A/N: Yo back again after what feels like FOREVER! I am really sorry but my program is eating my free time alive and between home work and sleep not too much work being done. I already have 24 laid out (In like outline form) but there's still a lot of work to be done before it's up to par. Since the uploads are gonna be slow I focused on content and this Chap is gonna be wild so pull on your Try Hard Panties and prepare yourselves. Notha 10K words getting at you right now. Hope y'all enjoy and I'll see ya in the next update.
-Yours truly CasualGryphon
Chapter 23: Voracity
The decent to the Underworld was basically a game of don't slip, fall, and snap your neck. The stairs were damp and the edges rounded so the Group (save Mrs O'Leary and Noir of course) had to walk with the greatest of care. They had long since lost sight of their hellhound companion in the gloom but kept going steadily with Nico leading the way. Noir kept grumbling about something muddled in the future and the set course being meddled with. The tone of voice didn't exactly ease Percy's worries but he decided to dismiss it. If anything happened, he just needed to stay out of the way and let Noir handle it if he couldn't manage. He knew he shouldn't rely on the polymorph but it didn't hurt to have the monster lupine as the fall back plan.
He tossed the thoughts out of his mind as he started to hear a faint roaring that only intensified as they got closer. They were spit out on the Hades side of the underworld, the River Styx off to their left and the EZ death line off to their right. Percy was about to step forward when he noticed two things.
1: Noir was gone
2: Nico was leading him towards Hades palace.
"I thought we were supposed to be going to the Styx?"
Percy questioned.
"I have to grab something from my room in Hades palace. It imperative for this and Hades won't even leave his throne. He probably won't even notice we're here, not to mention the Furies are out to lunch. It'll take two minutes."
"Then go quickly Nico. I'll wait here. If you get caught your dad won't think twice of it."
"NO!" he exclaimed a little too loud, "I mean, I need you to carry it. If I touch it it'll ruin the effect."
Percy bit his lip. He knew with Noir gone something that had to happen was about to occur, he had likely left to keep himself from interfering and ruining the whole lot.
Semper Fi
He nodded and let Nico lead him towards the palace, hoping this would be a nice quick in and out.
-Line Break-
Percy was six different shades of wrong and another fifty shades of pissed.
He was sitting in a cold cell after Nico brought him straight to Hades. Hades had, of course, deceived the poor kid with a promise of telling him about his mother but that still didn't make it any better. He was still caged in a room with no windows or doors and there was still an entire war to fight for the sake of humanity and whatnot. If he ever got out of there he was going to sock that little goth a new one. Granted of course he didn't suffocate first since he wasn't sure his cell was being fed air, what with the lack of windows and doors.
Eventually sleep laid claim to Percy's consciousness. He dreamt of course but it was weird scattered images. Animals that clashed but as they struck the forms lit and suddenly they weren't so recognizable. Beasts unlike anything he had ever seen waged war across a battlefield unlike anything he had ever seen before. They walked upon the surface of stars as the fought. Multi-armed half scorpions dueled pincer vs. blade as wolves with mantis claws erupting from their shoulders grouped to kill one of the hulking monsters, losing many in the process. What would have been elephants, if not for the massive club like growth on the end of their tusks along with multiple pairs of eyes and great spires of bone protruding from their backs', tucked into tightly rolled spheres and quite literally rolled over their opposition.
Fierce feline like creatures seemed to flow through the battle field. Like Noir they had 2 sets of fore legs but only two tails in comparison to his 10. The difference didn't stop there. Their bodies were scaled, not small individual scales like a snake mind you, massive sharpened plates that overlapped and fused in places making them look like that armadillo/ant eater thing he'd seen on discovery channel. A pangolin? Yeah that's right, a pangolin. They moved with extraordinary grace and flexibility as they used claw, fang, and scale to tear their way through those that challenged them. From above spears rained upon everyone, and the star itself split as something, no. Someone rose from in between the bisected halves.
"Is this what you wanted when you quested for a perfect kingdom Equality?! Death to thousands and the distortion of reality itself? Do you want to have this existence rip itself apart for your petty squabbles?! And you!"
The voice spat with a perceptible amount of venom as the nearest still fighting creatures began to steam beneath its gaze.
"I have left you fucking children to your own devices for far too long. You have become spoiled and far more greedy than you should be, even for the embodiments of passions."
What Percy could only assume was Equality's forces cheered before he/it/them turned his ferocious gaze upon them. They quickly backed up a couple steps and in some cases far more.
"I have slept in hopes of letting my mate domain run rampant and bring brightness to this reality yet in my naivety I have forgotten the self-entitled children I had thought I'd taught better. NEITHER OF YOUR FORCES DESERVE MY AIDE!
His bellow drove the halves of the star farther apart. And all was dead quiet before he spoke one more.
"And now for invoking my domain and running rampant across the galaxies, leaving the True Balance to fall into Chaos neither of you nor your forces deserve my amnesty. My Queen forgive me and may we start again, but for all new beginnings…"
Both forces were running with all of their might, even Percy in his dream state felt like he could make it to the other end of the solar system at a dead sprint, oxygen be damned.
"There must be an END!"
The scene simply went black. Percy looked around expecting a 'BOOM!'. A bright flare that signaled the reduction of all that was being torn asunder but received nothing. Absolutely nothing. It hit him like a bus hits a bug. There was nothing since everything hand been rendered nothing.
"My dear…Wasn't this a bit excessive?"
"For children they act as though they are old and wise. They act as if they know better and know I have taught them they know naught. They will be back and by then we will have brought everything back to Balance."
"What do you mean 'we'? I think you mean I will restore Balance"
Percy couldn't help that this second angelic voice sounded supremely smug.
A low chuckle sounded throughout the void.
"Of Course my Queen. YOU will restore balance. For Destruction is all I know and all I have been. But with you my dear I am more than I ever could have been."
The sheer affection the first voice had for the second was palpable.
"And with you I am whole and balanced. You are my beginning and my End, you are my infinite second chance."
"Together" "Together"
"We are Whole." "We are Whole."
Percy jumped awake when he felt a hand on his shoulder, and before the sleep had left his vision he had his perceived foe pinned beneath him with Riptide at his throat
"Per-cy! We ne-ed to go! Now!"
"And why" he snarled tightening his grip a bit, "would I go anywhere with you?"
"I didn't know! Now we have to go otherwise neither of us are getting out of here!"
Seeing no other option Percy let go. Nico dropped and coughed a bit before getting up. He gave Percy a sorrowful glance before he waved his hand and the door opened. Percy had thought they were going to have a bad time sneaking through a palace full of skeletons that served Hades but every time they did Nico would wave his hand and the light in their eyes would dim.
"I can put them to sleep sort of but it won't last too long. We should have enough time to sneak out however."
Even though he said that each bone pile he put to sleep made Nico himself look like he needed to sleep himself. By the time they were out of the palace and heading towards the Styx Percy was practically dragging Nico along beside him.
"Sorry. With great power comes great need to take a nap."
Percy chuckled despite his residual anger and gently lowered Nico to the ground as they rested by the bank of the roaring river of broken dreams and promises. It was just like what Percy had seen on his first trip to the underworld. Laden with diplomas and contracts, children's toys, cribs, keys (house or car he didn't know), and for irony's sake a surf board with a shark bite out of it. So many dreams cast away upon a person's death.
And he was going to swim in it.
He looked to Nico for some sort of reassurance but he was past out on the black sand of the banks, snoring slightly. Percy sighed and steeled his will.
'For the good of humanity' he thought and stepped towards the river.
"Halt! Beware all who seek the blessing of the Styx."
Percy looked up to see a man. He was what you would expect out of a typical greek what with the armor and massively plumed helm, however there was one oddity to this spirit. Sticking out of his ankle was a bloody arrow.
"Achilles?" the demi-god questioned.
The spirit nodded, "In life I was a great warrior and now in death I guard the banks of the Styx to warn others seeking my powers of the hell that follows. You will be a grand soldier, of course, but this is a curse as much as a blessing. Your home will no longer be soft beds and linen sheets, a family far beyond you. Accepting this mantle will change you, and your heart will forever remain on the field of war. This is a blessing and a curse for a warrior and warrior you shall remain should you take it on. Proceed at your own caution demi-god and know it is no light task to acquire this mantle. One cannot become a god through invincibility as this is a blessing for men and men alone. Remember what keeps you human, or be burned away and lost in the flow just like all these forgotten dreams."
With that Achilles was gone leaving Percy on the bank.
"I know it'll be hard Percy but it is the course of Fate. Without this the world will fall but ultimately it is up to you. You must pick a spot on your body Percy that will be your mortal anchor, so when you step into that river make sure you have what and who keeps you fighting in this world at the forefront of you mind.
And always remember Semper Fi."
Noir's voice left him as he stood there contemplating, the world vs. his happiness. He groaned cursing his loyalty and stepped into the river.
-Line Break-
Percy P.O.V
I would love to say that I bravely waded into the waters and in a feat of pure manliness slowly sank beneath the surface but the truth is the second the water touched my feet my legs went numb and I face planted into the river. I sank beneath the surface and the only thing I knew was pain. Inconceivable pain was being drilled into my skull. It felt like someone had flood my system with lava and then turned my pain receptors up to 11. Then electrocuted me for good measure. I tried to scream but nothing came out since my throat felt like I had downed a cup of 10 molar hydrochloric acid (What? I can be smart to ya know?) (A/N: *Fist bumps with Percy*). It felt like I was melting, and suddenly I was. I could feel my skin peeling away and my muscles liquefying. All the events of my life streamed through my head as my memories began to melt away as well. I was losing it. Just as mom's face began to fade the image changed and sharpened.
"Gods you're such a Sea Weed Brain! Come on you doofus!"
Annabeth was smiling down at me. I had fallen into the lake and she held her hand out to me. I took and everything came back, my body, my memory, my purpose.
'Peace for the ones I love in a world we can be happy in'
I focused on the small of my back, easily protected when I wore my armor and hard to hit if you didn't know where it was. The tug got stronger, like a bungee cord snapping tight and I pulled with all my might.
I burst through the surface of the water and onto the banks where Nico was now sitting heaving. I watched in slight fascination as my skin steamed before returning to its normally tan color. I breathed a sigh of relief and Nico helped me up. I took what Noir had said to heart and pulled him into a hug to which he yelped at.
"I forgive you ok?" I felt him nod and let him go but not before socking him. Hard.
"Now don't do it again. Tell me ahead of time, I'd be glad to help you get to talk to your mom. My mom means the world to me and if yours was still here I'm sure you'd say the same."
Nico looked like he was about to cry but fought it down and gave me a confidant nod.
Our bro moment was not to last as a war horn called and an undead army climbed the hills before the stretch to the beach. I snarled as I saw who was leading it before mimicking Noir and pulling a smile that was all malice.
"Oh look! Company!"
P.O.V Shift 3rd
Most people over estimate Percy's gentle side all too often. He was a hardened kid from New York, where he lived with only his mother and a scumbag who had beat him. When they got away from the scumbag he was tossed into a world of monsters, war, suffering, and death while his mom was kidnapped by the god of the Underworld. So to say that his smile would have made the Kraken run for his mother is not a understatement. And Hade army was on the receiving end of it.
"Surrender yourself Jackson so I don't have to break every bone in your body!"
Wrong thing to say. Percy was pissed. Beyond pissed. Nico couldn't talk to his mom, his sister was dead, he's an outcast at camp, demi-gods are being sacrificed for a war born out of the god's arrogance, and now they wanted to capture just so they could USE their children to be more respected. Percy's rage exploded and so did the Styx. The tidal surge of Styx water hit the army like a tank. Bones were smashed, weapons went flying, and the soldiers began to melt in the black waters of the cursed river. Percy wasn't far behind and charged right into the middle of their forces.
Bullets were fired, bayonets flashed, swords were swung. Nothing touched Percy. Riptide was a bronze blur of pure destruction and in that moment Perseus Jackson embodied his name. He was the Destroyer as he flipped and twisted around blades and bullets. He slashed, parried, rolled, reposted; every movement as liquid as his element. It was like a burst of water at high pressure, a lethal blade. Percy cut through the army and leaped from where he was on the ground, tackling Hades clean out of his chariot. With Hades pinned beneath him and Riptide at his nose, Percy took the time to look around. Weapons were strewn every which way and not a single skeleton remained. He had obliterated the army. He turned back to Hades and pressed Riptide into his nose.
"You can't kill me, I'm immortal!"
"Then I can at least make this hurt like hell."
Hades paled (If that's possible) and melted through the floor leaving Percy gripping onto his robes.
Percy looked at the wailing souls and tossed them into the river.
"Better than being his clothes…"
"PERCY!"
He was launched away from where he stood. Two massive jaws shut behind him and when he looked back he barely made out violent purple eyes sinking into the ground. Leaving Percy and Nico standing a few feet apart.
With Nico missing his arms.
(A/N: *Maniacal Laughter*)
Percy watched horrified as his friend fell flat on his face, the stubs of his arms doing nothing to prevent his impact.
"NOIR!" His anger and despair shaking a good portion of the Underworld
Just like that the Hybrid was there with pure rage dancing across his features. Never had Percy seen such a profound anger. The Styx boiled in his presence and the sand nearest to them was melting into glass. Percy thought he was just not interfering but he looked like he had just fought a war. He was covered in scratches and scrapes, a suspicious orange liquid dripped off his gauntlets, and his clothing was torn to bits.
"A FUCKING DISTRACTION!? YOU FUCKING HAD THE BALLS TO PULL FROM THE FIGHT AND NOT EVEN BOTHER TO FACE ME YOURSLEVES YOU ARROGANT SHITS!"
Eerie laughter was all they got in response, but it wasn't one voice, it was many. Noir roared and the Underworld shook. Percy put a hand on his shoulder as the ground around them began to bubble with lava.
"We don't have time. We need to grab Nico and get him healed. We need to get back to camp as well. This was a pre-emptive strike that may or may not have killed me but in the least knocked me out of the fight. We need to go, and fast."
Noir looked like he might explode before he took in the blood on Percy's shirt where he was cradling Nico to his chest. He cursed beneath his breath.
"Stop the bleeding but don't cauterize the wounds yet. If you have to, get Apollo. If asks why, tell him because I said so and he likes having his head attached to his neck. I'm sending you ahead. I need to find the Fates. We're due for a chat."
With that Percy was at Camp Half-Blood.
The Camp was in an uproar when Percy appeared in the middle of the cabins. Hestia was first on the scene saying Noir had contacted her to help.
Chiron looked grim, Annabeth looked horrified, and the rest of the campers were in varying states of rage. They might not have liked Nico as much as other campers, but nothing will keep a demi-god from getting pissed when one of their siblings were hurt. After all, they were just one huge fucked up family, but a loyal fucked up family.
Percy had the crowd part and carried the Son of Hades to the Apollo cabin.
"Apollo!" he called to the heavens, "Noir asks your assistance!"
He was there in a flash. (A/N: I had to XD)
"What's going dow- OH HADES!" Nico was pale. Not his normal pale, but deathly pale. Apollo quickly went to the ends of his arms to repair them but he was stopped.
"I've suspended time about them, I need you to help me accelerate his blood production levels. If we use ambrosia it'll ruin the chances of giving him arms again."
"Um…" Started Michael Yew, "Don't we need his original arms to reattach?"
"Who said we were using the originals?"
Using his ten tails he quickly herded them out the door saying something about too many distractions as he was trying to specifically target cells inside of a living body with minimal to no side effects. Annabeth Joined Percy as he sat outside the Apollo cabin waiting for new on his friend. Hestia joined the two, providing a warm aura to the downcast and tired demi-god. Chiron stood not too far away discussing something with Hermes who had popped up looking for Apollo. He cantered over looking very worried but dismissed Percy and Annabeth when they looked up.
"We have to have a war council. We've got reports that the army has been spotted heading for New York. This will be the last council before we head to war. Thankfully we have all the councillors present."
Percy almost jumped up, "Then Bekendorf?"
"Woke up while you were gone doing whatever you were doing. He's in good health though with the change to Silena's attitude and attire I have a feeling that there is some explaining to do." Chiron cantered off the alert the other councillors of the approaching war council.
Annabeth rested her head on Percy's shoulder while he and Hestia chatted idly, both claiming their respective mothers made the best cookies. Percy had challenged Hestia to a mother-off which was hilarious considering Queen Rhea was a bloody Titan.
"She could be a four headed dragon demon and my mom would still fight her."
Percy's response had the trio giggling like fools while they waited.
Noir opened the door not too long later.
Nico was awake and a little less than pleased looking as they walked in.
"I know you're supposed to disarm your opponent but this is ridiculous…"
Unknown to him the entire assembly had heard him grumbling. The rest of the campers were there soon enough, watching as 2 gods, 2 demi-gods, and a polymorph all laughed uproariously while leaving a blushing Nico to imagine slapping the lot of them.
"If I had arms…" he threatened.
They soon died down to chuckles as Noir stepped up.
"So yeah, I could reattached your original arms but considering they were half melted and sorta chewed I figured I'd replace 'em altogether if that's okay with you. I'm not too precise with the reformation of lost limbs since the feeling of having arms is so normal to most. I can replace them though they will be sorta mechanical."
"So am I going to be looking like Edward Elric or am I going to get something a little something smoother?"
Noir blinked and chuckled slightly at the reference.
"I could have you looking like the Full Metal Alchemist don't get me wrong but because I'll spawn the limbs out of my power they'll come with a standard form. They'll be like layered snake scale. Because, as a law, power can be transformed as long as the amount stays constant they'll be dense so don't go doing any swimming without telling me so I can adjust the material density. For you they'll feel like your normal arms but they'll let you hit a whole lot harder. As for transformations, imagine it. I'll let you decide what they can or can't do, just remember as it doesn't matter what it is as long as the amount limit isn't exceeded. They can be transformed into a liquid state for faster weapon swaps but even if a little gets shaved off it'll come back so you can't lose them again. Now then, forming them will be easy, reorienting your nerve cells to manage them…that might hurt. Like, a lot so heads up man."
Noir conjured a leather belt for Nico to bite into and then began to work.
Liquid platinum poured form his finger tips and began to roughly take shape. Crude finger bones formed out of the metal before the metacarpals and carpals followed. Next the wrists filled in to a proper thickness and before the two ulnas and two radius' formed. The join for the elbows formed, before continuing up to where his arms had been removed. The platinum attached to the visible bone before the platinum started to web over the bones. Metallic threads twisted together and layered into platinum strips forming muscles over and in between the bones. A thinner layer of platinum began to form, first over the fingers, fabricating nails and then silver skin.
"Why is this taking so long?" Annabeth questioned as she watched on in fascination.
"Bones and muscles are naturally dense but skin usually isn't particularly dense in comparison. Yes it's the largest organ on the body but not necessarily the densest. You get the standard three layers, in which the third houses a good portion of the circulatory system. Since these arms aren't fully organic and only partially I can focus on cramming as much material as possible into the surface area. They'll look and feel exactly the same but the possibilities will make Iron Man's suit look like a beat up Ford Model T."
Annabeth nodded.
"So what will he have to worry about for maintenance?"
"Power induced kiddo. He could probably super heat these things to ridiculous levels and burn away everything on the surface. Though his blood isn't flowing through them they will acclimate to his powers. He'll probably get more powerful as a side effect of the merging of the two energy sources. My recommendation would be to store a portion of his own powers into them right after the acclimation, it'll make the control and management of the limb easier."
He directed his speech to an attentive Nico,
"Also I'd recommend meditation with them. Focusing on the natural feel of the limbs as you flow power into them will be beneficial to the bonding process. Your body can't reject them like a transferred organ but it will make the reaction time between thought and execution shrink until it's none existent. You can also store a portion of your energy in them for future use. Anyway here comes the hard part. After this we'll take a trip down to the lake center for further discussion on your powers. For now bite down."
Noir placed the strap in Nico's mouth. He gripped his shoulders as the last bit of platinum skin connected.
"Count of 3…3!"
There was a sizzle and a muffled scream as the prosthetics bonded to Nico's body. The process lasted about as long as Nico's scream after which he promptly collapsed in bed. He spat out the belt and breathed hard with his new arms by his side. He looked down and twitched his fingers. He smiled softly before he slipped out of consciousness.
"To be honest I expected him to pass out right off the bat. Strong kid this one, 'specially since he already moved his fingers. Welp, physiotherapy shouldn't take too long with 'im then. He'll be shifting forms soon enough. Speaking of which, form state, standard."
Nico's hands shifted slightly. His hands stayed humanoid but the rest of the arm quickly became covered in snake scale as Noir had mentioned before. He nodded, satisfied with his work before standing up.
"Should be able to get him up and fighting in a few days though his form shifts probably won't be viable yet. As for the rest of us, head to the Rec room. We got things to do. We need to pack up and move out. The battles no more than two days away."
A nod to Apollo, a quick hug for Hestia, and he was gone, presumably to the rec room, The present campers filed out, not at all looking forward to the upcoming meeting. Gods know it won't be fun.
"We need a solid plan for the division of forces. We're fighting an army with half a battalion but that doesn't mean we can't and won't win. Manhattan is an island with only so many entrances. I'll leave the squad division to the Commander in Chief of the operation. First things first though, we need to get to ground zero and set up a forward base. I have an idea of where we can set up shop. I'll move ahead to make sure everything is in place before we move to the island. We'll head out tomorrow since I have to speak with Bekendorf, and I need to have a proper conversation with Silena as well. I also need to make sure Nico can manage his new hands well enough that we won't have to worry about him in a fight. Until tomorrow, dismissed! We'll decide transportation then."
He blinked out, leaving a note with Bekendorf and Silena, and the rest of the campers looking at Chiron for confirmation of the dismissal.
"He's right, we have time since we know precisely how long we have before the enemy forces arrive and so we should use it. Once we have a post set up we can strategize and respond in record time as well as have a possible infirmary should we need it to house any injured. I have no idea what he needs to talk to Bekendorf about but if it involved us he wouldn't hesitate to share. If we are to know what it is then either Silena or Bekendorf would tell us. Although,"
He sent a pointed look at Clarisse, "we do have one person that was present during whatever exchange happened between Silean and Noir over Charlie's near death experience. Considering Clarisse is quite loyal and hasn't said anything means Noir told her not to or she deemed it something that, as I said before, is for one of the trio to reveal."
All eyes turned to Silena and she waved them off in a 'some other' time motion while Bekendorf looked slightly worried. A reassuring smile in his direction and he let it slide.
"With that, yes you are dismissed."
The war council was adjourned and the groups split off.
"So does this have to do with why I should probably be dead and my girlfriend has a circlet made of the same platinum as the polymorph beside her?"
Noir and Silena shared a glance.
"Yes." "Yes."
Bekendorf looked suspicious but waved for the explanation to continue.
"It's like you said, you should be dead. In Elysium. Sitting pretty on an island sipping Nectar and eating Ambrosia to your hearts content. However, as you can tell, someone called in a favor of which the price she didn't understand. Now how do want the news, quick and painful or do you want the gentle let down. Heads up I'll give you the gentle let down either way since it's the full situational explanation."
"Brutal first if I'm getting the gentle let down either way."
"Lack of a better way to say it, Silena belongs to me." He deadpanned.
Bekendorf's eyebrow shot up and his face looked absolutely horrified.
"Not like that you fool. That was the best and only way to cut it short. To save a life a life must be given. As you can see both of you are still here so who do you think balanced the scales to ensure both of you lived?"
Bekendorf's eyebrows scrunched together as Noir continued.
"Not to offend but I don't necessarily get anything out of this so by my laws, The Laws of the First that is, I have sacrificed and gained nothing while another gained everything through my sacrifice. As such the one who gained everything owes everything to who?"
Bekendorf's down cast look answered him. Noir sighed deeply.
"I know, I know, trust me I know this isn't the best situation for any of us. The Laws of the First are for the maintenance of balance child. It is to keep the shift of power between souls beyond even the Creator of your Universe. Should we give we are required to take, even if we wish not to. Those that enter within any situation of exchange for sake of benefit enter an unspoken contract between them and the First that is present. It includes other First too. We can't just go exchanging powers without repercussions, we're unbelievably influential on reality as it is. An exchange of power between any of us is essentially a brief allotment of the other into our domains therefore we allow each other an amount of free roam within each other's realm of control. As such we counter balance each other and can manage one another as we traverse each other's domain. It's simply to keep one another form abusing the excess allotment of power from tipping the balance between the lot of the First. That many entities who embody the basic laws and forces of existence maintain a very, very delicate balance and the laws are strict for a reason. With beings of that magnitude, an inch of take results in a mile of give. They apply to everyone regardless of state and stature, and therefore they apply to Silena as well."
"So why not me? Why am I not indebted to you for keeping me alive? Why am I not the one you 'own'?"
"Because I didn't make the initial sacrifice, it was to be made by her on your behalf by Silena. She petitioned me for the sake of saving your life since she could not. As the First that set the conditions of the restoration of your life against the Will of the Fates. Silena's life alone would not have been enough to balance the scales against the Will of the Fates. So I did it for her, omitting her life from the scales and replaced her sacrifice with my own. As such she owes me her life to keep her from dying in the process and then twice over by saving your life for her, which would have cost her life as well. Essentially I saved her life twice over, and then some as I paid the price of your life in her stead. Realistically you owe her for almost giving her life for yours and then also indebting herself to me when I brought you back. You don't owe me at all, I facilitated the deal but she really paid the price. My rules don't apply between you two since neither of you are of the First so you aren't required to repay her. You could, walk right the fuck out on her and forget about it. However we all know that won't happen, the only problem is between you two and how you feel about the situation.
Silena and I are in a respect based contract, not unlike King Arthur and Lancelot. She will serve beneath me and I will hold the greater portion of dominion over her and my word is law, as long as it's not against her will or morals. You two are still together and I respect that. I will not place myself between you, true she will be by my side as any knight would be, but you two shall still be together. Now for you two I suggest you sort that out. I have a midget to manage."
With a smirk he was gone leaving the couple together. Bekendorf was busy fidgeting, trying to figure out what to say to the girl that basically sold herself to ensure he'd live. The girl who almost gave her life for his. The girl-
That was kissing him!
"Come on. I know you're already over things when it's as simple as us getting lunch together and continuing to live as we were. Noir said he wasn't gonna come between us so we have nothing to worry about. I might run the odd errand or have sword classes with him but that's about it. Now let's get going before we miss lunch."
She dragged him towards the dining pavilion before he could utter anything else, Noir watching amusedly as they walked off smiling like fools.
"A'ight let's get started, we only have so much time before we have to move for the city."
"Sounds about right but should I be worried about our training grounds?"
Nor looked down from where he stood with Nico upon the lake surface, so clear was the water they could see straight to the bottom. Naiads swam and played beneath them occasionally making funny faces at them. Noir would occasionally smile and wave back.
"What no faith in the all powerful polymorph?"
Nico cocked an eyebrow at him
"Geez… no respect I tell ya. Well on to business! This should be quick and painless."
He snapped his finger and the world around them shimmered. Everything slowed to a near stop. Birds in the air, satyrs chasing dryads, the Apollo campers volleyball as it fell, Percy as well as he was mid drop for a dunk on the basketball court.
"Now we have more than enough time, so let's get started."
Nico finally pulled his wits together and shrugged off his aviator jacket revealing his new arms. They worked wonderfully, albeit being the slightest bit stiff in the morning.
"Think fast!"
He barely caught the soft ball Noir lobbed at him, by that he meant it bounced off his forehead and into his arms. His reaction to the ball almost made him drop it as his hands followed late after his thought.
"So that's the biggest thing we're going to worry about, erasing the delay between normal reactions of your hands in standard form before we get down to shape shifting. As I said before, letting your own energy flow into them will make this a whole lot easier and I can see you've already started."
He gestured to the black swirls that encircled Nico's knuckles and wound slightly up the back of his hand.
"Once you get a greater resonance between your energy and the natural energy of the prosthetics going the delay between thought and reaction will gradually disappear. To do that simply send your own energy into them, since you naturally have a handle on your own energy you'll share that control with anything else you have imbued your energy with. Not to mention the limbs, being shaped out of energy, will boost your own natural energy reserves, acclimating fully with them will yield more than one benefit in that way. Once you can handle them in standard form, we'll work on your energy control for the reshaping of the limbs for combat purposes. For now just sit down and meditate. Focus on your heartbeat, and then on the energy flowing through your body. Sync them, feel your energy thrumming in tandem to your heartbeat. Once you have that, focus on making sure you can feel that sensation throughout your hands. It'll be dull at first, but keep going until you can feel the pulse as prominently as you can feel it in your own body."
Nico obliged. Folding his feet he sat down upon the lake surface. Not bothering to be cliché and pinch his thumb and forefinger together, he let his wrists wrest on his knees. He kept his back straight and smirked a little at the thought of his younger self trying to do the same. Letting his thoughts roll away he cleared up his head and focused on his heartbeat. With the sheer amount of quiet going on he found it surprisingly hard to focus on the steady beat. After what felt like a minute or two he found it then began to let his power flow. It was dark and opposing, contradicting his heartbeat which represented life and vitality but he managed to draw them together. He had long since learned that the shadows were alive and the dead still roam so tying the tow aspects together was relatively simple, in theory. His powers were fighting against his heartbeat but he managed to reign them in. soon enough a steady thrum was pulsing though his body. He slowly let it grow until he could feel the energy gently flowing beneath his skin.
Slowly, very slowly, he began to push it towards the new limbs. He decided to do the easiest bit first and tried to feel the pulse in his new fingers. This was easier since there was little resistance but it was still like pushing a thick pole through cold and thick syrup. Eventually, he started to feel the slightest buzz in his fingers. Internally he smiled but decided to keep going. The feeling swelled as he pushed more energy in, it was more difficult to stream that amount of power in but he managed it with a solid portion of effort. His palms and wrists joined the steady pulse that was crawling its way up his forearm. The spread joined the main body of the flow just beneath his elbow, right where the prosthetic connected to his body. He smiled as the connection fluttered momentarily and then picked up, as if the prosthetics were rejoicing in being united with the main body.
Within a few breathing sets his energy was thrumming all about his body in perfect synchrony with his heartbeat, including his new arms. Though he really couldn't say that as they felt as though they had always been a part of him, and now they would be. When he was sure that he could feel his heartbeat in every inch of his arm h breathed out in a sigh and let the ebb and flow of power in his veins calm. When he finally went to open his eyes he found it rather difficult. It was a battle to open then and good gods his back was stiff! He slowly stood and stretched out getting a chorus off popping from his joints and woe fully stiff vertebrae.
"Full acclimation in 12 hours! I'm quite impressed with ya Di'Angelo."
Nico's jaw would've hit the lake bed if it weren't attached to his face.
"A HALF DAY?! YOU'VE HAD ME MEDITATING FOR A HALF DAY?!"
"No, you meditated for twelve hours here. Outside of this area, roughly 2 hours have passed."
Nico looked about and realized that birds that were previously frozen were long gone. Percy was now sliding for a save on the Volleyball court from a spike that must've come from Annabeth judging by her falling form. Two Naiads were far beneath them playing what looked like g fish at the speed of snail. Nico sighed thinking he might have lost half a day when he should be preparing for war. He gave Noir a sheepish smile while the polymorph merely looked amused.
"Well, with that out of the way we can move on to the fun part. Form changes. The concept is simple but the execution is a bitch if you've never done it before. For this trying and picture your limb as liquid. Power is fluid and sine these limbs are almost all power in their entirety that shouldn't be too hard. Reforming it into something else when it should simply be a limb is another story altogether. I would recommend something you know well, something familiar that you can easily picture in your mind. Something so familiar you've seen it time and time again and you could recognize it even form the corner of your eye. When you have the image in mind, imprint it onto you limb. Mirror the image over your arms like a stencil and let your arm fill it in. Once you change to that form a couple times it'll be almost a standard and you'll be able to shift to it almost immediately. Eventually you'll be able to fully form weapons out of your limbs and wield them like you would any other."
Noir demonstrated as he held his left hand flat and made a grabbing motion against it with his right. It looked like he was clasping something protruding from his palm, or that ridiculous turkey thing Percy would always do to Annabeth when she asked for a high five.
Drawing Nico from his loss of train of thought, Noir pulled vertically across his torso producing a simple sword of flowing light. There was no guard but it was roughly centered about the shape of a katana. Slimmer 'ribbons' that looked more like flowing duplicate blades, flowered from the handle out into the air.
"Remember, power is fluid and can be manipulated in different ways so doing something like this-" he punctuated the sentence with a slash that launched one of the ribbons into the air as a crescent blade, "Should be possible for you as long as you have sufficient energy to maintain it."
Externally, Nico nodded calmly. Internally, he wondered how much Noir's power level would be if he had a Mytho-magic card. Tossing the thought aside he looked down at his hands. He jumped a bit in surprise at how much his hands had changed. The scales had almost receded entirely, but his hands were now almost entirely black. The scales had small platinum striations that crossed diagonally across the surface which produced a spiraling effect up his arm. His elbows were now housed in the same kind of triple petal junction as Noir's gauntlets, minus the flames. He was pleasantly surprised.
"At least they won't clash with anything…"
He heard Noir stifle a laugh. He watched as the polymorph gestured for him to continue and slipped beneath the lake surface where he joined the Naiads for card games. Nico shook his head at the shifters antics and focused on his right arm. He closed his eyes and tried to mimic the feel of water with his limb. The way it slid between loose fingers, but pooled together in a cupped hand. How it would roll with any slope, but still crash against rocky shores weathering away the ancient stones. The way it filled but never burst and could splatter but reform into any shape. When he opened his eyes, his right arm was a mass off floating black and platinum, he smirked and watched as it followed him wherever he went. He would jump, slide, and run across the water's surface while his 'arm' would stream behind him. He briefly thought about making a whip but he wasn't familiar enough with them. He instead focused on a blade. One that was attached to its owner and constantly hid within his body, never failing. He focused on the way the blade would cut but never chip, clash but never shatter, he focused in the way it moved as part of the body, how organic and natural it was. He focused on making his arm like that blade. Focused on how blades worked for him, how his sword bisected with ease and ate away all the monsters that opposed him, how his sword would never need to be called upon, how it was always there when he needed. He focused on the reliability, the familiarity, the natural nature of both blades and put them together.
With the image in mind he laid it over his arm, not like a stencil, but more like a cookie cutter to be filled in. He felt his 'arm' twisting and flowing folding over its self in a liquid state and filling the shape he desired. It sorta hurt since he had to dissolve his bones but he powered through. It hadn't killed him to lose his arms and now he would be stronger for it. When he finally opened his eyes, the massive blade was firmly attached to his arm and it looked ferocious. The Massive curve of it was lined in platinum while 4 black strips attached it to the rest of his arm with four platinum rods laced through on both sides. Though he noticed the blade wasn't a single piece of metal, two halves made up the whole of the weapon and when he focused they split and snapped back together.
'Like teeth' he thought. The back end of the guillotine/scythe/scimitar stretched past his elbow slightly and the reinforcing bars of platinum extended over it in a staggering pattern. When he pushed power into them they glowed and black flames spewed from the ends. The blade split and formed a massive spear of black flame from the 'mouth' of the blade.
"An ode to Prototype huh? Alex Mercer's blade but I see you added some additions. Not bad at all for a first augment. Form, save and catalogue. Call Class 'Blade, Nightingale'."
Nico felt the blade hum in response to Noir's command.
"Nico, say 'Form, Standard' and then when the shift occurs call 'Blade Form, Nightingale'."
Nico obliged. When he called Standard the blade shrunk, the rods receded, the strips folded away, and the entire thing collapsed back into his arm. He smiled something devilish when he called Nightingale. His arm split open and the first blade shot out and the second followed with a clash of steel on steel. He noticed his thoughts on teeth affected the blade, as the inside of each was now serrated. The rest of his arm unfolded into the 8 strips that held the blade to his body and the rods wove their way into the harness for the blades.
Nico looked up and Noir nodded in approval. They shared a smile before Noir almost made Nico die again.
"So when are you going to tell Percy ya love 'im?"
If Nico could've drowned right then, he would have.
He turned beet red and tried not to stutter but realized he was entirely screwed.
"I-Um- have no- no clue what-"
"Dude, I've been around since your Great Grandma and Grandpa were still toddlers, don't even bother."
Nico sat down and slumped hard
"I just don't want to be the 'Gay Son of Hades'. People hate me enough because of how different I am already." He gestured to the massive arm blade, "This on top of being gay probably doesn't do me any favors. I've lost too much already, I don't need to lose my friendship with Percy over my 'unnatural' feelings."
Noir sat down beside him and pulled him into a side hug.
"First step to acceptance is to accept yourself kiddo. When you're happy with you, other will learn to be as well. In terms of Percy he'll understand and he'll over think his answer at first and blow the whole thing out of proportion before finding some way to make it better with a goofy apology. And if you're looking for approval of who you are then you have mine. Be who you want to be, be who you are. You have my backing and my approval. Worst comes to worst call my name and I'll be there to help. Your lives are too short to be worried about being anything other than safe and happy, so don't bother if the majority hates or is disgusted at you, the minority is all that matters. If they want to be there, they will be there. Otherwise they have two perfectly good legs they can walk away on unless they say something rude and you break them. Then they can crawl while the regret their decisions."
Noir gave Nico a smile and Nico found himself retuning it. He changed his arm back to normal before he stood and dragged Noir up with him for a proper hug. He uttered a muffled thank you into his coat while Noir just kept smiling. When they finally broke apart Noir told his to go get lunch and relax a bit. Nico nodded and Noir released the time spell and joined Nico as he walked across the lake towards the dining pavilion. Nico shot him a look.
"I got you new arms and taught you how to change 'em into a massive jaw sword. I figure you at least owe me lunch if not dinner after the war."
Nico laughed harder than he ever had before.
Lunch went quickly enough and with a request to Noir and Nico was practising again. Noir took a walk when he stumbled upon a ponderous Percy that was watching out at Nico over the water. Noir knew that Nico's arm was probably in a liquid state being practice shifted into other forms but he left a glamour to make it look like he was simply sitting on the water surface meditating.
"You couldn't have known what would happen so it doesn't help to beat yourself up. Rather you should be training and practicing making sure you won't accidently be jumped."
To emphasize a point Noir gently prodded at Percy's mortal point earning a shocked gasp. Percy swung looking panicked but found Noir with one eye closed and a finger to his lips.
"Nothing will change if you just stand here staring at him like a creep. Either talk to him or get training, we don't have time to sit around with our thumbs on our asses. War starts tomorrow Percy, today is the day you do whatever you must if you aren't sure you're coming back. If you're sure you're coming back, you're not ready to go in the first place. Now make your choice kiddo. Time waits for no one. Not even the Titan Lord of it."
Like a sagely wind, he was gone with the rustling of the grass at Percy's feet. He clenched his jaw and sighed.
'Might as well get it over with.' He thought and began to walk out across the water's surface.
Just because he admitted his feelings, it didn't mean Nico didn't nearly have his heart jump out of his chest when he swung around and found Percy standing behind him.
"You said this'd be hard Noir but I think you- GAH!"
Both he and Percy fell on their asses. Percy looked like a basking shark with his mouth hanging very wide open. Nico took in the look with a raised eyebrow before he noticed his arm was basically a floating cloud of black and platinum shadows. (A/N: Think Sera Victoria from Hellsing 'cept black and platinum instead of black and red)
"Oh! Right." Nico chuckled despite himself and called the command and his arm shifted back to normal. He clenched and unclenched his fist a couple times before giving Percy a scolding look.
"It's impolite to star Fish-Boy and I don't know what you're imagining my arm can do in that messed up head of yours."
Percy started turning red but before he could splutter out a response Nico chuckled at his expression. He grumbled incoherent curse and slapped Nico lightly. They sat across from each other for a few awkward seconds before Percy broke it.
"I'm sorry about the Underworld thing." Nico went to protest but Percy silenced him with a hand.
"I really don't have a right to say anything about making hard sacrifices to save my mother. I genuinely took my first quest, not to save the world, but to save my mother. I'm just glad I had the chance to grow up with her and know exactly how much she loves me every day of my life. You lost your mom and that must be incredibly hard but being the Son of the God of the Underworld who literally rules over all souls beneath the surface of the world and not being able to talk to her ghost must be worse. To top it all off you lost Bianca. You're only family and that is a feeling I know all too well. It's worse because whether you forgive me or not I will always feel a thousand times worse about it since I failed you. I failed to save your sister when I promised I'd bring her back. When you looked up to me and saw a hero all you got was a failure. Then I couldn't even help you or make it up to you since you fled and I never even looked. I just feel so terrible about it and now you've gone and lost your arms for me and I just can't be the guy everyone loses their live for. I don't care if I have to sell my soul to Noir I just don't want to let anyone down. I don't want to let you down again Nico."
Percy's head was hung the whole time and Nico could barely breathe. He knew he shouldn't be angry but he was. Not with Percy but with the gods and the Fates for the cruelty demi-gods were dealt. Knowing that loyalty was Percy's flaw must've made every single life they've lost and every one they will lose weight twice as heavily on him.
"You're right of course. I do forgive you but you should feel bad."
Percy was shocked but was ready to accept the chewing out he was long overdue.
"But…You don't get to take the easy way out. If you really want to make it up to me, to them, to Bianca, live Percy. Live and keep fighting. Live so you can help us win this war and live better lives. Fight so we can win and not leave anyone behind. Fight so the younger ones won't have to. Suffer with us, and help the lot of us climb our way to a better world just like we will help you since we all have our own guilt to live with. So don't just sit around moping and blaming yourself. Join the parade with the rest of the guilty and fight with us to claim your redemption with your own hands."
Percy looked up to see Nico smiling softer than he thought possible. The slight sparkle of platinum in his eyes showed that the little goth was definitely following in the footsteps of a certain polymorph but he wasn't going to question a good thing. He didn't bother asking as he crushed the Son of Hades in a massive hug. Nico stiffened but slowly relaxed into the hug and returned it.
"Now come on I've spent far too long in here and I need a break. I'm sure Noir won't mind if I relax before continuing with training."
Percy looked at him funny, "Spent too long…?"
He took a couple seconds to look around and noticed nothing had changed from when he had stepped out onto the lake surface. Everything was frozen in time
'Time waits for no one, not even the Titan Lord of it'
Percy questioned what kind of monster Noir must've been to use Kronos's domain so freely.
-Line Break-
Training flew by for Nico and Percy. Percy who had joined and was picking up sword techniques from the polymorph, and then Silena as well who dropped by when she wasn't spending time with Bekendorf.
Soon enough dawn was breaking on the horizon on the day of mobilization and the campers were fully armored and ready to go.
"We're heading to Olympus first. There we'll plan, then we'll move to set up traps. I'd hoped the Ares cabin would have reconsidered their position by now."
Pure fire filled the glare he shot that particular cabin
"But it appears not to be. Silena. You'll be staying here for now. Work on Clarisse. Talk to her. Try and Convince her. Bekendorf has already prepared traps ahead of time and is staying to prepare more. He'll arrive with Silena and the Ares cabin or he'll arrive with Silena alone. I've sent Nico back to his father with a request form myself. He will be trying to get Hades and his legions to fight with us. Olympus is his home and family too. We will not be the only ones fronting the battle. As for the rest of us… Numbers aren't everything. One of you is worth forty of them 10 times over. Be smart, fight smart, act smart. You've trained for this, now is the time to put it into action. I've already contacted the Hunters so they'll arrive as well. I hope you haven't forgot anything, this isn't the type of trip where I can turn us back for a forgotten iPod. Once we land at the base of the Empire State, the war has begun."
No one spoke up. Brave faces and stoic expressions ruled the crowds.
"Then next we meet will be on the battle field."
"WAIT! What do you mean? You're our leader right?"
Noir met Percy's panicked gaze, "Only mortals can lead mortals Perseus. Like Chiron I am a guide and a warrior. As a leader I am fit only to give orders to immortals. Mortals are my charges not my underlings to command, not my pawns and pieces to move and a chessboard and regardless of my intentions that will be the situation. Whether the King moves on the field or not, he is still the hand that moves. Knights should Lead knights Perseus, kings are useless but for politics and I refuse to be one. If you need me on the battle field I will likely be acting on my own otherwise" he smirked, a mischievous sparkle in his platinum eyes, "I'll be under Percy's directions."
Suddenly the group of 40 demi-gods was standing on the side walk in front of the Empire State Building.
The war had begun.
A/N: ANNNNNNNNNNDDDDDDDDD...There ya go! War starts next chap and shit will be funky. I refuse to keep things the same so there will be discrepancies in the war (likely more nail biting situations an what not). Hopefully I'll bring back Cosmos, maybe I'll finally get Cosmos on Earth but we'll see. Just glad to see so much dedication so leave a review if ya up to it but I wanna say thanks for the RIDONKULOUS amount of views and the severely unexpected amount of subs. Shout out to you guys for keeping me going and for those at school...well...try no to murder anyone too important when the stress hits ;)