AN
Jake: Hey guys! As promised! Here's the new chapter! Surprised we're early huh? SAY IT YOU ARE!
Twista: *Slaps Jake Across Room* We're getting back up again after a long period of inactivity so we want to deliver! Anyway, we'd like to reply first before anything else.
Replies:
xRinneandSharinx: Such a shame, his demise was very weak compared to how we wanted it haha. Ending of this tale is really different from Canon that's for sure.
Khaotic KrystalFire5: Aww, shame. Still though thanks for reviewing!
AgitatedDog9288: Thanks! We're back!
Jake: That's all for now! So I can guess you know who the Motorcycle Woman is but the masked guy is a mystery character for now. If you enjoy this chapter leave a review below! Its helps us out a lot!
Enjoy! Disclaimer: PJO and HOO are not ours!
Leo 3rd Person POV
Leo blinked as he focused his eyes and said "Aunt Rosa?"
The woman's form flickered by his eyes while Hazel whispered "Mrs. Leer?"
The dark skinned girl shook her head and said "Who are you?"
"You," said Echo bitterly,
"Hello again Echo," said the woman flickering to her curly haired, red jacketed form, "Are you still angry?"
"Angry," agreed Echo,
"What did you do?" asked Leo,
The flipped the coin once more in the air and caught it as she said "Allow me to introduce myself; I am Nemesis, Goddess of Retribution, Vengeance and Balance."
"Nemesis?" asked Leo, "Who's he?"
Leo pointed at the masked figure that seemed to be starring at Echo, Leo and Hazel all at once with his black void eyes. His eyes couldn't be seen as they were hidden under the shadows of the mask and Nemesis replied "Ah, this is my disciple Vorn."
The masked figure nodded as Nemesis said "As for Echo, let's say it was my fault why Narcissus is in love with his reflection."
"You did that?" asked Hazel,
"Yes she did," said Vorn with a mellow yet powerful voice,
"She did," spat Echo to Nemesis,
Vorn stepped forward and said "You see my master is the Goddess of Revenge. Narcissus was a male who broke many hearts all for the sake of him not finding them interesting. It was as if he could never find the right girl to fall in love with."
Leo and Hazel gazed at Echo who was sadly looking their way and Vorn continued "He never put them down lightly; he did it in the harshest way as if he tore their heart out. A Nymph had killed herself due to the heartbreak and my milady saw it fit to punish someone so cruel. "
Nemesis grinned and said "I made him fall in love with his reflection, for all eternity."
"All eternity," nodded Echo sadly,
Nemesis nodded and said "He even killed others who tried to take him away from his reflection so they left him there do die and eventually it did. He's back thanks to Gaea now but I sense you need some help to claim that bronze sheet in the water."
She pulled out a fortune cookie and gave a kind smile as she read "Good things will come your way."
Her kind smile vanished as her face turned into a deathly scowl which terrified Leo and Hazel as she said "This is exactly the stuff I hate, some random people having good things and success coming their way. They don't know that it just doesn't work that way! I blame Tyche for giving away luck to those who don't deserve it!"
The writing on the note tuned blood red as it now read "You will die painfully"
"Much better don't you agree Vorn?" asked Nemesis,
The figure nodded as Hazel said "That's a bad note on a fortune cookie."
Nemesis then chuckled and sneered as she said "But it's true Hazel Levesque, don't you ever hated someone? Like Miss Leer! Didn't you wish bad things to happen to her?"
"No!" said Hazel defensively, "I never did!"
"Liar," whispered Nemesis with a g growl, "She was a racist, she was being harsh and judge mental to you. In the end, she got what she deserved."
Nemesis then said "She died horribly as she was left for dead after an accident where she fell off the side of a steep ditch. No one found her, no one could hear her and she died alone, slowly to the pain and the snakes in the area."
Hazel gasped as Leo stepped back and she said "Now Leo, how about you hmm? Your Aunt Rosa? Didn't you despise her Mijo?"
Leo tensed as Nemesis laughed and said "She was a worthless Aunt right? She left you alone and called you a demon for her sister's death! She got what she deserved in the end. Do you want to know?"
"I don't!" said Leo,
"But you do!" said Nemesis, "I can see the look of curiosity in your eyes! She died slowly as she was buried under the rubble of her collapsed apartment! She slowly lost air as her legs were crushed by the debris!"
Hazel and Leo scowled as they heard her laugh and said "What do you want Nemesis?"
"Me?" asked the Goddess, "I don't want anything but maybe you do?"
"If you're talking about bad things to happen to people then no!" screamed Hazel,
Nemesis scoffed and said "Tyche's influence on the Romans must be on you. No wonder she's in a messed up state like the others. Unlike myself, revenge is universal and so is retribution and balance."
"Wait what?" asked Leo,
She held out another note and said "Lucky numbers!? Do you believe this crap Vorn?"
"I do not milady," said Vorn lowly,
"What did you say about like the others?" asked Leo,
Vorn then said "The Gods are in turmoil. Milday spoke of it happening whenever a Civil War happens between the Greeks and the Romans. Their personas between Greek and Roman conflict each other resulting in splitting headaches and resulting in a pantheon of Gods where more than seventy five percent are useless."
"There's a war?" asked Leo,
"War?" questioned Echo,
Hazel raised a sarcastic brow at Leo and he then said "Oh yeah, I did leave Rome in flames but I did say I didn't do it on purpose."
"But it doesn't change the facts," said Vorn sharply, "You opened fire on New Rome and as we speak, you have a fleet of Romans flying after you."
"The Eagles?" asked Hazel, "How'd you know that?"
Form the sky, a dark messy feathered crow landed on Vorn's arm and it cawed loudly as It ruffled its feathers and the masked figure gave a nod. He then said "They come in numbers and they are out for blood."
Leo and Hazel didn't noticed the back of his coat but it seemed to be made of feathers and just then, the Crow perched on his shoulders and sank back to the back of his coat. They then realized the back of his dark coat was actually a thick lining of black feathers.
Nemesis pocketed the note and said "I hope you see where I'm trying to get here. A war begun and who do you think the Gods blame?"
Leo's face went deep into thought as he looked at the sinister looking goddess and said "Tia"
"That's right!" said Nemesis, "Lady Juno or Lady Hera is being blamed for the war. She was driven out of Olympus and she had to flee in fear of her husband's wrath. Don't expect any more help from her or most of the Gods."
Leo clicked his teeth as Hera may have been a massive pain but she had indeed helped them over the months, aside from giving Jason a powerful new weapon, she had given Leo a schematic about the Argonites, the rowboat ship system which Fecilia used with Bianca to get to the Roman Camp in time for the fight.
She may have not taken credit for it as well but she was probably the one who helped them get to the Camp faster than expected. Sure she was a really spiteful Goddess but she knows how important the quest was and she gave the best she could to help them with the whole thing. She didn't deserve to be driven from her home.
"I get it," said Leo angrily gripping the hammer on the back of his waist, "Why are you here then?"
Vorn then growled as he clenched his fists as he said "Insolent little-"
Nemesis put her hand up as she said "Calm yourself Vorn, Leo Valdez, I am here to offer my help."
"Your help?" asked Hazel,
"Why of course!" said Nemesis, "I enjoy tearing down the proud and powerful! That is why I let Vorn become my disciple and that is why I will help you. I would like to do nothing else than tear down Gaea and her Giants down a peg."
"You'll really help?" asked Leo who was really hoping for a Goddess' help,
"Well for a price," said Nemesis with a cackle, "Good luck and all that crap is a joke, true success requires sacrifice."
Leo saw the look on Hazel's face and he could tell she has lost much. He felt the same way and this Goddess was just starting to piss him off.
"All I need now is some Celestial Bronze," said Leo,
Nemesis shrugged and said "We'll get to that later but for now, Hazel Levesque, about your brother."
"My brother?" asked Hazel, "Is he alright?"
"For now," said Nemesis, "June 25th right? Yeah in six days from now, he and that Griffon Rider will die along with Rome unless of course you save them."
"What?!" exclaimed Hazel,
"As for you Valdez," said Nemesis, "You have hardships to come. You will face problems where in you will need help and I can offer you my help…for a price."
"What sort of price?" asked Leo cautiously,
"One of my children gave an eye to me to make a difference in this world," said Nemesis, "He paid the price but he got what he wanted."
"You want an eye?" asked Hazel,
Leo shook his head as Nemesis scoffed and said "Another sacrifice would do in your scenario child of fire."
She handed him a fortune cookie and said "Break it when you need my help but be warned, I collect swiftly. To make it better, I'll even lend you and your crew Vorn as a member for your ship."
Hazel and Leo glanced at the said disciple who had his arms crossed as Leo said "IS he any good?"
"You'll see," said Nemesis, "I hope you get along swimmingly"
She mounted her motorcycle as Leo said "How will I know when to use it?!"
"You'll know when you get there!" said Nemesis revving her bike, "Not much Gods will help you on this quest so be weary. Vorn, do the most you can for them. Your journey begins now."
She then drove off in a cloud of black smoke as Leo and Hazel were left with Echo and Vorn. Echo looked around and whispered "Now?"
Leo pocketed the treat and said "We get back there, take the bronze and get out of here."
-Line Break-
When they got back to the pond area, Narcissus was still gazing at his reflection in the water while the Nymphs, snow armed with bows and darts, swooned over him. Hazel and Leo watched as Echo gave Narcissus a longing look while Vorn was silently standing next to them and Leo said "Alright, there's too many of them to fight so here's the plan."
"Forgive me," said Vorn suddenly, "I have a debt to collect here, as Lady Nemesis' disciple, it is my duty as her herald to deliver."
"Deliver what?" asked Hazel,
"Retribution," said the masked stranger,
"Retribution!" said Echo in fear,
"Wait!" called Leo as Vorn stepped out of where they were and dashed down the slope at a blinding speed. The Nymphs seemed to notice him as Narcissus did too and Vorn stopped running a few feet before the crowd of Nymphs.
Hazel, Leo and Echo didn't want to risk the armed Nymphs as Vorn spoke "Narcissus, Son of Cephissus, I have come for you."
Many whispering and murmuring came from the Nymphs as Hazel whispered to Leo "What is he doing!?"
"I don't know," answered Leo, "He's going to get himself killed!"
Narcissus slowly rose from the ground and said "Who are you? I don't appreciate you bothering me while I try to have a date with my reflection."
Vorn showed no sign of backing off as he said "You have been accused of murder, blasphemy and vanity. I am here to deliver your verdict."
"What are you talking about?" asked Narcissus lazily, "You're too annoying, ladies please kill him."
The Nymphs gleefully nodded as they took aim at Vorn but in a blink of an eye, Vorn had leapt over them and reached Narcissus as the masked stranger's eyes met Narcissus as the revived dead stepped back in fear of the mask and said "Oh Gods! Stay back!"
Vorn rushed him and punched him in the stomach causing him to skid back and with he gave an axe kick that dropped on Narcissus' shoulder, dislocating it and making him fall to the ground.
The Nymphs tried to go to their idol but the intent Vorn gave off was too massive and overwhelming as they were forced to stay in place. He picked up Narcissus by his shirt and punched his face causing the beautiful man's nose to break.
Vorn then threw him down, grabbed the hairs on his head and made the man kneel repentantly. Narcissus was beat down and in pain as he struggled to breathe while Vorn slowly walked around him and said "Milady has assigned me to send guilty souls back to the Underworld. You were never truly punished in this world and now, your retribution shall be delivered."
Vorn extended his right hand and a pitch black rod materialized in his opened hand and it extended to a four foot long pole where from one end, a round obsidian end while form the other extended a dark, wide pronged, spade shaped glaive where a glowing fist sized white sphere was set in the center of the glaive.
The masked stranger gripped the glaive as Narcissus bowed his head and said "Please…no!"
"Is he going to kill him!?" said Hazel out loud,
Leo pulled her and Echo out of the cover and dashed towards the people below and said "He's not going to stop!"
Vorn stopped above Narcissus and said "You have been proven guilty. You have been sentenced to death by decapitation."
Vorn raised his blade as Echo called "Stop!"
In a swift stroke, Vorn slashed down with his arm and Narcissus' head came rolling on the ground but no blood came gushing out as the body and head gave a powerful grim glow of grey as the decapitated form of Narcissus was whisked into lines of energy which were absorbed into the sphere set in the glaive's head.
The Nymphs went silent as some stepped back and vanished while Echo dropped to her knees and began to cry clutching herself. Vorn grunted as he held the weapon forward as it vanished into thin air into a cloud of smoke with a gust of wind.
"Enjoy your trip," muttered the stranger,
Vorn then pulled out the large bronze mirror from the water and faced the horrified Leo and Hazel as he said "I have acquired the Bronze. Shall we return to your ship?"
Piper 3rd Person POV
"Are they back?" asked Piper as she worriedly put a cloth on Jason's head,
"They have just returned missy," said Talon nodding, "Apparently they took the longest."
After spending a few hours worrying about Jason and tending to him, Piper had decided that he wouldn't have wanted her to mope too much. He would want her to be productive so she caressed the blonde's hand and said "I'll be right back."
Going up to the deck of the ship, they saw Leo and Hazel dismount off Arion while Frank and Percy unbuckled the harnesses on the large piece of metal. The two looked pretty shaken and when Leo got off, he pointed to the sky and said "Guys, hold on."
Everyone squinted their eyes on the sky as a flock; a massive flock of crows flew towards the Argo 2. Fecilia clenched her fists and said "Should we be worried?"
"I honestly don't know how to answer that," said Hazel lowly with a frown,
The crows swarmed the ship as Leo said "Wait!"
The birds then gathered up into one place as the black feathered avians formed into a shape of a person and after forming together stood a red masked stranger in a dark coat who had strange contraptions on his left and right side.
"Who is that?" asked Frank,
"Apparently someone who will help us," said Leo,
"Apparently?" questioned Piper, "Apparently doesn't sound safe Leo."
Percy inspected the newcomer and said "Who are you stranger?"
The red masked outsider faced Percy and spoke "Greetings Perseus Jackson, I am Vorn Ar'Kan. A disciple of Lady Nemesis and the Herald of Retribution, I have heard much from you from milady."
Percy raised a brow and said "Nemesis? Ethan's mother?"
"Yes," said Vorn with a nod, "Milady's son."
A pregnant pause came as everyone on deck inspected the newcomer as he strikes them as a peculiar individual and Zoe then asked "Leo, why is he here?"
Everyone's eyes turned to Hazel and Leo who stepped back while Leo said "Kind of a long story,"
"We have time," said Frank,
"We don't," said Hazel, "Because in six days, Riley and Nico could die."
AN
Jake: Done and done! We'll skip over to some new crap next chapter, we needed this to introduce a new Argo Crew member and say hello to Vorn Ar'Kan! Who is this dude and what is he really there for? Find out next time!
Twista: We hope you enjoyed! If you did, leave a follow, review and a favorite below! It helps us out a lot! See ya! This is Twista Etervo! Signing off…