Ahhh! This chapter ended up being much longer than I expected. Honestly I'm really pumped. I don't exactly love this chapter, but I feel proud enough with how it turned out. Next chapter Percy will be fourteen, and then I won't be skipping around with his age so much from then on. I'm really excited to introduce more demigods! Also, there are some demigods in this chapter! This story, as it says in the description, will be Perzoë.
Also, it ended up kind of like a cliffhanger? I don't really know why it feels like one to me but there's nothing else that needs to happen before Percy turns 14.
Something was off, Percy could feel it. At only twelve years old, he had learned to trust his gut more than anything else.
Even his uncle had been quite odd. After he'd told Percy about his missing helm and Zeus' bolt, he had canceled lessons for the week, which Percy had understood. But now, something was very wrong. Something in the Underworld was amiss.
"Are you alright, Perseus?" Achilles asked, lowering his sword. Despite Percy's constant protests, Achilles had never called him Percy. The son of Hestia had begun to think that the hero found his irritation entertaining.
"There's something wrong." He stated. "I know it." Percy turned back to Achilles. "May I go?"
Achilles sighed, but nodded. "Be careful, Perseus. I know your instincts are often correct. Run along."
Percy grinned at his mentor, running off to find Atalanta. They had become siblings, and Atalanta was always excited for an adventure.
Hades had given the two late heroes free-roam of the Underworld, after they had sworn on the Styx that they wouldn't attempt to leave. Even though they were dead, the punishment still applied.
Percy spotted Atalanta at the outskirts of Elysium, and called her over. Hades had never let Percy truly experience Elysium, but the god had promised that he could one day.
"I was about to obliterate them." She said with a mock-frown, gesturing towards a group of people who seemed to be having an archery competition. Noticing his serious expression, she softened. "What's the matter?"
The son of Hestia sighed, explaining the odd feeling. Atalanta paled. She had learned many times that when Percy had a feeling, it was usually right. "You're gonna help me, right?"
She nodded. "We can go check on Cerberus. If something's the matter, he should know."
Percy agreed, and they walked to the Gates of the Underworld.
"What do you think's going on, Perce?" Atalanta asked, quite curious.
He shrugged. "Something bad. I almost feel…" He trailed off. Atalanta elbowed him, and he continued. "Like there's someone here."
Atalanta tilted her head in confusion. "You don't think…"
"That people are here? Without permission?" He confirmed, and saying it aloud it sounded slightly insane. "It would make sense." The mood of the Underworld had flipped, making Percy feel as if someone else was there. Of course, he was a live demigod in the Underworld, but he was allowed to be here. Whoever these people were, were most definitely not.
Atalanta's bow and quiver materialized on her back, ready to fire at a moment's notice. Percy had his hand in his pocket, clutching Riptide, waiting for someone to jump out and attack them.
"Oh gods." The deceased hunter swore as she saw Cerberus in front of them. Cerberus wasn't the thing she was worried about—it was the three demigods who were just getting past him.
"Holy Hera." Percy said, pulling Atalanta out of the demigods' line of sight. His eyes were wide in fear. "Why are demigods here?"
Atalanta looked just as affronted as Percy, shrugging.
"Oh my gods. They're here because of Zeus' Bolt." Percy realized, paling. "Uncle Hades was telling me that his helm was stolen too, but he wouldn't have said anything. They must have assumed it was him." Percy said with a frown. Why did everyone always assume it was Hades? His uncle was a good person, but everyone assumed he was evil.
Percy watched as the blonde girl was holding a red rubber ball, with something written on it. Percy figured she was a daughter of Athena, if her blonde hair and grey eyes weren't proof enough.
In front of her were two more boys, one a satyr and the other… Percy frowned. He recognized the boy's sea green eyes and dark hair. He felt his power—albeit it was very little—and the ocean that surely ran through his veins.
Atalanta squeezed his shoulder, clearly coming to the same conclusion. He didn't want to turn around and face her gaze of pity.
He still hadn't forgiven his 'father.' He had never seen him as a father, but knew better than to hold a strong resentment against a powerful god. Poseidon had also given him his abilities over water, and he wouldn't trade that for the god to not be his father.
He shook the thoughts out of his head and continued to examine the group. The satyr had a wispy beard, and horns barely peeking out of his curly hair. He looked quite terrified, which Percy understood. Satyrs didn't enjoy being underground, whatsoever, from what he'd heard.
They finally were close enough so Percy and Atalanta could overhear their conversation.
"I'm telling you, there's another half-blood here!" The satyr exclaimed, stopping. The group halted, and turned to look at him. "I can smell it! It's a mix of…" He paused. "The ocean and a campfire."
The boy laughed, which Percy thought was quite rude. The satyr could problem smell Percy, and his 'brother' seemed to think that he was a joke. "You're a fluke, Grover. You're probably just sensing my power."
Percy resisted the urge to throw a fireball at his head, when the blonde girl pushed him instead. "Orion!" She said, and Percy could feel the anger in her voice. "Ever say that about my friends again and I'll kill you."
The boy—Orion—scoffed. "As if. You couldn't kill me if you tried."
Before the girl could say anything in response, Grover, the satyr, stepped in. "Come on, Annabeth. Faster we go the quicker we get this quest over."
Annabeth nodded reluctantly, and the three continued walking. Percy and Atalanta let them walk by, not moving a muscle until they were far out of earshot.
"I hate him." Percy said simply, and Atalanta nodded. Orion seemed to be the exact kind of male she hated, much like his original counterpart.
"The girl, Annabeth, I think, would make a great hunter." Atalanta added, and Percy chuckled.
"Always looking for new recruits, even after death." Percy replied. "Wanna go follow them?"
Atalanta grinned and nodded. "Of course." They followed them like true hunters—which they clearly were. Their footsteps made no sound as they snuck through the Underworld.
Percy quickly grew tired of Orion's constant whining. How the daughter of Athena hadn't put an arrow through his skull was beyond Percy. He certainly would have.
The son of Hestia found that just from observing Grover he was someone he would have been friends with. The satyr was timid, but Percy could tell he carried a weight on his shoulders.
He wasn't very updated on current events in the mortal world, but he did know a fair amount of the important events in the demigod world. His mind jumped to Thalia. He resisted smacking himself. Annabeth and Grover were Thalia's friends. The ones she died for, and a guy named Luke.
Sometimes, he had to thank his ADHD for making the connections for him.
They kept walking until Orion's shoes acted up. Percy recognized them as something similar to Hermes' winged shoes. Why would a son of Poseidon even wear flying shoes in the first place? That seemed to be a major lapse in judgement.
He somehow managed to knock them off before he was dragged into Tartarus. Annabeth goaded them along, seemingly desperate to get away from there. Orion was oddly hesitant, but they pulled him along.
"They're entering Uncle Hades' Palace." Percy said with a frown. He wanted to know more about these people. Annabeth and Grover seemed very nice, but this supposed brother of his was intriguing. He was cocky and, as far as Percy could gather, a terrible person. "I guess that's it then."
Atalanta punched him in the arm. "Idiot. You can fire travel into a hallway." He looked up at her in awe for thinking of it. "Yeah, yeah, I'm amazing. Just get us in there. You're not the only one who's interested in these kids."
Percy rolled his eyes but grabbed her hand, travelling them until they were right outside of Hades' throne room. They positioned themselves so they were hidden behind a conveniently placed oddly-shaped plant. Persephone sure had odd tastes.
"You stole the bolt." Orion said bluntly. Percy could practically feel Hades' anger.
"I did no such thing. You stole both my helm and Zeus' bolt, son of Poseidon." Hades replied with malice, and Percy actually felt a little hurt. He pushed it aside; it wasn't as if anyone thought of him as a son of Poseidon—besides Poseidon himself.
Annabeth ripped the bag from Orion's hands and opened it. She gasped as she saw the master bolt, glowing with power. A growl slipped out of her throat as she looked upon the demigod.
Percy could already tell Orion hadn't stolen the bolt. He was obviously a terrible liar and the pure shock on his face was something that couldn't have been faked.
Annabeth quickly seemed to deduce this as well.
"Ares." Grover said, and the room seemingly turned towards him.
"Grover, do you have the pearls?" Annabeth asked, and he nodded.
Hades looked on in confusion. Percy assumed he had deduced that neither of these demigods were the culprit, and now just wanted to see what was going on. But with Hades, Percy never really knew.
Grover tossed a pearl to both Annabeth and Orion. Annabeth caught it, while it just dissolved under Orion's feet as he failed, miserably, to catch it. He quickly dissolved into mist, floating to the ceiling and disappearing.
Annabeth rolled her eyes as both she and Grover threw the pearls below their feet. "We'll return your helm, Lord Hades." She said sincerely, as they turned into a sea mist, starting to float up into the ceiling.
Hades' confusion was evident in his voice. "I misjudged you, godling." He said quietly, right before they hit the ceiling and disappeared. He sat there silently for a moment until he snapped his fingers, and Percy could tell that he was somehow signaling the three furies.
Alecto, Megaera, and Tisiphone entered through the heavy palace doors. They walked in complete formation, Alecto in front with Megaera and Tisiphone flanking her on each side. "You have called for us, my Lord?"
Hades nodded. "Follow the three demigods that have just left the Underworld. They will reappear somewhere in the sea, presumably nearby. A son of Poseidon, a daughter of Athena and a satyr. Watch them, do not kill."
They nodded and flew away. "Percy, Atalanta, I can sense you."
Percy blushed. He and Atalanta stepped out from behind their hiding spot, Atalanta standing tall. Gods, Percy wished he could have Atalanta's courage.
"I am not mad, Percy." Hades said with a slight smile. "Atalanta can clearly sense that."
Atalanta laughed, but gave a quick yet respectful bow. "I am still sorry for looking on, Lord Hades."
Hades waved a hand. "Not a problem, but I presume I have much to explain. Atalanta, Diane is waiting for you in the Underworld." Atalanta nodded and took her leave.
The god stepped down from his throne. He sat down on the steps, gesturing for Percy to do the same. "There are things in this world that are expected of me. I am the evil one, the one who seeks revenge by sending monsters after my enemies."
Hades sighed, but continued. "I hold grudges. But I do not hate every demigod. I hate those like Orion, who see themselves as superior to everyone else. I sent monsters after Thalia to get back at Zeus. Whenever anything happens, the blame is thrown at me."
"I know I am not a perfect person. I do regret that Thalia died, she deserved to live. She was strong and she was a fighter. But I hate my brother more than anything for what he took away from me."
"What did he take?" Percy questioned. He was surprised to hear all of this from his uncle. He knew that his uncle was partly at fault for the death of Thalia, but he somehow didn't hate the god. Percy understood what it felt like to hold so much hate towards someone that you'd do anything to just get back at them.
After all, he already had. Percy had asked Hades to send Alecto after Gabe. When he died, he was immediately sentenced to the Fields of Punishment. Even at a young age, Percy had thought of some very terrible punishments for his abusive stepfather.
Hades looked away, taking a deep breath. "Before the pact, I had two children; a lover too. Zeus killed her. I was able to save my children and hide them away in the Lotus Casino, where time stands still."
"Percy, you must never tell anyone that you stayed here, unless you know that you can trust them with your life. Your mother is the only one who speaks to me without being asked to. No matter what I will do I will always be the villain to the Olympians and their children. I do not want you to become the same."
"I will never understand why, Uncle." Percy frowned. He paused for a moment. "I will not tell anyone I was here. But I will find a way to make you recognized as something other than a villain, a savior."
Hades smiled. "Thank you, Percy. Maybe someday you will be the one to retrieve my children from the casino."
Percy smiled. He would do just that. His uncle deserved happiness. He deserved to get to know his own children.