AN: Here's the next chapter guys, hope you like it!
The Alpha and Eden
The Alpha squad sat together at breakfast the following morning. Sol-leks had been away for the past year and a half, living in his 6ft black wolf form with his brethren; The Lupets. The expirience showed-he was currently eating a steak so rare that was possible that it might still be breathing. His home planet, Greyga, was known for its thick forested areas and sweeping valleys of open grassland. The Lupets lived like pack animals for all of the year but spring; when they would live as humans to enjoy the sunlight and warmth. Sol-leks had joined Chaos' Army 70 years ago, but was one of the two of the Alpha Squad that ever returned home between battles.
The other was Aruval. The axeman was thickly muscled like many of the people of Trove. Trove and Lathar were the two planets that were most like Earth. Trove was inhabited by humans, and was known for its warriors, lumberjacks and blacksmiths throughout the known universe. Aruval was no exception. His skill with the double-bladed battleaxe was unmatched, and he good give any child of Hephaestus a run for their money in a forge.
Lathar was also compared to Earth, but its habitants-the Latharid's were a more hostile race. Females were seen as superiors, mainly due to their 2 metre lions tail. Gina was a Latharid, but had left her home planet when her entire clan was wiped out in a territorial war. She had been taken in at Aruval's home when she found refuge on Trove, and both had joined Chaos' Army together 3 centuries ago.
Umbra hadn't visited his home Varse for over 250 years. It had been ruled by an immortal tyrannical shade known as Zeth for over 1000 years, and Umbra's own family had been tortured and brutally killed just 2 weeks before Percy had arrived to kill the king. Umbra had since been loyal to Percy, helping him out against more formidable foes and giving him a safe haven when it was required. When Percy was recruited by Chronus on Chaos' orders, Umbra's place on the Alpha Squad had been a condition of the assassin's service. The shade had never looked back.
Viper had been in The Army for the longest; he joined up over a millennia before Percy was born after leaving his home planet Denzia to travel. He had no quarrel with his people, but The Scathre didn't see eye to eye with most other civilisations.
As Percy took his place between his old friends from Earth, he once again silently thanked Chronus for recruiting them. Many of the dead were chosen by the Primordial, it was astounding the Olympian gods weren't aware of it. The process was similar to that of rebirth but the heroes kept their own identities. Luke had been recruited 40 years after Percy at his reference; whereas Zoë had been taken from the stars minutes after Artemis' blessing.
"I've always wanted to see the original planet" Gina said, "though I wish it were under better circumstances"
"Yes, it is a rather special place." Zoë replied, before turning to face Percy "I imagine it will be hard for thee?"
"Probably, but I am curious how they're all doing. I wonder if they've changed…I'm sure Thalia's still zapping anyone that gets on her wrong side"
Percy had no quarrel with his old friends, in fact he did miss them, but they all had had their own lives which added to the loneliness that led to his choice to leave. As a prize for their work in the giant war, the remaining 6 of the prophecy were granted immortality, which they all accepted. Percy had only chosen the an ageless-but-can-fall-in-battle version, similar to that of the Hunters. The idea of a never ending existence still haunted him. Nico had been named his fathers immortal lieutenant and ambassador, working alongside Thanatos to collect escaped souls, ghosts and the dead for judgement.
"It's going to be strange returning to Camp" Luke said.
"I'd like to see it, after all it is talked about among the demigods. So we leave tomorrow?" Aruval asked.
"I think so. I imagine the Hunters will be staying there if the attacks really are that bad. The Romans will probably be joining them too." Percy sighed, "That is if they can get along long enough for the enemies to arrive" he added.
Sol-leks looked up from his 3rd steak. "Romans; led by the goddess Lupa?" Percy nodded "Well I'd certainly like to get on a first name basis with her, if you know what I'm saying." He raised is eyebrows suggestively. Sol-lek's was the resident ladies man. Or wolf.
"I'm sure she'll be really pleased to spend time with you, after she's ripped your throat out." Aruval snorted into his pancakes. "She is a maiden goddess-I'd say keep your dirty paws off her" Percy replied.
"We had better get going, I've got to find out which of The Psi I'm taking and check they've got someone knowledgeable in charge."
"Excellent point Mystery Man, lets get going guys" Percy said, rising from his seat.
"But Omega, aren't you going to take me out to dinner first?"
"Shut-up Sol-leks" was chorused throughout the group.
. . . .LINEBREAK.
They stopped off at each of the training centres in the city, checking in with the current leaders, and organising who would be in control of the transport over the week they were on Earth.
The 150 members of The Psi were powerful in various forms of magic, telekinesis and were highly trained in mind control and telepathy. The 50 being sent to Earth were no exception, there were 25 Mages of Magnus, 22 Shades, and surprisingly 2 sons and a daughter of Hecate. Umbra would be standing as Commander, as the leader Livia would remain in The City of Aether. The second in command would be another shade, Plebra, who liked to stay in the form of 4ft feline. Percy had met him before, and he had a lot of respect for the psychic who was known for the fact he never used his powers on those less powerful than him.
The Iota was 1,000 of the best aerial assault troops led by Commander Tezar. They're mounts ranged from huge eagles, to The Scraw (winged wolves), black bat-like creatures known as Torments and horse figures composed of ever-swirling coloured flames known as Heliopi. Tezar rode a huge 15ft Major Dragon. Unlike their Minor wingless cousins, Major dragons were formidable winged reptilians. The Riders of Iota were armed with bows and arrows, M16 assault rifles, light spears, throwing knives and swords.
The Cavalry of Omicron were a much larger force, with 3,000 mounted troops. They were led by Commander Kala, who rode a Caw with the head and forelimbs of a wolf, joined halfway down its back to the rear end and tail of a war horse. There were many Caw in the cavalry, but also horned lions known as The Fen and 5ft Minor Dragons, that looked like large Komodo dragons.
The Delta Force was led by Zoë Nightshade, and were 5,000 of the best marksmen in the universe. Most were archers, but there were some snipers.
The Gamma Division was the main mass of the troops being sent to Earth. Led by Commander Fleetwood, they were all foot soldiers armed to the teeth with axes, swords, spears, pikes, maces and even one man with a flamberge.
The Beta Platoon were second only to The Alpha Squad in skill. Though only 400 strong, The Beta had not been beaten (no pun intended) for 5 centuries. It mainly consisted of demigods from Earth, with Battle Mages recruited from The Psi, but a substantial amount of raised Heroes of the underworld. The names Jason, Odysseus and Orion might ring a few bells. There were countless more Vikings, Anglo-Saxon's and swordsmen of the Roman Empire. Luke was the leading commander, and Theseus was his second in command, who would be acting commander both on the battlefield and until they reached Earth.
Finally they stopped at the Epsilon Medical Group from which 50 would be sent. They would be lead by the sons of Apollo, Commander Lee Fletcher and Captain Michael Yew.
When The Alpha had finished they're work for the day they decided to take a break and head to their training centre. This effectively meant relaxing while they attacked each other with deadly weapons. Go figure.
"Rematch my watery friend?" Luke asked with a smirk. Percy and Luke were both as close to equal matched as you could get-unless Percy used his other powers- so they constantly trained together. Partly because nobody else could keep up, partly for the thrill, but mainly because they both wanted to beat the other, but never succeeded more than twice in a row.
"Sure thing Castellan". Percy-1, Luke-0. Marks for use of surname, room to improve on execution.
Luke drew his sword Raptor and squared off against the assassin. They both stared each other down, waiting for the other to make the first move. Percy lunged forwards, waiting for Luke to block, before jumping to the left whilst striking downwards. It was a good feint, but predicted. Luke countered and they quickly warmed up, their blades moving so fast they were but flashes of silver, a web of metal surrounding the demigods as they danced back and forwards. Percy feinted downwards, Luke blocked, Percy kicked off Raptors guard to somersault over Luke, flicking Riptide backwards and hooking it under Luke's jaw, careful to keep his arm still as he landed. That might put a dark cloud over the session-if he actually decapitated his roommate.
"Nice move, you'll have to teach me it 'Omega'." was the commanders reply, "now if you could just move this blade…"
The continued to spar.
Across the room Aruval and Sol-leks were fighting. Aruval wielded his signature weapon; it was just over a metre in length, with a wide heavy blade. His left hand held a large shield, with a blade running around the outer rim, and 2 inch spikes covering the face. Sol-leks however was in full wolf form, with huge 6 inch canines, lethal curved claws, and bright yellow eyes that almost paralysed the opponent. He backed off, before letting out a bloodcurdling snarl and leaping off his hind legs towards the axeman. The sight of a 4ft black-as-night wolf charging at you is enough to scare any man, even if that wolf is a friend. Aruval swallowed. He was not a man of fear, and fought the urge to run, instead choosing to stand his ground. As Sol-leks reached him he punched the wolf's left shoulder with the shield, unbalancing him slightly. The Lupet was knocked slightly to the right, but turned and made to claw at the warrior. He blocked with his aruval, before striking for his snout. They leapt back and forwards, striking and blocking, neither making any ground on the other, until the wolf slammed his shoulder into Aruval, who faltered, only to find himself on his back looking into the growling maw of the wolf.
"Alright mate, you win. Can you get off me now?"
Sol-leks stepped back, shifting into his human form and offering a hand to his friend.
"Really mate, did you have to open your mouth?" he asked, wiping globs of saliva off his face, "There's dog slobber all over me you useless mutt."
Gina and Viper were also sparring, but the woman clearly had the upper hand. Viper ducked a knife and used one of his Rapiers to block her curved blades. Gina continued to counter all of his attack, barely using her swords to push him. She had a sheath of knives strapped to her back, and was casually throwing them at his face.
"Nice throw" he said in his hissing voice. He rarely spoke, but was comfortable enough with The Alpha to converse. "Bad day honey?" he asked as she made a strike that would have taken off his arm.
You'd think after all his time knowing Gina the Scathre would be aware that referring to her as 'honey' may just be the last thing you ever do. She let out a huff of annoyance, before making another lethal slash with her left blade.
"Wow, we really are tetchy today. Honestly, what's the issue?" he asked, forked tongue flicking with concern.
"Earth, Earth is the issue" she replied, softening her blows visibly. Even with all their violence, The Alpha were a close group, and Viper as the first saw himself as…well not quite a father figure, more like an friendly uncle. Though his scaly exterior denied it, he was fond of all of them. "its, well its so like home"
"Lathar?" he questioned, "maybe in climate, but I hear the people are very different." he paused. "they're not clan based if that's what's bothering you" he added softly. Or at least as softly as you can say anything when you're dodging rapid attacks from a Latharid.
She sighed, unintentionally dropping her left guard. "I suppose, but I don't know how I'm supposed to pretend its not bothering me."
Viper took the opportunity, moving his Rapier's quickly in a complex pattern he blocked her left blade, pinning it against her tail before knocking the right out of her hand and putting his blade at her throat.
"You're not supposed to pretend, you're supposed to ignore it and make sure you don't make mistakes" he replied with a hiss. He smiled in amusement. He could taste her embarrassment on his tongue, so he released her and handed her the weapons. "Now show me what you can really do sunshine" he smirked.
Zoë and Umbra were stood at the archery range, playing their usual game. Zoë would aim for the centre of the target, and fire a perfect shot. Umbra would intercept it by either shifting the arrow in the air slightly, or attacking her mind to make her misfire. To counter this, the ex-hunter had to predict whether to block her mind from attacks, or fire slightly out so as too correct for the Shade's interception. Umbra had to keep changing his tactics to fault her, and make his influences subtle enough for her not to notice. She felt his presence touching at her mind and quickly refocused, blocking him from her thoughts, before releasing the arrow listening for the thud of it meeting its mark. But it didn't hit the target. It veered to the left and dropped harmlessly to the floor.
"You feinted" she said in shock. Just when she thought she was winning he came up with a new idea. "how am I supposed to predict the attacks?"
"The trick is to test how insistent they are. Most Shades will back off too soon if they're feinting. Now, pay attention, as you feel me pulling back, fire when I'm least expecting it. That's the best way to counter." he replied. His voice was low, and melodic, but with deep bass tones.
The huntress didn't like anyone having an advantage over her, so she let her shooting go on autopilot, whilst she focused on his attacks. Once she'd gotten 5 in a row, he nodded at her.
"Much better, just remember its harder on a battlefield.
The group stopped for an early dinner, heading up to Luke and Percy's room to talk about the trip to Earth tomorrow.
Gina asked the one question in everyone's head, "So if He is still in The Abyss, then who rallies the army. Who are we really fighting?"
"It could just be a weaker accomplice, there are many immortals who may want to usurp Chaos' Army. Even a demigod." said Luke.
"From what Chronus said, it sounded like a Primordial-possibly more than one" Viper stated
"I wonder if Nyx knows, she seems to knows most things" asked Aruval. It was true that the Primordial of Night seemed to have all the answers.
"I think its as much who she knows as what. I'll go and ask Chronus later, he's usually in The City around nightfall. Firstly though, we've got to pack." Percy added with a sigh.
"Urgh, you just had to bring that up Omega. I've been trying to put it off all day…" groaned Sol-leks.
. . . .LINEBREAK.
When Percy entered the study of The Primordial Of Time, the first thing his noticed was the desk in the corner which was covered in papers, old documents and scrolls, that looked like they were hiding 1000 answers. If there was one thing about the deity that he disliked, it was his love for secrecy. Chronus was well known for not letting any information out-even to his most trusted-unless he was absolutely certain of the validity of it. Percy had not lost his curiosity in 500 years, and the overflowing desk was taunting him.
The second thing he noticed was that the study was empty.
He walked swiftly over, and peered over the papers. He recognised a sky view of Camp half-blood, and a sketch of the layout of its roman counterpart. Another sheet had a list of the current Olympians, their domains and-comically-buzz words or phrases not to mention:
Apollo:
God of Medicine, The Sun, Archery, Prophecies, Poetry and Truth.
DON'T MENTION- Poetry. Limerick (1800-1900), Haiku (1900-2040), Sonnet (2040-present).
Hera:
Goddess of Marriage and Family. Queen. (Animal: Cow)
DON'T MENTION- Zeus' affairs or illegitimate children.
Stifling a laugh he shifted the paper to the side and recognised a scroll. He reached for it, and confirmed that it was what he'd thought. This was the very scroll he'd delivered to Nyx after the quest she issued to him 250 years ago. She had sent him in search for a weapon that had been lost for many years on the 2nd planet; Eden.
The planet was a wasteland of jagged rocky peaks and volcanoes, and was completely uninhabited, and he'd spent weeks their searching. He finally found the weapon in what used to be a battle fortress built at the base of an extinct volcano. It clearly hadn't always been, as it was moulded into the rock itself were molten lava had poured over it. With the weapon, he'd found this scroll. Knowing that it was probably important he'd taken it back to Nyx, who had allowed him to keep the blade in trade for the scroll. A nice thought when she could have simply vaporised him and taken both, but Nyx was fair.
He glanced around the room once more, before unrolling it. His dyslexia still bothered him to this day, so he was thankful it was written in a dialect very similar ancient Greek, so he could glean some information from it:
…I know I have no other choice. It is not for my own self I am concerned. The Immortals of Eden are all but extinct. Should Agar learn of the Primordial's of Earth there will be war like no other. I shudder to think what he could achieve with this weapon; or even its brothers-though he is not the type to trap, but to torture and destroy. My dearest Nyx, I hope you can forgive my foolishness, but this is my attempt to correct my mistakes…
Words danced through Percy's mind. The Immortals of Eden…all but extinct…this weapon… Everyone knew this story-Well, everyone in the New Universe-The Creation Story:
When Chaos was fully formed, at the beginning of all, he started to Create. First born was Chronus, and thus there was time, then Ananke, so there was Inevitability. Next Erebus of Darkness, then Eros of Desire. Chronus and Ananke then gave birth to Aether of Light, Hemera of Day, and so Chaos created Nyx of Night. Finally he made Gaia of Earth, and Tartarus of The Abyss. But blind as the Olympians are, they are unaware that Chaos made another: Gera of Eden. So Earth and Eden became the first two planets in existence. The both gave birth to immortals; in Earth's case The Titans, and in Eden's case The Immortals of Eden.
Chaos then started to create other planets, starting with Evereth and Elias. He had every intention of creating Immortal Gods to rule each planet, but before he could create them for the 3rd and 4th planets destruction occurred. The Immortals of Eden fought amongst themselves in a war that almost destroyed all that was, ending in the extinction of them all. And so Earth became the only planet to have immortal deities, and Eden, Evereth and Elias were closed and left. What has been made since is known as the 'New Universe', where all of the planets are aware of the others and many people travel between them. Earth remains in the 'Old Universe', and so is not visited than any but Chaos' Army. When Chaos' stopped Creating he settled into the chaos of the universe and lay dormant in the state he is now.
Percy was one of the few that knew where his black sword 'The Reaper' was from, and was certain it was the weapon that led to the extinction of The Immortals Of Eden.
…what he could achieve with this weapon; or even its brothers…
Did that mean there were more? And why was this being-the weapons creator-trying to hide them from 'Agar'?
Percy heard someone walking down the corridor. He'd been here for more than 20 minutes. He hurriedly took out his handheld computer and photographed all of the scroll before placing it back where it was. He stepped back and put away the computer. Just in time.
"Omega, to what do I owe the pleasure?" said The Primordial of Time.
"I just had a few questions about the mission, sir" the assassin replied. "Firstly, I wondered if you had any suspicions of the leader of this army?"
"I have an idea. Nyx has been contacting her children to see where they would stand if it became a full war of Primordial Gods. She told me earlier this evening that Eros of Desire and Philotes of Affection will stand with us, but would rather remain passive. However, both Eris of Strife and Moros of Doom haven't replied to her summons, which leads us to believe they allies of Tartarus."
"Moros would have superiority out of the two wouldn't he? So could it be him?"
"I can only hope he is. Moros is a minor Primordial-if there is such a thing-his power is little more than that of a Titan. However, I find it hard to believe he would have the restraint to weaken the enemy first. I can only conclude that someone is commanding him, and there is only one Primordial powerful enough to have authority over him."
"Erebus?" Percy asked.
"It is likely. But do not become disheartened. We are a formidable force. Aether has power though he doesn't show it, and if it was necessary both Ananke and Hemera would fight."
"But what of the ancient laws? His disregard for them means that he can attack with full force on Earth, whereas you can only fight if he attacks you personally"
"I suggest you put this issue from your mind until we know more".
Percy had heard this before; about a week later he had been sent on a dangerous quest to the underworld to retrieve a lightning bolt. Nevertheless, he moved on. If a Primordial told you to do something, it was a good idea to do it. He moved on. "What are the plans for tomorrow?"
"Aether and I will transport The Alpha to the throne room during the meeting. We will explain the situation, introduce you, and leave when all is settled."
"And if war breaks out?"
"Then I suppose Aether and I will open a bag of popcorn and watch you knock those pretentious gits down a few"
END OF CHAPTER
AN-Another chapter down! This was more of a filler chapter, but there was a lot of information in it too. I've tried to develop the OC's a little more, and hopefully it worked out okay. Also ive added the beginning of the real plot, and how mine will differ from other chaos-stories.
Next will be the first introduction to the olympians and the camps. If you want any romance in this, either pm or write it on a review, plus what pairing!
PLEASE REVIEW AND I WILL LOVE YOU FOREVER-I PROMISE! I'll even go and R/R your work!
'Till next time guys, ChrysosArgentum xxx