I wrote another chapter way faster than I'll ever update in the future. I'm a very slow updater, so I apologize. There's another author's note at the end, because I had to change up a myth. If you know a lot about myths, I can hopefully explain it all then.
Percy attacked his opponent with precision and skill that made it seem that he had been fighting since he was a toddler. He unleashed attacks with skill and his unpredictable nature made him a formidable opponent in battle.
Hestia often told him that he was unpredictable, just like the sea. Although Percy didn't like thinking of Poseidon as his father, he still loved everything water-related.
Percy attempted a simple disarming maneuver, knocking his opponent's blade out of her hand. He quickly pressed his sword to her throat.
"I surrender. You've gotten quite good." Hestia said, smiling. Percy sheathed his sword. "You'll need a better teacher. I am a peaceful goddess, I am not nearly as good as most, but many still assume I never practice."
Her son nodded. His mother preferred pretty much anything over violence, as her family often resorted to combat. But many assumed she was out of practice, but she quite enjoyed sword fighting. She would never fight in a war—it was against her nature—but it didn't keep her from learning.
"I think it might be time for you to visit your uncle." The goddess said, and Percy grinned. "He might be able to lend a soul to help you out."
"Let's go!" Percy exclaimed excitedly, grabbing his mother's hand as she traveled through the fire to Hades' palace. Gods couldn't enter each other's domains without permission, but Hades had given Hestia permission to enter the Underworld whenever she pleased. He didn't have many visitors in the first place.
As they traveled through the flames, Percy fantasized for the day he'd finally be able to do the same. He was decent with his powers, but they were hard to master. He was much better with his water powers as they were in his blood. Hestia also wanted Percy to be able to use both at the same time, a very difficult feat for the nine-year-old. Fire and water conflicted each other, but Percy was grasping the ability to find the balance.
Percy opened his eyes to Hades' magnificent palace, gasping in awe. The walls were pitch black with silver accents, and the Lord of the Underworld's throne was breathtaking. It was made of black marble, with skulls placed delicately on its arms. Percy found it terrifyingly beautiful. The god himself was seated on the throne, and the demigod could instantly tell how lonely he felt. He had a tablet in hand, and was typing away furiously.
The god's obsidian eyes darted towards the two, immediately focusing on the boy. "Uncle Hades." Percy said with a bow, Hestia smiling next to him. She had taught Percy to respect gods who warranted respect, and was proud Percy could read Hades so quickly.
"Is this your child?" Hades said, lazily pointing a finger towards the boy, who had now risen from his bow. Hades refused to let it be known that the boy had peaked his interest.
Hestia nodded. "Percy." She now turned towards the boy. "This is your uncle, Hades, which you already know."
Percy pulled on his mother's arm, and she leaned down to hear what he had to say. "Why is he so lonely?" He whispered, but Hades could still hear.
The god flushed, almost wanting to destroy the boy right where he stood, but he could tell Percy meant no malice in his statement. He was simply curious, and Hades could understand that.
"I am not lonely." The god lied.
"Mom, he's a bad liar." Percy whispered again. "I think I would be lonely too." He added as an afterthought.
Hades suppressed a grin, unsure of exactly why he wanted to grin in the first place. He was the Lord of the Underworld; he did not find nine-year-olds—especially ones of his brother—entertaining.
"I told you that you would like him." Hestia said, seeing through her brother's façade.
"I don't know what you're going on about, sister." Hades denied. "Now, what has brought you both here?"
Percy looked up to his mother, who spoke for him. "There is not much left I can teach Percy in combat. I was wondering if you could lend a soul."
Hades shook his head. "I cannot let souls leave the Underworld." He almost melted at the sight of his nephew's sad face, and quickly continued. "He could stay here for most of the year—just not winter. Persephone would most likely be confused as to why I'm housing a son of Hestia. There would be many questions I do not wish to answer."
The goddess smiled, glad her brother had come up with a compromise. She looked to Percy, who nodded excitedly. The demigod wanted to learn how to fight, and spend some time with his family.
"Will you be able to visit me?" Percy asked his mother, who nodded. The demigod looked from his mother to Hades. "Will I be safe?" He asked.
Hades nodded. "I will not let you be harmed."
"Pinky promise?" Percy asked with a smile, and Hades looked down at him with confusion. Hestia chuckled from behind her son, encouraging Hades to do as her son asked.
Hades tentatively extended his finger, standing up from his throne. Percy smiled as their fingers interlaced. It had quickly become Percy's way of swearing on the Styx, and Hestia found it adorable.
"Percy, you stay here with Hades while I grab your things. My brother will show you around." Hestia said, and before anyone could say anything, disappeared in a burst of flames.
Hades silently cursed his sister for leaving him alone with the child so unexpectedly. "Follow me."
Hades led his nephew out of the palace, making sure to steer clear of the Fields of Punishment. Percy didn't need to be exposed to the horrors of the Underworld at a year shy of ten. At some point in their walk, Percy had grabbed the god's hand, causing Hades to blush. Percy was enthralled with the Isles of the Blest and Elysium. Hades, oddly enough, let the demigod play with Cerberus. He even told him what Cerberus' name really meant, which left Percy in fits of laughter.
"Now, promise you won't go over there," Hades pointed to the Fields of Punishment, which were just in view. "Alright?"
Percy nodded, following Hades back to the palace. They walked in silence for a few moments, until Percy said, "It's very pretty."
Hades looked down at the boy in confusion. Did he just call the Underworld, the home of the dead, pretty?
"It is!" Percy protested, laughing as they approached the palace once again. "Your palace is beautiful! And the Isles of the Blest are even more magnificent than I would have thought!"
Hades chuckled. "I guess you're right." They approached the palace doors. "I'll show you to your room."
He led his nephew through the palace, with Percy animatedly talking about his life. When they finally reached Percy's new room, Hestia was sitting on the bed. She had set up the room, all of Percy's belongings tucked neatly into the drawers.
"Mom!" Percy said excitedly, jumping onto his bed next to her. "Uncle Hades showed me all around the Underworld! He showed me Cerberus!"
Hades stood in the doorway, but let out a chuckle. "Cerberus has taken quite a liking to your son." Hestia laughed
"Has he told you what Cerberus means?" Percy asked excitedly, practically bouncing on the bed. Hades had told his sister, but she wasn't about to spoil her son's excitement.
Hestia shook her head. "No, he hasn't." She gave a look to her brother who still stood in the corner. She knew that this wasn't a story he told often. Hades had an involuntary smile on his face.
"It means spot!" Percy said excitedly. "Isn't that right, Uncle Hades!"
The two looked up to Hades, who nodded. Hestia gestured for him to sit on the bed, and Hades moved over to awkwardly sit on the edge of the bed. "You can't tell anyone, Percy." Hades chided half-heartedly. "Cerberus still has to keep his terrifying appearance, even if he really likes to play fetch."
Percy nodded, smiling but with a stern face. "I promise."
Hestia stood up. "I must be going." She planted a kiss to Percy's head. "I'll see you both soon." Percy watched as she teleported away in flames.
"Ready to get started with your training?" Hades asked, and Percy's face brightened, nodding vigorously. "Grab my hand. I'll shadow travel us to the training arena."
Percy nodded, until he felt the terrible sensation of shadow travelling. It felt as if his insides were being torn apart, and the terrible feeling of darkness all around him. The second he felt he couldn't take it anymore, it ended. Percy fell to his knees, and Hades immediately went into full-panic.
"Percy!" Hades' eyes were wide. "I'm sorry, I forgot that you haven't shadow-travelled before."
Percy finally stood up, waving it off. "I'm fine, Uncle Hades. Little warning next time." He dusted off his pants.
Hades nodded. "I'll warn you next time. Are you ready to start your training?" Percy nodded. "Good."
The god began to test Percy on his skills and natural instincts. Even though he had very little training, Percy could probably already best most, if not all, of the campers at Camp Half Blood. He was terrible at archery, but decent with everything else.
"You're very good with a sword, so you'll start a little bit ahead in that aspect. You'll learn how to wield daggers and archery, and I can help you with your powers on weekends. Sounds good?"
"Yup." Percy said, popping the 'p.' "Will I be able to practice on weekends too?"
Hades chuckled lightly. "You may, yes, but your teachers will not be able to help you. They need breaks as well."
Percy nodded. "Can I meet my teachers?"
Hades pulled out a tablet, nodding. "Let me send Alecto for them." A few seconds later, Alecto appeared with two figures.
"My Lord, who is this?" She asked, wary of the half blood.
Hades signaled for her to stand down. "My nephew, Percy Jackson, adopted son of Hestia." Alecto nodded warily, and flew away.
Standing in front of Percy was an oddly familiar man who couldn't have been older than twenty with short blonde hair, and an injured ankle. An intimidating blonde woman who seemed to be of the same age stood next to him, a bow strapped to her back and daggers strapped to her side.
"Percy, meet Achilles and Atalanta, your tutors for your stay in the Underworld."
Okay so bear with me as I explain Atalanta and Achilles. First, ages in Greek Mythology are weird so I just set them to be not yet twenty. Also, for those of you who know this myth of Atalanta, she was turned into a lion. That didn't happen, because that's just not how this story will go. It's not going to change anything, but just for those who were wondering. I'm also having her as a previous hunter. If you're a huge mythology buff, it doesn't really fit because Atalanta wasn't a maiden... but whatever. I really like Greek Mythology too, but for this to all work this is how it'll go.
Essentially, in this story, Atalanta was a hunter who is now dead, long story short. Sorry for any confusion!