Chapter 3
Hades POV
Hades woke up feeling powerful. He relished it. He rarely felt this kind of power, as it came only once a year. Today, he realized, is the winter solstice, the day when the shadows rule over light, the day he and his children are at the epitome of their power. Along that trail of thought, a mental image of Percy came up in his mind. He was the most powerful of his children, being the only child of his born on the winter solstice itself; he was more in tune with the shadows than any other.
He was progressing rapidly for his age, demonstrating lots of calibre and skill for his age group and above. "He had the best of teachers in all fields," he thought dryly. "But a teacher is only as good as the student," said a small voice at the back of his head reminded him. He shook his head. He was proud of Perseus, very proud. The boy showed the makings of a great hero. He was brave, strong, confident and loyal to a fault. However, he was a bit too blunt for his own good.
Today, he realized with a start, was the day he had to meet with his 'family'. Instantly his high spirits came crashing down. It was not always like this, no, there was once a time when he got along with his brothers and sisters. Then, Zeus had become too proud for his own good. He was not allowed on Olympus other than on the Winter Solstice because Zeus feared he would steal his throne. "As if", he scoffed lightly. Slowly, he was driven away from his family. He became gloomier and gloomier until slowly, overtime, stereotypes developed about him, that he was a sadistic, power-hungry god who wished ill on all other than him. The younger gods became too afraid of him. His siblings ignored him. The only ones that continued to visit him were Hestia and Demeter, though Demeter he could do without… She only visited him when visiting Persephone and one could only bear constant nagging for so long. Surprisingly though, she utterly adored Percy.
When spring had ended and Persephone had come back to the Underworld, she had been surprised to see a little boy roaming around the palace. His looks told her everything she needed to know. When she confronted Hades about him, and asked him why she shouldn't smite him where he stood, Hades simply told her to look into Percy's mind. Seeing the child's memories of being abused and his mother dying was too much for her. Her maternal instincts had kicked in and her heart went out for the boy. She had introduced Percy to Demeter who adored him from the start seeing as to how he brought happiness to her Persephone in the darkness of the Underworld.
Getting ready, steeling himself and wearing an ice cold mask over his face he teleported himself to the Throne Room of the Olympians readying himself for another boring meeting. Little did he know that it would be anything but so.
~Line Break ~
When Percy stepped out of the shadows of the Throne room, he didn't know what to expect, but he certainly was not expecting the entire room to be filled with his father's ghost army and raging Furies. There were ghost confederate soldiers running around everywhere. The Furies were flying above and screeching in anger from time to time. In the middle of the chaos, Percy saw his father shouting orders.
Immediately, Percy made a beeline towards him and after bowing asked," Father, what has happened? What is all this chaos for! What happened at the summit?"
"I will tear Olympus apart! My Helm of Darkness! It has been stolen!"
For a second Percy froze, he couldn't believe what he had just heard. It sounded ludicrous but he knew that Hades was not one to make jokes on such matters.
Shaking off his initial shock, Percy's face morphed into one of stone. "Father, let us think this through for a moment. Panicking about it will be pointless! Who could have stolen it? After all, the Ancient Laws forbid gods from coming into direct contact with the symbols of power of other gods."
Hades started to calm down. Finally he stopped. He slowly made his way back to his throne and waved his hand, emptying the throne room of all its inhabitants other than Percy and him. His panicked demeanor changed as a calculative and thoughtful look overcame his features. "That is correct" he said, "But if they did not, who did? Who could have snuck upto Olympus and stolen from a God?"
A look of realization came onto his face.
"A demigod" The Lord of the Underworld said, answering his own question.
Now which demigod would have a motive for stealing his helm?
Neither he nor Percy could answer this question.
"Father, let me find the helm. Let me find the one that committed this slight towards the house of Hades and show him the fatality of his error."
"No. While I have full confidence in your abilities, you must train. I fear this has to do with the Great Prophecy. I fear it to be starting. You have turned eleven today. You have very little time.
I will send the Furies to search for the helm. I imagine Alecto will quite enjoy hunting for it."
Percy smirked as he thought about what Alecto would do to those that went against her master. "As you wish, Father. You still won't tell me what the prophecy is though?"
"No, you will be told once you're training has been fulfilled."
"Oh and Percy?"
"Yes?"
"Happy Birthday"
"Thank you Father"
"Persephone and Demeter wanted to wish you too but unfortunately they could not, they had some important matter to attend to. Instead however, they do send this present. "
Suddenly, out of nowhere, a ring appeared on Percy's right middle finger. It had a silver skull on top, and the band was made of Stygian ice. "Twist it," said Hades. And so Percy did. Suddenly the ring expanded into a spear. The spear's shaft was a deep black and its tip was blood red.
"The Spear Of Achilles," said Hades," forged by Hephaestus himself to be nearly unbreakable."
Percy did not know what to say. In his hands was the fabled spear of his trainer. He held it delicately as if it were made of the weakest of glass and simply stared at it. It fit well in his arms and he knew that it would be a perfect match for him.
"Simply wish for the spear to disappear and it will. If it falls down, even then it will return to you. Oh and close your mouth, there's more."
Percy's eyes nearly bugged out of his head. "More?" He asked stunned. Hades simply waved his hand and out of a close shadow tumbled out a little hellhound. It couldn't have been more than a few months old. It was a cute little thing. It's fur was a deep black and a thick coat. There was a small patch of light grey on its forehead. "It's yours", Hades said," You should name him. "
Percy picked it up gently. It settled easily in his arms and looked up at him with its onyx black eyes. He thought for a moment, then, a small smile graced his face. "Gareth" he said.
"Woof", the hound barked as if acknowledging the name, and started wagging its tail.
"A good name", said Hades.
"Thank you Father… for everything. I couldn't have asked for better presents. If that is all..?"
"Yes, that is all. You may leave. "
Percy bowed once again and Gareth in his arms, leaped into a shadow.
The last thing he heard was a distant shout of "Alecto!", as he descended into the darkness.