Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians nor do I own The Heroes of Olympus.
Story: Champion of Olympus: Child of the First One
Chapter 3: Burning Blood
Camp Half Blood
Third Person POV
Annabeth and Thalia walked through camp as they made their way to the new cabin. As they approached the row of cabins they saw a crowd of campers standing in a semi-circle around the new structure. The cabin was coal black with carvings of hellhounds and other creatures of the Underworld on the walls.
Chiron stood in front of the campers near the door of the cabin. Suddenly, thirteen bright lights appeared around the centaur. All of the campers covered their eyes. Once the lights faded the twelve Olympians and the goddess Hestia stood before the demigods. The campers bowed in front of the gods in reverence.
"Thank you heroes," Zeus said. The campers all looked up at the king of the gods expectantly. "We have come here today for a very special ceremony."
Suddenly, a shadow in front of the new cabin seemed to grow until three people stepped out. The first wore all black with a black robe around his shoulders. His hair was to his shoulders and he had a short black beard. It was the lord of the dead himself, Hades. Next to him were a boy and a girl with similar features. Their dark black hair and eyes seemed to shine in the sunlight.
Nico and Bianca di Angelo looked at their friends and smiled. When Thalia saw Nico her smile widened. Nico gave her a slight nod, but she could tell that he was trying not to make a big show of his feelings toward her. Bianca blushed when she saw Malcolm smiling at her.
"Welcome brother," Zeus said sincerely. "Thank you for coming."
"You're welcome," Hades said hesitantly. "Why are we here today?"
Zeus smiled at his older brother. Poseidon for his part looked on curiously. The other Olympians kept their eyes on Zeus.
"We are all here today because I wish the council to vote on the addition of two gods to the Olympian council," Zeus said. The other Olympians stared at him curiously, but Poseidon smiled at his brother reassuringly. "I wish for Hades and Hestia to join the council."
The other gods whispered to each other. Hades looked at Hera, she gave him a slight nod, but she stood there emotionless. She stood far away from Zeus, so it was clear that the rumors were true. Zeus and Hera were separated and everyone could feel the tension between the two.
"I second the nomination," Poseidon said. Athena looked at her long time rival and smiled. She was happy that he saw fit to break the silence.
"All those in favor," Zeus called as he smiled at Poseidon. All of the Olympians raised their hands.
Ares looked at his mother, but she didn't say anything. "You can't be serious," Ares said sarcastically.
Zeus looked at his son as lightning flashed in his blue eyes. "I'm quite serious," Zeus said.
"Hestia gave up her throne," Dionysus said.
Poseidon looked at his nephew angrily. "She gave up her throne for the good of our family. If it was up to me, you would lose yours," Poseidon said, as he clenched his fists in anger.
"Mother, you can't let him do this," Ares said.
Hera looked at her son, and then she looked at Zeus. Zeus didn't even look at her. "He's right, my sister and brother deserve a place with us. Too many terrible things have happened to hurt our family. It's time to heal those wounds," Hera said.
Athena and Poseidon both smiled at the Queen of the gods. Ares huffed as Dionysus just stared at her in shock.
"I second the motion," Poseidon said.
"All those in favor," Zeus said.
All the gods raised their hands, except for Ares and Dionysus.
"The vote is ten in favor and two against, there are now fourteen Olympians." The half bloods all cheered for the new Olympians making Hestia and Hades feel slightly uneasy at the attention.
Poseidon walked over to his older brother and put a hand on his shoulder. "Congratulations brother," Poseidon said. Hades smiled at his brother, it was clear that it wasn't something that he was used to doing.
Suddenly, the wind began to pick up and a sound like a freight train echoed from the direction of the ocean. The gods all looked at each other as the demigods stared off into the distance with worried looks on their faces. Thalia and Annabeth looked at each other in silent conversation. They both nodded at the same time as they took off toward the beach.
When Athena saw her daughter dart off toward the ocean, she looked over at the sea god. Poseidon stared after the demigods before returning the gaze of the goddess of wisdom. They both shared worried looks as Athena whispered Percy's name. All the gods heard the name. They stared at Athena; the goddess began to glow before disappearing altogether. The demigods all closed their eyes as the other gods disappeared as well.
Annabeth and Thalia raced to the beach. As they reached the sand a large vortex of water and energy swirled near the rolling waves of the ocean. Fourteen lights appeared before the Olympians materialized on the shore. Annabeth and Thalia both bowed at the assembled gods.
Everyone turned their attention back to the swirling vortex. Suddenly, a large dark object erupted from the portal and landed on the sandy shore. Mrs. O'Leary stood on all fours and at first growled at the Olympians, but as she sniffed the air, her demeanor changed. She began to wag her tail furiously as the gods watched the hellhound warily.
Hades and Athena walked up to the monsters as the other Olympians looked on. When Mrs. O'Leary sniffed Hades her tail hit the sand even harder.
Hades rubbed his hand over the monster's head. "That's a good girl. Where is Perseus?" Hades asked.
"He is behind us my lord," a voice said. Hades and Athena looked up to see the two dwarves on the back of the immense canine.
"And you are?" Athena asked.
The two dwarves jumped down from the hellhound. When they hit the ground their feet fell out from under them. Hades and Athena rushed to their aid. The two dwarves looked terrible. Their clothes were torn and streaks of blood covered their bodies.
"We are Brokkr and Sindri," Brokkr said as he pointed to himself, and then to his brother. "Lord Perseus was right behind us, but he is hurt."
As if on cue Percy fell out of the vortex and landed on the sand roughly. His sea green armor was covered in blood and his skin was pale and clammy. Apollo and Poseidon rushed forward to help him.
"What happened?" Zeus asked with concern evident in his voice.
Sindri stepped forward as his brother helped him walk. "Lord Perseus rescued us. Loki killed all of our brethren, our home is no more," Sindri said. "Perseus was hurt in the rescue."
Apollo looked over Percy and frowned at the extent of the damage. "What did this to him?" Apollo asked.
"The guardians of our home world, the giants of Nidavellir," Sindri said. "Loki used his magic to reprogram them. They would have killed us if Perseus hadn't shown up when he did."
"That doesn't explain what happened to him," Apollo said impatiently. Annabeth and Thalia were at Percy's side now as all the gods crowded around the Champion of Olympus.
"The giants sliced open his back and stabbed him in the shoulder," Sindri said. "He lost a lot of blood, but we cauterized the wounds."
Apollo frowned at Percy's condition. "That explains his pale color, but he's burning up," Apollo said. Brokkr placed his hand on Percy's head. He yelped in pain as the skin burned his hand. Brokkr looked at his brother wide eyed.
"The burning blood," Brokkr said. Sindri placed his head in his hands and shook his head in desperation.
"What's the burning blood?" Annabeth asked desperately.
"It is the poison that killed Lord Thor, it is the venom of Jormungandr, the Midgard serpeant," Sindri explained. All of the gods looked at Percy with fear in their eyes.
"Can he be saved?" Hera asked. Zeus gave her a stern look, but sighed when he saw the fear in her eyes.
"Lord Perseus is a… hybrid, a mix of Greek and Norse… maybe," Brokkr said hesitantly.
"Do you know of any cures?" Apollo asked.
Brokkr and Sindri looked at each other. It was clear to everyone present that they were having a silent conversation.
"You could use your magic, Lord Apollo; it may help to stabilize him," Sindri said.
"We also need the magic of Asgard… the healing power of Odin," Brokkr added.
Suddenly, a loud screech echoed from the Tower of Asgard. All present looked up at the top of the tower as two large black birds swooped down and approached Percy's location on the beach. The ravens, Huginn and Muninn landed next to their master. The two dwarves bowed before the servants of Odin.
"Lord Huginn," Sindri said as he bowed.
"Lord Muninn," Brokkr said, following his brother's example.
The two ravens smiled at the dwarves. "We're happy—" Huginn said.
"To see you," Muninn finished.
"Lord Perseus has been poisoned with the venom of the Midgard Serpent," Brokkr said. The two raven's eyes and demeanor darkened at the news. "Can you use your magic to help Lord Apollo save him?"
Muninn and Huginn looked at each other for a few moments before they looked at the god of the sun.
"We will help you save our master," Huginn said. Apollo looked up at the birds thankfully.
Huginn and Muninn stood on Percy's chest and looked down at the injured hero. The black eyes of the bird began to glow. They motioned for Apollo to continue his healing magic as their power engulfed the body of the grandson of Odin. The two birds began to speak in the ancient language of Asgard. The massive wounds on his back and shoulder healed, and some of the color returned to Percy's face. The temperature of his skin reduced from scalding to a severe fever.
Apollo completed his healing magic. He stopped and watched the two birds complete their work. Once the ravens were finished the glow that surrounded Percy subsided. The birds jumped off of Percy's chest and stood beside the last child of the Aesir.
"We are finished," Huginn said. "The rest is up to him now."
Apollo and Poseidon carefully lifted Percy up off the sandy beach and carried him to the infirmary.
Annabeth looked at the two birds cautiously. "Thank you for helping him," Annabeth sighed. "Will he be okay?"
The two birds stared at the daughter of Athena. They were lost in thought for a moment. "We don't know," Muninn conceded.
Annabeth's head fell at the news. Thalia helped her up off the ground as the two demigods followed Percy to the infirmary.
All of the gods left to follow as well, except Zeus and Athena, who stayed to speak with the dwarves and the two ravens.
"Why did Loki attack your realm?" Athena asked curiously.
"He gains power from each realm he destroys, plus… he wanted us to create a weapon for him," Sindri explained.
Athena and Zeus stared in shock at the news. "You created Mjolnir, didn't you?" Zeus asked.
"Yes, we recreated it using Perseus's weapons… and his blood," Brokkr said. Zeus and Athena were stunned.
"Why did you need his blood?" Athena asked.
"His blood holds great power and magic. He is the last of the Aesir and rightful heir to the power of Asgard," Sindri said. "He is Thor's heir and the blessed of the Allfather."
"Tell us about this weapon that Loki forced you to make," Zeus ordered.
Sindri and Brokkr both stared at each other before Sindri nodded.
"He used his magic to control us. We used Uru metal, imperial gold, celestial bronze and the remnants of his staff and… Kronos's scythe," Brokkr explained.
Zeus and Athena looked horrified at the news. "How powerful is this weapon?" Athena asked curiously.
Sindri looked up at the two gods. "It can kill immortals; it will pull the life force out of any living creature. It will not transfer that power to Loki, but it can kill gods, Titans and any other immortal creature." Sindri said.
"Is it more powerful than Mjolnir?" Athena asked.
"We don't know," Brokkr conceded.
"Nothing is more powerful than Mjolnir… as long as Perseus wields it," Huginn said. The dwarves and the two gods studied the bird closely. "Percy holds the blood of the Aesir. Mjolnir will always be more powerful in his hands."
"That piece of information was given to us by the Allfather himself," Muninn said.
The dwarves bowed to the two ravens. "We are both in need of healing my lords and lady," Sindri said. Brokkr nodded.
"Go to the tower, I think you'll like the décor," Huginn said. The dwarves nodded before walking to the tower and slipping inside.
"Mrs. O'Leary, go home," Muninn ordered. The hellhound nodded before running off toward the tower.
The two ravens turned back toward the king of the gods and his daughter. "I believe these events complicate things," Huginn said as his beak turned up into a strange grin. The two gods just stared oddly at the strange birds in front of them.
"Why are you both here?" Athena asked curiously.
"Our names mean thought and memory, my lady. We are the messengers of Odin. We are now bound to the Allfather's last descendent, Perseus. We will be there when he needs us. I believe he needs us at the moment," Muninn explained. "He is a special child indeed."
"Thank you for looking after him," Zeus said. His gaze was sad, but he was thankful that his once adopted child was still alive. At least for the moment.
"He forgives you my lord; it's not in his nature to hold grudges, but…" Huginn said.
"But what?" Athena asked curiously.
"I'm afraid that he may never get over Lady Hera's betrayal," Muninn explained.
"That's two of us," Zeus said with a hint of anger in his voice. He nodded toward the birds before flashing away in a golden light.
AN: A big thank you to Starlit Reader for another outstanding job betaing this story. Stay tuned more to come.