore. To spend time with him she became one with Sally Jackson in spirit and one night, a copulation between three souls occurred. Fascinating really."
Percy shook his head, shaking with rage. "You sick fuck."
Coeus raised an eyebrow, looking around. "Me? I stay faithful to my wife, boy. Good thing your mother's mom died in that plane crash or maybe your father's genetics would compel you to make a little second generation half blood with her."
Coeus roared with laughter as Percy thrashed and yanked at the chains, using every curse word he could think of. "I'm just teasing you, boy. But seriously, it's tugging at my curiosity exactly what percentage Primordial you are. But we know it's enough that at this point, without even tapping into your true potential, you could take on minor gods and win. With training, we could find out exactly how powerful someone of your kind would become. And there's also that: you're not a half-blood. We could call your species part-blood or something. There have been worse names. This would also explain why Gaea hated you so much. To mate with your father, she had to mate with a mortal woman. I wonder if Poseidon knows of this."
Percy wanted to cut his own ears off. He didn't want to listen to a word the Titan said but he was compelled. It lined up with what Pontus said. Who else but a Primordial to recognize another of the same blood type? It was just too crazy to believe. It was too revolting to contemplate. For a lot of his demigod life, Percy ignored for the most part the family trees and tried not to think too much about it but now it was like a dam bursting. Every connection that could be made was there. Zeus and Hera who were siblings, his dad and Gaea, Hades married his niece Persephone, daughter of Zeus and Demeter who were siblings. It was an incest fest and it was poisoning his brain.
Percy finally just drowned it all out and focused on the only question he had left. "What are you going to do with me? Make me a brainwashed soldier like Nico?"
Coeus rubbed his chin. "Believe me, I would like to. But there isn't enough time to figure it out. If I don't get rid of you in the next hour, the Fates themselves barge into this very room and rescue you. If I kill you, they can simply retrieve your soul, despite me being the new Lord of the Underworld. I must erase your existence, boy, and there is only one way to do it. Any other way goes wrong for me."
Coeus suddenly began laughing. He laughed and laughed until tears ran from his eyes. He stammered, "And you know what the funny part is? I can tell you how exactly it'll happen and you can do absolutely nothing to prevent it. Whatever course you take, the future I set for you is unavoidable. So to give you peace of mind for your last few days, I'll tell you what I'm gonna do:
"With Thanatos at my control, I can release the dead onto the mortal world and take it over completely. With Nico, I will eliminate the survivors from the camps and exterminate the up and coming generation of half-bloods. With Athena by my side, I will lure the Olympians one by one out of hiding and kill them, absorbing their power. When the Primordial War arrives, I will be powerful enough to fight them off and allow this world to thrive once and for all. Something Zeus could never do. I am here to administer justice as it is deserved and save this world. You could never call that dishonorable. As for you, I'm going to throw you into Tartarus and you will eventually, one way or the other, fall into Chaos itself."
"And that." Coeus stood, walking over to him. "Is how one being outsmarts Fate itself."
Percy could have begged. He could have fought or struggled. He could have tried to make a deal. But he didn't. Percy could do nothing right now. If what Coeus said was true, he would have his only chance to reverse the outcome down in Tartarus. If Thanatos was chained, the Doors of Death would be chained. He could come back.
Percy straightened his back and closed his eyes, trying to control his breathing. He would come back.
"Remember my words: I will come for you." Percy promised.
Coeus smiled with his disfigured lips and opened the Pit directly to Tartarus. He watched Percy Jackson fall silently until he could no longer.
"I have already forgotten you, boy."
A/N:
Hello, at this point I've gone 33 hours without sleep so forgive me if the writing is a little bit all over the place. Again no editing, too tired for that shit. Let me know what you think in a review. Don't forget to favorite/follow for more. **Did it go where you were expecting?**
We're getting very close to the end of Part 1 of the Half-Blood God. I think maybe 2 or 3 more chapters to wrap up some of these people's stories and then we're moving in a new direction.
If there is one question I have for you guys, it is which storyline do you find more engaging? Zeus and Hecate is one. Percy Alone is another. The Survivors of Camp Half-Blood is third. Nico is fourth which closely ties in to number three since he is the hunter to their prey. Coeus I try not to include too much of because I'm not sure how to write him yet as a villain, but maybe he's the fifth storyline. If you guys want more Coeus I could definitely do that. Maybe I'll put a poll up or something. I'll think about it.
Bonus question: do you peeps have a favorite death or do you find them melodramatic?