A/N: Hey y'all! It's AK here. This has been a wild ride, not going to lie.
When I first started this out, this was a birthday gift for the one and only, my BFFA Aquila.
To be honest, I wasn't planning on putting it up.
But when Aquila suggested it, I thought that it may not be such a bad idea.
I was pretty nervous, since this was my first fic.
But the response was overwhelmingly good.
And that was because of all you lovely readers!
So as thanks, I'm dedicating this chapter to all of you!
Today's chapter is called 'Epicinium', meaning 'Aftermath' in Latin.
I hope you like it, and without further ado... the final chapter of Written in Reverse Book One!
Book one
Arc Three: Creating Cross currents
Chapter 14: Epicinium
Jason felt exhilarated.
He knew that something had happened.
He wasn't sure what.
But... he was sure it was important.
He had a feeling that it was something powerful.
But not a bad something no-
It was a something that was really, really good.
Unfortunately, he had no idea what it was.
Though he did have a feeling that it had something to do with the incident that took place in the Lilith's family home.
Truth be told, he still wasn't entirely sure what happened.
One minute the room had been filled with laughter and the next with silence.
Jason could see his friends' mouths moving, but it was like his ears were blocked by cotton.
He looked about in confusion, there seemed nothing amiss...
He turned his head, but it felt like he was moving underwater.
His eyes fell to one of the dimmer corners of the room.
There, he saw was a shadow of a humanoid figure.
A flash of dark eyes, a flip of dark hair, a faint, dark smile.
But as soon as he did, it vanished.
Jason blinked twice in confusion.
And had a sudden feeling of loss.
His eyes popped and he could hear clearly again.
When he moved his hand, it was a curt movement.
At his sudden movement, the conversation ceased again.
"Jason?" asked Lilith, the praetor's tone gentle.
Jason looked at her, his face suddenly wan.
Marcus didn't say anything, but looked as if he was ready to catch him if he fell.
"Jason, are you all right?"
"Yeah," he said, mind running a mile a minute, trying to etch that silhouette into memory.
Deceptively skinny hands, tightly drawn shoulders, dark clothing over pale skin.
"What happened?" tried Lilith.
Familiar, familiar, familiar...
Jason looked up.
"I think I had a premonition..."
Lilith had asked him a few more tentative questions before Marcus was clapping him on the back and telling him that he'd be replacing Octavian if these 'visions' kept up.
Jason tried to head off danger by protesting that 'it wasn't a vision, not exactly.'
But Lilith had shushed him, telling him not to worry.
But the thing was-
Jason hadn't been worrying.
He had known immediately that it- whatever was- hadn't been dangerous.
At least, it was something that would never hurt him.
He wondered where he got such a certainty.
But it didn't change the fact that he had it.
He felt the nerves on his fingers spark every time he thought about it.
However, he was the only person in such high spirits.
Everyone else was worried.
They worried about the ravens, worried about the Augury, worried about overcast skies, worried about this, worried about that.
Everyone was worried about a war that was supposedly around the corner.
A war, according to Praetor Marcus, that had next to no chance of happening.
But a certain legacy of Apollo had been obstinate.
One thing lead to another and Jason found himself on a Quest.
A Quest in the heart of a Forest, no less.
Personally, Jason thought that they were all daft.
Why would they need to worry about something as pointless as war when it was there?
Now, if only he could figure out just what, or maybe who, 'it' was...
Luke Castellan made his way through the hoards of monsters crowding his way to the golden Sarcophagus acting as the centerpiece of the room.
He did not spare a glance at the carnage wrought around him.
His eyes were fixated on the top of Sarcophagus which held the entity of his master.
Each time he was in the Titan's presence, he would feel a mixture of awe and fear.
The strength of his profile could be seen even in his insubstantial image.
Truly, he looked like a powerful king sitting on a golden throne.
It was such an honor for one such as himself to tend to the rightful lord of the world.
And to be given an opportunity to avenge the injustices done unto him because of his godly parent-
It was a privilege many would die for.
And one many more were willing to kill for.
Which was why he kept a watchful eye on those around him.
None of them were a threat, not yet but...
Who would turn, who's the traitor, who would turn, oh isn't this a fun game, who will turn, I wonder who it'll be...
It went through his head like a nursery rhyme gone insane.
Maybe it was mania.
Maybe it was paranoia.
Maybe it was instinct.
If he had learnt anything after his experience with Hermes, he had learnt to expect betrayal from everyone.
He frowned ever so slightly at the memory of his father, the so-called messenger of the gods.
The scar across his face tingled with old pain.
But Luke ignored it.
It would soon be avenged.
He walked unflinchingly past two monsters with horrendous features that stood guard at either side of the rectangular casket.
They wore blinders, not dissimilar to the ones that horses wore.
The reason why... well.
It has been theorized that if a person knew every happening of every place at any one in instant of time, then they would be able to discern the past and foretell the future.
Luke had no idea if that was actually true or not.
But he did know that if he ever wanted to find out, he wouldn't dare use the Sarcophagus in front of him.
If you gazed into it for too long, you would lose your mind, your identity and finally, your soul, leaving behind only the shell of a body.
Even if said person was immortal.
It had taken the lives (and more) of several of the Titan Army's best warriors before Lord Kronos had finally deigned to give information about it.
The Sarcophagus didn't just act as a ball and chain to Lord Kronos's essence- it also used his power to booby trap itself.
If anyone attempted to free the Titan without the three keys of Hephaestus and the Will of Olympus, that person will meet the same fate as the previously mentioned unlucky souls.
But naturally there were loopholes...
A will that matched a force of nature to keep oneself sane would be needed.
That, and… well- something else that was nigh impossible to obtain.
Suffice to say that not even one of the puny Olympians would stand a chance.
Luke wondered if he could somehow trick his father into taking one long look.
Heh.
It would be the sweetest irony.
The Tricked Trickster.
He came to a halt, kneeling a few feet away from the casket.
He bowed his head in reverence.
After the most recent disappointment, he wasn't expecting a warm welcome.
Nor did he get one.
The air around him was chill and stifling.
"At your service, my Lord," he spoke, cutting through the terse silence.
"You look well," said the Titan.
Luke winced.
He was bruised in several places, his clothes worn and his pallor sickly after his fall from the cliff.
Needless to say, he was far from the picture of health.
His Lord's words could mean only one thing-
Lord Kronos was in a bad mood.
"What news of the Quest?" asked Lord Kronos abruptly, even though he had already received the particulars of their failure.
Luke grimaced slightly.
"The Goddess escaped with the Questing m'lord."
"The Questing..."
The way the Titan said it was laden with meaning.
It hung in the pause that followed.
"And what of the Ophiotaurus?"
"Unsuccessful, m'lord. We had no chance of winning against the Daughter of Athena in swaying the Daughter of Zeus's will. It is currently under the protection of Olympus"
The glow around the Tomb intensified.
"I grow weary of hearing of the child of Athena. It might be best to end her influence for good."
Luke felt a pang of alarm.
"But her presence made little difference in the struggle for Artemis, sire," he hastened to add.
"The struggle...? The struggle which we... lost?
Luke gulped.
"Yes, m'lord."
"Tell me, do we have any captives?"
"The Lieutenant of the Huntresses, Zoe Nightshade, met her end at the hands of-"
"Atlas, yes," said Kronos dryly, "I believe that I asked for captives, not casualties."
"...None, sire."
The insubstantial visage of Kronos tapped a rhythm irritably with his finger.
"What are the details of their... escape?"
"Unclear m'lord. After I came to, I was informed that most of the warriors who were witnesses were killed by an unknown force. Those who remain are unable to offer clear details."
"An unknown force?"
Luke took in a shuddering breath.
"There are some unsettling rumors flying about the Army. It is about an individual whom we have code named 'the Phantom.'
Some say that it was an apparition and that their spears and arrows passed through him cleanly. Others claim that it was a master swordsman, slicing through its enemies like a hot knife through butter. But the most virulent- that he is a shade, summoned to this earth because of the unholy deeds that the- that have taken place."
Luke met with the inhumane gaze squarely.
"It is not good for morale."
The Time lord was deathly silent.
Luke was sweating bullets.
Lord Kronos was not the giant Damien- he wasn't known for sentiment.
His silence was never a good thing.
"The child of wisdom was an... unfortunate complication in this matter," the Titan finally murmured, "Yet something seems amiss."
"…Milord?"
Kronos wondered what would have caused the uneasy feeling on the edge of his consciousness.
It felt like a loose tooth.
He just could not leave it be.
But for now...
"What is the state of the preparations for the next move?"
Luke blinked once.
Was Kronos going to ignore his report on the Phantom?
"They are complete m'lord. The only thing left is to move our troops."
"Well done."
Luke hid his flash of surprise.
A compliment...?
What was going on?
There was a pause.
"This will give you enough time to pursue a small matter for me."
Another contemplative silence flooded the room.
Luke wasn't naive enough to believe that he got off scot-free.
He was sure he would have his punishment waiting for him when he least expected it.
But, for now, he was safe...-ish.
"There has been a ripple in the flow of time," Lord Kronos mused aloud, choosing his words carefully,
"I cannot divulge much, but it usually signifies something tearing rip in the Space-Time continuum. Its effects can't be easily detected by one less experienced than I."
Lord Kronos muttered the next to himself.
Luke strained his ears, but could catch only one phrase.
"…happens more often... one would think…"
The Titan continued, clearlty this time,
"…Rarely, very rarely mind you- this indicates the presence of a Fate-knife."
"A Fate-knife…?" Luke could not keep the questioning note out of his voice.
Luckily, the Titan was too preoccupied with his thoughts to take offence at his tone.
He graced his query with a brief description.
Luke was stunned.
Such an object... it would be immensely powerful.
"By the disturbance I felt, I would strongly suspect that there is one in this timeline. It could be anywhere. It could be with anyone. It may be anything from a tree to a teacup."
A pregnant pause.
"We have not the proper means to search for it. Not with the war of the Prophecy around the corner. Keep an eye out for anything out of the ordinary. It would be an invaluable asset, so much so that it could change the tide of the war itself."
Lord Kronos leveled a deliberate look on him.
"Keep an eye out, Luke Callestan. For if you find it, I might find it in me to pardon your failure."
So it begins.
Nico paced back and forth in a rhythm matching that of the water that ebbed and flowed along the bank of the Klamath River.
A few days ago, Camp had erupted into chaos.
Nico had taken it as an unspoken invitation to leave.
Rhythms were patterns and patterns were good.
They gave a semblance of normalcy.
The gods knew that he needed every bit of 'normal' he could get.
His whole body felt it was buzzing with electricity.
The incident was still fresh in his mind.
It happened mere seconds after the di Angelo siblings fell into each other's arms in a rush of relief-
The dark insignia of Hades appeared over Nico's head.
It was as if someone flipped a switch.
The camp turned on him with torches and pitchforks.
Figuratively, of course.
It had been mob mentality at its finest.
Please, note the sarcasm.
But Nico expected this.
Had been counting on it in fact.
His plan required this.
Hell, he would've even instigated it, if it didn't happen on its own.
What he hadn't anticipated was his sister standing up for him.
Standing up against Camp for him.
Nico felt the jitters just remembering it.
Bianca had almost renounced her status a Huntress when her Sisters' attempts to get her to stop went awry.
In the end, Thalia had dragged her away, kicking and screaming.
Nico had shadow traveled away while the campers' attention was on the Huntresses' departure.
After that, well.
He has had his own set of adventures.
Running from the mortal police had been the least of it.
And now, here he was…
You might wonder where 'here' was.
'Here' was just North to the Six Rivers Forest, CA.
You would think that forests would be devoid of human life.
But Nico could feel the life forces of human beings.
Mortals who had come to hike, perhaps?
He did remember hearing something about the 'Backpack Devil's Punch-bowl'...
But the point was- there was no one in the vicinity to disturb his thoughts.
His hands were trembling and his pulse was racing.
He was in no condition to proceed further.
He could afford a few minutes to cool his jets.
He closed his eyes and tried to analyze the situation.
He had done both too much and too little.
He had saved Bianca's life.
And in doing so, he had robbed Thalia of her place as Lieutenant of the Huntresses.
He wasn't sure how this would impact the time-line.
But bringing someone back from the dead was no a trifling matter.
Keeping them alive…
Well, it had little successful precedence for a reason.
For it to be successful... he had to do something that had never been done before.
Everything that he had done until now amounted next to nothing.
Hoping that this was enough would be like throwing pebbles while hoping for a landslide.
Nico, for one, didn't trust the fate of the World on luck.
It was the future, dammit!
He needed to do something big, something drastic, something that would blow the entire thing away.
There were a few things that fit the criteria.
But he couldn't predict what would happen after.
Not with these many variables.
And his attempt at gathering information…
It was unsatisfactory to say the least.
To top things off, he'd run into a legion of monsters while investigating the remains of Mount Othrys.
If he was being honest with himself, things had looked pretty grim.
He had been backed into a corner with no room for escape without exposure.
Nico snarled, trying to think his way out of the situation.
Behind him laid a hundred foot drop into a stormy ocean.
In front of him laid the Titan's army.
If it came down to a choice between the two evils, Nico was choosing the cliff.
There were overhanging rocks, worse come worst, he could shadow travel his way out of there.
However, if anyone of the monsters had the least bit of sense, they would search for his body.
And an absent body will raise questions.
Not that the monsters in front of him seemed to have the brain cells capable of that.
He took a quick scope.
He couldn't take the chance.
No, he didn't really think that the monsters would figure it out.
Maybe- just maybe- the whole lot of them could combine their meager intelligence to produce two brain cells, just enough to rub together to make that simple a deduction.
But he wouldn't count on it.
Still.
The point wasn't if his enemies' intelligence (or lack thereof) would be able to afford it.
He could not afford it.
Lady Luck was sweet on him, but as one who tampered with the Fates' plan, he could not rely on her to shield their wrath.
"Wu-ell, Wu-ell, Wu-ell. Bwoys, wha' dwee 'ave 'ere? Hay keed, awent wyuu 'ith yer godlin' fiends? Naw, naw, bwoy. Dwon't wu nao whyat 'apens two wonvy witt'e keets? Haw- haw- haw."
The monster before him cackled.
(A/N: It's actually
~Well, well, well. Boys, what do we have here? Hey kid, aren't you with your godling friends? Now, now boy. Don't you know what happens to lonely little kids? *laughs*~
Did you get that? No? Well neither did Nico.)
Nico blinked.
From what he gathered from the monster's slobbering, the only reason why he was alive was because he'd been mistaken for one of the demigods in the Titan army.
Well, that was a thought.
Maybe if he pretended that he was a new recruit?
"Um, yes, I'm new," said Nico hesitantly.
He hunched his shoulders- both to make himself seem like an awkward novice and as a precaution if anyone got aggressive.
"Do you know where I could-"
The monster blathered on,
"Wyat? Twoo scwad tyo speake wup? Har-har-har. Wyu sertinly fech blud. Har-har.'M su'e tha' nu-won w'll meiss ya'f yer gon. Har-har-har. Har-har. Har… Waiyat. Mu-won wi'l meiss yu..."
(A/N: This one is actually
~What? Too scared to speak up? *laughter* You certainly (are) fresh blood. *laughter* I'm sure that no one will miss you if you are gone. *laughter* *laugh* *pause* Wait. No one will miss you...~)
Nico looked at it with hope.
Maybe it managed to understand?
If so, he would take back everything mean that he said about-
It lunged towards Nico with a growl.
So much for that idea.
He managed to dodge it, getting closer to the edge.
"C'mon wittle godlin'! Le's pwaayy!"
(A/N: This one is fairly simple-
~Come on little godling! Let's play~)
Guess there was no two ways about it.
Nico tensed his legs, getting ready to jump.
But then.
A miracle took place.
His hand had slipped into the comfort of shadows, purely by force of habit.
And in its coolness, he felt something shift.
'What? What was that?'
His had fingers brushed against something… wait, was that metal?
He involuntarily clenched his hand, and it closed around the worn out handle he had longed to feel.
Breathlessly, not daring to look in case he was hallucinating, he swung his hand in an all-too-familiar arc.
The monster before him fell back.
In two pieces.
There was silence for a whole minute.
And then, chaos erupted.
The monsters screeched, wailed and cried hysterically- all while jumping around who Nico belatedly realized was their leader.
This gave Nico a moment to himself, which he used to revel in the sight, the sound, the smell of his sword.
He had a look of reverence on his face as he grazed his finger over the sharper edge of glowing black Stygian Iron.
He cut himself slightly due to his inattention.
It burnt like the fires of Hades.
He felt giddiness well up as he watched as the cut healed itself within seconds.
He then threw his head back and laughed.
Maniacally.
He hadn't meant to go overboard, but he'd done so anyway.
He had forgotten himself in his excitement.
Before he knew it, he was standing in a pile of monster dust with blood pouring down his arm.
(Oh, you needn't worry. None of it was his own.)
But it was worth it.
The familiar weight by his hip gave him a comfort that knew no bounds.
Turns out that his sword was his in this timeline.
It hadn't seen the need to manifest until he was in true danger.
A.k.a when he shadow traveled right in the middle of a monstrous monster army.
Typical.
Nevertheless, he'd found the thing he had so desperately needed.
And the fight seemed to dampen his recklessness.
He made a list of things he needed to do next.
A plan would always be in handy.
But seeing that no ideas came to mind, well-
He would work on it.
But one thing was sure- he wasn't planning on doing the things he did last time.
But for that, he would need someone to take his place.
Hmm…
It didn't need to be a child of Hades.
Any child of the Big Three should provide enough symmetry to allow him to get away with his tampering.
His eyes darkened as he considered the possibilities.
He didn't think Bianca could face the mind-games of the Labyrinth, let alone those of Tartarus.
And familial affection aside, she wouldn't stand a chance against Minos.
She simply didn't have the Divine Right to wrest away the title of the Ghost King from a spirit, let alone one as ancient as the one in question.
And after further weakening her claim by pledging her allegiance to Artemis-
Yeah, it would be kinder to throw her to the sharks.
And that took out Thalia too.
He refused to have Hazel take his place.
He'd spent much of his time trying to keep her away from the war.
He wasn't going to bring her out of Asphodel any earlier than necessary.
And in any case, her role as one of the Seven was of more importance.
Who knew what would happen if he messed with that.
Speaking of the Seven, Percy was out.
And Nico wasn't going to give him a chance to mess things up a second time.
As for Jason… no.
Apart from 'the Seven' complication, Greek matters should be settled by Greeks.
...Maybe it would be best to just keep a low profile.
He had around five years to save the world- he had enough time to think.
So he had to calm down and-
"N- Nico?"
The sound cut through him like a knife.
Nico turned around so fast that he got a whiplash.
As the owner of the voice came into view, they both took a double take.
Nico supposed that the other's reaction was understandable.
After all, a thirteen year old drenched in blood with a glowing black sword wasn't a common sight.
And in his own defense, who wouldn't be surprised when the impossible takes place in front of one's own eyes?
'What was that saying again? Ah yes. Speak of the devil…' thought Nico, wryly.
The other's comrade put a hand on his shoulder to pull him away, but was shrugged off.
His gaze was fixed upon the bloodied half-blood, and would not look away.
"Nico?" the person tried again, hoping for a reaction.
Nico was tired, sore and one second away from collapse.
But he could manage just this much.
He smiled widely, gentle despite his efforts towards the contrary.
"Hullo, Jason. Fancy meeting you here."
And then he fell back, into his own shadow.
A/N: Well, that's it for now, folks!
Seeing that no one is really interested in the Harbinger, I'll just let it be.
Well then.
I won't say you'll regret this, but at least you have been warned.
(Ah, it's nothing serious, just a small thing that I had been planning on)
Oh, and hopefully, we'll see the next arc in a few months.
But all that depends on the Trolls!
Catch you later!