Chapter 12: Vows Made
Thalia POV
(Tamriel)
Thalia's eyes shot open and she leaped up expecting to have Angmar's sword against her neck. What she found was that she was in a clean room, wearing a freshly cleaned dress (which she hated). Thalia jumped at the sound of the room door opening. A being of immense power entered the room. This being was so powerful Thalia felt the urge to run and hide, but before she could form any coherent thought other than running the being spoke,
"Oh Thalia, I spent many weeks creating you. Other than Percy and Annabeth, I spent the most time on you personally."
Thalia found her tongue and quickly said,
"Where am I!? Who are you!? Where is Angmar!?"
The being chuckled sadly,
"I am Chaos, the creator. You are in my castle on my personal world of Tamriel. And as for Angmar, I've no clue. My best spy was forced to leave his army a few days after the battle of New Rome."
"But why am I here?"
"Angmar, in a period of mercy, had slain you in battle but before you fully died, he transported you here so you could live for eternity in peace."
"Why would he do that? We are enemies."
"Angmar must have known you remained loyal to Percy."
"But why'd he save me?"
"Before I explain you must know this. The only reason Angmar has invaded Earth at all is so he may gain vengeance for the betrayal of Percy Jackson. Now onto your original question, he spared your life, I believe, because he believes he is doing what Percy would want him to do."
"Percy would never want his friends to suffer for their mistakes. Even if they did what they did."
"I don't know why but this is what Angmar believes. Now I have an offer for you, if you choose to reject it you may stay here safe for all time. But if you accept, you will feel pain you've never felt before."
Thalia was silent for a moment, thinking over Chaos's words. Finally she said, "What is your offer?"
"Young Thalia, I wish you to become the commander of what's left of my army. My original commander was killed in the early days of Angmar's invasion. Without a competent leader, my army has been unable to mount a serious defense against Angmar's forces."
"I accept."
"Do you realize what you must go through to prove yourself to the survivors?"
"I do not, but I will succeed. I have to. What Angmar is doing is a crime, and I vow to give everything I have to stop him."
"Then follow me."
"One question before we continue my lord."
"Yes young Thalia?"
"How will I complete decades of training when all we have are days maybe weeks?"
"I will have time on Earth run slower than on Tamriel so that one year here is like an hour on Earth."
"Understood Lord Chaos."
Chaos smiled then motioned towards the door and left the room.
Angmar POV
(Earth)
Angmar had been leading his army on their march towards Camp Half-Blood for days now, and he couldn't shake the feeling that he had made a mistake by saving Thalia's life. Angmar pulled himself out of his thoughts when Sauron rode his mount up next to him,
"What is it General?"
"Sir, the men are exhausted. I advise that we make camp, before we make contact with our enemies."
"Alright Sauron, send the order. I shall be in my tent if any need me."
"Yes my lord."
Sauron bowed his head and shouted for the whole army to hear,
"Halt and make camp!"
The whole army shouted in unison,
"Aye!"
The constant rhythm of marching feet and tank tracks stopped and soldiers broke formation to sent up their squads's tents. Angmar simply waved his hand and his tent materialized. Angmar took one last look over his vast army, dismounted and entered his tent to attempt contact with Mobius, whom he missed dearly. After several failed attempts, Angmar simply shook his head in despair and retired to bed. Angmar woke to the sound of his tent flap opening, Angmar drew his dagger and faced the threat. Angmar's eyes adjusted to the sudden light and he saw one of the National Guardsmen under his command standing at the entrance. Angmar sheathed his dagger and said,
"What is it?"
"Sir. A report from your father's spies in Tamriel."
"Hand it here."
The soldier nodded and handed the packet to Angmar. Angmar then dismissed the soldier and began looking over the report. Angmar reached the end of the report and cursed loudly,
"Gods be damned! Curse my damned mercy on her! I shall kill her for this betrayal!"
Angmar became silent then mentally called his advisors to him. After waiting for several minutes Angmar sensed his advisors' arrival. Angmar then said,
"Enter."
The three beings of immense power entered Angmar's tent. Angmar gazed at their haggard expressions and spoke first,
"Sauron you look troubled, what is it?"
"My lord, our Turian scouts have reported that a massive army has encamped itself across the mighty Mississippi River."
"Did they see any banners? I need to know who we are dealing with here."
"My lord. It's Chaos's army."
Angmar cursed vividly. Once he calmed down he said,
"How have they mustered such a large force? We obliterated them in Los Angeles."
"I have no idea my lord, but I have faith in your ability to command and our troops."
"Thank you Sauron."
Angmar then said to all three of the others,
"Wake the troops, I will telepathically tell our officers the plan. I want my army ready by sunrise."
Hector, Achilles and Sauron all saluted and briskly turned to carry out their lord's orders. Angmar then called Aloeus to his tent. The young squire arrived in no time and greeted his lord. Angmar nodded at his squire and said,
"Young Aloeus, help me into my armor. Then prepare yourself to ride at my side for this battle."
Aloeus looked visibly shaken,
"My lord, you wish for me to fight along side you? You honor me my liege."
"I only do this because I know you need battle experience."
Aloeus nodded and proceeded to assist Angmar in donning his armor. With the process completed, Angmar looked at his sword and shield and mentally sighed,
'Why must all my life be war? It's as if the fates love to ruin me.'
Angmar then willed his sword and shield to morph into a massive two-handed sword. Hector, Achilles and Sauron entered the tent and looked shocked at their lord's change of weapon. Hector asked,
"Lord, why have you changed your armament?"
"Hector, I feel this new sword will be a bit more frightening to our enemies in Chaos's camp. And I would love to destroy Chaos's new commander with a more imposing weapon."
Achilles spoke up,
"So you're going for a more psychological approach then my Prince?"
"Of course Achilles, now is the army ready?"
"Just as you have commanded my Lord."
"Good, prepare my Knights. I swear to you! At sunrise we will engage and destroy Chaos's armyonce and for all!"
Angmar then dismissed his captains, and emerged out of his tent and walked towards the edge of his army's encampment to stand vigil until the sun rose.
(Omega POV)
Omega was exhausted from the constant training she had endured on Tamriel, but she was prepared to halt Angmar's relentless advance. Omega had been rebuilding Chaos's shattered army while Chaos altered time to allow for the army to regroup. Omega was intently looking over the plans for the coming battle when Chaos's best spy walked in. Omega sensed her and said,
"What is it Mobius? You know I can sense you."
Mobius bowed and said,
"My lady, I know you don't trust me because I was so long embedded in Order's kingdom but I have news that you must know."
Omega snapped at her,
"What is it!?"
"My Lady, I know Angmar's true identity."
Omega felt her face drain of all color as she prayed that her worst fear wouldn't be realized,
"Who is he?"
Omega asked cautiously.
"He is your cousin, Percy. Or... He was, before you know..."
Mobius trailed off. Omega dropped to her knees as she finally realized the true weight of her vow that she'd made. Omega asked, tears starting to form in her eyes,
"Mobius how do you know this? And why didn't Chaos tell me?"
"Angmar told me who he was and this the exact reason Chaos didn't tell you. He was worried you wouldn't have the strength to kill your cousin."
"I can't bring myself to do it."
"Omega, Percy is dead. The hero you once knew died centuries ago when you all betrayed him. He won't hesitate one bit when it comes to killing you or anyone else he once fought so hard to protect."
"How did he trust you enough for him to tell you?"
Mobius lowered her hood and said,
"Because I showed him who I was and he knew I had no hand in his betrayal."
Omega gasped loudly,
"Bianca!?"
Omega got over shock quickly,
"Don't you realize that once he finds out you were never with him, his wrath and anger will be immense?"
"I do, now I need to know. Will you face Angmar in battle tomorrow? Or will I have to lead for you?"
"Bianca, I can't do it."
Omega had never been one for crying but the emotional shock was to much.
"Fine Thalia, just know that I won't be able to do this again."
"Thank you Bianca."
A/N: I thank you all for your patience. You'll be happy to know that my update schedule will be a bit more stable now that I've graduated BCT. Anyway, as always please review and I hope you enjoy.