Ok fellows readers, here is the newest chapter. Hope you like it
A little something I forgot last time...I DO Not own any Percy Jackson or any other Master Riordan's work
Thalia was running through a misty forest, her pursuers right behind her. The cold air burned her lungs every time she inhaled and she could hear her own heartbeat thundering in her ears while the grunts of her pursuers sent chills over her spine, the cries of the beast seemed to echo in the mist making it impossible to know the exact location of whatever was chasing her.
She kept running until all strength was gone from her limbs leaving her crawling for shelter inside the trunk of a dead tree and there she waited, rested and listened the sounds of the wildness around her...one she was certain she's never been. The trees were black, neither alive nor dead, something between them just like this whole place.
She still remembered the feeling when she was transformed into a pine tree by her dad in order to save her life and protects Camp Half-Blood, it was like being caged inside your own body and not even being able to keep a track on the time as hours, days, months blurred altogether in one big and confusing dream. Now with her breathing stead she started to analyse the situation...when she first came to herself she was already in this strange forest with no way to figure out how long she been there or if it was at least real...either way, she had no weapon and her powers didn't seem to work there leaving her defenseless.
No sooner she was up she could already hear something crawling among the bushes, hungrily sniffing the moist air in search of any game. When she heard that familiar sound her mind was already urging her body to move, something she promptly obeyed. She run through black trees and thick fog, stumbled across strange shadows and tripping over roots hidden under the rotten foliage, finally finding sanctuary inside an enormous dead tree.
"Hello, Thalia", the voice startled her and she rolled away from it, raising to her feet she could fell her heart beating, spreading fear through her veins and making her limbs shake nervously. "It's OK, it's OK. It's just me, Mimir". Thalia recognized the talking head god and relaxed a bit, yet still cautious of the surroundings and specially the god in front of her.
"What do you want?" Her voice was cracking a bit and her eyes were watery from the panic. The god was a face inside the trunk, dim lit by its own luminescence.
"Geez...I expected a little more composure from you" The comment helped Thalia subdue the fear and replace it with a little of annoyance, she clenched her fists and she felt a small spark run her fingers. "Oh dear..." Mimir snorted loudly, clearly more annoyed than threatened by the girl. "Snap it and sit! I don't have much time". She felt an invisible power forcing her to sit.
"Now listen here, I couldn't explain the meaning of the memories you saw, so listen carefully and stay quiet" Thalia opened her mouth to protest but the look he god gave her changed her mind and she nodded in agreement. "Good, now first of all, the memories aren't complete, those...gaps are there because no one except Odin and Sieg knows what really happened, the extinction of the first generation of mortals is connect with Sieg's very origins and powers, something that link him and Odin more than their oath to one another."
"What do you..." Thalia started to ask but was gagged by a piece of cloth that appeared out of the thin air side the tree.
"No questions remember...now, secondly, the place where you are going isn't safe for him. Due to his peculiar nature, his powers are likely to go wild after you cross the Styx so it will be up to you to keep his mind safe...although I have no idea how that might be possible, Odin believed in you for-" A thunder roared in the distant sky interrupting Mimir, who eyed the sky with wary look. "Damn! To soon...anyway, the old man has plans for you, Thalia, plans that probably even Sieg is not aware of. Just be care... uh...stay sa...try staying alive. Now I must go...brace yourself, Thalia, an air-head is coming".
With those final words , the world in which Thalia was trapped dissolved and she could fell something dragging her by her ankles, she couldn't discern up from down and the brutal swings made her lose focus of reality. She came back to it after colliding violently against a wall and hitting the floor like a dead body,.
Slowly her head stopped spinning and she could see again, unfortunately the first thing she saw was the floor...a floor made of glass and under it a fall of a few thousand feet. She tried standing, but her legs had turned into jelly and it was no use trying to look another direction, even the walls were made of glass. She stayed there, terrified, frozen in fear, unable to move or talk.
Thalia couldn't tell how much time she stayed in that same position until a deep, rumbling voice echoed inside the glassy room. "Thalia, my daughter" she didn't seem to have heard or if she had she was too frightened to answer, "THALIA!" This time she complained, going from rice sack to a perfect erect position in a split of second. "Good, you are awake" Zeus took a visible form in front of her. He was wearing a blue suit that matched his stormy blue eyes, his sharp beard giving his face a geometrical look.
"Would you care to explain why you are traveling in an unauthorized quest with such barbarian?" If his voice wasn't enough, he made himself clear by his body language that he wouldn't take her silence as an answer nor would he let her off the hook with a simple one too.
"Dad...I..." Thalia didn't know how to answer her father. She went months without hearing from him an now he decides to show up, after HE close the Olympus and with that I-am-the-king-so-obey-me attitude she hated so much and insulting the guy who have already saved her a couple of times in less than a week. She wasn't going to take that anymore. "I accepted this quest on my own account to find a way to protect my friends and family-"
"Enough of this! You are going back to your sister's pack this instant" Zeus interrupted her again with the same douche attitude, "Now, where is the hunt? Where did you camp this time?"
"WE ARE IN SEATTLE AND YOU ARE NOT SENDING ME BACK!" Thalia was panting; all the resentment towards her father and the stress of a half-blood's live had reached its limit. "I'M NOT A KID ANYMORE, YOU HARDLY EVER SHOWED ANY GRATITUDE FOR ALL THE SACRIFICES WE PUT UP WITH, YOU TOOK MY BROTHER WITHOUT SAYING A WORD AND KEPT LIKE THAT FOR FIFTEEN YEARS-" Her breathing was erratic, sobbing uncontrollable, all the pain and fear finally found a weak point on her strong and fearless facade. "Y- You closed the Olympus and locked Artemis away from us...you...you..."
Zeus was speechless, his wide eyes fixed on his daughter, and no one...not even Hera, Hades or Poseidon would talk back to him like this, accusing him of things he certainly did and knew was too cruel to be easily forgiven. He stood there, watching his little girl cry all the emotions she kept inside all those years and to make matters worse, he didn't know how to react...he never played the caring father, he knew...no all gods knew they always asked too much of their children.
He tried to approach Thalia's body, but a storm of fire and ice broke off, shattering the walls and turning the glass back to sand "She is under my care and you will not harm her ever again, Zeus" An enormous hooded figure with what she thought was a galaxy condensed into the size of an eye shining emerged from the flames, bursting fiery winds at the king of the gods, pushing him away. Zeus couldn't mutter any words as he was hit by a wall of spiked ice that appeared out of nowhere and lunged the god back to Olympus. "Now go back, my girl, your quest is not over yet"
Thalia woke up feeling her face warm and her eyes were watery, probably she had been crying while sleeping. She dried herself on Sieg's cape, which she had borrowed so she would freeze during the night...she might not be susceptible to diseases, but cold still bothered her. "Seen you finally woke up...that was probably one hell of a nightmare" Sieg's voice was close by...perhaps too close, she look up and discovered why.
She was between his legs while lying over his chest. Thalia could feel her face burning and when he gently brushed her cheek she was sure she looked like a tomato. She stretched her hand and just as gently followed his jawline and resting over hips lips making him blush like her. That's the perfect payback...
The air was colder around him and she pressed close to him since his heat was so welcoming, both were lost in their own thoughts, intoxicated by the scent of the other. Thalia's scent was like a thunderstorm, rain with a distinct metallic smell while Sieg retained the same smell since the beginning of their journey; his scent was like a misty morning. He was the first to break the silence "Thalia...tell me...what's wrong..." his voice was soft and low, worry and love mixed together.
Thalia looked at him and knew it was useless tell nothing was wrong, they could read each other's eyes, so she started narrating her visions since the afternoon with Mimir, following him invading her dream with the talking head god and her little breakdown in front of her father and finally the hooded giant.
He listened to her report of everything that happened and it clearly troubled her, there was more happening than he was aware. "Sieg..." this time was Thalia's turn to play the worried lover "What's the matter?" her stormy blue eyes had the same effect that his icy blue had on her. She waited in silence for his answer while kept brushing his face.
"Looking through the Eye of Odin was already dangerous enough, but Mimir showed something the only a bunch of immortals know and the Olympians are among those who don't." he kept a steady breathing while talking to her, making sure she would understand everything he was about to tell her. "If my origin was made public, other gods might sacrifice countless lives in order to get a living weapon". Thalia still hasn't seen Sieg in action, only what happened afterwards and she was sure he was holding back at the library.
"It's forbidden knowledge, but if Odin allowed you in I have no word against. You see, even if he was separated from his eye, he still have control over it and what it can reveal" He looked up for the moon for a feel seconds, the moonlight shone over them with its silver rays piercing the night, this whole situation was calming despite their own problems with it. But he felt her gaze waiting for him he obligated. "As for Zeus ignoring his own word is no big surprise since I'm holding the result of one in my arms" Sieg cupped Thalia's face with one of his hand earning a shy smile from her "...however i can't say the same thing about Odin appearing personally."
"Wait...haven't you said that Odin had disappeared and probably captured?" she gave a confusing look since she remembered that Hera couldn't manifest herself clearly when she had been kidnapped by Gaea.
As if reading her mind or probably was common knowledge for every immortal out there he answered "Odin isn't a simple major god, he is the leader of a pantheon and you only saw the appearance he uses when walks among the mortals, the wanderer. Now, don't worry he is much more generous and understanding than your Queen".
That dealt with most of the topics and the only one remaining was...they. "Sieg...and us? What are we now? I don't feel bad for being with you" Thalia was scared to know the answer for that because she didn't know what to do with it.
Sieg looked down, the same fear as her in his eyes. "I- I do not know myself" He saw panic taking over her face and quickly finished "I care about you more than I should and I'm sure my affection will continue to grow..."
"So we remain as more than friends for the time being and when everything is settled we figure out?" She completed his phrase perfectly since he have a surprise expression on his face.
"Sounds like a plan to me-" Sieg stopped when Thalia took his face with both hands, shifting from her position.
"Do you promise?" She was scared, not only she was opening her heart again she was also putting her oath at risk in this.
He placed one hand on her face while the other pulled her closer with a light touch under the chin "I promise". He finished with a soft kiss on her lips, both loosing themselves in the moment.
They broke the kiss and cuddle in each other arms, the warmth between them making both drift back to sleep. The last though on their minds was the moonlight shining over the other as if blessing their choice.
Thalia woke up the next morning with her stomach growling like a wolf and was already reaching for her ration inside her bag pack when she heard movement among the bushes. Quickly summoning her bow and an arrow, she kept a low stance ready to shoot at first sight of the enemy. When Sieg appeared, Thalia relaxed a bit...perhaps a bit too much as she let the arrow flies towards his head.
Sieg heard the distinct sound of a string being released and a silver blur pacing near his head. He searches for the source of the shoot and found Thalia in an strange shooting position. "I come in peace..." he raised his hands revealing a big in each "...and I bring food".
Thalia walked awkwardly to him, recovering the arrow "Sorry about that", she picked the plastic bag with bottles of water and walked back to their camping site, folding his cape she sat and patted the ground next to her "And thank you ". They ate a couple of sandwiches each in silence and when Thalia asked where did he get all the food he simply said that Mimir practically owned the whole place.
After they have taken care of the trash, one of the strict rules of Artemis, always protect the wildness, Thalia was packing their new provision when one small detail occurred to her "Sieg, how will we reach the underworld now?".
"Don't worry, already took care of it while shopping" he pointed to the sky where a crow was circling them, "Since Villi can't stand hotter temperatures, I requested for another ride. He'll probably be here any moment". Thalia have just finish preparing herself when she heard a horse neighing and when she turned she saw the biggest horse she has ever seem. "Ah, here he is! Thalia, meet the fastest and toughest horse in all nine realms, Odin's personal mount and occasionally mine. Sleipnir, the eight legged steed" He patted its side and the beast affectionately brushed its massive head on hers.
The steed was easily eight foot tall and steel colored, with eyes that resembled balls of gold and frost all over its mane. Mounting the new ride proved to be a challenge for Thalia so Sieg went first and helped her next, placing her in front of him. "Munnin! Send my thanks to milady and tell her I'll soon be back with that senile old bastard!" The crow circled them one more time before flying away. "Now if I were you, I would fasten that cape around me. Riding Sleipnir might be a little cold if you aren't used to it".
He spurred the animal and it dart in a fast gallop, Thalia first though about protesting, but soon decided otherwise as she was trying to keep her body warm. Riding that horse was nothing she had ever done, its speed easily exceeded Villi's and it was like all heat from the air have been absorbed in some way, however there were two wonderful points...she didn't feel the acceleration pull and she knew the trip would be a short one.
Ten minutes later they have arrived to their destination: DOA Recording Studios in Los Angeles, the entrance of the Underworld in modern times. Thalia have already heard stories about that place when Percy and Annabeth went on their first quest together and in her opinion it certainly looked like a place where only dead would go willingly. The steel grey walls, the tacky black leather furniture and finally that muzak music drained all happiness from the air, it wasn't surprising seeing all the dead souls who couldn't pay and were stuck there displaying depressed faces.
"Hello, Charon" Sieg went straight to the man near an elevator, he was tall and skinny, with a skin the same color as milk chocolate and military style blond hair, wearing a green tortoise-shell shades and a suit that matched his hair. By his expression, he wasn't happy to see neither of us standing there.
"Terrific! The living come to this place more often than the dead nowadays" the god grunted between his teeth, turning towards Thalia while ignoring Sieg's presence he continued, "Let me guess, god-ling, you desire passage for you and...whatever that may be" he said point to Sieg.
The Einherjar wasn't used being ignored and threw the bag full of drachmas a little stronger than necessary, making the ferryman step back when he was hit on his stomach. "Here is your payment, now let us through". His voice was stern and commanding, something the gods usually didn't like however, Charon was different, his greed always had spoken louder than his pride, and heavy golden coins always stirred his greedy.
Charon scouted them towards the elevator as he started counting the coins. Thalia approached Sieg and whispered to him "Don't like being left out?", he shrugged and nodded, a little embarrassed but satisfied nonetheless. Charon entered right after them, pressing a bottom and setting the small metallic box in movement.
Soon everything changed, they were in a boat, crossing the mist and a river of black waters, it's been almost a year now but she still remembered this river: The Styx. "May I ask you something, god-ling?" Charon's voice got much deeper now and his appearance changed too, he was now clad in a black robe and his face reminded her of a mummy she had seen once in a museum, "Where are you heading with that think? He doesn't belong here".
"We are going to the bridge between the underworlds" Thalia repeated what Sieg had told her the night after they left for their quest even though she still didn't comprehend exactly what that meant.
Charon looked at both with his empty orbs and chuckled "The Domains of Hell, uh? Well, good luck crossing the Abyss. You'll need since no one knows that region"
"Abyss?!" Thalia looked at the god with wide eyes. "You mean there isn't a bridge or something like that?"
Charon took a moment scratching his head with bone fingers "There might be a way, but I can't be sure since I never been there. No Greek or Roman has ever set foot in that place since the king of the north order..."
"Odin had good reason to declare that place off-limits, if you don't know the place or if you don't have a guide, than you are as good as dead" Sieg interrupted their chat, not giving time for any question to be elaborated "Ginungagap, the Great Abyss, is one of the birth places of the western gods. It was there..." he paused, breathing slowly while staring at Thalia's stormy eyes "...that Odin and I were born. Ginungagap is the origin of the northern gods. The power in that place can kill anything you if are not protected".
Thalia was speechless, the place where they were heading was more important than any she had been in all her life. Moreover, she was astonished Sieg was keeping so much from her, but as she turned to confront him all she saw was his pale face and pleading eyes. "He is too far away from his gods. When an Einherjar is this far from Valhalla they return to being what they were before...they once again become mortal." Charon voice was cold but at least was free from the scold of before. "Don't worry, once he returns to surface he'll be fine. Just an advice, keep him away from trouble".
She nodded and held the shivering man in one soft and warm hug, feeling his aura of power decrease as he gradually lost his immortality. Fortunately by the time they reached the other side of the Styx Sieg had already recovered his color but his eyes were now grey blue.
They came across the gates of the underworld and the tree-headed spectral dog Cerberus, however the beast made passage to them as they were already waited by its master, one of Thalia's least favorite relatives, the god of the underworld, Hades.
The rest of their way to the black stone palace went smooth, the lingering souls in the Asphodels opened a path to them, guiding them through the fields of withered wheat and no one bothered them, not even the dead Spartans guards.
Annabeth once described the underworld as the mirrored image of Olympus, palaces and temples were identical except the walls were made of black marble with inlaid multicolored crystals whereas Olympus displayed a radiance of bright white and golden walls. Hades' throne room was the spitting image of the Olympian Counsel's, everything so familiar yet foreign. The ruler of those lands was sitting next to his wife, wearing a crimson robe made of the blood of the deceased, and one hand resting over his helm while the other held a sword across his lap. "Uncle, thanks for welcoming us" Thalia bowed respectfully, since becoming a hunter she improved her relationship with most of her relatives, her bossy father, the crazy bitch step-mother and eternal jackass brother Ares continued being a pain in the ass to deal with.
"No need for formalities, niece" Hades replied with a playful smile, she was truthfully one of the feel demigods he liked. "What can I do for my favorite niece and my mentor?" Thalia turned surprised to Sieg who had remained in silence since they arrival.
"Now it's my time to say it: no need for formalities, old friend" Sieg raised his head to meet the god's eyes, following a courteous greeting for the goddess beside Hades "Charming as ever, Lady Persephone" She nodded shyly, accepting the compliment. "We would like to have your consent to cross the Fields of Punishment and reach the edge of Ginungagap and Hell further ahead".
Hades pondered what was asked of him but agreed in the end "This is a journey with dangers not even I know, however since my old mentor is with you, I guess I can't deny it" Thalia was already getting pissed of every single deity they met remind them of how dangerous this quest was, life and death situation were part of a demigod's life even if they tried to avoid them. "Very well, you have my permission, but before you leave I'd like to offer a banquet and warm beds for you at least for today"
"And don't worry about the underworld's law about food, it's been 3000 years since Sieg last visited us here so, only for today, we are making and exception. Eat until you are stuffed, drinking to your heart's content and sleep all you can while you are here" Persephone's words were of a true host but her tone was of a child who meets a dear friend in a while. Clapping her hands, the goddess brought forth a full course banquet with all types of foods and drinks that one could imagine.
They all sat and ate, talking about the times when Sieg used to assist all the Olympians with the basis of the duties of a god after their victory against the titans and giants when Apollo, Artemis , Dionysus and Hermes were demigods like Thalia and her friends or too inexperienced. According to Persephone there was even a time when Sieg scolded Zeus for being a lazy, womanizer bastard and pushing him with the most excruciating exercises he could come up with and all that became part of the history as the infamous Spartan Training. Thalia knew Sieg was old, but never thought that he actually had done so much although that explained why Artemis was so scared of him.
"Just how old are you anyway, Sieg?" Thalia asked after they finished eating and were being taken to their rooms.
"It was difficult keeping track of time back then when day and night weren't properly described, but I'd say something between 10 and 12 thousand years" He turned to see her surprised expression with wide eyes and an open mouth, he chuckled at her reaction putting a finger under her chin and closing her mouth. "When we reach Ginungagap I'll tell about how this world came to be and how the three Pantheon were connected long before the first interaction between Nords, Greeks and Egyptians.
Thalia gulped and wondered just how much she would learn about her own gods before this quest was done. Even with all the perils that were yet to come she still was enjoying...no, she was excited about all this and utterly happy for meeting Sieg and something inside her told her she'd be thanking Artemis much more for sending her on this quest. They parted with a soft peak in each other lips, still not used to kissing and rather worried what both master's would think of them together.
That's it, guys! Another chapter for you!
Sorry for taking a little more than expected, I first thought of covering all their time in Hades in a single chapter, but I had to many things to explain in this one so I decided to divide it, thankfully to this I already have all the ideas for the rest of their time in the Underworld and most of what is yet to come.
As usual, thanks for reading and don't forget to review.