CHAOS

It has been a month now since young Perseus regained consciousness. A month of not talking, a month of not eating; and one month of just staring at nothingness. I am slowly losing hope. Maybe, he wasn't meant to heal. Maybe, I hoped for too much. The boy had gone through things and I can't blame him for being the way he is.

I propped myself at the chair behind my desk. I was currently at my office, sorting out files and problems of the universe as usual. After a moment of just me staring at the file in my hand, I finally gave up and threw the file down before leaning back while sighing

"Problems?" A voice asked from the doorway, making me look up and see that it was just my grandchild

I rubbed my eyes tiredly "Not now" I muttered

My grandchild just rolled his eyes at me.

Pushing his self off the wall, he stalked towards me "You know, it will be a load off if you just let it all out. Keeping your problems in will just make you more depressed than you are now"

I just sighed and didn't respond. I don't have the time to deal with his bullshits right now. I'm still searching for a way to make Perseus come out of his shell.

"Is this about the person you've been hiding from us?" He asked, making me freeze over from picking up the file that I threw at the table.

How did he know that?

Noticing my tense posture, he snorted "You didn't think that you can let some stranger live in the palace for a month without anyone knowing, did you?"

When I didn't respond again, he just sighed "Why are you hiding this stranger anyway? Is he some sort of criminal that you have grew fond of? A vigilante that doesn't want anyone knowing he exist?"

I shook my head at him, a clear warning in my eyes to not dig any further than this. "Drop it"

He snorted and stared back at me, clear defiance in his eyes. "No"

I gritted my teeth in frustration. I love the boy, but sometimes he just knows how to push my buttons "I am not going to repeat myself more than this. "

He just huffed and crossed his arms "Why are you trying so hard to avoid the inevitable? Sooner or later, we'll know who it is"

I glared at him and he glared back. I sighed and broke our staring contest. I have spoiled him too much, and he's becoming more and more of an asshole. Although, him being like this is more acceptable than what he was like in the past.

"Kronos. I'm not in the mood"

Kronos huffed again and kept glaring "Why won't you tell me who it is? You've never been this secretive before"

"Kronos, when I said drop it, you drop it. Don't stick your nose in my business anymore. Got it?" I snapped, making his eyes widen with surprise. I have never snapped at him before, much less argue with him. But if it concerns Perseus, then that is a whole other subject

"Just tell me why" He insisted, making me sigh in defeat. This boy is so stubborn at times, that I sometimes find myself asking where he got it from

"If I tell you the reason why I am hiding this person. Would you leave this subject alone?" I asked, already knowing his answer before he says it

"Of course not" He huffed.

I raised a brow and smirked at him "Then you can kiss your information goodbye" I said, before picking up a document and reading it—completely ignoring his very existence in my office room

I heard him release a frustrated breath, making me want to smirk but refrain from doing so. Kronos may be one of the youngest in her lines of grandchildren, but he was a seeker of knowledge. Hence why he defeated my obnoxious son and brought him down a notch... just remembering the seething and humiliated look on my son's face made me smirk a bit.

Ouranos was not an evil person, far from it. But the power he had in his self made him lose sight of what he was supposed to do. He succumbed into the darkness because of his thirst for power. Luckily, her grandchild, Kronos volunteered for the task of killing his father. I can still remember the way my son march into my throne room once he was done reforming—a chuckle escape me.

Ouranos was red in the face from anger. He was yelling at me to bring out his son.

I remembered snorting and looking at him with disappointed eyes while saying that I ordered his son to do that to him. The look of shock on Ouranos face was hilarious, he asked me why, and I responded by saying that if I hadn't done that, he would have never see why I chose him to be the heavens on earth.

The heavens was a sacred place. It was the Elysium of the sky. I couldn't have someone so selfish taint it. I told him that if he can't change his ways, then someone will take his place. I told him how disappointed I was of him. How displeased I was that he would easily give into the darkness without putting up much of a fight. I watched how his face fall and fall with each word I say to him. By the end of my lecture, Ouranos was crying and begging for my forgiveness. Of course I forgave him. I had just wanted to teach him a lesson... albeit a bit barbarically.

I was pulled out of my thoughts when I heard Kronos call my name. I looked up from the documents and see him pouting with his golden eyes glaring at me "No matter how many times you give me that pout of yours, I won't budge. No means no." I stared before looking at the clock. I cursed under my breath, it was time for me to visit Perseus.

I looked at my grandchild with calculating eyes. If I can't get him to leave, I would miss my time with Percy. Void knows that every second counts when it comes to pulling Percy out of his cage.

I cleared my throat and stand up as casually as I can before heading outside. Kronos raised a brow at me and followed me "Where are you going?"

"Somewhere" I shortly replied, while turning around the corner. I was taking the long route towards Perseus' room. I still have time to shake this leech off of me.

"I'm coming with you" Kronos announced, picking up his pace until he was beside me. I mentally groaned.

How hard was it to understand that I want to go alone? Apparently, Kronos doesn't know the meaning of give up

I sighed when I saw the last turning corner and stopped with Kronos halting beside me "Kronos, not now"

Kronos crossed his arms and huffed "No way. You're going to see this mysterious person right? I'll come with you whether you want to or not"

I glared at him, but then smirked when an idea passes my mind "So be it" right after saying that, I flashed away, leaving a shocked and flustered Titan behind.

I appeared just outside the door.

Quickly opening it, I looked around before closing the door. I heaved a tired sigh before turning around, only to be met with the same scene for the past month. There he was, Perseus Jackson, sitting up on the bed, his hands curled loosely at his lap while his eyes look outside the window with a blank expression on his face. It was always like this. Him staring outside, and him not even bothering to look at me when I pay him a visit.

"Hello, Perseus" I greeted before sitting beside him. He didn't respond nor bother to acknowledge that I was sitting beside him. I sighed and rubbed a hand over my face. We can't continue being like this!

"Are you hungry?" Again, I was met with silence

"Are you tired?"

"Do you want to lie down?"

"Today is a good day"

I sighed and gave up when he didn't respond to anything that I said. How can she help the hero, when the hero himself isn't cooperating? Her daughters said that there was still hope. How much hope are they talking about here? Its just been a month, A MONTH! And I was losing hope at a much faster pace than I expected.

THIRD PERSON

"Percy, please talk to me" Chaos pleaded while clenching his hands between hers "I can't help you if you don't tell me what you need"

Perseus' hands twitched a little in hers, but he didn't do anything further than that. Chaos felt tears building up behind her eyelids, and she swallowed the choke that was threatening to come out of her mouth. She is the creator. She's not allowed to show any signs of weakness. Why is she even trying to cure the hero? Why did she even revive the boy? So many questions run through her head at that moment.

But only one thing is clear. It is that she has come to love the little hero as a mother would to her child. It doesn't make sense and Chaos is fine with that. Watching the boy struggle for life and to only die in the most humiliating and saddest way just made her more passionate when it comes to helping the boy get over his past.

"I am probably not in the place to tell you this, but... don't just give up on life. There is another reason on why I resurrected you from the dead. The real reason was because I saw you fit to take my place when I fade. Getting to take care and know you was just an added bonus" Chaos explained, telling the hero random things, trying to at least make the boy nod his head or even look at her direction.

She got nothing and she sighed. Chaos dropped Percy's hand before standing up "I'll be back tomorrow, okay? Try and eat something"

She was still met with silence and she just sighed before kissing his forehead and leaving. Chaos closed the door and wiped the few tears that managed to slip out of her eyes.

"What can I possibly do for you?" she murmured while laying her hand on the surface of the door of Perseus' room

"What are you doing?" Kronos asked from behind her. Chaos cursed and whirled around to face her grandchild who was looking at her with raised brows

Chaos gave him a small smile while pushing herself off the door "Nothing. I was just thinking" she said while turning around and walking away from the Titan

Kronos stood at the hallway, alone and confused. In the end he just shrugged his shoulders and retraced his grandmother's footsteps. He was still going to ask his grandma about this stranger hidden inside the castle. Why is she even trying so hard to protect this person?

Then a thought crossed his mind that made him stop dead in his tracks "Could she possibly love this person?" He murmured to himself while tapping his chin thoughtfully "Am I going to have a grandpa?!" He silently exclaimed. As much as that would be a happy occasion, it's not at the same time. Just thinking of a stranger hugging and scolding him like his grandma made him shudder. That definitely must not happen. Having his grandma is enough.

He reached the garden and saw the hunched figure of his grandma whose shoulder was shaking as silent sobs racks her body. He frowned and hurriedly went towards her "Grandma, you okay?" He asked, worry lacing his voice as he crouched in front of her

Chaos lifted her head to glare at his grandson with disbelief "Do I look okay to you?" She exclaimed while smacking Kronos on the head. Chaos was angry and upset at the moment, and she wasn't thinking straight. She only wants to let out the stress that has been building inside her for a month now.

Kronos exclaimed in pain and stumbled away from his insane grandma while holding his throbbing head. What the hell did he do to deserve this harsh treatment?! He was only asking if she was alright. Is being concerned a problem now?!

"Grandma, why did you hit me?" Kronos whined, frowning at the still glaring figure of his now sitting grandma "For being an idiot, a moron, a dumbass, and a fool. Do you want me to add more?" Chaos growled while glaring at her now pouting grandson

Kronos looked at his grandma with wide eyes. Did she just call him an idiot in different types of word?

"What did I do to deserve this?" He murmurs while looking at his grandma who apparently heard him "For being an evil living being and eating your children when they were nothing but toddlers; and by also throwing your sister and wife to Tartarus for her to rot there all alone, suffering and worrying for your children. Adding the fact that you tried to take over earth twice just because of your lust for power. You're much worse than your Father" Chaos spat, instantly regretting her choice of words when Kronos stepped back like he has been stabbed with his eyes misting over.

Kronos looked down, several golden locks covering his now misty golden eyes.

"Kronos, I didn't—" Chaos tried to apologize but Kronos just gave a bitter laugh

"Why apologize? I was the one in the wrong. It's because I'm an evil disgusting person who doesn't deserve anything but suffering" he muttered while turning around to leave

Chaos quickly stood up from the bench and gripped his hand "That was not what I meant. I didn't mean that. You were under my brother's influence. You're not evil, you're a good person. You were just manipulated. I'm sorry, I didn't mean that" she explained while turning him around.

Kronos wasn't looking at her and was looking at the side, trying to avoid her eyes which was full of regret "It's okay" Kronos murmured

"Then look me in the eyes and say that" Chaos said, regret clear in her voice. How can things happen so fast in just a split second? It's because she was directing her anger towards the wrong person. She didn't mean what she said. Her grandchild wasn't evil. He was manipulated by her brother who was more cruel than anyone she knows of.

When her brother End, heard the story of how Kronos defeated his father. He became interested and watched her grandson every now and then. Chaos didn't notice it because she was too happy at that moment to realize something bad was going to happen. It happened after Rhea and Kronos married each other. It was okay at the first few hundred years, but then things started changing. It started with Kronos' brothers. They were slowly changing. Kronos noticing it, tried to solve the problem and tried to make his brothers consult to Chaos.

Kronos' brothers for some reason would become angry when they heard Chaos' name. Their eyes would faintly flicker a color of dark red when they do something that would cause chaos on earth. A few more years passed and Kronos' brothers lost the fight against the evil inside them and were swallowed by darkness. Kronos was the next target.

End knew that Kronos was Chaos' favorite grandchild, and saved him for the last. The change was slower than his brothers because Kronos had a stronger fighting will than his brothers to not succumb into the darkness. But then, he eventually lost and was forcefully pushed into the back of his mind. Kronos told Chaos how agonizing it was for him to see him hurting his wife and how it gutted him when he ate his children. He said to Chaos that it was pure torture, watching the scenes unfold in front of his eyes without having the ability to do anything because he was unable to move. Watching how someone that is him, but isn't him at the same time ruin everything he worked so hard to build.

He explained to Chaos and the primordials how relieved he was when his children defeated him and had cut him into many pieces. He thought that it would be over then, and that he would have the chance to gain control over his body once more. But he was wrong, for several millennia he was stuck inside his mind. Wishing that some miracle will happen.

Then the Second Titan War began. Chaos' grandson was forced to watch yet another war where he can't do anything but watch only. He was surprised when the boy named Luke stabbed his body with a cursed dagger to save his friends from his darker self. He was amazed and he respected how heroic the boy died.

Right after the boy named Luke died. Kronos felt a tingling sensation inside him, and before he knew it, he was back to the surface of his mind. His darker self vanished and he was left at the throne room with Chaos looking at him with teary eyes. Chaos also rescued his brothers from End, and had managed to grasp their minds and souls and dragged it back into the surface. Chaos brought them to her kingdom and replaced the one on earth with replicas. She believed that they all deserve a second chance.

Kronos just sighed and shook Chaos' hands away from him "It's fine" he murmured before turning around to leave again. This time Chaos didn't stop him.

Chaos felt tears sliding down her cheek. How could she say that?! She knew that the topic was a taboo to Kronos. How could she say that so carelessly?!

She screamed in anger. An anger in which is directed to herself. Kronos was just healing from his wounds from the past. How could she just pour salt into it like she was just cooking an egg?!

She run and followed her grandson, only to see him opening his door that leads to his chambers "Kronos!" She yelled, making Kronos tense. Faster than a light, Kronos run inside his room and locked it to prevent his grandma from coming in.

Chaos cursed and slowed down. She took a deep breath and gently knocked on the door in front of her "engonós please open the door" she called out softly

"Aplá parakaló afíste me móno mou" Kronos voice said through the door. Chaos cursed. If Kronos speaks in full Ancient Greek that means that he is either really happy or really upset. Right now, it seems to be latter.

"Dear, please talk to me. I didn't mean any of what I said" Chaos tried to explain, but it seems like her grandson would not budge this time. Chaos sighed and step back from the door "I'll come back later, okay?" She said and received nothing but silence. Chaos felt her throat closing up. It's like Perseus all over again.

Chaos dragged herself to sit on the chair behind her desk and do her work as the creator. But the more she tries, the more unfocused she becomes. Growling under her breath, she threw the file down and gripped her hair in frustration.

"Damn it!" She yelled, tears blurring her vision. She still hasn't found a way to help Perseus heal, and now she just added another problem. Hurting her grandson who is still healing from his past, she knew that and yet... and yet, she still snapped and yelled at him, blaming him with things that he couldn't prevent. How could she be so insensitive?

She truly was the destroyer as she was called the creator. She creates things to bring happiness, but she sometimes destroys things for the sake of herself and her loved ones, not thinking of what the consequences may be.

She has been living for so long that she has forgotten the importance of selflessness and kindness. It was something that she had been lacking for a while now. Saying that reviving Perseus was for his sake too was a lie. A complete utter lie that she has been feeding herself. The truth is that she just wants Perseus to be one of her children. For him to become one of the primordials. She had grew too fond of the hero that she can't bear the fact that he died when she could have done something. It was all her selfishness that has grown through the years talking. Chaos had said that the gods are selfish and cruel. Then what is she? She is crueler than the Gods. More selfish. More unforgiving.

Because her grandson hurt, she can't help but feel hurt also. She never once raised her voice at him. Never even once hit him for no particular reason. And never even said that he was evil for something that he couldn't control. Did it have to come like this? For her to realize that she should get her act together?

A knock pulled Chaos out of her thoughts "Come in" she said while wiping the tears away

Ouranos' head peaked in and he gave his mother a small smile "Mother" he greeted while opening the door wider. Chaos smiled as a greeting and inclined her head for him to come inside. Ouranos shifted from one foot to the other, not budging from where he was standing by the door

"Son, if you want to say something then spit it out. Stop fidgeting outside my office if you're just going to stare at me all day from over there" Chaos said while sighing. This has been a really long day for her. First, Perseus wasn't improving. Second, she snapped and hurt the feelings of her grandson. And lastly, she realized that she needs to get her act together to become a better ruler.; and if Ouranos say anything that might just become a problem for Chaos. Then... Chaos can't do nothing but try to solve the problem. Despite being the ruler of all, Chaos can also feel exhaustion, adding the problems of the universe to her personal problems are just damn tiring for her. She really needs to retire from her position if she wants to live a nice life.

Ouranos cleared his throat and ushered someone behind him to come out. Chaos raised a brow at that. Now who might this person be? Her son has never been that nervous before. Well, except from the time when he was asking for Gaea's hand for marriage... was he going to introduce someone to her?

But, Ouranos and Gaea are still married. Chaos' musing was cut short when she saw the one who stepped out from behind his son. There she was, Gaea in all her glory "And what might she be doing here?" Chaos asked, leaning forward and propping her elbows up to rest on the table while clasping her hands together.

Chaos was still upset about the case Gaea made from her reckless actions. Gaea unleashed chaos on earth because she thinks that it was for the best; and even using her son as a reason to wage war against Olympus. Because of Gaea's recklessness, her people were in a state of panic, thinking that their princess was under the influence of End. Her action had triggered some very negative responses, some rebels thought that waging war against Chaos' kingdom will be a good opportunity, since one of their princesses was wrecking havoc in one of the most important planet in the Milky Way.

Gaea meekly stared at her mother while clasping her hands together in front of her, showing that she has no intention of fighting "Mother" she quietly greeted while tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear "I have come to apologize for my reckless action from before"'

Chaos sighed and beckoned Gaea and her husband closer. Gaea walked in with Ouranos behind her who closed the door once they were fully inside. A moment of silence enveloped the room before Chaos got a bit impatient and nodded her head for Gaea to start explaining "It has come into my mind that what I did to earth was wrong. I never intended to unleash that much damage on the planet you cherish so much" Gaea quietly inquired her mother

Chaos sighed again and rubbed her eyes tiredly "Do you know why I made the earth one of your domains, and why the earth is one of the most important part of that planet?"

Gaea frowned and nodded her head, her eyes showing how ashamed and regretful she is for her actions "Mind telling me what I told you last time" Chaos said while staring at her teary-eyed daughter

Gaea's lips were trembling "You told me that you designed earth from my image, you created it for it to become a part of me, you told me that I am the earth as my husband Ouranos is the heavens. You told me that I must cherish the people who will reside in that planet for it will also be my people—my children in anything but blood. You told me to always protect it from End and the rebels, because the earth is me for it is what embodies my being" Gaea was already crying after she finished recalling the words Chaos told her when she bestowed her the gift of being Mother Earth

KRONOS

I stood up from where I was sulking at the bed, and made my way towards the window. I felt my eyes water when I remembered the time where I threw my most beloved one in one of the worst places there is in the world of darkness. I still remember that day, how my wife cried when I created a pathway towards Tartarus for her. I didn't want that. I didn't mean to. I was not myself. I would never do that to anyone.

When my grandma opened the pathway once more, I felt my heart rejoiced to see my wife submerging on the open door that leads to Tartarus. But my relief and joy was shortly replaced by tremendous pain. My wife, my most beloved, and my most precious was looking at me with horror and disgusted eyes. She was looking at me like she was looking at a monster. I can still remember the way she screamed and threw things at me while cursing and telling me to go away. I still remember the way she asked grandma how I was still here, how I was not punished for my wrong doings. She sneered at me when she heard that our children had defeated me, not once but twice. Before I could even utter a word of explanation to her, she stormed out of the room and locked herself in her old room in the palace.

I felt my heart squeezed painfully. I clutched my chest where my heart lies underneath "It hurts" I murmured while tears streamed down my cheeks. Hearing one of the most important person say that I'm a monster makes it worst that it is. Was grandma always thinking that? Was she always thinking that I was a bastard that needs to rot in the void? The void seems pretty merciful... no, I need to disappear, I need to vanish completely. I need my whole being to disappear completely, no body and no soul. I want to die and I want it in the most painful way. Someone like me doesn't deserve to die painlessly.

I looked at my nightstand and saw the picture of me and Rhea on our wedding day. Rhea and I were smiling towards the camera, clear joy in our eyes. We, immortals were pretty advance, having pass the knowledge to mortals as time goes by—hence the camera.

In the picture, I was carrying her and appeared to be laughing at what she said. Rhea was smiling towards the camera while my head was thrown back in a laugh. I felt myself smile, those were the happy times. When we were still genuinely happy to be with one another. I picked the picture and traced the face of my love with my finger.

More tears escaped my eyes "I miss you so much, my love" I muttered and kissed the picture while squeezing my eyes shut, trying to stop the flow of tears that was continuously gushing out of my closed eyes.

I opened my eyes and sadly smile at the picture. How I want to hold you in my arms again. I took the picture and hug it closely while opening the door of my room. I peaked out and saw that no one was around. I quickly smiled and looked at the picture of my smiling ex-wife

"Let's go to the garden. I know how much you like to view the flowers blooming" I murmured while smiling at the picture. I might sound weird and creepy, but right at this moment. I just want to indulge myself in the fantasy that my wife is still with me, and we are still happy together.

I slowly walked towards the garden and passed by the room my grandma just went out of, a few moments ago. I suddenly stopped into a halt and stared at the door when a sudden gush of wind came out underneath the door. I tilted my head curiously and slowly stalked towards it. I raised my hand up and knocked softly. I frowned when no one answered. Why would grandma come into an empty room? I looked across the hall and saw grandma's room glittering brightly in the color of black and white.

I frowned and looked at the door in front of me again. Then my eyebrows went up into my hairline when I thought of the person my grandma is hiding. Is he here? I raised my hand and grasped the doorknob slowly. It's not like I'm doing anything wrong with peeking right? I'm just making sure if there is someone suspicious here. I opened it slowly and what I saw just made my world stop completely.

I felt the picture I was holding slip out of my loose hand and into the hard tiled floor. I felt my heart quicken and my breath come into a complete halt. I took a shaky inhale and slowly released the breath that I was holding. Is it really him?

"Perseus?"

TRANSLATIONS:

Engonós - Grandson
Aplá parakaló afíste me móno mou - Just please leave me alone