AN: Apologies for the long wait once again. Am doing my best, but have lots of commitments getting in the way, and a significant amount of writer's block going on. So, will push on, trying to get to the end. It's been taking a weird turn, recently, hope you guys are still enjoying it!
Thanks again if you've been reviewing. I to read what you think!
Jason tugged firmly at the chains on his wrists. They'd looked so delicate, more like jewellery than something that could actually hold him down. He quickly dispelled that impression. He tugged at them, zapped them with electricity, forced air into any crack he could see in them. It made no difference.
All he could think about was Zagreus. His face, his hands, his power, what he could have done so easily earlier, but didn't. The way his own body had reacted to Zagreus' arms.
He'd had dreams; a powerful body spreading passion and pleasure through his own. He'd wanted Zagreus to rule him completely. Now he was just terrified of him.
He fell back on the bed, its luxurious comfort doing nothing more than infuriate him. With just thoughts of his previous torture to torment him, he clambered to the edge, as far away from where he knew Zagreus wanted him as possible. What was he supposed to do now? Wait and hope for the best? Keep struggling to escape?
He heard Zagreus arriving this time. At least he wasn't about to be taken by surprise. He didn't move though. He no longer cared how Zagreus saw him.
He glared at the god as he came into Jason's prison with a warm smile.
"Greetings, my lover," said Zagreus, "I have had such a great day."
Jason stayed silent and glared.
Zagreus just continued. "First, Zeus welcomed me as I knew he would, and now I have taken everything I will need to win. And Zeus will forgive me for it. Oh, Jason you should have heard him! He just doesn't care what I do! He will forgive me anything. I could send Hera to Tartarus and he would laugh and call it high spirits."
Jason took a moment to take in the words. "Does he know… about me?" he asked.
Zagreus grinned at him. "Oh yes," he said, "he thinks I'm raping you. And Jackson's girlfriend. I suppose it's what he would do in my situation. He is a lustful creature. Does he have no control?"
Jason didn't reply to that. It was as though Jupiter had smacked him in the face from afar. He'd barely actually met the god, but to think he would know Jason was in danger, to believe him to be suffering and to do nothing, left Jason with almost nothing but hatred inside of him.
"Are you ready to sleep with me, my lover?" Zagreus asked, as though he were asking if Jason were hungry.
Jason didn't look at him. "I will never want to sleep with you," he said. He wasn't even sure it was true. At the moment he couldn't see a world past Zagreus.
That finally did the job of damaging Zagreus' smile. "But I have chosen you as my partner," he said. "You are going to rule at my side as my lover."
Jason didn't reply.
"You belong to me Jason!" Zagreus hissed, "Would you prefer to be my slave?"
Jason refused to answer that either.
Zagreus actually growled. "Ungrateful brat!" he hissed, "I have brought you everything you could ever ask for!"
Jason didn't even dare look at him. He had no idea what that meant; so far Zagreus had brought him a brief possession by a deity and chains.
Zagreus took a step closer and Jason shrank back, back onto the bed. He hadn't meant to, it just happened. "Do you wish me to hurt you, Jason?" the god growled.
"No," Jason whispered.
"Then look at me!"
Jason obeyed. It didn't make Zagreus happy. His face grew red with anger, and Jason was half expecting him to hit him. He didn't.
"You will come with me," he said, holding out a hand to which the chains flew. He turned to check Jason was following, and walked to the door, leaving Jason the choice between walking or being dragged. He chose to walk.
Zagreus led him through a maze of elaborately decorated corridors. "This is to be our home, Jason," he called over his shoulder, "it is being built as we speak by my followers. They arrive every day. They know of my fate, they dedicate their lives to my service."
Jason didn't reply. He wanted to shout that the giants and titans had had followers too, but they were still defeated by the gods and demigods.
There were guards; uniformed creatures stood to attention at the end of the corridor. Zagreus smiled at them, and Jason could not have felt more awkward if he had been naked. He was a son of Jupiter being led around a castle by a chain.
Zagreus took him through another set of doors, and this time into a grand room. It was larger than the council room on Olympus, and bright with gold.
"This is my throne room, Jason," said Zagreus. "In here you will sit by my side. Or kneel at my feet. That is your choice."
Jason didn't reply. He'd already tried to explain that agreeing to a relationship through fear was no different from slavery. Of course he would choose to sit rather than kneel, but that didn't mean he would ever choose Zagreus.
"For now, you will kneel," said Zagreus, pushing him towards the centre of the room. Jason stumbled, but didn't bother to protest. He got to his knees as soon as he had enough balance and waited for Zagreus' next order. If anything, that made Zagreus angrier still.
"Wait there," Zagreus growled. He slammed the chains into the marble floor, where they sank and held fast, holding Jason in place. Then Zagreus stamped his foot like a child, and stormed out once more. Jason only bothered trying to dislodge the chains from the stone for a few moments this time, knowing there would be no escape.
Nico awoke on a more comfortable bed than he'd ever experienced.
It took him a long time to wake up. He kept dreaming about Percy. He dreamed about waking up as they had in the underworld, Percy behind him, arms engulfing him, morning hardness pressed against him. He dreamed that Percy wouldn't shy away from him, that when he turned, Percy would greet him with a smile. He dreamed that Percy kissed him, and he didn't have to fear rejection the moment he remembered himself. He dreamed that Percy loved him more than Annabeth.
He woke to an empty bed.
He took a few moments to remember being knocked out by something behind him. At least whoever it was hadn't simply killed him. In fact, he realised he wasn't even bound. No bronze jar cutting off his air supply, no chains, no pain in the head from being bashed.
"Zagreus?" he called. Because there were very few people who were likely to kidnap him and then not hurt him.
He got no response, so he took in more of his surroundings. A soft light was drifting through curtains that seemed vast, and revealed a plush carpet in a well-furnished room. There was a full closet, and a few doors in solid wood carved with images of nature. The walls were white but warm, with more images of nature spirits dancing, satyrs playing pipes, great fields and oceans. They were covered in so much life, Nico instantly knew that this room wasn't meant for him.
He climbed off the bed, pleased to discover he was still fully clothed. He found his shoes at the end of the bed, along with his backpack and sword. He scooped them up, and made for one of the doors.
He discovered a beautifully decorated bathroom.
However tempted he was by a good wash, he realised he needed to know where he was first. He didn't want the world to end while he was naked and singing in the shower.
He closed the bathroom and tried another door. This one showed him a beautiful corridor, as richly furnished as this bedroom. So this was probably the best way of finding out who owned this place. He stepped out of the room, and turned left. There he walked straight into a dragon.
If he hadn't been so terrified, Nico would have noticed how beautiful it was. Its skin seemed to sparkle with crystal scales, its eyes glowed like sapphires. Its face was so perfect it seemed almost angelic.
But it was massive, and breathed a huff of white hot flames, and Nico barely held in the scream before he was throwing himself back into the bedroom and slamming the door.
So that explained the lack of chains. No way was anyone getting past a fire breathing dragon in the corridor.
Just because he felt he should, Nico tried shadow travelling. He stepped into the shadows but found himself simply standing in the same place. Something about this space seemed to have stopped his powers, or at least prevented their use for escape. He took the chance to check the windows too. They revealed a steep drop of flat stone. Clearly brand new, without even the tiniest bit of crumbling that could make a hand hold and no plants grew up the side that could help him climb.
"Er, is anybody there?" he called around the room, feeling completely stupid.
He got no response.
He sat on the bed in temporary defeat, then decided to take that shower anyway. It was gorgeous and warm, and definitely needed. He suspected that he was beginning to smell rather awful. There were soaps and shampoos in the shower that he used and which smelt beautiful. When he came out there were new clothes waiting for him. Smart clothes – shirt and slacks from a good designer. Nico hesitated about accepting them, but realised he had little choice as his own clothes had disappeared while he was in the bathroom. Thankfully his sword belt was still there, along with his sword, which seemed an odd thing to leave a prisoner. Nico buckled it around his waist, and sheathed the sword, and checked once more that the dragon was still there before sitting down on a comfortable chair in the corner to wait for whatever was going to happen.
When Zagreus finally arrived he was pissed.
Nico jumped to his feet in alarm, but Zagreus just waved a hand at him. "Stupid demigods," the god grumbled, pacing backwards and forwards, and Nico wondered if he had been expected to try harder to escape.
"Er…" he said.
"Not you," Zagreus replied, "Stupid boy."
"Er… OK," said Nico.
"No, you're not a stupid boy," said Zagreus, "You're the only one I can trust."
Zagreus kept pacing as Nico couldn't think of anything to say. He didn't want to point out that it was him and Percy who had told everyone about his return, which presumably had caused him problems by now.
"Oh, Nico," groaned Zagreus, "my brother, my friend! I have missed you."
Nico found himself agreeing. He'd only known Zagreus for a few days, but he did miss him. He missed the strange little boy who had seen through him so easily and still not hated him.
"They didn't hurt you, did they?" Zagreus asked, "When they took you? I told them not to. I told them you were special, and you were to be protected."
"No, I'm fine…" Nico replied, "but…"
"I had to take you, Nico. I know Hera plots against me. She may not have Zeus' support, but he never punished her before! And she might have used you to get to me."
"Oh," said Nico.
"They're all so pathetic!" Zagreus shouted. "All those stupid idiots, running around thinking they're so powerful, thinking they deserve to be in power, thinking that because they killed their father, and he killed his father, they think they should make the decisions!" He scrunched his hands into fists, and growled. "Zeus, my first father, he thinks I'm raping one of his human sons, and he doesn't even care. Can you believe that?"
Nico gaped. He didn't understand that.
"And Hera would kill a child because of a prophecy that might not even be about him! And Hades is such a coward he would hide me in his realm for thousands of years! And Athena, putting a sword in the hands of a child without even telling her I would be after it, expecting her to fight off a god! Except, knowing her, she probably expected the girl to die and was sacrificing her so she wouldn't have to be blamed! They ALL DESERVE TO ROT!"
Nico realised he'd stepped back, further and further from the ranting god. His heart was racing, his hands itching to reach for his sword even though he knew it would do him no good. Zagreus let out a sound of pure fury before collapsing on the bed. Nico could do nothing but stare.
"I'm going to win, Nico," he said, "I'm going to take the power from them. I'm going to be a better ruler than they could ever dream of being!"
"But…" Nico protested, "If you destroy them, civilization will fall. There will be chaos. People will be hurt."
"Ha!" cried Zagreus, "Is that what they told you? No wonder Jackson keeps trying to get in my way."
"Percy?" said Nico.
"I'd never let that happen!" Zagreus cried, "I'm not some insane titan! The mortals and their world is important. It's where we get our power from. But it isn't right, is it?"
"Er…"
"All that misery, all that ignorance." Zagreus said, "The gods are not the friends of humanity any more than the titans. When I rule, everyone will be better off. The humans, the gods, the titans, the giants…"
"The titans?" Nico cried, "they…"
"I know, Kronos was crazy, but it's hardly fair that they all suffer for protecting their brother, is it?"
"Er… I don't…"
"Anyway, enough of this," said Zagreus, firmly, "I didn't bring you here to discuss politics. I brought you here to protect you and to reward you."
Nico felt completely lost now.
"I'm afraid I must keep you here," Zagreus told him apologetically, "at least until Hera is dealt with. I'm not having her get to you." He smiled, "But we mustn't let that get us down. Come! I have a whole palace now for us to enjoy ourselves."
"You… built a palace?"
"It is not yet complete," said Zagreus, dismissively, "It is to be a citadel soon enough. It is built atop Mount McKinley, also known as Denali. It's the highest point in the United States. A much more fitting home for the leaders of Western Civilization don't you think?"
"How did you build a citadel in a few days?" Nico asked.
"Oh, with a bit of help. I have followers, magical ones, strong ones. They come to my side each and every day. And of course, I have some powers to manipulate time."
"Oh," said Nico. Zagreus alone had been a frightening prospect, but Zagreus supported. Nico would not be able to fight alone, but Percy would probably try. And maybe die in the attempt.
"And meet my darling Megaleio," Zagreus told him, stepping into the corridor. "Isn't he beautiful?"
It took Nico a moment to realise he meant the dragon. Zagreus was stroking his head, and the creature leaned into the hand.
"Er, yeah," said Nico, "He's… er… beautiful."
"He will protect you. I have instructed him to be my eyes and ears and to keep you safe from anyone who may wish you harm. This is his only purpose right now."
"Thanks," said Nico, not knowing what else to say, and addressing both Zagreus and the dragon.
Zagreus grinned broadly, and patted the dragon once more, "But here, your reward. I put it somewhere safe. I know you wouldn't want it to be damaged."
He opened the next door along the corridor, and then stepped back, indicating for Nico to go first. He did so nervously, still not sure if he wanted to trust Zagreus not to kill him just to get at Hades, or for his own role in informing the gods of his return. But he had no choice but to play along for now, so he stepped into a new room.
This one was almost as well decorated as the one he had woken in. A tall, four poster bed dominated the centre, and other doors led off, presumably to closets and bathrooms as they had in Nico's. And this one too had someone in the bed. But that was where the similarities ended. For in this bed lay Percy Jackson, and unlike Nico, the son of the sea god was bound firmly by chains. He lay above the covers, naked, spread eagled, and unconscious.
"Nico di Angelo, I give you this slave as reward for your service to me," said Zagreus.
Percy stirred.
Nico swore.