AN-Okay so here is the next chapter. I've tried to give all the detail necessary but you wont find out all about the characters until later on. Hope you enjoy it! xx
Chapter 1- The Oldest Threat
Percy walked swiftly through the darkened streets of The City Of Aether, heading for the medieval building in the centre. Of course it wasn't actually medieval, but Aether loved the resilience and majesty of a real Earth-English castle, and couldn't resist changing the design of his entire city to suit. The Primordial Of The Light had a real flair for decadence.
The city itself was a mix of medieval fortresses, Greek pavilions and more modern buildings seen in the planets Lathar and Trove. The quiet that hung over the outskirts of the city faded as Percy reached the more prestigious cobbled lanes closer to the centre. It astounded him how through all modern civilisations there were had the frivolous richer classes. Nevertheless, in The City of Aether the classes were more blended and there was very little discord. Well, everyone treated each other with respect and kindness, at the very least.
Percy turned down a street to his left, and ducked through a darkened alleyway into the open forecourt at the castle gates. He hastened to the oaken doors, placing his palm on the slightly warmed wood, which yielded to his touch and opened without a sound. Taking a few winding corridors and bolting quickly up a spiral staircase Percy entered his room.
It was large-too large in his opinion, with a traditional fireplace across from the door with a few comfortable armchairs and a desk piled with ancient scrolls and a high-tech computer. Interesting combination. 2 staircases stood in alcoves on either side of the fireplace, one to each of the bedrooms in the shared living space. There was a kitchen like room to the left, and an (overly) expensive games room to the right. He checked the time-7 minutes until he had to be downstairs-and quickly changed into black jeans and a hoodie. He switched his belt over the top, checked he had both Riptide and his black sword and hesitated before strapping on the throwing knives and the dagger in his boot also. You couldn't be too careful.
When he reached the drawing room he was, thankfully, not the last to arrive. Most were seated around a long mahogany table with (pretentious) high backed chairs. He walked to the seat on the right from the head where Lord Chronus, The Primordial Of Time, and his wife, Lady Ananke, The Primordial of Inevitability were already seated. The power radiating off the two ancient beings was so strong it surged towards him in waves, rendering him stunned for a few seconds before he collected himself and blocked it from his mind.
Across from him sat the owner of the magnificent palace himself; Lord Aether, Of light. Over the years Percy had developed a resistance to being within a mile of the Primordial, but looking directly at him still felt like trying to stare at the sun. Lady Hemera wasn't at the table, though she rarely came to the meetings, and was more of a passive force in the council. Sitting next to Percy was old friend and enemy, Luke Castellan or Commander LC as he was more commonly known. Luke was one of the many departed souls recruited for the cause, and had risen quickly through the ranks in only 60 years of service.
Percy was surprised to note that his whole squadron was present, which did raise a few eyebrows. Viper was on Luke's right; with Sol-leks and Aruval across the table. Gina was diagonally across from Aruval, and finally Uumbra was next to her. He saw Commander Fleetwood was also present, along with another old face, Zoë Nightshade. At the other end of the table were the other important leaders: Tezar, Kala, Mavory and Helly.
The doors opened a final time and Livia arrived, closely followed by a winged figure shrouded in darkness almost floating to the seat at the opposite end of the table. Lady Nyx. Nobody but The Primordial Of Darkness could move so gracefully.
The meeting of Chaos' Army began.
Aether spoke first, glancing across the table.
"I presume your assignment ran smoothly Omega?" he asked with apparent awkwardness. The Lord of Light considered himself above such vulgar thoughts like murder. It would concern Percy, but he'd soon learned Aether thought highly of himself, but had no real hunger for power.
"Of course sir; the alarm was raised but he'd stopped kicking by the time they got in the room." he replied. It was one of Percy's many games-how much could he disgust Aether? This appeared to rate a 7/10. Must try harder. "I haven't got any blood on my face have I? He splattered a little, and I didn't get a chance to shower."
Aether now looked thoroughly repulsed, so much so that he leant back in his seat, trying-and failing-to get as far from the assassin as possible.
"In that case, we can move on too the more important matters?" Chronus said with annoyance. He knew full well of Percy's games, and though he enjoyed laughing at his son's expense, he knew the assassin would soon be in outrage, and wanted to get this meeting over with as fast as possible.
"Of course Father" Aether replied.
"I shall get straight to the point. There appears to be a new threat rising throughout universe. One that may be our downfall should we not act soon enough." Chronus' gaze travelled over Chaos' finest fighters and leaders. "Tartarus stirs."
Even in The City of Aether, locked in the habitable regions of The Void, the name flickered around the room. Shadows rising, the fire dimming. The effect on the occupants was instantaneous. Sol-leks the Lupet (a part wolf human that can shift to a 6ft wolf form) choked on his own tongue, receiving a slap on the back from a wide-eyed Aruval. Luke, who had been swinging aimlessly on the back legs of his chair slammed down to the ground, his face pale in the dim light of the room. Aether let out something akin to a squeak which he would deny wholeheartedly at any later date. Percy snapped round to face The Primordial of Time, as though to check this wasn't some sick joke. Nyx looked thoughtful, but her black wings fluttered with anxiety. Even the shade, Umbra looked take aback.
"It is then, of course crucial that we fight this at the earliest opening, if he rises fully from The Abyss, we would have very little chance of success, only Chaos could withstand him." Chronus continued, "We have some evidence to suggest he plans to dominate the original planet before attempting to rise."
Silence rang across the room. The original planet. The first planet to be born of Chaos. Earth.
It was Ananke who broke the silence. "Do you understand what this means Omega?" She spoke with a calm motherly tone. In the 100 years since his recruitment into Chaos' Army that is exactly what she had become to Percy. He sensed her message; it is inevitable, don't fight.
He heaved a sigh, "I understand. It doesn't mean I like it. I suppose there is no other way? Nobody else?"
Aether spoke seriously for once. "You are the best we have. You still cannot see the influence you have over people. Any man in this Army would give their life for you, and most only know you by the name Omega. Most don't even know your legend. On Earth, you remain a figure of Hope, Loyalty and Success. You wouldn't have to reveal your identity unless necessary."
"What are the details then? I'm not confirming until I know everything. And don't deny me knowledge." Percy replied with force.
Even as the "Assassin of Chaos", Omega had always remained a free agent. He'd started the work around 500 years ago, after leaving Earth. Nyx had noticed him early in his life, and after the depression and hopelessness that followed the death of his girlfriend Annabeth at the end of the 2nd giant war, she had granted him the Travellers Blessing. So the hero had left his home planet in search of a purpose. It had been 9 months before he'd first killed in cold blood. He left the Omega mark on the body, as a signature. That was the day he started "The Legend" as Aether called it.
Word travels fast through the universe and within a couple of years "Omega" was the death bringer. The source of hope and freedom or fear and failings. He chose his victims carefully; the rapists and paedophiles. The murderers and violent parents. 250 years after leaving earth Nyx returned, with a quest: find your way to the dead planet of Eden, find the black sword known as "The Reaper" and use it to kill the immortal tyrant of leader of the shade planet Varse.
Chronus finally contacted him a century ago, and he became Chaos' Assassin, gaining a kick-ass uniform from the deal. He was given assignments that he took by choice, but continued to live his life freely, killing those who life would be better without. Percy had fought in several planetary wars with The Army, though only when he agreed with the cause.
Chronus broke the tension in the room. "On Earth, the attacks on the Olympians and their children have increased over the last 2 years. Security at the camps is much higher, yet monsters still roam the edges. The Hunters…" Zoë's interest peaked at word of her old life. "…have been almost overwhelmed by several minor attacks, and even Camp Jupiter is threatened. In more recent weeks new threats from other galaxies have been sighted, though the numbers are small. I expect them to increase. I believe Tartarus is trying to weaken the camps, before sending a head-on assault. The movement in monsters could well be an attempt to co-ordinate a monster army of both Earth residing species, and the darker, harsher creatures of the rest of the universe"
"Do we know whether they have any creatures of Magic, or Mind-Control? Omega mentioned these were rarely seen on Earth, you can understand how that could be their downfall." Umbra asked. The shade was entirely made of shadows and darkness that flowed neither liquid nor gas. His form never stuck for longer than a few seconds, though he usually remained roughly humanoid with black wings-the form he held now.
"We are unsure of the full extent of the threat, however it appears likely" Chronus replied.
Commander Fleetwood brought up the thought in everyone's mind, "I assume we plan to support the Olympians, in an attempt to quell the issue quickly," Chronus nodded in response. "In that case, who do you plan to send?" Fleetwood was a military man through and through. Even for an Angeli, (a winded human from an neighbouring planet to Earth, where the myth of angels arose from) he was built with strength in mind, standing at 6'2", when most of his brethren barely made 5ft.
"We plan to send Omega, if he is willing, along with the entire of the Alpha Squadron." This caused many raised eyebrows. The Alpha squadron was the elite, but they rarely assembled together entirely. Along with Percy, it included Luke, Zoë, Sol-leks, Umbra, the Scathre, Viper (a reptilian humanoid with orange eyes, red scaled skin, pointed claw-like fingers, spikes running down his head and neck and a forked tongue), Aruval (a muscled human from the planet of Trove named after his favourite weapon), and Gina (the ruthless Latharid, whose curved swords and dagger wielding tail were feared by many).
Chronus continued,
"Along with Commander LC we will send the entirety of the Beta Platoon, and Lieutenant Theseus." The Beta Platoon was 400 of the best combat forces, made of only demigods, and Higher Mages of the planet Magnus. Theseus was far from the only hero in its ranks.
"The Gamma division will be sent as the main foot soldiers, led by Commander Fleetwood, and the Delta Force led by Commander Nightshade." The Delta Force were the 5,000 archers and snipers of The Army.
"50 medics from the Epsilon group will be sent, under the command of Major Fletcher and Captain Yew. From Psi we will send 50 mages, led by Umbra, and finally the entire of the Iota and Omicron groups." Iota was the aerial assault group lead by Commander Tezar the Dragon Rider and Omicron was the cavalry led by Kala and her Caw (a wolf-horse hybrid).
Percy knew the forces of Chaos' Army fairly well, and nothing he had seen in 100 years could warrant this kind of force. It was both a blessing and a curse: a force this substantial could overwhelm many of their enemies, but if this was the starting call, he shuddered to think of the sheer scope of this battle. Loyalty had always been his flaw, and he couldn't consider leaving his home planet-even with how much it haunted him- against a foe that could stand against almost 20,000 of the strongest warriors in the universe.
He let out a long sigh. "Yes, I'll lead them."
Chronus gave a brief smile, "That is excellent. I think it best the Alpha Squad are introduced first, and spend a week gaining trust before we send the rest of the forces. Commander Helly-you must co-ordinate the transport of the forces, using the Lambda Ship. Timing being as it is, the Winter Solstice meeting on Olympus is in two days, so if you can prepare yourselves, and leave your forces in control of your lieutenants, Aether and I will brief the Olympians when you arrive at the meeting. Omega, if I could just have a last word, I think we can wrap this up."
Most of the rooms occupants left quickly to think over the grave news they had been given. Luke gripped Percy's shoulder, "I'll see you in the room?" he asked with a smile.
"Sure, shouldn't be too long." Percy replied.
Chronus stretched back in his chair. Even omnipotent Primordial's got stiff if they sat for too long.
"I understand that this could cause you some distress," he said with a sigh, "but I had no other choice. If Tartarus rises fully, well Chaos would have to awaken. Our Creator has the best intensions, and is fond of all life, but the sheer destruction he could cause but forming a body, would be cataclysmic. He Creates without restraint, so new universes and galaxies would be born from him, sending life as we know it into chaos. To consider a full war with Tartarus…they would rent the world in two."
"I understand, and I will fight with the last breath in my body, but I've changed. I'm not the man I was. I'm comfortable being Omega. I would like to keep my identity hidden unless it absolutely crucial for the motivation of both Chaos' Army and The Olympian Army."
"You have my word that I will not ask it of you unless there is no other way. I understand that in forcing immortals to fade, you have taken on some of their powers and characteristics?"
"That is correct" Percy replied shortly.
"Do not fear, I won't make you specify, however I want to give you a blessing to strengthen your mortal soul. You have taken immortality from your victims, but your soul is still not strong enough to restrain the power of a Primordial-should you try to take ones life. The power would literally rip you to pieces with more power than a Supernova"
Percy raised an eyebrow, but nodded in confirmation.
Chronus reached over and pressed his palm to Percy's forehead. The room darkened and the two beings glowed with power. As he removed his hand, the assassin gasped in shock, before his mouth curled into a grin.
"Well I certainly feel stronger. I thank you, My Lord"
"I shall see you in two days. It's Time I left this horrific castle; I'll never understand why Aether insists on his display of 'class'. I don't envy you in living here." The Primordial said with a chuckle.
When he reached there room, Percy saw Luke was sitting in a chair by the fireplace waiting for him. After removing all his weapons but Riptide and the small blade hidden in his sock, the assassin threw himself into the chair across from the son of Hermes.
"Don't speak for a minute, I'm just trying to break the record for the amount of peace I've had today." 2 minutes passed in silence. "right that's it"
The commander snorted. "Oh the woeful life the most powerful non god in existence. Ready to go back?"
"Defiantly not. But I don't think I ever will be, so I guess now is no harder."
"You'll be fine mate. They love you already, not to mention the-mighty-and-most-noble-Omega is even more impressive than saviour-of-Olympus,-bane-of-all-evil,-cure-to-everybody's-problems so you'll be worshiped even more now"
They had a weird relationship. Both had grown close over the past 60 years and acted like brothers; Luke was the only person allowed to mock Percy about his past, and vice versa. Even so, the son of Poseidon wondered whether there was some basis the comments Luke made. He hoped not.
"You're not bothered are you? If they won't trust you I'll reveal my identity and back you up"
"Nah Perce, I'll manage. Hopefully they'll be too concerned staring at Viper and Umbra to take me into account. Either way, I said I wanted to redeem myself, so ill just have to earn their trust again." He paused, embarrassed. "D'you my Dad'll be ok with me? I mean, I'd like to…I don't know, actually spend some time with him, I guess."
"I'm pretty certain of it. He always really cared about you Luke, honestly he'll probably to overwhelmed to start with-I'm sure they all will-but he'll defiantly want to catch-up."
"I hope so." Luke stood, and held a hand out to the assassin. "Packing in the morning-what fun!"
End of Chapter!
AN-Another chapter down! Pease Review, especially if you have anything to ask me. Also, im running a mini vote over reviews for whether you want percy to have romance in this, and who with! All the best-PLEASE REVIEW! Chrysos Argentum xx