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Chapter 20: Another chance for redemption?

"No seriously," I told them, "Why are you staring at me like that?"

"Really Seaweed Brain?" Annabeth asked dumbfounded, "You just brutally murdered the Ares kids!"

"Pshh," I retorted, "Those guys had it coming. And unfortunately, this will be the fate for anyone who dares go against Kronos."

I saw Bianca, Nico, and Annabeth pale.

"What about Daedalus?" Willow asked as we turned to him.

He just looked at us, doing nothing.

"Oh Daedalus!" Annabeth greeted, "Thanks for the string you gave us?"

Luke stepped forward, "Woah, woah, woah, what string?"

"The string of Ariadne, you know, the string that allows us to navigate the maze?" Annabeth said to Luke.

"I don't think it will be much of a use now," Luke replied, "After all, Kronos has risen."

"Hmm oh yeah," Annabeth said, "So, is this it? Are you going to kill us now?"

We looked at each other and silently agreed.

"Well, you could rejoin us…." Bob mused, "Help us to take down the gods and then we will spare you."

"Nice try brother," Annabeth sighed, but shook her head, "That will not be a good idea."

"Why not sister?" Bob spat, "You do realize we could kill you in the blink of an eye, right?"

Annabeth took a step back. We were silent for a while before Bianca decided to speak.

"Percy," she said as I saw Thalia and Willow tense up.

I turned to her and she tackled me into a hug as Thalia and Willow reached for their weapons.

"Don't do that Bianca," I warned, "I wouldn't want Artemis to cut my balls off."

Bianca chuckled, "Don't worry. I'm not like those other hunters."

"No offense Bianca, but we have to capture or kill you guys," I told her as she immediately tensed and brought out her weapons as did Annabeth and Nico.

"You guys are outnumbered, you know that right?" I asked, "So just surrender and we can start a new future together Bianca. Just you and me."

And Kronos…eugh.

Thalia and Willow made gagging noises as Annabeth and Rachel glared at Bianca. I was confused.

"Tempting, but no thanks," Bianca replied, "Not right now. As I said, after this war is over and assuming we are alive."

Thalia and Willow again made gagging noises as Annabeth and Rachel glared at Bianca once again. I sighed.

"Really guys?" I asked them as they didn't meet my eye.

"Bianca, before anything happens, I just want to do something," I told her as she looked at me questioningly.

Ok, now don't ask me what I was thinking. I had no idea whatsoever what made me pull this stunt. Don't judge me. I kissed her in the mouth. Her eyes widened, but she didn't do anything. She didn't kiss back, she didn't pull away. My heart was racing about 100 miles per hour as I finally pulled away. There were different reactions among everyone.

Let me go with the reactions that was the most bearable. Nico was first shocked, but as he met my eyes, I swear that little kid cracked a grin.

Luke, Bob, and Ethan had their mouths opening and closing like a fish. I had to look away for me to not die of laughter. See how I listed all the males first? It's because the reaction of others weren't pretty.

Thalia was sparking angrily as she growled, her hands crackling with energy. For once I feared Thalia. Willow was glaring daggers at Bianca, which was strange since she should've been glaring at me. Vines began wrapping around Bianca as she yelped and tried to cut through them.

"Willow, stop!" I commanded and she trained her glare on me.

I glared right back and she reluctantly got rid of the vine. Rachel and Annabeth were staring at me and Bianca in shock before glares began shooting my way. It was like that feeling when I got Annabeth mad and I wouldn't like what happened next. Rachel was pretty terrifying for a mortal. I was wondering why they were mad. And of course, being the Seaweed Brain I am, I didn't realize this for a long, long time.

Bianca was beet red which I kinda liked. She just backed away from me and refused to look and even talk to me, which was fine with me. Awkward silence enused. Damn, this has to stop. One thing I hate is awkward silences.

"Do we capture them now?" I asked as they looked at me.

Luke nodded. Immediately, we charged at them as Annabeth, Nico, Bianca, and Rachel started running away. I didn't pay Rachel any mind. That was when all hell broke loose. Bianca turned to Nico.

"Nico! Help me!" Bianca said, "On 3! 1, 2, 3!"

They both clapped and immediately a huge jacked rock the size of a spire popped out of the ground levelling the whole place. I gave out a yell of frustration as I tried concentrating on slowing down time, but I couldn't.

"We have to get out of here, right now!" I yelled, "Follow me!"

I ran all the way to the entrance and began navigating the maze. I guided my team on where to go as the labyrinth started shaking. After a few minutes, I found the entrance I was looking for. We bursted out of there to see the Princess Andromeda docked, unharmed. I whooped for joy as I saw the Earth once again and I began kissing the ground. Well, not really, but you'd understand how happy I was to be once again at the surface, and not in the labyrinth.

"We finally made it out!" I told the others.

Thalia and Willow glared at me, while Luke, Bob, and Ethan also looked very happy.

"Why the fuck would you do that Jackson?!" Thalia asked as she held me by my collar, "You kissed Bianca! You kissed her!"

"Don't judge me, it was all hormones!" I replied as she rolled her eyes.

"Great, blame it on hormones. You could've at least controlled yourself!" Thalia fired back, "Jeez, your like our dads, so horny all the time."

I blushed.

"I didn't even bed her!" I exclaimed.

"But you would have if no one was there except you two!" she said and I didn't say anything and looked down on othe floor.

Thalia won this argument and she knew it.

"You do know that you guys have an extremely hard road ahead of you even if you get together," Thalia explained, "After all, she is the daughter of Hades and you are the son of Poseidon. 2 of the eldest gods and if arguments don't break this relationship down, I don't know what will. What I'm saying is there are many problems with your relationship. Arguments and differents sides are 2 of the major problems."

I sighed knowing she was right.

"At times I just wish I was a regular mortal," I told everyone, "No drama, no bullshit, and just peace for 90ish years without having to run away from monsters."

"I feel you," Willow included, "I don't know how much monsters I had to fight before I was taken it. Had many many close calls and a dark past."

Bob and Luke's face grew darker.

"Us too," they growled, "A dark past indeed."

I raised my eyebrow, but I decided not to question them.

"So, what are we going to do now?" Willow finally asked as I turned to her.

"Simple," I said, "Gather all our forces and lead a direct attack on Camp Half Blood where we will wipe out the camp and destroy everyone there."

"Everyone?" Thalia asked, her eyes gleaming as I sighed.

"Everyone except Bianca and Nico," I told them as everyone rolled their eyes.

"Why didn't I see that coming?" Luke asked sarcastically.

I sighed, not wanting to get in this discussion.

"Should we head back in and preapre for our assault?" I asked everyone agreed and we all raced to the Princess Andromeda without looking back once.

As we raced in, I immediately went to my room and jumped on the bed, burying my face on my pillow. Home sweet home. I looked in the mirror and saw how I had changed. I had changed a lot. I looked more mature, more…..dangerous. My pupils which were once green, had changed to gold-green. I wanted to test something out. I tried focusing all the anger into me. I thought about past betrayals as I soon shook with anger. I looked in the mirror again and saw a scowl plastered on my face, and my pupils were more stronger gold than green. It was also shaped as Kronos' scythe.

I thought about the happy memories, the fun times I've had with my mother, my friends, and overall, my family. Peace flooded through me as all traces of anger was gone. I looked in the mirror again and saw my pupils full and round as the color green shone stronger than gold. I stared at the mirror in awe. I took out the scythe that was next to me. It wasn't at its original size, but when I grasped it, it grew to its full length. I felt the power of time flowing through me and it was like a mini sugar rush. It's a horrible analogy, but that is what it felt like. The weird thing was I couldn't feel Kronos' presence in me. I was sure that Kronos would assume full control of my body, but I guess that wasn't the case.

"Dinner!" I heard someone's voice yell as I raced downstairs.

"Hello Perseus," the chef greeted as I nodded.

I decided to try a trick on him. Holding the scythe, I tried to slow time down as I closed my eyes. I felt raw energy flow through me as I felt a quick rush of power pulse out of me. I opened my eyes and the chef was asking for my order in slow motion. I had to giggle. Sorry people. I saw the chef's expression slowly turn to confusion. Just at that moment, I felt weary as I fell down on my knee. The power immediately shut off as time resumed its normal pace. I felt sweat falling down as I struggled to get up.

"Percy!" I heard Willow say as she immediately raced over and helped me up, "You shouldn't use your powers too much! Your energy will drain!"

"Since when did you become a mother?" I weakly chuckled as she glared at me.

"Oh, so that's what I get for helping you?" she asked, "Your annoying sarcastic self? You're pathetic."

"OK Willow, is there a time where you won't start an insult fight with me?" I asked, "I will win every single one of those if no one interferes."

Willow smirked, "I would tone down that arrognace Jackson. No one, I mean no one can beat me."

"Bring it," I snarled as she smiled.

Just as I was about to throw the first insult, Luke and Bob approached us and pulled us apart.

"No. Not another damn argument," Bob muttered, "Come on guys."

I was still very weak and immediately after Luke released me, I fell down, my strength being abandonded."

"That's what you get," Bob sighed as he shook his head, "Look where jokes got you. On the floor, depleted of energy."

"Jokes are fun," Luke defended as he was the child of Hermes.

We had to roll our eyes.

"Just please, pour water on me. Like a gallon of water will be fine," I said as Luke got a bottle of water and poured it all over me.

Oh man, how can I describe this sensation? It felt pleasuring. I felt strength returning to me as it felt like I was injected with caffeine. I jumped in the air surprising everyone, while pumping my fists.

"That's what I'm talking about! Whooo!" I cheered as I felt more alive then ever, "Let's eat guys, I'm hungry. Chef, whip me up a burger with fries and some Pepsi, will you?"

He saluted at me as I returned to my seat to find Thalia seated, already eating.

"Enjoying dinner?" I asked as she silently nodded, "Hey are you ok?"

She wouldn't meet my eye, but she just nodded. I frowned, but didn't say anything.

"Is it about the battle we're going to be in?" I softly whispered as she ignored me, "Don't worry, it will be all well, I promise."

She nodded as I sighed as a telekhine delivered my burger. I nodded in thanks as he walked away, the others joining me. This dinner, everyone was unusually silent as we all finished our meal in less then 10 minutes. Not a single conversation.

I glanced at everyone, but not a single one of them met my eye or others. I silently excused myself and went to bed. As I was walking, I couldn't help, but see around 20-30 halfbloods seated in one table. I had seen them before, but never had any conversation with any of them, which was kind of bad, since I would be leading them. All conversation stopped at their table as they looked at me with curiosity. I heard some whispers.

"There he is," one half blood said.

"He's absolutely gorgeous." At that, I blushed.

"He's Kronos' host?" I winced.

Other whispers I heard, but it wasn't that important. I approached their table as they all stopped eating.

"Hey guys," I greeted as they stared at me blankly, "Are you ready for tomorrow's battle?"

A couple nodded as others just ignored me and resumed their eating.

"What's up with you guys?" I asked as one of them glared at me.

"Do you want to know what's up?" he asked, "Knowing that we have a shitty leader who can't do anything for crap. You know, I knew you when you first entered camp when you were 12. I knew your loyalty would get in our way and it surely is jeopardizing our mission. I'm wondering why Lord Kronos would ever choose you. Seriously."

The others were silent as I stared at him. If I killed him, it would not be pretty. My pride was wounded, but I knew I would have to control my anger. I turned away and walked the other direction, earning some snickers.

"Some leader he is," I heard him say as I retreated to my room.

I breathed in and out so I wouldn't do anything rash. I wasn't known for my rash anger, and I wanted to keep it that way. I knew that as a leader, I would be faced with enemies, with resistance, even from my own crew. I didn't feel good so I decided to crash for the night.

The dreams came again. I was in Tartarus.

"Enjoying yourself Jackson?" Kronos asked me.

"Kind of," I replied.

"I heard everything Jackson. I don't want your anger to control you. We will punish them later, but we will need everyone we can get," Kronos explained, "I was planning on attacking Camp Half Blood through the labyrinth tomorrow, but I figured we could go to a detour. You still need the blessing of Akhlys so you will be going to a detour tomorrow to get her blessing. I don't know much, but one thing I know, it will help you greatly. She is the personification of misery, sadness, and poison. Those tools can come in handy."

"Will it be easy?" I asked.

"I do not know, but she will test you to your limits," Kronos said, "She will bend you, twist you, strain you, until you break. If you don't break, she will keep trying. You must not yield. When you wake up, you will be in another realm. In this realm, you will meet Akhlys and you must do your best. Do it for th fate of the Titans. Go to sleep. You will need all the sleep you can get."

With that, I fell asleep.