Chapter 4

It's been about a week sense Percy's last talk with the big three, and when he found out Kronos' claim to adopt him. It's been on Percy's mind practically every second of everyday. He hasn't allowed any of the other god's voices into his mind, accept Athena.

She was keeping him updated on their news, kind of like his own spy. I never thought I'd see the day when Athena and I teamed up. Percy laughed to himself.

According to Athena the Gods have been discussing Percy's death a lot lately. Apparently the only thing keeping him alive is the possibility that he's telling the truth, and they might need him in the war. Who's to say Percy will even help them in the war?

Percy had also been trying to figure out Kronos' motivation for claiming to adopt him. How could that possibly help him defeat the gods? What, does he think if he started calling him "daddy" Poseidon will suffer too much to fight? At best he might just get angrier.

What are you playing at? Percy silently thought to himself.

"Playing at? War is hardly a game to me Percy. I want power. That's no joke."

Kronos. How long have you been listening in on my thoughts? Now was not the time to provide evidence of Percy working for Kronos.

"Not long. I was barely even listening in, just checking now and then."

Percy didn't trust him one bit.

Poseidon told me about your claim of adoption. What's that have to do with gaining power?

"Father and son tend to work better together." He said.

Right…

Well I think you should leave. I enjoy my thoughts to myself.

"Fine, Fine. But think about it. Together we could overpower the gods, and get back at your father. It's a win-win."

I'll keep that in mind. Said Percy, blocking Kronos from his mind.

Percy continued to walk aimlessly around camp, looking around. He paused before looking up at the sky, thinking. Suddenly, a voice whispered in the back of his mind, "Choose wisely, Percy. And be careful." Percy gasped. It was the same voice that whispered to him not too long ago. But whose voice was it?

Percy sighed, walking down to the arena. He took out the dagger he'd been using lately and started on the basics. Sense he gave up Riptide he needed a new weapon. Percy tried all the other swords, but he just couldn't seem to work with any of them.

They all seemed too heavy, or too light. Too long, or too short. Every single one was unbalanced. Finally he settled on a dagger. It was pretty simple. Celestial Bronze with a black handle. The grip felt like Riptide's in his hand.

He slashed, hacked and jabbed at the dummy. Percy liked his new dagger. Yeah, it was smaller so he had to get closer to the enemy to attack, but he liked the feeling of stabbing things. That may sound weird to you, like killer crazy weird, but it's the truth.

Annabeth uses a dagger. Luke gave it to her when she was younger. Percy always thought of daggers as a weapon for girls. Something only delicate people use, though Annabeth was far from delicate. To be honest, sometimes he felt more dangerous with the dagger. Probably because it's easier to kick, jab and roll in one movement.

Percy was tearing up the dummy when Nico came up to him.

"Hey Percy. Dad wants to know if he can talk to you." He said, walking up to Percy.

"Why does Hades want to talk?" asked Percy, not looking away from the half shredded dummy.

"Something to do with Kronos." Nico sighed. "I really don't know, but he doesn't want the rest of the gods to know either."

Percy paused from beating up the rubber body in front of him. "A private conversation?" he asked.

"Exactly." Said Nico. "I can shadow travel you there now if you want."

"Alright." Percy said wiping the sweat of his face with his shirt. "Let's go."

When Nico and Percy got to the Underworld they ended up right in Hades' throne room.

"Percy. Thanks for coming, but you couldn't bother to come clean?" Hades asked.

"I'm sorry, is hard work and sweat not something you're used to smelling?" Percy said with faux innocence.

Hades sighed. "I wasn't serious. Anyways, I needed to ask you if you have spoken to Kronos."

Percy didn't know why he told the truth, but he found himself admitting he had talked to Kronos. "Yes. He talked to me today, why?"

Hades raised his eyebrows questioningly. "Really? I must admit I'm surprised. What about?"

"Oh." Shrugged Percy. "The usual. You know, same conversation we have every morning. What's for breakfast, what's our plans for the day, plans to over throw the gods, our favorite cookie flavors."

Hades stared at me. "I'm serious Percy. I thought you said you were on our side, so what has he said?"

Percy looked at him for a minute before answering. "What makes you think I should tell you?"

"Because I am Hades, lord of the dead! Now spill it Jackson." The lord of the Underworld roared.

"Aw uncle, you loosing you patients?" asked Percy, shaking his head. "Well if I told you, you might just go and kill me. Me not telling you is the only thing keeping me alive right now, am I right?"

Hades sighed. "I won't kill you Percy."

"Why not?" Percy asked shocked.

Hades smiled. (Yes Hades is capable of a smile, shocker I know.) "Percy. If you were dead where would you be? The Underworld! I for one, do not want to deal with you every day once you die. Besides, killing is Zeus' work not mine."

Percy sighed. "Nothing interesting went on between me and Kronos. He asked me to join him, and I told him I'd think about it."

Hades raised his eyebrow. "You'll think about it?" He asked, incredulously.

"Yep." Percy said popping the 'P'.

"You got guts admitting that to a god." Hades said. "I think you should leave camp though."

"What? Why?" Percy asked.

"Zeus might not hold off on your execution much longer. He can't kill you if you're missing."

"So I'm just supposed to go on the run for the rest of my life? The monsters will kill me in one day." Percy said.

"No, just stay with your father." Hades replied simply.

"Which one?" I asked slowly.

He winked. "The one that keeps you alive, prisoned or not."

Percy nodded. "I understand."

"Oh and Percy?" Hades added. "I'll make sure you end up safe in the end. Between you and me, the fates have come up with another amazing destiny for you; and we'll need you alive for that." He winked.

And with that, Percy was flashed back to his cabin.